We hate revolutionaries, radicals, and free-thinkers until they're dead at which time we build memorials celebrating their greatness. 

The neighbors' overheard conversations were Connie's only link to the outside world. 

The couch became a liferaft from which even the kitchen with all its culinary delights seemed oceans away and much too far to attempt to reach. 

Her thoughts drifted like the darkening clouds outside and soon memories struck like a thunderclap that shook her from her dreaming. 

 Self-aggrandizement is the only currency left. 

 The world is on fire but thankfully we have celebrities to gawk at. 

It had become an American story replayed ad infinitum. 

 The birds announced the coming of spring with all the pageantry and pomp of a royal wedding.  

Phil's personality and business practices were as rank as his breath. 

Fractured memories and snatches of song replaced dreams as Frank lay in bed unable to sleep.

 Blessings and curses seemed to come in cycles for Beth. 

What had once been a joy had become a job. 

All of Burt's beliefs were covered by his truck's bumper stickers. 

It turned out that arguing with strangers on the internet didn't produce the societal changes Ted had hoped for. 

"Nothing comes to mind," my Buddhist friend answered. 

Weakly the words escaped: "I'm free." 

 Dale dreamed of visiting foreign lands (as long as they weren't too foreign). 

By the time she got her winter clothes put away, it was already fall. 

The black hole at the center of the universe was infintismal compared to the one in Tricia's heart, or so her ex-boyfriend believed. 

Money and spite were Stan's only motivations. 

 The back porch belonged to the bugs who were seen strategizing on how to take the rest of the house. 

There were too many Neros fiddling away these days.

 Burn the bridges too rickety to stand on their own. 

 There are moments when all is right with the world and then there are Mondays. 

As she breathed in the cool mountain air succulent with pine, she temporarily forgot about the daily indignities and petty grievences that plagued her. 

Just because you can't read the map, doesn't mean you aren't heading in the right direction. 

 Trying to hone in on get to the heart of the meaning point of this sentence has eluded escaped me.

Bill woke up that morning and realized he'd been living someone else's life. 

Her sense of justice overwhelmed the drive for self-preservation. 

They drank and laughed and talked and felt young again (until the next morning when their hangovers kicked in). 

 The only new music Mike enjoyed sounded just like the old music he had enjoyed in his youth.