Non-meaningless social activities

[AttheGates1996]

my social activities are based around jamming with my band. and amazingly enough, even though they drink and occasionally smoke pot, i am completely sober and have never done a drug in my life. its having will power and realizing what u truly want in life rather than letting alcohol take it over. im quite happy with my life and the fact that i'm clean.

[Thamuz]

Urban Exploration
You work together with the individuals you UE with to get to and into buildings, but once in, the experience for most people is quite personal, photographing and absorbing your surroundings. Taking in the history of the place your exploring too. Being in a group adds to safety, and sometimes you might miss things if you were on your own.

It does bring together people of very different backgrounds, which I quite like in a way. Though there is an element of socializing, for instance we usually go for something to eat or drink after a good explore, its not the same as going out on the piss. The conversation does generally revolve around the explore, but after a while you do get to really know some people, long term UE'rs are passionate and fairly intelligent judging from the people I've met, and I have made some really good friends UrbExin'.

You know this sounds like great fun.

I'm not sure what is around my town that could be suitable off the top of my head so I might do some "recon" (and perhaps inadvertantly gain some sort of new insight into the structure of things around here...).

If all else fails I am only an hour's drive away from Melbourne which is littered with possibilities.

What sort of experiences have you had with this? I'd love to hear them.

[Valan]

You know this sounds like great fun.

I'm not sure what is around my town that could be suitable off the top of my head so I might do some "recon" (and perhaps inadvertantly gain some sort of new insight into the structure of things around here...).

If all else fails I am only an hour's drive away from Melbourne which is littered with possibilities.

What sort of experiences have you had with this? I'd love to hear them.

If you check some of the sites on the UrbEx ring: http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=draining you might be able to find some info about local sites.
I'm in the UK and we have a wealth of industrial sites along with the closed asylums and some hospitals. Plus we've been to a few military underground sites, etc.
Overall I'd advise not to go on your own (there are people who do, but a lot of them are experienced climbers, etc), let someone know where you're off too and have a basic kit with you, torch, first aid, mobile phone, etc (theres a lot of info on the majority of sites) and a decent camera. Oh and find out about your local trespass laws!

It is a fascinating 'hobby', though unfortunately it is getting a little bit too much publicity now, and the overall view of UrbEx'ers is still that of criminals by the majority of the public. Also with some UrbEx'ers there is a lot of competition and ego involved..which is a shame as its bringing too much attention to sites, spoiling it for other urban explorers.

My site is slooowly being added too (I'm a horrendous perfectionist with layout), so theres little on there at the moment: http://www.nyctophobia.net I have a few pics here too of our recent trip to Belgium: http://valan.deviantart.com/
One of the first websites I ever visited still remains my favourite: http://www.abandoned-places.com/ and a more recent favourite is: http://www.opacity.us/

I'm sure you'll find plenty to explore, post a link to some pics when you do

[Horrific Prophecies]

Sometime in the near future I might be beginning combat classes. That is - fighting with swords, axes, daggers, bows, etc; the lot. I'm pretty sure there are 4 students in each class: good socializing and bonding around a common (and seemingly rare, these days) interest, I think. Maybe someday I could take it up a notch like Rob Darken, and join a reenactment group. Anyone?

[born for banning]

Non-meaningless activities.

Self

Reading
Physical exercise
Hiking
Building things
Coding
Radio
Musicianship
Violence

Social

Love
Camping
Hiking
Sport
Musicianship
Discussion
Building things
Family

[Zero]

Great suggestions.  I've never loved the "let's get drunk and fuck people" crowd.  Those fools are rather dull.  In fact I view them as one of the contributory poisons common to the world.  It is difficult to find intelligent people of any sort among what qualifies for higher education nowadays.

I used to participate in a charity, but would like to just feed fellow healthy people.  I love to cook vegetarian Indian influenced food for "you."

Anyone in the CT/NY area close to Fairfield county can message me.  It won't be long, but it can be useful at the very least.

[Prospero]

I never thought urban exploration would look so interesting. I might take a walk into some abandoned place soon. It's a great idea.

[Skjold]

I have done something similar to urban exploration a couple of times, randomly searching through some abandoned/condemned buildings with some friends. Never knew there was a name for it or even that it was something that people did. Unfortunately there is generally nothing really any cool here, as, land is at a premium so anything that's abandoned is developed quickly. But it's something I should perhaps try again.

Other non-meaningless activities: rock climbing. Requires mental focus and strength of will as well as physical abilities. The "competition" within the sport is also quite a plus, as you aren't so much trying to beat other people but to push yourself harder.

[David_Ravel]

For anyone that have a real good shape (athletic or so), free-runing and parkour are also something very interesting. It's challenging, and to some extent, it's easier to do then climbing since you don't need all that special gear.

[chrstphrbnntt]

For anyone that have a real good shape (athletic or so), free-runing and parkour are also something very interesting. It's challenging, and to some extent, it's easier to do then climbing since you don't need all that special gear.

I've been thinking about trying my hand in parkour. However, I have a bulky frame, I don't know if I'm built for it: seems like something someone with the physique of a lineman wouldn't get far in.

[David_Ravel]

If you REALLY want to get into Parkour, you can get in shapre for it in like 2-3 good months. And then, the practice and the sport itself will shapre you.

But if you want to do some real parkour in one week with a shitty cardio/muscle training, go hurt yourself heh.

[chrstphrbnntt]

If you REALLY want to get into Parkour, you can get in shapre for it in like 2-3 good months. And then, the practice and the sport itself will shapre you.

But if you want to do some real parkour in one week with a shitty cardio/muscle training, go hurt yourself heh.

I'm strong, but not agile. That's what I was trying to get at. I'm going to give it a shot—to take a break from mountain biking, which I've been doing for about a year now. This looks like a good workout routine.

[we hope you die]

To be honest, goign out at the weekend and drinking to you puke is more a result of modern society rather than a cause. People are trapped in deadend meaningless jobs and need some release at the weekend, so they go out, get pissed, fight and fuck. If everyday life was more fulfilling for these people then they wouldn't resort to booze.

The social activities that people have suggested are all great ideas, but they take far too much effort for someone who has been wokring hard all week and is feeling unfulfilled. They need a simple release, and alcohol can provide that.

[David_Ravel]

@ chrstphrbnntt :

Seems to be a good routine. I'm gonna lvl-it up a bit and try it out for my next training.

But as far as this go, I would suggest to add a bit of musculation and cardio.

For anyone that want to train hard for any exercice, your god must be Gym Jones :

http://www.gymjones.com/

They are the ''Corrupt'' or ''Anus'' of modern physical exercice.

[chrstphrbnntt]

@ chrstphrbnntt :

Seems to be a good routine. I'm gonna lvl-it up a bit and try it out for my next training.

But as far as this go, I would suggest to add a bit of musculation and cardio.

For anyone that want to train hard for any exercice, your god must be Gym Jones :

http://www.gymjones.com/

They are the ''Corrupt'' or ''Anus'' of modern physical exercice.

I'll get back to you on Gym Jones when I decide to become a gladiator.

edit: Coincidentally, it appears that they trained the actors from the movie 300.

Certainly looks like a gym that has its shit straight. I'll read through their site a bit more.