The thing about traveling is you always forget something. Whatever that's a sock or a ruby or your mind, there will always be a piece of the puzzle that's missing. So the trick is to know what your three to five essentials are. What matters to you? what, if forgotten, will complicate accomplishing whatever it was you set out to accomplish?

No journey is ever perfect, but if you can keep your focus on what matters, you'll be just fine.

The thing about fighting is that it hurts...a lot and there are no rules. You get punched, elbowed, scratched, bitten, and spat on. Some times your opponent's friend will jump in and attack you too. You won't turn into Bruce Lee or something. Realistically, you'll probably lose, but assuming that you are tougher than your average street punk. If you do win, the person you just beat up will remember it and will be very angry. Maybe they'll take revenge with a knife or a gun or maybe he'll bring 10 of his buddies to beat you within an inch of your life. Either way, you lose. So try your best to avoid such a scenario where you have to fight. Because when you fight for your life, there are no rules.

The thing about Grandma’s Coconut Pie is that she always bakes them in the wrong pie crust. I have told her many times that coconut pie is sweet enough ‘as is’ and does not need to be baked in a graham cracker crust. Yet, she does not listen. This has left us with a strained relationship and she has now cut me off from all of my college funds. Also, I am no longer in her will, and she has stopped offering me juice boxes at snacktime. So, my lesson to all you kids is very simple:

JUST LET GRANDMA BAKE WHATEVER THE HELL SHE WANTS.