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Disclaimer: I in no way represent Manga Fox, only me. Come after me if you take serious issue with what I say.
Here's some friendly advice for those that have come after me. Keep in mind a few things though, I'm American so some of the specifics on the college advice might not apply but the general idea should still be valid. Nothing I'm putting here is just a cliche' as I've used it all or learned it all at some point in the 28 years that I've been on the planet. I'm putting all this out here to save you a headache or two. I don't own this thread but if we could limit comments to things that don't involve me updating or having to post stuff separtately it would be better for the next viewer. This stuff ranges from Meaning of Life to College Bound to Humor to keep you Sane. I'll relabel stuff if it is necessary but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Please feel free to send me a private message if you found no specific advice useful and tell me what kind of advice would be; I might have overlooked something or some of my college information might be out of date. Although I know even if you need the advice in the future you might not act on it, don't worry because we've all done that with good advice. I apologize in advance for any spelling or quotes that are off. I'll fix it when I can and if you understood it that's all that really matters. I'll start with the best advice on advice, 0. "trust but verify."

1. For the college bound, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You will more than likely fill one of these out to get government grants and loans. They require parents IRS forms if you are their dependent, but they are based on your IRS stuff if you are not... I got married in college and stopped being the dependent. Example: Child of Bill Gates (with 0 chance for aid) becomes working poor (with high chance of aid.) Apply for aid whenever you can whether you'll use it or not. (Grant = free money)
2. Math in college: The downward spiral. I was one of those straight A in math honors student and even saw myself teaching math or going into engineering. None of the professors in the math department (at least those I dealt with) spoke English as a first language. I have nothing against anyone but it is kind of crucial that you can understand them (theta vs seta, dramatically changes the answer to the question). As a result, I did not end up pursuing math and left a potential vacancy that will likely be filled from someone who does not speak English very well. The math professors were generally great people but I went to college to learn.
3. Roommates. Pick those you'd marry. Seriously, regardless of how good a friend you had before you move in together, living with them is totally different. Personal space, bad habits, attitude, their friends, etc. these all are potential major issues and you'll achieve some level of intimacy with them (hence, married). Follow Polonius's advice to Laertes: Neither a borrower nor lender be for a loan often loses itself and a friend. If you split up bills, get all money in advance, no excuses. They may not mean to use you or be selfish but given the opportunity they can easily fall into that pattern.
4.Keep your textbooks if you can afford to. They will come in handy and the information on the printed page will easily outlive your brain cells.
5.For the parents on this site and those looking over the shoulder of their child. Good job your following up on their interests. For the other parents, censorship is your responsibility not the government's and not the media. If your so concerned about your children seeing late night 'Mistress Mandy' and your VCR is flashing 12:00. Give up on the technology and talk to your child. Not only will they figure out how to bypass your technology, if your child was so inclined 'Mistress Mandy' is already on their Ipod. The networks did their job and put it on later. The child is your responsibility.
6. There are no stupid questions only stupid people who insult people trying to learn. Don't be one of them. Attack a person's ideas but never the person. While you have to be a member to post here (and some might agree with your sentiments), the rest of the internet could also be reading the insult and they will think as little of you as I do.
7. "Enjoy what you do and you'll never work another day." Without that, I'd never make it through my day in retail sales.
8. You will die. It sucks, I know. Best to get over it and move on. You have the rest of your life ahead of you.
9. "Everything changes but nothing is truly ever lost." -Neil Gaiman. That will help you through the rough spots as much as anything else. Change is the only constant in our universe.
10. Never buy anything with a credit card that you cannot pay for outright. You will learn this one way or another; better to listen now, before declaring bankruptcy.
11.Don't bother to fill out any registration cards as it has nothing to do with your warranty. It is always based on your receipt. If the receipt is on thermal paper, photocopy it since it as the original will fade to a blank piece of paper before the warranty expires.
12. Don't give a parent an old toy to sell in a garage sale. What they would sell for $.25 will sell on ebay for $25.00.
13.Manga and Anime: Always watch and read both when you can. Read (or at least review) multiple versions of the manga translation for significant differences. If you're up to it, watch the anime subtitled and dubbed (i do both at the same time but it can get distracting and can take away from the pure enjoyment.) Ignore the translation stuff if you are fluent in the original language and cultural references and go pure. (I wish I fell in that category but sadly I do not.).
14. Everything in the car runs off of gasoline (if that's what it runs on), not the battery or alternator. These are common mistakes. Yes the battery supplies the electricity and through motion the alternator supplies battery but that motion came from the gasoline. Turn off what you don't need to use and you will save gas. Charge the GPS or whatever at home.
15. Don't take literary analysis too seriously. "Toto probably represents a dog" This is from a really insightful paper on the Wizard of Oz (no, not my paper). Foreshadowing only means so much if the author wrote it over a long period of time (like serial manga). How early on do you honestly believe that author thought of the ending? The dog really is just a dog.
16.Make people laugh as it's the easiest way to make them smile. Your rough days will go by faster.
17. The meaning of life is 42. The question is what is 6 times 8. The universe uses base eleven and a half math and that is why nothing makes sense.
18. "sometimes i get upset about life being unfair but then i realize that if life were fair then all the bad things that happen to people happen because they deserve. I now take much satisfaction in the general unfairness of the universe." Marcus from Babylon 5
19.You will feel old eventually. For me it was when I started counting life in decades. It will likely be similar for you.
20. Write stuff down before you forget. I carry around a smart phone to type out ideas and a pad and paper to write it down for when the technology fails. It will at the worst time.
21. Be aware of the date: December 21, 2012. or any other time scientists and prophets agree. Consider the brain gremlin's advice from the second movie, "invest in canned foods and shotguns."
22. Hate is actually not a bad thing. It shows that you have the same strength of emotion as if you loved them deeply. Hate individuals not whatever group you'd categorize them. If you're going to hate groupings of people, be an equal opportunity offender and don't forget what groupings include you. We'd hate to think you're biased.
23.Don't go through life looking for a reset button. There isn't one; I've checked quite thoroughly. This isn't a video game and you don't have any extra lives. Don't drive after playing a driving game as it will mess with you.
24. Don't assume someone's gender based on their screen name or avatar. For all you know 'Fangirl85' is a dirty old man whose 85 and into little girls and not a 22 year old female whose into the same stuff you are. We should all work toward a gender neutral pronoun other than 'it' No one, not even the dirty old man, deserves to be called 'it.' (if there is a Fangirl85 out there, I'm sorry and I'll change the example if you let me know.)

