Siberia is so big, it’s almost more an idea than a place

Human connection is the way things work. It's like a patronage system. You know somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows the district governor, and it's okay.

Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives.

I don't want to collect Indian art, though pots and beadwork and blankets made by Indians remain the most beautiful art objects in the American West, in my opinion.

I think what is important for things to be funny is if you the listener, or the reader, get a chance to supply the humor of it yourself.

I don't have a disregard for my reader in humor pieces.

When the days start to get shorter, I want to be in some nice brick building on the East Coast with the lights glowing in the windows. When the daylight starts changing, I want to be out West.