Memory Not So Sharp?

I suppose this is a shared experience for those of us hanging around third base.  We are experiencing a slowing of memory, or even the total disappearance of certain memories (I'm not referring to denial here, that's another subject).  We are told this is normal for our age, but then you run across someone with an excellent memory, and...  I have found on occasion, that if I give it a few minutes the name, or the place or whatever will drift back into my conscious mind.

Still, I get concerned about this memory stuff, so I thought I might try something.  I guess I could have chosen a medium to explore and bring forth my unconscious mind, but that sounds kind of personal to me.  I mean, what is back there being denied tat i would want to see again?  Psychotherapy?  Nah, too expensive and, once again, too personal.

So now  I have settled on a new avenue to attempt.  I have picked up one of Harry Lorayne's books entitled "Memory Mastery." It's held my interest for five chapters, so i guess it was worth Barnes and Noble's $5.00 sale price (and that was before my ten percent coupon!).  It's worked for me in a couple of trials, but I haven't figured out how to use it to recall thing is already knew.  I mean, you can use one of Harry's systems to remember and recite a series of unrelated words, or a string of numbers, but how do I remember the name of the 34th President of the U.S.?

At the same time I've been tinkering with another avenue--trivia events (usually held on an otherwise slow night at some bar.), but we are randomly winning or coming in last, so that has to be hit or miss. The one thing that sticks in my mind is the hosts repeating this mantra--have another drink because it always makes you smarter.  I'd say "I'll drink to that," but that sounds a bit obvious.

P. S., I had to grab Harry's book from the other room to remember his entire last name, I knew it started with an "L," but...