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Chapter 2 Caffeine Lovers “ Random events often come like the raisins in a cereal box – in groups, streaks and clusters. And although fortune is fair in potentialities, it’s not fair in outcomes .” ~ Leonard Mlodinnow               Douglas Basco stood out in front of the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company in the Pacific Garden Mall in Santa Cruz. He had his Walkman headset snugly around his head with REM’s “Stand” playing into his ears. He was a plump, 22-year-old with a small potbelly hanging over his ragged Levi’s, Hang-Ten, black T-shirt, and ratty, old checkered Vans. Dougie, as most people called him, was a total stoner. He never held a job a day in his life. He liked to play Nintendo with his stoner friends, sell just enough weed to pay the bills, and mostly did nothing but skateboard down Pacific Avenue. He loved irritating the stupid tourists who frequented the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. He made it the highlight of his day to rile up some a

Crossing Random Michelle L. Gamble Dedication There is no greater love than that of your children. To Cole and Cambria – you are the true loves of my life. “ Trajectories aren't linear. Life's just a roller coaster. If you're getting a chance to do cool stuff, and it's varied stuff, just enjoy it. I guess I'm a believer in the randomness of life rather than it being a linear trajectory or an arc, a consistent smooth arc, towards anything.” ~ Riz Ahmed Chapter 1 Hot and Dry “ I believe life is an intelligent thing: that things aren’t random.” ~ Steve Jobs Hot and dry – that was how the weather felt on that day on October 17, 1989. Becky Chiron, a corporate marketing executive, worked from home four days a week and went into the corporate headquarters in San Francisco one day a week. She prized her telecommuting position, which back in those days was rare. She had a full workstation setup