News at 9: I'm bored.

April 29, 2009 8:58 PM

What do you do on weeknights to pass the time?

As a recap: I live in Amarillo, Texas. It's a small-medium sized city in the Texas Panhandle.

I've found a way to keep myself engaged after work and on the weekends.

However, weeknights are a different story. After work and exercise, I have nothing to do when 8 or 9pm comes around. Most places close at 9pm in town.

Many people I know watch TV, but that feels like a waste of time. There's also surfing the internet, which is what I'm doing right now. It also feels unsatisfying. Sometimes I take a walk and stare at the stars. That works half the time. The other half I feel alone and insignificant in the universe.

This is a relatively minor problem. Maybe you have an evening routine that can help me.

posted by abdulf to sports, hobbies, & recreation (47 comments total)

I read like crazy. Currently blowing through the 3rd and 4th Twilight books tonight. Are you a reader? It's a little dose of "escapism" and passes the time pretty quickly.
posted by olinerd at 9:02 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]

I take piano lessons one night a week and practice the other 4.
posted by bensherman at 9:04 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]

Do you have friends who are similarly at loose ends? Maybe a once-a-week gathering at each others' houses doing whatever -- playing cards, board games, shooting the breeze...
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:05 PM on April 29

Learn something new, maybe a language or an instrument. Cooking and photography are ones I went for.
Join a club or organization devoted to something you enjoy, perhaps the aforementioned language or instrument.
Take up a solo outdoor sport such as cycling or running.
If you're not very social, join an online game. Lots of people use those as ways of turning time spent into a sense of accomplishment.
If you are social, find a place where other bored people go to hang out. Go there. Hang out. This can be anywhere from a great bar to a dingy diner or coffee-house. Meet people. Talk about stuff.
posted by nightchrome at 9:06 PM on April 29

Learn to play an instrument. Invite friends over for poker. Read good books. Host dinner parties. Play board games with your neighbor's kid. Check out your local symphony orchestra/theater/university guest lecture schedule, sometimes there are performances on weeknights.
posted by halogen at 9:09 PM on April 29

Working on a master's degree through distance learning will take care of that extra time for ya. As will a good MMORPG.
posted by crinklebat at 9:16 PM on April 29

I lift at the gym.
I walk the dog one extra time.
I call my mom.
I read.
I floss.
I pre-stage my morning.
I study my SCUBA manual.
I do laundry.
I do volunteer work.
I beat off.
I bake.
I go to bed early.
I polish my shoes.
I play Warcraft (don't do this one).
I USED to watch TV, surf the internet, read, and text all at the same time. Most unsatisfying.

Do you get it?? I just 'live'. Sounds like you're looking for input. As in 'mental input'. Ever considered if you have ADD?
posted by matty at 9:21 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]

Get a subscription to the New Yorker and read it. Take up cooking challenges. Get different cookbooks from the library and see how many recipes you can make - maybe go by ethnic cuisine.
posted by amanda at 9:24 PM on April 29

I usually go to at least one knitting group a week. That's fun. Once I took a ceramics class at the local community arts center. My husband plays World of Warcraft. Sometimes I like to bake something complicated. If it's warm, I'll go for a run at night or take a class at the gym. Every now and then I break out the Guitar Hero.
posted by web-goddess at 9:25 PM on April 29

I've heard that some people go to bed at 9, 10 p.m. I've never tried it, but it's probably very good for you.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:26 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]

buy a motorcycle, best toy I've ever owned hands down.
posted by BrnP84 at 9:29 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]

Gardening!
posted by parkerama at 9:33 PM on April 29

I've taken up watercolor painting and drawing.

Yesterday, I painted algae and seaweed.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:35 PM on April 29

If you're looking for solo activities, then I nth tons of reading, starting a new hobby, or taking interesting classes (sidenote: you'd be surprised how many inexpensive classes are offered at gyms, rec centers, community colleges, even after 8pm).

