13 June 2001
Last year: How hard is it? You need work done, you get the work done!
Today I am On Display.
Dear Younger Liz,
Let go of it. That's all I'm saying. You can let go; it's all right. You won't fall. You can walk on your own. What you've got there is a crutch, not a dancing partner. Just let it go, and you'll avoid a lot of pain.
Has Prom happened yet? Listen carefully: It sucks. You're missing nothing if you skip it. Get dressed up and go parties or something. But the dance itself sucks. What kind of screwed-up band shows up for a prom gig wearing jeans and t-shirts and refuses to play any slow music?
You're not going to listen to me, are you? You just want to know what's here in the future.
Okay, but you probably want to sit down first.
We're a computer programmer. We have a bad case of programmer-butt... We're not cute and skinny anymore - shut up, you don't know what you're talking about. You're cute and skinny. I'm downright fat. But still cute, dammit. Though there'll be a while there when you think those two can't co-exist. Thank goodness for our husband.
Yes, we got married. No, you haven't met him yet. You'll go through a few more boyfriends before you get to him. And let me just tell you now: it isn't easy.
Though try to keep this in mind, okay: Freshman year of college? You don't have to give that tall guy your phone number, even if you do spend the better part of an hour making out with him. Trust me - you'll be better off if you never even ask his name. And the short guy thinks you're cute, too. That's all I'm saying.
Stop being afraid of your intellect.
It's okay to just have a fling. Not every relationship has to be the One. They don't even have to have that potential. You're allowed to have fun. It won't ruin you for the rest of your life.
Graduation: No matter what, don't wear that grey wool dress under your black robe. Okay? Okay. Graduation takes place outdoors in the scorching heat. Remember sunscreen, and wear shorts and a t-shirt under that thing.
This won't come as any shock, but you're going to grad school. Couple of things, there... You wouldn't believe the curve. Don't waste too much time worrying about your grades. You're going to graduate with a 3.5 GPA, okay? The fact that your first numerical grade is a 62 is good, not a sign that you're an idiot. Spend some time in your office, though. Grad school's all about helping each other. Get to know those people early, and you'll be much happier.
That tall guy I mentioned earlier. If you ignore my advice and give him your phone number... At least take this advice and don't let him help you move.
Oh, and even if it seems like a good idea, don't write that other guy posting to the newsgroup. Really. He needs help. Don't write him, and you won't wind up driving home drunk one night because you'd rather get into an accident than chance sleeping in his dorm, even fully clothed; and you won't wind up spending two hours on your knees vomiting up jello shooters... Though that turned out to be the flu, so maybe the jello shooters don't signify.
The softball thing? Good idea. Try to go more than once. But buy some freaking tennis shoes!
Oh, and when you see that thing you get for Mom for Christmas, and you're waffling over getting one for yourself... Get it. I'm still regretting that. (Here's another hint: You'll be able to afford it if you stay away from those damn Magic cards. I know you don't know what I'm talking about. Just be warned. Stay away. They're like crack cocaine.)
You're going to get laid off from your first "real" job. It sucks, but it turns out to be for the best. Trust me on this.
Computers. The Internet. I know you've never heard of it. Look into it. Remember how cool you thought modems were when Dad explained it? This is cooler. Trust me, you're going to practically live on your computer.
You'll get a crush on this guy... You'll get over him eventually. And you don't have to be embarrassed, because he never really notices, even when you act like a complete idiot.
Oh, and it turns out we can go for weeks at a time on only four or five hours of sleep a night. We're not even all that grumpy in the morning. No, it doesn't affect the quality of our thinking; why do you ask?
Love,
Word of the Day:
vulpine - of or resembling a fox; foxy, crafy
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