Audio Talk and General Discussion

A high-quality audio system will make your living room windows bulge. Take the squeak out of your tweeter and the growl out of your woofer with a few helpful hints from the folks who know audio. High-fidelity, high-end, and professional audio are some of the topics covered.


Web:

http://www.smr-forums.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.audio
Google Newsreader rec.audio.high-end
Google Newsreader rec.audio.marketplace
Google Newsreader rec.audio.misc
Google Newsreader rec.audio.pro
Google Newsreader rec.audio.tech
Google Newsreader rec.audio.tubes


Gold Prospecting

Gold has, since antiquity, had a profound effect on people, often affecting their behavior to the point of irrationality. To a scientist, gold has some unique properties. Among the metals, gold is the most malleable (easily shaped) and ductile (able to be stretched). Compared to other common materials, gold is very dense (19.2 times as dense as water), an excellent electrical conductor, and will not rust, corrode or tarnish. For example, when a treasure of gold coins is recovered from a sunken ship, the coins are as bright and shiny as the day they were minted, even if they were immersed in sea water for hundreds of years. Which brings us to the more interesting properties of gold. It can make otherwise normal human beings act like complete loonies. True, gold is valuable, but not as valuable as, say, platinum (which is actually denser). And there are other precious metals (silver, palladium and rhodium) that are also important enough to be commonly traded as commodities. However, the allure of gold is unmatched in the psychology of mankind. Would you like to explore this irrational craving firsthand? You can. Here are some resources to help you get started with recreational gold prospecting. Start small, and, with perseverance, you may soon work yourself up to fully qualified fanatic. In the meantime, you can have a lot of fun.


Web:

http://www.golden-caribou.com/goldmin/Jour.htm
http://www.goldmaps.com/links.html
http://www.goldprospectors.org/
http://www.tomashworth.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.mining.recreational


Graphology

Take a look at a handwritten letter. If the lines of writing slant upward to the right, the person who wrote them was happy and in a good mood. But if the lines slant downward, it is a sign of depression. How much of graphology (the study of handwriting analysis) is valid? Probably more than you think, but less than you might want. Check for yourself and make up your own mind.


Web:

http://www.britishgraphology.org/
http://www.ehandwritinganalysis.com/formation.html
http://www.graphology.co.il/doodles.html
http://www.graphology.co.il/signatures.html
http://www.handwritingpro.com/
http://www.writinganalysis.com/answers.htm

Listserv Mailing List:

List Name: handwriting-l
Subscribe To: listserv@listserv.aol.com


Guns

On the Net you can get into all sorts of discussions and information about shooting sports, training, personal defense, gun laws, weaponry, and other topics related to firearms in general. And before you get on your high horse about weapons and gun control, I want you to remember that it isn't guns that kill people: it's bullets traveling at high velocity.


Web:

http://www.firearmnews.com/
http://www.gunhoo.com/
http://www.gunowners.org/
http://www.gunsnstuf.com/links/
http://www.recguns.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.guns


Hobby Resources

We are all born with a particular combination of talents and aptitudes. Throughout our lives, we must use our inborn aptitudes or we become frustrated and dissatisfied. Life works well when our work (or school work) requires us to use all our aptitudes. For many people, however, this is not the case, and for this reason, hobbies are important. By using the talents that would otherwise be neglected, our hobbies help us balance our lives and feel an ongoing sense of satisfaction. If your life seems to be missing something, maybe a hobby is what you need.


Web:

http://www.hobbytyme.com/links.html
http://www.nanana.com/hobbies.html


Japanese Flower Arranging

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is an expression of the dynamic relationships between man and nature. The word Ikebana is derived from "ikeru" (living, to keep alive) and "hana" (flowers). In the Japanese view, one should not seek to fight and conquer nature. Rather, one must learn to live in and with nature. Ikebana, as with other Japanese art, has at its core the goal of using material objects to express a non-material spirit. I have a wonderful picture book of Japanese flower arrangements and I always find looking at the pictures to be refreshing and inspiring. Whenever I view an Ikebana exhibition, I never fail to appreciate how moving and beautiful a sparse arrangement of only a few flowers, leaves and branches can be.


Web:

http://www.ikebana.org/Gallery.html
http://www.jinjapan.org/kidsweb/virtual/ikebana/ikebana...
http://www.niwa.org/Ikebana.html
http://www.sagagoryu.gr.jp/html/saga/esa_index_new.html...


