Man, anyone who says that is too sociopathic to be put off by insults.

Don't say anything. Pin them to the ground and drool on their face.

You don't have to force it. Lefties will usually learn to use right-handed scissors, guitars, etc. I know I did! Without making a conscious effort.

What you DON'T want to do is harm a child or shame or abuse a child into changing a behavior. I'm sure you know what I mean. If a kid wants to experiment, though, it seems many of us did that and turned out okay pretty much.

Any response will do, as long as it's in Latin.

Even the unsexy ways can be spiritually exhausting. Not many can sustain that kind of thing long enough to get to the artistically and financially rewarding phase. It took me 30+ years to finally be able to quit my day job. I thought it was "over" dozens of times.

Most start out not knowing how hard it is. By age 40 or so, many have given up and are doing something easier. I know several who quit to go to law school.

"If you're important, they'll wait."

I stole it from a movie, but it works.

In this day and age, live performance is almost the only way to get feedback from listeners. Some people have success recording, but it's very hard to get any kind of reward beyond making the music itself.

Say, "You don't understand. This isn't a job. It's a secret identity." And then fly away.

"I play [instrument] and [instrument] and [instrument]."

Don't say anything. Just kiss him. Lots of tongue.

Arnold Schoenberg, Variations for Orchestra. The last chord feels like being eviscerated.

You won't burn yourself out. Draw as much as you goddam want.

The Girl Who Lept Through Time

Yes. We are happy. 30 years, two kids.

I'm 53. I have noticed that people my kids' age (20's) have a less rigid concept of gender. I don't think I can properly elaborate, it's just a general impression I get hanging out with them and their friends, but I think it's a good thing.

Hey, if I were stuck in court for hours, I'd fall asleep, and damn right I'd fart! At least, I'd like to think so.