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25. There is always going to be someone better than you. Even if you reach the pinnacle of your desired aim, you will weaken and another with rise. Accept the inevitable.
26.There are philosophers that argue that it is better to be Socrates unsatisfied than to be a pig satisfied. If you're Socrates then technically, you're long dead, but the pig in the example isn't. Choose the pig.
27.Your free will is a functional necessity of your existence but that doesn't mean it is real. All one ever does is react. Yep, we're amoeba. The sciences require consistency and predictability. If one was truly all knowing about the world and applied that knowledge through math, then the world it self can be predicted down to the flight of a sparrow. Before you scream 'no, it is not so!', think about it you didn't act but merely reacted. Even if your reaction was different, it was still just a reaction. We never act. Therefore, we have no free will. On the plus side, you can tell your lover that you were fated to meet. Take solace in that.
28."Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they are yours." -Richard Bach from Illusions. Applies to any and every excuse you come up with. Always.

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29. The chicken and the egg paradox. This is not at all a paradox; but it still has two answers. If you believe in creationism, the answer is chicken as it was created by God. If you believe in evolutionary theory, the answer is egg because dinosaurs came first and laid eggs and if that isn't good enough than think about how evolution works. The first chicken hatched from an egg that was laid by something that was not quite a chicken. Keep going back and you hit the dinosaur. Two answers but no paradox.
30.The glass is____. To be a smart ass, either way the other half has air in it and so the glass is technically full. To be a scientist, say the first bit and add that the atoms are mostly empty space and so the glass is actually considerably more than half empty.
31. Get a degree. Most businesses don't care what it's in. I kick myself for getting mine in Philosophy since it could have been in underwater basket weaving. The latter would be more practical in finding work. Seriously... personal experience.

