Are they all "quarter-life crises"?
No they are just life crises, and there are many. In my blog, I was trying to describe the specific characteristics of a quarter-life crisis. Wikipedia says the symptoms come on when a person first faces "the real world" - the specific difficulties that coincide with realizing you are responsible for your life and that things might be harder than you thought. I don't think having my father die when I was 16 was related in any way to a quarter-life crisis. That was just a crappy thing that affected my family. The quarter-life crisis is a specific kind of disillusionment -- and I don't think it happens to everyone. (and maybe too, it doesn't exist) - Keep us posted on your NYC experiences.
Ya, I know I am being difficult with this. But I definitely see your point. I think we can find some general defining characteristics of these events in people's lives. Unfortunately, my NYC experience has been a little disappointing so far. I've caught a bad cold and I'm having trouble enjoying myself. I went to the MoMA today and Central Park.