What a man can do

Here is a list of 25 things every man should be able to do from Popular Mechanics (http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/home_journal_news/4221635.html):

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network


I thought this was pretty good, but what are some things that should or should not be on the list??

There are plenty of things on that list that I cant do...

I have to disagree with the following:
* Mix concrete. I live in a condo for good reason, I guess. But mixing concrete is really easy. I dunno.
* Clean a bolt-action rifle. How many people actually do this? I agree that people should be exposed to some gun basics, but...
* Fillet a Fish. Well, I am not generally a fan of seafood...

Things that should be on the list, but arent:
* Be able to swim 1/2 mile. Everyone should know how to swim. I know Notre Dame used to require all incoming freshmen to pass a swim test. Is that still the case? I thought that was a good thing.
* Chop firewood. It builds character!
* Learn to speak publicly without completely freaking out.

Other concepts:
* Leave the North American continent at least once by age 30. Widen your horizons and understand other cultures. I am stopping short of requiring the learning of a foreign language, but I would like to see that, too.
* Set goals & achieve some of them.

Good stuff...Mixing concrete is pretty dang easy, I can clean a bolt action rifle, and seafood is delicous (just not in the midwest.

Completely agree on the swimming - now that you mention it I am surprised they left that off. ND does still have that requirement. And chopping firewood - AGREE!!

Other things I was thinking about:

Drive a manual transmission
change a tire (although intuitive)
make a free throw
Skin a buck (i mean, if you can clean a gun and filet a fish, why not?)


I wasn't really a big fan of the computer stuff, but I suppose one should have basic knowledge of computer security and whatnot this day.

Agree 100% on Changing a Flat Tire and Manual Transmission.

Skin a buck: This city boy is getting no where near the skinning of any mammal, thank you very much.

...or a wild boar?? What if your plane went down and you got LOST [/img]

One blatant thing missing:
Cook a complete meal!

On every cowboy's list is that you should be able to shoot your dog or your horse.