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32. When it comes time to buy a house, always request and go over a topographical map of the area. Regardless of how you feel about the whole global warming thing, floods still happen. If given an option go with the house furthest above sea level in the area as it will be the last to be affected by rising water. (Given current housing and economic issues it may be necessary to replace the first 'when' with 'if', but the advice still holds true.)
33. Credit card companies can be hard to reach when you have a problem with your account. Credit card companies will contact you constantly (and at times they told you that they were closed) if they want something from you. Especially money.
34. For guys in relationships: She's right about what ever you were arguing about. While you may be technically correct: she will not care and you will not remember in the long run. Ask the oldest couple you know about the earliest fight each can remember (ask each separately). He will cite something as recent as two weeks ago. She will cite something from before the wedding. Pause the fight if you can, take the time to think about it from her point of view, and tell her why she's right. While you may be really good at apologizing and the make up 'stuff' can be really good, it will only hurt more in the long run. My wife still references things that bother her from nearly a decade ago, manages to get upset all over again, and still is certain she was right (I have long forgotten what the big deal was and how I was technically right) If you conisistently acknowledge how she's right, you will earn lots of brownie points and can honestly say "yes dear I remember and I said at the time you were right.' Much easier.
35. Secret about her getting ready. (sorry ladies, I'm giving it away... instruct my wife to punish me accordingly) When she says that it will take her 15 minutes to get ready that is actually what she means. What she neglects to tell you is that every time you do something she perceives as an attempt to rush her, she adds more time mentally. Do not look at your watch. Do not sit there ready to go. Do not mention when you promised to meet the people or go to the place/event. Do not offer to help in anything that could remotely be assessed as rushing her even if she could use the help. Any of these (and some others I may have failed to mention) will automatically be assessed a time penalty of anywhere from a minute to an hour, for each offense. The very best you can hope for is losing brownie points.
36. Getting a second medical opinion. When you first consult a doctor, that is the second opinion. YOURS IS THE FIRST. While a doctor's input is very important, remember a few things. It is your body and you live there not anyone else. Doctors are focused on getting your body healthy not ensuring that you are happy in it. Doctors have bills to pay (including fairly large student loans) and are running a business. Decide for yourself.
37. Make a separate appointment for each unrelated medical ailment. The doctor will only have so much time to dedicate to you and probably only scheduled a small fraction of the time you feel is necessary to fully assess all of your problems. Focus on the big stuff or the stuff that raises alarm bells.
38. Go to the emergency room if you feel the need to you. Yes they are busy enough but it is the closest thing to universal health care we will see in America for a while yet. Universal health care is not the same thing as universal insurance. The latter may achieve the former but at a much higher cost than is necessary and will line the pockets of people who are rich enough already. If the health insurance was necessary, it would be available in the form of a nonprofit and not the current profit driven system.

