Letters for George: Age 81

Dear George,

If reincarnation turns out to be true, I hope to be a numerologist in my next go-around. I’ve always had a thing for numbers. In years gone by I’ve kept numerical lists of points I’ve scored in basketball games, calories consumed, golf and tennis scores, Fitbit points, blood sugar readings, and numbers of people smiling vs. not smiling on Ludlow Avenue. As you might imagine, I’m currently intrigued by the number 81 since it’s my new age (as of this morning). Among other things, my age is now equal to my granddaughter V’s age (9) multiplied by my grandson L’s age (9). This means, of course, that I am the same age as 9 V’s or as 9 L’s. Here are some other amazing facts about 81.

The definition of Eighty-one

According to wiktionary.org, 81 is the number that comes between 80 and 82. Merriam-Webster clarifies further that 81 is one more than 80. These are helpful definitions. However, numerologists delve more deeply into spiritual meanings, reporting that 81 is “a calling from one’s angels to release the old and outworn in their life and begin looking for new beginnings and opportunities.” (35) In 1933 columnist Walter Winchell reported that servers at soda fountains refer to a glass of water as an “eighty-one”. (31) Urbandictionary.com, which documents more contemporary usages, says that 81 refers to a male sticking his cha-cha in between a female’s melons. (39) [Note: numbers in parentheses refer to sources listed at the end.]

Things named “Eighty-one”

81 is the atomic number of Thalium. It’s also the symbolic number of the Hells Angels (‘H’ and ‘A’ are the 8th and 1st letters of the alphabet). One of Miles Davis’ jazz albums is named “Eighty-One”, as is a 1965 song by Candy and the Kisses. (41) “Eighty-One’ is a former restaurant on the Upper West Side in NYC (28). Finally, if you want to direct dial a phone number in Japan, 81 is the international code. (41)

Sets of 81 things

It’s easy to think of two or four or ten items that make up a group (e.g., 10 bowling pins). But there are also many sets of 81. For example, there are 81 squares in a Suduko board (36), 81 episodes of Jane the Virgin (5), 81 Big Boy restaurants in the U.S. (23), 81 provinces in Turkey (41), 81 prayers in the Rosary (41), 81 home games in a major league baseball season (9), 81 three-star restaurants in the world (25), 81 police officers protecting the President of South Africa (8), 81 countries in the world in which women are a majority (2), and 81 Muslim mosques in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. (22) Gen X (born 1972 to 1983) has 81 million members (37), and cats make up 81 million of pets in the U.S. (5)

Age 81

On their 81st birthday people have lived 42,573,600 minutes. (38) Life expectancy at birth is 81 years in the Netherlands, Bermuda, New Zealand, Belgium, Finland, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Germany, Greece, and the United Kingdom. (12) 54% of people in the U.S. born 81 years ago are alive today (1), and the probability of an 81-year-old man living ten to twenty more years is 37%. (17) (This is encouraging.)

What 81-year-olds are doing

If you google “81 years old”, you will run across a variety of persons who are doing impressive things at age 81. These include: a woman who power lifted 248 pounds; a Holocaust survivor who runs six miles a day, six days a week; a woman who climbed Mount Fuji in Japan; a man who finally earned his Eagle Scout rank this year; a woman who takes photos from the back of a galloping horse; and a Marinette WI native who has eaten burgers at Micky-Lu-Bar-B-Q for 75 years in a row. In addition, British actress Judi Dench got her first-ever tattoo in 2016 at age 81, and former pro golfer Gary Player is still doing back flips off the diving board at age 81. (19, 29)

81st anniversaries

2018 is the 81st anniversary of: the Golden Gate Bridge; the Hindenburg airship disaster; the premiere of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; Amelia Earhart’s disappearance; Ronald Reagan’s acting debut; Joe Louis becoming World Heavyweight Champion; the founding of the National Basketball League; and the Ohio River flood that left one million homeless. (34)

Ranked #81

Being ranked 81st can be a huge accomplishment. For example, Vic Seixas, a tennis legend, is the 81st greatest tennis player in history. (41) Other #81’s:

The 81st best song of all time: “Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson (1883). (6)
The 81st richest person in the U.S.: Victoria Mars ($6.3 billion; candy, pet food). (18)
The 81st best NFL player of all time: quarterback Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers. (41)
The 81st greatest opera of all times: I Puritani by Vincenzo Bellini. (13)
The 81st best summer travel destination in the U.S.: Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (40)
The 81st best standup comedian of all times: Dick Gregory. (21)
The 81st best novel written in English: The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing. (32)
The 81st most popular dog breed in America: the Giant Schnauzer. (14)
The 81st most nutritious food: carp (18% protein, 6% fat, 0% sugar). (4)
The world’s 81st highest paid entertainer: The Rolling Stones ($39 million). (18)
The 81st most popular girl’s name in the U.S.: Willow. (3)

Consequential statistics: Eighty-one percent

81% of white evangelicals voted for Trump in 2016. (11)
81% of Americans are unable to point out the Arab region on a world map. (24)
Fossil fuels make up 81% of the energy market. (125)
81% of American voters support reducing immigration levels. (27)
81% of women experience sexism at work. (42)
81% of enrollees in ObamaCare plans are satisfied with their health insurance. (33)
81% of Trump’s judge nominees are male. (10)
California uses solar, wind, and hydro power to meet 81% of its electricity demands. (20)
In 2010 women earned 81% of men’s average weekly earnings ($669 vs. $824). (7)
81% of adults do not read “for pleasure” or on a daily basis. (30)
Because of FMLA restrictions, 81% of new mothers don’t qualify for the Family Medical Leave Act. (16)

This might well be the most detailed information about 81 ever compiled, and it certainly proves that 81 is one of the best numbers ever. It leaves me in an optimistic mood about turning 81. I hope that we all have a special year.

Love,

Dave