Games of chance

In the department of Over the Top, 62-year old Diana Nyad has come up short in her 4th try to swim more than 100 miles across the Straits of Florida -- without a shark cage or anything to prevent jellyfish stings.

Should she be unable to return to the water for yet another attempt, there are other challenges she might consider:

• Climb Mount Everest -- barefoot.
• Win the Tour de France -- on a unicycle.
• Run for elected office -- penniless.

 Actually, she'd have a chance on the first two feats, but the last one is impossible.

-----

The subject of taking chances always reminds me of my grandfather, who won and lost a small fortune betting the horses. I was born in the house my mother bought with his daily double winnings before he knew what had happened. But even Barney Cook would marvel at how much gambling is pervading our lives.   Soon we'll have casinos in every major city. The gaming industry has turned Gramps' beloved race tracks into racinos. Airports feature slots for idle travellers.   But why stop there? We could place the machines anywhere people tend to find themselves with time on their hands. Hence ...

• Waiting-roominos (After all, your doctor's 3-year old magazines don't help pass the time, do they.)
• Gas-pumpinos (While you fill up your car, you could risk another 50 bucks -- and you've already swiped your card.)
• Businos (Big slots in the terminals, little ones on the seat backs in the buses.)
• Coursinos (One of the best things about public golf is the half-hour delay you get on every tee.)
• Parkinos (Why let lovers monopolize that secluded overlook? Besides, sunsets get boring after a while. Be honest.)

Myself, I don't gamble, but we'll see all of this and more in our lifetime -- I'll bet you anything.