American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot Quotes

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It seemed that I performed better sober than drunk. Who knew?

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

Every day I ran to that book like it was a bottle of whiskey and crawled inside because it was a world that I had at least some control over, and slowly, in time, it began to take shape.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I didn't say no because between safety and adventure I choose adventure.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

Alcohol ruined me financially and morally, broke my heart and the hearts of too many others. Even though it did this to me and it almost killed me and I haven't touched a drop of it in seventeen years, sometimes I wonder if I could get away with drin...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I didn't flee a dictator or swim an ocean to be an American like some do. I just thought long and hard about it.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

Divorce lawyers stoke anger and fear in their clients, knowing that as long as the conflicts remain unresolved the revenue stream will keep flowing.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

School did give me one of the greatest gifts of my life, though. I learned how to read, and for that I remain thankful. I would have died otherwise. As soon as I was able, I read, alone. Under the covers with a flashlight or in my corner of the attic...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I knew that I had been partially right in the storeroom above the bar on Christmas Day. Whoever I had become had to die.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I took the sleeper out of Glasgow, and as the smelly old train bumped out of Central Station and across the Jamaica Street Bridge, I stared out at the orange halogen streetlamps reflected in the black water of the river Clyde. I gazed at the crumblin...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I think when you become a parent you go from being a star in the movie of your own life to the supporting player in the movie of someone else's.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I found the prospect daunting, but somehow comforting, too, because the counselors insisted it could be done, and, after all, many of them were recovering alcoholics themselves.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

Ros was dead. He had loved heroin more than it loved him. I was shocked beyond imagining; he was the first of my friends to fall.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

She still cared for me, and the best way I could make amends to her was to be happy. I do have a knack for finding great women.

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

Those unexpected morality lessons provided by the trip had jolted me into some kind of action. It was time to jettison the past before the present jettisoned me. This was my first veiled attempt at recovery. Although perhaps I was just running away a...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

I told her that I didn't want to take any drugs. That I had come here not to take drugs. "Listen," she said, not unkindly, "up until now I would say that ninety-nine percent of all the narcotics you have taken in your life you bought from guys you di...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

From this moment on I'd dedicate my life to rock and roll and take as many drugs as possible. What could possibly go wrong?

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

He will know from and early age that failure is not disgrace. It's just a pitch that you missed, and you'd better get ready for the next one. The next one might be the shot heard round the world. My son and I are Americans, we prepare for glory by fa...

American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot