University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small.

She touted [the convention] in her campaign literature until she lost — badly,

But, like Shakespeare, I too am often occupied with the pursuit of my creative endeavors and dealing with all aspects of life's mundane matters. "Who are the best musicians for these songs?" "Am I recording in the right studio?" "Is this song in the right key?" Some things never change, even in 400 years.

Not once have I ever had the time to ask myself, "Are my songs literature?"

So, I do thank the Swedish Academy, both for taking the time to consider that very question, and, ultimately, for providing such a wonderful answer.

I was the night foreman of a galvanizing factory, which is hot and smelly and dirty and miserable.

I am placed in situations with opportunities in those situations that others are not. I don't believe that that is happenstance. I believe that there is a God that has a plan for me.

It's by far the hardest transaction I've ever been involved with, but I still think it has enormous underlying value,