Republicans on the Hill, of course, are being cast as the nihilists in the drama, as the ones who want to blow things up.

WSJ: Government by Freakout

It didn't blow things up, but it sure smelled good.

FORBES: Magazine Article

People may like to watch things blow up and see cool special effects, but they also want good stories.

FORBES: Movies Need More Interesting Super Villains

If you asked most people in the financial markets that question they would point to two things: another blow-up in the eurozone crisis, and the lurking fear that US budget policies are heading over a "fiscal cliff".

BBC: Gauging the fiscal cliff

Eventually, things break down and blow up.

FORBES: 13 Little Things You're Doing to Sabotage Your Success

It's just a case of holding things together now and making sure I don't blow up.

BBC: European Championships: Drug cheats spur on Dobriskey