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39. If you ever have the misfortune of appearing before a judge, do not plead ignorance. He/she will inform you that "ignorance of the law is no excuse." As the judge is basically the deity of the courtroom, politely apologize. I happen to agrees with you though. In the real world, it is an excellent excuse, as we all begin from a state of ignorance anyway. There is not a single individual who writes, enforces, or judges the law who could successfully name every law off to you. Laws are written by lawyers in their language so that no one can understand them without hiring a lawyer. The originals are kept in the lowest basement of the courthouse, disorganized, and locked in a filing drawer. The worst part is that the same government that mandates that you be educated does not bother to educate you in what you are expected to know. The laws are almost never listed easily online and if they are then the server is always down. They don't even bother to give you a pamphlet.
40. We are all childish but only a few of us are mature enough to admit it.
41. Be insulted when the censors and publishers dumb things down for American distribution. Not only does this demonstrate how lowly that they think of us but it prevents us from growing from new information. What is the difference if it is referred to as the philosopher stone or the sorcerer stone, it's fiction.? They knew it was fiction and that it didn't matter what it was called. The difference is that the philosopher stone was a real aim by alchemists throughout history. The 'sorcerer stone' was conceived of because of a concern that Americans would not get the reference. They kept you in the dark. Be very insulted.
42. No one will care about your hurt feelings as much or more than you do with the possible exception of your parents.
43. The corporation that employs you will (pardon my language) f**k you over at the worst possible time. They will refuse all of your pleads for the use of lubricant. For me it was R!+2 C@^^3r@... Ask me for translation as I'm not listening to my advice #42.
44. Vent your anger or it will explode at the worst possible time.
45. You are guaranteed to offend someone. At least one percent of everyone will be offended by what you say even when you are paying them a compliment. For some reason the censors generally focus on the one percent. Tell them that they are wrong. The free exchange of ideas is not only a necessary for a truly free society, it is just a good idea. We can always ignore the people we don't agree with but at least they spoke their mind.
46. Truth of logic (even in fiction): If the premises are true and the logic is valid, then the conclusion must be accurate (or sound). If you take issue with the conclusion, examine each premise for their truth and examine the validity of the logic for fallacies. If you can not take down the argument that way, reexamine your own conclusions using the same method as the problem may be there. In fiction, some of the rules are different than what we deal with but the principles of logic will still work within the context of the fiction.
47. If you ever are reading a post (here on this thread or anywhere on the site) that seriously bothers you, inform a moderator. While it may bug them a bit, it is far better to have the post or thread removed than risk the site being taken down. No one who reads the manga here will be upset about it since they would far more upset to lose the access here. If it happens to apply to this thread, I'll try to fix it so let me know ASAP and/or tell the moderator. While I would be saddened by the loss of all this work (and the potential benefit of all this advice), I read the manga here too. (Be fore warned, I do plan to touch on some things that are definitely toward the controversial side.)
48. Sometimes volumes of really good advice has some 'bad information' in it. Skip it and continue; just as you might a biblical passage that you take issue with.
49. Send important documents through WASTE rather than the standard postal carrier. There are plenty of drop locations around you if you know where to look. If you have no idea what that means than you probably weren't supposed to. If that happens to be the case, use registered mail and always get a signature confirmation, it should stand up in court if necessary.
50. There is probably no way that you will ever get to everything on the 'to do' list. Especially if you did not write it yourself. "Sorry, dear. I'll get right to that." Sound familiar?

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51. The 'measure twice cut once' requires two tools: a measuring device and a cutting implement. I'll start with the measuring device. A standard US bill is about 6 inches long, it can be used end to end for larger lengths and when folded properly (in half and thirds) and give you one inch. (Non US currency might work for this purpose, pardon my inexperience) The best and most convenient cutting tool is a pocket knife. Carry one. Some area do not allow them; question their logic of permitting Bic pens (metal tipped spears), books (blunt objects), clothing (strangulation), etc.... anything can be used as a weapon if a dangerous mind is applied to it. I fear the pen the most as it can easily pierce the chest cavity and is far more dangerous than a 3 inch blade on a leatherman or swiss army knife. Remember the movie Cast Away, think of how better off he'd have been if he took the knife off the car keys before he left. A small knife is a tool first.
52. Ladies: If you have not already done so talk to your doctor directly (kick mom out) about birth control and make sure you're both on the same page. You do not want to find out too late that he/she will not prescribe what you may feel you need. Specifically regarding preventative contraception, a pharmacist is violating the basic medical premise to do no harm if he/she refuses to fill such a prescription. They do not even know why you need to have it filled and they don't need to. Hormone therapy can reduce the chance of ovarian cancer and some people have conditions that require it to survive. Find out about filling the other prescriptions as well for the same reason you should talk to your doctor ahead.
53. Know all your real options so that you can make the best decision. Applies directly above and everywhere else.
54. Regarding the choice/life debate. Men should stay out of it as they are not as directly involved. Men are welcome to an opinion and it counts at the same level of involvement; her nine months relative to his nine minutes works out to less than 1%. Men should support her in what ever her decision is. The worst part of the whole thing is that a government predominantly men decide whether women can decide. There is probably something wrong with that.
55. Use as precise language whenever possible and know what the word means before you use it. Political candidates consult highly paid teams of psycholinguistic experts before deciding to call each other 'elite'.
56. The constitution of the Unites States of America gives the Congress the power to declare war and such declarations are between nations. The Iraq war ended with our victory when the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein fell; 'mission accomplished' banner, toppling of statues in Baghdad and other cities, execution of Saddam Hussein. If the war was still going on simply because we are there then by that logic so are several others including WWII. It is an occupation and 'victory' in an occupation is usually when the oppressive overseers are ousted by freedom fighters. Though we may feel that we are not oppressive, we are overseers and their history will record it as such regardless of our intentions there. The other wars are not real. There is no nation so there is no one to declare war on. The 'war on' series were created to you to keep you scared and/or distracted. Question authority.
57. Motivated Self-interest. It is the truth behind the actions of everyone around you. Even Mother Theresa on some level deep down thought that she was earning brownie point for the hereafter.
58. If you yell 'NO' at your cat (or dog or etc.), do not bother to yell, "What part of 'NO' do you not understand?" The pet either does not and will not ever understand any part of the word 'NO' or, does and would never tell you as it would give itself away. Anything smart enough to understand 'NO' and pass for 'stupid' animal is extremely intelligent.
59. Love everyone. You do not have to like them, however.
60. Cogito Ergo Sum: It is not and never was I think therefore I am. The original quote is 'dubito ergo sum' I doubt therefore I am. You have to exist as you are either the doubter or the object of doubt. It is the basis of solipsism and the only thing that you can ever really know for sure. Therefore, there is no reason to feel shy. Pretend that everyone else is fiction, as you only know that you are not.

