Lightning vs. Lottery

Drawing #8 (Sat. Feb 23, 2008)

2008-02-24T13:12:00.002-05:00

Winning Numbers: 07 17 23 40 41 47

My lucky numbers: 7 11 19 23 37 47

Don't look now, but I hit 3 numbers and won $5. I should be really happy -- I bucked the odds and won something! But alas, when I filled out my ticket, I accidentally picked 17 instead of 19. So what did I do? I crumpled that ticket up and filled out a new one. Staying true to my numbers kept me from matching 4 numbers and winning $100. Damn me for not listening to fate trying to help me out!!!!

Total "Investment": ($8.00)

Total Winnings: $5.00

Net Gain/Loss: ($3.00)

Tune in again next time for another exciting episode of Jason picks 0 numbers right...

Drawing #7 (Wed. Feb 20, 2008)

2008-02-24T13:11:00.002-05:00

After the past couple drawings, I'm feeling downright lucky to nail one number.

Winning Numbers: 05 11 18 26 35 36

Total Winnings: ($7.00)

Maybe I should stick to investing in stocks or commemorative NASCAR plates...

Drawing #6 (Sat. Feb 16, 2008)

2008-02-24T13:09:00.001-05:00

Is it possible to be on a cold streak when it comes to the lottery?

Winning Numbers: 02 05 16 33 35 45

For those keeping track, that's two drawings in a row without hitting a single number. Do I suck at this or what?!?

Drawing #5 (Wed. Feb 13, 2008)

2008-02-24T13:07:00.003-05:00

Hmm. Let's see. Can't even say I experienced a near miss yet in regards to the lightning side of the equation. I may need to add exploding toilets as a possible cause of death.

Without further ado:
Winning numbers ( 08 14 17 32 38 42)

Well, let's just say, 0 for 6 isn't bad.

Total Winnings: ($5.00)

Drawing #4 (or Good News / Bad News)

2008-02-09T22:25:00.000-05:00

Well, the good news -- I haven't been struck by lightning or died from any other causes, for that matter. For the record, I did eat a really crappy store pizza yesterday which may have unduly cut at least a day and a half off my expected life span (if you're the company that provides my life insurance, disregard that comment - it wasn't me, it was actually a friend of mine, Mason)

Enough of that -- let's see how I fared.

Winning Numbers: 5 11 17 23 25 45

Ok. You're probably thinking, uh, those aren't your lucky numbers (which for the record, are 7 11 19 23 37 47)

To that I reply, yeah, but note that I did hit 11 and 23 (that one's really tough to get, I hear)

And to the person who noticed that all of my lucky numbers are prime, you sir are very observant and probably have too much time on your hands :)

Drawing #3 Results

2008-02-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

As a quick reminder, my "lucky" (just not yet) numbers are:
7 11 19 23 37 47

Survey says....

Wed. Feb 6, 2008 drawing: 02 08 17 22 35 43

Current Winnings: ($3.00)

Just in case you aren't an accounting major, the ( ) around the numbers means I'm in the hole, negatory, at a loss, in the red, and flat out lost that coinage.

Guess I'm back to the drawing board -- I once again managed to pick a whopping zero numbers right. I suck at this, maybe I should just go golfing in the rain and see if I can't speed things up on the other side of this experiment. If only I could see the golf course under all this snow....

Defying all odds

2008-02-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Not only is the amount of snow simply stunning, but I'm exceedingly amazed by the fact we've had two winter thunderstorms on the past week. Once again, I ventured out to my car and to the store (I talk more about that experience in my other blog: lightning vs. buying beer :)

So far, my survival rate is downright impressive, given the overwhelming rarity of repeated winter lightning events.

All I can hope for is the continued trend of matching numbers tonight!

Game #2 Results

2008-02-02T20:58:00.000-05:00

OK. So all the sweat and hard work is paying off. I nailed one number and managed to dodge lightning for another fortnight.

Winning numbers for Sat. Feb 02, 2008: 04 | 18 | 30 | 42 | 43 | *47*

With a bit more focus, I'm sure to score at least two numbers next Wednesday.

Here's hoping for lots of lucky numbers and clear skies!

Go Team!

Game #1 Results

2008-01-31T14:48:00.000-05:00

Wed. Jan 30, 2008 drawing: 05 | 21 | 36 | 39 | 41 | 46

Current Winnings: ($1.00)

For those scoring at home, that means I managed to pick zero (yes, 0) numbers correct.

That got me thinking a bit, so I looked at the odds and was trying to figure out what I should "expect" to win over the course of a year. Picking 3 numbers correctly is a 50-1 proposition and it pays a whopping $5. So over the course of a year, playing twice per week, I should expect to "invest" $104.00 and should expect to get back $10.00. Not exactly a great investment -- maybe the lottery really is a regressive tax on the mathematically impaired.

But this isn't an investment, it's a gamble, just like crossing the street or walking in a rainstorm :) And to this point, I also haven't been struck down by Mother Nature or Zeus yet, so there's still a chance for me to hit the big one and get all 6 numbers right!

Next drawing is on Saturday night -- wish me luck.

For what it's worth

2008-01-30T10:58:00.001-05:00

I'm still alive and well. There was lightning last night for about an hour. In all fairness, I went outside twice during the lightning, once to get in my car, the other to bring in the empty trash can & recycling bins (which reminds me - if recycling is an option with your garbage collection service, by all means, recycle. It's easy to do and over the long-term keeps trash collection costs down)
After the hour of thunderstorms, the wind kicked up big time and there were blizzard conditions through the night.

So the freak January lightning didn't get me, so we'll just have to see what happens tonight during the first Lotto drawing...

The Suspense is Killing Me

2008-01-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

Today is quite the exciting day. Not only do I possess my first Lotto ticket, but as if that wasn't exciting enough, thunderstorms are predicted for Michigan in January. Just think, I'm already bucking the odds tremendously. If I get hit by lightning in Michigan in January, I'm going to jump on the first plane to Vegas (after I stop smoking, that is). I can just imagine it now -- "Sir, this is a non-smoking flight..."

For anyone that cares, my lucky numbers are:
7 | 11 | 19 | 23 | 37 | 47

I just need all six of those babies to hit before I'm reduced to a smoldering lump.

Go Lucky Numbers!!!

** Note: Michigan Lottery drawings are held Wednesday & Saturday evenings.

So it begins...

2008-01-28T21:52:00.001-05:00

Every journey begins with a single step. This one is no different.

Tomorrow, I finally spread my wings and leave the safety of the front porch. I will buy my first lottery ticket (in my case, it will be a Classic Lotto 47 ticket from the Michigan Lottery). I'll continue to play the lottery twice each week until I either win the top prize or get struck by lightning, at which point I'll re-evaluate things. I'm going to feel either damn lucky or damn unlucky :)

Wish me luck!