The whole thing's illusion, [Jacob], and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect.

When I first submerged my feet into frigid water, they hurt so badly I yanked them out again. I persisted, dunking them for longer and longer periods, until the cold finally blistered.

I stare at her for a long moment. I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.

The thought has cheered me, and I'd like to hang onto that. Must protect my little pockets of happiness.

I strain to hear, but my old ears, for all their obscene hugeness, pick up nothing but snippets.

Even as your body betrays you, your mind denies it.

Gorillas are in danger of being wiped out by the Ebola virus. I feel like we have limited time to get to know them and understand them and they're going to disappear - that's terrifically sad. Wouldn't it be great if we could stop that?