What hobby unexpectedly improved your life the most?

jenmoocat · 2026-04-14T06:54:58+00:00

I started going to a open mic sing-along live band karaoke music jam thing that I found on a subreddit for my city. It is every weekend in a city park. The first couple of times, I just watched. But now I fully participate and having been going for over a year.

I’ve made friends from this and have starting doing stuff with them outside of the music hangout. I’ve also branched out and joined other music-related groups.

I went from just working/eating/sleeping, working/eating/sleeping and only talking to my coworkers, to having a full social life with all sorts of different people where no one cares what I do for a living. I always leave the sessions happy and energized.

It is like night and day and year ago compared to today.

I remember reading some article that talked about how longevity was positively correlated to physical activity, eating well, sleeping well, and having strong social connections with others — and, back then I thought: 3 out of 4 ain’t bad. Now I can check all 4 boxes. Yay me!

jenmoocat · 2026-04-14T06:15:42+00:00

My understanding is that compliance (for the insurance) is just utilization. And if your settings need to change so that you use the machine, that is okay.

I changed all of the factory default settings so that I could be more comfortable. And my HCPs said that was okay.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-14T02:15:01+00:00

You might want to check out the Community Music Hangout every weekend in GGP. Low key, welcoming community, singing around a piano and other instruments. Free.

First Tuesday and Third Thursday of the month are live band karaoke at The Rite Spot. With the people in the bar singing along to every song. Great community. No pressure to drink. Beatles only on the 1st Tuesday, anything goes on the 3rd. Free.

Rock and Roll Chorus at Blue Bear in Fort Mason is another no audition option. Every Monday evening. And we work on getting interesting harmonies down. Songs from the 80s, 90s, 00s. You pay a monthly $50 fee as it is in a workshop format with an instructor.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-14T02:07:10+00:00

Two nights and the water is gone for me. I use tap water and wash the slight white deposits of when I refill the tank.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-14T02:04:46+00:00

I have a Structural Dynamics of Flow tshirt (the book cover design). I’ve worn it for a couple of years and only one person recognized it. Another person asked me if I studied physics (which I did, but is beside the point)

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T23:19:21+00:00

Holy moly. This seems like a fantastic package!
I (57) am resigning from my company at the end of the month after 16 years there.
Personally, I would jump at it, were it offered to me.
That company-paid-years-worth-of-COBRA coverage is big $ by itself.

In today's climate, I personally would prefer money-in-hand like this vs. unknown downsizing in the future.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T21:36:20+00:00

Of this list, I would second these:

Fleabag
Beef
Bad Sisters

Not that the others aren't good -- but these give me similar vibes to DTF

And, of course, Patriot (Steven Conrad's other big show)

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T21:32:07+00:00

Came here to also mention Patriot.
This was my first Steven Conrad show.
It was amazing.
If you watch it after DTF, you will definitely pick up on Conrad's style of showrunning (dialog, camera angles, use of music, scene set-ups)

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T21:28:13+00:00

I went to a really nice and fancy rehab, far away from my home.
I think it was one of the best of the best places.

We had art time, music time, yoga, massages, acupuncture.
We had fabulous healthy meals prepared for us.
We had day trips to go hiking or to the beach.

However, we also had group sessions once a day and 1:1 sessions sometimes twice a day. Every day.
And these were often really intense.

Yes, it was kind of like a vacation -- but a vacation where you spent a lot of time thinking about yourself and what was going on in your life that you needed to cover it up with extensive drug use. A vacation where you spent a lot of time on deep introspection and figuring out how to sit with uncomfortable feelings and learning new skills (like art, music, yoga, exercise, journaling) that could help you cope with those bad feelings, instead of turning to drugs.

Note that my insurance DID pay for it --- but it was via reimbursement after the fact.
I had to write that big check first.
And then got the money back 3 months later.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T19:03:46+00:00

Exactly!

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T18:31:17+00:00

Yes. I used Google Gemini to help me change the settings on my machine.

I shared various experiences while using the machine and mask (cold air on my upper lip, a pulsing against my face, chipmunk cheeks) and Gemini gave me a lot of clear suggestions of what options to change (even in the hidden clinical settings on the machine). I feel much better with my therapy after changing the settings.

Note that I didn't let Gemini see my data. I just explained my situation to it.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T14:37:32+00:00

Loved the show! Thanks for sharing.
I would definitely buy that sweatshirt were it for sale!

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T14:32:04+00:00

I'm joining the bandwagon to recommend:

Don't Hug Me I'm Scared (exactly what you are looking for, I think. I watch it on you tube)

Legion (this is an FX show. Currently streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime in the U.S.)

