Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Lottery

I lived in Pontiac, Michigan for a year, sixth grade, surrounded by relatives and neighbors who worked at the automobile plants. It was the year I realized that many babies are born out of wedlock, that snow does not guarantee a day off from school, and that people play the lottery; except they didn’t call it the lottery—it was the numbers.

“His number came up!” I’ve heard envious players of the game say, wishing that luck would come his or her way, too.

Who plays the lottery? Is it mostly people who hate their jobs? I’ve had a job that I hated; waking up each morning with the thought that I have to be somewhere I don’t want to be for eight or more hours, rushing my life away in a constant state of “waiting for 5 o’clock on Friday” and then revving back up on Sunday for the dreaded Monday morning. That was eons ago, but the thought of it makes me sad because lots of people know exactly how I felt—they feel that way now.  Fortunately for me, I was skilled in a high demand field at the time and was able to move on when I decided it wasn’t worth it. Most people can’t do that. Trapped—it’s a horrible feeling.
How many of them purchase a weekly lottery ticket… or two… or three? How many stand in a long line for the Mega Millions ticket wishing, praying, believing, dreaming, and waiting to possess that little rectangle of paper that, hopefully, is going to transform their lives to pure bliss; to mornings of waking up with smiles on their faces… or will they?

On the other hand, I hear of people who enjoy their jobs, however, they just…don’t…make…enough…money. I suspect they make up a good percentage of the lottery line, too.
And then there are the people who play just for fun; probably not expecting to win, but enjoy the hype that spreads like a virus and hope to be the “one in a few millions” chance winner.

I see that the Arizona Powerball winner has come forth, though as of today, he remains anonymous to the public and media.  While Google searching his story, I clicked on CNN.com and found an article and comments discussing him (dated 12/7/12). Curious, I scanned a few of the comments and people are talking about the risk of kidnapping, making racist comments, politics, privacy, wealthy people like Warren Buffet—you name it; even escalating to the Mexican Cartel—all due to this average man winning the big one. Perhaps they are a little jealous?
During the stressed out period of the hated job and a few other not-so-happy times, I bought a lottery ticket. (By the way, my lifetime lottery expenditure is about $20.) Never one to enjoy gambling, I didn’t think I’d win, but desperation will make you say, “Why not?” I believed if it was meant to be, I’d hit with my one ticket.

That was years ago, back in the eighties and early nineties. Since then, I haven’t been in the lottery line; missing the talk of what will be done with the winnings and seeing the adrenalin-filled looks on the faces of people as they pass their money to the cashier.
Will I purchase a ticket again?

Once in a blue moon, like now, I think about what I think I’d do with a lot of money. Would it change my life for the better? Would I be wise and generous? Would I be a “lottery curse” victim?

A few months ago, I wrote a post titled, “How Much Is Enough?”  where I declared my humble position of maintaining so-called security: heading towards a debt-free life, satisfying reasonable needs and wants, and being able to save and give.
BUT… let’s say I do participate in the next big jackpot and, uh, win a little sumptin sumptin? What would the ol’ girl do? Hmmm…

What are your feelings about the Lottery? Do you play? What would you do with the loot?

19 comments:

Central Virginia Botanical Artists said...

I have never played the lottery, and think I never will. I am not tempted, but I do have a funny image that comes to mind when I think of it: Just imagine yourself throwing a dollar bill in the trash.
BTW, "playing the numbers" can be way different from buying a lottery ticket. "Playing the numbers" can mean illegal gambling.

Judy Thomas said...

My conmented posted with the wrong google account. It was from JT.

Mari said...

I've never played the lottery - wouldn't even know what to do! I feel like it hurts the people who could most use the money. I have also heard of too many people who think that money will rescue them, but a few years later the money is gone and things are even worse.
I would like to think that if I did win a lump sum, I would pay a few bills and give the rest away. Would I be able to follow through if it actually happened? I don't know.
Interesting post!

MissKris said...

Never have played it. Never been tempted.

Rob-bear said...

I've never played the lottery. I have enough. In fact, more than enough.

Shelly said...

I, like you, have only played it minimally, and the last time was in the early 90's. That paper dream is just too flimsy for me to invest in, but I can see how it is attractive to others.

Hilary said...

Well.. hmmm.. I do.. or rather, we do.

