Everyone needs a hobby

Modern society has really stressed itself out. We are always in such a hurry there is not always a lot of time or opportunities for recreation. Yet relaxing a bit is one key to a successful and happy life. Not the only key...but certainly A key.

And hobbies vary greatly. While I myself do not comprehend the appeal of, say...scrapbooking, that does not mean someone else might not appreciate it. Conversely, I doubt very many people would have a keen appreciation of my enjoyment of painting little fantasy figures...or, for that matter, my enjoyment of writing fantasy novels. Yet these are "normal" enough pursuits that much like playing video games or fishing or playing softball or hiking or biking, people who don't participate in these hobbies still "get" why others do. We can understand they would enjoy it.

And I think it is great that for many of us, these hobbies can last for many, many years. I have written for years and still enjoy doing so. My brothers have played video games even since I bought them a Nintendo SES and continue to derive great pleasure from doing so. I suspect it is a hobby that will sustain their interest for close to 40 years just as his hobby did for John Trestrail.

For 40 years he has had the same hobby. It may have recently ended, however, because he achieved his goal. He thinks he has proved that Dr. Hawley Crippen is, indeed, innocent of the murder of his wife Cora. Of course, this news comes a bit late to help Dr. Crippen in light of the fact he was hung for this murder in 1910...but hey, Trestrail has achieved his goal.

Of course, he is not done. Oh, no. "The fallout is just beginning," Trestrail said Tuesday. "The world will wake up to this, and I expect a hue and cry out of the United Kingdom.

Uhm...okay. What, exactly, will the fallout be? Will they reprimand the investigators who erred? Will they take away the license of the doctor who misidentified the body? I mean, sure, the effectiveness of those punishments is somewhat reduced by all the parties involved having died over 50 years ago...and in one case, 97 years ago...but the fallout will, indeed be severe nonetheless.

And I am sure Mr. Crippen will be ecstatic to find he has, indeed, been found innocent by someone who spent 40 years pursuing the truth. No word yet on how Trestrail intends to notify Crippen. Maybe figuring that out is the hobby that will occupy him for the next 40 years.