Hobbies

"There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." - Dave Barry

"Hobbies of any kind are boring except to people who have the same hobby." - Dave Barry

Jet Skiing- Eat My Wake 

This is my modified Kawasaki 550 jet ski.

I bought it with a friend and fellow grad student at Purdue in 1994 and rebuilt in 1995-96, when I was single :-). My wife enjoys being on the water too, actually more than me, but tenure track (for me), residency (for her) and two kids (by us) has kept the jet ski in the garage the last few years.

I like to think of my jet ski as a "classic." Once upon a time, there were personal watercraft (PWC) that required balance, stamina and strength.  These watercraft were known as "jet skis".  Unfortunately, the term "jet ski" later became used to also describe a more recent jet-propelled watercraft invention, known as the "waverunner".  The operator sits on a waverunner and stands on a jet ski. America, anyone can ride a waverunner.  Get off your butt and ski!

My favorite local places to jet ski have included the following:

1. Lake Michigan in southwestern Michigan (New Buffalo, South Haven, etc.).

2. Raccoon Lake State Park near Hollandsburg, IN.

3. Lake Freeman near Monticello, IN.

4. Lake of the Woods near Bremen, IN.

Woodworking 

 

This is my workshop in the basement of my house.

I spent a lot of time learning in my fathers workshop while growing up. Much of my college education was financed by working five summers in residential construction. I've remodeled most of our home, highlighted by a master bathroom with a walk-in shower with floor to ceiling ceramic tile and walnut cabinetry. The highlight of my furniture construction is walnut endtables with burl drawer faces.