“When is now; when was then?”
– Bill Nye
About 15 minutes from writing this post, I discovered a website called FutureMe. The whole idea behind this site is that you can write a letter that gets emailed to yourself at a future date. Admittedly this is a little corny, but I decided to suck up my ego and write myself a message. What I came up with was a mash-up of events from my private diary and from a post idea that I was previously unable to articulate. Anyway, here’s what I sent:
“Dear future Robert,
Last Friday, for me, I went to see Kid Cudi in Madison. The show was pretty good except for that part where some dude on X charged through everyone and I got Henessy spilled all over my new jeans.
The next day I ended up watching “Naked Lunch” on the couch and started listening to the band Portishead. Latter in the afternoon I went online and discovered that I’d set an all time record for earning money from the Internet.
After seeing my earnings I made a promise to myself, by December 1st (the day you receive this letter) I want to no longer have a 9 – 5 job. I hope your enthusiasm kept up and this goal comes true.
Next weekend I’ll be visiting La Crosse, I can’t wait to experience what you’ll be fondly remembering. I hope it’s as good in the present as it is through the filter of nostalgia.
Also, don’t forget that you promised to donate to a charity this Christmas. I’m thinking something related to domestic abuse, but you might have other ideas.
Before ending this letter, I want to address the quantum elephant in the room: the fact that we’re one in the same, merely separated by time. If we met, I don’t know if we’d even like each other. The present me wouldn’t want to spend a day with any of his past selves, I’d imagine you’re the same way. With that said, I am your foundation. What I do now has direct consequences on you. I’ll try my best to provide you with everything you might need.
I hope you have a great Christmas and that your 2014 looks bright. I hope that you make good on our goals and give something back to the world. Lastly, I hope you remember what it was like to be me.
I’ll see you in our memories,
Current Robert”