Category: Fourre-tout

When I go to a pétanque tournament I usually have two goals in mind. First, to play the best I can until elimination, and then to concentrate on documenting the event. And this is what I did yesterday in Sonoma.

Unfortunately, something unexpected happened. When I came home and unpacked my gears, I noticed that my small Canon camera was missing. A crying shame because it was holding a large array of many of the players who were competing that day.

When I cover an event, I usually use 3 devices. My iPhone for quick close shots, my Canon GX7 for intermediate shots and finally a larger camera for long distance shots.

Yesterday I used the 3 devices as I usually do, and around 6:30 pm, after photographing the Concours finals with my large camera, I packed my stuff and went home. That’s when I realized that my cherished small camera was missing.

So today, regrettably I can only show you the shots that I took during the Concours finals.

I know that talking about yourself is rather gauche, but it is the subject that I am most knowledgeable about.

So, yesterday I was playing with my friend Francois Moser and my wife Tamara. Not a fearful formation, but a resolute one.

On our first game with faced the imposing team of Kevin Evoy, Holly Sammons, and Bob Lanter. They won the coin toss and chose to play on what I call “the Field of Sorrow”; the devilishly pebbles and stones strewn court usually used for the finals. I told my mates that I would be happy if we only made 3 points.

As it turned out, this court proved difficult for us but also for our opponents. We lost the game 9/13, but it was quite an accomplishment for us against such talented players.

We played our 2^nd game against Tish Harris, Chia Vang and Chue Thao. Another impressive team. But due to the inspired pointing of my mate Francois, we managed to win by the skin of our teeth. Chia Vang also mightily impressed me with her shooting ability.

On our 3^rd game, we played against some strangers called I believe Don McPherson, Linda McPherson and Jim Tosio. Don’t ever judge people too quickly. This unexceptional looking formation trounced us 4/13 due mainly to the excellent shooting of Jim Tosio.

After lunch, in the Consolante, we came across Teri Siroco, Larry Brown and Hank Muldin. We faced them with no particular trepidation. They murdered us 2/13.
But beware; any success could quickly become a pyrrhic victory.

In the afternoon, I watched and photographed different encounters. Louis Toulon and his Iron Triad particularly impressed me. Louis played his best ever. He pointed incredibly well and occasionally shot. He was supported by two first-rate players (Mickey Coughlin and Thomas Moua) who would pulverize any interference when called upon.

Their excellent performance throughout the tournament brought them to the finals where they faced Tim Wetzel, Mike Cooper and Alex Cannesse (another excellent shooter).

I am gleefully reporting that the Iron Triad prevailed 13/8. A great outcome for a veteran player who at 80 (my own age) still has what it takes to keep younger whippersnappers in line.

Concours:
1^st place: Louis Toulon, Mickey Coughlin and Thomas Moua
2^nd place: Tim Wetzel, Mike Cooper and Alex Cannesse

Consolante:
1^st place: Kevin Evoy, Holly Sammons, Dave Lanter
2^nd place: Tish Harris, Chia Vang, Chue Thao

Alain

PS: I still sorely miss my rather expensive little Canon camera. It would be extremely grateful if anybody could return it to me.

Not so long ago, our club (La Pétanque Marinière) was organizing regular picnics that were widely enjoyed by our membership.

Gradually though the pique-niques were spaced off and finally taken off the menu.

This decision did not sit well with everybody. As a matter of fact, many people (notably my wife) indicated to me that they would like to see picnics coming out of retirement.

So, the main question is: what was the main reason for the picnics’ obsolescence?

The answer is simple. Volunteer’s general burnout.
Let’s not forget that all the heavy lifting was done by participants who were never recognized or compensated for their efforts. Volunteers are silent heroes, and we need to acknowledge their efforts and sing their praise.

Let’s not remain silent about our gratitude.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  ~William Arthur Ward

 In my book, volunteerism needs some incentive. The very least we should do for our volunteers is to offer free food for their services. And I would also exempt them from paying a fee to participate in the co-occurring tournament.

Gratitude always goes two ways. We should be thankful for their hard work, and they should be in a position to appreciate our recognition.

In the same vein, previous volunteers have expressed interest in restarting picnics with the agreed sine qua non that they should be treated equitably. Let’s agree beforehand on some designated volunteers and keep them happy in their undertaking.

Just remember that new members and people (from different clubs) come to our picnics to share food and meet or get reacquainted with friends.
They don’t expect fabulous dishes, just decent food, possibly fortified by some locally fermented brew.

In the unforgettable words of our venerated leader, LMPGA!
Let’s make picnics great again!

Talk to your board members to bring this issue to the forefront.

 Alain

PS: I would love to hear your thoughts about this issue. Please don’t be shy.

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch. Orson Welles

I have never been a fan of Le Chalet Basque, a little restaurant tucked in the greenery of the upper N San Pedro Road in Marin County. Its “family style” offerings were always too dull, too old-fashioned for my taste.

Fortunately, the place has a nice patio and it is open for lunch.  In my eyes, this redeeming quality absolves most of its shortcomings. And since some of my friends dine there regularly, I decided to join them and give it another whirl.

Dining al fresco especially at lunch, rates very close to the top of my favorite things to do. I cannot explain it, but food eaten outdoors always tastes twice as good as food eaten indoors… it is uncanny, but few people will deny this.

Eating outdoors is relaxing. Its dress code is casual and the experience reduces your stress, releases your inhibitions and increases your libido.  Have you ever noticed? And when food and drinks are shared with friends, you will get you (if you are observant) a glimpse of heaven.

Le Chalet Basque offers simple, tasty, affordable dishes for lunch, and service is competent.

On my last visit, I had Moules Marinière and thin French fries, and upon my honor, it was one of the most delectable meals I had for a long time. The mussels were plump and tender and they were bathing in a perfectly seasoned sauce (a rather rare occurrence).

My dining accomplices (Jacques G. and Charlie D.) had respectively sweetbread and an omelet. But it is not simply the food that makes the experience so satisfying. It is the camaraderie, the esprit de corps, the sharing of jokes and information that contribute to the good feeling that stays with you for the rest of the day.

A good lunch is cheaper and much more helpful than a session with any shrink.

So, now that summer has finally arrived, if you need a light meal and something to lift your spirits, I recommend a “déjeuner” at Le Chalet Basque. It won’t break the bank and it will make your day.

I should not say that because upon hearing this, the riffraff will mob this oasis, but like George, I cannot tell a lie.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, but by Jove, there is still something called a worry-free lunch.

Alain

I haven’t trusted polls since I read that 62% of women had affairs during their lunch hour. I’ve never met a woman in my life who would give up lunch for sex. Erma Bombeck