Our first relationship with a male is with our fathers. It affects how we relate to men forever.

I watched as Humphrey Bogart’s character used beans as a metaphor for the relative unimportance in the wider world of his relationship with Ingrid Bergman’s character, and chose logic and decency ahead of his selfish emotional desires. The quandary and resulting decision made for an engrossing film. But this was not what people cried about. They were in love and could not be together. I repeated this statement to myself, trying to force an emotional reaction. I couldn’t. I didn’t care. I had enough problems of my own.

What would you like?" "A skinny decaf latte." This is a ridiculous form of coffee, but I did not point it out.

But why, why, why can't people just say what they mean?

I haven’t changed my mind. That’s the point! I want to spend my life with you even though it’s totally irrational. And you have short earlobes. Socially and genetically there’s no reason for me to be attracted to you. The only logical conclusion is that I must be in love with you.

Restaurants are minefields for the socially inept

I worked in information technology and academia for a long time and met many people who were better with things and ideas than with people.