©stokkete/stock.adobe.com
Once-in-a-lifetime coincidences are things that most of us can only dream of (or perhaps there are a few readers out there who do have stories to share!) On the rarest occasion, it seems like the Matrix glitches, allowing us to see a weird symmetry in an otherwise chaotic world.
This list is full of random coincidences and things that almost seem too perfect to be true. But true they are, and the people on this list have some wild stories to share, from random matching to doppelgangers to almost-there lottery numbers.
1. “Are You Reading About Me?”
What Happened: A bird saw itself in a book
Where: The U.K.
This man was reading about birds when one curious bird hopped onto the page. And, in an amazing coincidence, the bird that landed on the book was the same bird about which the man was reading.
“Are You Reading About Me?” @trainspotter67 /twitter.com
Perhaps the bird wanted to see what was being written about him. Though birds tend to scatter when you come close to them, this bird doesn’t appear to be afraid of humans at all; he’s curious, rather.
2. Finding Yourself On A Bag of Chips
What Happened: A man found his doppelganger
Where: Spain
There are plenty of ways to find your doppelganger, and this man found his on a bag of chips. The mascot on the front of the bag bears a strong resemblance to him: they both have the same color hair, glasses, and face shape.
Finding Yourself On A Bag of Chips r/mildlyinteresting/Reddit
Though the translation of patatas fritas al perol means “French fries” in English, these look more like what Americans would call potato chips. This man has to buy this bag—they’re delicious and he’s found his twin.
3. 5 Peanuts, One Shell
What Happened: Five peanuts in one shell
Where: U.S.
Usually, peanuts come two in a shell. That’s just the way the plant makes them during the growth process. But, sometimes, Mother Nature has different plans, as this man eating peanuts found out.
5 Peanuts, One Shell @XJQ83O1/imgur.com
This peanut shell had not two, but five peanuts in it. That’s a pretty rare thing. Though peanuts can vary, as far as their shell goes, it’s unusual to see more than four. If we were this guy, we’d save these nuts as a good luck charm.
4. Three Puppies Born, All Numbered
What Happened: Puppies numbered 1, 2, and 3
Where: U.S.
Someone’s dog had a trio of puppies, and they noticed something unusual about the litter. The dogs were all “numbered” by their spots. One puppy had one spot, the second had two, and the third had three.
Three Puppies Born, All Numbered user/Proxiconn/Reddit
What a coincidence. Of course, this is a fluke of genetics, but it is amazing that this dog had just three puppies (not too uncommon of a litter number, depending on the dog), all of which were “numbered.”
5. Dot Com
What Happened: “Dot Com” on the roadway
Where: U.S.
This coincidence amused this driver so much that he had to take a photo—it was something to distract him from being stuck in the traffic that so often ensnares roadways all over the world during their “rush hours.”
@uberhumor/Twitter.com
A truck named “DOT” is in front of a car with the license plate “COM.” Get it? Dot com? Ah, the ways you can entertain yourself when you’re trying not to lose it while sitting in a lengthy traffic jam.
6. Time To Play The Lottery
What Happened: Matching numbers
Where: Washington D.C., U.S.
This man was headed back from the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in Washington D.C. when he noticed something strange. The number on his marathon ticket matched that of his shirt—time to play the lottery.
Time To Play The Lottery @vBvYjo2/imgur.com
33607 appears to be his lucky sequence of numbers. The Rock ‘N Roll Marathon takes place every spring, and it involves a series of races, including a 5K and half-marathon (thirteen miles total).
7. Cookie Monster
What Happened: “COOKIE MONSTER” at the bar
Where: Some bar somewhere
These two guys having a drink at the bar managed to form the phrase “COOKIE MONSTER,” just by sitting next to each other. They are probably strangers, so there is no way they could’ve planned this.
