Category: Fourre-tout

“A blog is a regular feature appearing as part of an online publication that typically relates to a particular topic and consists of articles and personal commentary by one or more authors.”

Why would anybody run a blog? Well, there are thousands of reasons, but every individual has a different motivation. To me, a blog is a way to exercise my grey cells, and a tool that can be used to educate or influence people… or when reason fails, to blast some unsavory characters or government policies. And thank God, we don’t live in Russia.

It is a safety valve that allows bloggers to vent when something frustrates them to the extreme. Like the abominable war of aggression in Ukraine, the recent preposterous decisions of the Supreme Court, the mass shootings… or the outrageous amount of noise generated by souped-up vehicles.

I recently discovered an old-fashioned breakfast place that serves good dishes at reasonable prices. But Bacon, on Grant Avenue in Novato, also has a terrace that is unfortunately exposed to an unbearable amount of traffic noise.

It seems that all the exhibitionist rednecks of the area come to Grant Avenue to parade their purposely unmufflered punkmobiles. This motorcade makes enough noise to wake up the dead and it is extremely annoying.

But when you run a blog, you don’t grab a gun when something or somebody upsets you. You don’t respond with a mass shooting to show your discontent. You go home, calm down and pour your thoughts into your computer. You then share your story with as many people as possible. You fight cretinous punks with words, not bullets.

Even if this does not work, it gives you the satisfaction to tell morons what you think of them; something you probably could not do properly in the heat of an argument.

So yes, I like the food and the service of Bacon, but the proximity of the street and the dreadful noise generated by some vehicles make it somewhat undesirable.

Our planet is under attack from all azimuths. Where are the decibel cops? Having a beer while waiting for doomsday?

Alain

Yesterday, we went to Sonoma of course, to hear Jean-Michel sing La Marseillaise, to eat Chef Marco’s revolutionary food… and to abstain (me) from playing in the tournament.

There was some festivity in downtown Sonoma, and it didn’t prove easy to park but we finally managed, thanks to Tamara’s resourcefulness.

After registering Tamara to play in the tournament, I prepared to spend a relaxed day, gossiping with my buddies, and gawking at the players. I was not going to photograph anything this time. But as I mentioned many times previously, photography is an addiction, and you cannot go anywhere without getting the compulsion to snap a few shots.

I purposely omitted bringing Big Bertha to the field, but I always carry Sneaky Pete with me, and after a while, I couldn’t resist the urge to take some pictures. There were 24 triplettes registered, for a total of 72 players plus various onlookers, so I had my choice of targets.

When taking photographs, I prefer to sit with my back to the sun, and since the Sonoma field lacks a leafy umbrella, there is always plenty of it. When I photograph pétanque players, I am always first attracted to form, oddity, and fashion. If you dress with originality and flair, you probably will be among the first to be photographed.

Two timed games were played in the morning, and two other games were played after lunch. As usual, the number of wins and points dictates the ranking.

At lunch, Jean-Michel dressed in a bright tricolor ensemble regaled us with La Marseillaise, a rabble-rousing call to arms. Some people accompanied him and those who couldn’t drank some mutinous wine.

By 4:00 pm, all the games had been completed and 4 teams made the grade for the finals. Tamara and her team managed to win 3 games, but they did not qualify to play in the finals.

1st place: Gilles Karpowicz, Larry and Genevieve Etallaz
2nd place: Dave Lanter, Matty Lackey and June

Alain

PS: don’t forget to click on “My photos” to look at the actors of this revolutionary tournament.

 

I am always grateful when people send me some feedback about my weekly ramblings or inspire me to write about new subjects. Last week, a friend named Danielle mailed me a link about an interesting story published in the New Yorker.

It is about 2 people, Natalie K. Levant and George Saltz who, after their spouses passed away, started to do standup comedy… while in their eighties. Their schticks are often about old age and how they feel and deal with it. It is rather uncommon… and in my opinion, laudable.

When I write about a certain subject, I am in the habit of looking up quotations by famous people, and I found out that more has been written about old age than about Jesus Christ and the Apostles. So, I will use a few of them to buttress my case.

A few years ago, we had a club member (already in his eighties) who used to say with a straight face, “I don’t play with old people.” He was probably influenced by Victor Hugo who wrote:

“I believe that old age comes through the eyes and that you age faster by always seeing old people!”

This might explain why many old people don’t like retirement institutions crawling with living dead. It is certainly not inspiring. To keep your élan, you must mingle with young, pretty things.

Another quotation that rings true:
« La vieillesse serait vraiment trop triste si le rose essaim des pensées polissonnes ne venait parfois la consoler. » Anatole France

 “Old age would be really too sad if the pink swarm of naughty thoughts did not sometimes come to console it. »

Naughty thoughts we must have and keep.

 We all get old (except Jane Fonda) and we must deal with it the best we can. The best antidote against melancholy so far is a good sense of humor. If you laugh, you will keep going a little longer. And as far as I know, nobody crossed the Styx laughing… So, regardless of your age, keep thinking young and dirty.

“Old age is not bearable without an ideal or a vice.” Antoine de Rivarol

True Antoine. At my age, I don’t care much for ideals anymore… I am just looking for a good solid vice to sustain me for a little while longer. Any suggestions?

Alain

“It has been my experience that those with no vices
have very few virtues.” Lincoln