So if reality is all a spell, and you don't really want what you think you want... If you have no free will. You don't really know what you know. You don't really love who you only think you love. What do you have left to live for?

When you're an addict, you can go without feeling anything except drunk or stoned or hungry. Still, when you compare this to other feelings, to sadness, anger, fear, worry, despair, and depression, well, an addiction no longer looks so bad. It looks like a very viable option.

When both of you are beautiful, neither of you is beautiful. Together, as a couple, you're less than the sum of your parts.

Just keep asking yourself: What would Jesus not do?

To repeat, the way you get to the huge, impossible yes is, you start collecting a lot of easy, small yeses.

Portland in particular is a cheap enough place to live that you can still develop your passion - painting, writing, music. People seem less status-conscious. Even wealthy people buy second-hand clothes and look a little bit homeless.

Maybe the truth is I really want to like you instead.