I like knowing what’s going on in the Bay Area, and mostly that’s a good thing. I can share weather reports, traffic updates, among other things. Sales at the Coach outlet? Done.

Yet when accidents happen, for whatever reasons, I feel bad. I have nothing to do with them yet I’m sad that they happened, and people are affected: the first responders, the victims, those that stop to help prior to the EMTs/police showing up. I’ve been there and it’s hard to stuff down the urge to vomit among some bloody injuries, but that 911 call needs to happen no matter what.

I wish there was a way to follow up with the people I help. I usually stuff a card into a pocket but that’s no guarantee. The newspapers will report the accident but not the follow-up. That’s more important to me, to know how people fared and how they’re moving on.

And if I read nothing more about the incident I’m fine: I have enough in my life that a thing I didn’t schedule that jumped up and I dealt with isn’t a big deal.

Sometimes, I wonder. I’m curious about things, especially if they jump up in my face. Is that a human thing? Another thing I’m curious about.