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I believe I may not be alone when I say that I’m quite the avid collector of postcards, but rarely ever send them out to family or friends. To some, this might seem counterintuitive, even wasteful. But for me, these miniature works of art serve a different purpose. They're windows into distant lands; time capsules of bygone eras; and conversation starters par excellence. In fact, in a city as fast-paced as Singapore, where our lives often revolve around our vehicles and the next destination, a postcard collection arguably offers a unique form of escape and contemplation. What is a Postcard? Let’s go back to the basics first: A postcard is more than just a piece of cardstock; it's a tangible slice of travelling memories, frozen in time. These compact rectangles typically feature an eye-catching image on one side—perhaps a sun-drenched beach or a bustling cityscape—while the reverse offers space for a brief message and address. What is most fascinating most about postcards is their ability to evoke powerful travel reflections. Each one tells a story, not just through the picture it bears, but through the postmarks, stamps, and handwritten notes that adorn it. In our digital age, the humble postcard stands as a delightful anachronism; a physical reminder of places visited and experiences shared. The History and Evolution of Postcards? Interestingly, the first commercially produced postcards emerged in the 1860s, revolutionising communication. By the late 19th century, postcards had become a global phenomenon, ushering in a "golden age" of travelling and travel reflections. The establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 standardised international postcard rates, fuelling their popularity. Innovations like photographic postcards allowed people to share vivid snapshots of their journeys. Even today, postcards remain cherished artifacts, offering glimpses into past landscapes and cultures. The Meaning of Postcards That brings us to the next point: Why are postcards so significant? Beyond just pieces of cardstock, they embody tangible snapshots of travelling experiences, as well as frozen moments in time that capture the essence of a place. When I eventually find the time to thumb through my collection, each card sparks vivid travel reflections, transporting me back to the bustling city streets of downtown New York, or the serene coastal vistas of Valencia. Postcards serve as miniature portals, offering glimpses into diverse cultures and landscapes. Even without sending them, these compact mementos allow me to revisit cherished memories and share stories with friends who drop by. They're conversation starters, art pieces, and personal artefacts all rolled into one - proving that sometimes, the joy is in the collecting itself. The Joy of Collecting Postcards Collecting postcards is a fascinating hobby that combines art, history, and travel reflections. Curating a unique assemblage that speaks to one’s interests can be thrilling; whether you're drawn to vintage scenes or modern designs, there's a postcard style for everyone. Perhaps one of the more exciting aspects of postcard collecting is uncovering pieces with significant historical value. These small windows into the past offer glimpses of bygone eras, architectural changes, and societal shifts. I've found that each postcard tells a story, making my collection a tangible timeline of human experiences and travelling trends. There’s also the allure of building one’s personal gallery. A distinctive collection allows one to express their personality and passions. From quirky illustrations to breathtaking landscapes, every postcard acquired adds a new dimension to an ever-growing gallery of memories and aspirations. Postcards as Reflections of Travel and Experiences And for those who do enjoy sending postcards, they can serve as powerful reflections of my journeys. According to a Reddit discussion, many solo travelers even send postcards to themselves as a way to preserve memories. Besides transporting us back to the sights and sounds of our travels, postcards can revive another vital pillar of any sojourn abroad: Our emotions when we’re there in the moment on the road. The images and brief notes jog our memories, helping us relive experiences that might otherwise fade. Regardless of whether they sent, the act of selecting postcards forces one to pause and reflect on the highlights of each destination. Building a personal museum As I reflect on my postcard collecting journey, I'm struck by how this simple hobby has enriched my life in unexpected ways. Though I rarely mail these miniature works of art, each one opens a window to another place and time. This collection has become a personal museum of memories and dreams - tangible reminders of travels taken and imagined. I suspect fellow Singaporeans seeking a rewarding pastime may find, as I have, that the joy is in the collecting itself, not the sending. The world awaits, one postcard at a time. Images from Unsplash

