Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.
No two wars are identical.
If I'm in danger then it's usually my fault and it's up to me to get myself out of it. I am not in it just to get an adrenalin rush. No way!
I've never been one to sit around and eat my heart out. Life's too short.
I don't want to be involved in endless media gossip.
Hair is also a problem. I remember once, when I was reporting from Beirut at the height of the civil war, someone wrote in to the BBC complaining about my appearance.