How is your hypothalamus? “A region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity.”
I am asking because my wife’s thermostat and mine are out of synch. I am cold when she is hot, and hot when she is cold.
«Bolshaya problema» as Putin (Tamara’s Godfather) would say.
It might have something to do with her inbred spirit of contradiction, but it could possibly be something else.
My research revealed that medication, illness, muscle mass and age can be big factors contributing to this adversarial condition.
OK, so how do you cope with this problem?
You can look fairly at your mate and offer constructive suggestions.
The problem is that she will undoubtedly do the same thing and when two people offer “helpful” solutions at the same time, it can lead to a sudden and calamitous drop of ambient temperature.
She insists on leaving windows (doors, drawers) open year round and I demand some sometimes stale but warm environment.
Let’s not forget that she was reared in St Petersburg, Russia, where the average temperature in winter is 20°Fahrenheit and where people like to frolic (sans bathing suit) in the Neva river.
I on the other hand grew up in Paris where the weather is usually milder and where the Seine is too polluted for a dip, even with a “hazmat” suit.
I am a cold-blooded creature (a reptilian?) depending on external energy sources while she is a mammalian (generating heat internally) with lava gushing through her veins.
I could argue that “hot flashes” might have something to do with her condition, but she would probably counter that I am going through another andropausal episode.
We could bicker forever, but I think that it is safe to say that this is no one’s particular problem.
We are both (shall I dare to say it) “deviants”.
Not much we can do about that.
In the meantime, if your mate complains about heat or cold, blame it on a faulty hypothalamus and apply for a refund.
Warmly,
Alain
PS: When my cat cooperates (sometimes she does) I love to use her as a foot warmer.
Many people are led to believe that the French motto is « Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité ».
I believed it myself for a long time. But I was wrong.
In reality, unbeknownst to many (and going back to 1936), the French motto actually is: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Congés Payés (paid leave).
And you have Leon Blum and The Popular Front to thank for that.
Even Republicans, sworn enemies of Socialism have no qualms about taking advantage of Leon’s kindness.
Hypocrites!
Every year, rain or shine, the word “vacation” will pop up in a conversation and get everybody in a tizzy.
We should go there and do that! Fine.
But people have widely different ideas of what a vacation is.
When in doubt, I consult Siri, my devoted assistant. When queried, she said in her mellifluous voice: “Vacation, leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure”.
Thank you doll. You are the best!
She is! I can always rely on her.
All right then, a vacation is a time to relax, to recharge one’s battery, most of the time in some sunny, exotic place.
Some people are happy to go to a resort and decompress for a week or two.
For others, a vacation cannot be anything else but a marathon akin to “Survivors” or the “Amazing Race”.
Every minute of the trip has got to be filled with excitement bordering on insane fear.
Bungee jumping, skydiving, high lining, rock climbing, hot air balloon rides…
Resting is for sissies. It is anathema to true vacation aficionados.
In my wild and crazy days…
To me, a vacation is “an extended period of restful recreation”. I don’t have to fill every minute of my time with daredevil stunts or shopping safaris. P & P (Pétanque and Pastis) and ogling lightly clad wenches is plenty stimulating for me.
No shop until I drop either.
Americans are real amateurs when it comes to vacations. They check with the State Department before venturing out of Ohio.
When talking to French friends, I am sometimes surprised to hear “in our last trip to St Helena Island, Nunavut or Ittoqqortoormiit …”
Because those crazy bastards will go anywhere; the more remote and exotic the better. Never mind hot spots. We are French; we cannot be bothered by your stupid tribal conflicts.
Very often though, they will end up chained in some dark dungeon and beg the French government to get them out.
And the French government will oblige and pay a hefty ransom to scumbags (and be severely criticized for it) to get them back.
To each his own of course, but if you are planning to visit seven countries in 2 days, count me out.
Old stones, underground caves and culinary delights yes, non-stop adrenaline kicks NIET!
Last Sunday La Pétanque Marinière of Marin County hosted its annual California Commemorative Cup tournament.
Members of various local clubs were invited and some braved the chilly weather and the heavy fog that blanketed most of Marin County in order to compete.
Croissants and hot coffee helped to keep spirits high.
