Category: Fourre-tout

Hello, sports fans! Here is a quick account of what happened yesterday in Sonoma-by-the-Sea.

Forty-six people (23 doublettes) responded to the invitation of the Valley of the Moon Petanque Club to participate in a little event dubbed “Pétanque Vite (quick) Tournament”. Supposedly a half-day tournament, but which eventually proved equally grueling as a full-day tournament.

The games started around 12:30 pm in a format that I never experienced before. Six 30 minutes “mènes” were to be played at the beginning of the event, with elimination games following later in the afternoon. To be honest, it was a little confusing, but nevertheless, everything worked according to plan.

In this mêlée, I was paired with Jean-Claude Etallaz who was the designated shooter, and I seconded him as a pointer. The early phase of the game did not work well for us, but later in the afternoon, we managed to “reprendre du poil de la bête” (I cannot come up with a better English expression) and finish with some “dinero” in our pockets.

Before starting the elimination games, I felt a little weary and was hoping for a quick, merciful death in the first bout. But fate would not have it this way. We won one game, darn… another one, double darn… and a third one, alleluia!

This of course didn’t leave me much time to memorialize this event, but I managed to take a few shots “à la sauvette” (on the sly). To those who wonder why they are not in my offering, just remember that I prefer shooting with the sun on your face (in my back). If at the time of the shooting, you are not positioned in this setting, you probably won’t be in my collection.
Included in these photos, you might notice an interesting portrait of little old me by Carlos Chavez.

That’s the way I saw it yesterday in Sonoma.

Concours C:
1st place: Jean-Claude Etallaz & Alain Efron
2^nd place: Stephanie Wilkinson & Ashlee Dencklau

Concours B:
1st place: Evan Falcone & Dick K ?
2^nd place: Lynda Evans & Adair Hastings

Concours A:
1st place: Marco Illario & Ron Rohlfes
2^nd place: Kevin Evoy & Michael H ?
3^rd place: Casey Franklin & Monique Bricca

Alain

PS: I am not quite sure about the ranking order of all the winners. If you notice some errors, please let me know.

Additional pictures by Tamara.

What is the nastiest, most insulting word that somebody can throw at you today? Quick!

It is not a four-letter word, and I am pretty sure that you won’t guess the answer…

Let me help you. Today, the most abusive remark in the English language, is a tiny three-letter word: OLD! You are old, you are an old fart, you are an old bag, you are too old for this job/part…

Old age is an insult. It’s like being smacked. Lawrence Durrell

 Yes indeed, today being called “old” is an insult, a dirty word not to be pronounced (just whispered) in polite society. Don’t ever believe the syrupy stances you hear on TV about getting old gracefully… and loving it. Getting old is a relentless pernicious process. And to add insult to injury, it requires a lot of efforts… and a lot of money.

Aging is a sneaky process. You don’t feel a thing. Everything seems to be normal, and suddenly you discover that all your hair is gone and that you have gained 10 pounds overnight. Tarnation! What happened?

You did not know it, but your body has been under siege for months/years by invisible enemies whose leader is known as OLD. Mister OLD. A nasty, unpleasant fellow. His troops like termites, toil silently in the dark, and suddenly your entire shiny building starts to fall apart.

And when you visit your doctor, he/she has not much to offer… just tests and pills, in a great variety of colors and shapes. Because what can you do stop the advance of old age? Bathe in virgin blood like Elisabeth Bathory? Not very practical… besides, there is an acute shortage of raw material today…

Old age is a woman’s hell, said Ninon de L’Enclos. And she ought to know. She was a smart, literate, independent woman who entertained many men. She was a person known for her wit and beauty and getting old for her was certainly hell. But she was an exceptional woman, and she managed… “she died at the age of 84, as a very wealthy woman.”

Why this sudden outburst? might you ask. Well, I feel that I am not in command of my body anymore. Different organs and limbs refuse to obey as directed and I feel like am caught in a “révolution de palais”. My closest (well-fed and well-paid) body parts are abandoning me. It is rather irritating wouldn’t you say so?

But like Spunky Zelensky said, “we are not ready to surrender”. And  neither I am… but old age should be avoided at all costs. If you know somebody influential, call that person and ask him/her to cancel your aging activity. By the way, it can be done remotely.

A woman tells her doctor, ‘I’ve got a bad back.’ The doctor says, ‘It’s old age.’ The woman says, ‘I want a second opinion.’ The doctor says: ‘Okay – you’re ugly as well.’

 Alain

“The Amazons were a race of female warriors in Greek mythology, who dwelt in the region of modern-day Ukraine. Two of the best-known Amazon queens were Penthesilea, who took part in the Trojan War, and her sister Hippolyta, who was the owner of a magical girdle, given to her by the god of war Ares.”

Yesterday I witnessed a new Amazon invasion. Under the leadership of Queen Ann, women warriors gathered in San Rafael to practice their fighting skills. And unlike what is presently happening in Ukraine, they were a welcome sight.

I am an unabashed woman’s rights supporter, and these women proved once again that (with some practice) they can be as good as men in any field or discipline.

“After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backward and in high heels.”

Some like Janice B. came from far away, but I am not surprised for Janice is known to eat, drink, and breath pétanque. And she gladly came to share her knowledge and experience of the game she loves.

As I mentioned before, the mastermind of this peaceful invasion was Ann K. and I was surprised by the sheer number of women who responded to her call. But I shouldn’t have been. Ann is a “locomotive” who can pull a long line of wagons, and any organization should be grateful to have people like her in their midst.

Yesterday I counted around 25 bodies of all shapes and forms on our field. Some were good, some not as good, but I can certify that they all enjoyed the outing and had a jolly good time. And I have the pictures to prove it.

Before I go, I want to mention that Louis Toulon (one of the club’s founders), and Christine Cragg (the actual president) were present on the field to lend their wholehearted support to this operation. Long live Ukraine and the Amazons!

Enjoy the pictures!

Alain

 PS: I would not mind hearing your comments about this story. Merci.