Andrew Huff / May 21, 2010 10:38 AM

We had a similar question back in 2004. If you have an idea for a Fuel question, email it to inbox@gapersblock.com.

I know a little about quite a lot. But I'm really good at maximizing use of space when packing boxes into a truck. (No, I won't help you move.)

David / May 21, 2010 11:01 AM

Might not seem like a life skill at first blush, but I am extremely good at properly folding fitted sheets.

I have a system.

Andrew Huff / May 21, 2010 11:11 AM

That is definitely an important and difficult to learn skill. One that I don't have.

vise77 / May 21, 2010 11:55 AM

I am very good at personal budgeting. I make my own spreadsheets and literally track every penny I make and spend, including how I spend (I have more than a dozen categories). I can see my spending and saving trends from months out, and all this helps me plan better for retirement, travel and purchases. I love doing my budget (at least twice a week; about 20 minutes each time) so much that I think I was really made out to be an accountant.

jj / May 21, 2010 12:19 PM

Canon law of the Catholic Church, directing youth theater, American Sign Language - never made a penny off any of them, but can tell you lots about those topics.

eee / May 21, 2010 1:02 PM

Carving jack-o-lanterns.

David / May 21, 2010 1:09 PM

Mr. Huff, today's your lucky day.

1. Take the fitted sheet and stick a finger in each of two corners, then touch your fingers together. Flip one side over the other.

2. Repeat with the remaining two corners.

3. Repeat one last time, so all four corners are now folded over one finger.

4. Lay the fitted sheet down on the bed. You should now have three 90-degree corners, and the remaining one should be the place where your finger was holding up all four folded-over corners.

5. Fold like a regular sheet.

6. Step back, admire your handiwork, then drink something alcoholic while you ponder how good it feels to learn the answer to a problem which has vexed many previous generations.

Good luck!

thatgirlshines / May 21, 2010 2:02 PM

yoga, styling outfits, makeup, cooking GF meals, DJing, listening to problems and offering useful advice.

*and folding fitted sheets.

JAH / May 21, 2010 4:33 PM

I have an encyclopedic knowledge of late 80's - early 90's professional bike racing trivia.

Kevin / May 21, 2010 5:14 PM

JAH: Quick, and no looking on Wikipedia: Who won the stage to Alpe d'Heuz in 1989? Bonus points if you can spell it properly, but I'll give it to you if you're close.

Me, I brew beer. I don't use it at work now, but something I would like to in the future. Also, like JAH, ridiculously worthless knowledge of European bike racing starting in the mid 80's.

fluffy / May 21, 2010 6:16 PM

I'm really good at French braiding other people's hair. It's also erie how well I communicate with animals. And numchuck skillz.

LaShawn Williams / May 21, 2010 8:51 PM

Doesn't have zip to do with my current job, but directions & navigation. All these years of riding CTA have done something, after all. :-)

just not right / May 21, 2010 9:23 PM

I can visually ID all American made automobiles from 1955 to 1975, and I can usually tell you what engine [or option of engines] they have. Make, model, and year.

I can also tell which diesel locomotives are EMDs or GEs [and the long-gone Alco's] and sometimes the designation [E units, F units, road engines, switchers, etc]. And I know the common names of the wheel arrangements of steam locomotives, too. That's a sure sign of sickness.

Yes, I'm single. Duh.

mike-ts / May 21, 2010 9:51 PM

I have a skill similar to Just Not Right's - but instead of cars, I can usually tell you the general time when a house or building was built - pre-WW II 20th Century, post war, Sears House, Edison House, post Civil War 1800's, ante-bellum, etc. And I don't know where that came from.

I know someone who swore his house was built in the 1950's, and I bet him it was built in the 1920's, and I won.

sb / May 22, 2010 4:02 PM

I can catch fish like it's no one's business.

Dennis Fritz / May 23, 2010 9:27 PM

I make good chili.

Spook / May 23, 2010 11:48 PM

Reptiles
Gumbo
History
Braised Oxtail Spaghetti Sauce

gate / May 24, 2010 9:09 AM

D&D

please don't tell anyone.

Christopher / May 24, 2010 9:30 AM

Some of you guys have awesome secret skills.

meems / May 24, 2010 11:29 AM

Getting people to do things for me.
Making popcorn on the stove.
Figuring out what's wrong with other people's cars.

Mucky Fingers / May 24, 2010 12:20 PM

Any Beatles serenade on guitar, just ask.
Anything I put on the grill comes out perfect.
Encyclopedic knowledge of movies by Spike Lee and Woody Allen.

Tracie / May 24, 2010 12:55 PM

I have a freakishly good internal clock. All I have to do is say to myself, get up at___ and I do. Haven't used an alarm clock for over 10 years.

k / May 24, 2010 7:26 PM

I'm great at making stuff with paper mache.

k / May 24, 2010 7:30 PM

meems, I also like making popcorn on the stove. It surprises me how few (of the people I know) know how.