My neighbourhood is a close-knit bunch of friends who socialize together quite often. Since our numbers are many (at least ten homes with folks who get along well), it became a natural for us to start sharing a lottery ticket each month or so. About once every five or six weeks, each of us puts in $20, while one friend who runs it buys, scans and emails copies of the tickets he buys.

We never believe we'll win a big one but we do take in $40 here and $25 there. Mostly, it's another group endeavor and it buys us our $20 worth of dreams for the month.

Peaches Ledwidge said...

I get into the of every thing - like the jackpot that recently passed. I asked the cashier to give me a ticket as I didn't/don't know how to play.

Abby said...

the ol' girl could share?? :)

We've played "the numbers" a few times but always just for fun. Haven't won squat. Our local weatherman noted that one is more likely to get struck by lightning on the way to the gas station to buy the lottery ticket than to win the jackpot.

But I think you're right. A lot of people play as a means to change their lives and that's just sad.

Arlee Bird said...

I will admit that I usually buy one shot for each draw. I know my odds would increase if I bought more entries, but the odds are pretty much against us anyway. I just figure I'll buy one just in case. If it's my time to win, one number is all I'll need. It's fun to dream about the possibilities, but I'm not going to stake my future on the hope of winning.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Linda Hensley said...

I don't play. I figure the dollar in my hand is mine, and nobody else is going to take it away from me, especially when I don't have very many of them to throw around. It bothers me that some people spend more on the lottery than they can afford, but I think they're buying a fantasy. They can imagine all the things they could have if they win, and maybe you can't put a price on hope? Well, no, that's not true. They definitely put a price on a lottery ticket :)

Jenny said...

I don't play, but I'm not a gambler. I still try to remember the lesson of the value of a dollar.

I do like it helps fund education here in Arizona. I don't like that people bankrupt themselves even further trying to hunt down the elusive win.

Jenny said...

I don't play, but I'm not a gambler. I still try to remember the lesson of the value of a dollar.

I do like it helps fund education here in Arizona. I don't like that people bankrupt themselves even further trying to hunt down the elusive win.

Jen said...

I do sometimes. I think my chance of winning is pretty much the same if I buy a ticket or not. I do know what I'd do with the money. I'd buy a house, take a year-long trip around the world, and go back to school.

Rebecca S. said...

It's funny how different sayings can mean different things in different regions: around here, when 'his number is up' usually means something negative like death.
I've bought a few lottery tickets over the years, mainly just scratch and wins. One year I won $50, which paid for some family photos to send to grandma for Christmas (her request). I honestly don't want to win a whole bunch of money. I think it would be more trouble than it's worth. My husband disagrees, and does buy the occasional big winnings ticket - mainly when his job is really getting to him :)
If we did win some 'big' money, I'd build a really cool energy efficient house and put my kids through school. And share it with family...oh the headaches are starting just thinking about it!

Barb said...

Hi Anita, Life's a gamble enough for me. But, as always, I enjoy your writing which makes me think. I came by to wish you many blessings this holiday season. Also, a Happy New Year!

CeCe Wilson said...

Hi Anita! It has been quite a while since I've been on blogger and your site, but I am glad to be back. Living in AL, we don't have the lottery but ironically my state has the casinos and just a state border bridge away on the GA side my fellow Alabamians can play until the money's spent and the heart's content. Personally my running lotto-based spending total amounts to $5 and $40 casino dollars (20 of which were not mine). Statistically you'd need a miracle to win on any gambling, but if God granted me that miracle, first thing I'd do after I change my name and move to the mountains is give most of it away and pay off all my student loans and debts. Then I'd start an urban legend about how I lost all my money in a year to "bad" investments and how I was now living in some rural town in a shack. Yeah, that's what I'd do.

Hilary said...

I've been known to buy a scratch ticket every now and again, but I've come that there are only two types of winners: One was my grandfather, who hit on every scratch ticket he ever bought, be it $5, $20 or $100. The other type of winner is the one that buys the Powerball ticket at a gas station in the middle of nowhere Po-dunk Countryville, USA. Since I don't travel in that circle, I"m probably not going to win. A girl can dream, though . .

Hilary said...

I've been known to buy a scratch ticket every now and again, but I've come that there are only two types of winners: One was my grandfather, who hit on every scratch ticket he ever bought, be it $5, $20 or $100. The other type of winner is the one that buys the Powerball ticket at a gas station in the middle of nowhere Po-dunk Countryville, USA. Since I don't travel in that circle, I"m probably not going to win. A girl can dream, though . .