And I Take a Leap
Well, livejournal community (or whatever is left of it.... is anyone out there reading this?? Echo! ....echo) this is it. In about 48 hours I will be in Davis, CA with my family, and by Sunday afternoon, I will officially be emancipated from complete control by my parents. I've been waiting for this day since... well, I guess the farthest back I can remember being really really pissed at my parents was when they made me start Bar Mitzvah training. Although in retrospect I'm glad I went through it, that is when I first really wanted to just make my own decisions. Anyways, so now it's finally here. My "rapture" from the Valley to well a comparable paradise. A "moment of truth" of sorts. My "time of reckoning." Whatever you want to call it, I'm finally going to live on my own for the first time. My only connection to my parents (I suspect) will be their payment of my tuition and room & board, and the occasional laundry call back home to mom. In the event of an disaster/earthquake/terrorist attack, it is unlikely I will see my parents for a while as I will be separated by 500 miles. And so, right here, right now, I want to leave my final mark on my childhood and on my dependence of society. As a farewell, below I will list what I currently hold as the 50 most important things that someone can know, do, or keep in mind. These are things that, from my experiences and observations, hold true, and I trust that they will help you out there to stay alive and well in all respects.
1. Everything in moderation.
2. Look past minor flaws and trivial details.
3. Even if you really desire something, don't make that known to the public. You'll end up paying more for it, or not getting it at all.
4. Don't jack off to too much porn. Relieving your hormones can be healthy once in a while. But people who flog the log too much can end up overly obscene and bluntly inappropriate, eventually without friends, let alone dates, etc, etc.
5. Observe different cultures when you can. This can be as simple as going over to a friends house for a barbecue of cultural food, or watching a foreign film. I don't mean go to a renaissance fair, those are lame and the renaissance is over. Instead I mean a culture that exists today here and now.
6. Get an education. An education is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING that anyone can get and its worth at least double the investment you put into it. Find a legitimate, realistic, and reasonable goal and go after it. If you can't find anything you love that you can make money doing, your not looking hard enough.
7. Aside from your future profession and goals, find some art form, through which you can express yourself.
8. Read for pleasure often. Not just The Da Vinci Code, or Harry Potter, or that shit, Gossip Girl either. I'm talking about real hardcore classic literature. Even if you are only read a page a day, it will make you a better person and you will appreciate things more.
9. Stick up for what you believe in. BUT ONLY put 100% of your faith in things that, as far as you know, come from LEGITIMATE MODERN DAY VERIFIABLE SOURCES.
10. Smile at least once every day. Compliment someone every day. Don't worry about things that won't affect the big picture, but always worry about something if you can think of a way it will screw you over.
11. Lie about things less. I think its unreasonable to say stop lying completely, because most everyone will lie to someone, but when you have time to think through the lie, stop and take a second to think through the truth and its consequences first
12. If there's a law that you think is unreasonable or if there isn't a law that you think there should be, write your local politicians. Look for organizations that support the laws you support and sign their petitions. Demand social action, without it, society can't develop.
13. When you win something, be modest. No one likes a cocky asshole. More importantly, when you lose, don't complain about your competitor winning, and more importantly, DON'T complain about the referee/judge. Whether or not the ref./judge was wrong, it makes you look like a pretentious asshole with zero maturity.Just get over it.
14. Try a new look every once in a while.
15. Keep your shit in order. If you aren't organized now, you definitely won't be when you have to pay bills, and then you'll be royally fucked.
16. Get a job when you aren't in school. You'll appreciate the extra cash, the experience is rewarding afterwards, and you'll be able to familiarize yourself with how society functions.
17. Take time off to relax after a stressful period.
18. Decorate your room. Theres nothing like waking up in an area that you personalized yourself.
19. If someone tells you a rumor, try not to confide in them.
20. Don't trust stock brokers.
21. Don't gamble anything you wouldn't be prepared to give away to some bum on the street.
22. Learn to laugh at your stupidity. If you're not stupid, then learn to laugh off your cockiness and general social awkwardness.
