Michael began his tenure at Daily Star Online in 2019 following roles at several publications, including The Times, Mixmag, and The Lady. He possesses a keen interest in peculiar news stories and quality wines.
On a typical Friday night, after a demanding week and a lengthy quest for a movie, we settled for the third choice on Netflix.
While half-watching the film and enjoying my third glass of red wine, I idly scrolled through Facebook on my phone.
An advertisement from Omaze suddenly grabbed my attention, offering a chance to win a luxurious beachfront house in Sussex, a short drive from my location.
Intrigued, I explored the details and imagined the joy of owning a £4 million property nearby.
The ad described a picturesque setting where one could enjoy breakfast at a Scandinavian-style table and stroll through the Angmering-on-Sea estate with its private amenities, further enhancing the appeal of the property.
The prospect of welcoming friends from London at the village station and owning a seaside retreat added to the allure of the offer.
Enthralled by the opportunity, fueled by a few glasses of Côtes du Rhône, I decided to participate, despite the slim odds of winning, akin to the National Lottery jackpot chances.
After the lackluster film ended, I almost forgot about my entry and went to bed, only to be reminded a week later by an email from Omaze announcing my win.
Excited at first, my enthusiasm waned when I discovered I had won only £15, a modest return on my investment but a brief taste of being a millionaire.
Ignoring common sense, I reinvested my winnings in tickets for another Omaze competition, this time for a stunning Cornwall property near family.
Despite not winning the Cornwall property, the real victors were Jon Dexter, a retired physics teacher, who secured the prize, and James Moughton, a former taxi driver, who happily transitioned from a council flat to a £4 million mansion in Sussex.
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