I've learned to be thankful for something slightly odd recently - those projects that require you to research something else entirely unrelated, just to make sure your conclusions are correct. I've run into a few of those recently. Of course, your first reaction is always annoyance. But these side projects have turned out to be informative. I've been able to dig into the lives of some local legends; explore the vital records of Massachusetts; and learn more than I've ever expected.
Perhaps it might be best to call it karma, but I'm learning to be less annoyed by those sidetracks. I'm learning a lot from them!