To control one’s own fate is to almost subvert the original Latin of the word. Fatum is a second declension Latin word that carries with it the idea that your fate (the English variation) is something that has been spoken by the gods. The current common idiom makes very little sense when considered that way.
Another thing that has made very little sense (SEGUE!) is Xavier’s basketball season. In order to snatch their destiny out of the hands of the bubble gods, Xavier needed to put together one of their best games of the season directly on the heels of their worst and after losing one of their best players.