Month: December 2009

100 Skills Everyone Should Master

In 2008, Esquire published 75 Skills Every Man Should Master and Popular Mechanics published a list of 100 Skills Every Man Should Know. My list was inspired by those, but it was Jason who mentioned that someone should do a list of gender neutral skills; I’ve been working on this on and off since then.

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A few of the items could read as attributes, but I think they’re all acquirable skill sets. Some have links to tips and articles attached — eventually all the items will link out, but I’d like all the links to be valuable. I figured you guys would be a better resource than a search engine. If you’ve read anything recently that you think could be helpful in acquiring one of these skills, please leave the link in comments. I’ll update with links as we go, and suggestions for skills are also welcome.

Without further ado, here are my 100 Skills Everyone Should Master:

1. Set goals
2. Keep a plant alive
3. Care for a baby:
How to Hold a Newborn Baby
The Five Ss from The Happiest Baby on the Block will soothe most fussy babies
4. CPR
5. Feel confident naked
6. Interview for a job
7. Bake a birthday cake
8. Use a fire extinguisher
9. Use a compass
10. Express condolences
11. Tell a joke
12. Remember names
13. Sharpen a knife
14. Dump a poisonous friend
15. Check your oil and tires
16. Relax/Meditate
17. Apologize
18. Be polite
19. Get a good night’s sleep
20. Dress appropriately for the situation
21. Type
22. Fight fair
23. Read
24. Ask for exactly what you want
25. Trap a rat or mouse
26. Basic stretches and/or yoga poses
Yoga Sequence for the Novice (Thanks, Kelli)
27. Heimlich
28. Please a partner sexually
29. Tell your partner what you want in bed
30. Shine your shoes
31. Make your case in writing
32. Tie a scarf or tie (bowtie too):
Scarf Tying Guide (Thanks, Louise)
33. Jump a car
34. Mix a signature drink
35. Delegate
36. Make a simple meal for company
37. Give a neckrub
38. Drive a stick
39. Ride a bike
40. Swim
41. Use chopsticks
Chopstick Etiquette (Thanks, Mindy)
42. Make a new friend
43. Build something simple (ie: shelf, desk, treehouse)
44. Change a tire and put on snow chains (thanks, Toni)
45. Give a toast
46. Make a perfect egg
The Great Fried Egg Tutorial (Thanks, Tara)
47. Speak in public:
Public Speaking Made Easy
48. Improve your mood
49. Simple mending (Thanks, Maureen)
50. Travel light:
Rick Steve’s Packing Light Tips (Thanks, Sandy)
51. Steam vegetables
52. Negotiate
53. Be a good listener
54. Be alone comfortably
55. Select good produce:
List of seasonal produce generated by state and month
Locavore App for iPhone (Thanks, Samantha)
56. Maintain your weight:
The Steve Ward Diet
57. Build savings:
The Wealthy Barber isan accessible book that teaches the basics of personal finance
58. Say no/disappoint someone
59. Use a drill
60. Flexibility/equanimity in the face of the unexpected
61. Make small talk
The Rich Resonance of Small Talk by Roxanne Roberts (Thanks, Pamela)
62. Skip a rock
63. Set personal boundaries:
The Relationship Two-Step by Martha Beck
64. Organize your home
65. Deliver a eulogy:
How to Give a Eulogy
 by Tom Chiarella
66. Shuffle a deck of cards
67. Dance socially
68. Know a second language
69. Win the affection of a dog or cat
70. Write a quality love letter
71. Play one card game well
72. Eat healthfully
73. Create a budget
74. Take a decent photo
75. Order the wine
76. Know what makes you happy
77. Flirt
78. Make a good first impression
79. Write a thank you note:
How to Write a Thank You Note by Leslie Harpold
80. Find a perfect gift
81. Assertiveness
82. Arriving on time
83. Make a little kid laugh
84. Kiss well
85. Make a good mix tape
86. Tie basic knots:
IWillKnot.com
87. Dress to flatter your shape
88. Build a campfire
89. Change the subject
90. Acquire or shed a habit
91. Treat a hangover:
Hangover Cures by The Morning News
92. Be a good judge of character
93. Season a cast-iron skillet
94. Give a compliment
95. Accept a compliment
96. Contribute in group situations
97. Judge yourself by your own yardstick
98. Calculate the tip:
Michelle said this in comments, and it’s what I do too: Simple trick to calculating a tip. Move the decimal over one place and double that total. So, if your bill is $100.00, it would be $10.00 x2 = $20. Or if your bill is $5.23, your tip should be .52 x2= $1.04
99. Ask for a raise (Thanks, Amber.)
100. Build a shelter

Good reader suggestions:

-Do a load of laundry
-Keep your living space clean (Thanks, Megan)
-Write legibly (Thanks, Robin)
-Choose a good mate (Thanks, Pamela)
-Ask for help (Thanks, Mavis)

Momversation: Co-Parenting, Santa, Holidays, Memories

I’m no longer embedding these suckers because they started auto-launching and it makes me homicidal. (Also, I’m worried those of you at work will be chastened for reading the Internet when you should be sweating for the man.) So I’ll put screencaps here now, and if you want to watch you can click over. Deal? Deal!

