Former Roommate writes again from the Green Zone in Baghdad:
PAM… PAM/PAM… PAM…in came the mortar rounds.
I got to the Duck and Cover and started thinking about things – life, death, chance, etc. My thoughts wandered to this: If one was killed before their time, what happens to all of the things that one might have done had one lived longer? So I started thinking about parceling out that which I have yet to speak or do – those potential thoughts and actions that I would have had if I had not died prematurely. It is with that in mind that I establish this Potential Will:
To Pepper I bequeath all of the times I would have cried, “AIRBORNE!” To Kelly, I leave all of the nice things that I ever would have said about Pepper. To Andrew, I give all of the hours of overtime that I would have worked (Note to Andrew: that means the times I would have worked past 6 PM).
Lafo response from Zone One in London:
Dark thoughts in the duck and cover. But you are thinking in the right direction and there is always a silver lining in those dark clouds.
Instead of willy nilly giving away your Potential, you should auction it. For example if Andrew wants a compliment on his tie, he can bid against Pepper in real time via an iPhone™ for your raft of compliments. Pepper can counter bid on Ebay™ via his Blackberry™ 8700 (brought to you by Verizon). They can pay for their successful bids via Paypal™ which can either be forwarded to your account at AAFES or to your Schwab One Wealthbuilder™ account.
When you are really getting PAM PAMMED with indirect fire you can send a twitter message from your Duck and Cover via a Facebook™ widget to your bidders list. The bidding can commence as in that moment the value would increase due to the, ah, ahem, ‘proximity of reward completion’ increasing. When the all clear is sounded then proximity fades and the bidding will slow, of course. You can call the bids and get the revenue and buy yourself some Velcro™ straps and other kit as you see fit. There is premium upside in danger after all and you are a first mover in Potential Options.
July 31, 2007 at 11:44 am
As is customary on E-bay, the really crappy stuff sells for unbelievable amounts. Roommate’s book, “A Colonel in the Pentagon - life at the bottom of the food chain”, a real page turner, bids up to $8,495 and is won by Achmed7 who’s only question was, “how much ship Pakistan?”. Roommate’s Master’s Class (over 50) World Squat Record was bid on by PLAF245 who asked, “do squats make your calves bigger?” - when answered “no”, he was outbid by KASK954.
LaFosite - give Roommate a nod for me and tell him to keep his head down - thanks!
July 31, 2007 at 12:16 pm
We the privileged few… bear witness to that which does not often present to the uninitiated. Of what do I speak?…Spirit!
More accurately the unique spirit possessed by
team mates, shipmates / swim buddies or as in this case former room mates.
What makes this all the more touching is (and those of us who are members of such a brotherhood know all to well) the demonstration of the unique ability to hear the thoughts or plight of your buddy and immediately be able to reverse the negative into a positive, instil a belief, suggest a method to ensure success and lift them into a winning and can-do mentality. All with a potential financial gain at the end of the evolution…sniff…it’s a beautiful thing.
Furthermore as Lafo suggests the premium upside in the danger stakes is to be exploited. Such credible urgency is a commodity which should not be taken for granted. I would also suggest a ‘buy it now’ button linked to a sum pre approved by FRM (Former Room Mate). Thus providing extra incentive and a ‘real chance’ for the novice or weak bidder to win over the seasoned.