So, if I were able to send an ingame mail back in time, or some other rediculously science fiction like event, here are a few of the things I would want to include.
-If you level as Holy I swear to god I will kick your ass, it is SUCH a waste of time, wait until northrend and slowly pick up healing gear from quest rewards and dungeons instead. (ok, maybe some of it was good experience...)
-Switch to Discipline pretty much as soon as you hit level 80. It's a MUCH better spec!
-Elitestjerks may look intimidating but it's really not too bad once you get used to it.
-Don't be afraid to ask questions of others, yes a very high percentage of them will be jerks and "lawl nub!" at you, but it will be worth it when you find those few nice people that actually know what they are talking about.
-Add-ons are good, don't hesistate to use them, just make sure you aren't going overboard, know what the purpose of each add-on is, learn it's capabilities and limits.
-This game will take up a LOT more time than you expected, prepare for that now, and set limits on it (no playing until you are done that paper, chapter, etc.)
-Get you're friends involved, they will be even more addicted than you and if anyone complains about your play time, you can just point at them and say "o yeah? well "Sail" plays atleast twice as much as I do!"
-Fill that friends list, and don't hesistate to get to know the real people behind the Avatar. You will make a ton of GREAT friends this way (even if they do live a REALLY long way from you)
-Most of all: Don't forget it's a game, you should be having fun, but also remember it's a social experience, you will make a ton of great memories of doing stuff with your friends (even if it IS slaying imaginary dragons)
I really think that this is a good way of looking back on your time spent playing WoW. Not only the "virtual" mistakes that you may have made a long the way, but also points like my last few, with real life implications. Honestly I would tell anyone that can't list atleast one real life benefit to playing this game that they should reevaluate their priorities, because I love this game, but I often think I have spent way too much time playing, and if it weren't for the friends that I have made along the way, it would be a very depressing day that I type in /played.
This was a great post idea, and any of you readers with blogs should jump on the bandwagon, lets hear about your virtual regrets and real-life-achieves associated with playing this game.