Special interests

I love saddletanks, they are my favourite. I love Mallard as well and any old steam engines with smoke deflectors. Whats your favourite? 

I like bears too. Do you mean teddy bears or wild bears?

That sounds really good, the good thing about that is at least you will be familiar with it before you start

Thats a lovely collection of animals. Whats a golden pheasant? I havnt heard of them 

I think for the most part we're a lot more kind and helpful than people give us credit for. I always like to hear people's stories about their goth friends.

Ive got that many different ones on the go at the moment I don't know where to meaningfully put my attention

Thank you for this post. It has reminded me of my interests past and present.

When I was at school I was fascinated with aspects of Physical Geography. After doing a project on Iceland I was pleased to get the opportunity to visit. Likewise the glacial geography fascinated me, so I loved visiting Switzerland. I remember the first time I saw mountains with snow on finding the sight amazing. Then actually going up to the snowline was something and seeing a goat on a rooftop. The sound of cowbells I also found very relaxing. 

Trains are another interest, so my second visit to Switzerland was by train. When I was single I enjoyed going on train lines I had not used before. I love the little branch lines that go through the countryside.

Wildlife is another interest. I could sit for ages watching estuary birds. I also enjoy watching birds visiting the garden. That reminds me of a holiday when I was young in the Scilly Isles as you could go on a peaceful walk with few vehicles and find an almost deserted beach. It may be a bit different now. 

Someone mentioned guinea pigs. We had a couple a few years ago. They were very entertaining and I loved when I arrived home and went in the garden that they would squeak. I discovered they had several different noises. There was an excited one when I went out with a carrot top or end of a cucumber.

Things have changed a lot in my life now, but I still enjoy knitting, crocheting, sewing, the occasional other craft and particularly problem solving. This includes creating something useful from things I have around the house. My face masks during the pandemic were probably a lot more colourful than most, but I enjoyed matching then with my clothes.

I also enjoy the ever changing challenge of creating colour in my garden and particularly growing plants from seeds.

Hi Battybats,

My next door neighbour is a goth who headed his group as some sort of advisor.  He lives on his own as a retired self employed plumber. He's been a very helpful  friend.

Here's a few of mine:

The Discworld novels

Medical history

Science communication, specifically focusing on reproductive healthcare (and in particular, how that healthcare is different for the LGBTQ+ community)

Early modern theatre, from Shakespeare through to the Restoration

The goth subculture

Vampires (just generally haha, I followed along with Dracula Daily last year and enjoy a lot of vampire-themed media)

I've retired two years ago at age 75 after a varied job history in six differing industries as an electro-mechanical fitter/repairman/installer (automotive-telephone-air compressor- hydraulics- robotics industries, followed by self employment the last 20+ years. Ref. profile). Positions I have held were solitary in nature relying on my skills set. Although I was recently diagnosed as autistic rather late in life, I nevertheless knew from an early age I was atypical, with not being a very good mixer socially. This realization since childhood inspired me to invest in myself with varied skill sets allowing participation in these industries. (I also hold a City & Guilds in brick laying although never having laid a commercial brick)

I spend most of my time in my shed either repairing things, modifying things, or making things. I've recently applied to volunteer my time at a local steam engine museum although I never had this sort of experience working with steam I think having worked in the past with high pressure hydraulics may be a step in the right direction. 

My biggest concern is whether or not to confess my autism, and simply try to get on with whatever task I am presented with as an individual, or as a team player through masking myself. I am awaiting a response to my submitted application---its early days yet. I am torn between the possibility of being rejected owing to my age and my origins, and my struggle with sociable interactions of NT's while having experienced many past rejections.

Asperger Mike

I love trains! What's your favourite? 

My other special interests are

Ships

Health, medicine and diseases

Harry Potter

Doctor Who

Vintage things

Bears.

Hey Billy,

I have:

1 cat - Winnie - 8 years
2 corn snakes - Inca and Selu - 10 years and 4 months respectively
1 dwarf hamster - Minx - 1 years
2 tarantulas - Truffle and Genie - 9 years (approx) and 8 months (approx) respectively.

I've owned several cats in the past, along with rabbits, guinea pigs, birds (golden pheasants and cockatiels) - for a very short time - gerbils, hamsters (both dwarf and syrian).

I am looking forward to it as it's at the cattery I take Winnie to when I go away on family holidays. The cattery is lovely, small and privately owned and the manager and staff are really lovely and friendly.

Mweekie xx 

I love wildlife. Being out in nature is so helpful to me. I grew up with cats so I really like them. Its so cool that you are thinking of working in a cattery, I really hope that works out for you. What pets do you have? 

Hi,

My special interest is anything to do with nature and animals, cats and birds in particular. I help out at my local wildlife trust and that's really expanded my interest in nature. I also own several pets at home and am also hoping to start work in my local cattery soon - depends how well my work-trial goes in a couple of weeks.

My fiancée is into her cars, buses etc and likes all things mechanical. She has also taken up an interest in wildlife and photography as well - helped out by me lol.

Mweekie xx