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Neatorama.com recently linked to an article by Popular Mechanics about how Americans are out of touch with practical DIY skills.

It would seem that many of us are losing the ability to actually perform DIY skills such as changing a tire, fixing the bathtub or installing a ceiling fan and yes, sometimes, changing a light bulb.

The article quotes sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein as saying:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

I’m not sure about you, but I can on a good day maybe task myself with one or two of the above (planning an invasion and cooking a tasty meal if you’re curious). Ask me to build a wall? I’d just point you in the direction of a great masonry. Balance accounts? Talk to my wife, the accountant. Butcher a hog? Well, you get the picture.

Granted, Heinlein’s task list is ambitious. It’s like asking a kindergartner to walk on stilts in the middle of a sandbox. It probably won’t happen. The kid might be smart enough to call his friend, the circus performer, who will not only gladly put on the stilts but he’ll hold a fishbowl as well. In this day and age, we’ve got contacts, professionals, who will do these things for a whole lot or a whole little greenback.

That said, it would seem impractical or more technical DIY is on the rise. Just to name a few DIY resources: Make Magazine, Readymade, Lifehacker, DIY Life, DIY Network and one of my favorites, Instructables, just about anyone can learn how to build a solar-powered kite or superpower an appliance.

The question is then, has the DIY skill set atrophied or has it evolved into something else entirely?

It’s no real secret to my family that out of every unsolved mystery/crime case in history, the one that I’ve become quietly obsessed with over the years is that of the “Zodiac Killer”.

Which is why when the media recently reported of a man revealing the actual Zodiac killer to be his stepfather, let’s just say my interest finally peaked. To the point where I blew the dust off my mind’s shelving of this obsession and now with this re-examining of the case I hope to file it away for good. Of course I said that the last time and if this trails off to nowhere I’ll be doing this again.

For those without any knowledge of the Zodiac case, the oracle of digital insight and magic Wikipedia says this:

The Zodiac Killer is a serial killer who operated in Northern California in the late 1960s. His identity remains unknown. The Zodiac coined his name in a series of taunting letters he sent to the press. His letters included four cryptograms (or ciphers), three of which have yet to be solved.

Creepy? Check. Despite the fact it’s unsolved it still remains an open case, unlike the stockpile of cold cases that may never see the light of day. As Hank Hill would say, “That ain’t right.”

I’ve even rented the movie, Zodiac, with Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey, Jr. just to reacquaint myself with a fascinating (and yes, morbid) crime with a deranged man responsible for several deaths sending letters and greeting cards to authorities. It was all very Jack the Ripper but in modern times.

There’s also another thread to this that hits close to home. Her name was Cheri Jo Bates, a student at Riverside Community College and a purported victim of the Zodiac killer. Even though he claimed to be responsible for the murder, Riverside police were convinced his confession to be false.

I believe my obsession with this case has more to do with the air of mystery surrounding it rather than the gritty details, I’ll leave that to Hollywood and the media. Yet I do want to see it solved once and for all, if anything to provide some resolve for the victims and their families.

To meet my cute quota for the month, there’s nothing better than a video with my 4-year-old, head strong, toe-headed daughter named Zoe.

For the sake of actually writing something and to experiment a bit with Flickr Video here’s a short clip of my daughter, Zoe, practicing sign language with her Aunt Erin (Nina). Bonus: My son shows up in the last few seconds.

There are a few things I’d like to accomplish in my life before my time comes. Many of these will probably never happen while others have a greater chance of actually being fulfilled.

It’s not matter of when but how and using what for most, but for the sake of posterity and for fun here they are:

Jamaican Bobsledding

I’m not sure who to thank, Cool Runnings or John Candy, but I’d love to represent and make Jamaica proud by sliding down an icy slope with other strangers as crazy as me.

Be a Reality Talent Show Judge

Just sit, nitpick, joke, blink. Rinse & repeat.

Finish Super Mario Bros.

Sometimes I lay in bed at night, totally forget about life’s other worries (bills, squirrels in attic, etc.) and dwell on the fact that I’ve never completely finished SMB.

Run for Office, Win and Quit

At least I’d have a bunch of lawn flags for souvenirs.

Trade a paperclip for a stapler

It’s never happened before. Never.

Learn “Rocket Science”

Next time someone says, “This isn’t rocket science…”, I can reply; “Well, duh.” and then flash my street cred.

Swim alongside Whales

I have a real fear of deep ocean water. Pulling this off would be nothing short of a miracle, plus whales, how cool would that be?

Trade a stapler for gold popcorn

Solid. Gold. Popcorn.

Climb Mt. Fiji

Why? To bottle the best-tasting water myself.

Paint a Masterpiece

Sell said masterpiece for $23 million, invest $13 million and use the rest to buy Blue Flavor.

Leap off a high ledge into a river filled with Jello

My limited knowledge of basic physics tells me this might be a bad idea. (Note to self: Write the Mythbuster guys about this one.)

Color “outside” the lines

I’ve never once in 20+ years been able to break this rule. It doesn’t seem right.

Sail on a Pirate Ship

Parrot on shoulder (must take AA batteries), fake peg leg and a chest full of gold foil wrapped chocolate.

Build a Robot

Program it to say “Dis-assemble”, “Innn-put” and “Stephanie”. The last one he’d have to shout endlessly.

Learn Sign Language

For all the good reasons and so I won’t miss out on things, plus silent conversation is nice.

Take the family to Europe

Experience culture shock at its finest and for the souvenirs of course.