Hot Potato Wisdom

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When you're crossing the street, never trust the judgment of drivers. They may not stop for you. They may roll over you and keep on going. In fact, never trust anyone. They're not your family, their blood is not half as thick as water, why would you take their advice? Do they have your best interests at heart? Not one bit, and, frankly, neither do most of your own relatives. It's dog-eat-dog, it really is, although what can you expect? Life is hard. Life is a battle. Life is what you make of it.

All people are created equal—black, white, Chinese, Moroccan, it doesn't matter. Equal. Everyone. All the same, whenever there's a murder, check the newspaper to make sure the culprit isn't Jewish—you'll breathe easier if you do. Then double-check and make sure the murderer isn't from New York—you'll breathe easier still. Give to charity, but don't tell your relatives that you do. Keep secrets well. Don't lie, but never tell the whole truth. That sort of thing is too hard to swallow. That's what fiction is for.

Anything served in a fancy restaurant can be equaled in your own kitchen. As a matter of fact, everything can be made out of potatoes—bread, soup, pancakes, cake. Alone on a desert island, all a person really needs is a bag of potatoes and a toaster oven. Forget planes, jets, cars, TV. Without a doubt, a toaster oven is the finest invention of the 20th century. It broils, it bakes, it toasts, it sits on your counter, small as a mouse. Always read labels. What? You're surprised it's so full of chemicals? You think these companies have your best interests at heart? But a potato: There's nothing evil they can do to it. No additives or red dye or MSG there. A potato is 100 percent pure. It is what it is. Unlike most things.

Between men and women, love is not only blind, but also stupid. Oh, sure, love has a sense of humor, but the punch line is usually sex, money, despair, or kids—and none of these is particularly funny. Here's how you test if love is real: Broil a chicken (with a side dish of potatoes) and invite him over. Cook badly. Even if you're already a bad cook, make it worse. Trust me, it's easy. Throw in anything you want. Too much salt, too much pepper. Feed him and see what he says. A complaint means he's thinking about himself, and always will. A compliment means he'll never make a living. But a man who says “Let's go to a restaurant,” now he's a real man. Order expensive, and see what he's got to say then. Kiss him goodnight. Go ahead, don't be afraid. Do you hear your blood in your head moving too fast? Are you faint? Do you need a Tylenol? Are you sick to your stomach and shaky in your knees? That's love, all right, so don't fight it, honey, because in such matters, no human is immune. Not even you.

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