Crisis of Life...

I am going to start this blog with a crisis. Well, a crisis situation at least. Two things have happened this week that could have been potential much worse than they were. How we cope within a situation, especially one that we have zero control over, fascinates me. Do we panic or do we stay calm? Do we laugh or cry?

The first incident occurred on a train ride back from the city, to my small "burb" town. The train broke down, which was a first for me, and a 10 millionth for my girl friend with me. Twenty minutes later I get up, walk to the front of the car, and figure out what is going on. Now, about 15 people have exited the train at this point, and we are lounging in the back chatting (not really one to panic about just being stuck). So I saunter up and inquire as to What the Heck is going on?

Low and behold, the brakes don't work. Brakes. Not wire malfunction. Brakes. What was the solution you ask? Well, I was thinking..."Hey, we are totally going to get a new train, right?" Hell no. I was told..."Mam, we are going to attempt to work the breaks in the front car, and move everyone up there." Attempt. No No. You do not attempt to work breaks. They either work or they don't.

Needless to say, we got off the train. (As a side note, it IS possible to look sketchy in work clothes while waiting for a cab. I was just praying the cop didn't pull up and ask, god forbid, if I had been drinking. "Why, yes officer. I did have a glass of Merlot with my veggie burger, post-shopping." Jeez!)


The second incident that happened wasn't necessarily to me, but was freaky none-the-less. My poor roommate had a hacker break into her email. Terrifying! And he/she was able to talk to her, and changed things around on the account, along with other accounts linked to that email. That is a scary thought. In a world where we all depend heavily on technology, that has the ability to be crippling.

Both events, although very different, have the ability to cripple someone, and ingnite a bonfire of emotions. How would you have reacted to each, being that both are completely out of your control?