What a brutish master sin is, taking the joy from one's life, stealing money and health, giving promise of tomorrow's pleasures, and finally leading one onto the rotten planking that overlies the mouth of the pit.

My studio cube is an experiment in solar heating and design. The south wall is covered with glass planks that collect and distribute heat naturally to my work studio on the second level.

Galactic plankton is undoubtedly out there, but it's statistically highly likely there's also another intelligent civilisation out there somewhere. Unfortunately, the distances and time differences are so great, communication might remain impossible.

I don't pay attention to the number of birthdays. It's weird when I say I'm 53. It just is crazy that I'm 53. I think I'm very immature. I feel like a kid. That's why my back goes out all the time, because I completely forget I can't do certain things anymore - like doing the plank for 10 minutes.

There's no doubt that 'the plank' is one of the best core exercises on the planet.

"I stepped from Plank to Plank

? Who cares about the crowded, broad road? I'll walk the single-plank bridge into the night?

Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.

The maid that loves goes out to sea upon a shattered plank and puts her trust in miracles for safety.

A singer for me is more like someone who is standing alone with a microphone like Scott Walker rather than someone who is bashing a plank and is spitting all over a microphone.