moneySo, you know those seven state workers who won the $319 million jackpot a few weeks ago? Sure you do. Well, they actually have a Snickers bar to thank for that. Er, scratch that (pun intended), a man's craving for a Snickers.

See, when Mike Barth (the guy they have to thank for being crazy rich) went to the newsstand in downtown Albany to buy the lotto tix, something stopped him -- his hankering for some nougaty, peanuty goodness. So, before he reached the counter to buy his ticket, he knelt down to buy himself a tasty candy bar. Why not? He probably deserved it. However, when Mike was kneeling down, somebody cut in front of him -- and bought a quick pick. Talk about a happy accident! (For Mike. I would not want to be that other guy right now.)

Okay, just in case I'm not being clear here: If Mike hadn't bought a Snickers bar, and that person hadn't cut in front of him, he wouldn't have won $319 MILLION! Fate? Or just a random result of some dude's general rudeness?

I often wonder about stuff like this. Like, if I miss the subway, or am running late, it crosses my mind if it's for a reason. Perhaps I'll have a fortuitous encounter with a lonely old man who will bequeath his fortune to me. Or maybe -- God forbid -- something bad will happen to the subway that just left? It seems like things like this do happen in life (um, anyone ever see a little movie called Sliding Doors?), but is it a result of being "in tune with the universe"? Or just dumb luck?

Obviously there are exceptions, but, for me, it's been dumb luck. Or actually just dumb. Because nothing really great ever comes of it. I mean, I know there are people out there who are, like, "cosmically advanced" -- you know, those people who don't get on a plane because "they just had a feeling." But every time I miss the subway, it's only because I was taking too long to pick out a shirt. And the only thing that comes of it is me being late to work. Also, I don't really eat Snickers. So, will anything good ever happen to me?! Ugh!

Joking aside, the difference between me and Mike (besides the fact that he could buy and sell me 10 times over) is that he probably doesn't think about this kind of stuff. And if he does, he doesn't expect anything good to happen to him just for pondering it. He seems like a good dude who goes about his business. I'm happy he won the lotto. I just wish I was "in tune" enough to be friends with him.

Do you believe Mike's lotto win was meant to be? Or just dumb luck?

 

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