I have long been one of those tedious people who rails against the coronation of 'student-athletes.' I have heard the argument that big-time athletics bring in loads of money to universities. I don't believe the money goes anywhere other than back into the sports teams, but that's another story.

I went to a football school, which meant that I went to a university that served up education and was simultaneously operating a sports franchise.

It seems that half the point of being in Miami Beach - particularly the northern end of South Beach - is to be observed by people-watchers like me, and the display along Ocean Drive during my visit was, as always, sublime.

We do a lot of bird-watching up in the country, but we almost never have a chance to people-watch. There simply aren't enough human beings up here: there is nowhere you can park yourself with a cup of coffee and observe the species on parade.

I feel somewhat responsible for the Borders Books bankruptcy.

Even after I'd published three books and had been writing full-time for twenty years, my father continued to urge me to go to law school.

I like the idea that people get engaged thinking about design, about creativity. I don't see how it could possibly be bad.