Category: Fourre-tout

The last boule (as well as the first boule) of a pétanque game is extremely important. Both can make or break a game.

I am of course talking about casual players, not humanoids from another planet who can hit at least 10 “carreaux” in a row.

A well-placed first boule is very important; it might force the opposite team’ shooter to intervene, and hopefully squander his ammunition. But the last boule is also equally significant because a slapdash throw could disturb and spoil the winning array already on the ground.

In a tournament, credit often goes to the shooter, but without an outstanding pointer (it is a cliché, I know) a shooter is “bupkis.” Nothing, niente, rien.
The pointer does the embroidery while the pointer rides shotgun. If no enemies come close to the coach, the enforcer won’t have to intervene.

But the problem facing the last player is that by then the field is extremely crowded; an unfortunate throw could push an opponent’s boule forward and nullify all the previous accomplishments. I have wrecked enough games to exactly know what one endures when making such a blunder. It almost feels like shooting a friend.

It is close to a Shakespearean tragedy.

To be, or not to be–that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

Sometimes, the situation is not worth any gamble. If you are ahead, dropping the last boule and settling for what is on the ground is the safest solution.

The best policy during a pétanque game is, regardless of the circumstances, to never upset your partner. Any careless remark will exacerbate the situation and cause your partner to lose his/her concentration. Blabbermouths hinder a game; they never help anybody or anything.

Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut. Sparky Anderson

Alain

 

You might not realize it but the sexes have been at war for a long time. It is an undeclared war, but a war nevertheless, with countless casualties.

On one side you have the Macho Men contingent, males who are loath to give up their prerogatives and resist changes. On the other side you have the New Suffragettes; women who demand equality on all levels and who are getting more vocal every day.

Harvey Weinstein was the catalyst for the sexual uprising that occurred recently. Coaxed by a few forceful women, the “weaker sex” came out of the shadows to expose a noxious sex exploiter and his cohorts.

Using authority to obtain sex has long been the weapon of choice of powerful men (and women?) and some women have willingly used their sexuality as a springboard for advancement. But many more have been coerced into submitting and keeping silent.

Women, can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Desiderius Erasmus

True?

Which brings up the question of sex. Since artificial insemination is always an option, is sex on its way out? Or do both sexes equally yearn for sex?
And are men more sexual than women? This article sheds some light on the subject.

I think it is a draw. I am always a bit surprised though when I hear a woman grumbling  “I have not been laid for a long time”.
So are some women willing to sleep with the enemy? I am shocked…

Some men can be scoundrels, but so can women; and they can be as devious and as wicked as men.
Can women (more than men) be trusted to do the right thing? It is highly debatable…

Ultimately, sex is not the issue. A dubious moral character is. And this flaw, regardless of one’s position, will always hang around a person’s neck like a dead albatross.

This war will stop when both sides reach equal rights or armament parity. “Mutual deterrence” (Mutual Assured Destruction) is the key to the problem.

In conclusion

Give women the same rights and perks as men and this endless war will (maybe) stop.

Alain

The war between the sexes is the only one in which both sides regularly sleep with the enemy. Quentin Crisp.

Yes I went to Sonoma yesterday, yes I played, and No, I didn’t score any medal.

I arrived at the field around 9:00 am and it was a bit chilly; many of the people present were wearing wool hats and I didn’t feel too much like a freak for wearing one. I also came equipped with 5 layers of garments.

By 10:00 a.m. 19 “doublettes”(38 contestants) had been put together. The organizers who probably know everybody by name did not bother to list the surnames, so my guess is as good as yours.

Early on, I discovered that I was paired with none other than “Le Facteur” and this did not perturb me a bit. Jean-Michel is a good player and when he can control his emotions he can even be a great player. He is a semi-pro, having played regularly on practically every Bay Area field. He is much more experienced than I am, so I gladly let him take the lead.

Three (3) eleven (11) points games were played in the morning.

On our first game, we faced Peter Wellington and Robert (?); we lost the coin toss and our opponents had the option to pick the court. They chose the North-East (?) corner of the field, the one usually reserved for the finals. This area is blanketed with pebbles and is challenging for people (like me) unfamiliar with it. We lost that game 7/11.

On our second bout, we played against Hans Kurz and Francois Moser. We lost the toss again and Hans insisted on playing on the very same field we just left. He won the toss, it was his choice.
We lost that game again 8/10 due for a great part to Moser’s excellent pointing.

On our 3^rd game, we came across against a couple of unknown players. They won the toss again and demanded to play on the graveled area again. This time though, after becoming more comfortable with the field, we won.
With 2 losses under our belts, we ended up in the Consolante.

After lunch, we played (on another court) against Jean-Claude Bunand and Renaud (?) and we won again.

On our 5^th game, we came across Steve Paulsen and a certain Tim, both good players. They clobbered us and sent us packing.
By 2:30 pm we were out the tournament. It was time to grab my camera and shoot some pictures, which I dutifully did.

After a while though, the weather becoming increasingly cold and windy, I chucked my reporting duties and called it quit.

I cannot tell you who won.

Sorry! Check the VOMPC site of Facebook for additional results.

Alain

PS: You still can watch a few pictures on my site.

Addendum

It looks like I left a little early and I am sorry to say that I missed a good story.
According to Maggie Lane, the tournament ended in a hail storm with (I assume) everybody running for cover. I would have loved to be there to record the scene!

In the finals, John Dalmau (unsure of the spelling) and Mark Shirkey faced Maggie and Holly Sammons.

John and Mark came on top. Congratulations!

Pictures of the winners were added to my photo album.