Au Cochonnet Marin

This morning, Sunday, October 13, I was comfortably seated in front of my computer, smoking my pipe and drinking coffee, ready to write about the Sonoma Oktober Fest, when at precisely 9:30 am my phone rang.
It was Gene Mitchell! Que paso? I enquired in fluent Spanish.

Alain, he said, we desperately need you. We are 15 people on the field and we urgently need another person to start the tournament.

But Gene, I told him, I am tired, my feet and my back hurt and I have my cat on my lap…
Please, please he begged… in French and English.

What can a gentleman do, when he hears a damsel in distress?

So, I kicked the cat off my lap, extinguished my pipe and jumped in my car. I was on the field shortly before 10:00 am. The crowd went wild… just like at a Trump rally. Some women even threw their bras at me…

I told the adoring crowd” you owe me”, don’t ever forget it… and I rolled up my sleeves and I went to work. My assigned partner was Charlie Davantes. A reliable man.

To make a long story short, we reached the Concours’ finals and barely lost 9/13 against Bernard Passemar and Noel Marcovecchio.

At one point, we were 9/9 with one of our boule about 9 meters away and 4 inches in front of the cochonnet. The malefactor known as Bernard shot and hit a “carreau”. That did us in.
Needless to say, I won’t ever speak to him again!

As I told you previously, I was all set to write about Sonoma, but I am too pooped to pop. So just enjoy the attached pictures and tell me that you love me.

Hasta la vista amigos!

Alain 

Defenseur de la veuve et de l’orphelin

Unbeknownst to many, every one of us walks with a “thinking bubble” above his head. It is the “reputation” aura, “the general opinion that people have of you.”
You don’t see it but everybody else does.

Reputation builds slowly, but after a certain time, this aureole becomes more noticeable and can be seen (some say smelled) from afar. This luminous halo generates a variety of emotions reflecting the way people really feel about you.

Reputation is important because, like your shadow, it follows you everywhere you go. Sometimes you manage to ditch it… but only for a very short time. Like a faithful mutt, it will always catch up with you; a leopard can’t change its spots.

Even when you move, your DNA will follow you. If you have been untrustworthy, spiteful, selfish, manipulative, greedy, etc. these traits will stick to you like lice, and eventually, people will subtly or openly cast you away.

Your character (your mental and moral qualities) will also show, but in a different light. Moral fiber is what is important. And this quality was amply embodied by former president Jimmy Carter, a shining example of what a leader ought to be.
Regardless of his achievements or failures, Jimmy Carter was above all an honest man, a person of honor and integrity.

He was a deeply religious man, and despite my strong aversion for religion, I respect and admire him.
When he left office, he never tried to get rich; he simply continued to do what he preached… doing the right thing. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in co-founding the Carter Center.

“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” Carl Jung

 When applying for a high-office job, listed among various credentials, character (not assets) should stand prominently on your list. People need to believe that you will do the right thing when faced with a crisis.

When deciding, ask yourself “Would I want this man/woman to be in my foxhole when hell breaks loose?” This person’s reputation should be your guide.

“A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.” Joseph Hall

Alain

I am a bit of a rat pack. I find it difficult to throw away anything. Some malicious people would even call me a hoarder, but personally, I think it is a self-defense mechanism against waste and pollution.

All my kept items are in perfect working condition, and they could easily end up in a garbage dump. But I could not resolve to do this… then somebody introduced me to the Joys of Sex eBay.

Do you want to get rid of something? Post it on eBay!
I was a little skeptical… and above all totally ignorant of the process… but still willing to dip my toes in brackish waters.

“Don’t touch any of my weapons without my permission.”
“Well, there goes my plan for selling them all on eBay,” Clary muttered.
“Selling them on what?”
Clary smiled blandly at him. “A mythical place of great magical power.”
― Cassandra Clare, 

Yes, a mythical place of great magical power!
If you want to buy or sell anything, grab your computer and head for the eBay bazaar. But be prepared. First, open an eBay account (free of charge) and a PayPal account linked to your bank or a credit card institution.

Then, bravely head to eBay… and case the joint.
Let say that you want to sell a camera… First, look for a similar offering and pay close attention to the asking prices. Keep in mind that you are not here to make a killing, but to unload something that has been gathering dust in your closet.

When listing what you want to sell, attach at least 2 decent pictures of your offering, and ask for a price that is equal or lower than the lowest asking price.

Within minutes you will get some offers. But don’t jump on the first bid, unless the buyer agrees to pay what you asked for. Wait at least a day to respond to would-be buyers and then accept the best offer.
But beware of offers that are too generous; they are not genuine. And above all, don’t ship anything to Nigeria or Thailand. Sharks have been swimming increasingly close to our shores lately.

Then, print the shipping label, stick it to a box and bring it to UPS.
Shazam! your stuff is on its way to its new home!

If you successfully want to sell or buy anything, above all, be accurate and truthful. Your selling reputation depends on it.

Salaam! See you at the bazaar!

Alain