Category: Fourre-tout

Yesterday was Pétanque Day in Marin County, and the event (Chosen Doubles) attracted 22 teams from across the region, each contributing their unique skills and strategies to the field.

Although the day was bright and sunny, a perfidious cold wind was waiting in ambush and took many players by surprise. Those who came wearing a “springy” outfit had to quickly retreat to their cars to add a few more layers to their outfits.

And the light was unfortunately not what I would have wanted. Despite the bright sunshine, the clarity of the pictures was compromised by too many sharp color contrasts. As photographers know, overcast conditions often provide better lighting for capturing clear and crisp images. But no matter what, as a trooper, you have to go with the flow.

The tournament attracted many formidable players. Not in any particular order, I noticed Wolfie/Hans Kurz (The flying aces) Kevin Evoy/Ed Porto, (both excellent pointers and shooters) Michelle Dang (excellent shooter)/Christophe Sarafian (the Enigma) Janice Bissonnette (excellent pointer)/Kham Chounalamany (the Destructor), Chan Xiong/Peter Mathis (B-52s) … any of those could come on top. Unfortunately, my aching back did not allow me to record the final results and memorialize the winners’ pictures.

Success in a pétanque tournament requires more than just technical proficiency. It demands a combination of skill and mental fortitude. But above all, having a “refrigerated brain” is key to victory.

This term refers to the ability to control one’s emotions when under fire. Whether winning or losing, maintaining composure is crucial. When you play, you should close your ears and focus solely on the task at hand.

Believing that victory is possible until the very last minute is another essential element. It works like faith, when you believe, you can do the impossible. Staying calm, managing stress, and avoiding impulsive decisions are fundamental.

By the way, this resolution also works in a marital squabble; it is imperative to remain cucumber-like to avoid self-destruction.

Concours:
1st place: Peter Marthis & Chan Xiong
2nd place: Wolfie & Hans Kurz
3rd place: Bernard Passemar & Tamara Efron (by forfeit)

Consolante:
1st place: Rohn Rrolfes & Holly Sammons
2nd place:Rohn Rrolfes & Holly Sammons (yes)

Alain

Pictures of the winners and final results, compliments of Christine Cragg.
Bonnes vacances en France Christine and Larry!

Since January 2025, America has embraced a new institution known as the “New Royal Court.” Simply put, it is a group of controversial individuals riding the coattails of a bullish individual.

A motley assembly of characters adorns this court—each more eccentric than the next. These courtiers are not individuals of noble birth or exceptional talent, but rather a medley of influencers, media moguls, and opportunistic politicians. Their chief pursuit is not the state’s welfare, but the art of pleasing the KING and securing personal gains.

At the helm of this new institution is the KING, whose ability to juggle promises, policies, and public opinion is bewildering. The KING’s most astute skill is the delivery of grandiloquent speeches that promise utopian futures while conveniently overlooking the problems created by his reckless policies.

The courtiers are adept players in this dangerous farce. They engage in bouts of feigned loyalty and sycophancy, each vying for proximity to the KING. Their discussions, often held in hushed tones behind closed doors, revolve around devising strategies to outmaneuver one another, all while crafting an illusion of unity and purpose.

The New Royal Court serves as a masterclass in the art of distraction. Public attention is meticulously directed away from substantive issues and toward trivial spectacles. Events are staged with great fanfare—mock trials, lavish banquets, and ceremonial decrees—designed to keep the masses blissfully unaware of the machinations at play.

The New Royal Court is a satire of governance, a parody of justice, and a caricature of representation. It thrives on bombastic promises, revels in absurdity, and perpetuates chaos. As citizens, we are both its audience and its victims, compelled to watch the melodrama unfold while ultimately bearing its consequences.

Our British cousins overseas share many of our beliefs and sincerely express their loyalty by singing “God Save the King”. But theirs, is an old monarchy honed by time. The king is not authorized to make any decisions without the approval of an often raucous Parliament.

What happened to all the guardrails established by our prudent, forward-looking forebears?

Alain

Credited as the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell spoke in 1915 to his inventing partner, Thomas A. Watson, over a line that stretched 3,400 miles from NYC to San Francisco.”

Today, more than a century later, many people are still asking the same question—this time while fumbling with their smartphones. These devices have become so sophisticated that many users find themselves struggling to tame them.

Packed with an overwhelming array of commands and subcommands, the smartphone today offers far too many options to be easily mastered. This complexity often leads to frustration, as users sift through endless settings and features just to complete simple tasks.

Do we really need to carry such heavy digital baggage in our pockets?

Kids seem to fare better than adults. They’ve grown up with the beast, often sleeping with it by their side from a very young age. Today, smartphones are commonly used as baby-soothing tools to deal with a restless child. And there’s no need to teach them anything; they absorb everything by osmose… like picking up a new language. Many are experienced with this communication device before they can even walk.

What do you expect from people with absolutely no digital education?

But there’s a danger in letting an apprentice sorcerer bite off more than he can chew. He can become erratic, unpredictable, and even likely to set the house on fire… just like the new transients in the White House today.

So, what do I want? A friendly, efficient device speaking only 4 or 5 foreign languages, and especially not smarter than me, and if possible, my wife.

Is it really asking too much?

Alain