"Something like that," I say. "I mean, sometimes they're just doing each other, period, but that's pretty much the gist of it."

It doesn't hit me until a second later that I actually said that out loud. I promptly clear my throat.

"And then, when you least expect it," I continue, trying to rally, "something insanely awful happens to you, and you start praying for things to turn boring again for a couple of months. Welcome to Tabula Rasa. Hope you survive the experience."