Everything is relative. I often gripe about things that greatly annoy me and every so often comes along that puts things into perspective. This weekend would be a textbook example.
I’ve been looking out for Guitar Hero II. I recently got Guitar Hero III: Legends and greatly enjoy it, but Guitar Hero II has more songs I like. After doing some chores outside the house I wanted to go to the city to see if I could get it. Unfortunately for me, the game is nowhere to be found; even specialized stores were unable to help me. Apparently the distributors don’t have it in stock as well.
To make matters more frustrating, I come across a Guitar Hero III set with TWO guitars for less than I bought my Guitar Hero III 2 weeks ago. That, in a store that I was in, 2,5 weeks ago checking to see if they had it (which they didn’t).
So, without my game and with the distinct sensation I got a financial wedgy I went home.
A few hours later I get a phone call from my parents, who were on the way to France for vacation: Their trailer home had a wheel break off on the middle of the highway.
Apparently they barely managed to get everything on the escape lane. By a small miracle no one was hit by the wheel as it flew over the southbound side of the freeway. It ended up in the barrier between the two major lanes.
Without trailer (which had to be taken by special transport) they headed home, watching their second attempt at a vacation this year fall to ruin.
Aside from the fact the trailer home is badly damaged and they will have to find other means to have a vacation I realize that it was a very close call; had the situation been different I might have had severely injured or even dead parents. That thought just sends shivers down my spine.
Events like this really puts things in perspective; one moment you are griping about having paid too much for a game, the next you are glad your parents are still alive.
All things considering, it was a relatively good weekend.