Category: Fourre-tout

A little bit of everything

A badass birthday bash

Yesterday, in response to Noël’s birthday party invitation, we made our way to his lair and were welcomed by Tammy and Aaron Stern, and at least half of la Pétanque Marinière’s members, both old and new.

It’s fortunate that Noël lives in a spacious place, as the noise level eventually reached such a peak that (even with my hearing aids) I—and many others—could hardly understand anything being said. But then again, noise often equates success, right?

Upon arrival, I noticed several unfamiliar faces and wasn’t sure what to make of them until I learned they were new club members. This is welcome news, especially since our membership seemed to have declined a bit since last year. It was also a little bit surprising to see everyone dressed in “civilian clothes” rather than their usual playing outfits.

As usual, my inner photographer urged me to capture a few moments, although it was a bit challenging in such a crowded environment. Nevertheless, I accepted the dare and armed with my new iPhone 16, I set to work. I’m still unfamiliar with this new device, which added a layer of difficulty, but I managed.

Eventually, Noël was encouraged to play a few tunes on his new piano, and he graciously agreed. He truly is a man of many talents, surprising people in various ways. In fact, many of the paintings adorning his walls were his work. With such versatility, he will undoubtedly be tapped for a position in the new administration in Washington.

By four o’clock, it was all over, and everybody left on a happy note.

A nice successful party. Thank you for the entertainment, Papa Noël.

Alain

PS: To view the pictures, click on “My photos” on the right side of this page.

 

Dans les tranchées

Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m forgetting more and more things. Among them is my diminishing command of French. The following brief essay tests the remnants of what used to be my mother tongue

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J’ai passé de nombreuses années au sein d’une grande entreprise américaine… mais cela n’a jamais été une histoire d’amour. Plutôt un mariage de raison. Ma véritable passion a toujours été la photographie, un art que je pratique depuis l’âge de 18 ans.

Aujourd’hui, je possède une grande collection de photos datant de plusieurs décennies, et de temps en temps, je me plonge dans ces souvenirs. L’autre jour, je suis tombé en arrêts sur une photo qui m’a particulièrement frappé : cinq personnes que je connaissais, dont quatre sont désormais décédées.

A. Marchand, C. Davantes, R. DiMaio, J. Lecouturier, J. Etcheverry

À cet instant, je me suis étrangement senti comme les Poilus de 14-18, vivant dans des tranchées, avec des obus éclatant au hasard, à droite, à gauche, frappant ou emportant nos camarades.

Au fil du temps, nous tissons des liens forts avec ceux qui partagent notre vie, qu’ils soient amis de longue date ou compagnons de lutte. Et lorsque l’un d’entre nous est affecté, c’est toute la communauté qui ressent la même douleur. Ce qui reste frappant, cependant, c’est la soudaineté de l’inattendu. Ce pauvre homme jouait encore avec nous aux boules il y a quelques jours…

Dans notre jeunesse, la disparition d’un ami était un événement rare. Nous étions vivants, et cela semblait une condition éternelle… Pourtant, je me souviens d’un camarade de classe tué en Algérie… un événement qui, en rétrospective, semble avoir précipité notre passage à l’âge adulte.

Ce n’est pas la mort en elle-même qui dérange, mais la perte de ces compagnons avec lesquels nous avons grandi et vécu. Le paradis, après tout, ne serait pas le paradis si nous y étions condamnés à y vivre seuls.

Gardez vos amis près de vous. Ce sont vos biens les plus précieux.

Alain

Effective speaking

Bust of Demosthenes (Louvre, Paris, France)

A few years ago, when I began experiencing hearing difficulties, I became acutely aware of the qualities that make effective speaking.

Speech is a uniquely human gift, setting us apart from the animal kingdom. Yet, despite this universal ability, many people speak poorly. Left unaddressed, this shortcoming can limit their social and professional progress, as effective communication is often a prerequisite for leadership.

As Gerald R. Ford once said:

“If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.”

While speech may come naturally, excellence in speaking requires effort. Some excel, others struggle, and many falter due to a lack of vocabulary, poor pronunciation, or unclear delivery. To win others, each word must be carefully chosen, distinctly pronounced, and clearly understood.

The good news? Unlike character flaws, poor speaking skills can be corrected.

Take Demosthenes, one of history’s greatest orators. Despite a speech impediment, this ancient Greek speaker practiced speaking tirelessly, even training with pebbles in his mouth to improve his articulation. His dedication paid off, earning him a place among the most celebrated speakers of all time.

Similarly, the story of King George VI, depicted in The King’s Speech, offers inspiration. Struggling with a severe stutter, the British monarch sought help and ultimately triumphed over his affliction. His perseverance reminds us that effective communication is within anyone’s grasp—with the right effort and support.

Yet, the world isn’t devoid of mediocre speakers who attract followers. As the French proverb goes, “Qui se ressemble, s’assemble”—those who resemble one another tend to stick together. An idiot in a crowd of like-minded individuals will find validation, fostering a sense of collective “rightness.”

Sadly, this dynamic often paves the way for false messiahs—leaders who seem charismatic at first, but ultimately reveal their feet of clay. And when they falter, their earliest supporters are often the first to throw stones at them.

In the end, the truth has a way of prevailing. The flaws of these false idols are eventually laid bare, and balance is restored. Eventually, the Gods will wake up and clean house.

Alain