I’m behind on updating these, so you have options:

momverjingle

Holiday Greetings from Momversation in which I get all Merry on you. Also, did anyone else notice that Giyen’s daughter is a jaw-dropping knockout? Yeah. Go check that out.

momversanta

Santa Claus: What do you say to your kids? in which I advocate lying to the children. Take that, children.

momvermem

Memories of Momversation where we revisit the handcuffs incident. Did I ever tell you that we once recorded a MILF episode that never aired due to raciness? Truth. And yet here I am again with the handcuffs and wig. Though they did edit out the pole dance.

momverco

Co-Parent: Did you pick the right mate? in which I reiterate my dictums for choosing a spouse. It’s all about the Benjamins. Am I right ladies?

Taste 1,000 Fruits: No. 69 Kiwiberries

Taste 1,000 Fruits is an item on my Mighty Life List. I’m currently inching my way through the first hundred.

kbbowl

These are Kiwiberries, and they are rocking me out. They’re grape-sized Kiwis without the fuzzy exterior, and you can just pop them in your mouth. I’m pretty sure Willy Wonka was involved somehow.

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They’re delicious, by the way — sweeter and more intensely Kiwi-flavored than their larger Kiwi cousins, and so effing cute. Cute, I tell you!

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Inside, they look just like tiny Kiwis, with the seeds and everything. I want to have a party just so I can use them to garnish Kiwi-themed cocktails.

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Whooo’s a tiny little kiwi? Wuzzah-wuzzah.

Elsewhere: Resolutions, Photography, Gadgets

Three things you should go watch and read:

resvideo

A quick New Year’s resolution video I did over at Lifescoop. It being January, I hope everyone is prepared for the Internet goal-talk explosion, because I’m obviously planning to engage heavily.

jellyphone

I did a roundup of photography stuff I either own or want: 6 Unique Tools for Better Photos (also at Lifescoop).

powermat

Cool Wireless Gadgets over at WePC. I’m surprised at how much I want a charging mat that revitalizes gadgets without all the ugly wires. Locating, untangling, and arranging cords for the various life-enhancing gadgets I own just sounds exhausting. I’m always gobsmacked by people who have everything in a neat little charging station or whatever. Maybe I should stop listing neat little charging stations on my various shopping sites, and instead actually purchase one. It is January after all.

Say Cheese

hanksmile

Hank still hasn’t quite mastered the on-demand smile, so this is what you get when he notices a camera pointed his way. Actually, he usually says, “CHEEEEEEEEEEESE!” and then grimaces like he’s about to burst into tears, so this is progress.

Mighty Closet: Margaret Stewart, Outfit No. 10

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This is Margaret’s cocktail dress by Trina Turk. I think it might be a metallic peacock feather print. This is Margaret pulling that off.

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We thought it might be funny to take glam cocktail dress photos out back with the kids’ toys, but instead she just looks hot.

Then again…

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mcmsdressyscooter

Some of them were pretty funny too. Though they do look a little like someone took them for a highly specific fetish site.

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But back to the dress, which is so understated sexy. I think it’s the exposed clavicle. Clavicle beats cleavage any day.

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The bracelet is a sentimental favorite because it belonged to her husband’s mother. Her clutch is by Felix Ray.

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Killer ’40s-inspired platforms by Banana Republic.

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And thus concludes our closet tour with Ms. Stewart. Margaret, you have approximately a year to purchase a whole bunch of new stuff so we can ogle your good taste anew.

Mighty Closet: Margaret Stewart, Outfit No. 9

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This summer dress is Marimekko for Anthropologie, and are you seeing those pockets? I would totally make her hold my lipstick. The tank top is by Ogle.

mcmsmaridresspurse

I should mention that Margaret and I are like minded in that neither of us ever pays full price for anything. She’s one of those shoppers who checks in to her favorite shops a few dozen times so she can snag a favorite piece right when it goes on sale. Purse is Angela Adams.

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Wood and shell necklace is from a boutique in Ashville, North Carolina.

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These shoes are Aerosoles. Surprisingly cute, right? Plus I think she could technically bowl in them.

Blippy: I’ll Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours

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Hiding Hood, $84

So, my friend Phillip has a controversial idea. He launched a startup called Blippy that lets you share information about your purchases online. When I first heard about it I recoiled. I thought it was in poor taste, I thought it was kind of gross, I thought I wanted an invite.

bicyclecapris_MED
Bicycle Capris, $38

I told myself I was just curious to see who was using it and how, but really my wheels were already turning. Y’all know I love to shop, but mostly I love telling everyone about cool stuff. I figured this could be a way to do that more easily. And you can be selective about what you share and how, so why not give it a try?

ionturntable
Ion USB Portable Turntable, $140

I want every design blogger I know to sign up so I can figure out when the jaw-dropping stuff goes on sale, and when designers think it’s worthwhile to pay full price. I want to know when my music-snob friends all buy tickets for a band I’ve never heard of. And what about the consumer performance art that’s certain to emerge? How long before the Fireland of Blippy is buying a pint of chocolate ice cream, some advil, and a box of tampons, just so everyone knows where he’s at?

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Fuji Instax Instant Mini Camera, $99

So is Blippy hideous or intriguing? My friends, it’s certainly both.

For now, Blippy is still in beta, so you’ll need an invitation. Enter MIGHTYGIRL2010 on the signup page if you want to play. I have a limited number of invites, so first come, first served. I’ll see you there.