Au Cochonnet Marin

Yesterday we experienced an outpouring of love the like of which I have seldom witnessed. This heartfelt outflow of emotion was a tribute to a man who was much too briefly a member of our small community.

You get to know a person over time and unfortunately some of us ran short of that commodity. Henry was like a shooting star that appeared and disappeared too quickly. He was a private and modest man who seldom talked about himself, but who cast a giant shadow. I always appreciated his good sense of humor and his quick wit. He was also a hard worker who did a lot to beautify our field.

He also struck me as a person eager to learn. When he first appeared on our field, he asked a lot of questions about the game and took a lot of video clips. He sought everybody’s advice and in a very short time, he became one of our best players.

Whenever he heard a French word or a French expression, he was always keen to learn its exact meaning. What does it mean? How do you spell it? How do you pronounce it? I was always pleased to oblige.

Yesterday, many people paid tribute to Henry. Mark Shirley, Tiaré Ferrari, Noel Marcovecchio, Sandra Shirkey, Doug Coleville, John-Philippe Wyek, Larry Cragg, Evan Falcone, and Bleys Rose were the voices of our various clubs.

We, of course, missed our Christine, but some tears were shed on her behalf. A few speakers (e.g. plucky Sandra) choked and could barely hold their tears while talking.

I was personally heartened to see Calvert again. We all missed her and it was a pleasure to have her on our field again. This Southern Belle is a resilient person and I am convinced that in due time she will be her old happy-go-lucky individual again. Her gracious sister Sally is helping her to remain seaworthy.

Mark Shirkey, Larry Cragg, and Tiaré did a great job putting this presentation together and ought to be warmly congratulated for their efforts.

After a potluck lunch, casual games sprouted spontaneously and a good time was held by all.

Henry left a huge void. He will be missed and will remain in our hearts “pour toujours” forever and a day.

Alain

PS: Feel free to download any of my photos, but when posting any of them on social media, due credit (Photos by Alain Efron) would be deeply appreciated. Merci.

Every human being needs love. And so do animals.
Some people are lucky to have experienced it, but many are not so fortunate. They are often desperately lonely and seek comfort with an ESA (emotional support animal). 

 Some humans find it surprising that practically any animal can be tamed and become “un animal de compagnie” (an emotional support animal). But some individuals have successfully managed to raise bears, hippos, wolves, lions, etc. and  bond with them.

All animals, regardless of their species, have a soul, feelings, and are definitely capable of love.

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” James Herriot

Unlike humans, animals’ feelings are unconditional. They will love you forever regardless of the circumstances.

Emotional support animals come in many shapes and colors. Most are cats and dogs but there are many other species. Mice, rabbits, birds, hedgehogs, rats, mini pigs, ferrets, squirrels, turtles, turkeys are fairly common.

“I never married because there was no need. I have three pets at home that answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all afternoon, and a cat that comes home late at night.” Marie Corelli

 ESAs can travel free on most airlines. But there have been some excesses and airlines are cracking down on support animals and issuing tighter regulations.

Some people have tried to board planes with snakes, peacocks, monkeys, turkeys, penguins, duck chickens…

I am a staunch animal lover but I would not fancy flying to Paris with a talkative peacock seating next to me.

But I definitely understand the need for emotional support animals. They are like a child’s “blankie”. Indispensable.

Finally, regardless of what you choose as an ESA,  please do not try to take your smart pot-bellied pig everywhere. Common folks might not be as understanding as I am.

Alain

The #Me Too movement is a welcome revolution, but like any insurrection it is highly susceptible to excesses.

While I wholeheartedly support this movement, I am somewhat afraid that this crusade could degenerate into a cottage industry. In the future women could possibly accuse men of misdeeds to punish them for jilting them or rejecting their advances. Just like revenge porn this could be devastating for some men’s reputation.

If a woman has been assaulted, she should immediately file a report with the police. The legal establishment wants tangible proof of what happened. Reporting an assault is the way to secure and validate an accusation.

As proven by the sorry Kavanaugh affair (highly reminiscent to the Thomas circus) to wait is to weaken or irremediably damage your case. Many men (and women?) are often politically motivated to disbelieve plaintiffs.

Just like a car accident, you need to provide plenty of details and witnesses. Fortunately times have changed. Today, there is absolutely no shame or guilt involved in reporting such an occurrence. If assaulted, fight back and immediately, and vigorously pursue the guilty party.

We live in an extremely litigious world. To be safe, you need to carry a legal shield. If somebody assaults you, the perpetrator needs to know that his misdeed will ricochet and inflict serious injuries.

I never liked the term “survivor” widely used in the press. I think that “resistance fighter” would be a better option. A fighter will hit back, even when wounded. Consequently, victims of sexual assault should call themselves, because they will (and should) fight back.

“Somebody messes with me, I’m going to mess with.” Al Capone

Sexual predators will think twice before assaulting a woman. There will be a (heavy) price to pay when they are identified and prosecuted. And besides prison terms, a sexual predator will be branded for life with a scarlet letter. Wherever he goes he will have to register as a sex offender. This could make life extremely difficult for him.

So, resistance fighters don’t hide and suffer in silence. Pick yourself up and punch back, hard.

Retribution is great healing medicine.

Alain