Ian Frazier Quotes

Siberia is so big, it’s almost more an idea than a place

When the days start to get shorter, I want to be in some nice brick building on the East Coast with the lights glowing in the windows. When the daylight starts changing, I want to be out West.

Every once in a while, people need to be in the presence of things that are really far away.

People in Russia adapt to misery by a deep, deep humor.

There's an idea of the Plains as the middle of nowhere, something to be contemptuous of. But it's really a heroic place.

Everything in Russia is made of cement - phone booths, fence posts and light bulbs.

Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives.

I don't have a disregard for my reader in humor pieces.

I think what is important for things to be funny is if you the listener, or the reader, get a chance to supply the humor of it yourself.

Sometimes travel is merely an opportunity taken when you can.

Despite the obvious benefits, many Americans do not like Texas. Some even say they despise Texas, and make no secret of their feelings.

A book tour is not a good opportunity to let your mind wander. You have to pay attention, remember salespeople's and interviewers' names, succinctly summarize your book in a 'selling' way, and so on.

Leading economists have shown that by shrinking Texas, we can actually create more income for Texas in the long run.

I am an author, and like many in my profession, I am also a traveling salesman, going all over in an attempt to persuade people to spend twenty-five dollars on a hardcover book by me.

I don't want to collect Indian art, though pots and beadwork and blankets made by Indians remain the most beautiful art objects in the American West, in my opinion.

America can enjoy a vital, fully functioning government, with all the benefits provided by Texas, while reducing Texas at the same time.

Russians don't complain, usually.

I only saw one English-speaking person all the way across Siberia.

When I needed to think or was really upset, generally I climbed a tree.

Human connection is the way things work. It's like a patronage system. You know somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows the district governor, and it's okay.

Words are charms. It's like a song you didn't even know you knew.

Writing humor for me is more like a watchful-ness. You have to watch. When you say something funny, or someone else does, it's more like you wait for the piece.

One very important key to maintaining our daily sanity is a simple scheduling tactic I call Putting Things the Hell Off.

Would Crazy Horse have spent this much to remodel a kitchen?