Bits of wisdom I've accumulated over the years
The difference between "plastic" and "space age polymer" is about $75
Informercials sell mostly crap. Even things you wouldn't think they could screw up...they found a way.
Never pay anyone before they complete a job. Not even for materials.
When you go to Vegas, look at the casinos and you will see who the only real winners are.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
When faced with problems and hardships the only thing you can do is get off your ass and do something about it.
Sometimes the wisest thing to do is watch and wait before making a knee jerk reaction.
Positive thinking is more powerful than prozac.
Don't trust people with information that can be used against you.
Trust your gut instincts, they are there for a reason.
Greed can ruin a life very quickly. Avoid the temptation of easy money.
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch (Unless Hammer is cooking)
Once a person proves to be untrustworthy, it is foolhardy to ever try trusting them again.
We cannot change others. We can only change ourselves and our own behavior.
The words "I was wrong" can take the wind out of the worst ass chewing.
Hope these lessons will help you as much as they have helped me.
posted by Bill Rowland @ July 13, 2007
43 Comments
43 Comments:
I could add a few of my own, like,
friendship is much overrated and telling the truth isn't always the best policy or we might learn from our mistakes but we carry the consequences of them for the rest of our lives.
I think I will print these off. Very very good advice!
I learned the hard way about not paying someone until they have finished a job!
Amen! Well stated Hammer!
.....and don't forget the timeless old addage from Confuscious where he stated,
"He who goes to bed with itchy a$$ wakes up with smelly fingers!"
Flyinfox_SATX
Excellent post, Hammer.
the last person out the door is the last person out the door!
I want a hammer free lunch
Lots of common sense wisdom there. But too many will stick a but or except at the end of each statement then proceed to prove you were right anyway. I think people are opposed to doing the sensible thing because it is boring. Being a good, stable, reliable person doesn't provide much drama to life.
"I was wrong"...dead on the money with that one, Hammer. My Pap could have avoided millions of hours of pointless arguing just by saying those three words and meaning it.
Ha! Love the "space age polymer" one.
Recently Lovely Wife and I were out and about in town and I pointed to a "something, something SHOPPE" and said, I guarantee you, that extra "P" and "E" on the word shop doubles the price of whatever it is they sell.
Never pay anyone before they complete a job - ESPECIALLY your kids! (laughing)
Great advice. I think J and I have learned most of this together in the last 11 years so it makes sense to hear some one else say it also.
"The difference between "plastic" and "space age polymer" is about $75."
Yep; and the difference between an ordinary item and a "tactical" version is about $20 and some black paint.
Good Post Hammer. Your words of "I was wrong" is a fundamental part of my life. I am quite capable of admitting my mistakes and shortcomings. I only wish more people were. Cheers my good man and have a great weekend.
Go with your gut! I love it! YOu are so enlightened and wise grasshopper!
Words to live by, indeed. ;)
The words "I was wrong" can take the wind out of the worst ass chewing.
A-freakin-men. ESPECIALLY when you're a temp dealing with lots of sensitive information that you mess up a few times. Whoops. Heh.
My Dad's one was -
Don't step on too many fingers as you climb the ladder of success as you're sure to meet them again when you slither down the other side.
Cheers
"When faced with problems and hardships the only thing you can do is get off your ass and do something about it."
I needed that one.
So....Hammer's cooking lunch for all of us tomorrow? Now I just have to guess where you live within 1 mile or so, then follow my nose.
