Is this us? Nahhh!

[ballaratdragons]

What do your non-astro friends, and kids think of you and your Hobby of Astronomy?

My 2 sons think it's cool, but my 2 daughters think I'm Nerdy!!! :(

Do you see yourself anywhere in this Video Clip? :lol:
You'll need your speakers turned on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF-v30pLp8w&mode=related&search=

[Chrissyo]

Ahh, good old Weird Al. I bought his newest CD with this song on it the day it came out :D I also got to see him live in concert down at Twin Towns a few years ago. It was brilliant!

Most of my non-astro friends claim they think its a cool hobby and say that they wish they had a bigger interest in it. Then again, I dunno whether they're just saying that so they don't sound mean:P

[h0ughy]

mmm can relate to most of that!

[ballaratdragons]

Hmmmm, I draw the line at the pocket protectors :rofl:

[jjjnettie]

Love it, Weird Al is so clever.

My 9yr old thinks it's cool. Especially when we gather up the local kids and go satellite spotting.
My family and inlaws have a very patronising attitude about it. The last straw was when my brother in-law gave me an astronomy quiz in front of the family to show that it was all too much over my head. Needless to say, I don't talk about my hobby to them anymore.

[Ric]

Love the clip, great stuff.

My best mate thinks it's great and loves to come over and have a look while his son (my god son) has some of my images framed on his bedroom wall.

My work collegues are really only interested when there is a major event on the news like the Mercury transit, then they ask a few questions.
Then theres the usual round of Uranus jokes from the boss which has everyone running for cover :doh:

cheers

[ballaratdragons]

My Shift Boss says he isn't interested in Astronomy as he has already seen enough because he knows someone called Hailey, and he saw a Comet. :screwy:

He says that'll do him for a lifetime :lol:

[h0ughy]

Ken I had two pocket protectors stamped TANDY, and I has one from a company called CMA. I got those from my Dad when I was young:whistle:

[jjjnettie]

IceInSpace pocket protectors.
There's a thought.

[casstony]

I mispronounce Uranus in an effort to avoid the stupid jokes. I think all telescopes should be sold with tasers to punish grown-ups who find such jokes funny.

[Ric]

I usually do the same Tony, I've got wise to his baiting now and when he asks what I was observing I make up something technical like I was imaging light intensitys of a minor variable binary dwarf galaxy :eyepop: .
You can see his eyes glaze over with that rabbit in the headlights look and he loses interest. I might be in trouble though if he asks me to explain it to him:whistle: .

cheers

[xelasnave]

Well my daughter thinks it is a strange hobby etc until I give a star show at her school ..then she is very happy that its her Dad running the show and she knows "stuff".
As to what friends etc think...mmm since I have been into astronomy and "gravity rain" I dont seem to have any friends:shrug: ;) :lol: :lol: :lol: . other than the wonderful astro vendors I deal with:thumbsup: and of course the decent folk who talk to me on sites like this.
alex

[CoombellKid]

Kid's love it, mine do!!! but that's really sad to hear re: the inlaws.

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

[CoombellKid]

Bugger what people fink! I am weird, no two ways about it:eyepop:


regards,CS sunny days

Rob

[astromark]

Yes.... I am afraid we have breached the 'normal' code of conduct rule.
and yes I to miss pronounce Uranus, as You-ran-oos. It stops the kids giggling.
My brother asks why we bother, Who cares, Its not like we can change anything...... I could not agree. Astronomers could save humanity. We might be seen as slightly eclectic and odd perhaps but, Astronomy is much cheaper than Golf and my wife knows where I am.

[GrahamL]

I always thought of astronomers as bearded sandle wearing lovers of
sensible clothing (with pocket protectors) but now on the other side of the fence I realise that was a fairly harsh stereotype and has 'probably' little truth to it.

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, you only have to attend Snake Valley Astro Camp, SSSP, or many of the other events to see the wide variety of people into Astronomy!

Businessmen & Woman, Doctors, Garbos, Bikers, Ministers, Muslims, Bhuddists, People with a Handicap, Introverts, Extroverts, Newbies, Experienced, Kids, Oldies, Singles, Families, etc etc.

Just have a look at the range we come in throughout the thread 'Show us a pic of yourself'. :lol:

[spacezebra]

Most people at work, when I talk about my interest, usually say "thats nice" and their eyes glaze over.

Cheers Petra

[Ric]

It's good to be different, It keeps all the white sheep wondering

[mickoking]

Stereotypes eh? I am a Buddhist who drinks and smokes and listens to hard rock :) Oh and I love Astronomy :thumbsup:


ps Dont call me a nerd.

[Shawn]

I Love..

Oh I fly model aeroplanes in the weekend, or go fishing. What do you do, ?

Oh Im into Astronomy,

Ah well , Im a Capricorn.

:rofl:

[Sausageman]

Most people at work, when I talk about my interest, usually say "thats nice" and their eyes glaze over.

Petra,
I find the opposite, I take my scope to work regularily when I'm on late shift, and I love the reactions when people first see Saturn, or Jupiter and it's moons or my 2 favourites, the great Orion nebula or Omega Centauri.
But seeing is better than talking, it has a much better WOW factor.
Maybe it has a lot to do with the technical nature of our work, (aviation) and the mindset of my colleagues.
And yes, I still get the Uranus jokes as well. But I just smile and say nothing.
I do think though, but can't post my thought's here.
Hahahaha.

Mike.