Tuesday, August 18, 2009

25 Essential Skills for Men

So far, here is my list of 25 essential skills for men -

A MAN OUGHTA' KNOW HOW TO:

drive a vehicle w/ a stick shift

unclog a toilet/sink drain

change his own oil/filter

tie a neck tie

throw a punch

use jumper cables

throw - a football [tight spiral ]/baseball [overhand ... and not like a girl]

hammer a nail

swim

change a flat tire to a spare

perform CPR

parallel park
safely handle/shoot/clean and maintain a gun

convert a standing tree into a pile of firewood

convert a living farm/game animal into a meal [from kill to grill]

dance

set up a tent

assemble furniture using picture-only directions

build a shed

list [and follow] at least 20 rules of courtesy/gentleman's etiquette

sharpen a blade

build a fire

read/navigate w/ a map

fix a dead outlet

offer a short speech/toast

Well - what's missing?

Please comment or email with your input.

Next up: 25 essential 'spiritual' skills for Christian men.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

In his first year as President, Washington penned the following proclamation. May God forgive us for falling from such grace and make us a righteous nation.

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the 26th DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the 3rd day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1789.

(signed) G. Washington