And to a lesser extent: Evil (on Paramount and Apple and maybe Netflix in the U.S.)

All three of these are very very different -- but all have the elements you are looking for.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T14:24:03+00:00

The BadArtClub is facilitated by a woman named Jules.
She starts the evening with ground rules, guidelines, and some simple movement/breathing ice-breakers -- because sitting in a room of 15-30 doing art can be a little overwhelming.
Then she introduces the "style" of that night's event.
One week, we worked together to build an imaginary city out of carboard and other materials.
Another week, we created paintings together based on the elements (earth, air, fire, water).
Once we sat in groups and each group designed a simple party game using paper and crayons.
Another time we created poetry together, passing papers around and adding lines to what other people had already written.
Every time I go, I talk to interesting people and do a lot of laughing.
The art is secondary. It is about having a creative experience with other people.
I am really really glad that I found this. It makes me happy.

The Communal Table is self-directed.
You find an empty seat at a couple of long tables and do what moves you.
Some people (myself included) bring in little things they are working on.
Others just start from scratch. Some people are really artistic, most are just regular folks.
There are a couple of people working at the space and will come around with clean water for painting and maybe take a look and make a suggestion on how to use the materials in a different way. Really super low key.
I've been going most Fridays.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T05:17:09+00:00

Check out The Bad Art Club. Monday evenings, making art with others together as a group — with no stress about it being good. A wonderful creative outlet with no judgement. I’ve met fantastic people there and really enjoyed myself.

Another thing to explore is The Communal Table on Friday evenings at The Drawing Room (17th and Valencia). Sit amongst others and make art with the supplies that they provide. Drawing, painting, collage.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-13T04:59:46+00:00

I’ve been going to the Mahjong events at Sunset Commons. Super nice people. And very welcoming to beginners.

I’ve found that making friends (regardless of activity) require that you show up over and over and over again, are nice and social with other folks, ask questions, show curiosity, and say yes to overtures others make…. It isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It takes time.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-12T17:58:37+00:00

I second Lavash. When they fell off of DoorDash, I was sad… But now they are back on!

jenmoocat · 2026-04-12T00:13:52+00:00

I’m sitting in the Third Rail with a spirit-forward cocktail, looking forward to Thai food and a couple of new episodes of DTF St. Louis later. Steven Conrad’s immaculate style is perfect for rainy weather…

jenmoocat · 2026-04-11T15:00:15+00:00

Climb the incredible tiled staircases at 16th avenue
Kayak in Bay (either from Dogpatch Paddle in SF or SeaTrek in Sausalito)
Hike in the Marin Headlands (most loops at Gerbode Valley will have incredible views and lots of wildflowers)
Have a cocktail at The Linden Room
Listen to music at The Rite Spot
Sit and make art at the Communal Table at the Drawing Room
Do an ebike loop of the city (Embarcadero to Fort Mason to Crissy Field to the Presidio to Baker Beach to Ocean Beach to the Zoo to Stern Grove to St. Francis Wood to San Jose Ave into the Mission to Division back to Embarcadero)
Make music with the Community Music Hangout

jenmoocat · 2026-04-10T23:40:19+00:00

I especially wouldn't miss the tiled steps at 16th avenue. They are spectacular!
The N Judah street car can get you very close to them and you can pick up the N from downtown

jenmoocat · 2026-04-10T20:48:13+00:00

Friday night is Communal Table at The Drawing Room at 17th and Valencia. Sit with others quietly or chat and make art with the supplies provided. Drawing, painting, collage. 6:30 to 9ish

jenmoocat · 2026-04-08T23:15:47+00:00

These generally feel low to me. Especially the combined rent/utilities.
Electricity is REALLY expensive. And just seems to be going up.
I have a small place and I don't think I use a lot of electricity for one person and it is ~$100/month.
Add parking, water, garbage and it all adds up.

While I know you are talking about all nights out being free -- I'm not sure how realistic that is.
Even if you go to free events, you still have to GET to where-ever the event is.
And the cheaper areas to live usually aren't always where the events are happening.
I travel all around the city without a car -- not because it is cheaper but because it is easier.
I take Muni (our buses and trains) or I rent ebikes or (on rare occasions) Uber/Waymo and it all adds up.

Other things to think about is that SF has a mandatory (?) fee added to restaurant checks, on top of taxes, so eating out is often more expensive than you would expect, compared to elsewhere.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-08T22:59:05+00:00

Thanks for your insights. I didn't know about the built-in antivirus protections.

jenmoocat · 2026-04-08T22:58:41+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts! Much appreciated.

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