If you want to know how your spouse will treat you in a divorce, watch how they treat their enemies now.
lexcen: Those are good too.
cindi: I learned that too with landscapers.
flyinfox: lol that one is always good to keep in mind.
katey: thank you :)
nanc: How true!
snowmanpoop: I should start taking reservations :)
jeannie: so true. I hate drama. I guess I'm boring :)
kat: sadly it's just not in some folks nature.
jam: the ye olde shoppe is the ye olde screw :)
katherine: especially kids! :)
Tweety: it's good to hear it verified :)
Bobg: especially when it comes to flashlights and bullets.
matt-man: my dad taught me that one when I was young. It's halped me avoid a lot of suffering.
jeny: lol does that mean I have to shave my head and wander the desert now? ;)
AD: Thanks :)
Squeaky wheel: especially when working as a temp :)
Mcewen: That is so true. I've seen it happen!
carrie: I've needed it too from time to time.
paul: That might work. I turn on the vent hood for ya ;)
jp: that is one so many ignore. until it's too late.
My favorite aphorisms are "Friends will help you move. Real friends will help you move bodies", and the corollary, "The only way three people can keep a secret is if two of them are dead."
Best not accept any late night invitations to visit a dark forest...
Great advice... I found more than one in there that would do me well to remember. Thanks!
Sound invice indeed.
So; what's for lunch?
Excellent post with some great advice.
"Never pay anyone before they complete a job. Not even for materials."
We learned that one the hard way! We should have taken the materials and ran. :(
Great list. Here's a couple that I've learned.
1. If the only reason you're doing something is for money, you're a whore.
2. There are worse things to be than a whore.
HIgh Five My Friend!!!
I value your words of wisdom and thank you for taking the time to share them.
John
That was a great little list. You are wise beyond your years, Grasshopper. Too bad most folks seem incapable of recognizing this kind of basic common sense.
Close your eye before you xerox your face. No kidding that light is bright, last time I couldn't see for two days.
"Trust your gut instincts, they are there for a reason."
This is absolutely true!
G'day Hammer,
Okay, so I was curious, and after seeing you around on so mnay other blogs I visit, I had to follow your link.
Have enjoyed your site and you are so right about space age polymer.
Intrigued by the reference to your cooking. What's your speciality, maestro? I'm an Aussie and I do the best barbecues!
Cheers
David
very good wisdom. I need to beat the not trusting people who have burned you thing into my husband. He is so trusting, he doesn't just give 2nd chances, he gives 10 or 12 chances before I stop his silly butt.
"I was wrong" and "I'm sorry" were phrases that were never uttered in our house. It took me years to be able to say either one.
But you're right, it will take the wind out of an ass chewing.
Great list!
El capitan: Those are true as well..although on the morbid side ;)
terri: Glad you liked it :)
just john: Good to see you made it through the storm bud :)
brandon: thank you :)
tshsmom: Me too. I felt so dumb afterwards.
diesel: The oldest profession is alive and well :)
john: thanks man, I appreciate the words of encouragement.
FHB: I'm starting to call it uncommon sense ;)
Phosgene: you won't believe this but I had to put that exact sign on the copier next to my desk once upon a time. :)
m: Yup: I need to listen to mine more often. :)
david mcmahon: thank you for visiting! My specialty is barbecue as well. Folks tell me I'm pretty good at it. We'll have to compare notes.
Jerry: Sounds like my house growing up. I'm trying to break the cycle.
Burfica: that used to be me. Now I'm a hard ass bastard to people that intentionally screw me over.
Excellent lessons Hammer!! The "not changing others" lesson is a really good, but sometimes hard one to learn. Also trusting your gut instinct - man if I'd trusted that instead of going against it, life would've been sooooo different! Oh, and saying "I was wrong" - it's so cool how it works =D
very wise and insightful list...I spent the entire time saying out loud "yup hammer you are right" ...said it a number of times while reading your post..lmao.
It looks like my knee-jerk post came from reading this, but I just saw this this morning. I think I'll print it out and tape it to my wall. I know all this stuff but it doesn't hurt to be reminded now and then!
yep ... That's the rules of life...
Or to keep life going
Wow! What an all-compassing list of wonderful words of wisdom!
Some of these things I am re-learning.
Im totally with you on the prozac!
It's all in the technique.
"Never pay anyone before they complete a job. Not even for materials."
That's done all the time around here, but we're country folk.
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