Global Chaos - Local Normal

I find it amazing that the global situation can be so chaotic and confused, yet life in my local neighborhood is so quiet and calm. Sometimes this world just seems so unreal, like living in a dream. We hear all this bad news in the media, while all around us, life goes on as normal. What are we to make of the saber-rattling between the USA and Russian over the breakaway provinces in Georgia? Is this the precursor for World War III? Hurrican Gustav is about to ravage the Gulf Coast states; it seems headed right for New Orleans. Yet here I sit at my computer, pondering the nature of reality, while outside the sky is clear and calm and the stars shine bright. What, afterall, is "real"? Can we awake from this dream, and see that which is real beneath? Is there anything beyond our thoughts?