Off Topic Off Season Reflection

It's a slow day at Leonard, Inc. I turn 50 soon. Here's a list of 50 things that I've learned so far. The few that obviously aren't original ideas are mostly widely known concepts that I've found to be spot on in most cases. These are in no particular order.

Please feel free to use this thread to share your own nuggets. I love lists.

1. Do not skimp on power tools, mattresses, paper towels, or peanut butter. Store brand or off brand is just as good for most everything else, though.

2. The only way to get over a grudge is to let it go. Period.

3. Tell the truth or keep your mouth shut. Lies and tall tales are hard to keep up with. Very hard.

4. Cough syrup is a myth.

5. If you buy something for a couple hundred dollars or less and it breaks, and it's not under warranty, AND you can't fix it yourself in under hr...trashing it and replacing it is always more cost efficient.

6. You only create misery for yourself if you do not have a place for everything, and everything in its place.

7. Understand and live the "Golden Rule". It is the foundation for just about every virtuous human quality.

8. Take a shower before your Hot Yoga class. Your neighbors will appreciate it.

9. Don't buy fat free dairy products or desserts. Just enjoy the good stuff in moderation.

10. Smiling diffuses almost every sticky situation.

11. Everyone should go on a backpacking trip. You learn to prioritize, improvise, and appreciate.

12. Actions really, really, really speak louder than words.

13. If you're going to get a kitten, go ahead and get two... Hilarious.

14. The loser in an argument is the first person to say "whatever". Might as well cry "Uncle".

15. Shouting a lie doesn't make it any less of a lie.

16. Once you're seriously dating someone, pay attention to his father or her mother. If you decide to marry, that's what you're going to end up with.

17. Don't be a fool at a party or any gathering with alcohol. Drink two fairly quickly to cut the chill, then nurse a third.

18. Don't join the gym until you can make time to exercise around the house for at least 30 min/day, at least 3 days/week for a month.

19. Don't get hung up on brand names. People are mostly only going to notice if you are neat and clean. If you have to wear or drive expensive labels to impress someone, they aren't worth it. Really, they're not.

20. The answer to 99 out of 100 questions is...money.

21. For the guys – If your wife or girlfriend asks you to dance... just do it. Refusing is much worse than not dancing very well.

22. The only difference between Republicans and Democrats is which special interest groups are supporting them financially.

23. Don't forget the camera when you're doing activities with your kids.

24. When it comes to information of any kind, always...ALWAYS consider the source.

25. Go outside as much as you can. The world is a beautiful place.

26. If you don't like red wine, don't drink it. Life is too short.

27. Absolutely no question, or doubt...God is real.

28. Once you have kids make them take musical instrument lessons early on. They'll thank you later.

29. There is absolutely no such thing as "reality tv".

30. Drinking water is really good for you. Drugs are not.

31. Waitresses and strippers aren't really digging you. They're just working.

32. Don't trust anyone who tells you how honest they are.

33. Never start a sentence with "I hate to be rude, but..." Either intentionally be rude, or keep quiet. Otherwise it's really annoying.

34. When you're on the phone with Customer Support, and the person you're dealing with is not cooperating, always ask for a supervisor. Under no circumstances should you hang up. Those guys always bow down to consistent persistence.

35. Don't argue with the police or referees. You're just wasting time.

36. When exercising, always stretch. Don't stretch before exercising. Get warmed up, and then stretch.

37. If anyone other than your immediate family asks, "How are you?", a simple "Fine" will do. Otherwise, it's going to be awkward.

38. Physically attractive people get special treatment. Don't sweat it though, because there is nothing you can do about it.

39. When buying a house, get a home inspection first. Always.

40. When selling a home, try to sell it yourself first. Realtors are skeezy.

41. The day your wife shows you the Clearblue positive results, start a 529 college plan.

42. There is no shame in paying for home improvement. If you can't do it yourself, just don't.

43. The saying, "If Mama isn't happy, then no one is"? So true.

44. America is the coolest place on Earth because of capitalism and the free market.

45. Do your work or chores before free time. Free time is so much more fun that way.

46. The decisions that you make between the ages of 18 and 22 will determine at least 80% of your happiness in life.

47. Of course you don't learn #46 until you're between the ages of 28 and 32.

48. No matter how cutting edge the technology gets, I still would rather go to the movie theatre.

49. There is always time to turn it all around.

50. Don't go to bed or leave mad. You just never know.