When I was 19 I went travelling with my friend J. for seven weeks. I'd somehow managed to convince my parents that instead of finishing up my sophomore year of college, I should wander around France, Germany and Italy. J. was in her senior year of college, and many of our conversations involved the mention of the "White Dove of Inspiration" sent from above to tell her what she was supposed to do after she graduated.

My white dove has dressed up like a pidgeon, joined a gang that orchestrates attacks on unwary pedestrians, and told the powers-that-be where to shove it.