Sun - October 17, 2004

Are you feeling lucky?



I've never considered myself a person who believes in luck. I've always believed in working for what you want; that would explain why I never register for the countless drawings, contests, and offers I receive via email, via snail mail, on the phone, or encounter in my daily grind. While I'm sure it would be great to win an "all expenses paid vacation to Hawaii" for registering for this, that, and the other thing, if I really wanted to go to Hawaii I would put down my hard earned cash.

Having said that, I've never considered myself a lucky person. Perhaps it's because I don't play the odds enough or perhaps it's because I don't have the positive mind set when it comes to such things. Regardless, I walk through life with the understanding that nothing comes without effort; nothing comes for free.

That's why i was so surprised when I received a random box at work this past week. The box was from the Homewood Suites Hilton in Garden Grove, CA. I had stayed at the Homewood Suites while in Southern California supporting an OEM during the end of Apple's Q4 of Fiscal Year '04. When I registered at the front desk, I tossed one of my business cards in a small basket identified as the monthly giveaway basket. I didn't do it thinking I would actually win anything, I really just thought it was about time I handed out a business card.

Well, I ended up winning the September giveaway. My prize? A beautiful leather computer briefcase from U.S. Luggage. While it sells for under $100 on the web, I was still impressed and taken away by the chain of events. It was at that point that I realized why people enter raffles and play those quarter machines where you try to pick up a stuffed animal. It's more for the feeling of winning than the actual prize.

Posted at 08:05 AM    

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