"But so is wandering around in one boot and taking a stuffed seal outside with you when you smoke"

Hey whatever works ;-)

And I agree with you. I think the ending is equally important to the beginning. It's kind of funny, since I've started teaching Language Arts, I've really tried to tighten up my own writing. (I've really only been doing it for just under a year) I also appreciate other great authors so much more. I often think of you, and how you don't have any "wasted" lines. How each and every word you write really makes the story that much stronger.