And I find mindless tv-watching to be unsatisfying, too, but I have to say that having a few select shows that you follow religiously can actually be great fun. And like sports, it makes for easy conversation at parties or work.
Also, receiving dvds from netflix or somewhere similar can be a nice, enjoyable way to relax. Pick documentaries or the classics you always meant to watch, if you want more purposeful movie-watching.

I don't often feel bored, though, even if I'm sitting in a chair, so I wonder if what your experiencing is more akin to restlessness or difficulty concentrating? I'mNotYourTherapist, but I wonder if "feeling alone and insignificant" could be a symptom of depression, disguised as boredom?
posted by bluestocking at 9:41 PM on April 29

"Alone and insignificant" might be helped by doing/making something as a service, like tutoring a new immigrant learning English, fixing up used instruments for a school band program, whatever you know how to do.
posted by lakeroon at 9:42 PM on April 29

I know the feeling.

Before children, I used my spare time to work part time jobs which turned into an actual business. I also mastered a second language so that by the time my first son was born I was able to become a translator. I also did freelance writing. I also played on a handball team.

Kids take up most of my free time these days, but I've also stopped being self-employed and have a 830 to 430 (more or less) job, so I use my free time to learn a third language (just for fun) and I'm also working on a novel.
posted by KokuRyu at 9:42 PM on April 29

Read! So many great books, so little time.

But you seem to HAVE the time. Read, read, read! Your world will open up like crazy.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 9:47 PM on April 29

A couple of suggestions not mentioned yet:

- take up firetwirling (a lot easier & less dangerous than you'd think, heaps of fun, and there's a sharp learning curve)

- compile a list of "100 greatest films" (or similar) and work your way through them on DVD. bonus points for organising other people to join you.

- and nthing reading & the cooking challenge: research recipes, make a mini project of buying the equipment & ingredients, cook & enjoy, then rinse & repeat. satisfying, tangible results; fun with a glass of wine & background music as you work, and bonus points again for having others around to natter with as you prepare the food. combine with movie nights as required.
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:12 PM on April 29

nthing the idea of picking up an instrument or a second (third? fourth? nth?) language.

You could start a once-weekly game night with a group of friends. Board games are fun, silly, and usually have a built-in time limit.

Evenings are often the best time for volunteering for 'odd' assignment-type volunteering such as tutoring illiterate adults. Often the 'students' work during the day, every day, and only have the evenings free (and, I've found, they greatly appreciate being able to meet with you after the kids are in bed, so after 8 or 9 at night).
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 10:12 PM on April 29

Do you have any pets? My three cats keep me busy when I get bored. I pet them, brush them, play with them, and it can take up hours of my time if I let it. I enjoy it though, they bring a lot of joy to my life.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 10:14 PM on April 29

Bowling league, public lectures, walk neighbors' dogs.
posted by lakeroon at 10:18 PM on April 29

Hobbies:
Crosswords
Model building
collecting baseball cards
handyman stuff around the house
teach myself card tricks
write handwritten letters to family and friends
listen to music
read magazines/periodicals
Drink Beer
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:10 PM on April 29

A manfriend or ladyfriend!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 11:11 PM on April 29

If you're into video games at all, or even if you just want to be, a section of us play Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead almost nightly, and we would be glad to have you along with us. Left 4 Dead will be free this Friday if you just want to come "test the community" so to speak. If you're interested, feel free to drop me a MeFi Mail.
posted by Chan at 11:25 PM on April 29

I cook, which partially satisfies my needs for food, working with my hands, and (when I actually get enough good at making a dish), creative expression.


