Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Alec Breathes On
And, while I am on the subject of gold age, this story has everything. Alec Holden won £25,000 by living to be 100. He laid a £100 bet at 250/1 when he was 90. His longevity recommendations - notably keeping breathing and not working too much - have a precise, genteel and very English charm as does the fact, mentioned on the radio, that he plans to holiday in Eastbourne, where, presumably, he will feel very young. I saw him on TV. He doesn't look a day over 75 and he smiles with Buddha-like detachment while playing online chess. The bookies, William Hill, are now extending the pay-off age for this kind of bet to 110 as so many more people are living to 100. You read it here first. It's still worth a punt. Only your beneficiaries can lose. Has Alec laid another bet? I think we should be told.
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A blog about, among other things, imaginary ideas - What ifs? and Imagine thats. What if photographs looked nothing like what we see with our eyes? Imagine that the Berlin Wall had never come down. What if we were the punchline of an interminable joke? All contributions welcome.
Another fine tome by the way, Bryan. I rattled through the first half on a flight back from the US at the weekend. I look forward to the denouement with bated breath.
ReplyDeleteI liked this;
ReplyDelete''He said in recent months he had been keeping watch for "any hooded groups from William Hill standing in the street", so that he could avoid them.''
Honestly, the odds were stacked in his favour - Engineer, one of the occupational groups which have the best longevity. Carpenter (see occupational self-therapy). Sense of humour (priceless) and porridge.
whay a nice story, good luck to the guy!
Mr. Appleyard, it occurs to me that all you do in your spare time is peruse the news. Isn't it a bit of a busman's holiday? But I'm grateful for it, it saves me the job. ;o)
Very selective perusal, Ian. Only the news that fits.
ReplyDeleteI’m pleased that Mr Holden credits porridge for his longevity. I am always trying to convince my children of its nutritional value. Sadly they are more likely to be swayed by the belief that Gary Lineker eats lots of crisps.
ReplyDeleteI play the odd game of chess. And right enough, I don't look a day over 75!
ReplyDeleteChess, gerontologists tell me, is excellent for staving off brain rot. Unfortunately, I'm no good at it.
ReplyDeletesurely being no good is better than being too good if it's longevity you're after? otherwise every game is just a walk in the park and hardly any cerebral benefit at all.
ReplyDeletebut if you're a bad loser then I suppose it's different.