A new man today. The hard edginess, from lack of sleep, is gone. Slept a solid nine hours. Bright, alive, refreshed.

A tale of two worlds...

1. The conference is basically a 'mindfuck.' Robert Gates, former CIA Director, kicked it off with a speech laying out the future in America Terror Central. The assumption is that more devastating attacks are coming, they are inevitable, unavoidable. The 'terrorists' are dedicated, mad, evil. No discussion of underlying motives. The impression is that no policy changes are necessary, we must fight these crazies, and be prepared to deal with the inevitable destruction. No one is asking why 'they' hate us. No one is asking how we can change the world to dissipate the hate. The response is complete, hard-edged, fear. Fortress America: what do we give up to fight the terror?

2. Old Montreal is beautiful. Old world. Narrow, cobblestone, streets, beautiful, graceful, refined, dazzling, young French Canadien women everywhere. I walked the streets of Old Montreal for hours, soaking up the atmosphere. Street theater: a sword swallower, a magican ('the definition of magic: a one time affair'), the life of the paving stones. This is what a city should be: good food, good shops, people out in the cafes, the restaurants, the street itself entertainment.

The Stereotype: the Americans are fat, ugly, loud, bringing with them their obnoxious culture of money and fear. The French Canadiens: beautiful, refined, cultured, happy, carefree, unaware of the dark underbelly of capital.

Could it be the stereotype is 'correct?' If I must choose, I choose a life of joy, not fear; life, not death. Terror, war, fear, are not inevitable. Open your eyes. The world is a beautiful place to live.

Perfect , August, blue sky over Old Montreal, hundreds of little white birds dancing in the air.