What are the Chances?!?!

Back in May 2007, I wrote an entry entitled What are the Chances?!?! It was a story about a weird coincidence. I think I will call these "WATCh" stories. You've already read WATCh #1. Here are #2 and #3.


WATCh #2

A few weeks ago I went to a local dollar store by my home to buy toothpicks for baking. I hate walking into dollar stores when I'm specifically looking for one thing. The aisles are narrow and and cluttered with loads of knick-knacks. It's hard to find anything because of all the sensory overload. It's not uncommon to walk out buying a load of things, but not what you went there to buy in the first place.

Anyway, I mentally prepared myself this time. I just kept repeating "toothpicks, toothpicks, toothpicks" in my head. When I started heading down the aisle of kitchen stuff, there was a girl standing there holding a load of things—everything from gift bags to an ice cream scooper. She looked like she had been in the store for at least an hour. So, my theory was that if she had been in there long enough to pick out so many items, she may have come across the toothpicks at some point in time.

So, I kindly asked her if she had seen the toothpicks by any chance. She started laughing and said that she had walked into the store intending to buy toothpicks too, but ended up picking up all this other stuff, and that she had not seen the toothpicks at all. (She evidently did not mentally prepare herself like I did.) We both then started looking for the toothpicks. What are the chances that we would both be looking for toothpicks?!?!

Lo, and behold, she found the toothpicks!

Unfortunately, though, there was only one container. I thought to myself, "What are the chances that there would only be one container of toothpicks when there are two of us looking for them?!?!" But then, I realized that she must not need all 200 toothpicks that were in the container, so I asked to buy just 10 of them from her. She kindly refused my money and gave me some of the toothpicks. She gave me 27 of them.


WATCh #3

I had a research paper due at noon today. The professor wanted the paper emailed to him. I woke up very early this morning to work on it. At 11:45AM, I finally conceded and decided to email it to him. I logged online and upload the document onto Gmail.

Just as I was about click on "Send," the electricity went out. What are the chances?!?! Since I use the wi-fi from my landlords, no electricity equals no internet access. Unlike most Vancouver days, there was no rain or storm outside, so I thought the electricity would be back on at anytime. I waited patiently.

Finally at 11:55AM, I realized that I could wait no longer. I quickly threw on some street clothes (which is no easy task in a dark basement). I practically ran to the nearest coffee shop, but there was no electricity there either. By this time, it was well past noon. Since I was out of the house and my paper was already late, I decided to just head to school and send it there. As I was waiting for the bus, I realized that the bakery by the bus stop had free wi-fi and it was actually working.

So, I finally emailed my paper in at 12:52PM. Now, it's just a waiting game to see if my professor deducts any point for my tardiness. I explained why it was late in an email, but if I were him, I'm not sure I would believe it. What are the chances?!?!

Added on Monday, November 18, 2008: No penalty! Praise God.