as country songs do , the tragedy of the day unfolded in a careful , steady rhythm as i methodically worked my way through a mental checklist of all that had happened : no conditioner leading to crazy , puffy , nest-like hair : check broken heel of new shoes on sewer grate : check train station closed for unscheduled construction : check lost contact after being knocked in the shoulder as crowd hustled out of elevator : check spilled coffee on best , and most favorite white button-down shirt : guess i can cross that off my bucket list .