The stinking, burning smell of a car-tastrophe

Barely a week into Bizarro World, and on a drive back from a hike this evening, my brakes began to feel a bit soft and Bianca detected a noxious, burning odor coming from the right front wheel well. My steed is a 1996 car often described as "feminine" and "sissyish" as well as "rather sad, really." But it's been reliable. Taking it in tomorrow to our trusty Armenian mechanic brothers to give it the once over. Hope it doesn't knock me back too much. I felt we were really building up a head of steam moving into Bizarro World. I envy my brother who at thirty hasn't owned a car in seven years; I read somewhere that not owning a car saves you about 6 large a year.