After eating breakfast at Chickfila this morning, I came across a great idea when I saw the playground.
If I was super rich, my mansion would have a giant ball pit. Like the size of a swimming pool. Epic party potential.
This was one of the early signs that my girlfriend is a keeper - she shared the dream of a "Ballroom". Specifically, it would have to be called that (and, considering the dream is about being filthy rich, it'd be in a suitably oversized mansion). Imagine guests' initial surprise, followed by, of course, pure joy.
If we're talking lottery winning levels of cash, I know I'd be London-bound, followed by a six month romp across the UK and most of Europe. Fit in a visit to the Aston Martin factory to see my V12 Vantage being built, of course. Any sorts of debts my family may have would be taken care of - my dad would get an old '68 Firebird back, as well as a '96 Viper GTS, I know that much. Him and his wife (and her father) would be flown out to Italy post-haste; her mom passed away last summer, and my step-mother's never been to Italy, so I imagine it'd be as good a time as any for her to see where her parents grew up and met. Her dad surely wouldn't mind, too. I'd time it so I'd meet up with them, for at least a day, but I'd eventually continue my way East, hitting whichever countries interest me.
When I make it to the end of the main Asian landmass, pop on over to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, then find a way to Hawaii. When I'm done there, get to Vancouver, and head south, take in the West Coast, the PCH in a rented Mustang convertible, and all sorts of California-based things. Maybe purchase an In N Out restaurant. Roadtrip East until I find a way to Florida, then North. Grab a nice designer loft in NYC, and return to Toronto where I'll have some architect listen to my hair-brained ideas on a house. I'd purchase some sort of condo lot or loft building to have a steady income, and a suitably-sized hangar for what will become one of the greatest personal car collections in the country.
That last bit applies a bit better if we're talking absolutely silly amounts of money, nine digits or more. But, no matter what the total is - subtract whatever the above would all total, and then a large portion of the rest into a (relatively) secure savings account, where the interest can cover my living expenses. I'd want to donate to some local establishments - the university, the transit system, museums and galleries - so maybe put some aside for that as well.
That guy in the Mercedes-Benz SUV must feel like a cheap-skate.
