Fradam

No really, who does? That was the whole idea of the Holy Grail, featured in many quality films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; the pursuit of an alleged fountain of youth - which Indy drank, and leaves me very curious for how young he will be in the latest film. Ofcourse, outside of film, the yearning for such things is well documented in the annals of many cultures… but I often wonder: why?

It’s a scary notion when you account for all your loved ones passing away whilst you simply age… actually, that is quite sad.

Arwen explored the issue, and chose “the mortal life”…What I’d prefer is, living longer, but also, for everyone else around me to live longer too! So the question is, how do we do it? Somewhat fortunately, quality tabloid scientists invaded afternoon radio today to provide some suggestions:

• - Flossing daily can add 4 years
• - Keeping a journal can add 3 years
• - Sleeping 7 hours a day at minimum can add another year
• - A satisfying sex life can add another year (although the researcher in question thought it’d add more!)

So there are some interesting things that we could add possibly add in order to increase the length of life for nearly another decade. Now considering life expectancy here in Australia at the moment is about 78 for males, and 83 for females (ouch!), an extra 9 years could for me be the difference between 78 and 87. Alternatively, I could fall prey to dyslexia and I might not need the 9 years.

On a related note, Kellie (who’s birthday it is today - happy birfday! ) brought my attention to the story of someone else who recently celebrated a 109th birthday party. Yes, 109. How’d he get to that age? He must have had some secret right… and just like I’m trying to now, he shared it with a few people didn’t he?

Mr Ross’s eldest sister died two years ago at 99, and his two other sisters are aged 101 and 94.

Yep, he shared the secret with his closest siblings. Whatever this secret was, it must have been amazing - at 109, he was actually born in the 19th century (!)… meaning his life expectancy can’t have been the 78 we enjoy for Australian males today. In fact, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, life expectancy of males born at the turn of the 20th century was 55.

Whoa.

That means he has nearly doubled his life expectancy, adding (at the moment, touch wood) 54 years on!

But what was the secret? It was right at the start…

AUSTRALIA’S last surviving World War I soldier, Jack Ross, turned 109 today surrounded by his extended family and friends at a nursing home in Victoria.

To mark the occasion, the non-drinker and non-smoker indulged in his one vice - chocolate, and lots of it.

There you have it, chocalata really is the elixir of youth Better than flossing, sleep or sex, chocolate could add a staggering 54 years onto your life - so why don’t you just go ahead and reach for some now?

One of my Christmas presents (yes, near 6 months ago now!), was the acclaimed Riftwar saga from Raymond E. Feist — thanks Dave! The first in the series, the Magician is considered by many to be one of the finest fantasy reads of our time. I think I first heard of it when I was about 8; my eldest brother would have been reading Feist and encouraging me to get into it as well, having already set my feet upon the path of medieval literature with the world of Tolkien. This universe, filled with a myriad of amazing creatures and characters, drew me in, intoxicating me with its lore until I had searched far and wide (well, Warringah Library) for every book written about it. Bad idea; the Silmarillion kinda killed it for me. Yet, the idea of becoming a wizard was certainly one I had speculated upon.

Engaging Eddings only served to exacerbate that desire, as I encountered a boy who was only a wee bit older than me growing to learn about sorcery. Something about these lands filled with magic attracted me; I wasn’t sure what it was either. More than just the casual urge to turn a brother into a toad when the occasion suited, the idea of being able to alter the natural world seemed rather appealing.

Now, as I’ve grown older, such wishes have lain dormant, quietly being suppressed by the dusts of school and other non-wizardly things. So, receiving Riftwar for Christmas, began another saga of longing for a magical life. Reading another story of a boy-turned-magician brought to the surface thoughts and dreams long thought forgotten. As a result, I’ve decided my calling in life has been made. I will enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and become a wizard!

Wish me luck!