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29 Jun 05 - 04:15 PM (#1512717) Subject: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,leeneia Did you see that John Walton, heir to the Wal-mart riches, died flying an experimental plane in Wyoming? Apparently his fortune, estimated by Fortune at $18 billion (US-style billion) was not enough to get him a rational source of pleasure. So he died foolishly, no doubt leaving behind nightmare-ridden bystanders who saw him crash. I have been asking myself what I would do if I had $18 billion. Setting aside for a moment the noble causes I would support and the instruments I would buy (hurdy-gurdy, for one), I have made my first decision. I have just come back from a trip to Iceland. It involved a dreary plane ride and serious jet lag. So I and the DH discussed this, and we are going to get a small cruise ship and set up a household in it. Then we will invite any friends who want to come and will tell the captain to take us to Iceland or wherever. No jet lag. We want a cruise ship because they have stabilizers which would help prevent seasickness. We thought about a yacht, but yachts just seem too small. Keep in mind that my idea of risk is eating food that has been frozen in the refrigerator-freezer instead of in the deep-freeze. That still leaves the question of my cats. The cats love us and they love their house. No kind of catsitting, no matter how luxurious, will change that. So, just as I was getting into bed, I had a brilliant idea. We will pay house-movers to jack up our house and load it on the cruise ship. That way the cats can go with us and still be "at home." ------- What would you do if you had $18,200,000,000? |
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29 Jun 05 - 04:21 PM (#1512720) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Ebbie As for John Walton dying in the pursuit of what he loved to do, I see no problem with that. As far as your cats are concerned, I think some people have a very strange idea of what their animals are thinking and feeling. Take the bloody cats with you. :) |
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29 Jun 05 - 04:28 PM (#1512729) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,MMario don't forget that for cats "Home is where the staff is" |
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29 Jun 05 - 04:43 PM (#1512739) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Clinton Hammond " What would you do if you had $18,200,000,000?" Why the h3ll would I tell you? :-P "died flying an experimental plane in Wyoming" "So he died foolishly" Why is flying an experimental plane foolish??? ALL planes are experimental at some point.. someone has to be the first one to fly 'em... Sounds to my you're jealous of this guy cause he knew how to LIVE life, instead of being a coward... "my idea of risk is eating food that has been frozen in the refrigerator-freezer" How sad and pathetic... |
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29 Jun 05 - 05:25 PM (#1512774) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Piers That kind of money could pay for two years of debt repayments or nine months health expenditure for sub-saharan Africa. |
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29 Jun 05 - 05:57 PM (#1512798) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Mooh A few bucks to keep me and my family happy for the rest of time, and the rest to make many many others happy for the rest of time. That amount of cash is just unimaginable. We're short of Kraft Dinner too... Peace, Mooh. |
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29 Jun 05 - 06:06 PM (#1512801) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Le Scaramouche Of course it's not enough. it's not even $20,000,000,000. |
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29 Jun 05 - 07:05 PM (#1512832) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: John Hardly I'd have my favorite guitar builder make me a guitar. It still wouldn't have any abalone on it. |
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29 Jun 05 - 07:17 PM (#1512841) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Bill D if I had 18 billion, I might build a BIG safety net, and only fly my teeny little plane above it. (several years ago, the cartoonist Berke Breathed, who drew "Bloom County" and now "Opus" was nearly killed in one of those...) |
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29 Jun 05 - 08:15 PM (#1512873) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Uncle_DaveO You have to undestand what "an experimental plane" is. It doesn't mean a contraption someone put together to find out if a certain concept of design works. It doesn't mean anything at all about the quality of the design or construction. It has to do with the governmental regulations for "type certification" of aircraft. You can be (or hire) the best aircraft designer in the world; you can be (or hire) the best airframe and engine mechanic in the oworld. Likewise, you can be (or hire) the best aeronautical engineer(s) in the world to analyze, test, and correct the plans. In short, the particular plane may be a jewel, an exemplar of what an airplane should be. But unless you have chosen to take it through the bureaucratic hoops, which include all sorts of expensive regulatory hurdles and expenses which don't necessarily add to the airworthiness of the design or the plane as built, you don't get an airworthiness certificate. That doesn't mean you can't use it, but you can't use it for commercial purposes, and there are limitations on who can fly it, who or how many persons may be passengers (VERY limited). And it's called "experimental" even if you then put it through rigorous testing by a professional test pilot and actually fly it thousands of flight hours without any untoward experiences. That he died in an "experimental" plane tells you essentially nothing except that he had a plane that wasn't off an assembly line. Dave Oesterreich |
