I'm running a bit behind schedule with these random, Random Thoughts Posts...
I'm just going to skip June - So here's July's Random Thought:
Can your favourite hobby stand-up against occasional set-backs? Can your chosen hobby withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune?
What about disappointment after disappointment?
Well, I actually went through some similar situations, to those I've alluded to above... However, my bat detecting wasn't the hobby! In fact, while on the subject, I should point out that my love of bat detecting has been put to the test (over the past 12 years) ...and has obviously survived unscathed.
No, in my situation, the hobby whose feet were held to the fire was Amateur Astronomy.
Spoiler alert: My astronomy hobby didn't "survive".
I'll make a long story short - I was on the precipice of really taking the plunge into visual astronomy/observing (and pencil sketching Deep Sky Objects) again.
I was making preparations for many weeks. I was slated to receive not 1, but 4 vintage telescopes: A dream come true for many amateur astronomers any way you slice it. These weren't just old telescopes, but models which are much-sought-after. In addition: I was getting these telescopes for a very modest cost, they had each been meticulously restored & cared for, and were owned by someone who wasn't only a expert astronomer, but a bona fide Scientist (he was also a very nice guy).
I was obviously very excited about receiving these instruments; and made plans for where each would reside, when & where they'd be used, etc. I was doing more than just counting the chickens before they hatched...I was organizing them as well.
Unfortunately, with the passage of time, small "hiccups" in the logistics of the situation ensued: Some expected (inclement weather), some unexpected... And as these obstacles waxed and waned, my interest and dedication to the hobby itself simply waned. In fact, it gradually waned until I'd lost not only hope, but just about all of my interest in the hobby altogether. It just happened.
So I eventually ceased my (formally incessant) pursuit of acquiring these instruments. And declined the offer to go through with the purchase/acquisition of the telescopes.
All-in-all it seemed to me, to be an interesting chain of events. For instance, there were many ways to look at the situation. As well as other options available to me... For example, I could've simply purchased a modest, brand-new telescope. Although the choices/selection were very dismal at that point - due to the trucking/shipping shortage in The USA at that particular time.
The take away from all this, is that I reached a point where I was done with it. I'd gone from the very lofty heights of excitement, joy and expectation, to the very dismal lows of losing hope. I found myself not wanting to be involved (or active) in this particular hobby any longer.
One of the odd things about it, is that I couldn't foresee this happening. I was fortunate enough to have the space to safely house the telescopes; and the great fortune of dark skies. Yet it happened anyway.
In some strange way, I may be glad that it happened. Going through this ordeal of highs & lows, frustration, etc., literally forced me to reassess the importance/value which that pastime represented to me. It forced me to seriously asses the situation, and cut my losses.
Bat Detecting Forever!
The next review here, will be of the very latest Echo Meter Touch 2 (with USB-C connector) from Wildlife Acoustics.
Happy bat detecting!