Juggling

I can juggle three oranges. So when I tell you that juggling is a great way to make friends and influence people, you know I'm telling the truth. Join the jugglers and learn how to keep none of your eggs in one basket.


Web:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/juggling-faq/
http://www.juggle.org/
http://www.jugglemania.net/tricks.asp
http://www.jugglingdb.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.juggling


Kites and Kiting Resources

Did you know that in Thailand, kiting is a major sporting event with teams, rules and even umpires? Kiting competition involves fighting between kites that are controlled by teams of up to twenty players. Whether you are a serious kiter or just like to fly kites for fun, these Web sites will have something for you. Find kite reviews, stories, tips on flying, general information, event guides, and even graphic images of single, dual, and quadline kites. When the wind isn't blowing, stay home and talk about kites on Usenet or IRC.


Web:

http://www.blueskylark.org/zoo/
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/kite1.html
http://www.kitebuilder.com/wiki/pmwiki.php
http://www.kitelife.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.kites


Knot Tying

Here are some great Web sites that can teach you all about tying knots. You will find diagrams showing you exactly how to create some really cool-looking knots. Have you ever wondered, why are there so many different knots? It's because there are many different uses for knots. For example, the knot you would use to tie down a tent or a tarp would be different from the knot you use to tie a boat to the pier. Once you learn about different knots -- and when to use each one -- you will find your knowledge useful in many situations. As a matter of fact, after spending some time practicing your knots, I bet you will be walking around looking for something to tie up.


Web:

http://www.dfw.net/~jazzman/knotter/knot.htm
http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/knotlink.htm
http://www.igkt.craft.org/
http://www.korpegard.nu/knot/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.crafts.knots


Lighthouses

The purpose of a lighthouse is to protect sailors at sea by providing light and sound to guide them through the dark or fog. Over the years, many lighthouses have been built around the world, and today, many people enjoy studying and appreciating these structures. At first, it may seem like an odd hobby, but once you get started, lighthouses are like pistachio nuts. You just can't stop at one.


Web:

http://home.neo.rr.com/rodsphotogallery/Lighthouses/Lig...
http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/ltaccess.html
http://www.lhdigest.com/digest.cfm
http://www.lhdigest.com/explorer.cfm
http://www.lighthouse.cc/links/
http://www.lighthousegetaway.com/
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/
http://www.us-lighthouses.com/all.asp
http://www.usalights.com/
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/h_lhindex.html


Magic

Even after seeing the cut-up tie trick or the lady and the tiger a hundred times, you still can't figure them out. Brush up on your magic and learn some trade secrets. Learn how to make your little brother disappear or how to change that pesky IRS auditor into a pen and pencil set. You don't have to sell your soul to the devil, you just have to be more clever than the rest of us.


Web:

http://www.allmagic.com/allmagicguide/
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/magic-faq/
http://www.linkingpage.com/
http://www.magic-interactive.com/
http://www.magictalk.com/
http://www.magictimes.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.magic
Google Newsreader alt.magic.history
Google Newsreader alt.magic.secrets


Model Building

Having your own airplane, train or rocket is a big hassle. It costs a lot to maintain, and your wife (or mother) probably won't let you keep it in the garage. Much better to stick with scale models -- they are a lot more economical and easier to manage.


Web:

http://www.scalemodel.net/
http://www.scalemodelindex.com/
http://www.zendner.com/boats/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.models.freeflight
Google Newsreader rec.models.railroad
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.air
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.helicopter
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.land
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.misc
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.soaring
Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.water
Google Newsreader rec.models.rockets
Google Newsreader rec.models.scale


Nudism

Sense the freedom and vitality of the human body unfettered by fabric. Nudists enjoy outdoor activities the natural way. Try it, and you'll like it.


Web:

http://www.aanr.com/
http://www.naturistjournal.com/
http://www.naturists.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.nudism.moderated
Google Newsreader rec.nude


Puppetry

Like to be in control? Maybe you should take up puppetry as a safe outlet. Get information about puppets, puppeteers and puppet troupes. Read about the Puppeteers of America organization, see a list of festivals and guilds, or read about the history of puppetry. For those people who also like to work with their hands, there are patterns for making paper and cloth puppets. The mailing list is for performers and historians to discuss history and theory of puppet performance, tradition and innovation.