Cookie Monster gallery/6PSLcKz/imgur.com
Everyone loves Cookie Monster, the bright-blue Muppet from Sesame Street (whose real name is “Sid”). He’s famous for his hungry appetite (you can probably guess what he likes to eat), and his famous phrase, “Me want cookie!”
8. A Speeder Gets Lucky
What Happened: A bird saved the day
Where: U.S.
This person was speeding down the road, totally unaware that they were about to get caught on camera. In some jurisdictions in the U.S., traffic control is automated, and cameras clock speeders and send them tickets.
A Speeder Gets Lucky @motorpasion/Pinterest
Everyone hates these robo-cops, and it’s always tempting to try to sneak past them. This guy did, all with the help of a random, heroic bird flying in front of his license plate, rendering his speeding ticket non-issuable.
9. He Needs A Lift
What Happened: Awkward seagull balancing act
Where: U.S.
This strange photo was taken somewhere in a coastal town, and it features one seagull standing on top of the other one. He must need a ride somewhere (was what we thought, until looking up why seagulls stand on each other).
He Needs A Lift r/mildlyinteresting/Reddit
Apparently, this awkward balancing act is actually a mating call. Males will stand on the backs of females to give the high sign, if you catch the drift. Bird behavior is very odd, to say the least. This is what seagulls are doing when they’re not begging for food at the beach.
10. Ken, IRL
What Happened: Ken matching this guy’s shirt
Where: U.S.
Move over Ryan Gosling, this guy has a claim to being Ken, too. This Ken Fashionistas doll from Mattel is wearing the same floral, tropical-patterned shirt as the random guy holding it.
Ken, IRL r/pics/Reddit
Well, at least he knows he is a fashionista. You can find Ken Fashionistas Dolls on Mattel’s website or Amazon for $8-$12, if you want some outfit inspiration. We’re sure this guy caught a lot of flack for this random coincidence.
11. Saved By Chance
What Happened: A neon sign saved
Where: U.S.
Dolores Restaurant was saved by chance, as the “restaurant” part still managed to show up, despite the rest of the neon lights in the diner’s sign not working. Still, Dolores should probably fix that.
Saved By Chance r/technicallythetruth/Reddit
Alas, according to a commenter on Reddit who worked next door to Dolores Restaurant), the eatery was torn down. All that remains now is this viral photo, which was posted on r/oddlysatisfying.
12. A Car’s Lucky Day
What Happened: A tree almost fell on a car
Where: U.S.
As you can see from a cameraman setting up his equipment, this picture made headlines where it happened, as how lucky is this car owner? His car could’ve been smashed by hundreds of pounds of tree.
A Car’s Lucky Day r/pics/Reddit
That probably would’ve been a total loss to this little sedan. But, the tree only split; it didn’t fall. The car was saved, though, if we were the owner, we’d be driving the car out of that parking spot ASAP.
13. 1 In 2 Million Odds
What Happened: A rare blue lobster
Where: New England, U.S.
According to the New England Aquarium, finding a blue lobster like this is a one in two million chance, so we really hope whoever caught him threw him back into the ocean after taking this picture.
1 In 2 Million Odds r/misleadingthumbnails/Reddit
Blue lobsters are extremely rare, as they are a mutated form of an American lobster. The mutation has to do with too many proteins in its system, which cause its red color to turn into this cool blue.
14. Flamingos Shaped Like Flamingos
What Happened: Flamingos gathered into a flamingo shape
Where: Lake Logipi, Kenya
This picture was taken in Kenya, and it shows a group of flamingos gathered together in a flamingo shape. They’re all congregated at Kenya’s famous Lake Logipi, an alkaline, saline lake that is just under two miles wide (and under four miles long).
Flamingos Shaped Like Flamingos @nationalgeographic/Instagram
This giant lake is famous for its flamingo population, as the pretty pink birds love Logipi’s water, which is rich in algae and tiny crustaceans. Eating these crustaceans is what gives flamingos their distinct rosy hue.