Lotto

Today’s lotto drawing is apparently up to $640 Million. This is funny because we as a society get really excited about $500 Million but not $200 Million — chump change, really. But I really do enjoy the collective excitement. The crackle in the air when it gets discussed. I like being a “new” lotto ticket buyer. I like thinking about all the people just like me who have their little tickets tucked safely away in their purses or pockets or paperback who have allowed themselves just a few moments to dream.

I read a quote by one gentleman who described it as cheap entertainment — a license to daydream for a few days. As a writer, I daydream quite a bit (it’s one of my best skills), but I don’t daydream much for myself anymore. So I thought I’d join in. If the lotto ticket in my little red purse is the winner, here’s what I’d do:

  1. Procure and imbibe a large amount of champagne (Krug)
  2. Re-hire the house cleaners
  3. Get a lawyer and a financial advisor
  4. Pick a pen name so that I could keep writing
  5. Buy house with big windows, maybe a water view and an office for both of us. And that elusive “one more room” that everyone needs.
  6. Buy Adam a Lambo or a new Vette
  7. Buy self a restored Lotus Esprit Turbo or Alpha Brera
  8. Travel to Germany at least twice a year
  9. Spend more time in LA and Napa/Sonoma
  10. Buy spare house in Montana
  11. Invest
  12. Be a philanthropist — try to get on some boards. I haven’t been on a board since college. I want to be on a board.
  13. Overhaul wardrobe, buy more shoes
  14. Get one of those walk in glamour closets with a club chair or some such nonsense.

There isn’t much more I would change. Of course I would make sure our families were secured for the future, etc. But in our own lives, there’s really not much more that I would change with more money. If I could I’d throw the whole wad to get rid of Pop’s lung cancer, but it doesn’t work that way. I really couldn’t be much happier.

 

Friday, Volume 1.

Today I ventured forth into the world to accomplish two things.

Firstly, I claimed my new Starbucks base. It is located in a dumpier strip mall just south of my house. The strip mall also usefully houses a liquor store, a sushi joint (its a ringer — excellent), and a liquor store among many other establishments that I do not frequent. Said strip mall is not within walking distance, but close enough to be a partner to Friday lunch outings and the like. I’ve been to this Starbucks before and the employees are always unique characters — far more welcoming than the average barista and, in many cases, quite vivacious. This will help to complete what I am actually here for which isn’t coffee; its people watching.

And just in case any of you would like to take this opportunity to debate the relative merits of Starbucks, let me stop you right here. It’s a good company run by people whose values I mostly share (I like nationally consistent coffee and I also like gays. I could also care less about the NBA). I’ve been a consumer of their products since the age of 14, so while I am well aware of the fact that they’re an evil bad corporation, I still love Starbucks. Ahem.

Secondly, I’ve started what will tentatively become my Friday blog post theme. I will go out into the world, observe, and then write about what I see. Maybe a character, maybe several. Maybe a situation. Regardless, this should be fun. For me, at least. Today’s exercise is an observational stream of consciousness. It may not be very interesting. If you don’t want to read what I saw, then simply don’t click below. No hard feelings.

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