Doctor, I have a problem!!

[middy]

I went outside last night and it looked like a beautiful clear night. After many months of cloudy nights my thoughts turned to imaging, and then the strangest of things happened. I began to think about the hour it would take me to drag everything outside, set up cables, align the barndoor, focus the camera, etc. etc. etc., and I decided I couldn't really be bothered and so I went inside to watch a movie instead. What is even more disturbing is the fact that the kids had gone to stay over at my wife's parents, and my wife had gone out to visit a client, and I had the place to myself and it was nice and quiet.

"Hi, my name is Andrew, I'm an amateur astronomer and I have a problem ....."

Is there a "DON'T QUIT" help line for astronomers.

Somebody help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Andrew Andrew Andrew.
What's wrong with you?
It was a beautiful clear dark night.
Don't tell me you chose watch "Spiderman" instead.
You need an observatory, so you can keep things set up ready.

[Matty P (Matt)]

You are not the only Andrew.

It can sometimes get to the point where you are just to tired to do anything.

It may sound like I am crazy but sometimes I actually hope that it's going to be cloudy.

"Hi, my name is Matt, I'm an amateur astronomer and I have a problem ..."

[leon]

Yes that is true, there are nights when I cant be bothered as well, even when it is crystal clear, I try and push myself, but that is the time when everything goes wrong, I'm sure we all suffer from this illness from time to time.

Hi my name is Leon, I'm an amateur astronomer and i have a problem.

Leon

[middy]

Phew! I am so relieved to hear that there are other people out there with the same problem as me. I feel better already!


What we all need is a .......... GROUP HUG!!!

[middy]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

You need an observatory, so you can keep things set up ready.

An observatory! Yes, that is exactly what I need. Unfortunately I don't have anymore space. I am clearing room for a 3 x 2.2 m shed at the moment, but that will have bikes, lawnmower, workbench and tools in it.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I know exactly where you are coming from Andrew. I looked out last night and it was lovely. A bit twinkly but better than it has been for quite some times. Unfortunately the past weather has me jittery and I just didn't trust it so I got out the big binos and spent some time scanning. Sure enough by the time it would have taken me to get the gear out setup and ready for imaging the cloud moved in.

At least I got to enjoy the some lovely dark skies visually for a while


Hi my name is Paul, I'm an amateur astronomer and the weather has me spooked

[JohnG (John)]

Ummmmm, what are clear skies .

I think I will join you......

Hi, my name is John, I'm an amateur astronomer, I used to image, I have a problem.

Cheers

[Ric]

I had a phase like that many years ago, just lost interest in observing and astronomy alltogether.

Thank goodness it only lasted about 6 months.

Multi-vitamin tablets will do the job.

Cheers

[Kokatha man]

Yeah first I thought it was age, then some deep seated psychological problem like the demotion of Pluto (see my post on that thread) but after a whiles I realized it's sometimes some of these things - or none of 'em - and it's just that as I go on I jist start takin' more confidence in doin' what I wants, when I wants and if I wants. Never really suffered the Protestant Work Ethic, but over the years I think most of us get into a sort of "hafta do this now, hafta do that next" situation.

Best to just let the spirit flow (weird thing this "spirit" thingy - can have you preferring to veg out watching some absolutely crappy movie.) I think this is where the New Agers throw in the line about "quality times" - so I've put it in.

Mind you, after getting peed off with the wind again last night I thought about leaving everything out to catch Jupiter this morning; but decided "bugger it" - woke up about 4.30 am and went outside and said "bugger it - why didn't I leave everything out there set up!"

[Argonavis (William)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I looked out last night and it was lovely. A bit twinkly but better than it has been for quite some times. Unfortunately the past weather has me jittery and I just didn't trust it so I got out the big binos and spent some time scanning. Sure enough by the time it would have taken me to get the gear out setup and ready for imaging the cloud moved in.
Hi my name is Paul, I'm an amateur astronomer and the weather has me spooked

It was clear all last night here in Brisbane. The sky was unbelievably transparent with good seeing. I wished I was somewhere darker.

The secret is that it only takes me 5 minutes at most to set up my 12.5inch. I don't have any excuses.

If it becomes a chore to set up you either need an observatory or do something simpler, like use binoculars on a lawn chair.

Losing interest for a period is normal, most come back even more enthusiastic than ever.

[mark3d]

you need breaks from any hobby.

they are not meant to be work

[Jen]

Jen will take full advantage of all the people that loose interest and look after all your scopes and other goodies that u own for you all till u are ready to get back into it again I promise i will look after them they will not be lonely.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by middy

I went outside last night and it looked like a beautiful clear night. After many months of cloudy nights my thoughts turned to imaging, and then the strangest of things happened. I began to think about the hour it would take me to drag everything outside, set up cables, align the barndoor, focus the camera, etc. etc. etc., and I decided I couldn't really be bothered and so I went inside to watch a movie instead. What is even more disturbing is the fact that the kids had gone to stay over at my wife's parents, and my wife had gone out to visit a client, and I had the place to myself and it was nice and quiet.

"Hi, my name is Andrew, I'm an amateur astronomer and I have a problem ....."

Is there a "DON'T QUIT" help line for astronomers.

Somebody help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what is happening in this world!!!! get thee to an observatory for some reeducation

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Originally Posted by Argonavis

you either need an observatory

It's all here, I just gotta put it together

[acropolite (Phil)]

Ditto here, I set my gear up, I've only had it out once since Astrofest, due to work commitments. HRH insisted on reading and the light from the house was distracting, so after viewing a handful of targets around the crux region, I crawled in to bed vowing to get up once she had decided to turn the light off. Big mistake, I awoke at 9am refreshed, the LX still faithfully tracking Omega Cent.

[Lee]

I have been the same lately - although there has only been a handful of clear nights over the past 3 months.... sort of lucky for me as I am studying for some exams in April/May.

[sheeny (Al)]

I have that problems too! Been suffering from lethargy/apathy for a while. The lousy weather hasn't helped... I find I'm ill prepared when the opportunity arises, and demands on my time have increased to fill the time I would've other wise spent out with the scope.

Originally Posted by mark3d

you need breaks from any hobby.

they are not meant to be work

There's truth in that. I pushed myself for a while, but the weather was too frustrating, so a "slack" period is not a bad thing to recharge the batteries. I'm hoping that when we move to dark site, the keenness will come back.

Al.

[astroron (Ron)]

I watched a DVD, "The Best of the Johnny Cash Show" with a couple or three Beers,a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Looked out a couple of times , but thought there will be other nights in the next week or so, so back to the lounge chair and the DVD.
Ron

[matt]

Wash your collective mouths out with soap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah. Just kidding.

I get the "Couldn't Be Bothered Astro Blues" too.