Robert Vavra is one of these artists, part magician, part alchemist, who is able to create a series of photographs in unforgettable compositions. Only visible are the dunes, the blinding fields of flowers and the vast sky, the epic intimacy of Robert Vavra's vision.

I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me the most civilised music in the world.

I had started by imitating a parrot, which is unusual, in that a parrot is supposed to imitate you. By taking the initiative you allow the parrot no alternative but to be itself, which proves again that attack is often the best defence.

Life is unfair but remember sometimes it is unfair in your favour.

Sometimes I wish I could just fall in love. Then, at least you know who your opponent is.

The older I get, the more people listen to me - even though I say the same as always.

Generals are fascinating cases of arrested development - after all, at five all of us wanted to be generals.