—I’LL BE HONEST, THE BOWLING ALLEY KINE OF SOUNDS NICE

 

…Sometimes it’s impossible to be a best friend.

 

…Other times, there’s no way out.

 

…Pace yourself, please.

 

…That’s plenty.

 

…The smart play is usually silence.

 

…“Thank you for your thoughts on the matter.”

 

…“Well, that’s the thing you always get. Every person says, “Oh, my mom loves you. My daughter loves you. My girlfriend loves you.” It’s never, “I love you.” Jacob Elordi

 

…That’s going to kill me, but then again, I should be dead already.

 

…I’m really not sure why you want to keep me alive, but, God bless you.

 

…“Isn’t that why we are here? To write another poem for a small woman to read, and then another/’ Heather Bell

 

…For the record, I’m flunking technology and anything mechanical.

 

…Beating yourself up is never a fair fight.

 

…It’s an easy promise to make, but a harder one to keep, and I’m already thinking up excuses.

 

…“It takes a lot of work to stay happy, to stay clear, and to be proud of yourself. You can try to drink through it, but you’re sober in the morning and you got to live in those hours too.

 

Starting at the age of ten, I was teaching myself how to be a professional liar. How to convince people that I was something other than what I was thinking inside.

 

I married a friend as opposed to a girlfriend. Since I only wanted to get married once, I thought, Find someone I’m sexually attracted to that’s also a friend. That’s the bull’s-eye.

 

I know when I’m a pain in the ass to my wife or to my kids, and I try not to do that. It’s lazy to do that. It takes a little bit more effort to be the best version of yourself, and I try to get that done each day. So hopefully that’s the takeaway from my life—people say thanks for trying."

Jason Bateman

 

…Guilt feels like something stuck between my teeth.

 

…“Knowing it and seeing it are two different things.” Suzanne Collins

 

...I made it all the way here. Who could have predicted such a thing?

 

…Please accept my apologies for the barrage.

 

…A lot of the risks I took when I was younger, with Oz and others, crazy shit I never should have done or would never in a million years do now, was some of the best times of my life. Like, legendary stuff. So, explain that dichotomy to me.

 

…"Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time." Georgia O'Keefe

 

…I try to send at least one kind, encouraging note a day to someone, usually a writer. (John said to do two a day, but that’s pretty hard.) Once, in a blue moon, I’ll actually receive one myself. It’s incredible how much a few words can mean:

Dear Len,

I keep your book in my living room and read pieces here and there. Yesterday, I came across "Personal History," and couldn't stop reading it over and over. All the melting images are perfect. 

Cheers,

P

 

…When people don’t love things as much, or in the way that you do, it hurts, but you have to remind yourself that art is subjective. Like I hate tomatoes, but most people love them.

 

…I’m not anywhere I need to be right now.

 

…I’m not sure why it means so much to me, but it does.

 

…Hey, Grasshopper, how many smart choices are you making?

 

--How do you even know that guy?

--I don’t.

--Isn’t he your friend?

--Yeah, but.

--But, What?

 

…To be honest, I’m not usually an optimist anymore, but I really thought I could win.

 

…“The agreement to participate in this life is a pact with grief.” Mark Doty

 

…I’ve seen the mess from the blade and it’s not pretty.

 

…Here’s one thing you should know—I’m the least techy person you know.

 

…Sometimes I’m smart and therefore make good decisions, but I’ll    need a lot of. Grae on th3 others. 

 

…“People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons. From within.” Ursula K. Le Guin

 

…A really good question to ask yourself is—But why?

 

…I can’t even remember all I’ve forgotten.

 

...Somehow, I forgot yesterday was yesterday.

 

…I felt blue a couple of days ago. Maybe you did as well, and if so, I’m sorry.

 

…Thank you for peddling me. I know how heavy I can be most times.