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61. To the scientists out there performing experiments: As I can't stop you, let me remind you about a few things that scientists are supposed to do. First, after deciding the general nature of the theory in the experiment, there needs to be a research stage where the scientist understands the safest and most efficient path to the desired conclusion posed in the theory. Good research is widely available in scientific journals and in the information available at reputable websites. Second, the scientist controls all factors except the variable in the experiment and generally an experiment has only one variable. Many scientists have been to excited about concluding their work that they dangerously skip this step. Third, scientists need to be aware of the effect that the experiment have them. Some toil away for so long or fail to notice the effect that the experiment had on them when they were to involved in the process. Many have succumb to fatigue while transporting themselves with fatal results. Fortunately, uninvolved associates and taxi services are available. For your sake and the sake of others be good scientists. Please.
62. Be patient when applying what you learn, you may rush things and make yourself look foolish.
63. Listen to good advice regardless of how it comes to you. Do not expect to be prepared for it.
64. Treat people as an 'ends' not merely as a 'means'. We all must use people to get to our happiness but we should not forget theirs. This will apply to you the next will apply to the world.
65. Means to an end. Though politically impractical and morally reprehensible, here is a simple solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. King Solomon once had to preside over an argument between to woman claiming to be the mother of a child. He order the baby split in half. Though never carried out, the threat settled the issue. Put that in to practice. Threaten to send the holy land to God with nuclear weapons if the two side don't figure it out very soon. Either way there will be peace but the 'means' can never be allowed to occur. Be aware of the 'means' and what the effects are. The 'ends' do not justify the 'means'.
66. Although it is a great thing to succeed easily, you will learn far more by failure and you will not get overconfident.
67. A paradox to put the chicken/egg to shame: "the universe began with a word. but which came first the word or the thought behind the word as you cannot have thought without language and you cannot have language without thought." Lorien (B5) and you thought the chick/egg thing was hard.
68. "never start a fight but always finish it." Advice from Sheridan's Father (B5) We may never be able to avoid a battle but that doesn't mean we should start them. 'Finishing it' can mean surrender or victory but the ultimate goal is to end the fight as permanently as possible
69. The beauty of the yin and yang imagery far exceeds all the vulgar references. We should focus on that balance instead of these childish references or to put it another way. "I am tired of all the sex on the television.... I mean I keep falling off." Old Lady from Monty Python's Flying Circus
70. Though noble, always keeping your promises can be fatal; know when to break them. It nearly happened to me.
71. You probably aren't paranoid. The government is out to get you. I won't tell you which country's government or which part though. I'm too paranoid.
72. Sometimes you have to read between the lines. This is a skill that takes practice and is very difficult to teach.

