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I recently found myself in conversation with a steamfitter only to realize I didn't actually know what a steamfitter is. When he explained his job (apparently steamfitters design and build piping systems!)  I said, "Ohhh, so you have an actual skill is what you're saying. Unlike anyone else I know." He laughed, but I wasn't kidding. Personally, I barely know how to do anything. Seriously, if the Applegate chicken nugget factory ever shut down, my children would starve. In the event of apocalypse, or a camping trip, I could be head person in charge of reading books I then don't remember, but that's about the most I can do. I used to be really good at parallel parking a car, but then a garage entered my life and now I'm back down to zero practical life skills.

What about you? How many useful life skills do you have? Do you know how to  build a fire? How about without matches? Do you know CPR? Can you change a flat tire? Sew on a button? Give a speech?  Even Cool has assembled a very helpful/shame-making list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.  From jump-starting a car to cleaning your house to effectively flirting (it's very comprehensive), this list compiles skills every adult should have -- and of course, links to helpful articles from all across the Internet explaining how to do these very things. It's a list that should be bookmarked on every computer (don't know how to use a computer? It's on the list!), and emailed to everyone you know who's about to head off to college. Or grad school. Or, you know, another day at work.

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