We all have found ourselves in awkward, embarrassing situations, often brought on by ourselves - thinking we are saying something clever, for example, when it turns out to sound really mean or stupid. Those are the kind of embarrassing situations that we could have avoided. "Welcome to the human race," is about the only comfort we can give ourselves.

There were so many of these moments that could never be captured accurately, even in the camcorder, only in the heart.

I can never understand why people who have not seen me for a while ask if I am still writing. They might as well ask me if I am still breathing.

You don't have to be part of a couple to be happy, you know.

Why is life so complicated....?' I asked. 'To keep us from being bored,' he said.

It's what they say to do when you're depressed, you know. Walk in someone else's shoes for a while, and your own won't feel so tight.

Writing, for me, is the best occupation I can think of, and there is nothing in the world I would rather do.