Free Time

I didn't win Powerball tonight. That means I have to go back to work in the morning.

I would be more depressed about it (maybe somewhere along the lines of drinking too much or driving recklessly for sport), but I have had six consecutive days off work. My wife should be jealous. I've found a new lover and she is Free Time.

Sure, I had to drive 1100 miles, visit Ohio for the first time, and drive back to discover I won't be playing in my Fantasy Football League Superbowl. That should've sent me over the edge. But since then I have cooked, cleaned, holiday shopped, created, and plumbed. I plumbed!

I sawed through a rusted metal bolt. I cooked a new meal (its working title is Chairman of the Board Chicken and Rice...or Chairman Mao's Chicken Steak...I can't decide). I spent a lot of money I don't have. I've had more free time than I can remember since college. I could really get used to it.

But I didn't win the lottery.

I was fairly encouraged after I won $4 in Saturday's drawing. Since nobody won the jackpot it jumped up to $160 million. I couldn't lose, I thought. As it turns out, I couldn't get more than one number correct. And that was only on two of my ten tickets.

And that's why I have to go back to making my millions in other ways. Renting puppies and infants on the beach, creating a new kind of sports bar, or...shuddering at the thought...working hard until I'm 65.

Oh, sure...I could be depressed about going back to work tomorrow. But it wouldn't last long. I'm off for six days after Friday.

Sometimes life is too good.