Things I learned from my dad

Well, Father's Day isn't quite over yet, so I'm not too late.

In no particular order:

- how not to strip a screw out
- how to give seal-back rides (I didn't know I knew this until this summer when Brigid started liking water)
- Hold a hammer by the end of the handle. You might not hit what you're aiming at, but whatever you hit, you'll hit it harder. I think that explains some of the dents in various sheet-rocking projects he has had my help on.
- If you're texturing the ceiling of a house, wear a hat. Or at least, if you're holding the shield for someone who's texturing the ceiling of a house, wear a hat.
- how to water ski (pair and slalom)
- When you use a knife, cut away from yourself.
- Okay, sometimes it works better to cut toward yourself, just have bandaids ready.
- You don't have to be in trouble for your father to raise his voice.
- Your father doesn't have to raise his voice for you to be in trouble.
- Not every water hole is safe to jump in.
- Not every water hole is unsafe to jump in.
- Not every water hole that is safe to jump in is worth jumping in.
- Spit in your mask before you go snorkeling. It takes longer for it to fog up.
- Rivers are better for canoeing/inner-tubing/kayaking when they're at flood stage.
- Just because you're paddling against the current of a stream one direction doesn't necessarily mean you won't be paddling against that same current going the other direction too. (Actually, we might have learned that one together in Costa Rica.)
- how to ride a bicycle
- disorganized sports are much more fun than organized sports.
- Dishwashers are worth their weight in gold. (I might have learned this one from Mom. Or it might have been a collaborative effort.)
- A remote controlled car is always a good present.
- how to throw a frisbee.
- Don't run your hand through a radial-arm saw. Or any other type.
- If you buy a cheaper boat, you don't spend nearly as much time worrying about scratching the paint. Or, really, any time.
- Give lots of encouragement.