The chef who cooks without a song on his lips cannot hope to infuse the right carefree improvisatory note into his art. - James Hamilton-Paterson

I also wish I'd been born with a clearly defined talent for something, or else stupid.

Well, finally it seems I've wasted my life. It's a hard age at which to drink spider-juice but I submit. Suddenly...I felt the flimsiness of all my substance, but not so much because I'd missed something. Quite the contrary — it was because of something of which I've had all too much: myself. I doubt it ever occurs to people who are not cursed with this 'urge to create' (whatever that is) how, far from living in sublime communion with one's Muse, one grows thoroughly to hate her.

I’m interested in things that are none of my business,
and I’m bored by things that are important to know.” — Calvin (Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes strip cartoon, 1994)