I don't watch the Tonight Show. Or any late night shows for that matter. (I do record and savor "The Daily Show")

But I found myself reading this New York Times Magazine article on Conan O'Brien. 

I hope does well in his new gig.

Reflecting on his new job,  I found a few of Conan's words to be right on target and worth sharing.

“What I realized is, I’m still doing ‘The Tonight Show.’ That was my dream. When I can’t sleep and it’s 3 in the morning, I’m not thinking about Jay. I’m thinking about all the things I want to do on the show. And I’m not thinking about how I’m going to change myself to fit a certain demographic. I just have to block that nonsense out. In entertainment, you have to stake out what you think is right, you have to put out that signal, make sure it’s pure and then do it and do it and do it and know that they will come. And if they don’t, you have to pack up your bags and say: ‘I enjoyed my time here. Sorry it didn’t work out.’ But the biggest mistake would be to alter my signal to make sure that I reach all these different people. Because then you’re lost.”

Put out your signal.

Put out YOUR signal.

It might not work out.

But it will be true.

Was watching the show, Iconoclasts, on the Sundance Channel. 

They pair up creative folks, film them hanging out and talking, and the viewers get a glimpse into what makes these people so dang special. 

This episode put singer/songwriter Fiona Apple together with director Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino is a wacky dude, but he's clearly an artist with a vision and the confidence required to bring that vision into reality. 

He was talking about his craft — about making movies — when he said something that will stick with me (I hope).

As an aspiring filmmaker, Mr. Tarantino was talking to some fellow film enthusiasts about one of his favorite opening scenes in cinema. The image he described, like Mr. Tarantino, could be described as "twisted." (I'll spare you from it here). But he loved it and told his friends how one day he wanted to make a movie with such a provocative opening scene.

Upon hearing this, one of his friends chimed in, "Man, they'll never let you do that!"

To this, Mr. Tarantino shot back, "Who's they?"

In recalling this exchange, he was adamant. 

"I've given no one that authority of me. I can do anything I want. I can achieve whatever I want to achieve.

It's up to me.

There is no they.

In fact, by saying there is a they, you create a they."

He delivered these words with power of a man who knew he was right. 

Because he is.