There’s this Chinese saying that goes When you go up to the mountain too often, you will eventually encounter the tiger.

That is, the more often I do something, the more often I will expose myself to risk. Although mathematics says the chances are the same every single time. Because after all, I have only 1/6 chance in rolling a 6. But the more I roll it, the more likely I will get a 6. At some point.

Ever since I started biking, I almost hate crossing the street with cars around. Biking has taught me that (American) drivers don’t look, don’t like to tell other drivers what they’re doing, and can’t drive in a straight line.

When I was taking a bike on the road class, I was at an intersection near Golden Gate Park. The task was to make a right turn into traffic. So I did everything the instructor said. Check for the pulse in traffic. Signal right. Then smoothly merge into the lane.

Unfortunately, being my cautious self, I waited…and waited…and waited…and waited…until the perfect moment. Which took nearly 8 minutes while my classmates behind me visibly gave annoyed sighs. Being good instructors, they praised me for my caution.

The other day as we were in a car turning left from 20th street to South Van Ness, I spotted a guy getting out of a fancy pants car. He was wearing loose clothing. He was meeting a guy in red with a cap pulled back loosely. The guy from the car walked up and threw a punch. I always worry in the back of my mind as I walk up and down 24th to my favorite taquieras, to my favorite ice cream stores, to my friends’ apartment that I may get caught some day.