Thursday, June 07, 2007

50 Things You Need to Know by 50

Okay, I know I am no where near 50 but this list is impressive and fun to read at the same time. Here are a few examples:

How to Forgive
(George Takei, Star Trek, Heroes)

I grew up in U.S. internment camps during World War II. We were surrounded by barbed wire fences and machine guns. We took communal showers and meals, and a searchlight followed us on night runs to the latrine. After the war my mother and father couldn't find housing, and I had a teacher who called me "little Jap boy." That stung. But my parents taught me that being bitter only pickles the one that stews in the brine. Good advice. The bullies were the ones stewing in their own spite and ignorance. Once you realize that those who hurt you also hurt themselves, it is easier to forgive them. And that's liberating.

Law of the Olive Garden
The waitress is not hitting on you. Being friendly is her job.

How to Die
The point of the party is not your leaving it. Apologize for any breakage, thank your hosts, listen when they say they were glad you could come, mean it when you say you had a wonderful time, then grab your coat and go. Make sure the door closes behind you. Don't forget your hat.

You don't have to be an Internet wiz to have some favorite websites.
www.metacritic.com
Consolidated reviews from scads of news outlets. In case your local film critic is a hack.

www.gaspricewatch.com
Find the cheapest gas near you.

www.snopes.com
An urban legend debunker to help you check the veracity of those "Chicken-boy found in cave!" e-mail forwards.

www.seatguru.com
Does your plane seat have extra legroom and a power port, or just an overly chummy proximity to the john?

www.wikipedia.org
A citizen-written encyclopedia, replete with entries you'll never find in Britannica.

www.dealcatcher.com
Run by folks with nothing better to do than scour the Internet for sales. Bless them.

If someone says "Smell this," don't.

Go here to read the entire list. Thanks to the AARP for this enjoyable post.

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