I've made many mistakes - mistakes I will remember for the rest of my life. What makes these mistakes memorable? I remember each mistake either because of the embarrassment I caused myself, someone else or the opportunities I lost from a poor choice. Mostly, I remember my mistakes today because of the lessons I learn. As is often pined and hopefully true, I am learning from my mistakes.

As I think of all decisions made which I wish to change, none are more memorable than the ones listed below. Each mistake might sound trite to the reader but memorable to me - permanently etched deeply in the wrinkles in my brain. All names have been changed to protect the innocent.

As a high school freshman, I am gawky, skinny, sport ample amounts of pimples and dress in a style many might describe as ghetto-poverty. A group of popular girls run up to me and giggle, "Stefanie likes you and wants to invite you to the Sadie Hawkins's dance (the first dance of the year where the girl asks the boy)." I quickly say yes, never receiving the attention of a girl before and start asking friends, "Who is Stefanie?"

I quickly learn that Stefanie is an average girl of average appearance. Feeling confident and expecting another date request, I lie and tell Stephanie's friends I can't attend the dance because I'm going to my uncle's house for the weekend. Doubting my excuse, the girls ask my sister who is a year older and wiser than I, if my story is true. My sister rats me out and tells the girls that I always lie and am looking for a better looking girl to go to the dance with.

Stefanie's beautiful big sister, a senior, charges up to me in front of my friends, slaps my face and screams, "You little ****, you broke my sister's heart." Feeling stupid and embarrassed, I start to cry and say I'm sorry. Stefanie's sister nods and offers, "You are a sorry little boy," and storms away. Lesson learned - lying never solves problems and; be kind to people who are kind to me. Another lesson learned - it's not important how someone looks, what's important is one's character.

My wife and I are playing at a local lake where the Australian band, Men at Work, is staying. We know the band is there and hope to say hello and possibly get an autograph. Evidently, we are the only ones who know the band is there as no one else is on the beach as we watch the band fish, each lunch, laugh and play.

A helicopter flies in, lands and the band rushes to board. As they are preparing to depart, a band member looks at us and screams out the door, "We have room for two more, anyone want to go?" My wife and I look at each other, have a brief conversation about having to work and shake our heads, no. The band member shrugs as the helicopter takes off for the concert. Lessons learned - when an opportunity presents itself, take it! Another lesson learned - if someone depends on you to work; work!

As a 5-year-old I feel invincible. Watching Superman on television and having realistic dreams of flying as a superhero, I believe I have the supernatural power of flight. One morning after waking up from an extremely realistic dream, flying over the Golden Gate Bridge, I am convinced if I concentrate hard enough and truly believe I will be able to fly.

As my family sleeps, I march into the bathroom and retrieve my terrycloth cape. Tying the cape around my neck, I feel the power of my suit and become more confident of my decision.

I climb the ladder my dad has propped against the house to fix the swamp cooler on the roof and prepare for my flight. I move to the end of the roof, concentrate, close my eyes and dive.

To my surprise, I land awkwardly in the rose bush below the front porch. Shocked at the result and surprised by the pain, I wake my parents as my broken right arm dangles from my elbow. Lesson learned - don't believe everything you see on television.

Other major life mistakes include:

• Not working hard in high school and having to take remedial classes before being able to start college. Lesson learned - hard work beats out procrastination every time.

• As an Airman in the United States Air Force, I worked as an electronics technician on air launch cruise missiles. Solving an extremely difficult diagnosis of a yearlong electronic issue on a missile, I document the repair on the official missile database stating, "Get it the **** out of here." The report is sent to Washington, D.C., which creates a national security breach resulting in grounding all B1-B airplanes in the Air Force for a few days. Lesson learned - when you are in a profession, be professional.

• Charlotte is a nice girl I really like. After our second date I close my eyes, pucker my lips and attempt a kiss. Charlotte offers her cheek as I expect her lips. Lesson learned - slow and steady gets the race.

• A few years ago I wrote a scathing email to the director of a local mental health facility and carbon copied my boss, director and superintendent. Lessons learned - never send an email when you're mad. Also, it is always better to resolve an issue in person.

My most recent mistake was made last week. In this column I offered a clam chowder recipe with no clams. This mistake I will remember forever but not for the reason one might believe. Sure; it is embarrassing to share with the world my lack of detail by omitting a necessary ingredient in a recipe.

To my surprise, I receive more than 100 emails from readers who spot my omission and want the amount of clams needed for the recipe (three cups of fresh chopped clams or 1.5 pounds of unshucked clams), offer ideas of local places with great chowder (Cricket's and Brook's Garden Restaurant in Wallace) and offer support of my mistake. Lesson learned - people love to cook, are kind, detail oriented and supportive. Another lesson learned - always pay attention to what I do.

If you wish to comment or offer suggestions, please email Bill Rutherford at bprutherford@hotmail.com.