Saturday 10 November 2012

50 shades of useful


I am totally faffing around today to unwind after my 4hr drive home from Sydney.

While this is not totally comprehensive , here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do:

1. Build a Fire (start one anyway)
2. Operate a Computer
3. Use Google Effectively
4. Perform CPR and the Heimlich maneuver
5. Drive a Manual Transmission Vehicle (unless you count driving down an embankment or into a ditch ...or paddock bashing the old car)
6. Do Basic Cooking
7. Tell a Story that Captivates People’s Attention – not sure about this one !
8. Win or Avoid a Fistfight
9. Deliver Bad News - (only if it comes with free tears & tissues !)
10. Change a Tyre
11. Handle a Job Interview (? three times)
12. Manage Time (Jury is out on this one)
13. Speed Read
14. Remember Names - (mostly)
15. Relocate Living Spaces
16. Travel Light (Shocking at this ...I pack everything)
17. Handle the Police (Depends what for)
18. Give Driving Directions (don't ask my DH to agree)
19. Perform Basic First Aid
20. Swim (slowly and not too far across )
21. Parallel Park (given time and lots of attempts on a clear approach)
22. Recognize Personal Alcohol Limits
23. Select Good Produce
24. Handle a Hammer, Axe or Handsaw (enough to do a simple hack job)
25. Make a Simple Budget
26. Speak at Least Two Common Languages (Does Pirate count?)
27. Do Push-Ups and Sit-Ups Properly (shocking at this)
28. Give a Compliment
29. Negotiate - (again so long as you agree with me)
30. Listen Carefully to Others
31. Recite Basic Geography
32. Paint a Room (streaks are in vogue)
33. Make a Short, Informative Public Speech (Nervously and hesistantly)
34. Smile for the Camera (rarely)
35. Flirt without Looking Ridiculous – doubt it
36. Take Useful Notes
37. Be a Respectful House Guest
38. Make a Good First Impression
39. Navigate with a Map and Compass (so long as I can turn it the right way)
40. Sew a Button onto Clothing
41. Hook up a Basic Home Theater System
42. Type (not fast and not properly)
43. Protect Personal Identity Information
44. Implement Basic Computer Security Best Practices (Does Parental Control count & hiding )
45. Detect a Lie – depends who you’re talking about here three yr olds & teens master at it !
46. End a Date Politely Without Making Promises (only had a few)
47. Remove a Stain depends what it is  ...
48. Keep a Clean House (no time limits apply here with twins & teenager)
49. Hold a Baby (two at once in fact)
50. Jump Start a Car ...(why I 'd call a man )

I'm still only one further than the last time I checked this list ...how do you think you rate ?
What else would you add to this list ?
Here is 1 I just thought of 

51. Implement a system for remembering 10 different passwords for 10 different sign-ins #FAIL