Category: Fourre-tout

Are you a MIP, a MOP or a MUP?

We live in a word of acronyms and if you don’t want to pass for a fool, it is important to understand what these funny sounding words mean.

For instance, everybody has seen or heard the word NASCAR but very few people know exactly what it stands for. On my first inquiry, the Internet told me that NASCAR stands for Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks.
OK. Thank you Internet.

Not true?
I queried the Internet again and this time it told me that NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
I don’t know what to believe anymore.

I trust the Internet with my life. This is my Bible, my holy book, my Tripitaka. I trust it more than any person I know.

The other day, out of curiosity, I checked the word Trump.
The Internet said a trump card is a decisive or advantageous move, resource, action, or a fine or reliable person.
Fine and dandy, but the Internet hasted to add that Trump in British slang means “to expel intestinal gas through the anus”.
What is a guy to believe? Personally I fancy the British definition.

In our little club, unbeknown to many we have a MIP, a MUP and a MOP.

Some people thought that MIP stood for Minor In Possession, but it also means Most Improved Player.
MUP sometimes means Master of Urban Planning but it also stands for Most Unpretentious Player.

 What about MOP? Mother of Pearl?
Niet. MOP stands for Most Objectionable Player.

Now the big question is: who at La Pétanque Marinière is the MIP, the MOP and the MUP?

To me, the MIP is without question Henry Wessel. Since he joined our club almost 4 years ago he has improved tremendously and has become one of the most proficient player of our organization.
Congratulations Henry!

In my always-partial opinion, the MUP is Charlie Davantes. An indefatigable worker who never toots his horn.
You are my kind of guy bro!

I won’t tell you who the MOP is. You do it.
Let’s see if we concur.

Alain

I dislike arrogant men and diva behavior in either gender. Robin Wright 

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You play pétanque because it is fun, but to really enjoy the game you have to play with people who are likable and easy to get along with.

In this discipline, there are two distinctive events: casual games and tournaments.
Casual games are meant to be friendly and relaxed. All the rules and regulations that apply to tournaments need not be rigidly enforced.
Winning is nice but not overly important. What is central to the game is the pleasant interaction between team members and the opposite team.
Joking, laughing is tolerated, even encouraged.

Tournaments are different animals. You often play against strangers, for honorific or monetary rewards. Competition is keener and all the rules have to be observed.
Playing against strangers is like going on a first date. As the game progresses you observe and forge an opinion.

Most competitors are cool but some  can antagonize you right off the bat. They can be cocky, pompous or over litigious.
Another reason of enmity can be caused by a team spending an inordinate amount of time discussing strategy. Seasoned players should almost immediately know what to do. If not, thirty seconds should be enough to evaluate the situation and commit to action.
Lengthy powwows are pointless and highly irritating. So are “highfives” by the way.

Fortunately the majority of players are walking the line.
It is always nice to win, but losing against fair play, skilled competitors is not the least bit traumatic.
It is the Gods’ way  to remind you that there is still plenty of room for improvement in your game.

Although physical, pétanque is a highly emotional exercise.
A good competitor should stay as cool as a cucumber and keep his mouth shut and his powder dry.
Keeping his temper in check is the mark of a wise player.

All sports are unpredictable. To win, you need skill, discipline, daring and a few generous heapings of luck.

Alain

“A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it.” Henry Ford

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As an informal observer of human nature I like to give credit when it is due. I like to recognize and praise those who achieve instead of those who talk.

The world is essentially divided between talkers and doers, or if you prefer, blowhards and “blowsofts”.
Unfortunately blowhards are more strident than blowsofts and they often get more recognition; in a pinch though, I’d prefer to be stranded with a single blowsoft rather than a dozen braggarts.

Blowhards thrive especially in the proximity of cameras and microphones.
They speak loud and point their finger.
In our actual political context, if I say “blowhard”, I don’t have to mention any name. Everybody knows who he is. This egotistical cretin has dropped enough depth charges to sink the sturdiest dreadnought (or kill an elephant).

In showbiz, politics, sports, blowhards are a dime a dozen. They talk before they think. Before uttering non-sense they ought to remember the old saying:

Put your mind into gear before putting your mouth into motion.

Personally, I like quiet, modest people. People who shy away from the limelight. People who lead by doing instead of babbling.

Generally speaking, I would tend to agree with Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy: “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, but I also like a counterpuncher like Elizabeth Warren.
This woman is not afraid to tangle with the bad boys and she gives as good (much better) as she gets. Something that bullies are not used to and makes them incapable of responding coherently.
Booyah!

Hot air (sometimes called bunk) is notoriously bad for the environment. It contributes to global warming and increased pollution. Hot air melts glaciers, contributes to the rise of the sea and leads to extreme conditions.

In my book, extreme is a dirty word. Environmentally and politically speaking.
The only way to get rid of it is to remove the source of pollution.
Act fast before it is too late.

Alain