Advice to 17 Year Old Self?

What other people think of you will eventually stop mattering. Just be relentlessly yourself. The people who really mean something will accept you for it.

 

Be more aware of other people and how what you say and do affects them.

 

Return of the Return of the Mack

 

Not only will your broken heart heal, but one day you'll meet and marry someone far more amazing than anyone you've ever known.

 

Did someone say Paisley?

If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know it's tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
She wasn't right for you
And still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back
And you're wondering if you'll survive
You'll make it through this and you'll see
You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth
Always stop completely don't just tap your breaks
And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full
On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you're wrong and dad is right
And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spent so much extra time
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishin' you 'til you shine

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
Tonight's the bonfire rally
But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra
Mom and dad will kill you dead
Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C
And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I'd end by saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I'll see you in the mirror
When you're a grown man
P.S. go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
I wish you'd study Spanish
I wish you'd take a typing class
I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be
I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

 

So Gomer, what you're say is you no longer get Jiggy with it?

 

To add to much earlier post -- take a year off before college and do shit. travel. kick back. take it easy. you have the rest of your life to work like a dog for little pay, enjoy yourself while you can.

Actually beyond that there is not much I regret after 17 -- I mean I had already moved beyond my wannabe cowboy phase. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't a reporter, I'm just disillusioned and pissed off by the state of the industry. Really the only thing I would do different is make time for me and try to have a life, find a wife, etc. A lot of lonely nights.

 

No, but it is Just the Two of Us. I have no interest in including the Men in Black.

 

Danger!
Do not read this letter I have written you from the future. I/We could disrupt the space-time continuum causing dire, unintended consequences.
I repeat do not read this ...

 

That's a lot to give up for this industry - or any industry.

It's never too late.

 

Oh it is, but the thinking was get myself established in my career and the rest will take care of itself, except that the career kept pushing everything off to the backburner. And well, now I am sitting in my current perdicament, barely hanging on to my career and no life to show for it. At least I'm not dragging anyone down with me at this point, I guess.

 

Get laid before you graduate high school, even if it is with the class trollop.

Take a year off after you graduate.

Don't switch running shoes before your senior year.