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jameswhite

Storrs, CT
United States
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April 23, 2007
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Apr 23, 2007, 2:05 pm

Hi all,
I'm a journalism student at the University of Connecticut, and I'm currently wokring on a story about lottery winners, specifically on the challenges of managing a large financial windfall (such as a lotto jackpot). I've been browsing your forums this afternoon and I've found a number of threads discussing some of the same fundamental questions I'd like to tackle - money phobias, does money buy happiness, etc...

I would really like to speak with someone who has won a lottery jackpot themselves, however, I'm also interested in speaking with lottery players who have never struck it big. I'm most interested in talking to people nearby CT, but again, I would like the opportunity to interview pretty much any lottery players. I know there are a lot or people on the Post with perspectives/insight/experience that would be very helpful to my story.

Of course, I will be respectful of the privacy of anyone who might be interested in talking with me, and there is little personal information I need to include in the story.
Ideally, we could speak over the phone for perhaps 15-20 minutes, or we could correspond via email. Unfortunately, I am on a strict deadline, and I would have to speak by Wednesday.
So, can anyone on the Lottery Post help me out?
Please PM me or post within the thread, I believe it is against forum rules for me to post my email or phone numbers.
Thanks!
James White
SirMetro

East of Atlanta
United States
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August 11, 2004
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Apr 23, 2007, 8:54 pm

First, good luck in your venture and your budding career.
Second, if I may suggest, perhaps post 10 to 20 questions that you would like answered. I am sure a lot of folks just might be happy to chime in.
Sir Metro
MegaWinner

New Jersey
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March 3, 2007
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Apr 23, 2007, 9:54 pm

Quote: Originally posted by SirMetro on Apr 23, 2007
First, good luck in your venture and your budding career.
Second, if I may suggest, perhaps post 10 to 20 questions that you would like answered. I am sure a lot of folks just might be happy to chime in.
Sir Metro

I agree. Also, I would participate over the phone if you want. Send me PM with your phone number and i'll call you after 11:30 est (sorry, thats the earliest I can do).

I got my fingers crossed ready to win!!!
MegaWinner

New Jersey
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March 3, 2007
348 Posts
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Apr 23, 2007, 9:55 pm

Quote: Originally posted by SirMetro on Apr 23, 2007
First, good luck in your venture and your budding career.
Second, if I may suggest, perhaps post 10 to 20 questions that you would like answered. I am sure a lot of folks just might be happy to chime in.
Sir Metro

I agree. Also, I would participate over the phone if you want. Send me PM with your phone number and i'll call you after 11:30 est (sorry, thats the earliest I can do).

I got my fingers crossed ready to win!!!
pacattack05

United States
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June 22, 2005
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Apr 23, 2007, 10:28 pm

Unlesss you want a sad story....lllol
Editgap

United States
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October 22, 2005
638 Posts
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Apr 23, 2007, 10:54 pm

How come he sounds exactly like the last guy who wants to do a story on lottery winners.
Maybe he should search the forums and talk to that guy.
Something is up with these guys.
jameswhite

Storrs, CT
United States
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April 23, 2007
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Apr 23, 2007, 11:25 pm

Thanks for the responses!
It's usually easier to interview people one at a time, because I'll have different followup questions depending on where their initial answers might lead me.
I can, however, post a general range of questions:

-What does it feel like to come into a sudden, large amount of money? What emotions do you experience?
-Why is it fun to purchase lottery tickets, knowing how long the odds are?
-How would (or is!) your life be different after winning a large sum?
-What things besides money, or work in pursuit of it, give meaning to your life?
-Why is it difficult for normal, poor folk, to sympathize with lottery winners and the pressure of managing wealth?

That's a start list... I've got a lot more questions in mind but don't want to overwhelm anyone.
Also, I've definitely never posted here before, I just discovered the site this morning. I did a quick search for past threads on a similar topic, but didn't turn anything up. Would you mind linking me to the previous thread?

Thanks!
jameswhite

Storrs, CT
United States
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April 23, 2007
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Apr 23, 2007, 11:27 pm

"Unlesss you want a sad story....lllol"

That might be useful too, the broader the range of experiences the better.
justxploring

Wandering Aimlessly
United States
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November 5, 2005
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Apr 23, 2007, 11:39 pm

What does it feel like to come into a sudden, large amount of money? What emotions do you experience?

-Why is it fun to purchase lottery tickets, knowing how long the odds are?

-How would (or is!) your life be different after winning a large sum?

