Posted on 03/14/2011 6:01:29 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.
While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
1. Build a Fire – Fire produces heat and light, two basic necessities for living. At some point in your life this knowledge may be vital.
* How to Build a Fire * Wilderness Survival Firecraft * Build a Fire Without Matches or a Lighter (video)
2. Operate a Computer – Fundamental computer knowledge is essential these days. Please, help those in need.
* How To Help Someone Use a Computer * The BBC’s Guide to Using a Computer * Mac Basics * Windows Basics
3. Use Google Effectively – Google knows everything. If you’re having trouble finding something with Google, it’s you that needs help.
* Google Guide * Google Advanced Search Operators * Google Web Search Features * 20 Tips for More Efficient Google Searches
4. Perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver – Someday it may be your wife, husband, son or daughter that needs help.
* Learn CPR * How To Perform Adult CPR (video) * How CPR Works * How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver (video)
5. Drive a Manual Transmission Vehicle – There will come a time when you’ll be stuck without this knowledge.
* How To Drive a Stick Shift Instructional Movie (video) * Learn to Drive a Stick Shift * Learn to Drive a Car with Manual Transmission
6. Do Basic Cooking – If you can’t cook your own steak and eggs, you probably aren’t going to make it.
* Cooking Basics and Tips * Cooking and Baking How To Information * Basics of Cooking Series
7. Tell a Story that Captivates People’s Attention – If you can’t captivate their attention, you should probably just save your breath.
* How To Tell a Great Story * How To Give a Great Speech * Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
8. Win or Avoid a Fistfight – Either way, you win.
* How To Actually Win a Fistfight * How To Win a Fistfight (video) * How To Win a Street Fight * How To Avoid Confrontations Like a Samurai Warrior
9. Deliver Bad News – Somebody has got to do it. Unfortunately, someday that person will be you.
* How To Deliver Bad News in Writing * How to Deliver Bad News to a Customer * Good Ways to Deliver Bad News
10. Change a Tire – Because tires have air in them, and things with air in them eventually pop.
* How To Change a Flat Tire (video) * How To Change a Tire (video) * Saturday Mechanic: Changing a Tire
He was also fond of repeating.... Dishwashers are always needed.
One can only wonder how many unemployed could get a job a the kitchen washing dishes if they only would go look
Sure do. I haven't bought a retail shirt in 10 years. Get all mine at the Salvation Army. $75 to $100 shirts for $2.50 to $5. Dang near new and a good percentage are missing a button. Often still have the replacement buttons down at the hem still attached.
How to trap critters. With a couple of conibears or even some snare wire, you will never go hungry for long.
Probably already said, but shoot a gun, fish, and hunt
Probably already said, but shoot a gun, fish, and hunt
Their stupidty or laziness is your gain! I buy lots of things at Salvation Army and Goodwill , too. They are good sources for yard/auto/house work or vacation clothes, not dress or “nice” work stuff as often, but sometimes a really nice item will be found there.
With no road or no building, ME’s are out in the cold
CE’s are the lathe of engineers
All disciples are worthless without the others.
The best Engineers I have met are simply smart and have a good overlap.
I am also pinging an EE as they are the real problem.
Really?
I never click on a blog and am now glad I didn’t.
As I heard it told, Mechanical Engineers build weapons.
Civil Engineers build targets.
I love that quote, too! Have you ever looked at your life to see how close you are to ‘Heinlein’s Perfection’? Do it! You’ll be surprised at what you’ve already accomplished! :)
A human being should be able to:
Change a diaper: Literally, HUNDREDS. Raised three boys.
Plan an invasion: 20 years in the Army? Yep. I can do that. :)
Butcher a hog: Never did a hog, but did plenty of deer and chickens.
Conn a ship: That means to stock it for voyage, right? If so, my ‘ship,’ while still in harbor, is fully stocked!
Design a building: I’ve designed gardens, but not buildings.
Write a sonnet: Written poetry, never attempted a Sonnet - Yet!
Balance accounts: Daily!
Build a wall: Planted a ‘living wall’ of trees; never from brick or stone. Yet.
Set a bone: Never had to yet. Hope I never do, but I’ve taken care of stitching people up and cleaning wounds if that counts?
Comfort the dying: Yep. My best girlfriend died of cancer seven years ago. I was with her ‘til the bitter end. Miss you, Cathy Jo! Every damn day, Girl. :)
Take orders: Again, 20 years in the Army!
Give orders: Again, 20 years int he Army!
Cooperate: I have an EVIL Little Sister, so I’ve learned that lesson, thanks to Dear Old Mom, LOL!
Act alone: Always! I live in ‘The People’s Republik of Madistan.’ I do all sorts of subversive stuff under cover of darkness...
Solve equations: Math was never my strong suit, though I’m REALLY good with money.
Analyze a new problem: Problems? Not me, LOL!
Pitch manure: Does chicken manure count?
Program a computer: Beyond me. This will not happen in my lifetime.
Cook a tasty meal: I totally ROCK at this!
Fight efficiently: The only person I’ve ever come to blows with has been that Sister noted above that I was ‘supposed’ to be ‘cooperating’ with! :)
Die gallantly: When the time comes I will, but I’ll be taking a few down with me if need be, LOL! :)
“Satisfy a woman...”
Um...THAT needs to be NUMBER ONE Guys, LOL! Your life would be SO much easier if you’d learn that ONE little skill, LOL!
However, we women ALL want different things from our men and ‘satisfaction’ is pretty subjective, so you’re pretty much scr3wd, LOL!
You’d think, wouldn’t ya? I mean, guns are all-around handy to have on hand!
I hate to tell you, but that WAS a pig...
“No offense, but this could be the lamest list of important things to know how to do ever published.”
None taken. I knew Freepers would have fun with this. :)
“Like the fistfight.. now get real.. why do a fist fight when you can take out your gun & not mess up your hair?”
Or break a nail! Or lose an earlobe when that beotch goes for your dangling earing! Yeesh! Who made up this list?
I’ll bet it was a bunch of male geeks who have never even SEEN a woman naked, sitting around in the Break Room, DOODLING, while the women were doing all of the WORK!
Those B@stards! :)
Thanks
Bought a very nice pair of Cole Haan shoes at Goodwill a few months ago. All leather, and hardly worn for $9.95. Just has to redye the leather heel and they look brand new.
I can fly a plane.
Drive a semi.
Build a gun - from anything from old parts, to stuff I found in the park. Taught my kids how to find nitre, charcoal, and sulfer inside the beltway, in the public parks.
But I can’t sing.
And nobody has ever satisfied a woman.
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