Brent Davis (bdavis@bamanet.ua.edu), Center for Public Television, P.O. Box 870150, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

Hour Advice to You

It's a cliche, but you've said it: "There aren't enough hours in the day." Now, through the use of scientific principles, it is possible to make the 24 we're given seem like 25.

Here's how. Simply follow these time saving tips that cut seconds from your daily activities. With enough practice you'll soon save minutes, yes, even an hour every day.

1. Speed Shaving. Glue two razors end to end. Cuts shaving time in half; can do same to face. Better still: grow a beard. Time saved: three minutes.

2. Do Not Butter Toast. This takes time, particularly if the butter is refrigerated and hard. If you must have butter, put a patty in your mouth after you finish the toast. Suck on your way to work. Time saved: 17 seconds.

3. Wear Clip-On Ties. If you do already, paint a tie on each of your shirts. Time saved: 43 seconds.

4. Drive faster to work. For many of you, this will require improvements to your car, like a rocket engine. Time saved: Three and a half minutes.

5. Use Phones. Forget Letters. If no one answers by the third ring, hang up. Disregard time consuming courtesies such as "Hello, how are you?" Get right to business. Example: "I've got an infected hair follicle. When can you look at it?" Time saved: Five minutes.

6. Make Use Of Time Spent on Hold. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Slapdash House during the time he spent waiting to place an order for kippers to go from a deli. True, a hasty examination of the blueprint jotted on a napkin with a coffee ring stain led to the construction of an unplanned circular fountain in the cloakroom... Time saved: One and a half minutes.

7. Chew Half As Much At Meals. If you drink your lunch, swallow half as many times. If you skip lunch, skip it twice. Time saved: Seven minutes.

8. Do Not Read Your Mail. If it's really important they'll call. (Be sure to answer before the third ring; be wary of people asking you to look at their follicle. Time saved: Two minutes.

9. Do Not Wait For Elevators--Slide Down Banisters. Time saved: 57 seconds. (Note: Due to the relatively low flashpoint of polyester fabrics, do not slide down more than five banisters. The surface temperature on your double-knits will become dangerously high if you attempt more. And if your pants or skirt catch fire you will ultimately lose, not save, time.)

10. Brush Your Teeth With Both Hands, Using Two Toothbrushes. Correct procedure: Up up; down down. Floss uppers with hands; floss lowers with feet. Time saved: 49 seconds.

Observe these tips. If you would like additional information, send for our videotape. We advise watching it at 2x. With twice as many stamps, your order might get here in half the time.