I was very aware of office politics because I was so baffled by them. So much so goes unsaid. No one says 'you're a cheeky so-and-so ' no one says 'you're so moody ' nobody ever confronts anyone else about anything. But I'm very crass and I'm very confrontational and I have a temper. I had to be hyper-vigilant in every office I worked in.

I've never worked in politics never been a member of an official committee or a political party.

My college Fitzwilliam was pretty good but unfashionable and I lived in digs so I was not part of the cloistered 'old college' environment which frankly was a bit intimidating. But I worked hard and settled in by exploring politics and girls.

No matter where I go - London Beirut Jerusalem Washington Beijing or Bangalore - I'm always looking to rediscover that land of ten thousand lakes where politics actually worked to make people's lives better not pull them apart.

They say women talk too much. If you have worked in Congress you know that the filibuster was invented by men.

A group of us started a community center in Santa Monica. We've tried different programs and three have worked really well. A poetry group. Once a week we visit Venice High and talk to girls at risk.

I'm not really one for fancy big words and poetry and the scriptwriters worked very hard on 'Paradise Lost' to translate it.

I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get.

Most Italians who came to this country are very patriotic. There was this exciting possibility that if you worked real hard and you loved something you could become successful.

I've worked so hard to eliminate the inner geek from my life. I suddenly realize I have no patience for those people who still have their geeks showing. Now I see why being 'normal' has been so important to me.