they never listened anyway
Dear me @ 17,
It is 1994 or 1995, depending on when you get this. If we go by probability it's 1995. See, you will turn out to be nerdy, you can stop trying to deny it. But it's okay: you eventually learn how to funnel that nerdiness into quirkiness and a peculiar sense of fashion, which some will find attractive. Plus you listen to punk rock and play guitar much better now.
You've finally stopped caring so much about what other people think. Congratulations. This is a bigger turning point than you can imagine right now.
Remember this: real estate is for suckers. Tattoo it on your chest if necessary, like in the movie Memento (which you haven't seen because it hasn't come out yet, but go see it because it's damn good.) The house you own ends up owning you. Renting is better for your peace of mind.
Keep taking French classes. I cannot stress this enough. You mind is still supple and flexible and able to remember arcane conjugation rules. This will not be the case years later.
Don't be such a dick to Brian. He's your best friend and you know it. He's waaay better of a friend than whatever girls you're interested in and he'll stick with you when you need it most (and you will).
I'm not going to tell you to drive slower when it rains, because no one gets hurt and you'd forget my advice now but will always remember after it happens.
Don't freak out about grades so much in college. You'll do fine. Take classes that don't count towards your major, just because you want to. It's okay if it takes you an extra semester or two. You'll be back in college when you're 30, so what's the hurry? Keep taking art classes. Start a radio show your freshman year. You will discover more cool music in one year than the whole rest of your life. I can't lie to you: they'll give you the 3am shift at first, but if you keep at it you'll get the choice time slots.
Learn to dance salsa. You will never be at a loss for women to dance with.
Visit your grandparents more. Ask them questions and sit patiently through their stories. They're proud of you and love you a lot, even though you don't really see it.
You're self absorbed, but you don't know it. Stop. Look. Listen. Feel. Reach out.
Don't fret about your decisions too much: make them and be confident. You don't fuck up too often and rarely does it go horribly wrong.
Stop listening to Elliott Smith when you're sad. It just makes you more sad and didn't really work out well for him in the end. Yeah, I know it's beautiful music. Stop. Your life is not so melancholic.
Don't mix antihistimines and alcohol, even if they're "non-drowsy" and it doesn't say anything on the bottle.
Now, do me a favor. Write this down and put it in an envelope. Don't open it again until your birthday when you're 26.
cheers,
John with a few more grey hairs (but not nearly as many as dad at thirty--quit worrying)
It is 1994 or 1995, depending on when you get this. If we go by probability it's 1995. See, you will turn out to be nerdy, you can stop trying to deny it. But it's okay: you eventually learn how to funnel that nerdiness into quirkiness and a peculiar sense of fashion, which some will find attractive. Plus you listen to punk rock and play guitar much better now.
You've finally stopped caring so much about what other people think. Congratulations. This is a bigger turning point than you can imagine right now.
Remember this: real estate is for suckers. Tattoo it on your chest if necessary, like in the movie Memento (which you haven't seen because it hasn't come out yet, but go see it because it's damn good.) The house you own ends up owning you. Renting is better for your peace of mind.
Keep taking French classes. I cannot stress this enough. You mind is still supple and flexible and able to remember arcane conjugation rules. This will not be the case years later.
Don't be such a dick to Brian. He's your best friend and you know it. He's waaay better of a friend than whatever girls you're interested in and he'll stick with you when you need it most (and you will).
I'm not going to tell you to drive slower when it rains, because no one gets hurt and you'd forget my advice now but will always remember after it happens.
Don't freak out about grades so much in college. You'll do fine. Take classes that don't count towards your major, just because you want to. It's okay if it takes you an extra semester or two. You'll be back in college when you're 30, so what's the hurry? Keep taking art classes. Start a radio show your freshman year. You will discover more cool music in one year than the whole rest of your life. I can't lie to you: they'll give you the 3am shift at first, but if you keep at it you'll get the choice time slots.
Learn to dance salsa. You will never be at a loss for women to dance with.
Visit your grandparents more. Ask them questions and sit patiently through their stories. They're proud of you and love you a lot, even though you don't really see it.
You're self absorbed, but you don't know it. Stop. Look. Listen. Feel. Reach out.
Don't fret about your decisions too much: make them and be confident. You don't fuck up too often and rarely does it go horribly wrong.
Stop listening to Elliott Smith when you're sad. It just makes you more sad and didn't really work out well for him in the end. Yeah, I know it's beautiful music. Stop. Your life is not so melancholic.
Don't mix antihistimines and alcohol, even if they're "non-drowsy" and it doesn't say anything on the bottle.
Now, do me a favor. Write this down and put it in an envelope. Don't open it again until your birthday when you're 26.
"This time next year you will be happier than you can possibly imagine. You're going to make it.
PS -- beg, borrow or steal to see the Pixies show next month. Yeah, it's a reunion tour but they will kick more ass than you can possibly imagine and your future partner will be there. Perhaps you'll pass on the stairs of the State Theater and exchange a glance. Either way, you'll smack yourself for not going."
cheers,
John with a few more grey hairs (but not nearly as many as dad at thirty--quit worrying)
random bits cobbled together by j-dub
4 Comments:
Fantastic.
This post is so awesome, it makes me want to steal your idea.
churlita, it's a good exercise. But I can't take credit: I stole it from Terroni and Alissa.
i'm glad you stole it, jw.
this letter is fabulous.
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