Comments on Whispers of a Cinematic Echo: 351

A fine list James. I especially agree with learnin...

2008-06-07T09:06:00.000-05:00

A fine list James. I especially agree with learning to shoot a gun, and have a few more things to add in a similar vein.

Know how to build a fire. In a survival situation, a fire is one of your most useful tools and allies. It can cook food, purify water, act as a signal for rescuers, keep you warm, and (often overlooked) give you something to keep your mind off of how lost and creepy it is out in the middle of nowhere. You don't have to be able to produce flame from two sticks rubbed together, but using a cigarrette lighter to start kindling isn't a piece of cake if you've never done it before.

Learn how to cook. You don't have to be a competitor on Top Chef, but knowing your way around a kitchen is handy. It can impress women and will keep you happier as a bachelor while you find women to impress. If you think cooking needs to be difficult, I suggest the book "A Man, a Can, a Plan" which offers simple recipes made from basic canned foods. You'll also want to have a fancy specialty to make for that special someone the first time she says "Lets just stay in and make something." James is familiar with 'The Tao of Steve' in which the protagonist makes Mango Mahi Mahi. At the very least, learn how to properly grill a steak (not turn delectable beef into leather or charcoal). As a side note (and nod to #23) there is no such thing as too much garlic.

Learn to tie a few knots. By a few I mean four. Square knot, Bowline, Tautline hitch and two half hitches are the most useful knots I ever learned in Boy Scouts. If you want to go for extra credit, learn how to do a square lashing, and you'll be able to survive comfortably next to that fire you should be able to build.

Of course, now I see that Paul already hit my point about cooking.

Steve: Excellent. I went to a chicken wing festiva...

2008-05-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

Steve: Excellent. I went to a chicken wing festival with six people once and we all tried the hottest wing there. Remember the part in Dumb and Dumber where Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels eat those hot candy and start squirting ketchup in their mouths? Yeah, I was the only one who didn't do that, and ever since I've eagerly lambasted people on their meager hot sauce consumption abilities.

Paul: I debated including the one about the guns because I know that most people aren't half as interested in them as I am, but I decided on it because their knowledge can be practical unless you live in Japan. I personally delight in manipulating all sorts of firearms, but learning the basics is pretty good for most. Treat every gun as if it were loaded and not much can go wrong.

Dude, I totally meant to include one about tipping. Nice one. I've added all of your other suggestions, as well.

A few more ideas:

- Know how to throw toget...

2008-05-25T11:59:00.000-05:00

A few more ideas:

- Know how to throw together a meal with what's on hand. It's one thing to make a list and cook according to a recipe, but real talent in the kitchen comes from the ability to improvise. It doesn't need to be fancy- it can be as simple as a salad combination you haven't tried before that somehow works. As my grandmother says, the important thing to know when you're cooking is what goes with what. Once you figure that out, most of your work is done for you.

- Be able to confidently sing a song from stem to stern. Not all of us are Pavarotti, but that's not important. If you know the words, you can have fun with them enough to cover up any vocal deficiencies you might have.

- Know how to tip. No being a cheapskate, Mr. Pink. 15-20% is standard, so unless your server vomits on your meal, tip them at least that much, and more for a job well done. And if you're drinking, always tip the bartender in cash.

- Back rubs and foot massages are always appreciated by women. The key is to help them relax, so take your time and be patient. And always pay attention to what she enjoys- don't just give the same massage every time.

- And speaking of women, if you can't remove a brassiere without a whole lot of fumbling around by the time you're 30, you'd better have a damn good reason.

Good list, man. I actually don't object to anythi...

2008-05-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

Good list, man. I actually don't object to anything you've included here, even the one about guns. I don't really like firearms, but I did take riflery classes at summer camp when I was in Boy Scouts, so I'm not just some granola hippie peacenik who'll never touch the damn things.

I've got another one- be proficient in at least a handful of sports. You don't have to be awesome or even all that good, but you should at least know the rules and procedures enough to play along and have fun. If you ARE awesome, learn to dial down your skills for a friendly bunch, especially if there are kids around. It may look cool if you can throw a 75-mph fastball or punt a football 50 yards, but there really isn't much practical use for this when you're just playing a pickup game with family.

If you're un-atheletic like me, at the very least be good enough to play with kids. My girlfriend's son plays baseball, and sometimes I pitch to him so he can practice. I'm no Nolan Ryan by any means, but the ball makes it over the plate most of the time, which is really all he needs. And if you're not quite up to snuff, at least learn to talk a good game and joke around. Most kids just play for fun anyway, and even if you suck, making them laugh will alleviate a lot of problems that might otherwise come out of it.

I was reading this list while eating dinner. Dinne...

2008-05-24T20:27:00.000-05:00

I was reading this list while eating dinner. Dinner = chicken vindaloo from the Indian restaurant down the street. So yeah, I'm down with #23. :-)

Also, hell yes Adam. You're inspiring me to go crack into my bottle of Macallan Elegencia after I finish eating.

Thanks, Adam!

6. I am a huge Spurs fan and...

2008-05-24T13:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Adam!

6. I am a huge Spurs fan and I assure you that there is much suffering being done on my part right now.

17. I myself try to master dates. Once you learn historical dates, most things just fall into place.

25. I myself mention "Salute Your Shorts" a little too often. Not a cartoon, but close enough.

I'll add 31!

Nicely done! A few thoughts:

No. 6 -- a lit...

2008-05-23T21:56:00.000-05:00

Nicely done! A few thoughts:

No. 6 -- a little dangerous, because it opens the door for more people becoming fans of the Patriots, Spurs, Trojans simply because they win so much and very little suffering will come about from it.

No. 17 -- It's also nice to know facts that most people wish they knew, like being able to read those extra long Roman numerals at the end of movies.

No. 25 -- Still working on this one.

One more: Learn to sip whiskey (it doesn't always need to go down in one gulp).