My mother died of metastatic colorectal cancer shortly before three P.M. on Christmas Day of 2008. I don't know the exact time of her death because none of us thought to look at a clock for a while after she stopped breathing.

I have a musical called Goodbye and Good Luck based on a Grace Paley short story. I also have King Island Christmas and there are 20 different productions of it this year.

When I was younger I probably didn't understand something basic about tact but I think it kept faint-hearted people at arm's distance and that's not such a bad thing because life is short and I know the kind of people I want to work with.

A man can be short and dumpy and getting bald but if he has fire women will like him.

Women want love to be a novel men a short story.

You know it's sort of common wisdom among New York publishers that short story collections don't make money.

A short saying often contains much wisdom.

I have a crusade against fondant also shortening. There's no reason why wedding cakes can't taste good if you know what you're doing.

After I had the Caesarean I was told I had really strong stomach muscles and so would heal very quickly. And I did. I was up walking about within three hours. Six days after having her I was out shopping and shortly after that I made it to David Walliams' wedding.

Personally I'm an advocate for short engagements. Long sometimes means there is a reason for it. Two years engaged and no wedding... I'd be upset.

In short it may be said that on paper the obligations to settle international disputes peacefully are now so comprehensive and far-reaching that it is almost impossible for a state to resort to war without violating one or more solemn treaty obligations.

All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.

The man who cannot endure to have his errors and shortcomings brought to the surface and made known but tries to hide them is unfit to walk the highway of truth.

Your days are short here this is the last of your springs. And now in the serenity and quiet of this lovely place touch the depths of truth feel the hem of Heaven. You will go away with old good friends. And don't forget when you leave why you came.

When you explain to people what you're trying to do as opposed to just making demands or delegating tasks you can build instant trust even if it's just for that short time you're on the phone.

Well the whole story is in the book but the short answer is that I was the first information architect in an organization that was traditionally design-oriented and I felt I needed a tool to help me gain the trust and support of my colleagues.

I find I like to work with a lot of the same actors because I find that there's sort of shorthand there and there is this unspoken trust both ways. They trust me and I trust them. And I know what I'm going to get from them to an extent. It's just fun kind of creating this little family.