I think if you study--if you learn too much of what others have done, you may tend to take the same direction as everybody else.

I know I drive some people crazy with what seems like ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked for me.

At the University of Maryland, my first year I started off planning to major in art because I was interested in theatre design, stage design or television design.

Nobody creates a fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig. It’s like a conspiracy.

I know it's easier to portray a world filled with cynicism and anger, where problems are solved with violence...It's an easy out. What's a whole lot tougher is to offer alternatives, to present other ways conflicts can be resolved, and to show you can have a positive impact on your world. To do that, you have to put yourself out on a limb, take chances, and run the risk of being called a do-gooder.

I really do believe that all of you are at the beginning of a wonderful journey.As you start traveling down that road of life, remember this: There are never enough comfort stops. The places you're going to are never on the map. And once you get that map out, you won't be able to re-fold it no matter how smart you are. So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can pull over and have picnic with a pig. And if you can help it never fly as cargo.

I've never felt any sense of competition with anybody, and we're all friends. We're all good friends.