Without it, I could have neglected an important battle or misspent my energy.

如果没有，能会忽视一场重要的战斗，或者浪费的精力。

The group was intended as a one-shot deal—we would play two shows at the American Booksellers Convention, get a few laughs, recapture our misspent youth for three or four hours, then go our separate ways.

当时只打算做个一锤子买卖——们想在全美书商大会上演出两场，逗大伙，三四个钟头的时间重温一番们虚度的青春岁月，然后就各走各路。