Let me splash down some facts at random: I was born in Boston, I live in Canada, a country I love. Canada suits me, and although I remain a U.S. citizen I am honoured by the fact my friends have dubbed me an honorary Canadian. I *understand* Canada: a self-doubting, sometimes self-loathing, self-mocking, sarcastic, observant country is where I belong, because that's the way I am, too. I live my life in shame and anxiety, relieved and redeemed only by love, laughter, friends, and family, and I try to capture that in my writing. Whenever I catch myself making a case for being the way I am, I stop myself. That's what other writers do. In my writing I try to be like: "I wish it were otherwise, I'm trying to *make* things better and be a better person, but in the meantime, this is the way things really are." As Montaigne says: "If I had written to seek the world's favor, I should have bedecked myself better, and should present myself in a studied posture. I want to be seen here in my simple, natural, ordinary fashion, without straining or artifice; for it is myself that I portray." Which is why Montaigne is one of the few writers from his era you can still read. It's amazing how modern wit and honesty always remain. It's the same with Byron's "Don Juan," and Oscar Wilde. My favourite living writer is the tragically obscure Edward Limonov, also I love John Fante (also mostly unknown) and others. What else? I drive a white 1965 Ford Galaxy 500, I have a beautiful and longsuffering wife who is my queen and goddess and for whom I would take a bullet any day of the week, ditto my three little kids. We have a house, we're always broke, but happy. We live on a park, where we spend all our time. Friends and family are everything.

Peace and love, DE

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