Squashed Frog.
Thats right, I haven't died. I've just been a wee bit busy, what with the whole interhemisphere immigration thing, as well.

When people panic, they're amazing to watch. Even the slightest little irritation, and they're up in your face, demanding you head on a spike. I recognise the symptoms of panic simply because I've been there too many times. Panic City is not a nice place to be.

For anybody reading this who has lived their lives in a padded cell, panic is what your feeling when your hair stands on end and your spine starts to jangle and the walls of your mind seem to close in around you. Your eyesight seems to vanish, quite strangely, especially if you're looking for that Important Thing that has vanished. If you're freaking out about a situation, then it seems like the world is going to end. Its just as impossible to think "outside the box" as it is to think, in general. Nasty voices start whispering in your mind, as the cynical part of your brain goes into hyperdrive. Panic seems to amplify every negative thought in the universe and direct them all to your poor fragile little mind.

People, when panicked, seem to run about the house like their arses are on fire. No clues as to what they're doing, or where they're going. As I've said before, its quite astounding to sit and watch somebody rise through the various stages of panic and phobia.

Like today...
"Jac, you seen my keys, sweetheart?"
"Do you know where my keys are?"
"Can you remember seeing me with my keys?"
"Would you be able to check your bedroom?"
"Where the hell are my keys?"
"Where the fuck are they?"
"Get off your arse and help me find my god damned fucking keys."
"For fucks sake. Where the fuck have you put them?"

.... what? these keys here? The ones you've been walking past every minute for the past half hour? These ones right here with the big yellow key-chain? The ones right here on the kitchen bench, right where you left them?

Ouch.

Did I mention that panic is often associated with violence? I think I need an X-Ray.