I suddenly find myself with time.

Maple no longer holds sway, the internet has loosed its grip, and my classes are scheduled in such a way that I have a big chunk of time most days between 10am and 3 or 4pm to get homework done. I dare say I'm ahead of the game academically this semester, which is a truly foreign sensation. So I have a few hours in my later day where I'm not really sure what to do. I don't care much for television but I like watching things online, and I've gotten too cheap for console games after all my years of Maple. I've considered getting back into reading more, but it's been so long I'm at a bit of loss of what to start reading. I'm open to new skills I can teach myself with the power of the internet as well as inexpensive supplies. Other ideas like that.

Looking for suggestions on:
-Books (I like sci-fi, also nonfiction on interesting topics)
-Shows (I like sci-fi, looking to get out of anime a little. Have already seen Firefly)
-Skills. For example, my sister taught herself how to knit through youtube videos. Note that I'm not interested in knitting, nor very interested in a programming language
-Other interesting internet things, preferably non-MMO. Example: Found the http://dresdencodak.com/ web comic earlier this week. Totally, totally awesome. Like XKCD developed an art style and did a storyline. Problem being that it only took an hour and a half or so to get through the entirety of the content. Dr. McNinja is another great example that has a good amount of content. Doesn't have to be a web comic, but I'd enjoy having a few plot-driven ones to go through. Gonna take a pass on manga for the time being too. I want new and fresh.

Books-Atlas Shrugged. END WORLD


MIND=BLOWN

Ever try reading manga or watching anime?

Books-Atlas Shrugged. END WORLD


MIND=BLOWN

Anthem too?

[COLOR="Red"]you can try kingdom of loathing. That forces you to turn it off after a certain amount of time.

I also like books. The last ones I've read were:

The Lie,
How to rob an armored car,
the sad tale of the brothers grossbart,
the convalescent,
The gates of hell are about to open
and now am reading pride and prejudice and zombies. hehe.

You can always make something... [/COLOR]

If you like books that has humor as well as intelligent discussion, knowledge, or just to see others voicing out their opinions.. I'd highly recommend Stephen Colbert's "I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU!)". It's a lovely read. I've finished it, and I enjoy every minute spent reading that book.

this

Ever try reading manga or watching anime?

My totally completed shows list is 60 titles long right now, and I'm following two shows this season. I'm looking to expand beyond the realm of Japanese entertainment.

Book suggestions noted. My sister has both Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters. Will borrow.
I tried KoL years back and didn't terribly care for it. Might've been because I was hooked on Maple.
@Cyadd - I joined a student group called Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers and should be building some audio gear within a few weeks. I love making, but my dorm restricts a lot of options and tool choices. Not sure if I can use the engineering labs for the hell of it. There's essentially a basic workshop in the dorm across the street, but nothing comes to mind to build @_@

Wonder if the MSU library would have I Am America...

assuming you're in college:

1. Rush/pledge a Fraternity
2. Join a club
3. Go outside and run/swim/lift weights

These will take up A LOT of that free time ;D

What you want:
Books: dunno. Stopped reading cause i ran out of time =( Science fiction wise Micheal Crichton's books were awesome (they're old and there won't be new ones because he died [RIP]). He's the guy who helped write ER and a whole bunch of other stuff. Also read the classics if you haven't already (Sun Tzu's art of war, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Portrait of Dorian Grey, etc.)

TV shows: don't watch TV shows besides Heroes. Fringe is a little on the weird side of things.Comedy series? Big Bang theory is/was entertaining (and somewhat has to do with science but not really).

If you're up to it you can do these projects http://dangerouslyfun.com/

[COLOR="Red"]You could build yourself a synth machine? It is what I believe my IEEE group did. Not sure if it was synth machine, but it had something to do with music... Don't remember now.

You could make a remote controlled car that you build yourself.

Oh, I built a Ruben tube this past summer. Not only does it have fire, it combines music, which makes it really popular at parties and stuff. [/COLOR]

Depending on your tastes of TV shows/programs, you might not like most of the stuff I enjoy, but here's a list of what I do like:

-Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I'm serious.)
-Angel
-Smallville (It's not that bad..)
-That 70's Show (comedy)

That's basically what I watched throughout my High School up to my ...current college years. I still need to see every episode of Angel, and my friend has the entire thing on DVD. Hmm.

if you are really bored and want a laugh but dont mind about your brain to stop working, read twilight its so bad it will help you get rid of time,

Now seriously: try reading The chronicles of narnia, the books are actually quite decent.

I'm starting with some plain old speakers or amps or *hopefully* a subwoofer. I'm just a sophomore, so I'm looking more to piggyback a design project and do some of the grunt work on that, and buy a kit for anything to use in conjunction with my laptop. Because laptop speakers are pomegranate. Some of the cooler stuff they want to work on this semester are molded earbuds and a theremin, but they make some tube amps and other things almost every semester.

One of my favorite things about anime is that it generally knows when to end. Most American shows try to live as long as possible. Keep that in mind. It's the only thing keeping me from Buffy ._.; Length

I read the Chronicles of Narnia series way back in middle school.
@Worthyness - I have the time to fit DDR, Wii Fit, and some other exercise in the same block I do my homework. It's winter and it's damn cold, so the wonderful outdoors will have to wait another 2 months or so.

Yes, Buffy is rather lengthy . . . which was why it was hard for me to keep up. Angel on the other hand, even with 4 seasons, in comparison to Buffy's.. what, 7 or 8 seasons (total).. was only HALF as long, thank God. Angel was also more of a manlier show, though this is a spin-off, I preferred watching Angel.

Try playing music, addictive and generally considered healthy. An acoustic guitar would be cheap and adequate. That, or card flourishing are my suggestions.

Whoever suggested Kingdom of Loathing, I agree. I loved just checking up on that daily and using up all my adventures...that is, until I forgot my password. You could also do what I do inbetween classes, either sleep or go to the gym.

Check out Dan Brown's trilogy featuring Robert Langdon. Yes, I know they're uber-popular and I'm a total fan, but whether you agree with the ideas proposed in the books or not, they do make you think, and introduce you to new, strange, and altogether interesting topics you may have never found before.

But the books are flipping awesome by themselves, in my opinion ;D.

Read Dan Brown, was okay.

What the hell is card flourishing?