Hobbies and Interests

I recently heard a stand up comic joke about the information they include on "social networking sites" on the internet. They claimed that people just make up lots of hobbies that they don't really have - and that real people don't really have hobbies anyway. I am not a hobby person in as much as a stamp collector, train spotter or quilt maker. I do however have lots of varied interests and these help to keep me busy when I am not at work and help the stresses of life and improve my wellbeing.

Radio 4

In my opinion, one of the greatest things about living in the UK is the British Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC. Radio 4 is the news and information radio station which includes drama, comedy, news, current affairs, documentaries and the almost poetic shipping forecast. It doesn't hit the mark 100% of the time and boring quizzes like "Quote Unquote" can result in reaching for the off switch. On balance it is a great radio station and thankfully they stream all their content over the internet. Most programmes are available on Real Audio for a week afterwards. Sadly too few are podcasted so you are a bit tied to your computer to listen - this is a real shame.

The Archers

Radio 4 has a long running radio "soap opera" called The Archers. It is the "everyday story of country folk" and can be entertaining, engaging, involve high drama and sometimes real emotion. It can also have short periods of dullness, too much shreaking and generally over predictable story lines. But it is highly entertaining and great for listening to when you wash up or iron. The BBC now podcasts The Archers which is fantastic as I can download the day's episode, load it onto my ipod and listen in the car on my way to work the next day..

Current Affairs

I suppose I should admit that I am a bit of a news addict. I always know what is going on in the world and the BBC and CBC figure regularly in my browser history. I like to watch television news and current affairs programmes as well as listen on the radio. I enjoy a good documentary giving background information to a topic or something like "From our Own Correspondent" on Radio 4.

Politics

Although linked to my love of the news and current affairs, bulletins can often focus on world events outside politics. I have always been interested in party politics and the decision making processes in the UK and since moving to Canada I have been interested in following the cut and thrust of Canadian politics. I think Parliamentary democracy is a great thing. Electing leaders, debating issues and arguing perspectives and principles is fascinating and I think essential to have a free society. In England I was member of the British Labour Party from the age of 18 until 2006 when I left the country.

Community Affairs

As politics and current affairs can cover the great events of the world, I am also interested in things that happen locally. This can be development issues, economic sustainability, transport, history, conservation or nature. I think it is extremely important to know what is happening around you.

Technology

I suppose having a website I do not really have to come out as a geek - its pretty self evident. I do like computers and gadgets and technology. I do not take this to the extreme and my desktop PC is now about 6 years old and I do not have an iPhone but I like to follow what is happening in technology and we do have a fairly extensive and complicated home wireless network. I quite like the challenges computers pose to try to get the most out of them and the triumphs of getting something working usually outweigh the frustrations when something does not. I am also interested in Open source software and have been using Ubuntu as the operating system on my laptop for a while.