At college, I wanted to be a poet. I liked the extremely concentrated language, the atmosphere of otherworldliness.
Reason leavened with a little wit (if possible) is the real alternative to hate speech, meaning that there's no better time for it.
As she sallied forth from her boudoir, you would never have guessed how quickly she could strip for action.
If you continue to act like an artist as you get older, you'll increasingly feel pressure. People will question your actions.
It wasn't a deliberate decision to become a poet. It was something I found myself doing - and loving. Language became an addiction.
Some heat, some spice and plenty of citrus are the building blocks of many North African fish dishes.
Rice and vermicelli is a common combination in Arab and Turkish cooking - it has a lighter texture than rice on its own.
For people who think of chicken as the meat choice of those-who-don't-really-like-meat, brining a bird will be a revelation.
My all-time favourite classic use of ricotta is in gnudi: fluffy, cheesy dumplings of almost ethereal, feathery lightness.
Sweet potatoes are ideal for lazy days: just bake, then mash and mix with yogurt, butter or olive oil.
Greek yogurt with some olive oil stirred in can transform many dishes.
I adore recipes that make use of one cut of meat or a whole animal to create a complex dish, loaded with flavour.
Barley and mushroom is a soothing combination. It's mainly a textural thing, with the barley both gently breaking and enhancing the mushroomy gloopiness.
Preparing and cooking squid is easier than most fish. The only thing to remember is not to cook it for too long.
Most British cheeses are now vegetarian and are labelled accordingly. However, French and Italian manufacturers still tend to use rennet.
I don't think that everybody in the planet should have a child. I've never had the desire I should have a kid.
The funkiest housing in Holland is for low-income, and I think that's very nice.
I'm very happy. I like my work and the various aspects of it - going around the world, teaching the gospel according to St. Albert.
My lab and academic work fill my day from about 9 am to 7 p.m. Then I zoom out the lens to work on my other writing.
Blessed is the man who has some congenial work, some occupation in which he can put his heart, and which affords a complete outlet to all the forces there are in him.
Sun Tzu does not need my praise. His work has lived for over two thousand years, and will surely live for another two thousand without any help from me.
