Feb 13/12

Mike Holmes


Well, he's a little older than I am. Does he look older? Hard to say. But of course our lives have been very different. The life you live affects your appearance, especially in later years.

Mike's always been in construction; I'm an academic. No wonder he has the big arms and the thick chest, whereas I'm willowy.

University does that to you: It keeps you young - looking young, anyway. That's not to say university is easy; the hardest years of my life were spent there. For whatever reason, though, the 25-year-old who has been out working full time since age 18 will just look more rugged than the degree holder. I've wondered why for a long time.

The main reason I can think of is food. When I was in university, I was poor enough that although I always had enough to eat, I didn't eat very well. I certainly couldn't afford to eat meats and salads like I do today. Back then, anyway, the university student ate more meagrely than the working person because the student was poorer. Of course, if you eat less, you'll be thinner - and in our culture, young means thin (so thin means young).

With young tradesmen, you can multiply that effect by two at least. Tradesmen start making money their second year (or earlier), since they mostly learn on the job. They make good money, too - and they get steady raises as they continue their training. If the tradesman started when he (or she) was 18, then by the time the university student has their degree, the tradesman's got it made. Then, of course, the university student has to start looking for a job. (I never found one.)

Well, Mike, I'm thinner than you. In a culture dominated by the desire for thinness, doesn't that count?:)

I especially like Handyman Superstar Challenge.

Mike's Canadian, eh?

Looking good here, Mike, even if I do say so myself.

Wikipedia was a source for this article.

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