Deeply funny musings and adventures elevate Paul Rudnick to the highest level of American comedy writing.

Ah, yes. I remember my first beer.

I had loved magic tricks from the time I was six or seven. I bought books on magic. I did magic acts for my parents and their friends. I was aiming for show business from early days, and magic was the poor man's way of getting in: you buy a trick for $2, and you've got an act.

I was not naturally talented. I didn't sing, dance or act, though working around that minor detail made me inventive.

You know that look that women get when they want to have sex? Me neither.

At first I had no skills in writing comedy. I didn't know what a joke was, but, as someone once told me, your emotions follow your intent. If you create the intention of starting a comedy act, slowly your mind starts adjusting and you arrive at a new emotional state.

Or is it that I think too much?