Taki Taki

Winning streak

Broadsides from the pirate captain of the Jet Set

issue 12 May 2007

Southampton, New York

I received a gift necktie from the King of Greece at the lunch I threw in his honour here in the Bagel. The design on the tie gave me food for thought. There were tiny white rocking chairs against the skyblue background. The message was clear. It’s time to hang it up. King Constantine is a valued friend who had advised me against competing in martial arts at my age. When he heard of my victory down south he figured I had lucked out — which I had — so in order for me not to press lady luck he went out and bought me the Brooks Brothers tie.

Pushing the envelope, whether in gambling or in sport, is what makes life exciting and so unpredictable. Do you ride good fortune and double up on the bets, or do you play it safe and go home a winner? If I knew the answer I’d be the richest man in the world, not that this interests me one bit.

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