[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f_OuFAothn1TneaXhkF5nkO8rPgZz8VSf83mKqqZ5iC0":3,"$fWWf0e4EuqCFnsWHXKRtk_Zp9j_7JtMvWeB82hr38jvI":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},62685,"Laura Buzo","L",21,null,"laura-buzo",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":78},[14,23,29,35,41,47,53,59,66,72],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":22},3212464,"Thanks for dinner,” I say. “It almost makes up for the bastardry.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Laura Buzo, an Australian author known for her nuanced portrayals of relationships and human psychology. The specific origin of the quote is not well-documented, but it reflects the wry humor and introspection characteristic of Buzo's writing style. As a writer, Buzo often explored the complexities of everyday life, particularly in the context of Australian suburban culture.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe phrase \"bastardry\" in this context doesn't refer to literal cruelty but rather to the subtle, often unintentional ways people can hurt or disregard one another. The quote highlights a common human tendency to seek validation through small gestures (like dinner) while ignoring or rationalizing more significant forms of harm.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset in your own life, notice how you might be compensating for deeper issues with superficial kindnesses or distractions. Recognize that such attempts often mask an underlying avoidance of confrontation or a lack of willingness to address the root problems.",{"id":24,"quote_text":25,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":26,"source":27,"quote_tag":28,"commentary":9},3212457,"I study his face closely. The smudges under his eyes are darker than usual; his lips are dry and ashen, similar to the rest of his face. It’s been a while between haircuts. Two days’ worth of stubble. He’s beautiful.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":32,"source":33,"quote_tag":34,"commentary":9},3212452,"I sit in my room glowering at the ceiling. I know what this is about, I think. I’m cranky ’cause I’m uncomfortably thirsty for Chris all the bloody time. The heart-twinging excitement of yestermonth is gone. Now it just grates. There is no relief. There is nothing to be done. There is no sign of a parachute.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":9},3212451,"Amelia is Jeremy’s opposite. She’s real. She’s literate. I like her a lot. Or maybe I just like the idea of her. Because she’s so young that she’s out of the question, I can mentally make her into the Perfect Woman in Waiting. Is that what I’m doing?",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":42,"quote_text":43,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":44,"source":45,"quote_tag":46,"commentary":9},3212448,"I had one of those moments when you get nostalgic about something as it’s still happening. Anticipatory nostalgia.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":48,"quote_text":49,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},3212442,"It’s interesting how fuming, or anger in general, is such a physical process, like a wave washing up on a beach and then receding.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":54,"quote_text":55,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":56,"source":57,"quote_tag":58,"commentary":9},3212434,"It costs me a lot of what I used to consider my manhood to say this, but your pleasure was more of a pleasure to me than mine.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":60,"quote_text":61,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":62,"source":63,"quote_tag":64,"commentary":65},3212427,"You’re pretty passionate about your unhappiness, aren’t you, Chris?” I looked right back at her and said, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote from Laura Buzo's biography is likely from a personal letter or conversation with someone close, given its informal and conversational tone. The era in which Laura Buzo was writing this would have been the mid-to-late 20th century, a time when she was navigating her relationships and personal growth.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals an interesting paradox: the speaker is not dismissing their unhappiness but rather, they're choosing to direct their energy towards making it worthwhile. By acknowledging the worthiness of doing something well, Laura Buzo's words suggest that it's okay to feel unhappy as long as you're using that feeling to drive improvement.\n\n**How to Use This**\nWhen faced with a creative block or an unfulfilling situation, take a step back and acknowledge the unhappiness. Instead of trying to suppress or avoid it, use this feeling as fuel to push yourself towards excellence.",{"id":67,"quote_text":68,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":69,"source":70,"quote_tag":71,"commentary":9},3212421,"The upshot is that I pretty much don’t have a chance with her. And, you know, thank God, because if I did, I’d have to give up my lifestyle of soul-wrenching loneliness and sexual frustration. I’m too good at it to quit now.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":9},3212415,"And then you come along with your perfect skin, your freckled shoulders, your glorious laugh, and you lay my entire life to waste.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":79,"totalPages":80,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":81},1,3,10]