#239 - Have Your Brother's Back

Never side against your brother in a fight.

excerpt from: 1001 rules for my unborn son

#238 - Stop to Watch a Lightening Storm

Watch a lightning storm from a safe spot, but do watch them.

excerpt from:1001 rules for my unborn son

#237 - Ice Cream

Don't let the ice cream truck get away.

excerpt from: 1001 rules for my unborn son

#236 - Ted Nugent Quote

"I love America, but I love Texas more."
-Ted Nugent

#235 - Mark Twain Quote

"All you need in life is ignorance and confidence, and then Success is sure."

-Mark Twain

#234 - Friends Will be There for You

It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.

-Love Dad

#233 - Luke 16:10

He who is true to one friend thus proves himself worthy of many.

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."

Luke 16:10

-Love Dad

#232 - Gloves

If a gentleman is wearing gloves outside and it is very cold, he does not have to remove them before shaking hands.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#231 - Firm Handshake

A gentleman tries to make sure that his own handshake is firm and friendly.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#230 - Handshake

A gentleman does not make any comments if another person's handshake is weak or limp.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#229 - Elderly Handshake

If his grandfather really is in pain, a gentleman doesn't think it's funny. He keeps in mind that he may need to take it easy when shaking hands with some older people.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#228 - Grandpa Handshake

A gentleman laughs when his grandfather pretends to double over in pain because the young gentleman's handshake is so firm and strong - but only if his grandfather is just pretending.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#227 - Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

> You Do

Explain to someone who offers his or her hand to you if there's a reason you can't shake hands. It is ok to say," I've been working on my bike and my hand is covered in grease."

> You Don't

Shake someone's hand and then apologize for making his or her palm as greasy as yours.

> Why

Maybe this person was planning to write you a check or do something else nice for you, and now can't, because you mucked up the person's hand with axle grease.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#226 - Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

> You Do

Wait for a lady to extend her hand to you before you shake her hand.

> You Don't

Try to break her hand by grasping her hand too tightly.

> Why

There's no telling what type of horrible chores you might have to do for an older woman whose hand you have crushed. You might have to wash her laundry, mow her lawn, or do other horrible things.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#225 - Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

Shaking Hands Do's and Don'ts

> You Do

Wait for an older person to offer a handshake before you stick out your hand. (Almost everyone who is going to want to shake your hand is probably going to be older than you.)

> You Don't

Offer any type of handshake other than a simple, firm but painless grip with a couple of modest pumps.

> Why

Most adults are not up on current eight-part handshakes. Stick with the basics with your elders.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#224 - Shaking Hands

Shaking Hands

This one really impresses older people. Knowing how to shake hands will make your parents look good - and you should never underestimate how great that can be for you. It also makes you look like someone your friends' parents can trust.

If parents see that you know how to shake hands properly, they will assume that you are more grown-up. They will judge you positively if you know how to present yourself when meeting people or making introductions.

excerpt from: 50 things every young gentleman should know

#223 - How to Play Blackjack

How to Play Blackjack

The first thing you do after getting your chips is place a bet You do this by placing chips in front of you. Most casinos have a circle where you put your wager. After you place your bet the dealer gives you two cards and also deals him or herself two cards. The dealers cards are placed one face up and one face down. The combined information of your two cards and the dealers up card help you make the best decision on how to play your hand. You have the following choices on how to play your hand.
Stand - When you stand that means you don't take any more cards. When playing live blackjack you can say stand or stay or you can pass your hand over your cards palm down to signal that you stand.
Hit - When you hit the dealer gives you another card. In live play you can say hit or hit me or tap the table or scratch the table back towards yourself away from the dealer.
Split - When your first two cards are of the same value, for example a pair of eights or two ten value cards like a Jack and a King, you may split these into two separate hands. You do this by pushing a bet forward equal to your original bet and splitting your cards. The dealer then deals you a second card onto each hand.
Double Down - When you double down you double your original bet and receive only one more card and then must stand. Some casinos allow you to double down after splitting while others do not.
Surrender - (Not available at all casinos.) When you surrender, you forfeit your hand after seeing your first two cards and the dealers up card and you get back half your bet.
Insurance - When the dealers up card is an Ace, you have the option to place an insurance bet. If you place an insurance bet and the dealer has a natural blackjack, or 21, you win on your insurance bet.

Blackjack Dealer Rules

The dealer must follow a strict set of rules on the play of his or her hand. These rules are posted on the blackjack table. They will say something like "Dealer stands on all 17's" or "Dealer hits on soft 17's." The dealer must draw, or hit, until they either have 17 or higher or bust.

Simple How to Play Blackjack Rules

Blackjack is by far one of the most popular and exciting games at the casino. But if you do not know how to play you will learn soon enough that this game can be frustrating and annoying as well. Fortunately, learning to play blackjack is one of the easiest things you will ever do if you are willing to pick up on the basics and then advance your strategy as you continue to play. Once you learn how to correctly approach a game of blackjack you will put yourself in position to regularly win.
To start, you need to become familiar with the blackjack table. This is the table that you will be sitting at while playing, so you want to learn as much about it as you can. You will quickly realize that the shape of a blackjack is a half circle. You and any other players will be sitting on the “curved side” and the dealer will be directly across from you. The layout of the table is self-explanatory. There is a betting circle for each player at the table, as well as a listing of the house rules. It is important to read the rules before sitting down so you are aware of exactly what you are getting involved with. For instance, the rules may state the minimum bet as well as details on when the dealer draws and stands.
One of the most important aspects of blackjack is the betting limits. You will find tables with a minimum bet of $1 as well as some that require a bet of $100 or more. Believe it or not, there are also “high roller” blackjack tables with a minimum bet of $5k. If you are going to play at these tables you better know exactly what you are doing.
The act of playing a hand of blackjack is simple. You have one goal and one goal only: to beat the dealer. If you do this you are a winner for that particular hand. There are two ways to beat the dealer: get closer to 21 than him without busting or the dealer goes over 21 and you don’t. Either way, you are a winner.
Now that you know how to beat the dealer, the other important detail is based around the value of the cards. In blackjack, all numbered cards are worth their value. Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth 10, and you can use an Ace as either 1 or 11 depending on what will work best for your current hand.
With the basics in mind the last step in playing blackjack is going to the casino and finding a table that meets your needs. Remember to know the rules and table limits before sitting down. There is nothing more embarrassing than sitting down just to find that you do not have enough money to make a bet.
It is easy to learn how to play blackjack. The basics will get you started, and as you continue to play your strategy will grow.

excerpt from: howtoplayblackjack.org

#222 - Don't Settle

Don't Settle

-Love Dad

#221 - Be Creative

Be Creative

-Love Dad

#220 - Follow the Instructions

Follow the instructions, you'll be done in half the time.

excerpt from: 1001 rules for my unborn son

#219 - Take a Knee

Never sit down on the ball field, take a knee.

excerpt from: 1001 rules for my unborn son

#218 - Ecclesiastes 2:26

"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness..."
Ecclesiastes 2:26

#217 - God is in Control

Faith is... ceasing to worry, leaving the future to the God who controls the future.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

-Love Dad

#216 - Proverbs 14:17

"A quick tempered man does foolish things."
-Proverbs 14:17

#215 - God Has a Plan

Faith is... thanking God when you are left with shattered plans, because He has better plans.

-Love Dad

#214 - Elmer Davis Quote

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

-Elmer Davis

#213 - Unknown Author Quote

Freedom is never free.
-AuthorUnknown

#212 - Fireworks

Be responsible with your fireworks, or you will loose the privilege to shoot them off.

-Love Dad

#211 - Pursuit of Happiness

The Constitution says that we are all entitled to the "pursuit of happiness." If you can't find it, then strive for the absence of misery.

-Love Dad

#210 - Matthew 7:20

Men are not to be judged by their looks, habits, and appearances; but by the character of their lives and conversations, and by their works. It is better to be praised by one's own works than by the words of another.

"You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds."
Matthew 7:20

-Love Dad

#209 - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Our True selves are usually revealed in our seemingly trivial acts.

"...whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

-Love Dad