I should clarify that I in fact do have quite a bit of hobby time in my life currently, bolstering Daniels post- it's just not centered on astronomy at the moment. What sort of ticked me off was the assumption that someone else didn't know how to manage thier own life. I am serving my second term as president of the local RX-8 club, and we have monthly activities that I have never failed to attend. I believe our current membership exceeds that of SLAS. But these events take place during times more conducive to my work schedule- and our general membership. I am even attending a regional convention for rotary enthusiasts in Vegas this May. Most of the membership is less than half my age, so it is an energetic group, with more women and minorities participating than in my astronomy club. After a ten-hour work day that entails my getting up at 4 AM, there is no way I can cut-and-run for an observing site whenever the seeing permits. Even on my last workday of the week, I'm just too beat to head for the hills after having been awake and on my feet for twelve hours already. I don't sit at a desk all day. The only way I can guarantee astronomy time is to use vacation, and then it's a crapshoot when trying to schedule in advance. The night-time requirement of 95% of astronomical activites (regular club meetings included) means it's simply not a viable option for recreation time, when constrained by my work schedule. I'm not complaining, just dealing with reality in the best way I can at the moment. I still have fun. :o) I'm sure I'm not the only list member who has a problem with the nocturnal requirements of astronomy. On 4/29/11, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote:
Yes, and you'd be surprised, even in retirement, what can pop up and get in the way of what I'd like to do, like astronomy.