From beneath the chemical-warfare-proof plastic sheet I have draped across one corner of my living room, the world looks decidedly sinister. The grey light gasping to push through the dust-flecked window speaks one word - doom.
Inside, though, I feel safe. Surrounded by piles of necessities to weather the storm, I know I will be able to survive the four years of President George W. Bush's second term. Maybe.
I am uncertain because I am not sure if the rise in global temperatures, increasing number of terrorist attacks, collapsing American dollar or nuclear proliferation will get me first.
After listening to Mr Bush's declaration of victory in Tuesday's US election, I decided there was nothing to do but prepare for the worst. The past four years have not been that much fun, after all.
First, there was the bursting of the dot com bubble, then all those threats against Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Then there were the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the wars against the Taleban and Saddam Hussein, not to mention Sars, bird flu and rising oil prices. Call me weak, but I can only respond to the idea of another such roller-coaster ride with two words: No thanks.
There was, of course, the option of fleeing to Canada, a long-time safe haven for draft-dodging Americans and, more recently, those in need of gay marriage, abortions and legal marijuana. However, the thought of joining the long lines promised by the Canadian immigration department was not appealing.
Besides, coming from a sub-tropical climate, and with winter already set in, I must confess to an aversion for thermal underwear, wind-chill factors and mukluks (the soft boots made of reindeer or seal skin, favoured by Eskimos).
