<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-stylesheet href="/rss/styles.xsl" type="text/xsl"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>The Bench — Hobbies &amp; Gear</title><description>Honest starter guides and gear notes for film photography, mechanical keyboards, woodworking, and more — by Chirag Singhal.</description><link>https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/</link><language>en</language><managingEditor>whyiswhen@gmail.com (Chirag Singhal)</managingEditor><webMaster>whyiswhen@gmail.com (Chirag Singhal)</webMaster><item><title>A woodworking starter kit that actually builds something</title><link>https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/woodworking-starter-kit/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/woodworking-starter-kit/</guid><description>The short list of hand tools to buy first, why you should skip the big power tools, and a first project that teaches the skills you will use forever.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Craft</category><category>woodworking</category><category>hand-tools</category><category>starter-kit</category><category>craft</category><author>whyiswhen@gmail.com (Chirag Singhal)</author></item><item><title>Choosing your first mechanical keyboard</title><link>https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/choosing-your-first-mechanical-keyboard/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/choosing-your-first-mechanical-keyboard/</guid><description>Switches, layouts, and hot-swap sockets explained in plain language — plus a spec-checklist so your first board is one you keep, not one you flip in a month.</description><pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Gear</category><category>mechanical-keyboards</category><category>switches</category><category>gear</category><category>buying-guide</category><author>whyiswhen@gmail.com (Chirag Singhal)</author></item><item><title>Getting into film photography without wasting money</title><link>https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/getting-into-film-photography/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://hobbies-blog.oriz.in/blog/getting-into-film-photography/</guid><description>A no-hype starter path: which camera to actually buy, the film that forgives beginners, how to get it developed, and the three mistakes that cost the most.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Field</category><category>film-photography</category><category>cameras</category><category>starter-guide</category><category>analog</category><author>whyiswhen@gmail.com (Chirag Singhal)</author></item></channel></rss>