I used to do a lot of SCUBA (fully paid up resort instructor) and then had a pretty bad bend (decompression sickness).
Basically, I was not going to be able to dive again, which was the only hobby I had had for about 8 years, so was looking for something else, equally as expensive, to fill the void.
Saw the book, bought it on impulse, and thought it looked a jolly good wheeze, so ordered some steel and got cracking. Spent plenty of money on nice toys, Myford lathe, portamig etc. and have learnt loads.
Problem is, I've now since been signed off fit to dive again, so the car is taking longer than planned, as diving does swallow money, especially when you take a housed Nikon D90 camera with you
and always planning the next holiday