-What things besides money, or work in pursuit of it, give meaning to your life?

-Why is it difficult for normal, poor folk, to sympathize with lottery winners and the pressure of managing wealth?
psykomo

United States
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May 30, 2004
5,289 Posts
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Apr 24, 2007, 12:24 am

Quote: Originally posted by SirMetro on Apr 23, 2007
First, good luck in your venture and your budding career.
Second, if I may suggest, perhaps post 10 to 20 questions that you would like answered. I am sure a lot of folks just might be happy to chime in.
Sir Metro

There are many,...&....MOE>>>>>>
QUALITY posters on LP than any......HAVARD, YEAL, MID, GEORGIA
DECKS, &&&&&&&&&&&&&& &&........University of Knowlerge??????
students>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
kan interview................................on the LP HERE & NOW>>>>>> laughingtheir.................................HEADS-OFF w/UR........TACK????
IF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
U-R L@@K'g for FREE INFORMATION???????????????????????????
CONDUCT a POLL...........................like, CNN, ABC, CBS,.....& XYZZZ!
CAN U tell anyone something?????
about>>YOUR >selfishness????
psykomo

United States
Member #4,877
May 30, 2004
5,289 Posts
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Apr 24, 2007, 12:39 am

Quote: Originally posted by psykomo on Apr 24, 2007
There are many,...&....MOE>>>>>>
QUALITY posters on LP than any......HAVARD, YEAL, MID, GEORGIA
DECKS, &&&&&&&&&&&&&& &&........University of Knowlerge??????
students>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
kan interview................................on the LP HERE & NOW>>>>>> laughingtheir.................................HEADS-OFF w/UR........TACK????
IF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
U-R L@@K'g for FREE INFORMATION???????????????????????????
CONDUCT a POLL...........................like, CNN, ABC, CBS,.....& XYZZZ!
CAN U tell anyone something?????
about>>YOUR >selfishness????

..............TEACH the....(YOUR BABIE'S)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHILDREN..................WELL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Coin Toss

Zeta Reticuli Star System
United States
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January 17, 2006
11,788 Posts
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Apr 24, 2007, 1:24 am

jameswhite
You asked, "-Why is it fun to purchase lottery tickets, knowing how long the odds are?"
Because it's the working slob's only real hope of ever making a score, getting out of the 'rat race'. It's been said the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Most people do the jobs they do solely for the paycheck. Very few get to be creative , they just do the same job every day, over and over and over, by rote, ad nauseam. Even some people who are fortunate enough to be doing work they love find that they wish it paid more. So long odds or not, if something comes along to give them a glimmer of hope of breaking out of such a routine, sure they'll throw a buck at the chance.
Unfortunately, some get way too carried away with the number of bucks they're willing to throw at it.

Those who run the lotteries love it when players look for consistency in something that's designed not to have any. So many systems, so many theories, so few jackpot winners.

There is one and only one 'proven' system, and that is to book the action. No matter the game, let the players pick their own losers.
s5thomps

Hard Luck, Ak
United States
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October 13, 2005
422 Posts
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Apr 24, 2007, 1:58 am

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Apr 24, 2007
jameswhite
You asked, "-Why is it fun to purchase lottery tickets, knowing how long the odds are?"
Because it's the working slob's only real hope of ever making a score, getting out of the 'rat race'. It's been said the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Most people do the jobs they do solely for the paycheck. Very few get to be creative , they just do the same job every day, over and over and over, by rote, ad nauseam. Even some people who are fortunate enough to be doing work they love find that they wish it paid more. So long odds or not, if something comes along to give them a glimmer of hope of breaking out of such a routine, sure they'll throw a buck at the chance.
Unfortunately, some get way too carried away with the number of bucks they're willing to throw at it.

Well put coin toss, some people live to work, Well I work to live. The only real thing that a jackpot buys you is time. Time to do the things that you always wanted to do but just could not afford to. The majority of people who work really do not enjoy what they do. I think the key is to find something that you are passionate about and learn how to make a living do it. That right there is a win win situation. But people should also remember with great wealth comes great responsibility. Im sure Ol' Jack Whittaker learned that lesson the hard way!
prayin4amiracle

United States
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June 20, 2006
24 Posts
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Apr 24, 2007, 7:21 pm

..........I Can participate and give you a handful of "losing" tickets and the sad story of each and every single "losing" one of them? or would you like to know about the 5 number "hit" NYlotto ticket that yielded me a whole "big" $31.00....................