Is this us? Nahhh!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #1 08-12-2006, 08:34 PM

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?

You'll need your speakers turned on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF-v3...elated&search=

Chrissyo (Chris) · #2 08-12-2006, 08:47 PM

Ahh, good old Weird Al. I bought his newest CD with this song on it the day it came out

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

h0ughy (David) · #3 08-12-2006, 09:32 PM

mmm can relate to most of that!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #4 08-12-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

mmm can relate to most of that!

Hmmmm, I draw the line at the pocket protectors

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #5 08-12-2006, 10:07 PM

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 · #6 09-12-2006, 12:21 AM

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

cheers

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #7 09-12-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

Then theres the usual round of Uranus jokes from the boss which has everyone running for cover

cheers

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.

He says that'll do him for a lifetime

h0ughy (David) · #8 09-12-2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Hmmmm, I draw the line at the pocket protectors

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

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 10-12-2006, 12:01 AM

IceInSpace pocket protectors.
There's a thought.

casstony · #10 10-12-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

Love the clip, great stuff.

Then theres the usual round of Uranus jokes from the boss which has everyone running for cover

cheers

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 · #11 10-12-2006, 02:35 AM

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

.
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

.

cheers

xelasnave · #12 10-12-2006, 06:50 AM

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

. other than the wonderful astro vendors I deal with

and of course the decent folk who talk to me on sites like this.
alex

CoombellKid · #13 10-12-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

CoombellKid · #14 10-12-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

As to what friends etc think...mmm since I have been into astronomy and "gravity rain" I dont seem to have any friends

. other than the wonderful astro vendors I deal with

and of course the decent folk who talk to me on sites like this.
alex

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

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

astromark · #15 10-12-2006, 07:47 AM

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 · #16 10-12-2006, 09:52 AM

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 (Ken) · #17 10-12-2006, 12:21 PM

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'.

spacezebra (Petra) · #18 10-12-2006, 03:03 PM

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

Cheers Petra

Ric · #19 10-12-2006, 06:45 PM

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

mickoking · #20 10-12-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

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

Stereotypes eh? I am a Buddhist who drinks and smokes and listens to hard rock

Oh and I love Astronomy

ps Dont call me a nerd.