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[AZ-Observing] Re: Veteran Observers - Where did you find the time?

From: "Bernie Sanden" <bsanden@xxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 19:54:17 -0700
Hi Michael -



I went through a period in life that sounds a lot like what you are
currently experiencing.  When our second child was born, I immediately
realized my hobbies (of which astronomy was #1) would have to take a back
seat.  It was not emotionally easy for me at first, missing a lot of good
nights with my friends who would inquire just about every clear dark weekend
if I was heading out to Sentinel or Vekol or wherever with them.  I'd
decline maybe 2/3rds of the time for one reason or another and some of my
more ambitious observing goals were severely brought down to the lower
strata.  Nonetheless, two very important things occurred.  First, watching
my children grow up and my young family coelesce was second to nothing, and
my "need" to go out observing was somewhat naturally curbed.  The second
thing that happened was that there were always times when I was able to get
away for my favorite pasttime (and like you, sometimes by the urging of my
wife, who knew it was best for me to get away once in awhile).  I took each
of these observing opportunities as more special then ever, since they were
somewhat more rare.  During those difficult observing times (1988-1993), I
still managed to see the annular eclipse in San Diego, the Saturn
occultation of 28 Sagittarius, two northern light displays from AZ,
Shoemacher-Levy impacts on Jupiter, and probably a hundred other very
special astronomical moments...in other words, I somehow managed to catch
most of the best astro-moments available around here even though my overall
observing time was cut down dramatically.



By the time my youngest was about 8 or 9, more time began to free up.  My
wife and I enjoyed the solar eclipse cruise in the Carribean with other SAC
friends, and I made my first trip to Australia to see the southern sky.  I
count every night out under the stars with friends as special, just as I do
every day and night with the family.  I don't mean to sound hokey, just that
it's funny how it all happens sort of naturally.



Bottom line is...you will figure out how to manage it as long as you focus
on keeping the balance.  Like some of the others mentioned, I learned how to
do a lot of backyard observing (and getting the kids interested, well...at
least momentarily) although by no means did I stop going out to dark skies
when I had the opportunity.  And, of course, it helps to have understanding
observing buddies, and I had the best.



I don't know if any of this strikes a harmonic chord, but I sense that you
wonder if anyone is doing something super-human.  The fact is, most of us
have gone through times when astronomy has taken a back seat to something
else, but we all tend to come back with a vigor at some point later when the
opportunites return and the stars once again align in our lives (ha ha).



Hope this helps,

Bernie Sanden

East Valley Astronomy Club / Saguaro Astronomy Club







----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Wiles" <mwiles@xxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 9:19 AM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Veteran Observers - Where did you find the time?


> So I have a dilemma.  Like all on this mailing list, I have an intense
passion and love for the night sky and find great pleasure in visual
observing.  Yet, because of the demands of daily life, I have a very
difficult time getting out to dark sites with the rest of you for an
observing session.  I know that many on this list are a few years more
advanced than I am (no disrespect intended), and seem to have more time to
get out to a dark site than I do (presumably).
>
> I'm happily married with three young children and all of the demands that
such an arrangement places on my free time.  In addition, my chosen
profession requires me to spend a lot of time at client sites in other
states and away from home.  My question is - how did some of you elder
members handle the situation when you were in my situation?
>
> I have a significant investment in equipment for deep sky observing, but
sacrificing an entire day to go to a dark site with other club members is a
precious commodity that I rarely have time to indulge.  I get no grief from
my family, in fact my wife gets frustrated with me when I cancel an
observing trip at the last moment because of other events in my life.  I've
had to make do with observing from my backyard - which isn't necessarily a
bad thing I've found when conducting limiting magnitude tests (I can see mag
5.6 stars from my backyard).
>
> I've considered selling the equipment and waiting for a time down the road
when I can afford the investment of time to observe all the wonders of the
universe that have captivated me all these years.  However, when push comes
to shove, I just can't bring myself to do it.  My youngest child is 6, and
as my business grows I expect that the travel requirements of my daily life
will lessen over time - probably about 10 years out for both of them.
>
> Any advice from anyone on the list would be greatly appreciated on how I
deal with the situation until I'm able to devote more time to this wonderful
hobby.
>
> It's also entirely conceivable that I'm just ranting - and if that's the
case - thanks for listening. :-)
>
> Mike
>
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>


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See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
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References:

[AZ-Observing] Veteran Observers - Where did you find the time?
From: Michael Wiles
[AZ-Observing] Re: Veteran Observers - Where did you find the time?

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