Start with baking. Instant payoff! Share your results with friends and coworkers for delayed payoff.
posted by bargex at 1:56 AM on April 30

I read. I watch documentaries online (through Netflix and PBS, mostly) which is pretty productive overall. I cross-stitch whenever I watch something unless it has subtitles I have to read or the focus is the imagery like a nature documentary (if glancing up every few seconds isn't enough to enjoy it, I can't feasibly cross-stitch during it).
posted by Nattie at 3:14 AM on April 30

When I finally manage to get my life organised so that I have time in the evenings I want to try out some crafts. I like the idea of learning to make something beautiful. My current ambition is to learn quilting. I want to learn to make things like this: http://www.nikkittyquilts.com/new_page_6.htm. I also really love wooden stuff like this: http://www.cambridge-crafts.co.uk/glyn.html

Is there any craft or hand made thing that appeals to you?
posted by alicegoldie at 3:43 AM on April 30

If I lived in Texas I'd fall in love with honky tonk old school country music (well, I'm already in love with it) and get a Telecaster and learn how to play in a country band. Barring that I'd meet some people who liked to hang around in crappy old bars and listen to country music. It's all about being lonesome which works quite well if you are actually lonesome. Then you meet other lonesome people and you can write a song about it.
posted by sully75 at 4:25 AM on April 30

I get home at about 7. Here's what I do.

Make and eat dinner
Make lunch for the next day. I make awesome lunches.
Do something crafty in front of something I want to watch, either a movie or something from a TV box set, or read a book
Then I'm tired and go to bed

Maybe go to the gym later in the evening (I'm assuming it's open) and do something while all the places in town are open.
posted by cathoo at 4:31 AM on April 30

I knit when I'm watching TV at night, partially because it is kind of my "job" (I'm a designer) but also because it makes watching TV seem like less of a total time-waste. Knitting is also a pretty great social activity for craftyfolk of both genders because it makes it easy to meet new people -- just find your local knit night, show up and have fun!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 5:24 AM on April 30

I lift at the gym./I walk the dog one extra time./I call my mom./I read./I floss./I pre-stage my morning./I study my SCUBA manual./I do laundry./I do volunteer work./I beat off./I bake./I go to bed early./I polish my shoes./I play Warcraft (don't do this one).
I USED to watch TV, surf the internet, read, and text all at the same time. Most unsatisfying.

Do you get it?? I just 'live'. Sounds like you're looking for input. As in 'mental input'. Ever considered if you have ADD?

Ummm . .. . "Do you have OCD? Do you have OCD?" she said for the hundredth time, rubbing her now-bloody wrist.

There are lots of great suggestions here and from others. Personally, I'd favor just reading -- there's so much pressure these days to ACCOMPLISH things these days. At 9PM? Though the piano sounds good, too .. . .
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 6:15 AM on April 30

I'll second the motorcycle idea. Especially if you get an older one that is mechanically sound overall, but with some 'issues'. A project motorcycle (or car, i guess) is a great time sink, getting it just they way you want, and then fiddling with it. It can be a significant money sink though, and you'd have to be the type of person that likes fiddling with mechanical things.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 6:20 AM on April 30

I read (magazine subscriptions, for pleasure, for work, for book clubs), I attend said book club meetings, I have dinner a few times a month with friends or old work colleagues, I cook or bake, I try to exercise, I clean, I take a dance class and practice the moves at home, I watch movies or old tv shows with my boyfriend (not mindless channel surfing; we get dvd sets of shows we like and watch those). If I lived in a car-friendly place, I might tinker. You could take up bowling or softball or other league sports, if your town offers them.

I mean, I used to do all that; I'm in grad school right now. I can't wait to get back to having a life instead of doing homework and going to school.

I think the biggest benefit to you will be to join some kind of proscribed social activity--a book club, knitting/crocheting circle, team of some kind. You sound lonely.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:31 AM on April 30

I'm working on learning a language (for free!) over at Live Mocha.

Give it a try!
posted by willmize at 6:52 AM on April 30 [3 favorites]

Maybe post something on this interesting site The Amarillo Stuff Meetup. Locals may be able to give you some additional suggestions.
posted by doorsfan at 7:09 AM on April 30

I don't usually have a lot of free time...because i volunteer. I sit on a handful of committees and do event planning on a volunteer basis...so that always gives me some document to work on or emailing to do or meeting to attend. It's fun, and there's a payoff of having a successful program come together that supports a cause. Is there anything you care about locally you could get involved with? I work on local food/sustainability issues, community radio, and an alumni association for my summer camp.
posted by Miko at 7:14 AM on April 30

