cimorene | the problem with an interview is I don't have time to self-edit for concision and relevancy...

Yesterday when I was meeting the two helpful social workers, they asked about my hobbies (for purposes of writing in my file), and I started out, "Drawing, and art, and I have two rabbits and two cats who are both sick,..." and then I got sidetracked explaining the cats' illnesses and feeding schedule.

I never finished listing hobbies. It's always a little tough to decide what to say, especially in drawing the line between hobbies and interests, and because my natural tendency, as a fannish type who is always extremely excitedly interested in a minimum of several new things, would be to overshare. I have to keep in mind that that isn't what people want to know in a CV-like context. So what else should go on the list? Should I say 'reading' even though it's more a compulsion than a hobby, and I have a very laissez-faire attitude to published books these days, and apparently everyone says reading already? And what about...

I usually say 'writing', even though I haven't written any fiction since the 2016 elections. If questioned I'll say things like 'blogging, and social media, but also fiction'. Although I have even been pressed further on fiction and admitted to writer's block, which in retrospect seems even more awkward than explaining what fanfiction is.

I often say 'knitting' or (the Finnish equivalent of) 'fiber arts'. That should definitely beat writing at least for frequency.

'Calligraphy', for sure. And fountain pens definitely belong here, although perhaps I'd just say 'calligraphy' if I was speaking Finnish and not in an arts and crafts context.

'Fandom' or 'fanfic' would probably be a good (that is, accurate, potentially understandable) thing to say. I usually say something like 'fandom, and science fiction and fantasy'.

I often say 'baking'. Certainly I'm more into it than lots of other people, but it's not a very intense interest. I enjoy making cookies (and sometimes cupcakes), and that's about it. I'm not gourmet or even foodie about it, nor experimental, nor particularly interested in decoration. I just like conveniently-sized desserts and classic flavors.

Sometimes I say something like 'interior design' or 'design', although I consider this more an interest than a hobby. I read things about it and look at a lot of pictures to do with interiors, furniture, interior design, the styling thereof, etc, but mostly I just save some of it on Pinterest and that's it (apart from choosing what to buy in our house). Relatedly, I have an interest in all design related to Art Deco, Art Nouveau and the Arts & Crafts movement, including a lot of related movements and periods, and even extending into Arts & Crafts-associated styles of architecture. But again, calling it a hobby when it consists of reading and looking at things feels strange to me. It's not even 'curatory fandom' (lol), because just bookmarking some things doesn't really rise to the level of curation. The main reason I include this when making hobby lists for a cv is that I'd prefer to work in a place where it was relevant. I mean really, my dream job is still working at Ikea, even though it's currently on the other side of Turku from here and the distance could potentially be prohibitive without a car. And my next choices after that would probably be some other big decor or furniture store.

I have not ever had occasion to say "Welsh" but it's definitely getting that kind of time commitment and interest from me of late, as anyone spending much time exposed to potential smalltalk with me would be bound to notice, because interesting trivia I've recently absorbed frequently pops out then. ("Did you know the Welsh word for cupboard is cupboard, but it's spelled with two Ws? Can you guess where?")