[AZ-Observing] Re: Veteran Observers - Where did you find the time?
- From: "Sheryl Gambardella" <drybonesaz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 20:56:36 -0700
Hi Mike,
I am not a veteran observer but I understand completely the stress and
frustration of being pulled away from astronomy by responsibilities. I am in
the midst of the very same dilemma. But you must recreate (RE create).
Stress is a destroyer of health. Is it possible to combine family time and
astronomy? Camping is something I remember very fondly from my childhood.
Kids love it and never forget it. It doesn't have to be fancy, or far or
even over night (we cooked on a tailgate and slept in the truck bed) but it
could be... say if your family had a cabin or a room in Greer for the
weekend. A day spent running up and down hills and trails puts the kids to
sleep very early and you can camp where the sky just happens to be very
dark. Don't give up! and Good Luck
Sheryl
----- 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.
>
--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
send personal replies to the author, not the list.
Other related posts:
