Knowledge and/or Skills I Wish I Had (and will someday maybe acquire):
Knowing where/how to invest my money. I really, really wish I knew more about this. Every time I get my statement detailing how my 401(k) is hemorrhaging money in a sickly, arterial spray of dollar bills and nickels, I get pissed. And yet I don’t want to change the plan I’m invested in because I don’t know what might yield better results. (I also have a teeny tiny 403(b) or some other government account from my very first job 15 years ago that can’t be rolled over into a 401(k), and there is so little money left in it I would rather take the tax penalty by cashing it out and investing it elsewhere than lose the rest of the balance, which I estimate will happen in about two years.)
The ability to sew. I took Home Ec in high school, but we never used sewing machines. We did have to sew a giant pillow (mine was a giant chocolate chip cookie because of course I would immortalize food as a permanent couch fixture), but I distinctly remember sloppily hand-sewing it together. My mom would attempt to show me how to sew on her Army green sewing machine, but I just remember sewing the same seam over and over and then watching the bobbin tangle itself into an impressive snarl, leaving my mom to deal with the mess while I escaped to my room (probably to snuggle with my cookie pillow). I would like to be able to sew my own clothes, since all the stores are firmly planted back in 1985 and I CANNOT wear neon colors/legwarmers/shaker sweaters again.
Wiring skills (and closely related, a less pervasive fear of fire). A few years ago, the light above our washer and dryer stopped working. My brother, who knows all about wiring, talked me through fixing the light over the phone. The next day, convinced our home was going to burn to the ground, I ran home over my lunch hour to check that the wire caps were securely in place. Despite this, I have a yearning desire to unearth a Mission-style light that’s been languishing in our garage for seven years, and wire it to an available spot near our desk downstairs. This despite the fact that I still know nothing about wiring, and I’m not even sure if the lamp will work in that spot.
Basic construction knowledge. Jason suggested that we put in a fake “wall/shelf” when you first come into our house to give it the feeling of a foyer, since when you enter our house you either walk straight into the kitchen or the living room (typical rambler). It sounds like it would be something relatively easy (no sledgehammering of existing walls, etc.) but yet I have no idea if it’s even possible.
Drawing ability. I used to love to draw. I took art class in high school, and I wasn’t terrible, if what I was drawing was right in front of me. (My favorite/best drawings, incidentally, were the cover images from the movies Dead Again and Silence of the Lambs. Also, I once drew my flute, which was really, really fricking hard and took forever. It did look pretty awesome/realistic when I was done, though.) However, I really wish I could draw something from memory or create something awesome from my own imagination. For my last job, I had to sometimes pick up supplies at an art store, and after coveting them on multiple trips, a coworker and I both optimistically bought a sketchpad and some colored pencils. Apparently, I imagined filling my vast pockets of free time sketching landscapes while tilting my head critically to show off my beret. The only thing I have drawn in that new sketchpad has been a horse that looks rather odd and disproportionate.
How about you? What skills or knowledge do you wish you had?
ooh!
Pretty much everything on your list except sewing. I do know how to do that.
In addition, I want to learn to do computer programming. It makes no sense to me. I’m useless. I also wish I could sing (and by that, I mean sing well). Right now, when I sing, people look at me like they would like to choke me until I shut up. I’m so bad.
Comment by sarah — November 3, 2011 @ 1:28 pm
Since I am sitting home alone a lot these days, I’m considering taking an online sewing class so I can make costumes for my cat. Or dresses with sleeves since apparently there is not a market for such things in the store. But I have to convince my husband that it’s worth the money we’ll have to spend on a sewing machine. Maybe I’ll just put on my poor pathetic routine and I’ll find it under the Christmas tree!!
Comment by NGS — November 3, 2011 @ 1:44 pm
Great list!
I wish I knew more about gardening/landscaping. I truly know nothing – when/how to prune, how to tell if something is a weed, when/how to fertilize, etc. We have a very lush property with lots of trees, bushes, plants, etc. and I don’t have a clue what I should be doing with any of them (after almost 12 years in this house!)
Comment by LoriD — November 3, 2011 @ 2:08 pm
oh man, i FREQUENTLY and LUSTFULLY wish i knew about wiring. i’m terrified of all aspects of it, yet daydream wistfully about moving the overhead lamp in our dining room so it would actually be over the table. and then maybe also switching it out with another, less heinous fixture while i’m at it. other people do this! i know they do!
Comment by Alice — November 3, 2011 @ 3:24 pm
I wish I were a better, more inventive cook. Like, I CAN cook and I can put together decent meals and all, but I don’t wander into kitchens and just burst with inspiration and ideas, you know? And my baking skills are very limited, even moreso than the cooking.
I wish I knew how to make furniture.
I wish I knew how to ride horses.
I wish I knew how to sail.
Those last three I could totally figure out, right, with time and money for lessons and equipment? But the cooking thing… it seems like it’s either in your blood or its not.
Comment by Sarah — November 3, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
@Sarah,
For the horse thing, you could just come visit me, and I’d take you to my parents’ house, and then you could ride a horse for free.
Comment by Shauna — November 4, 2011 @ 7:20 am
Or come to my house Sarah! I’ll loan you one for a day, even give you lessons!
I wish I were more car knowledgable.
I wish I could invent meals without looking at recipes.
I wish I could cut hair (specifically my daughter’s and husbands)
I wish I were a pro at make-up (smokey eye anyone?)
I am with you on money investing. That stuff drives me bonkers.
Maybe your next post could be “THings I am good at that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Comment by Nik-Nak — November 4, 2011 @ 10:32 am
Sewing, definitely.
I’d like to know more about computer programming so I could figure my own shit out and not rely on others.
Same with a car – just some basic knowledge so I don’t feel ripped off or talked down to at a mechanic’s place.
The ability to sing, which I think cannot be “learned” you either have it or you don’t, and sadly I definitely don’t.
Comment by Shelly — November 4, 2011 @ 5:19 pm
I have that tic about wiring / fire, too…in fact, I don’t think I would’ve been brave enough to try it even with someone talking me through it. I know people who replace their own ceiling fans and such, and I always call my cousin to come do it for me.
Comment by velocibadgergirl — November 4, 2011 @ 10:37 pm