I'm very staid compared to my students, actually.

On the surface we all act like we all love each other and we're free and easy, and actually we're far more moralistic than any other society I've ever lived in.

We send students all over the world to gain experience that will be put to good use as they join the workforce and help to make U.S. agriculture more competitive. Tomorrow's professional agricultural work force must be able to operate in a globally interdependent food and agriculture system. The very best way to prepare for work in this globally competitive industry is to spend time studying or working in a foreign culture.

Sex. You can't lie to yourself sexually. If you don't want it, it's the most disgusting thing in the world.

Why am I begging you, who parades your suffering over the ruins like a king in order to ensure that you will never be touched deeply, you who're always laughing.

Well, I think writing is basically about time and rhythm. Like with jazz. You have your basic melody and then you just riff off of it. And the riffs are about timing.