Pinch Me!..................................Harder

I did it. I finally did it. Because I know I can trust you, I'll tell you what it is.

I've won the lottery!

Wait, wait. Not the one where you win millions of dollars.

And not the kind in the classic short story by Shirley Jackson.

But one of those lotteries sponsored by a hospital.

You know, all the money goes to a great cause?

No, not one of the cars or houses with property taxes more than my mortgage payment.

A smaller prize. Worth less than the cost of the ticket.

But still, nice enough. A Sony CD / Mp3 player!

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a bit disappointed but at least it's not big and yellow.

Once, many years ago, the Sony gods smiled down on me for the first time.

McDonald's was introducing a game (Monopoly I believe) with instant winner tabs on the drinks and french fry packaging.

I peeled a little tab off my fries and shoot, bang, glory hallellujah, I was a winner! A mountain of paperwork and a solemn oath sworn to foster an unhealthy obsession with electronics later and it was all mine.

A so large it could be seen from space brilliant yellow portable Sony Walkman. I was very excited.

That toy served me very well only to be replaced by a newer and sexier model a few years later. For all I know, the original's still whirring away in a landfill somewhere.

Good times.

To celebrate my good luck, I will listen to Lucky Number by Lene Lovich.