[Bill,
September 19, 2007]
25 skills every man should have
Glenn Reynolds lists the 25 skills all men should have. I can do 20 of 'em.
Here's the list and some notes:
1. Patch a radiator hose (Heck, I once fixed a radiator. Involved asking the guy in the auto parts store what gunk should I pour into it to patch it; then poured the gunk in.)
2. Protect your computer. (Download, point, click. Also, in the meat world, it means keeping your laptop where someone can't grab it.)
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized. (I'm not really sure a boater can capsize. A boat can capsize, and I can do lifesaving for the boater. And yes, I've righted a sailboat and a rowboat that have capsized.)
4. Frame a wall. (Well ... once helped my father do it, but I'd need some help. Not an automatic skill that I could do right now.)
5. Retouch digital photos. (Duh. Point and click.)
6. Back up a trailer. (No problem. Just do the opposite of what you're used to.)
7. Build a campfire. (No problem. Fossil fuel, carbon-based burning materials, match.)
8. Fix a dead outlet. (Not unless it involves flipping the circuit breaker.)
9. Navigate with a map and compass. (Duh.)
10. Use a torque wrench. (No problemo.)
11. Sharpen a knife. (It's a little like shaving -- same angle, same movement.)
12. Perform CPR. (Certified back in lifeguard days.)
13. Fillet a fish. (Yes, unless you're talking about doing a job suitable for a Japanese restaurant.)
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid. (Keep driving down the road, kid -- it's that simple.)
15. Get a car unstuck. (Yes, but it depends how stuck you are.)
16. Back up data. (Depends how much and what program. I don't know how to back up a database on a corporate server, but my sister does, and she's not a man.)
17. Paint a room. (Tarp on floor.)
18. Mix concrete. (You want four-inch slope concrete, or add superplasticizers to get eight-inch slope 8,000-PSI compression strength, like the old world trade center had.)
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle. (Well, I can clean my Glock. Haven't actually cleaned a bolt-action rifle.)
20. Change oil and filter. (Like once a month since I bought my new car.)
21. Hook up an HDTV. (Nope.)
22. Bleed brakes. (What is bleeding brakes? Nope, I guess.)
23. Paddle a canoe. (Yup. Note: We may tip over.)
24. Fix a bike flat. (Duh -- are these men's skills or boy's skills?)
25. Extend your wireless network. (Not unless it involves physically moving the hub closer to where I want to put the client. What kind of geeky list is this?)
*****
Here's a different take. Nine things a man should be able to do:
1. Open a jar.
2. Love a woman.
3. Counsel a friend.
4. Kill an enemy.
5. Instruct the young.
6. Earn a living.
7. Worship one God.
8. Get where you're going without stopping for directions.
9. Recognize bullshit.
Here's the list and some notes:
1. Patch a radiator hose (Heck, I once fixed a radiator. Involved asking the guy in the auto parts store what gunk should I pour into it to patch it; then poured the gunk in.)
2. Protect your computer. (Download, point, click. Also, in the meat world, it means keeping your laptop where someone can't grab it.)
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized. (I'm not really sure a boater can capsize. A boat can capsize, and I can do lifesaving for the boater. And yes, I've righted a sailboat and a rowboat that have capsized.)
4. Frame a wall. (Well ... once helped my father do it, but I'd need some help. Not an automatic skill that I could do right now.)
5. Retouch digital photos. (Duh. Point and click.)
6. Back up a trailer. (No problem. Just do the opposite of what you're used to.)
7. Build a campfire. (No problem. Fossil fuel, carbon-based burning materials, match.)
8. Fix a dead outlet. (Not unless it involves flipping the circuit breaker.)
9. Navigate with a map and compass. (Duh.)
10. Use a torque wrench. (No problemo.)
11. Sharpen a knife. (It's a little like shaving -- same angle, same movement.)
12. Perform CPR. (Certified back in lifeguard days.)
13. Fillet a fish. (Yes, unless you're talking about doing a job suitable for a Japanese restaurant.)
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid. (Keep driving down the road, kid -- it's that simple.)
15. Get a car unstuck. (Yes, but it depends how stuck you are.)
16. Back up data. (Depends how much and what program. I don't know how to back up a database on a corporate server, but my sister does, and she's not a man.)
17. Paint a room. (Tarp on floor.)
18. Mix concrete. (You want four-inch slope concrete, or add superplasticizers to get eight-inch slope 8,000-PSI compression strength, like the old world trade center had.)
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle. (Well, I can clean my Glock. Haven't actually cleaned a bolt-action rifle.)
20. Change oil and filter. (Like once a month since I bought my new car.)
21. Hook up an HDTV. (Nope.)
22. Bleed brakes. (What is bleeding brakes? Nope, I guess.)
23. Paddle a canoe. (Yup. Note: We may tip over.)
24. Fix a bike flat. (Duh -- are these men's skills or boy's skills?)
25. Extend your wireless network. (Not unless it involves physically moving the hub closer to where I want to put the client. What kind of geeky list is this?)
*****
Here's a different take. Nine things a man should be able to do:
1. Open a jar.
2. Love a woman.
3. Counsel a friend.
4. Kill an enemy.
5. Instruct the young.
6. Earn a living.
7. Worship one God.
8. Get where you're going without stopping for directions.
9. Recognize bullshit.
But the rest of those 25 items, not so much.
I much prefer your list of nine. I can do most of those.