Parenthood is the opiate of the masses.

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.

In good old Colonial Dunsboro, masochism is a valuable job skill. It is in most jobs.

Find good in what the world says is evil.

The things you used to own, now they own you.

It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything.

I'm giving you my life to prove to myself I can, I really can love somebody. Even when I'm not getting paid, I can give love and happiness and charm. You see, I can handle the baby food and the not talking and being homeless and invisible, but I have to know that I can love somebody. Completely and totally, permanently and without hope of reward, just as an act of will, I will love somebody.