23. Own a pet. They'll be there for you when no one else is.
24. See and support stage shows.
25. Listen to at least two distinct genres of music. Or, broaden your horizons in some other way.
26. Don't make a list of things to do before you die. The last thing you'll want on your deathbed are things you just never got around to doing but always had in mind.
27. Don't be afraid to talk to yourself aloud in private.
28. Exercise at least twice a week. Try to make at least one work out a cardio or aerobic exercise.
29. Don't regret your mistakes. It's counter productive.
30. Go to the zoo or animal park every once in a while.
31. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy things. Even if you don't believe in Global warming (which I personally believe is naive) take care of the earth, because it seems obvious that theres only a finite amount of resources we have to work with at the moment.
32. Don't smoke cigarettes.
33. Only procrastinate to the point where your work will begin to lose quality.
34. Don't rush through important things (this ties into 33.)
35. If you are planning to start a family/ get married/ buy a home, consider owning a firearm, but hide it unloaded somewhere that no one will ever find it.
36. Go for a night on the town every so often. Don't be afraid to live a little.
37. Stealing government property is generally not the best idea (although it can relieve tension.)
38. Don't get your palm read or your fortune told. It's a big scam, and they have 10 different fortunes/ astrological personalities/ whatever, that they cycle through and that like 80% of people agree sounds personalized (but isn't).
39. When making a first impression, stay genuine. Later, if you have to see that person again, they will expect you to remain the same person you were when you first met.
40. Own one convertible in your life, no more, no less.
41. Don't buy something that will be obsolete in less than a year.
42. Help people who ask you for directions.
43. Don't wear sunglasses indoors unless you want to make the impression that you are a douche bag.
44. Diamonds, and other rocks, are ultimately useless. So be wary of the investment you are making when purchasing them.
45. Watch the news and read the newspaper. The internet can be a valuable resource, but it will never be the most reliable of resources.
46. Don't pretend to be an expert on something unless you really are.
47. If you have the time, money, and space, start a collection of something.
48. Be wary of school and organizations that require a uniform. Conformity is the first step toward submissiveness.
49. Don't discuss religion with people of other religions unless you are prepared to be accidentally or intentionally insulted by slurs, stereotypes, or just plain ignorance.
50. Floss at least 3 times a week, but preferably every day. Even with modern brushing technology, it just doesn't do the job in between teeth, and you will end up with cavities.
Farewell, livejournal community!! You have been good and kind to me, and I have been glad to share my opinions with all of you. I may or may not write here again, only time will tell. For now though, this chapter is over!
1. Everything in moderation.
2. Look past minor flaws and trivial details.
3. Even if you really desire something, don't make that known to the public. You'll end up paying more for it, or not getting it at all.
4. Don't jack off to too much porn. Relieving your hormones can be healthy once in a while. But people who flog the log too much can end up overly obscene and bluntly inappropriate, eventually without friends, let alone dates, etc, etc.
5. Observe different cultures when you can. This can be as simple as going over to a friends house for a barbecue of cultural food, or watching a foreign film. I don't mean go to a renaissance fair, those are lame and the renaissance is over. Instead I mean a culture that exists today here and now.
6. Get an education. An education is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING that anyone can get and its worth at least double the investment you put into it. Find a legitimate, realistic, and reasonable goal and go after it. If you can't find anything you love that you can make money doing, your not looking hard enough.
7. Aside from your future profession and goals, find some art form, through which you can express yourself.
8. Read for pleasure often. Not just The Da Vinci Code, or Harry Potter, or that shit, Gossip Girl either. I'm talking about real hardcore classic literature. Even if you are only read a page a day, it will make you a better person and you will appreciate things more.
9. Stick up for what you believe in. BUT ONLY put 100% of your faith in things that, as far as you know, come from LEGITIMATE MODERN DAY VERIFIABLE SOURCES.
10. Smile at least once every day. Compliment someone every day. Don't worry about things that won't affect the big picture, but always worry about something if you can think of a way it will screw you over.
