My ironic story involving a Triangular Scale

So I was mentioning that I had mis-measured the dimensions on the Dragon's Lair ROM board (see previous blog post) and Shaun Wood suggested that I look into getting a Triangular Scale.

He linked to this one: https://www.staples.com/Staedtler-Mars-12-Architect-s-Triangular-Scale/product_274746

In case the link expires, it is showing a "Staedtler Mars 12" Architect Triangular Scale (987 19-31BK)".

The picture (if you click on it) clearly shows that an inch is divided into tenths which makes for convenient PCB measuring since PCB manufacturers often use tenths of inches as their scale.

Well, I tried to find this piece on Amazon for free shipping and couldn't.  So I just googled it and found that an Office Depot local to me (on my way home, in fact!) carried it.  So I thought "Great!"

I went to the Office Depot, walked inside and quickly turned down a random isle so that I wouldn't attract attention.  (For some reason, I kinda get nervous about an employee walking up to me and asking if I need help finding anything.)  So I went down a random isle, pulled out my phone, and pulled up the link that Shaun Wood had provided.  I took note that it was the model "98719-31BK" then said to myself "Ok, now to find where it is in this store!"

I looked up from my phone and literally right in front of me was what I was looking for.  Haha!  I've never had that happen before: going down a random isle and winding up exactly where I wanted to be.  That's the first irony of the story.

The second irony is that as I examined the "98719-31BK", I noticed that it was divided into 16th's , not 10th's.  "What the heck?" I muttered to myself, as I looked at the back.  On the back of the packaging, it said that the 98719-31BK had standard 'ruler' type divisions such as 1/8, 1/4, 3/16, 3/8, 1/2, etc.  And I also noted that the similarly branded 98719-34BK was the one I actually wanted, which was divided into 1/10, 1/20, 1/30, etc.

"Oh, great," I grumbled.  "I came all this way to find the 98719-31BK only to learn that it's not the one I even want!"

Then I looked up and right next to the 98719-31BK was hanging a 98719-34BK, the very item that I wanted!

I felt kind of bemused.  Shaun inadvertently links me to the wrong item but it has the right picture.  I go to the Office Depot to get the wrong item (unknowingly) only to find out that they have the right item right next to the wrong item.  And as a bonus, I randomly walk right up to it without even paying attention to where I am going.  It felt awesome and kind of bewildering all at the same time.

That's all my story.  Good day.