I never have enough time for my hobbies. Before recovery, the only hobby I had was working on cars and motorcycles. They are both rather expensive. Since getting into recovery, I have uncovered several creative sides of me. Most of them still require some cash but non are "expensive" other than ham radio and of course, photography when I go on a "binge." Then the cost of film and processing can add up.

There is not one hobby I prefer over the other. Each has a place in my life based on where I am emotionally and spiritually and how much time I have to enjoy.

Photography. I am purely a hobby photographer, however, I have taken begriming and advance college courses in photography and have done a number of showings. Many people have told me my work is just like a professional. Most of my work is don in 35mm SLR and some in digital. As yet, I have not invested in a good SLR digital. On occasion, I will do a wedding or graduation photos. Hope you enjoy a small portion of my photos I have on the web.
Photography by Wolf

Motorcycling. As a teen, I rode dirt bikes whenever I could. I rode street bikes for a few years in the early 80's until I totaled a bike and nearly killed myself driving drunk. I didn't ride again until I was clean and sober for four years and have been riding street bikes again since 1994. Most of that time I have been riding with groups. I rode with A.R.M. (Association of Recovering Motorcyclists) for 6 years. In 2001, I left A.R.M. and joined Sober Bikers United as a founding member. SBU is not a "club" and does not mimic MC traditions. One of the key factors we were looking at in the early formative months was that traditionally, you had to own and ride a 750cc or bigger bike to be a member of a motorcycle club or association. By the time some bikers reach bottom, their bike has gone up their nose and/or they have lost their license. We felt that more than others, these were the people who needed the C&S biker fellowship early in recovery. SBU does not require members to own or ride to join and does not require prospecting (we're not a club). SBU is run by a board of directors and has no presidents or officers. There is no hierarchy and anyone who rides, rides wherever in the pack they feel comfortable. Recovering, non-recovering, male and female members all wear the same patch. Our patch is not considered "colors" as we are not a club. We wear a patch to identify with each other and to be visible to and 12-step those bikers who need recovery but aren't yet aware that there are C&S groups out there.
Sober Bikers United

Jewelry Making. I started making earrings early in recovery to fill in some of the "free time" that once was spent using drugs and drinking. Now I make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hat bands, and boot bands. This is one of my "quiet time" hobbies and I generally give away what I make as holiday, birthday, anniversary gifts and random acts of kindness. Occasionally, I will sell something that someone requests and now and then I sell some to offset the cost of materials. In reality, I never have and probably never will make back what I spend on this hobby. It's all good though because the look on someone's face when they unexpectedly receive such a gift is priceless.
Pictures of my jewelry

Wood Burning. Another "quiet time" hobby of mine. I learned wood burning when I was a teen but never did it again until I got into recovery. All of what I make is given as gifts. This is not a "cheap" hobby as the best woods for wood burning are also expensive.
Pictures of wood burning

Creative Writing. I really never knew I was a writer until I went to college. English 101 is a required course and it includes several different writing assignments. The first "short story" I turned in, the professor informed me it was almost ready to publish. I took several additional advanced writing courses and have been published. Published work includes several poems and short stories, a technical paper published in an American Psychological Association journal and undergraduate research published by the Midwestern Psychological Association.
My writing

Ham radio. For many people this is purely a hobby and they enjoy talking to as many people all around the world. The equipment is rather expensive but it's not a "recurring" expense as with film and processing for photography. For me, the hobby of it is helping people have a good and safe time by providing communications support at public events like marathons, triathlons, and charity walks. My primary involvement in ham radio is for public service as a volunteer storm spotter.
W9SBU - Ham Radio