"It's different, and sometimes you get tired of shooting stuff or blowing things up." Kevin Blakely, on Bass Fishing, the new GameWorks simulation by Sega.

"The No. 1 thing you want when you're starting a company is momentum, so you can attract investors, customers, employees and partners." Kim Polese, CEO of Marimba, on achieving success and sustainablity with startups.

"I've got down to the engine room of this business to find out how it ticks." British Home Secretary Jack Straw, on his recent series of visits to MI5's headquarters in Central London.

"We want novels that have beginnings and ends, plays that tell stories and don't leave us stranded with characters who are passively waiting for someone or something that may not exist. In art, too, we yearn for plot. . . . This is the '90s and we're all very busy, so please, spare us the big cosmic riddles." Art critic Deborah Solomon, in profile of painter Chuck Close.

"I would say that this thing probably won't hit us. But if its orbit continues to approach us, we should have a better idea before long." Dr. Brian G. Marsden of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, commenting on the announcement that an asteroid may pass within 30,000 miles of Earth on October 25, 2028.

"Living Treasures are models,...a remedy for the values that our kids grow up with. These people are models, and we need to honor our models. Mary Lou Cook of Santa Fe, announcing the newest Living Treasure awards, recognizing accomplishments of older people in the community.

"Has anyone heard that USC is combining the law and drama schools so that lawyers will get better training in play-acting, and actors will get better instruction in lawyering?" Art Buchwald, nationally syndicated humorist.

"We are certain there is water (on the moon). The implications are tremendous. For the first time, we know that when we go to another planetary body, we can fuel up." Dr. Alan Binder, head of NASA's Lunar Prospector mission, on the detection of tiny flecks of ice in remote sunless moon craters.

"If you think that smelling the roses -- a passive, isolating, purely contemplative pursuit -- is what your future has in store for you, consider the meaning of vitality before you head for the botanical gardens." Dr. Steven Berglas, on retirement.

"If you take the long view of the toy industry, what it's going to be like in the next 10 to 20 years, the toy companies that will be the most successful will be the ones who use technology." Doug Glen, chief strategy officer for Mattel, on announcement that Mattel and Intel will jointly develop toys designed with PC technologies.

"I want what they had, and I'll tell you, I'm not going to stop until I find it, now that I know it's out there." Carrie Tislow, commenting on the love affair of Jack and Rose in 'Titanic.'"

"The networks have figured out what local news has known for a long time: that they can scare people into watching." Bob Lichter, Center for Media and Public Affairs, on the increased number of murder stories on network newscasts.

"It is our challenges in life that teach us our lessons." Gladys Knight, discussing "Life" during a concert in Las Vegas.

"We decided years ago that the most important element in this business is information technology, and we have geared everything to that philosophy -- recruitment, training and compensation. Fail-safe precision is the key to it all." Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and CEO of FedEx, on global strategy.

"The Web is about to turn into a virtual world. It will soon become a three-dimensional parallel world." Philippe Ulrich, founder of Cryo Interactive, on development of a new programming language called SCOL that, he says, will enable even beginners to create 3-D sites "with ease."

"Hundreds of amateur meteorologists (known as 'weather wonks') across Los Angeles spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on digital rain gauges, weather satellite uplinks and delicate analog barometers, often for no other reason than that they find weather, even Southern California weather, utterly fascinating." Eric Slator, writing in the Los Angeles Times.

"Being a low-level celebrity has its perks--and almost no responsibilities." Ben Stein, speechwriter, actor, lawyer, professor, columnist, and game show host.

"A man who keeps his hat on in bed, and whistles during sex, may not be quite as casual as he seems. He may want to have a son." Audrey Magee, writing about traditional Irish superstitions.

"Everyone with a TV is a potential TV critic." Matt Roush, new television critic for TV Guide.

"It's a lot of foolishness and a lot of fun if you don't take it too seriously. You go up that hill and you wonder about it, but then next year you always want to go back." Jack Lingenfelter of Punxsuatawney, Pennsylvania, commenting on the annual Groundhog Day event at Gobbler's Knob.

"Go browse through the area (in a bookstore) that has books you want to read. That's where you'll find people with your interests." Susan Rabin, commenting on a "flirting safari."

"In negotiating, he who speaks first generally comes out on the short end of the stick." Frank L. Acuff, author of "How to Negotiate Anything with Anyone, Anywhere Around the Globe."