Over the years most of my peers had come to hate me—I never understood why. I guess I was just different and, like dogs, they could smell it. So I never had many friends.

The Adventure called and I followed with my thumb like a character being written by an intractable author. Which, of course, I was.

It was a rotten time to try to be a man in America. Until Blue came along I’d never even spent time around a man. Hell, I’d never even seen one. Where were all the men in this once great land?

Life is too short to waste being a productive member of society.

I just want to live my own life instead of everyone else’s version of it.

Begging is much more difficult than it looks. Contrary to popular belief, it’s a high art form that takes years of dedicated practice to master.

Have you ever noticed how good things go to those who hate?

The simple act of sitting here sipping this cappuccino is its own testament to my commitment to living the writer’s life. Which is to say: doing nothing but doing it exceedingly well.

I wondered about my inner child. In fact, I was troubled. Did I even have an inner child, I asked myself, given that, in essence, I’d just been born?

I wouldn’t be caught dead sacrificing myself for this country.

When it rains it pours and when it shines you get melanoma.

I felt tears pricking inside my eyelids. Maybe I came first With Oliver.

You know what, your imagination works faster than your mind.

If he can't reach you he can't hit youIf he can't hit you he can't hurt you

Be careful of what you allow your mind to dwell on. And the words that come out of your mouth.

All things change nothing is extinguished.

I've learned it's a human responsibility to create fun, not just wait for it.

Don't set your goals too low. If you don't need much, you won't become much.

I am quite prepared to die here [in NY]. It doesn't matter at all. I don't know better places, or perhaps if I do I am not prepared to make a move.

My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.

Naturally, I have compensated in my adult years by owning very large numbers of books.