(no subject)

[electricland]

Yesterday was boiling (high of 25). Today, not so much (currently 10 and drizzling). Unfortunately I did not get the memo, so I only wore a T-shirt and my rain jacket (well, and pants and shoes, obviously...). Good thing the climate control in my office is so crazy I keep a sweater and blanket here at all times...

In other news, Uncertain Principles proposes a meme.

As mentioned in the previous post, Cut to the Chase offers two lists of skills to look at: The Popular Mechanics list of "25 Skills Every Man Should Know" and a new list of "20 Practical Skills Every Self-Sufficient Adult Should Have."

This seems ripe for an Internet "meme" thing, so here's a the proposed game:

Go through both lists, and determine how many of the listed skills you can claim. Compare the fractions to see if you're more of a ManlyMan or a Self-Sufficient Adult.

The Popular Mechanics list:

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall [I've watched this being done but I haven't actually done it myself, so I guess that doesn't count]
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet [depends -- what's wrong with it?]
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish [I suspect they mean a raw fish, so no, although how hard can it be?]
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid [I know how to do this in theory...]
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data [there seems to be some overlap with item 2 here]
17. Paint a room [OK, who CAN'T do this?]
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle [um, excuse me?]
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV [does it come with instructions? Then, yes]
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

So, given the correct equipment*, I am at least 13/25 = 52% manly.

Chase's list [very poorly phrased in my opinion, but hey]:

1. Know basic nutritional needs & how to plan balanced meals
2. Hone your sense of direction & navigation so you don’t need step-by-step turns to find a location
3. Understand types of health insurance & terminology such as OOP max & co-insurance percentage [as a Canadian I am declaring this one null and void]
4. Maintenance of a personal computer
5. In-depth knowledge of your employment benefits
6. Change a flat tire
7. Wash & iron clothes
8. Balance a checkbook & manage your finances
9. Patch holes in walls [I like this one much better than "paint a room"!]
10. Fix a clogged toilet
11. Jump start a car [it's easier for me if the cables come with instructions, but yes]
12. Use public transportation to get around [um... duh?]
13. Write an effective resume cover letter
14. Professional oral & written communication [some overlap there...]
15. Basic math
16. Stay calm in emergencies
17. Know when to ask for help [well... most of the time]
18. Personal hygiene
19. Do your own taxes
20. Use internet search engines strategically (if you know how to do good searches, you can find any information you need on the web)

Holy crap. According to this I am a 100% self-sufficient adult! I demand a recount.

*get your minds out of the gutter!

Comments

[nellisir.livejournal.com]

23/25 on the first list. I don't know anything about rifles and I've never patched a radiator hose. I'm also a little iffy on bleeding brakes, but I've done it. #2 isn't very clear. Protect it from what?

I'm around 19/20 on the second list. I don't know squat about my health insurance. I don't do my own taxes either, but that's because we have a rental and it's easier to have the accountant do it. I used to do my own.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

You are manlier than me! Er, not that I'm particularly surprised.

The first list is very car-oriented, now I look at it again...