The 4th of October was, like every year, World Animal Day. It’s not only a day for commercial and marketing people to enjoy. It’s also the feast day of Francis of Assisi, who was a nature lover and now is the patron saint of animals and the environment. Allegedly, in some countries this day is celebrated with blessings in churches and donations to animal welfare foundations.

I have a confession. I create comics. Well, not fully and completely, but I do write storyboards for short and longer comics. Maia draws them. We have filled quite some comic books together and we can even be found at the occasional comic convention. Dorky, aren’t we? Fortunately, we are girls, in which case writing and drawing comics is thought of as rather cute. Especially by male dorks.

I am a lucky girl. Since twelve months I am my own boss with my own writing and editing company and I’m making money and having fun. I have a brilliant boyfriend, a loving family and good friends. I am healthy and self-confident. Things are going pretty well. Things aren’t motionless either. There is constant progress. But sometimes a whole lot of progress can aggravate a whole lot of stress. I am a lucky girl. But I feel like crap... MORE...

“I don’t want to go…” “But you have to… and it will be okay, don’t worry…” “Meh, I just have a bad feeling about it. News won’t be good…” “Yes it will, and if it isn’t they will just patch you up nicely.” “I dunno…” “Honey, why are you shaking? And you look… you look a bit pale…” “I’m scared…”

Once again I find myself forcing Matt and me to watch the news every day. Once again I find myself reading elaborate discussions on the internet endlessly. Once again I find myself caught in deliberate arguments about who, how and why. Once again all eyes are on America.