The Contestants were:
Doug Colleville & Nancy Jencks
Herb Moran & Brigitte Moran
Brendan Cohen & Linda Evans
Albert Woodbury & Caitlin Woodbury
Francois Moser & Henriette Matocq
Jean-Michel Poulnot & Colette Van Der Meulen
Charlie Davantes & Helga Facchini
Marco Ilaria & Peggy Silverside
Kevin Evoy & Holly Sammons
Carlos Couto & Beth Lysten
Jean-Claude Etallaz & Genevieve Etallaz
Gus Foucher & Liliane Sebban
Larry Cragg & Christine Cragg
Jean-Claude Bunand & Mireille Di Maio
Ed Porto & Carolina Jones
Bernard Passmar & Sabine Mattei
Wolf Kurz & Julie Thompson
Joe La Torre & Teri Sirico
Ken Lee & Susan Holbert
Patrick Vaslet & Shannon Bowman
Antoine Lofaro & Eva Lofaro
The LPM circus was kept under control by Christine Cragg (our exalted leader) ably assisted by charming Swedish beauty Liv Kraft.
The tournament was billed as Select Mixed Doublettes (1 man & 1 woman) and men as usual scrambled to assure the services of the ladies.
There would be 3 qualifying games in the morning and Concours and Consolante A and B after lunch.
A raffle (worth $200.00 of groceries) was advertised and a nice prize was up for grabs.
My sources tell me that the generous food basket was donated by the Marin Farmers Market (through the good offices of newly minted member Brigitte Moran).
Thank you Brigitte. You are accumulating good karma.
I opted out of this tournament. I chose instead to spend the day memorializing this event. I took 551 photographs that I agonizingly whittled down to around 240.
I tried to take at least one picture of every participant but I don’t know if I succeeded. I gave it the old college try, but my college days are now just a fading memory and my try might not have been as effective as in my salad days.
I might have missed somebody. Sorry about that.
The first phase of the tournament (3 qualifying games) started slightly after 10:30 a.m. and ended around 1:00 p.m.
During the lunch break , a drawing was held and the winner of this grocery piñata was nobody else but Teri Sirico. Congratulations.
The tournament resumed around 2:00 p.m.
The following teams qualified for the Concours:
Kevin Evoy & Holly Sammons
Brendan Cohen & Linda Evans
Albert Woodbuty & Caitlin Wood bury
Francois Moser & Henriette Matocq
Joe La Torre & Teri Sirico
Carlos Couto & Beth Lysten
Jean-Michel Poulnot & Colette Van Der Meulen
Ed Porto & Carolina Jones
In order to win a team event, the partners must be in sync. If partners squabble they will fail. Some did and were quickly eliminated.
To paraphrase Yogi Berra, “a game is 90% mental and the other half physical.” Some contestants failed the mental test.
To make a long story short, the Concours’ finalists were Ed Porto & Carolina Jones and Brendan Cohen & Linda Evans. And they totally deserved to be there.
Brendan Cohen, Linda Evans, Carolina Jones, Ed Porto
They were equally matched and they gave us the most exciting finals that I have seen in a long time.
I knew that Carolina and Ed were good players but I knew very little about Brendan and Linda.
They proved to be both formidable competitors, especially young Brendan who in my opinion was the MVP of this event. He graced us with amazing, extremely accurate shots. Linda Evans, under an unassuming appearance, displayed remarkable pointing skills. She contributed mightily to the game.
The game proved very entertaining and drew many appreciative oohs, aahs and applauds from the crowd.
It was an even contest with scores seesawing between the 2 teams.
In the final hand, the score was 12 vs. 12.
The fate of the tournament was decided when Brendan missed a critical shot.
Ed Porto (slightly handicapped by a new hip) held his own and mightily contributed to the final victory.
The new names on the 2015 California Commemorative cup will be Ed Porto & Carolina Jones (loved them yellow socks) who finally won the tournament with a final score of 13/12. Congratulations to all. Either side deserved to win.
A very long but very entertaining day.
Alain
PS: To look at photos of this event and listen to accompanying background music, turn the sound on, and click on the “My Photos” link located on the right side of this page.
For best viewing go “Full Screen“.
