I was at a conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba last week. I flew there in a roundabout way. Leaving from Canada into the States and then back into Canada. The tickets were booked weeks in advance and could not be changed. While waiting for my 4:30 am bus to beat the cross-border traffic into Detroit to catch my 9:30 flight, the short-cut through Minnesota didn't seem too efficient anymore. 

Before leaving, I made sure I had plenty of photo ID and no sharp objects with me. The nail clippers stayed at home.

I tried very hard not to speak of bombs or terrorism in the airport, and yet CNN was allowed to prattle on incessantly about "the current situation" and possible military engagement with Afghanistan. Every magazine in the airport giftshops had the remnants of the twin World Trade towers on the cover. The Stars and Stripes were everywhere.

As instructed, my colleague and I did not take our plastic knives from Cinnibon outside of the food consumption area.

And yet, once on board my flight I noticed I was surrounded by large men wearing camouflage and reading "Guns and Ammo". Somewhere, hunting season had evidently begun.

Strange days indeed.