The jinx has often centred on the simple art of mixing concrete.

'The first one', he said, leading them as if through an exhibition, 'is me at seven, mixing concrete in Dad's yard.'

They had me mixing concrete, all the unskilled jobs.

Nearby, a group of younger children wearing pyjama bottoms, hard hats and work boots are learning to mix concrete in a clearing among the palms.

Also, quality control varies among plants that mix concrete.

While mixing concrete is hard physical work, there is nothing terribly complicated or mystical about it.

As for pre- or post-tensioned beams mixing steel and concrete, fatigue studies are also being carried out.

I wasn't shoveling asphalt and mixing concrete for the autobahns.

In winter, salt is sometimes put into the water used in mixing concrete, to prevent the concrete from freezing.

"We taught them how to mix concrete," he told me.