Potential," I said, "doesn't mean a thing. You've got to do it. Almost every baby in a crib has more potential than I have.

Some nights I knew that if I slept I would die.

It was a joy! Words weren't dull, words were things that could make your mind hum. If you read them and let yourself feel the magic, you could live without pain, with hope, no matter what happened to you.

The problem was you had to keep choosing between one evil or another, and no matter what you chose, they sliced a little more off you, until there was nothing left. At the age of 25 most people were finished. A whole goddamned nation of assholes driving automobiles, eating, having babies, doing everything in the worst way possible, like voting for the presidential candidate who reminded them most of themselves.

I no longer want it all, just some comfort and some sex and some minor love.

human relationships simply aren't durable. I think back to the women in my life. they seem non-existent.

With me, my main vision for life was to avoid as many people as possible. The less people I saw the better I felt.