THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley


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Win by not playing

What would you do if you won the lottery? There is a question from the daily prompt that I spend very little time thinking about because I don’t really play the lottery.

Oh, I’ve bought a ticket here and there but most years without purchasing tickets at all. The very few times I do buy a ticket I do fantasize for a few moments and then realize I just pissed away a few dollars I could have given to someone who is hungry. Or maybe a disease that needs help in looking for a cure.

The few seconds I do think about it I think I’d give half to my charities and set my kids and grandkids up for life and have a little fun with the rest.

Gambling is so in my face now that I’m pretty much swearing it off. As I’ve said before I think gambling will kill a lot of sports eventually. It’s going to and has already hurt a lot of people. Then again life is a gamble, so have at it if you want. It’s just no longer for me.

Gambling your choice. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Winner/Loser

What would you do if you won the lottery? So ask the Bloganuary question today.

I used to waste some minutes thinking about this. Sometimes when work was at its worst I’d allow myself to think about walking away and doing my own thing or just the other fantasies of life without financial concerns.

I just didn’t find it healthy for myself. Nothing against taking a wild chance once in a while if that makes you happy. I just thought the time and money would be better spent on appreciating what I do have and maybe helping someone else.

Gambling, remember moderation. Photo by Mike Hartley

I try to avoid gambling as much as I can. I make a friendly small bet with my son on football games that after a whole season usually results in me losing $10-$30. I did have one successful year. I do that though to keep in touch and talk sports and some ribbing or bragging rights.

I will occasionally play. And by that I mean maybe 2-3 tickets a year. In recent times it hasn’t even been that much. I buy the family some scratch offs at Christmas but don’t play those either. But I realized giving money away to throw a slip of paper in the trashcan wasn’t much fun.

It’s good to know yourself before you start gambling. I’ve got an additive personality and I know I could quickly be in trouble if I started betting or playing lotteries. And then the horror stories you hear about the winners.

But to answer the question

  • Set my family up for life.
  • Take care of some good friends.
  • Donate about half to charity.
  • Smile and have a good time with my better half.