Here are a few examples of how much more paranoid I have been getting because of the recent developments with the Gulf War:

• After my workout yesterday evening at the fitness club, I always reward myself with a nice hot sauna. While I was sitting there, this strange odor was coming from somewhere and it stunk pretty bad. The first thing that came to my mind was a possible gas attack. So I left in a hurry and went back to the safety of my own home.
• After attending the Amsterdam American Business Club luncheon, I realized how lucky I had been to escape a possible terrorist attack. This feeling was only made worse when someone happened to tell me that I had been sitting at the same table as the American ambassador. I had been a prime target without realizing it.
• Having my oldest son Lennart so far away in Hungary does not make me feel very good, and I am becoming more concerned about him. He is proud to be an American and does not hesitate to impress his surroundings with this knowledge. I cannot wait for him to get back safely this weekend, not that Hungary is such a risky country to be in, but it is the idea that he is not at home that makes me feel edgy.
• This evening I was scheduled to attend an evening dinner seminar at the Rotterdam American Business Club. But because I am concerned about my safety and the well-being of my family, I have decided to cancel it. Ironically enough the topic of the presentation was "U.S. Port Security". I hope they do not think I am some kind of coward.
• I am increasingly leary about raising my voice too much in public especially when speaking English with a thick American accent or even Dutch where my accent comes through clearly for those in search for the enemy.
• Alright, perhaps I should stop writing in this blog for awhile. Just in case, you never know what could happen.