Agree. I think a great hobby for us programmer types is woodworking. It's less art and more science. Follow the plans, be precise with your measurements and cut

Agree. I think a great hobby for us programmer types is woodworking. It's less art and more science. Follow the plans, be precise with your measurements and cuts, and do the tedious sanding & finishing work, and you will create beautiful custom pieces for your house or as gifts that you can be proud of. It's very relaxing to do some woodworking in your garage shop after a day of sitting in front of your computer. You can get away with a basic shop for under $1000 (or even $500) worth of tools too. Table saw, some clamps, random orbit sander, skill saw for plywood, a screw gun or small finish nailer. It doesn't take much to get started. Add a miter saw and thickness planer later. Check out Woodworking for Mere Mortals on Youtube. Great place to get started.