I think you actually get a kick out of being disappointed and under-achieving, because it's easier, isn't it? Failure and unhappiness is easier because you can make a joke out of it.

He wanted to live life in such a way that if a photograph were taken at random, it would be a cool photograph.

The city had defeated her, just like they said it would. Like some overcrowded party, no one had noticed her arrival, and would notice if she left.

but they had also settled into the maddening familiarity of friendship; maddening for her at least.

As a matter of fact, I think there are more things important in life than "relationships.

He's a better person when she's around, and isn't that what friends are for, to raise you up and keep you at your best?

But how can you not like music? That's the same as not liking food! Or sex!