CW: Alcohol mention
This is a bit of a fluffier post. A comment in a writing group chat inspired me to share a little more about myself in occasional blog posts. So we’re going to start off with something simple: my hobbies.
(I’m excluding reading, as that’s a bit obvious for a writer).
A coworker often jokes that I have “all the hobbies”, and he’s not far off the mark. I’m not shy about attempting something if I’m curious about it, and a few of them have stuck. In no particular order, they are:
1. Making tea blends.
I love tea. Like… really, really love tea. I drink about 6 cups a day.
At one point, I decided to try my hand at crafting my own blends, and I loved it. I’ve made hundreds of teas, inspired by everything from my own book characters to a set of blends for cosplayers who need a mood boost (or a calming cup after a sewing mishap).
2. Video games.
I’ve been an avid gamer since the first time I held a Nintendo controller back when I was about 7 years old.
I prefer single-player games (multiplayer ones give me anxiety), and I really sink my teeth into story-heavy RPGs. I’m an unapologetic Dragon Age fan, and I have replayed Chrono Trigger more times than I’d like to admit.
Some non-RPG faves I keep coming back to include Megaman X and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
3. Candlemaking.
This is my most recent hobby, one I took up around the end of 2018. I love fragrances, and the idea of blending scents the same way I learned to blend teas was really compelling.
I’m still learning and growing as a candlemaker, but it’s very rewarding to create a scent that sparks the exact mood I had hoped to invoke.
4. Crafting cocktails.
After I’d played around with tea blends for a while, I decided I wanted to experiment with stronger flavors. While I enjoy the results of cooking, I loathe food prep. Peeling and chopping vegetables is the worst.
So I decided I’d try my hand at cocktails. (Though there’s occasionally a bit of slicing/juicing involved, it’s not nearly as tedious as peeling potatoes). I researched techniques, did some trial-and-error, and discovered a knack for it. Here’s a favorite recipe (yes it was inspired by Dragon Age, hence the book in the background):
Honey Mint Lemonade
- 2oz honey vodka (Smirnoff has a decent one)
- 2oz lemon juice
- 2oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 7-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1-2 fresh basil leaves
- dash (about 3 drops) angostura bitters
Muddle the mint and basil leaves with the simple syrup. Combine with the lemon juice, vodka, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Pour through strainer over ice.
5. Beaded bracelets
I’m not a master jewelry-maker by any means, but I do enjoy making these simple memory-wire beaded bracelets. They’re easy but still satisfy that magpie need to create something sparkly.
Honorable Mention: Cosplay
I’m currently taking a hiatus from cosplay while I work on launching my book, but it’s been a fairly major hobby for years. I love crafting costumes and bringing characters to life.
What are some of your favorite hobbies? Share in the comments below!
Amy Avery / Avery Ames 