...Isn't the definition of a hobby meant to be something totally useless? lsstrout, In western culture we have an unfortunate tendency to equate useful with income production. But it isn't true just because we believe it. The dictionary definition of "hobby" precludes deriving an income from it but makes no other judgements on its usefulness. I become easily bored so have had mutiple careers. Fortunately my hobbies of playing music, photography, hifi, writing and, recently, digital art have all led to an income. But in each case it was more accident than good planning. If these pastimes had never earned a cent I would not have enjoyed them less. Nor would I have thought them any less useful. The sad part of it is that once I start earning a decent income from a hobby I tend to lose interest in it. Perversely, once income enters the equation my avocations actually become less useful to me for, after all, money is only money. As they say- all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy... - Jack