Category: Fourre-tout

“Everyone… men and women seem inordinately fond of hats.” Stephen Lawhead

They do, because everybody looks better with a hat. People don a “chapeau” to protect themselves from the sun, but it is not the only reason.
Style is also a factor.

Winning is always nice, but winning with panache is better, and a hat will add flair to your game. It also allows you to tip it  after executing an exceptional shot. And you will keep your hat in your hand until the applause subside.

If you care to remember, musketeers were known for their audacity and flamboyance, and their hats had certainly something to do with it. When wearing such a piece of garment, you have no choice. It is do or die. There is no other way.

“Hats have power. Hats can change you into something else.” Catherynne M. Valente

 Why is a hat so significant?

First, when you enter the arena, you throw your hat in the ring!
Then, facing various opponents, you may have to wear many different hats to survive.
Some people will call you as mad as a hatter, but when the situation gets desperate, you might have to pull a rabbit out of your hat.

Why do you think Ol’ Blue Eyes always wore a chapeau? Style my friends. You could be a lousy player, but if you have an elegant demeanor, everything will be forgiven.

“Having a hat on your head gives you undeniable authority over those who do not have one.” Tristan Bernard

To illustrate my assertions, I have put together a collection of some hatted individuals that I have personally shot (with a camera) these last five years.
Go to the attached album and  judge for yourself.

Beautify America. Wear a hat!

Alain

“A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” Bess Truman

 Just kidding ladies! Hang on to your hat!

Regardless of who you are, what your marital status or what position you hold, you need a BFF.

In this hectic world, it is essential to have somebody to confide to and to consult when life throws a monkey wrench in your routine.

“If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone.”–Maxwell Maltz

True friends are like truffles, hidden, precious and hard to find. After doing some hard thinking, I realized fairly recently that my bestie was nobody but Ernesto, my alter ego. He is always available, always willing to listen, and time spent with him is invariably time well spent.
Few people get ever the chance to meet him, but make no mistake, my consigliere is always by my side.

When you are tired or upset, you can always count on him for moral support. Whenever you say: Ernesto, let’s go somewhere for a cup of coffee… he will never refuse. As a matter of fact, it is often him who makes that proposition. “Let’s blow this joint” he says and I seldom disagree with him.

Regardless how happy you are, you need some “Me Time”. Time to spend alone (or with some friends), to recharge your batteries. Because your state of mind is like an electric battery. It needs to be recharged periodically to go the distance.

Once in a while, you need to break free from your all affective links and spend time away to blow some steam, or simply to pamper yourself. You might look selfish and irresponsible, but you will be better appreciated upon you return.

It is a big mistake to keep anybody on a tight leash. The tighter the leash, the stronger the desire to stray.

I am not saying that Ernesto is always right… I am simply saying that it is good to run everything by him. Weighing the pros and the cons with him always bring some clarity to the problem.

Before making a rash decision, consult with your amigo. And regardless where you come from, Ernesto will always speak your language. Good friends are like this.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.  Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Play pétanque, have lunch with a friend, buy yourself a present. It is good medicine.

Ernesto said so.
Bons baisers a tous!

Alain

Lately, I have been a little slow on the draw. It must be Father Time dragging me down…

Nowadays the know-it-all millennials are constantly talking about “hooking up” and I am not quite sure what it means. It seems that I am not the only one.

Since English is not my native language, like all foreign-born people, I have long been in the habit of translating things rather literally.
Hooking up has its roots in “hooker” right?  Well, I know what a hooker is. Then, are all the people hooking up hookers?
It sounds a little far-fetched… but in America everything is possible… Truth is often stranger than fiction…

Taking my cues from the Net, I noticed that celebrities are constantly doing it… and advertising it… They are hooking up right and left. Does it mean that they are copulating non-stop around the clock? No wonder so many people are hankering to be celebrities…

And what about the simpletons in “reality” shows like “The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise? Are they also “hooking up”? It looks like they do it too… Goodness gracious!

Then there is the word “escorting”, from the French “escorter”. I hear all the time.But I am familiar with that one. It means to“accompany someone somewhere, to honor and to protect.”
When I was in the Army I frequently escorted convoys, and later I often escorted my mother to some events, and she was grateful for that.
Escorting is a nice thing to do.

Not too long ago, after casually petting her dog, I met a very nice young lady; we chatted for a while and over a cup of coffee, she confided to me that she was working as an escort. Frankly, I was rather dubious. She looked a little frail and not very likely to protect anybody… unless of course she was a Krav Maga black belt…

-So, what kind of people are you escorting? I asked to make conversation.
-All kinds, she said. This is what makes the job interesting…
-You are a little bit like a “service dog”? You help people.
She laughed.
-Yes, I perform some needed services…
-Can I call you if I need help?
-Of course. Here is my business card, and since you are so nice, I will give you priority and preferred rates the next time I see you…

It always pays to be nice. You never know when you will be needing assistance… Knowing the right person for the right job is very comforting.

I don’t know if I want to hook up with anybody, but I would not mind calling that young lady once in a while to have her honor and protect me.

Alain