It did spark off certain pictures in my mind of these imaginary landscapes that I had built up in my head over all of these years.

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Every time I went for my watch in the safe (naturally having to first swing the large painting aside to reach it), the James Bond theme song started up in my head again.

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"It was when someone talked to me about Bugsy Malone that the idea lit up in my head, " he said, with a reference to Alan Parker's 1976 musical gangster film which boasted a cast of child actors.

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Because since I was a child, I have been making up stories in my head that I am someone else, somewhere else.

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When I was harassed in the hallway during school instead of lowering my head in shame, Carson would stand up for himself with brilliant witty comebacks -- he said all the things I just thought.

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Up early, grooves cleaned and excited beyond belief, I pitched up at the gates of Magnolia Lane and made my way up to the clubhouse to check in, meet my caddy Travis in his traditional white overalls and head to the practice range.

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At times of stress or exhaustion or fear, a jabbering voice in my head often cranks up.

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So, the idea of growing up to be president some day was implanted in my head, and it became the source of great consternation for me when, in grad school in the late '60s as civil rights, feminist and anti-Vietnam War ferment was swelling, I ratified my own commitment to social justice by openly claiming my gay identity.

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"The idea for Jinze had been in my head since I was young, growing up in Hong Kong, " Chang explained.

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