Thursday, September 13, 2007

What a man should be able to do

Pastor Jeff at Conblogeration links to a list at Popular Mechanics of 25 things a man ought to be able to do. I can say I've done most of them, albeit badly in some cases. (In particular, my early attempts at number 13 were not pretty.)
1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

Jeff cites Sippican's shortened list, which is a lot less subjective:
Sippican's List Of Everything A Man Should Know:
1. Know how to do whatever the hell you feel like doing
2. Learn how to take your lumps for doing #1

Amen!

Personally, I like Lazarus Long's list:
A man should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.


Update: Bill thinks I resolutely refused to link his decidedly bawdy contribution, so I defy him with equal resolution. So there!

No comments: