July 30, 2013

What an Aristocrat Should Know: Part I

Clearly, she has more important things to consider
As I enter the two weeks of finals for my school, I don't want to give up on blogging, but I do need to scale back the thought that goes into my posts. This seems the perfect time to work on a series that I have been thinking about for a while: Things an Aristocrat Should Know.

Yes, I just finished saying a Neo-Aristocrat makes her own goals, but I am also tired of seeing so many vague insistence that there aren't any standards of knowledge for an alternative aesthetic. These will be my standards. If you want to be a Neo-Aristocrat, you ought to know these or be in the process of learning them. Why? Because they are cool.

Without further ado, the next two weeks of posts will comprise of five point lists that, in no particular order, outline some general knowledge necessary:

1. An Aristocrat should be able to locate three constellations in the winter and summer skies.

2. An Aristocrat should know how to find a book in the library using the dewey decimal system.

3. An Aristocrat should know how to change a bike tire.

4. An Aristocrat should know how to properly address an envelope.

5. An Aristocrat should know how to play chess- even if she doesn't care for it.

6 comments:

  1. Ohh, I almost qualify! I have never bothered with the tire changing, not on a bike anyway but I do know how to change tires on a car! ;D I know my way around the stars and constellations, and I'm a librarian so Dewey holds no mysteries for me! My mother is an avid letter writer and her father was an avid chess player so I got those two with the mothers milk so to speak... ;)

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    1. Hahaha. No, I think you do! If a car is your main mode of transportation, knowing how to change a car tire is the same as changing a bicycle tire for me. But if you are interested in the theory behind bike tires, it's really easy. Here's a youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm-SvNPFR4E (wish I knew how to do links in comments).

      For all the rest, brilliant! I'm rather terrible at chess, but I enjoy playing and am a big letter writer myself. You have a cool family.

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    2. Bike was my primary mode of transportation when I lived in Sweden for my studies but both of the times I got a flat tire there it happened right outside a really cheap bike repair shop so lazy me had them do the dirty work! Done in an hour, cost barely anything and the library was next door... ;)

      I suck at chess because I hate planning ahead, but I beat my mother and my little brother anyway!

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    3. What wonderful luck! Unfortunately the nearest bike store is about a mile or more away from my usual route and expensive. But I like getting my hands dirty- so mucking about with tires, tubes and the lot is more fun than work.

      Agreed. I can't see more than a move or two ahead. It's enough to beat my dad, but no one else. I eventually end up getting fed up and moving pieces wildly without thought.

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  2. I cannot change a bike tire, but I can mend knitted items. And I prefer Pente to Chess (and Chess to Go).

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    1. My grandfather actually just taught me to darn knitted socks this past Christmas, but I don't know how to mend a knitted item. You should do a quick tutorial on your blog!

      There are some very good video's on youtube about changing a bike tire. It can take people five minutes or less. Knowing the general theory, even if you don't usually ride a bike, is a good idea- just in case you find yourself pedaling through the countryside for a picnic and the tire blows out.

      I have never played Pente, though I must agree with your ranking of Chess to Go. I am just not a good enough strategist yet to grasp the nuances and delight of that enigmatic game.

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