I am on Metafilter. ;)

You are lucky to have this free time. Perhaps you should take up a hobby. There are so many. Some people have life long hobbies some people flit from one to another. It is always nice if you can learn something in the pursuit of your hobby. I like to build tube amplifiers and electronic equipment, but that suits me because of my engineering background. You have to find your own interests. Guitar has been mentioned a few time. It's a relatively easy and satisfying instrument to learn. Building your own tube guitar amp or even just repairing an old one is also kind of cool, well to me at least.
posted by caddis at 7:48 AM on April 30

I spend oodles of time with my young children in the evenings, which is terrific, but doesn't seem applicable in your situation. I do volunteer work at my church 4-5 weeknights a month, too, and I have community association meetings 1-2 weeknights per month. My wife has her own vounteer commitments as well. I don't seem to have much time left over, but I do not watch TV or use the computer in the evenings and I choose to read instead.

TPS, take note: I usually go to bed by 9:30 or 10:00 pm (and some nights even by 8:45 pm or so!) so I can get up at 5:00 am to exercise. abdulf, if you think this would be a meaningful change to your workout routine that you could stick to, it may work out well for you.
posted by cheapskatebay at 7:56 AM on April 30

As mentioned above, baking is great. It takes time, and it's a skill that you need to develop, but it's very worthwhile because you can enjoy the fruit of your labour (or cupcakes, as it were). Making bread from scratch is a great joy in my life, and I wish I did it more often.
posted by Simon Barclay at 8:17 AM on April 30

On Mondays I bowl with friends at a local alley that has a Monday night discount.

Tuesdays I play bar trivia.

Wednesdays I play ultimate frisbee.

Thursdays I play dungeons and dragons.

On the weekends I do nothing =(
posted by hpliferaft at 8:21 AM on April 30

Drinkin'.




surprised nobody said that yet.
posted by General Malaise at 8:59 AM on April 30

You already exercise, so get involved in running a race to raise $$ for a good cause. There are organizations that will fly you over to Hawaii to run a half marathon, you just have to raise ~$4000. The fundraising is fun and takes up a lot of time. Some of it would have to be done during the day (some phone calls, visiting businesses), but overall it takes up a lot of time (if you could maybe do some of this at work, and stay later at work for work you wouldn't have as much bored time in the evenings) and it is so rewarding to throw a successful fundraising event. You'd be surprised at how many people want to donate, so it's not a nuisance being a 'solicitor.' The training for the races is also good and you get to run with your "team" and get to know people in your area, they organize runs after work during the week too, which would give you something social to do.

Here's the site I got involved with:
http://www.ccteamchallenge.org/site6.aspx.
I'm doing the Napa half marathon this summer.

I'm sure there are other or similar things you could join. It's definitely something one can join alone, too, and then meet people.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 10:49 AM on April 30

Another suggestion: Get a puppy! You won't be alone, and you'll be it's biggest source of joy - you definitely won't be insignificant.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 10:50 AM on April 30 [2 favorites]

I've been listening to podcasts and lectures from TED.com and iTunesU. Lots of interesting stuff to learn about! I tend to do puzzles while listening.
posted by heatherann at 12:34 PM on April 30

Maybe you should buy a telescope! Astronomy would be a good hobby. Nthing reading, volunterring, taking a class.

Sometimes I clean when I'm bored, but lord knows there's only so much of THAT you can do. : )

Make friends, maybe through a class or the gym.
posted by Penelope at 1:06 PM on April 30

TPS, take note: I usually go to bed by 9:30 or 10:00 pm (and some nights even by 8:45 pm or so!) so I can get up at 5:00 am to exercise.

oh, yeah, absolutely! nothing like waking at or just before dawn & getting at least an hour of exercise in before work. watching the sun rise every day is good for the soul, too.
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:37 PM on April 30

Feeling alone and insignificant in the universe does not sound like a minor problem. That may be a bigger issue to deal with than what to do with your spare time that does not help you with the major problem of finding what your life and the universe are about.
posted by madstop1 at 5:07 PM on April 30