The only obstacle between myself and my desires is money. If I haven’t done something I want to, it’s likely because I can’t afford it yet. With my current salary in 1994, I could probably knock off most of the list. Alas, it is 2024 and filling the tank, restocking toilet paper, and picking up a treat on the way home will run you $278.14. I just want to enjoy myself and the cost-of-living refuses to let me be great.
When the Powerball or Mega Millions hits 3 digits on the billboard or the occasional “$1B” I think about what I would do if I won. Or if I were simply independently wealthy, how would I spend all that money? I like to believe that I wouldn’t lose my mind, that I would honor the list I’ve compiled. The fun I could have, the assistance for my loved ones, the community aid. The seemingly endless possibilities.
Some with immense wealth decide to be actively, purposefully malicious. I am astounded by this choice. They could have big fun on permanent vacation, dive into their Money Bin like Scrooge McDuck. Quietly help people out. But that comes from someone with no interest in power. Coercion and violence don’t cross my mind. Disrespectfully, the fuck is wrong with you real life super villains? Antics that would make Beelzebub blush, that’s what you want to do? Prayers down and may your end be quick, hard, and painful to match your actions.
The ability to do anything at any time in any place, is a fantasy for almost everyone. I do believe most people would live their dreams or desires of their hearts and enjoy themselves within reason. Relish life, help people out, never do what we don’t want to do. It sounds sublime and I have a few dreams to live out.
For My Pleasure
-Vacation as a way of life. Six months out of the year I’m on a trip. Crisscrossing the globe with stays at Emirates Palace, Burj Al Arab, Aman properties, and Jnane Tamsna. I’m zigzagging across Africa from top to bottom. A massive continent, this may take several years. I’m in no rush.
-I’ll pick up tips from other travelers for special experiences and beautiful accommodations, add them to the list and check them off.
-As I hop to-and-fro, I’m flying Delta One at every possible availability. I would like a designated seat by the window in all Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion lounges.
-The Etihad A380 The Residence? I would like to have the experience even without the pre-COVID glamour.
-I’m calling Kevin Feige to schedule time to view the original 4 hour cut of Black Panther (2018).
-I’m also putting down whatever the number is to read the original Black Panther sequel script. I just want to see how it played out.
-Fully customizing my current house. Hello spa bathroom!
-Once I find a favorite country, purchase a home that fits in with the local culture. Perhaps revitalize a property that has fallen into disrepair.
-Collect a massive library to educate myself, connect, and articulate my ideas.
-Custom jewelry, I need gold hoops to fit my specific needs.
-Wardrobe primarly consisting of Hanifa, Schiaparelli, and Zuhair Murad. Guo Pei for special occasions.
-Attend all four tennis Grand Slam events EVERY YEAR.
-Fancy train rides, The Orient Express and Belmond!
-Physical therapy and massages weekly, I deserve to be a flexy girlie.
-Carnival on every island, attending cultural evenst, VIP band packages. Custom heeled boots for the road so my legs look good, and my feet don’t hurt.
Things to Do for Others
-Cover my sister’s medical school expenses, buy her an apartment while she’s in school and another wherever residency takes her.
-Gather my friends together once a month, covering flights and accommodations to the destination of the group’s choosing.
-There are four mortgages I’m paying off.
-Boost public school district budgets, what do the children need? Teachers let me know. BIG LUNCH! BIG ARTS! BIG BOOKS!
-Speaking of literature, Scholastic Book Fair for all. Incentivize reading again, bring back the pizza parties and prizes. The children will be literate!
-High speed rail, we are behind in the United States! Taking on the airline lobby would be interesting.
-Buy Twitter and restore it to glory. There’ll be a division dedicated to reporting violent accounts to the Feds. You’re going to prison, wait right there.
-The children of close friends get a silver spoon. All the field trips, college and housing covered, we are setting them up for ease.
-My major program deserves its own building at my alma mater. Cover housing and other living expenses when students intern away from home.
-Pay off medical debt, lunch debt, and rents for families in my area.
-Fund grassroots organizations working to protect natural resources and sacred land.
These dreams will likely remain just that. If only I could buy time to do what I want. Time is the ultimate luxury. Time to rest, reason, connect, and question. There never seems to be enough time. I would rather live in a world without insane wealth, where the field is level. That isn’t our world yet, maybe it could be one day. Then the list above wouldn’t exist. Instead, we would live equitably, with care as our guiding principle. Hopefully a future generation lives in that world.
