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Arbitrary Thoughts

November 3rd, 2011 - Arbitrary Thoughts - 29 Comments »

+ So, we ran our marathon on Sunday. By far the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Post coming soon (most likely on ReluctantRunners.com)…

+ Apparently Tripp and I were on TV last night with Dave Ramsey. I had no idea until my cousin told me on Facebook. Check it out:

(Click here to watch embedded video)

+ Remember the 30 Bloggers, 30 Days, $30,000 thing we did last year to raise money for charity:water? Next week I’ll be announcing a new project that I’m really excited about and want you to be a part of. Hint: I only need 50 of you.

+ Reason #241 to become an Amazon Prime member: Kindle’s new Lending Library.

+ Red cups are back at Starbucks! And yes, I’m embarrassed by how excited this makes me.

+ Loving James Morrison’s new album, The Awakening.

+ Must-read: Tripp’s post about his dad’s latest fishing adventure. Read it and you’ll know why I’m begging him to write a book about his dad.

In honor of our televised hug, today’s random giveaway is a copy of one of Dave Ramsey’s books – your choice. Just answer the question below and I’ll pick a winner at random (once Grey’s is over, of course):

Name a technical life skill that every father should pass along to his son. (For instance, how to tie a tie, how to give a proper handshake, how to bait a hook, how to throw a baseball, etc)

  • http://www.warriorshepherd.com/blog Dave Hearn

    How to build a fort out of sticks and random yard furniture.

  • http://www.kevinkeigley.com Kevin Keigley

    Every child needs to know how to build a fire.
    It comes in handy when they need to cook outside, provide warmth or when they build little cardboard boats in the kitchen sink and need to set them ablaze after their parents are in bed.

  • Peter

    How to drive a stick-shift.

    on fathers passing down wisdom – http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com/

  • clintm

    How to treat a woman. This is a daily exercise by treating the spouse with respect and honor that can be passed down through example.

  • navets

    how to skip stones across a body of water!

  • David

    How to change a tire

  • Lauren D.

    For sons: How to take apart any portion of a vehicle and put it back together.

    For daughters: Righty tighty, lefty loosy.

  • Evan Chasteen

    From Everyday Absurdities – Packing a car for a road trip. I still don't know how he fits everything in the car, but I want him to teach me.

  • Gerry

    Visual identification of wrench size required for a bolt… To the nearest1/16″.

  • http://samdavidson.net Sam Davidson

    How to ask a girl out in way that if she says no, you don't feel that bad about yourself for trying.

  • http://robshep.com rob shepherd

    Count me in to help. One essential skill that every guy needs to know is how to flip channels. I like to set the bar low so I can succeed.

  • http://abluesicanwhistle.blogspot.com Tim

    For me, the most daunting task to learn without my Dad was shaving. That's probably really silly, but I was very nervous trying to teach myself that. That's something that should definitely be passed down.

    Or at least that's the one I remember the most. Maybe tying a tie was up there too.

  • jon

    pass gas and blame it on the dog. essential life skill.

  • http://missionallendale.wordpress.com/ Joey Espinosa

    You just wanted to show the Ramsey video because Tripp was snubbed.

    Dads need to teach sons how to handle money. (And how to pee standing up.)

  • http://twitter.com/torcon @torcon

    I think it's mission-critical for a dad to teach his son the proper recovery procedure after a shot or errant kick to the nads….

  • Patty

    How to cook. Your future daughter-in-law will thank you.

  • Mandy

    “My cousin” — thanks for the props, but call me out!
    “My cousin Mandy” :) Glad you found it!

  • http://ramblingbarba.com Ken Hagerman(The Barba)

    How to siphon gas without getting inebriated by 96 octane.

    or

    How to repair anything with a length of fence wire, a stick of gum and packet of duck sauce.

    or

    How to defecate in a semi-public setting without being assaulted or arrested.

  • allisonlh

    Every son needs to know how to maintain proper hygiene (especially when reaching the pre-teen years) without making everyone around him pass out from the overwhelming Axe/Old Spice/cheap cologne fumes.

  • http://www.kevinpmahan.com Kevin Mahan

    Mowing the grass. This became obvious being around boys that grew up in apartment complexes. Put a mower in the hands of a 10 year old that’s never seen one up close and bunker in. Laughter guaranteed. No one is safe.

  • http://www.youredoingitright.com dustyken

    How to love your family.

  • http://iamjakz.wordpress.com Jakz

    Fathers need to teach their children, both boys and girls, the glory of duct tape. And it would be helpful and appreciated if they would teach their boys to aim…

  • ardenmoyer

    How to change the oil in the car.

  • Kyle

    How to throw a ball. Boy or girl. I don't think, in my opinion, there will be a better moment than throwing the baseball or football around with my child.

  • http://www.stantonmartin.com Stanton

    I think every father should teach their son his social security number and date of birth, it makes handling AT&T/Comcast/Terminex/Dell Tech Support that much easier.

  • http://realjoeknight.wordpress.com/ Joe

    Every dad should teach a son to change the oil in a car.

  • LaceyKeigley

    How to make dinner.

  • http://www.evanforester.com EvanForester4

    Reading. 2 Reasons:
    1) I still remember my dad reading to me as a kid. Great memories.
    2) My wife is a teacher and constantly says the best thing parents can do for young kids to become good students is read with their kids.

  • Nolan

    Teach them how to wipe properly…among other things. Kids who get caught wiping from the front in a lockerroom bathroom will be made fun of.

    It didn’t happen to me, but a guy on my team…