In 1988 I quit college to become a stand-up comic, but by 1989 I had quit comedy to go back to school. I was convinced that show business was basically evil and that I was basically good. Basically.

During my waning days of stand-up, I'd gotten into Zen and Taoism. My new bible was "The Tao of Pooh." I was firmly on the path to self-awareness ... until I met Ruth.