Web:

http://home.carolina.rr.com/puppetrylounge/
http://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.arts.puppetry

Majordomo Mailing List:

List Name: puptcrit
Subscribe To: majordomo@lists.village.virginia.edu


Radio Control Cars

Radio control (RC) cars are small, gas- or electric-powered vehicles that you use a remote control to drive, either on- or off-road. The challenge -- and the fun -- of RC cars is to learn how to combine the art of driving with the techniques of building and maintaining a complex, small-scale machine. If you are thinking of getting involved with RC cars, my advice is to start with an inexpensive car. It will run relatively slowly, but slow cars are easier to use and much less frustrating for beginners. As you get better and start to pick up the nuances, you can spend a few more dollars -- and many hours of your time -- on a faster, high-performance car. In the meantime, you'll have oodles of fun doing things that the drivers of ordinary cars can only dream about.


Web:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/models/rc-cars/newbie-guide/pr...
http://www.hobbytalk.com/
http://www.rc-cars-and-trucks-guide.com/remote-control-...
http://www.rc-cars.net/
http://www.rccar-guide.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.models.rc.land


Railroads

Who's been working on the railroad, all the live-long day? And what has Dinah been doing in the kitchen? Join the railroad fanatics and discuss real and model trains.


Web:

http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/
http://www.rrhistorical.com/
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.models.railroad.ho
Google Newsreader alt.railroad
Google Newsreader alt.railroad.steam
Google Newsreader bit.listserv.railroad
Google Newsreader misc.transport.rail.americas
Google Newsreader misc.transport.rail.australia-nz
Google Newsreader misc.transport.rail.europe
Google Newsreader misc.transport.rail.misc
Google Newsreader rec.railroad

Listserv Mailing List:

List Name: railroad
Subscribe To: listserv@cunyvm.cuny.edu


Slot Cars

If you are old enough to remember when slot cars were popular, you are old enough to remember the Dick Van Dyke Show and Peace With Honor. Ah, what sweet days of our youth were those. And what could be a better way to recover a bit of lost innocence than to grab a hot slot car, rev its motor, and show the kids how it was really done? For the slot car aficionado, here is all the info you need to stay cool: race and product information, links to related sites, calendar of events, slot car zines, and much more.


Web:

http://www.hoslotcarracing.com/
http://www.oldweirdherald.com/
http://www.slotcar.com/
http://www.slotside.com/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.hobbies.slotcars


Treasure Hunting

When I was a little kid, I was digging in the garden one day, when I had an idea. I got some paper and drew a treasure map. I then wrapped it in plastic and aluminum foil and buried it in the garden, as deep as I could. Several years ago, the house was sold and now, a brand new family lives there. Maybe, one day, one of the kids will be digging in the garden and find my map. If he does, I hope he or she is nice enough to split the treasure with me.


Web:

http://www.garren.net/treasurechronicle/
http://www.losttreasure.com/sites/
http://www.otherplane.com/treas/thmyths.htm

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.treasure.hunting


Unicycling

When I was an undergraduate student (in Canada), I had a friend who decided he would teach himself how to ride a unicycle (a single-wheeled bicycle). Once he did, another friend decided that he also wanted to learn how to ride a unicycle. Eventually, they conceived the idea of riding their unicycles across Canada. The plan was to get a van that would follow them, in order to provide support and a place to sleep. We even talked about me being the person who would drive the van. Unfortunately, they never followed through with the plan. If they had, however, I would have had a really cool story to tell you.


Web:

http://www.unicycling.org/

Usenet:

Google Newsreader rec.sport.unicycling


Yo-Yos

If your personal popularity depends on hanging out at the mall strutting your fancy yo-yo style, it's good to have a way to access fresh material with which to impress your friends. Check out these sites where you will find yo-yo tips and tricks, as well as general information regarding this pastime of the gods.


Web:

http://member.newsguy.com/~jparrish/faqbeg.htm
http://www.ayya.net/
http://www.iwc.com/cosmicyo/trickindex.html
http://www.mryoyo.com/
http://www.nationalyoyo.org/
http://www.stuntpilot.com/
http://www.yomania.com/cgi-bin/config.pl
http://www.yomania.com/tricks.htm
http://www.yoyoing.com/wildjimbo/
http://www.yvanovich.com/collective/faqcoll.htm

Usenet:

Google Newsreader alt.sport.yo-yo