there are many rules – stolen from many sources – by which i try to abide and which help existence more pleasant for me; amongst them are:

1. avoid political parties where a picture of someone’s head appears on placards or banners
2. avoid countries that refer to themselves as motherland, fatherland, and (increasingly) homeland
3. never let your manager be surprised by anything
4. push back on your manager, they are there to fight upon your behalf.
5. command respect, demand respect, but don’t rely on respect.
6. having a reputation for being eccentric, stupid or egotistic has many side benefits
7. the worst insult you can give a woman is you are acting like your mother, especially if it is objectively accurate
8. always say please and thank you, and mean it.
9. measure a man/woman by how he/she treats his inferiors
10. never hate your enemies, it clouds your judgement
11. time spent in reconaissance is never wasted

…and so forth; others are on [www.crypticide.com]

Now I can add to this:

• never play darts with a man who brings his own, and certainly never take bets.