One of the things I'm loving about learning chemistry is the power it could give you in unpredictable situations. For example, I was fascinated when I learned why calcium is the treatment for hydrofluoric acid exposure, or about ethanol being the natural antidote to methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. While I doubt I'll ever really have to apply knowledge like this! (unless someone I know drinks Russian moonshine), it seems like such a great thing to know. I've heard of people using baking soda to put out small grease fires, and I'm sure there are many more examples like this.
Chemistry seems like it could be useful in more mundane ways too. Once for instance, I saw an episode of House where he was using his organic chemistry knowledge in fine cooking.
So I'm wondering, have any of you ever applied your chemistry knowledge in unpredictable ways?