Au Cochonnet Marin

Super this, super that… Aren’t you tired of all these superlatives?

It might sound peculiar, but some words are starting to really bug me. They irritate me because they have been overused and have lost their meaning.

If you eat caviar every day, it will quickly lose its original appeal and become dull, unexciting. The same fate applies to words. Some of the terms on my “shunning” list are: awesome, devastated, outraged, disrespected, whatever, star, super…

Nowadays everything is “awesome” and everybody has been “devastated” by one thing or the other. I cannot stand it anymore.
America, a nation that used to be on the cutting edge of just about everything, has been reduced to a land of parrots and copycats. “What monkey see, monkey do.”Pathetic!

Super, originally meant “above” or “over” expressing the highest degree of quality. But now, nothing is plain or ordinary anymore. Everything is super… something.

If an actress gets a bit part in a movie, she instantly becomes a “superstar”. If a young girl walks the catwalk a few times, she is a “supermodel”. The little grocery store around the corner is now a supermarket.

Basta! Enough! We need to save our vocabulary from pollution.
Fopdoodle (a stupid fellow), raggabrash (a disorganized or grubby person), flibbertigibbet (excessive talkative person), mafflard (blundering fool), muckspout (someone who uses a lot of cursing) are now insults in disuse.

These words were probably cool and popular at one time, but through overuse they became annoying and  obsolete.

So, for crying out loud, stop being outraged or devastated. Don’t parrot and repeat mechanically whatever you heard somewhere. Be indignant, furious, full of rage… anything but outraged.

Use your imagination. If need be, rehearse at home what you would like to say to your rivals or your loved ones. Be original or hold your tongue for chrissake!

In conclusion:

Watch your mouth. Don’t pollute. Don’t abuse anything, including weed, French fries and superlatives.

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society. John Adams

Merci beaucoup for your attention.

 Alain

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.’ – Tommy Coope

“Everyone… men and women seem inordinately fond of hats.” Stephen Lawhead

They do, because everybody looks better with a hat. People don a “chapeau” to protect themselves from the sun, but it is not the only reason.
Style is also a factor.

Winning is always nice, but winning with panache is better, and a hat will add flair to your game. It also allows you to tip it  after executing an exceptional shot. And you will keep your hat in your hand until the applause subside.

If you care to remember, musketeers were known for their audacity and flamboyance, and their hats had certainly something to do with it. When wearing such a piece of garment, you have no choice. It is do or die. There is no other way.

“Hats have power. Hats can change you into something else.” Catherynne M. Valente

 Why is a hat so significant?

First, when you enter the arena, you throw your hat in the ring!
Then, facing various opponents, you may have to wear many different hats to survive.
Some people will call you as mad as a hatter, but when the situation gets desperate, you might have to pull a rabbit out of your hat.

Why do you think Ol’ Blue Eyes always wore a chapeau? Style my friends. You could be a lousy player, but if you have an elegant demeanor, everything will be forgiven.

“Having a hat on your head gives you undeniable authority over those who do not have one.” Tristan Bernard

To illustrate my assertions, I have put together a collection of some hatted individuals that I have personally shot (with a camera) these last five years.
Go to the attached album and  judge for yourself.

Beautify America. Wear a hat!

Alain

“A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” Bess Truman

 Just kidding ladies! Hang on to your hat!

Regardless of who you are, what your marital status or what position you hold, you need a BFF.

In this hectic world, it is essential to have somebody to confide to and to consult when life throws a monkey wrench in your routine.

“If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone.”–Maxwell Maltz

True friends are like truffles, hidden, precious and hard to find. After doing some hard thinking, I realized fairly recently that my bestie was nobody but Ernesto, my alter ego. He is always available, always willing to listen, and time spent with him is invariably time well spent.
Few people get ever the chance to meet him, but make no mistake, my consigliere is always by my side.

When you are tired or upset, you can always count on him for moral support. Whenever you say: Ernesto, let’s go somewhere for a cup of coffee… he will never refuse. As a matter of fact, it is often him who makes that proposition. “Let’s blow this joint” he says and I seldom disagree with him.

Regardless how happy you are, you need some “Me Time”. Time to spend alone (or with some friends), to recharge your batteries. Because your state of mind is like an electric battery. It needs to be recharged periodically to go the distance.

Once in a while, you need to break free from your all affective links and spend time away to blow some steam, or simply to pamper yourself. You might look selfish and irresponsible, but you will be better appreciated upon you return.

It is a big mistake to keep anybody on a tight leash. The tighter the leash, the stronger the desire to stray.

I am not saying that Ernesto is always right… I am simply saying that it is good to run everything by him. Weighing the pros and the cons with him always bring some clarity to the problem.

Before making a rash decision, consult with your amigo. And regardless where you come from, Ernesto will always speak your language. Good friends are like this.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.  Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Play pétanque, have lunch with a friend, buy yourself a present. It is good medicine.

Ernesto said so.
Bons baisers a tous!

Alain