They put the thing down your throat so you don't swallow your tongue, and they put electrodes on your head. That's what was recommended in Rockland State Hospital to discourage homosexual feelings. The effect is that you lose your memory and become a vegetable. You can't read a book because you get to page 17 and have to go right back to page one again.

I wish I had a talking book that told me how to act and look, a talking book that contained keys to past and present memories

I cleaned up my act because otherwise I would have kicked the bucket.

With Master Ren, if I'd tell him I can't do that and he'd say, yes you can, and it turns out I very much can do it.

I'm tearing down Route 80 East, the sun's on my right side. I'm drunk, but my vision's good.

But I found tai chi when I was studying with Leung Shum, who teaches Eagle Claw and Wu Hao.

Not too many songwriters, when they write songs go for broke. When someone does who's really good, it's astonishing. There's a reason a three-minute song can devastate you, or make you get up and dance, stop what you're doing and go, 'What is that?' It just hits you. And it's a very potent thing you're playing around with.