10 skills to learn

10. De-fuzz your sweater or coat at the last minute

If you're at the office, head to the supply closet to grab an extra FedEx airbill pouch and turn it inside out to create an instant, sticky, de-linting glove. At home, de-pill your sweater or coat with an old disposable razor.

9. Get into and out of tricky conversations

Cocktail parties, family gatherings, and supermarket lines are all full of conversations you have to escape from, or pretend you're interested in. You can make the pretending less painful by exiting gracefully, forcing yourself to absorb information, and avoid being a bore yourself.

8. Tell time without a watch

Check out wikiHow's guide to telling time without a clock. The two main methods involve dividing the sky into fractions or using your fist size to measure the horizon, and, like using the sun as a compass.

7. Recover from a late night

Clear up puffy, dark under-eyes with fridge-cooled spoons, and get back your focus and drive with hangover remedies such as a ginseng regimen.

6. Boost your night vision

Use blogger Sam Noyoun's tips for improving natural night vision. Any or all of them, such as getting down low to better scope an object, covering one eye to retain light sensitivity, or using your cell phone's camera instead of your eyes, will help you navigate a dark path.

5. Read body language to tell if someone's lying

Learn to listen for pitch, speed, eye contact frequency, verbal tics and other signs with tips from Monster.com's Marty Nemko and eHow.

4. Predict the weather (without a forecast)

Take a look at the clouds, while also keeping your nose open for telltale smells. You can also watch animal behavior and follow other signs.

3. Know your direction without a compass

Using a non-digital wristwatch, or just a mental image of one, you can find your way with Wired's hour hand/sun position method. For more rural direction-finding without a watch, try wikiHow's methods for finding true North.

2. Use your head to amplify your car alarm remote's signal

Ever notice how putting your hand on your clock radio tends to clarify and boost the signal? You can use that same body-as-extended-antenna trick to locate your car in a stuffed parking lot.

1. Pick a lock

With a little study, you can come to the rescue of friends, neighbors, and your own forgetful self. Here's a guide to the basics, and a guide to making your own vibrating pick to ease the learning curve. Forgotten the combination to your locker? Here's how to crack the Master Lock code. Or you can always try to open a door with a credit card.