Au Cochonnet Marin

There’s a scam for everyone, and that means everyone is a potential victim. Susan Grant

Nowadays everybody has heard about or been exposed to some scam. They are usually fairly easy to recognize, but once in a while, you might get fooled… Especially when it involves a relative or a close friend.

Early yesterday I received a dramatic e-mail message from a French friend who told me that she just discovered that she had larynx cancer. She was in the hospital waiting to see an oncologist and could not talk because of her condition. The message said that I was the first person that she confided to and that she needed moral support… and a small favor.
This message was written in good French (scammers are often bad spellers) and addressed to me.

When a close friend is involved, you instinctively feel sympathetic and lower your guard… at least I do. I pride myself to be a reliable friend and a comrade in need always deserves assistance.

The story presented to me was a little convoluted, but basically, I was asked for some money… immediately. I was willing to help, but the process involved seemed a little strange. I was told to go to a “bar-tabac” (a tobacco shop) and “buy 3 TRANS-CASH reloading coupons of 150 € then send the RECH codes of each reloading coupon by E-mail.”

 First of all, to my knowledge, we have no tobacco shops in California and my friend (who had been there before) should have known that. Secondly, I have never heard of Trans-Cash and have no idea how to deal with this.

Then, I happened to mention this story to my friend Noël, and he immediately asked me if I was sure that this was not a scam. This question took me a little by surprise, and I slowly started to think that he might be right.

I grabbed my phone and called France to try to elucidate this tale. The phone rang and I was surprised to hear my friend’s voice. I told her what happened and she immediately informed me that it was a scam and that she was aware of it. Somehow her account had been hacked and all her friends had received a similar message.

I was shocked and relieved at the same time. I thought that I was a little more worldly than Joe Sixpack, but to my embarrassment, I swallowed that sob story hook, line, and sinker, and I was ready to send some cash.

To sum it up

Especially during the holidays (AND during the pandemic), scammers are working overtime to take advantage of charitable people. Before opening your heart (and your wallet) to anybody, make double-sure that everything is kosher,  and above board.

Alain

Lately, despite the raging Coronavirus crisis, regular players might have noticed a recrudescence of activity on our pétanque field. I have spotted a lot of newcomers, mainly women, and although I have not met them all, I more than welcome their friendly invasion.

No club or organization is ever complete without a fair representation of the fair sex. After all, they represent half the population of the entire world and they have more than proved their mettle. I am pretty sure that our progressive president-elect is going to include a fair number of women in his cabinet and I applaud this initiative. Keep in mind that our new vice-president is a woman who might someday get the top job.

Our club increased membership is due mainly to the tireless activity of Christine Cragg our president. She has been in charge of our organization for many years (I forgot how many) and I have had the pleasure to closely work with her for 7 long years as the club secretary. I vouch for her.

Few people realize how much time and effort is needed to run our club. The job is demanding and often unappreciated. As a result, few people ever postulate for that position. But Christine has been doing this for years, and like a good wine, she is improving with age. She gets my unending support for her dedication.

It is important to remember that we all have been rookies… In a school, in an organization, in the military. It is always a stressful period that we have all experienced. As club members, our job is to quickly incorporate the newcomers in all our activities and make them feel welcome.

I know that in any discipline anybody always wants to compete with better players, but every beginner should be given a chance to improve his/her skills. I will play with any of them anytime and I urge you to do the same thing.

So, by the way, who are these women? Christine has sent us a list accompanied by names, but since every face is now covered with a mask, I would not recognize my own mother.

The accompanying photo might help, but the only unmistakable person is Ann Krilanovich. Her white mane (and her enthusiasm) stands out and she cannot be unnoticed. It might also be helpful if all the newcomers would personally introduce themselves (or wear a name tag) to some curmudgeons. Their bark is worse than their bite.

Happy Turkey Day to all!

Alain

 PS: Please look at my latest collection of pictures… and subscribe to my blog. I will treat you kindlier if you do. For best viewing, use Full Screen.

Thank you.

“It’s not the situation… it’s your reaction to the situation.” Bob Conklin

I am fighting the impulse to write anything else about our overthrown cult leader. He has amply demonstrated that he is a “superbrat” incapable to control his worst impulses, and bite my tongue, I won’t say another word about it. I just shudder thinking that this was the man who for 4 long years was at the helm of a nuclear-armed country.

Instead, I will turn my attention to something that concerns us all… The Covid-19 vaccines. Manna from Heaven we are told. They are suddenly popping up like mushrooms after the rain and everybody is eagerly awaiting their distribution. But when are we going to get them? Before Christmas? I doubt it.

Lately, Santa Claus has been extremely busy, but I have the feeling that in this crisis, he is a tad overwhelmed. His transportation fleet is obsolete, and he needs to modernize it. My spies are telling me though that he has been in touch with Jeff who has promised to help. How? I don’t know, but as an Amazon Prime customer, I know how efficient they are, and I totally trust that outfit.

But does it mean that after I get my shot, I am suddenly immune and free to kiss anybody? I trust science but I don’t think that I would be that bold. I might not smooch anybody for at least another year… And how long would that immunity last? And if you have been tested positive, will that injection help? I also understand that both Pfizer and Moderna require a second shot… This whole thing is not as easy as it sounds…

The powers that be are not helpful. They diddle with the problem… Power is like a drug… It is difficult to let go of cold turkey and when you do, you often experience severe withdrawal symptoms as witnessed in Washington today. Letting go requires uncommon willpower, and few people have the backbone to do this successfully.

At the end of WWII, after Germany had been defeated, the losers wisely cooperated with the Allies… They understood that this was the only way to go back to normal as quickly as possible. But it seems that this lesson has been spectacularly wasted on some…

“It’s not the situation… it’s your reaction to the situation.”

A general is in charge of the vaccine’s distribution. It is both good and bad. Good because he has authority over a vast number of people, but bad because some generals have been known to be mule-headed. If he falters in any way, he has to be flexible enough to recognize it and immediately change course. Some generals are not programmed to do so.

In the meantime, don’t let your guard down. Thanksgiving or Christmas family gatherings are not compulsory. It is better to stay home and celebrate the holidays with your pet, rather than endangering more lives for a few brief moments of felicity.

“He that fights and runs away, may turn and fight another day; but he that is in battle slain, will never rise to fight again.” Tacitus

Alain