I’ve lived in Malton most of my life, so I’m used to people offering me drugs and young prostitutes when I go outside. I usually hear gunshots and people screaming “call 911”. Ottawa is different, but also the same. There are a lot of new immigrants here. Just like in Malton. But Malton has a lot of brown immigrants and Ottawa seems to have a lot of black immigrants. I live near a mall called Carlingwood which is similar to the Westwood mall except I bet nobody has been stabbed hear recently.
Ottawa has been a “detox” for me in a certain way. It’s a different scene, even though I have 2-3 friends here that I see regularly. My day usually involves prayer, work, school (through distance education) and sharing my faith with people. Financially I’m not doing so well. My diet is potatoes and bread.
Last night I took a walk and couldn’t believe what I saw. An elderly man, maybe in his 70’s, mowing his lawn in a full tuxedo while wife watches and yells at him. I don’t know what he did to her. Maybe he didn’t put down the toilet seat? Maybe he lost a bet with her? I just hope I don’t end up like him.
On September 11 2001 I was doing my work at my desk, and as is my custom I like to have the news on for a few minutes each day so I’m up to date on what’s going on in the world. I watched lived tv and saw hijacked planes crash purposefully into the two towers in New York City. I’ve visited New York City more times than I can count, both for business and pleasure. When I watched the towers collapse in the news, I could barely believe what I was seeing, and yet I could, because the Bible says these kinds of things will happen because of the evil hearts of people. If I had the ability, I would go to New York right away to help with the rescue effort, which is ongoing. I wonder about the many lives lost as I received a phone call from a friend who was almost in tears because of this.