Category: Fourre-tout

Enjoy life now. This is not a rehearsal.

 Did you ever catch yourself saying “one of these days”? If you did (be honest), you are a confounded procrastinator.  Pro-cras-ti-na-tor… (sounds like a Russian insult).
You would rather do later, tomorrow, next week, next year, what you should be doing NOW.

“Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end, you’re only screwing yourself.”– Author unknown

Time flies. It is an old saying but it is still highly relevant today. Unbeknownst to you, time goes by at the speed of a galloping horse.

I booked a cruise in 2018 thinking that I had plenty of time to prepare, but it is now banging on my door and I am still in my pajamas. It has become a matter of days and I better start panicking… I usually leave this occupation to my wife, but this time I have to morph into “action man”

Don’t wait for Father Time to shake your tree. Do now what you have always wanted to do. Like my friend Daniel, jump (repeatedly) with a parachute. Ride a motorcycle, go bungee jumping, tango in Argentina, get married, get divorced…

Don’t wait. Do it now. The future is promised to no one.

I am prompted to emphasize this because recently a member of our pétanque family had a cardiac mishap that could have been fatal. A quick trip to emergency prevented a tragedy, but it is a warning shot across the bow.

You need to listen to your body and see a plumber immediately when your pipes get clogged.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse can be on you in a minute. Unlike our mythical WALL, they are real and they don’t take no for an answer.

Moral of the story

Enjoy yourself while you can for there is no guaranteed tomorrow.

Alain

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of my (many) pet peeves is the way some people speak… or misspeak. Many fail to express themselves clearly or accurately and I often have to ask them to repeat themselves.
Is my hearing deficient or is their speech inadequate? I prefer to opt for the second possibility.

Elocution (the skill of clear and expressive speech) is one of the most valuable talents an individual can master. For a well-spoken person, the world is his oyster. With good oratory skills, a man/woman is always a preferred candidate.

And you don’t have to shout. A quiet speech is often more effective than a thunderous one. If you want to be heard, speak softly (and preferably, carry a big money bag).

The question is: How do you know if you are expressing yourself properly if you can easily be understood?

If you are a bit curious, try to dictate the following sentence to any recording device:

“Merry Mary married hairy Harry.”

It sounds easy, but it is not. Despite repeated attempts, I failed miserably.  My (slow-witted) computer could only register the following:

“Mary Mary Mary Harry Harry.”

I am obviously a mediocre speaker and I could certainly use Professor’s Henry Higgins expertise.

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains.”

I had no problem with this sentence. Thank goodness, I am not a totally lost cause.

Speech is important. Much more important than good looks. Beauty is fleeting, speech is enduring. You can be a potent orator at any age but a nice caboose can only carry you so far.
Besides being “une fine lame” (an expert swordsman) Cyrano de Bergerac was an even better wordsmith. It is only through his flowery prose that Christian won Roxanne’s love.

So, my friends, cultivate your ambulatory vocabulary and oratory. It can take you much farther than a nose or a boob job.

Alain

“Give me a tinkle on the blower” when you get a chance.

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” John F. Kennedy

 Most everybody will agree that a peaceful revolution is by far preferable to a violent insurrection, with all its inevitable excesses.

In a democracy, the people have the right duty to protest when the government’s policies are flagrantly unjust, prejudiced.

When this happens, a massive peaceful demonstration usually makes the ruling class pay attention to the issues. If little to resolve these problems is perceived, the demonstrations will continue and gain momentum.
If on the other hand, the government shows a willingness to accommodate grievances, the protesters have a moral obligation to pause and listen.

This has not been the case in France where, despite the government’s obvious desire to negotiate, weekly, violent demonstrations persevere.

The Gilets Jaunes, “yellow vests” (I prefer to call them “yellow jackets”) have been spearheading the movement.

“The issue on which the French movement centered at first was the projected 2019 increase in fuel taxes, particularly on diesel fuel. The yellow vest became the symbol of the protests, as the French are required to have a yellow vest in their vehicles.”

The problem is complicated by the fact that this movement has no real leadership, just a multitude of people unhappy about their living conditions. With no leaders to show the way, many are uncertain or unwilling to cease that week-end distraction.

Originally, a majority of the French population supported the movement; but as the demonstrations (and wanton property destruction) continue, their support is waning.

Everybody is now tired of the weekly disturbances, and of the “casseurs” violent and destructive behavior.

To top it all, dormant anti-Semitism is rearing its repulsive head again. The latest demonstrations have been peppered with invectives directed at Jews. This is eerily reminiscent of the rise of fascism in Germany… with its apocalyptic (70 to 85 million casualties) consequences.

I always wondered how the (magic) Jews (with less than 0.2% of the World Population), could manage so many (alleged) wicked deeds throughout the world?

The time for a counterrevolution is now. People of goodwill should rise and protest against the protesters. Reason has to prevail.

Unjustly reviled President Macron is a very capable man and he has done his best to listen, explain, and commit himself to enact measures to redress injustices.

Les Gilets Jaunes had their moment of glory. Now they have to go.

Alain