Dates refer to the date written, not to the date learned.
2010-07-06 - (Dina) Don't get bangs when getting a haircut.
2007-04-14 - When putting away a partially used can of paint, dab a swatch of paint on the side of the can. Labeling it with the date and the place the paint was used is also helpful.
2007-03-12 - When looking for an apartment, place an "Apartment Wanted" ad online.
2007-03-11 - When buying contact cards for a job search, spend the money and put the relevant information on the card, such as position sought, technologies used, etc.
2007-02-01 - Sometimes, there is no such thing as a slow job search.
2006-08-08 - When trying on rings for size, try on one and wait a few minutes. Don't immediately try on a 2nd ring of the same size.
2006-06-22 - Don't get attached to a stray puppy until one is sure the puppy will be kept.
2006-06-14 - If someone you know offers you their business card, just take it. You can enter the information in your PDA and throw it away later. If someone you know offers you a free sample, just take it instead of protesting you don't need it. You can throw it away later. Accepting these things makes the giver feel better about your relationship with them.
2006-06-09 - If you have family or loved ones that live in a different country, have a valid passport at all times.
2006-04-22 - When buying rugs to put on hardwood floors, make sure they have non-slip backing.
2006-02-05 - When you build a computer for your parents, the first thing you should install is a complete remote access solution (VNC, firewall holes, dynamic DNS).
2006-01-30 - Cut your toenails before running or skiing.
2005-12-12 - Put the date on take-out menus as you receive them. In fact, get into the habit of date-stamping as much as you can.
2005-10-11 - If you want to restrict knowledge of something to a small group of people, be very explicit when communicating to them who they should and should not tell.
2005-10-24 - When you go on an interview, bring along a digital camera. You'll probably see nice new things while you're there.
2005-06-21 - Rules for new shoes:
2005-06-09 - A subclass of "Don't bite the hand that feeds you.": Don't take group-induced anger out on one of the people in the group who has said only positive things about you. It's self-defeating and alienating.
2005-06-09 - Don't whine or throw a tantrum about people throwing stones at your glass house as you throw stones at theirs. This is especially pertinent if people weren't actually throwing stones to begin with. Even more pertinent if you're simply throwing stones at random houses.
2005-06-03 - If you like or love something enough to want to make it good, or better, you should be willing to accept constructive criticism.
2005-06-03 - Even people you (once used to) look up to may disappoint you.
2005-06-03 - Experience is only one facet of ability and competence.
2005-06-03 - Don't let someone you love ride in a car with a driver who is prone to losing his/her temper to an extent that will endanger your loved one's life.
2005-06-02 - If you want people to approach you with their issues about you or the job you are doing, you should listen and make them feel as if they are being heard. Blowing a gasket at them is probably counter productive. Wondering why no one approaches you with their issues is stupid at best, if not disingenuous.
2005-01-06 - Always make sure there is toilet paper in the work restroom stall before you start.
2004-08-28 - Don't give people who are quick to offend any For Dummies or Complete Idiot's Guide books.
2004-08-08 - If you're going to California, don't forget sunscreen, doubly so if you're renting a convertible. Have I mentioned that traffic in LA sucks?
2004-07-24 - Do not call the host's sibling's SO a slut, even if only behind their back to the host. Saying "I meant 'stupid', not 'slut'." will not fix things. FYI, I somehow instinctively have known this all my life. Apparently, not everyone has known this, so I'm putting it up here for their benefit.
2004-07-02 - When you make a charitable donation, ask to be put on the charity's "Do Not Solicit" list immediately. Otherwise trees may die.
2004-06-29 - Nulls are important. Given a yes/no question, sometimes the correct answer is that neither the answer nor the question are important.
2004-06-12 - You're uncomfortable going to ceremonies in church. If you can, just don't go. If you must go sit in the back.
2004-06-09 - When a birthday, anniversary, or holiday is nigh, unplug the landline and turn off your cell phone. Friends and relatives, though well meaning, may not know they're on different sleep schedules that you are.
2004-03-08 - When you sign up for any sort of financial account or relationship, asked to be put on their do-not-junk-mail list immediately at sign up.
2004-02-18 - If you don't want to get caught up in other people's issues, go work at home in the early afternoon on the day of a freeze. Of course, helping other people out is always a good thing.
2004-02-13 - When I am sick, I need to write down what is said to me. I simply do not remember anywhere near as much when sick.
2004-02-13 - Deadlocks can occur in real life, not just in computer systems.
2003-01-23 - Don't drink out of a Nalgene bottle as the passenger in a car in the city, especially if it's something other than water.
2002-06-30 - When two of your friends who are dating break up, stay out of it. Heck, stay out of it while they are dating. Notably, if, after they have broken up, one of them asks you about the other's new SO, don't say a thing. Don't be lulled into compliance with their requests by promises that they don't care, or that they won't react as badly as they did last time.
2002-06-28 - Don't tell people you know their tells.
2002-06-15 - If you can't identify the fish at the table, stop playing. Don't be reassured by someone you know identifying themselves as the fish.
2001-12-02 - Its cheaper and quicker to take a cab to and from Harvard Square from our place or Nick's work than it is to drive there.
2001-09-01 - Do not play Monopoly® (or any competitive board or card game) with loved ones.
2001-06-13 - As soon as you get a new credit card, find out the number that you can call collect internationally. Most 1-800 numbers do not work from outside North America.
2001-06-09 - People will tell you that the last week before your wedding is stressful. Absolutely nothing can prepare you for the stress, including this little tidbit of wisdom.
2001-06-09 - Wedding fallacies. (Me bitter? Never.):
2001-04-01 - When you decide you want a quiet night in alone together, do it right. Lock the doors and take the phone off the hook.
When you are setting your wedding date, make sure that there are no major events in town that week.
When you buy a car, if you're the anal type, buy a little bottle of touch up paint at the same time.