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29 Jun 05 - 08:38 PM (#1512897) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Ebbie I don't see a problem with allowing people to risk their lives in doing what they wish to do. You could spend your whole life in bed 24 hours a day but, as the man said: You're still gonna die. Your safety net, Bill D, is very visual. I gather it would be quite narrow but VERY long? I once posed this question to two pilots I know: Would it be possible to install an appropriate number of parachutes on airliners that if needed would bring planes relatively gently back to earth? They agreed that the technology is entirely possible, but that the cost of an air ticket would soar and no one would go for that. I would. |
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29 Jun 05 - 08:44 PM (#1512902) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Mooh ...and some ketchup/catsup, we're short of that too. Otherwise we're cool. Mooh. |
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29 Jun 05 - 11:33 PM (#1512985) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Bill D funny, Ebbie...I actually visualized a huge squareish safety net, like out in a desert area, so you could fly in big circles... and I kinda like the idea of multi-parachutes for a 747.....but so many crashes are on takeoff and landings, that I presume they'd not get used much... |
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29 Jun 05 - 11:43 PM (#1512990) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Stilly River Sage John Denver also died piloting an experimental airplane. We discussed that at length some time back here on Mudcat. Taking risks is something we do every day. It's just that most of us don't recognize the risks we confront when we strap ourselves into our vehicles and head out on the highway every morning. Will this be the morning when an 18-wheeler jacknifes while trying to avoid an SUV that crossed the median? If anything is troubling about Mr. Walton it's how his father managed to trample so many small businesses across America in pursuit of those many bucks that his son inherited. SRS |
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30 Jun 05 - 05:33 AM (#1513112) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Wolfgang Cash? Make many people happy? Spend it in Africa?? The 18 billion are not cash, they are mostly in the business/company. Cashing in all that money could make a lot of people unhappy who might loose the jobs. But if you tell the workers that the possible end of their job will pay for nine months of health expentiture in a part of Africa I'm sure they'll love you. If I had 18 billion I'd tell noone about it and would live on quietly like I do now with perhaps some small but hardly noticeable changes. The interest of that much money I'd try to give away as quietly and unnoticed as possible, andfor sure a lot of that would go to Africa. I'd not be so foolish to signal everybody that I've got more money than I need or can deal with by putting my house on a yacht bound for Iceland. That would make all TV station report about me with pictures and I could no longer walk around in my village without fear of kidnapping and without everybody telling me what for they could need money. I'd need a security guard for my kid and all that. No, I'd hate such a life and therefore displaying my riches would be the very last thing on my mind. Leeneia's question means of course something else than I have understood: What would you do if you had 18 Billion and everything else was the same as now. But if you had 18 Billion nothing would be the same except if you could keep quiet about it. Wolfgang |
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30 Jun 05 - 05:43 AM (#1513115) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: mooman I don't need anything more in particular so my answer would be along the lines of Wolfgang's above ...carefully given away where it would do the most good effectively. But that's all hypothetical anyway as I would never have that sort of money! Not even a millionth of it. Peace moo |
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30 Jun 05 - 06:21 AM (#1513133) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: gnu Wolfgang's right. Most of that coin is tied up. Hell, you'd probably only have cash on hand of maybe $200,000,000. Given that, I'd probably just get a Mudcat T-shirt... for my tour of Alaska... oh yeah, and a case of Buzz-off. |
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30 Jun 05 - 08:01 AM (#1513208) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Blissfully Ignorant Right now i'd settle for a tenner... |
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30 Jun 05 - 08:02 AM (#1513209) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,Grab Foolishly? As a hang-glider pilot, I can safely (or unsafely!) say that flying is the single best experience you can have on your own. Second-best is playing an instrument. Graham. (PS. I know someone will ask. "Self-pleasure" is probably somewhere around #5, competing with skiing, hill-walking and sailing... ;-) |
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30 Jun 05 - 08:56 AM (#1513251) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: LilyFestre The VERY first thing that came to my mind is that I would have our house finished (some day it WILL be done..I swear it!), buy up the small building with the porch streamside that is in town but abandoned and start up the fly fishing (flies and handmade bamboo rods)/Fisherman's Cafe that my husband would dearly love to run, build a barn and better kennels for the dogs. Yep. That would be great. I don't know if I'd change much else though....maybe set aside some for college educations of Veronica, Kayla, Forrest and the twins. Oh yeah...one very nice, LONG, trip to Alaska to fly fish and take photos...with an evening or two at LeRoy's for old time's sake. Michelle |
