My mother was an elementary school teacher for 35 years and taught at the Nixon School in New Jersey. I was raised as a very liberal Democrat, and she was protesting Nixon when he was in office.

I waited a long time out in the world before I gave myself permission to fail. Please don't even bother asking. Don't bother telling the world you are ready. Show it. Do it.

I spend my nights just sitting and reading a book and drinking my tea and walking my dog. That's about as exciting as my life gets.

I hate that word — 'lucky.' It cheapens a lot of hard work

I love animals. All animals. I wouldn't hurt a cat or a dog — or a chicken, or a cow. And I wouldn't ask someone else to hurt them for me. That's why I'm a vegetarian.

You can say no. You can not be the object of ridicule.

I was fortunate enough to have an upbringing that made me more accepting of who I am.

I dress and eat like a fifth-grader, basically. I like sandwiches and cereal and hooded sweatshirts.

George Martin is an incredible writer.

Being on television, playing the same character for many years, for me, I think that would get a little tedious.

Call me Elf......one more time!

I know not which lives more unnatural lives, obeying husbands, or commanding wives.

Do you live to eat or eat to live?

If you don't eat right as an athlete, you'll get tired and won't be as sharp. It's simple to drink sodas and sports drinks, but water is the most essential drink to put in your body.

Maybe if I have another baby [I will grow my hair], because your hair grows super fast. I'll just grow it out and go natural for a minute.

I would agree with [criminal suspects being subjected to a DNA test after arrest]...if that's one step closer to finding out who has (committed a crime), then I think we should do it.

The lessons we learn from the wild become the etiquette of freedom.

Life isn't a dress rehearsal

Adults are living increasingly as children: completely in their imaginations. Reading Harry Potter while every newspaper in the country goes out of business. They know so little that is real.

People don't trust the federal government as it relates to health care.

The test of a writer is whether you want to read him again years after he should by the rules be dated.