Have you ever found yourself obsessing over a fad or an object that you grow tired of after a few months, or even just after a few weeks? You feel as if you're entering one passing phase after another. When one ends, you feel tired and empty at the same time, yet you can't help but seek the next thing to occupy your mind. Is this a product of our connection/addiction to social media, in our endless bid to find the next entertaining or educational reel? Is it all just an attempt to find the next dopamine hit we constantly crave? (Disclaimer: I am not a psychiatrist.) About three years ago, a colleague of mine told me about how he, along with a few other guys in the office, went through this phase where they all got into the same hobbies at the same time. One such hobby was folding bicycles. Once one of them tried it, the rest of the group decided they should also buy foldies, so they could go on group rides after work. It's all about team bonding, after all. Photo: Dimon Blr, Unsplash However, if you don't make this part of your lifestyle, the novelty soon wears off. By this point, one of them had purchased more than two foldies, which are currently residing in his bomb shelter. Dissatisfied with the weight and performance of the folding bikes, my colleagues then acquired road bikes so they could clock faster average speeds. Cycling, however, takes up time. Time to gear up, time to ride, and time to put the bicycles on racks so you can ride in new places. So, another hobby was needed. Enter in-line skating. Why bother transporting bicycles when you can literally strap wheels onto your feet? Easier, right? Right. Photo: Naomi Tamar, Unsplash Next, someone suggested that apart from outdoor activities, they should also have a relaxing activity they can do at home. Hence, the obsession with aquariums. Water, filters, PH testing, air pumps, tank decorations, fish and fish food... they got into it all. Maintaining an aquarium is complicated (duh) and unless you learn how to maintain this ecosystem, the inevitable will happen. The poor fish slowly died out as the passion for the hobby fizzled. Mea culpa I'm just as guilty of getting into things and tiring of them quickly. When I bought my first full-frame DSLR, I was obsessed with a 50mm f1.4 lens, thinking it was all the kit I needed. It was – for a while. But I have my limitations, and soon found myself wanting a longer focal length for better 'compression'. Also, it's not always possible to get close to a speaker at an event. Or so I told myself. The 50mm lens fell out of favour once my 24-70mm lens arrived. Sure, call me lazy for preferring the 'softer' zoom in place of a 'crisper' prime. My 50mm entered a state of semi-retirement. The writer's passion for photography still continues to this day. Photo: Chuttersnap, Unsplash Next, I became obsessed with Nikon's 135mm f2.0. Purpose-built for portraits, creamy bokeh is its calling card. I had to have one. After fawning over it (while saving the moolah needed), I took the plunge. To justify its cost, I also used it to shoot cars. It didn't matter if my teammates said it was inconvenient because of how far away I'd have to walk to get a car in frame. I loved using this solidly built lens and its metal body. But reality hit home. It was not very practical unless I'm shooting portraits, which is... once in a blue moon. The 24-70mm lens was still the most used because of its convenience, so like the 50mm, my dream 135mm lens sits idly at home. Since then, I have learnt to obsess 'sensibly', which means looking intently, but not buying. This saves money, but not necessarily time. For instance, I was once obsessed with acquiring a scooter, for no other reason except I hadn't really tried one. "Bro you should get one! Just twist and go, it's super-easy to ride in traffic! You won't regret it!" "Buy, buy, buy!" Hearing stuff like this made me want one even more. So, to the irritation of my better half, I spent weeks trawling online ads, often even while she was trying to tell me something important. I considered everything from a Honda PCX150 to a Suzuki Burgman to a Sym GTS. My scooter phase ended when the missus told me that my scooter would only sit in the carpark gathering dust. Since I only get to ride my bike twice a week, getting second two-wheeler would have been foolhardy indeed. The writer is unlikely to own a scooter, as he still enjoys the engagement a motorcycle requires. Photo: Pedro Pereira, Unsplash Another thing I stopped myself from buying is a gaming laptop. My last one is over 10 years old and no longer works. With a library of games on Steam and my work laptop not having the hardware to run them, a $4,000 gaming machine must be the solution. Fortunately, I had the sense to pause before spending so much money. After spending the entire day at work (in front of a computer), I realised the last thing I wanted to do on weeknights was sit in front of another computer. That means I'd only use a gaming laptop on weekends, presuming there were no plans to meet with friends. It also dawned on me that a gaming laptop would contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. So, I should be spending money on a gym membership instead. And a nicer bicycle that could lead to improved fitness. Right? Right? Oh crap, it's happening again. – Jeremy

One of my favourite channels on Youtube involves a completely silent half naked man making bricks. Hear me out. It's called Primitive Technology, and it's pretty much as the name suggests. Here's the description in the channel's About section: Primitive technology is a hobby where you build things in the wild completely from scratch using no modern tools or materials. These are the strict rules: If you want a fire, use a fire stick - An axe, pick up a stone and shape it - A hut, build one from trees, mud, rocks etc. The challenge is seeing how far you can go without utilizing modern technology. It is utterly fascinating to me. And this isn't just one man's eccentric hobby. 'Bushcraft' is a not insignificant industry (especially and expectedly in places like America and Australia), and you will even find several 'primitive technology' imitators on Youtube. But this man is the OG, and easily the best. A channel with no talking and nothing more than the sound of rain falling, tress rustling and fire bellowing has 10.9m subscribers, and each video has millions of views. Build your own Crocs What exactly is the appeal? On one hand, I think it is precisely because his entire endeavour is simple, unpretentious, and in some ways purposefully boring. There's no attempt to be entertaining or exciting - even his commentary (turn on subtitles) are purely matter-of-fact. It feels like a stark departure from every other Youtuber trying so desperately and shouting so loudly to grab peoples' attention. It is also quite relaxing and calming, almost zen-like. In our world of constant stimulation, its refreshing to have a break from all of it. To watch one man do one thing laboriously but simply. I find it quite meditative. Often, it would be the last thing I watch before going to bed. And the outcomes - through sheer labour and time - can sometimes be inspiring. The man builds a whole tiled roof hut with literally his bare hands! And perhaps in our hyper-modernised society where we take for granted how convenient and easy life can be, this is a worthwhile and stark reminder of how harsh and difficult life used to be. It offers important perspective: Be appreciative of the things we have, and don't take for granted just how easy technology has made our lives. And it also offers interesting perspective on technological advancement. We now tend to think of technology in terms of the Internet and the latest iPhone, AI and Blockchain are the buzzwords of tomorrow, but let's not lose sight of the fact that technological advancement has been consistently happening over time. One could make the case that fire might have been Man's greatest technological invention (though some may argue farming is). And of course, I'm also fascinated by what he does next. Considering he has metal, he's at least reached the Iron Age. How far will he go? Will he reach the Medieval Era? When will he invent the Internet? Also, the comments section? Hilarious. "We have entered the Iron Age." ~ Desmond

Watching tv shows about nature, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, etc etc... cost: home-made kopi and chips... (optional:- take out shirt and save aircon while watching) Watching live-bodies (beaches, orcahnd rd...)

Other than RC planes, helicopters, military collectibles etc etc, what other hobbies do people here have? I collect Lego. I think there is at least one other guy here with the same hobby. Anyone into calligraphy or gardening?

Anybody into R/C flying here? I am looking for any organisation or company that provides R/C flying lessons, are there any established ones in singapore? Important is, must be structured, complete training; something like a course. Any info is appreciated, thanks

MCF Members, Threads from the ex-Hobbies section have been moved to Lite and EZ to consolidate forum folders. Cheers, Gavin