Fantasy Friday: What if I won the Big One?

Am I the only one who thinks this tree looks like the head of a snake?

I almost never buy lottery tickets, or put more than a quarter in a slot machine, so the odds of me winning an unexpected fortune are slim and none.  But still what would I do, if? What fantasy could I fulfill? 

The program I directed is largely funded by outside funding, grants, contracts, consulting agreements, and donations. The program has an endowment, but it does not generate enough income to support one full time employee. I could fund their budget, give them financial independence. This would allow them to pursue the most important work, rather than the most funded work.  And free the director from the constant search for the next dollar.  

I am a strong believer in the transformative power of education. I know how hard it can be for someone from a modest background to pay for an education (I did it.) I could fund scholarships to help change people's lives.  That would be a good thing. (Much of whatever is left when the two of us are gone, goes to higher education.) 

Over the years I have thought about the amazing homes that could be bought with sudden wealth, and then I think about the work of maintaining them. Owning more than a couple of homes, becomes a full time job.  You can hire people, but then you have staff management issues.  I have been the boss. Been there, done that, and wouldn't really want to do it again.  Maybe bring in a housekeeping service, and have a second apartment in someplace like Florence or Rome where I could spend a couple of months now and then. 

Cars, I enjoy cars, I have owned a couple of head turners over the years.  But I don't think a Ferrari would be in my garage.  One fantasy car, a late 1970s Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible. And probably a nice reliable Toyota or Honda as a daily driver. 

At least once a week I look at an around the world cruise. It would take me places I have never been and probably will never go.  

I have always wanted to have a boat. Ten years ago when I was headed into surgery, the anesthesiologist asked me what I was thinking as he was inserting his lines. I said "how big of a boat I should buy if I survive this." He joked about it being better to rent than own if it floats, flies or f_ _ _s." Then he told me about his airplane.  All I would want is something slow and easy to handle to putter around the local waterways.  (Ultimately I bought the convertible instead of a boat, I reasoned that I would get more use out of the car than I would a boat.)  With unexpected wealth, I could have both. 

If I am slow in falling asleep, I let my mind drift into the fantasy world of what would I buy, if I won the big jackpot.  Building castles in the sky usually puts me to sleep. 

There is an old joke:

Neurotics build castles in their mind, 

Psychotics move in, 

and 

Psychiatrists collect the rent.