11. Lie about things less. I think its unreasonable to say stop lying completely, because most everyone will lie to someone, but when you have time to think through the lie, stop and take a second to think through the truth and its consequences first
12. If there's a law that you think is unreasonable or if there isn't a law that you think there should be, write your local politicians. Look for organizations that support the laws you support and sign their petitions. Demand social action, without it, society can't develop.
13. When you win something, be modest. No one likes a cocky asshole. More importantly, when you lose, don't complain about your competitor winning, and more importantly, DON'T complain about the referee/judge. Whether or not the ref./judge was wrong, it makes you look like a pretentious asshole with zero maturity.Just get over it.
14. Try a new look every once in a while.
15. Keep your shit in order. If you aren't organized now, you definitely won't be when you have to pay bills, and then you'll be royally fucked.
16. Get a job when you aren't in school. You'll appreciate the extra cash, the experience is rewarding afterwards, and you'll be able to familiarize yourself with how society functions.
17. Take time off to relax after a stressful period.
18. Decorate your room. Theres nothing like waking up in an area that you personalized yourself.
19. If someone tells you a rumor, try not to confide in them.
20. Don't trust stock brokers.
21. Don't gamble anything you wouldn't be prepared to give away to some bum on the street.
22. Learn to laugh at your stupidity. If you're not stupid, then learn to laugh off your cockiness and general social awkwardness.
23. Own a pet. They'll be there for you when no one else is.
24. See and support stage shows.
25. Listen to at least two distinct genres of music. Or, broaden your horizons in some other way.
26. Don't make a list of things to do before you die. The last thing you'll want on your deathbed are things you just never got around to doing but always had in mind.
27. Don't be afraid to talk to yourself aloud in private.
28. Exercise at least twice a week. Try to make at least one work out a cardio or aerobic exercise.
29. Don't regret your mistakes. It's counter productive.
30. Go to the zoo or animal park every once in a while.
31. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy things. Even if you don't believe in Global warming (which I personally believe is naive) take care of the earth, because it seems obvious that theres only a finite amount of resources we have to work with at the moment.
32. Don't smoke cigarettes.
33. Only procrastinate to the point where your work will begin to lose quality.
34. Don't rush through important things (this ties into 33.)
35. If you are planning to start a family/ get married/ buy a home, consider owning a firearm, but hide it unloaded somewhere that no one will ever find it.
36. Go for a night on the town every so often. Don't be afraid to live a little.
37. Stealing government property is generally not the best idea (although it can relieve tension.)
38. Don't get your palm read or your fortune told. It's a big scam, and they have 10 different fortunes/ astrological personalities/ whatever, that they cycle through and that like 80% of people agree sounds personalized (but isn't).
39. When making a first impression, stay genuine. Later, if you have to see that person again, they will expect you to remain the same person you were when you first met.
40. Own one convertible in your life, no more, no less.
41. Don't buy something that will be obsolete in less than a year.
42. Help people who ask you for directions.
43. Don't wear sunglasses indoors unless you want to make the impression that you are a douche bag.
44. Diamonds, and other rocks, are ultimately useless. So be wary of the investment you are making when purchasing them.
45. Watch the news and read the newspaper. The internet can be a valuable resource, but it will never be the most reliable of resources.
46. Don't pretend to be an expert on something unless you really are.
47. If you have the time, money, and space, start a collection of something.
48. Be wary of school and organizations that require a uniform. Conformity is the first step toward submissiveness.
49. Don't discuss religion with people of other religions unless you are prepared to be accidentally or intentionally insulted by slurs, stereotypes, or just plain ignorance.
50. Floss at least 3 times a week, but preferably every day. Even with modern brushing technology, it just doesn't do the job in between teeth, and you will end up with cavities.
Farewell, livejournal community!! You have been good and kind to me, and I have been glad to share my opinions with all of you. I may or may not write here again, only time will tell. For now though, this chapter is over!