January 23, 2013

Dear Diary,

That just sounds ridiculous. I’ll have to work on that. I’ve decided that I’m going to journal the next year of my life. Why you may ask, actually computer no you may not because honestly you’re a piece of shit and you’re getting replaced. Tomorrow. I’ll humor you anyway. I, Alina Patricia (yuck) Sabbatini, am now a bajillionaire. Well that’s an exaggeration, it’s only 264 million. And technically I’m sharing it and after taxes, it’s hardly anything…HA- not. Where to start, where to start.

Monday we had Chinese for dinner like we do every week. Yesterday, Tuesday, I went to the Publix to buy the lottery ticket with the numbers from my fortune cookie. At 10:59  I was still nagging Sammy for the remote so I didn’t miss the 11:00 drawing. She went to bed, I watched the numbers and everything changed. All six matched, AND I was the only winner. I was pretty sure my head exploded right then and there. Once Sammy confirmed what was essentially in frony of my face, I danced like a fool. For a long time. Thank god she didn’t get that part on tape.

I put the winning ticket on the refrigerator, just like that doctor did on Grey’s Anatomy when she inherited a bunch of money. We then spent the next hour trying to figure out if that was a safe place for it and what the odds were that THAT would be the night that we were robbed or the house caught on fire. After much debate, we finally left it there, made 6 photocopies, and attempted to sleep.

Sammy, bless her heart (I guess this southern thing is finally rubbing off on me), called us both out for the day. At 6:30 we loaded into my truck, and drove to the claims office in Columbia so we were there at 8:30 on the dot. We got rid of the ticket before anything happened to it and filled out a ridiculous amount of paperwork. I claimed it anonymously, everyone who needs to know I won already knows. Not that I think it will stay that way for long.

On the way home I changed my phone number, just in case, made an appointment to have a will drawn up, and arranged to have the house paid off as soon as I get my hands on the money. Then the rest of my student loans need to go. On our way back we stopped at at least a dozen snooty pet boutiques spoiling Daisy, even more than she already is. Much to my, and Sammy’s surprise it was possible. As Sammy said, “she is one seriously blinged pup.” How a 9 pound Maltese could be one of my rocks for so long, is still beyond me, but she’s getting her payback now. Tomorrow I MUST hit the Apple store. We’ve been through a lot, you piece of crap, I’m shocked you’re still alive. It’s been a long time since freshman orientation.

Anyway, what are my big plans for the next year which has prompted me to start this blessed journal/diary/thingy?

Bon Jovi.

Because We Can 2013.

I have a checklist of things to accomplish along the way. We’ll see how many I’ll be able to cross out this December. (He’s bound to go back to Australia, please say yes, please say yes)

In the next year I will:

Mission 1: Accumulate 50 folding chairs. (I don’t know how many North Americas are scheduled but let’s be honest he’s gonna add more.)

Mission 2: Be impulsive (but smart, no need to win the lottery and get myself killed) at least once…per continent.

Mission 3: Live in the moment.

Mission 4: See all 50 states.

Mission 5: NOT get involved with anyone roadies are trouble. So are rock stars.

Mission 6: NOT become a groupie. (see number 5)

Mission 7: Do something Sammy would do. (That’s scary)

Mission 8: Ride on a private jet.

Mission 9: Stay at the band hotel…in every city.

Mission 10: Be kind to everyone (unless they’re assholes). Just because I’m a bajillionaire does not mean I can be an ass.

Mission 11: Have fun, for real.

Mission 12: Let myself learn to trust, at least one person, even if it’s about something stupid.

Mission 13: Not be neurotic when I have to leave Daisy with Auntie Sammy, she will be fine.

Mission 14: Start a set list collection.

Mission 15: Try to catch concerts of other artists/bands on off days.

Mission 16: Find local charities worth donating to.

Mission 17: Find a way to meet the band…while maintaining your dignity.

Mission 18: Remain anonymous…

Mission 19: Get a tattoo.

Mission 20: Re-register for school for Spring 2014. I may not have to work, but I will. Next year.

Mission 21: Adopt a new look.

There are 1,000 more missions in my head but this is going to be a long year and I need my beauty rest.

Goal for tomorrow: new computer, book hotels around the world for the year (mission 9), start mission 1 (buy tickets like a crazy fool) and give my one week-ish notice at the bar.

Damn it’s gonna be a good year

*Insert clever sign off here * (I’ll work on it, I promise)

Lena (and Daisy)