I am not really talking to anybody, but if I was, it would 18 year old me. I would be telling my punk kid self among other things,  Put that money away - I promise that you will never miss it at the time and will thank me when you are older for saving you a TON of stress when you get to be my age. Don’t be afraid of being alone - If you play your cards right, in 2004, you will meet a beautiful woman who will change your life. Have fun and enjoy life until then. Listen the advice people (including me) give you - Some people are full of it and just like to hear themselves talk because they assume they know more than you, but for the most part, people who give you sound advice are only looking out for your best interests and should be treated accordingly.  Work harder and be the best you can be - It may be lame to be one of those people who you think are workaholics, but really, those are the people who you will be wishing you were later in life, and believe it or not, will eventually become. Get your damn degree while it’s still free - The video games, the drama and anything else you think are important will still be there after class and homework are done. Education is both expensive and important, take it from me, get it in while it is free and the Army is picking up the tab. Be you and have fun - You may feel otherwise, but people like you. There is no need to be anyone but yourself, the fun loving guy who enjoys life. Don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy the experiences you will later wish you could repeat. I am sure there are many other things I would tell him, but those are the most important things. I would also give him the tip about how cool the Internet will be and to get in on the ground floor, and the winner of the Super Bowl to make a huge bet on it, but you know, those are the obvious. Then I would hang up and eat a gallon of ice cream and a brownie. And cry. 

I am not really talking to anybody, but if I was, it would 18 year old me. I would be telling my punk kid self among other things, 

  • Put that money away - I promise that you will never miss it at the time and will thank me when you are older for saving you a TON of stress when you get to be my age.
  • Don’t be afraid of being alone - If you play your cards right, in 2004, you will meet a beautiful woman who will change your life. Have fun and enjoy life until then.
  • Listen the advice people (including me) give you - Some people are full of it and just like to hear themselves talk because they assume they know more than you, but for the most part, people who give you sound advice are only looking out for your best interests and should be treated accordingly. 
  • Work harder and be the best you can be - It may be lame to be one of those people who you think are workaholics, but really, those are the people who you will be wishing you were later in life, and believe it or not, will eventually become.
  • Get your damn degree while it’s still free - The video games, the drama and anything else you think are important will still be there after class and homework are done. Education is both expensive and important, take it from me, get it in while it is free and the Army is picking up the tab.
  • Be you and have fun - You may feel otherwise, but people like you. There is no need to be anyone but yourself, the fun loving guy who enjoys life. Don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy the experiences you will later wish you could repeat.

I am sure there are many other things I would tell him, but those are the most important things. I would also give him the tip about how cool the Internet will be and to get in on the ground floor, and the winner of the Super Bowl to make a huge bet on it, but you know, those are the obvious.

Then I would hang up and eat a gallon of ice cream and a brownie. And cry.