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73. Use coupons. You do not have to feel like an old lady clipping them out though. I got my Grandma to do it for me. She was doing it anyway so she doesn't mind pulling out a few. Remember to thank her.
74. The Minbari(B5) have a saying: "Faith Manages." It has many implications.
75. Avoid Procrastination: (be patient with me, please, ...still working on it)
76. Be aware that not every takes away the same morals from children's stories. Upon hearing the tale of a Boy who Cried Wolf, Garak(DS9) commented on how it was a good lesson about never saying the same lie twice. Be aware of your perceptions. Sometimes, there are other answers.
77. Take the time to do things right or you'll take the time to do it again. You may notice an edit or two.
78. I listen to NPR often as it is filled with unique insights, news, and information. I listen guilt free about 46 weeks out of the year. Donate to remove guilt.
79. When it comes time to pay back karma, you will pay it at a vastly accelerated rate and you will swear Murphy was on optimist. You'll swear a lot.
80. Be aware that much of your memory is context dependent. You will remember knowledge best in the room you learned. If possible get them to have the tests in the room and you'll do better than you would elsewhere.
81. [Try to] be prepared. The scout saying with a touch of reality. Yoda was wrong when he said 'do or do not, there is no try.' During the attempt you are trying, without it you could neither succeed or fail. Try.
82. The trivial history of words can be intrigue, especially when their common. O.K. is from the wartime codification of 'All Clear' The 'rule of thumb' was the measure of the width of a rod, permitted under law for spousal abuse.
83. Lessons from piercings: My father once joked while we were shopping that I should get an earing and look 'cool'. I took him up on it. 'Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. The second one is 'be careful of what you do when you're upset.'
84. There is nothing wrong with a man who has long hair, other than being called ma'am on occasion. Beyond the saving in haircuts, men will stop to help you change your tire and be far too embarrassed to leave once there. I'm told prison is an entirely different matter altogether, though. Try to have it all gone by holding.
85. Put a fresh pair of eyes on any given situation. If nothing else, you may have overlooked something and sometimes a new perspective reveals new options.
86. There is a price for all lessons. Be thankful if it is merely your time.
87. Know the rules of a situation, preferably better than the next one. Married couples are often allow to live together in dorms, as the rather rude RA for Student Housing learned when I pointed it out in the tiny print on the back of the residential application.
88. "You can get further in a relationship with thing like honesty, commitment, and humor than you ever could with prior experience with a high numerical value." Ivanova(B5) They have six you see.

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89. Wisdom is best learned in small portions and best applied in large ones; or at least, combinations of smaller ones.
90. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you truly need it, it will be there for you.
91. "I was put on this earth to help people. I just happen to be in retail." -AD Coughlin
92. Forgive; if you cannot forgive then forget; if you cannot forget, then be patient. Eventually you will forget why you can't forget or forgive.
93. Pay it forward. Great idea but it applies to more than just positive stuff. Pain is paid forward far more often than any other commodity.
94. You can set your college schedule around the television but it may result with you having a dramatically different major than you intended on the way in.
95. Avoid repeating yourself too much. Even when saying something profound you may lose your audience.
96. "Power without perception is spriitually useless and therefore of no real value." Fist of the North Star.
97. The most overused phrase is supposed to be 'I love you' not 'I'm sorry.' My life contains more of the latter and sometimes it carries the same dangers of overuse as 'love'.
98. If you truly do not need a bag with your purchase, Save a Plastic Tree (or if your more political 'reduce our dependence on foreign oil'). If nothing else you are likely to toss out the receipt along with the bag. Remember advice #11.
99. A wise man once said "this too shall pass." I just wish Grandpa would quit those breaking wind jokes.
100. While extremely useful, be wary of digital data as it's too easy to change later. When it's important, print out a hard copy. They're safer. Digital information grows and changes.

[♥ Ayalicious ♥]

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Holy cow. >_>

Wow, that was amazing... and long. o___________o <3

Keep it up. <3