Category: Fourre-tout

You look at your mirror every day, and you barely ever notice it. But, unbeknownst to you, it is happening… you are growing older by the minute.

This phenomenon is subtle and sneaky; when you are young, you are probably never aware of or concerned with it. You have too many projects bubbling in your head, and your face is too familiar to notice any changes.

But much later in life, especially when you have not seen a certain person for a while, you become aware of the change. It seems that this person has aged 10 years in 6 months… How could that be?

For we only see others grow old. We are too familiar with our own bodies to pay attention to minute details. Losing your hair, for instance, is so subtle that you practically never notice the gradual loss… until you are suddenly bold. How could this have happened without my approval? Am I not the master of my own body? Sadly, like the grotesque abortion issue, it does not seem to be the case.

Your cronies probably think the same way about you, but nobody has the impertinence to say so. Better be silent than speak ill.

“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” Andy Rooney

Ain’t that so?

Those who profess that the “Golden Years” are the best time of their lives probably believe in the Rapture.

As for me, I don’t believe in such nonsense and wouldn’t mind growing old if it didn’t come with penalties, like ills of all kinds. I would be more accepting of the aging process if it didn’t involve the decline in health and well-being that often accompanies it.

Any outside-the-box ideas anyone?

Alain

Desertification is not a word that you would commonly hear in America, but it is often mentioned in French news broadcasts.

The Oxford Languages dictionary defines desertification as “the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.”

But this term is not exclusively reserved to define land conditions. In France, it is usually used in a social context.

Deserted streets and closed shops… This is the problem that plagues many small communities… and probably the world over. Due to the exodus of young people to cities and intensified Internet competition, many small businesses (grocery stores, butcher shops, bakers, doctors, etc.) have closed and left the locals in a state of social desertification.

But besides regular commerce, what locals miss most are cafés, bistros, and restaurants. Social waterholes. The disappearance of these meeting places significantly degrades their lifestyle.

Traditionally, friends would meet at cafés and bistros to chat and vent. The local café visit could be seen as a substitute for a shrink’s visit.

But France is not the only country suffering from desertification. The problem is worldwide, also observable in America. Surprised? How many cafés or bistros do you have in your community? Probably none or very few. And fast-food businesses or dreary bars do not qualify as cafés.

Starbucks establishments, by the way, are not authentic cafés. They are just pale imitations of the real McCoy… Bistros tend to focus more on a friendlier atmosphere and less on getting patrons in and out the door.

We don’t need more freeways and shopping centers. Human beings are very similar to canines. They are pack animals, and to be contented they need to socialize. Why do you think that hounds are so eager to visit dog parks?

“I think we should have more coffeehouses, more cafes, more “third places.” More places where people can get together that’s not work, not home, and where they can interact with people who are different from them.” ~ Eric Weiner

Amen!

Alain

 

What I will most remember about the San Rafael June 11^th tournament was the frigid wind that swept the field for most of the day. We are in June for crying out loud and everybody should be in shorts and T-shirts. Some people (probably to their ever-lasting sorrow) were dressed that way and had to endure this ungodly weather all day.

The only exception to this predicament was Kevin Evoy who spent most of the day wearing shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. Kevin is a great player, but in my book, he is nuttier than a five-­pound fruitcake. Despite my 5 layers of clothing, I was still cold and shivering.

The second thing I will also remember is that, due to some unrelenting back pain, I had to forgo playing in this tournament. I really wanted to, but was truly incapable of doing so.

The third thing that bugged me that day was the light. For a photographer, light is everything and yesterday’s light was atrocious. Specs of sunshine filtering through the trees, projecting uneven dark spots all over the field… A photographer’s nightmare. You will undoubtedly notice this in the quality of the photographs. But don’t blame me, blame the weatherman.

Otherwise, everything was great. Twenty-two (22) double teams registered to play and the whole thing had the feeling of a family affair.

A very pleasant surprise was the appearance of Jean-Claude Etallaz, who after many months of a deeply distressing experience, jumped back on the saddle and registered to play. We are extremely pleased by this development and hope to see him regularly on our field again. Welcome back Jean-Claude (and Minette) and thank you for your delicious apricot tart.

With Christine Cragg still luxuriating in France, Mike O’Leary, Sara Danielson and Shama Kota-Gutheti took over and ran the tournament… and they did an excellent job. Thank you, guys, for your great support.

As usual, 3 games were played before lunch, and in the afternoon elimination games took place to separate the journeymen from the Stars.

I was busy most of the day taking photographs and the only game that I watched in its entirety was the Concours Finals.

Peter Mathis and Patrick Vaslet faced Mone Lee and Phominik Lee and since all these finalists were excellent players, we were treated to a great game. At the beginning of the match, Mone and Phominick took the lead, but shortly after, Peter and Patrick caught up with them and steadily increased their lead.

Everybody played extremely well. The pointers did a great job and so did the shooters, but after a while, the incredible pointing of Patrick Vaslet must have had some effect on the other team, and they started to lose control of the situation.

The final score was 13/6 in favor of Peter and Patrick, but every player deserved a medal. It was a great game and a great finish to a miserably cold day.

CONCOURS

First place: Peter Mathis/Patrick Vaslet
Second place: Mone Lee/Phominik Lee
Third place: Dave Lanter/Dan Lanter

CONSOLANTE

First place: Hans Kurz/Wolf Kurz
Second place: Joe Danielson/Abby Danielson
Third place: Louis Toulon/Nina Semenenko (assisted by Tamara Efron)

Alain

PS: be sure to watch the pictures in full screen for best results