Sonoma, August 24, 2024

I came to Sonoma yesterday, not as a competitor, but to support my wife and her teammates, Beth and Eddy Pay. The weather was mild, providing ideal conditions for the event.

Fifteen teams had answered the call, ready to face off. Among them were some exceptional players—pointers and shooters alike.

Contrary to what some people might believe, games aren’t won solely by the shooters. Pointers play a crucial role; without a reliable one, even the best shooters will eventually run out of ammunition and lose the battle.

Speaking of pointers, Patrick Vaslet never ceases to impress me with his steadiness and accuracy—a solid man to have in your foxhole. Another noticeable team was Fresno’s Red Devils: Janice Bissonnette, By Vang, and Jer Thao.  Their flashy attire was a clear warning: don’t tangle with us unless you’re fully prepared.

Sacramento also fielded some outstanding players, including Phominik, Chan Xiong, and Tim Peppel. Another powerful lineup consisted of Peter Mathis, Dave Lanter, and Patrick Vaslet—all potential champions.

We didn’t stay in Sonoma until the tournament concluded. Once Tamara and her team were disposed of, we opted to head home. So, I don’t know who won, but as usual, I hope that I took enough photos to give you an idea of what happened that day.

Alain

PS: For best effects, do not watch the pictures on your Smartphone, but on a tablet or a computer

Flash from Eddy Pay:

Today’s Sonoma Cup Winners:

1st place: Peter Mathis, Dave Lander & Patrick Vaslet
2nd place: By Vang, Janice Bissonnette & Jer Thao
3rd place: Bernard Passemar, Fabian & Ted

Thank you, Director Peter Wellington!

I am hearing voices…

Yes, I am hearing voices! But don’t rush to call the lunatic asylum. It is just that I purchased a new pair of hearing aids, and I can now hear properly.

Over the years, I have gradually lost much of my hearing. While you can live with it—and I’ve progressively adapted to this nuisance—the loss of hearing has proven to be very frustrating. I often found myself in awkward situations where I had to ask people to repeat themselves frequently. It was both embarrassing and annoying!

Finally, unable to read lips and tired of appearing half-witted, I decided to take the bull by the horns and invest in high-quality hearing aids.

After months of waiting, I finally received the jewels… and it was a revelation. Suddenly, I hear voices… and tiny noises that I have not heard for decades… like the click of my computer mouse or my cat tiptoeing into the room.

Most importantly, I can now understand what people are saying and can watch television without using subtitles. I can even hear my better half’s exhortations coming from the kitchen downstairs.

But not everything turned out to be rosy, especially in the lead-up to the Presidential Elections. I can now hear distinctly all the nonsense some candidates spout, and I wish I didn’t.

When your hearing falters, you tend to crank up the television volume just to catch what’s being said, often to the dismay of others. “But I can barely hear it!” I would say. Now it is the other way around; everybody and everything is too loud for me. Tone it down, my friends!

 If you wish to Win Friends and Influence People, you first need to listen—which is difficult to do when your hearing is limited. The next best step then, is to get fitted with a good quality pair of hearing aids

So, to hear voices again, dip into that cookie jar where you’ve been stashing your savings for a new car. Mobility is important, but not as much as audibility. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results. I was.

Now, next time you meet me, you might notice a slight change besides my wrinkles. Instead of politely nodding in assent as I did in the past, I might engage you with a robust counterargument.
Don’t wake up a sleeping dog!

Alain

LPM Select Doubles – August 10, 2024

Yesterday morning, I felt a bit sluggish, and in hindsight, I was grateful that fate kept me from competing in the Marin tournament. I’ve been trying to ignore the weight of the passing years, but Father Time had other plans. He seemed to whisper, “Your glory days are behind you. It would be wise to retire from tournaments… or else!” Or else??

Kue & Mone

Since I wasn’t competing, I arrived at the field comfortably after lunch. By then, fourteen doubles teams were already deep into their matches, and I joined the action—figuratively—with my trusty little camera.

Though the number of players was rather modest, the quality was anything but. I saw many exceptional players, pointers and shooters, and it was a pleasure trying to capture them at their best. The shade from our beautiful trees didn’t make things easier, but “à la guerre comme à la guerre”—one must make do with what one has.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t be everywhere at once. So, like a sniper, I waited in the shadows for the best moment. Action, angles, and light are the key ingredients of good sports photography, and having them all aligned is always a bit tricky. Win some, lose some.

After watching the Concours finals—Wolfie and Chan versus Mone and Kue—I left the field for some needed rest. It was an excellent match, with both teams playing exceptionally well. All the participants demonstrated their great skills, pointing and shooting with equal precision. Until the very last minute, it was impossible to predict the winner.

In the end, Mone and Kue claimed the title and the big prize, thanks largely I believe, to Kue’s unorthodox style but deadly accuracy.

Congratulations to all! Great game!

Concours
1st place: Mone Lee & Kue Lee– $126.00 each
2nd place: Wolfie Kurz & Chan Xiong– $105.00 each
3rd place: Hans Kurz & Ashlee Dencklau – $84.00 each

Consolante
1st place: Peter & Barry – $63.00 each  ???
2nd place: Tom Lee & Tim Peppel– $42.00 each

Alain

Thanks to Christine Cragg for her additional pictures and her cooperation!

PS: Watch pictures in “full screen” for best effects