What If You Won the Mega Millions Lottery?

What if you picked the next winning MegaMillions numbers? That is exactly what one of my friends asked me at dinner tonight. We were out celebrating a birthday, and the topic turned to "What if" types of questions. Since the Mega Millions Lottery jackpot is estimated at 540 million and it draws tomorrow, she wanted to know what we would do.

I thought it would be great to tour Europe's great museums looking at Impressionist paintings, awe-inspiring cathedrals, quiet local markets, and spend a great deal of time on a sun drenched Mediterranean island. Then I said I might move to Costa Rica and live near the beach.

Everybody else gave similar answers, but with slightly different destinations. My friend had the opportunity to briefly visit the Hermitage in St. Petersburgh, Russia years ago and she would like a closer look. Then she wanted to tour Jerusalem before moving to the British Virgin Islands.

Even though this 540 million dollar prize is a record, I've seen this frantic build up before. The higher the jackpot goes, the more people that buy tickets, which pushes the prize up even farther. Eventually someone wins and it is a huge relief, at least to me, that it is over. I think some people get obsessed over it. I guess it is understandable since so many people have lives they hate and they need to hope for a good change.

It is intoxicating to think of having that much money. I actually think it would be quite frightening. I would rather win a smaller prize, maybe only 1 million! Not that I actually play the lottery. Dreaming is fun though!