Things I have learned in 2007:

-More often than not, the fewer words you speak, the better off you are.

-Walking away may make you the bigger man, but you can't preach to the cave
dwellers from a mountain top. sometimes you have to crawl down through the grime
into the cave and speak their own language. just make sure you remember how to get
 back to the surface.

-When driving, never honk, gesture towards, or otherwise offend another motorist,
no matter how badly said motorosit deserves it. that guy you flicked off will
always end up parking next to you at wherever you are going and it WILL be awkward.

-When parking, its totally ok to nudge a trash can out of a parking space with
your front bumper. just be certain you do not do it down a slanted parking lot
when the trash can is on wheels. this brings the phrase "setting shit in motion" to
a whole new level. same applies to shopping carts.

-Professors, advisors, and parents will often say you have to go to class to pass it.
 this is true. no excpetions, except for chemistry. it is not nessecary to attend
that class.

-crow is easier to eat while its still warm. the longer you wait to settle
things, the harder it is to do so. ("when with your accuser, on your way to the 
magistrate, make every effort to settle along the way, lest he bring you before
the judge, the judge hand you to the officer, and the officer throw you in jail".
 apply that to more serious situations.) the longer you wait, the further in you
get, and the harder it is to get out.

-The best things is life come from the places you least expect. From right under
your nose, or from something you had all along, but never saw.

-Keep your head up, yes, but dont forget to look down now and then. Roots, rocks,
and holes. Out of sight of out mind, but that doesnt mean they dont exist. And you
 will always lose when playing chicken with a tree. Somethings will not move no
matter how hard you try. Sometimes, you gotta cut your losses and go around.

-Always get a big breath when wiping out. You never know how long you'll be down
for, and water does not replace air well. And also remember where the rocks are.
 They arent gonna move for ya.

-Actions speak louder than apologies. Forgiveness and patience can eliminate the
 need for an apology. But neither are pre-emptive and neither one means you arent
responsible for your actions.

-The best things always happen late at night. Never sleep. You never know what you
 might miss.

-When deciding whether or not paddle out for a second surf session, always always
 always paddle back out for a second session. You will always finish that second
session thinking of the things you would have missed if you didnt, and will wonder
why you even asked in the first place. Apply to every reasonable situation in life. (use discretion. when debating between stopping at a red light at a busy intersection and not stopping...please. stop. you know what i mean. dont be stupid)

-Always think of something you havent done before, and do it. Even if its as simple
 as never snorting   pixie sticks, or as simnple wathing sunrise from a new
viewpoint. Simple experiences are waht you count   on to get you through the day,
the more, the merrier. Even the dumb ones. You'll look back and laugh.

-Never violate your own morals and beliefs. Thats failure to the fullest.

-Always change

-And lastly, "no matter how long and dark the night, the dawn will break".
Be there to see it.