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30 Jun 05 - 09:12 AM (#1513261) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Donuel Foolish yes. I am all for risk taking but if you have over 18 billion you could afford the aircraft parachute - a parachute that actually floats an aircraft down to the ground. I've seen them work exceptionally well. |
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30 Jun 05 - 09:27 AM (#1513272) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,MMario the articles I've seen say an "ultra-light" aircraft, not "experimental" - and it seems that John Walton has started and built a number of small companies during his lifetime; plus refused to take a position in his fathers company. His net worth is indeed based on stock holdings - most of which would be unavailable. So it seems the man is being pilloried for the "sins of the father" |
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30 Jun 05 - 10:50 AM (#1513311) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,leeneia Wolfgang, you are right about the wisdom of keeping a low profile. I guess we should make sure the cats' bungalow is not conspicuous. Many of us are indicating that we would not change much in our lives, and I think that's a good thing. Shows that we are at peace with the world. Along these lines, I remember a lovely lady, a co-worker of my husband. One day we were discussing what we would do if we won the lottery, and she said, "I would buy my dad a new truck!" There's a sweetheart for you. I agree with everyone who points out the good that could be done in Africa. I wouldn't forget Africa. Another thing I would do is build my dream house. I have been thinking for years about my dream house. For one thing, it would have a motorized storage unit such as hospitals use for medicines. You push a button, open the doors, and there's a shelf. In my house, you would push the button, and the jewelry-making supplies would come up. Push it again, and there are the CD's. Push it again, and there's the Windex, etc etc. The living room would face south, and the winter sun would shine on the tile floor, warming it. For summer, real shutters would be shut so that it wouldn't get too hot. In front of the house there would be shrubs that feed the wild birds, so I could birdwatch when it's not too hot. And of course there would be a room where my musical instruments would be right to hand, ready to play at the drop of a hat. |
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30 Jun 05 - 12:42 PM (#1513351) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,Uncle DaveO Yes, charities (kept quiet if I could) would be important in what I'd do. For myself, I think travel is the ultimate luxury. When I was younger and in much better shape, I'd have done things like a trek in the Himalayas and stuff like that. But today, alas, my travel would have to be citified, or cruises. I'm sure my Beautiful Wife would have her own ideas, one of which would concern housing. I don't think either of us would want to move to a new house, but this one (a very nice house as it is, and plenty big enough for us) could use a lot of upgrading. I'd be interested in a much higher quality guitar than I currently use, and there are a couple additional banjos I'd be interested in. And I'm sure I would attend a lot more folk music festivals and like events. Dave Oesterreich |
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30 Jun 05 - 12:46 PM (#1513353) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST I'd buy 1820000000000 penny sweets and build a motorbike out of them. |
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30 Jun 05 - 01:39 PM (#1513376) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,wildlone Looking around the web I found FAA rules for ultralight aircraft scary stuff. To fly one solo in the UK you must have a National Private Pilots Licence Info here |
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30 Jun 05 - 06:14 PM (#1513460) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: GUEST,leeneia Guest,your idea of a motorbike made from sweets is the most original so far. Your post gave me the best chuckle I have had in a while. Dave, if you are interested in not one, but a couple of banjos, then you must be a dedicated player. I didn't know you played. I love the sound of the banjo. |
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01 Jul 05 - 03:36 PM (#1513943) Subject: RE: BS: $18,200,000,000 wasn't enough From: Tannywheeler Several years back, when Texas had just started having a lottery, this old chestnut raised its head. There's a locally-produced tv show--Austin City Limits--and a local country/rockabilly/etc. band called The Geezinslaws (or Geezinslaw Brothers). The Gs were playing a date on ACL. After one song there was a conversational interlude. (The shtick is that "Son Geezinslaw"{plays mandolin? banjo?}NEVER speaks and stands onstage with and absolute "deadpan" face. "Ring-Eye the Goose Geezinslaw"{plays/sings lead, guitar?}starts alot of his stories with "I'ze talkin' to Son th'other day and I asked him...and he said...", because noone can imagine "Son" saying anything.) Ring-Eye says, "I'ze tellin' Son th'other day 'bout The Lotto. They got prizes of 4, 5, 6 million dollars. I asked Son what he'd do if he won The Lotto and had 4 or 5 million bucks. He said he'd just keep playin' music tour dates til it was all gone." None of us is in Mr. Walton's will, so we probably won't ever know how he disposed of his stuff. He may have done some really good things with it. We don't know. We're all a bit jealous because we see so much need around us and wish we could satisfy it. We should probablly refrain from cattiness. We'd be better human beings, maybe. T(meow)w |