Saturday, November 21, 2009

Things I suck at





Generally speaking, I'd like to think that I'm pretty handy. Change the oil, unclog a sink, replace a light fixture, assemble toys, figure out electronics, bring it on, I can handle it.

But someone, I forget who, tweeted something the other day about tying a tie, which reminded me just how much I suck at that.

Case in point, I used to be an enlisted Soldier in the US Army. The proper way to tie a tie for the Class A uniform is a four-in-hand knot. While I could never get it to look just right, especially for a Drill Sergeant's standards, my battle-buddy in basic training could. So he tied my tie for me, and all I did was loosen it enough to slip it over my head and tighten the knot each time I wore it.

No kidding, I never untied that tie for the entire 6 yrs that I was enlisted. In fact, 12 yrs later, that tie is still tied, hanging in a closet somewhere with my dress uniform.

Let's not even talk about bow-ties. A select few blog friends have seen a picture of Veronica and I at my sisters wedding and I'm wearing my dress blue uniform. The bow-tie was a clip on...

I wish I knew what happened to my battle buddy from basic training, I'd like to thank him. But I can't for the life of me remember his name. Another thing I suck at....

Wanna see a picture of baby Hubman? Visit my hangout today!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't tie a tie at all. I don't recall ever wearing one actually. I admit to not being the handiest guy ever, I try to earn enough to be able to pay for those things!

Doesn't always work though then I end up having to do it, well patch it until I can earn enough to pay a handy fella to actually fix it right.

DGB said...

I'm clueless with a bowtie, but I can tie a Windsor knot.

I suck at most other things, though.

Sandi said...

even though I'm a girl so it's not quite as important for me to know how, I have never in my life tied either a tie or a bow tie and I never plan on it!

Anonymous said...

It's never really occurred to me that a guy (especially one who was enlisted!) would have trouble tying a tie. A friend's dad taught me ages and ages ago how to (though I don't know the name of the specific knot), and I had a friend a few years ago tell me it was a bit of a turn on that I could tie a tie. Though it may have just been because I had to stand behind him and press up against him ;)

What do you think - a girl being able to tie a tie, hot or not?

OneZenMom said...

In high school, I was very popular with all the football players every Friday morning because of my ability to tie a simple four-in-hand knot. ;)

Anonymous said...

Anon a girl and a tie makes me think of using it as a blindfold or to tie her hands....

So YES! Its a turn on!

Not a soccer mom said...

It amazes me how many men cannot tie their ties but women who can.
And I can change my own oil and make most home repairs
But hot dads who can do the same are sexy

Chapter Two said...

I know how to tie ties to bedposts...does that count?

DGB said...

@Barefoot...I'm going to go ahead and speak for all us Hot Dads by saying, "Yes!"

Keith Wilcox said...

I used to do a bit of preaching at my church (long LONG time ago :-) Well,that's when I learned how to tie a tie. I don't think I've worn one since.

Anonymous said...

Southern Sage, while I haven't had the pleasure, I am not opposed to having tie around my hands (or on a bedpost, for that matter) instead of some lucky fella's neck. Good to know it works for you ;)

chocdrop said...

I have to admit that that is one of those things I wanted to learn, but I have not had the opportunity.

Now as far as hands on a bed post...I plead the fifth!

LiteralDan said...

I don't know how similar a four-in-hand knot is to a Windsor knot, or whatever you call the usual one, but I can do that one after much practice. Since it's been awhile since I had to wear a tie to work every day, it might take me a few tries to make a really good one, but I can do it.

I've never tried tying a bow tie, but I don't intend to learn. I've only heard bad things about those fuckers.

KristinFilut said...

I've never attempted a bow tie but my dad taught me how to tie ties when I was a young girl. I used to tie them for my employees all of the time... LOL

I've also got some pretty mad garbage disposal removal and installation skills, in case you haven't heard. Yeah, I'm pretty handy.

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