[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka I used to build a lot of LEGO when I was younger, but have since adopted a minimalist lifestyle and prefer o have only necessarily practical things around. But I have fond memories of it, and if it works to help your recovery, all the better.

Why is an adjustable table not an option?

It is nice that you and your partner can code something together. You mentioned cooking, do you also cook together sometimes?

It is hard to be a freelance artist to be sure, but there are many flexible less demanding options. Even simply having a place to collect drawings where people who like them could give some tips out of the goodness of their hearts (I never tried, but maybe Pateron does something like that) could be a way. Would probably not make a living, but every penny helps, and who knows, maybe your art will be liked by a crazy billionaire, and then one doodle will settle you for life. As for the skills, well, all comes with practice, I'd hope. Your drawings are very good when we play Gartic Phone, and you can check out the video of how Salva does his that I put up, maybe there are some pointers you'll spot there?

Hmm... Maybe your MIL can design a sock with a detachable extra sole that would be fixed on the sock sole with some buttons? Then, when that bit tears, you can just replace the sole itself rather than the whole sock, and you can make sure they match in style? That'd be an innovation to revolutionize sockware.

And do share a picture of a sock!

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch well spiders can be classified as sort of a hobby. My nephew collects tarantulas including scorpions and snakes. 😁

The problem is they always seem to be hiding in a corner somewhere. Makes it much more scarier. 🤣

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot Your nephew could be the SA version of UK's Aaron Phoenix. But it is an interesting question: is owning a pet a hobby?

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch I would rather say owning a pet is more of a responsibility than a hobby. Maybe if something like a butterfly could be both a pet and a hobby. When they are alive it's a pet and when they cross over into the spirit realms their vessels become collectable and turns into a hobby. 😁

I dunno lol!! It's kind of hard to say I'm collecting bulldogs for a hobby because it sounds strange. Then on the other hand people have a collection of birds and they recognise it as a hobby rather than a responsibility.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch Actually the sock can be just cut off. Not too different from partial unraveling.



Here's the Groke. She is so fat that she wraps around the leg, hence two socks needed for the picture. The background is white but alas the polar night is still not gone and my lamps have all dark light.

I had a lot of unexpected expenses last year and it is still going to be like this for a while. So until things settle down I can't afford to buy any furniture. At least I have a good chair, so the table is not that important.

I haven't watched the video yet. Will do so soon!

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot If this is how you look at it, then why just butterflies? There are bigger animals and the hobby of taxidermy. It is a complex matter. Some may say whether looking after animals is a responsibility or a hobby depends on the amount of care you need to give to the animal, spiders or butterflies may need less attention than dogs or cats.

But it may also depend on the ability to establish an emotional connection: humans create a bond relationship with their cats or dogs where animals can recognize their owner. Spiders can't do that and do not really distinguish one human from the others on an emotional level. So looking after them is not a symbiotic emotional investment.

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka But would cutting that part not compromise the integrity of the threads?

The Groke looks nice. I thought it was unusual to see her with a white part, before I read it was her, I thought it was a penguin. I always imagined Gorke as black/grey. But then I realized that there is a lamp there, too.

Ah, that is understandable. A good chair is a more important investment than a good desk. I wish someone had a carpenter hobby and could build one if needed. But only @DracoTarot could do that, and he is far away.

[Saka]

@DoctorEldritch I believe it's the lamp making the grey highlights white.
This is the original art by Tove Jansson



As for the socks, you can bind separate threads together. How else would you do fancy patterns or make designs requiring multiple rolls of yarn?

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch I used butterflies as an example. Many other animals can be seen either as a hobby or a responsibility.

You are correct, spiders don't have the ability to distinguish one human from another but still, when it comes down to emotional investment, people do tend to go that route. Someone like my aunt would communicate with a tarantula in the same manner as with her dog. She creates an emotional attachment and believes the spider is able to understand her even if it doesn't.

My nephew would refer to his spiders as pets and would always say "come have a look at my new pet tarantula". He would also mention he has a collection of spiders and it's his favourite hobby.

So it seems it could go both ways. All I know is my tiny brain is hurting and the subject is far too complex. 😂



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@DoctorEldritch it would be an honour and fun to build a desk for @Saka. Distance is always an issue.

"I hate distance. You meet the best people and they are always far away." 😊

[Saka]

@DracoTarot Distance is difficult. But on the other hand having friends in faraway places creates an opportunity to travel. Or at least to learn more about different cultures and environments. 🤔