I Remembering the two keys to maintaining a remarkable memory That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 41 | Thursday, October 15, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com have always had, at least to the best of my recall, an amazing memory. I can remember events -- everyday, sporting, social, cultural, historic -- with such sparkling clarity and astonishing detail that people (and by `people', I mean my wife) are certain I've fabricated (rather than remembered) those suddenly under-themicroscope memories, those suddenly suspect speci cs. "How do you know what sweater I was wearing at the Sadie Hawkins Dance in Grade 10? That was forever ago. I don't even think I was wearing a sweater. Had sweaters even been invented?" "Not a sweater, per se, my sweetness. More a beige, wool hippie-vest with four chocolate brown buttons. And you may recall not wearing it because you did indeed take it off at the foursecond mark of the guitar solo in Grand Funk Railroad's Loco-Motion." Groaning, my wife leaves the room -- obviously intimidated by my Rain Man-esque recall, albeit, assured I do not make up memories, as far as anyone can truly recall. Alas, as we age, our memory weakens to the point where it's not half of what we think we remember it once was. To that end, I recall my parents having a few memory issues as they matured. I remember telephone conversations with my mother wherein she'd update me on her life. "I watched a wonderful movie last night," she'd say. Oh, what was it called? "I don't remember." Well, what was it about? "I can't recall." Okay, who was in it? "No idea." It sounds wonderful, mom. And then there were occasional conversations between my parents wherein a memory lapse or two would turn the talk into something resembling an Abbott and Costello comedy routine. Pops to Mom: "I saw (he struggles to come up with the name of a mutual acquaintance)... that woman downtown today." Mom, avec (with) impatience: "What woman?" Pops: "That woman we used to see over at (he struggles to remember the name of a venue) the thing." Mom, now annoyed: "What thing?" Pops: "The thing, with the woman. With the hair. You know. The hair and the earrings." Well, I'd think: that narrows it down. I mean, how many women would they have met over the course of their lifetime who had hair? But that was them, and it isn't gonna be me. Because I have an incredible memory (have I mentioned that?) and because I read a scienti c study that said the key to successfully remembering things is twofold: say what you want to remember out loud several times. Then, to lock it in, say it out loud to someone. Despite possessing what I remember to be a remarkable memory, I've always had trouble with names. Well, the other day, I met a man and we introduced ourselves. I really wanted to remember his name, so upon departing, I said it out loud several times. Then, when I got home I planned to say it out loud to my wife. Alas, that went something like this: "I met that guy today." What guy? "The guy I was supposed to meet from (I draw the biggest blank ever drawn)... the thing." What thing? "The thing. With the guy. In the blue shirt with... the hair." Yep, heaven help me: with the hair. "Well," my wife said, shaking her head, "that narrows it down." -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@ gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook. com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter .com/ thesportjesters. serta® mattresses at outlet prices 6 new lines to choose from queen sizes starting as low as available in twin to king sizes Hurontario st. Cawthra Road Dixie Road QEW $ Lake Shore Blvd. mon.-fri. 10 am-9 pm saturday 9:30 am-6 pm sunday 11 am-6 pm store hours: Dixie Outlet Mall Dixie Outlet Personal shopping only. All merchandise is sold "as is" and all sales final. No exchanges, returns, or adjustments on previously purchased merchandise, savings offers cannot be combined. 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