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First year College / moving on out!

Well this is an open letter to my lil  brother. He is doing his first year of College now. In fact he moved here last week. (I started this a month ago, yes I am a slacker! Right there don't be like me!) But really this could be for any kid going out on there own for the first time. I did it and there was some BIG hiccups. But I think you might be a bit wiser than I was and I am hoping some advice from me makes your life better. Who knows.... I do know that one of my prized possessions is an envelope our mother mailed me a card in but covered it in advice.

Buy some new plates, just saying as good an organization as Ducks Unlimited is they are not great plate builders!

First n foremost we are all proud of you. I kinda utterly failed at the whole school thing so you better not! So here is my first words of wisdom. School comes first. Not parties, not the freedom to game in your underwear with your buddies all day, not even work for some minimum wage. It is all about school. Some days it is gonna feel like a drag BUT you need to look at the long term goals. Serious I am sure you heard it all before but it is true do well now and then when your older you can enjoy life a lot more!

Don't be a heat Nazi! Yes saving money is important but don't freeze your roommates in the winter or cook them in the summer. It will just make your life easier!

But on with that don't party too much. I did, I loved it. Your in the big city now!! There is all kinds of fun new places to go. Bigger better bars, strips clubs, hole in the wall pubs. Yes soak some of it but know the limit! And now you got the freedom! I did spend a day or two playing NHL 2001 when I should have been studying. It seemed great to have the freedom to do that but now I still am doing the same old BS playing vids and drinking on weekends had I have been wiser maybe I could be doing some more interesting shit!

Call your dang mother! Seriously from Facebook you would think you moved to Africa or something not just up the highway.

Bills DONT pay themselves.First I am gonna go on a quick credit rant. Go get your self a Mastercard. Use it monthly for something you can cover! Like get a tank of gas and then go home and pay it. Never fall behind! But do use it, these are the building years make yourself look like a credit card rock star!  May not be a glamorise as a real rock star but it is super important. Bills may not pay themselves but do NOT waste time working for minimum wage. I was a sucker and pulled long hours for no real reason unless your ambition is only to work at minimum wage forever, school should come before work.

Learn to do laundry, I have heard of your attempts. Your lucky and don't need to use a public laundry room or laundromat so learn to do it proper!

You have some nice shit. A nice truck a nice condo and new things in it. Take care of it! I mean I know after seeing you make sure the garbage can lid doesn't ding the wall this is probably a moot point. Shit in this life doesn't come easy. I have wrecked and replaced enough to tell you that. When the change oil light comes on change that oil. Even keeping your house clean makes things last longer and smell better. NO one is around to vacuum for you anymore....

Wrap it. Yup I said it and mean it. You got a pretty girlfriend and stuff but kids this early might cramp your style.

Take good care of yourself. I mean your situation is different from most people. I was happy to hear you were watching your diet and I am sure you will remember all your check ups and shit but also don't get worn down. Eat right, make sure you get sleep. Don't try and live off wings and whiskey... Not that anyone would do that. Remember your meds (Don't carry a fanny pak for them until your old enough to wear socks and sandals)

Costco is gods balls. Yes you may only make it every couple months but get all you can there!

Your gonna meet a ton of new peeps. Use your head on them. I don't wanna sound like a yokel but there are a ton of wolves in sheep's clothes here. I believe I had some of the best friends a guy could ever want that I met here but for everyone of them I bet I met 5 or 10 to steer away from. Even people who are great guys might not always be the best to be around and yes some people who may not look it can be the best people to know. I ain't getting all Yoda-ish but if your gut tells you something is bad or wrong. Listen to it! I think you have a bit (MUCH) better will than me so do what you know or at least think is right. In the end you and you alone know whats best for you and if you ever need advise you have family and long time friends to talk to.

Don't over do it but don't drink shit! Serious don't drink Russian Prince or beer brand beer. Trust me. Also never cheap on tips and tabs, just don't be that guy. He is annoying no one likes him!

Finally do SHIT! Yes do good in school don't get stupid and get in debt so this may seem like I am contradicting myself but take advantage of being here. Take in concerts, festivals, get to galaxyland. Do nerd shit like World of Science when they have events. Meet people, go to Fort Ed.You will learn a lot of life shit getting out. Just ya know do it smart.


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