Lesson: I am always editing and revising my writing.  Always.  When I was preparing these pages I reread this first chapter of the book.  I came to this line and it read: "Instead, Mike...".  I paused and thought, "Instead what?"  Yes, I understand that he threw off his covers instead of throwing up, but the "instead" didn't sound right to me.  So I deleted it.  What's the point?  You should always be editing and revising your writing so that the meaning is clear.  And...

Lesson: Trust your ear.  If something doesn't sound right, then chances are it needs to be revised.