Au Cochonnet Marin

Yesterday, we drove to Sonoma to watch the 2024 Wine Country Open finals (the Clash of the Titans) and we were not disappointed! For once in a long time, the weather cooperated and provided us with an almost perfect day.

Upon our arrival around 10:30 am, the field was bustling with activity. With 64 registered teams, we had 128 active players, plus numerous bystanders… and their dogs. In other words, “la foule des grands jours” a true gathering of enthusiasts.

From what I could observe, everything was exceptionally well organized, and I have nothing but praise for the organizers.

My real purpose at this event was to witness great players and above all, take some interesting photographs.

Capturing sports moments requires much more care than casual snapshots. The key factors are weather conditions and sun positioning. Like when photographing wildlife, it demands a specific technique. With wildlife, you aim to face the wind to mask your scent, while for sports events, it’s best to have the sun at your back to avoid irritating shadows.

Yesterday though, things were a bit more challenging than usual due to a sprained left ankle I sustained about a week ago. Like a war photographer, a sports photographer needs agility and readiness to maneuver. Because of my injury, I couldn’t move as swiftly as usual and probably missed some good shots, but “c’est la vie.”

The highlight of yesterday’s matches was without any doubt, the semi-final game between Hureau/Greenberg and the German team of Wagler/Laukart. The Germans were under intense pressure and had to resort to desperate measures to avoid defeat. Laukart, the designated shooter (an extraordinary shooter), fired the cochonnet four successive times to stave off defeat but ultimately lost after an exhilarating (and lengthy) game.

The finals were a letdown. It was over in a few minutes with Hureau/Greenberg crushing Ziggy and Roland 13/0.

And now, let the following pictures do the talking.

Alain

I have said it before, and I want to reiterate it, free is a four-letter word… never to be used in polite company.

This word has been so overused and exploited that whenever I hear it, particularly on television, I feel like a wolf howling at the moon.

“Free this, free that” — we’re drowning in a sea of freebies, or so it seems. Third World asylum seekers must feel like they’ve hit the jackpot the first time they watch TV in America. No down payment, no interest, nothing. It is free, it’s all free! This is probably why America is known as the Land of the Free.

If I had my way though, I would decree that on the first day of school, the teacher would have to solemnly declare “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!!!”
This sentence would have to be memorized and repeated like a catechism until all the children would truly grasp this basic principle of life on Earth.

Now seriously, why would anyone, especially total strangers, want to give you something gratis? It is utterly absurd! I’d rather pay full price for everything than succumb to the lure of the “free” myth. Any telemarketer who would dare to mention this foolish word on the phone should be hung up on immediately. “But it’s free,” they would stammer with disbelief. Yeah, and my girlfriend is Barbara Streisand!

I can’t recall who said, “There’s nothing more expensive than a woman who gives herself to you,” but here’s a man who’s been around the block a few times and knows the true value of free.

Never utter this four-letter word before me if you want to remain in my good graces. I’m violently allergic to utopian fantasies and might do something I might regret.

Karma has no menu. You get served what you deserve. For free.

Alain

Are cats smart or wicked? As the custodian/butler of several of them over the years, I believe that they are neither; they are just shamelessly being themselves. We are cats, and you must take us as we are.  But yes, we can be a little neurotic and entitled.

When I woke up this morning, the sky was grey and overcast, and this persistent dull weather did not particularly help my mood. We are in mid-April for crying out loud and the sun ought to be on duty every single day! This is what we are paying taxes for…

But I tried to put on a brave face, got up, and proceeded downstairs. When you cohabit with a cat, you must be willing to tolerate some of its fancies, but you expect the animal to show some common sense. For instance, if you are driving on a country road and come across a cow napping on the roadway, you assume that the beast will get up and let you go. However, a cat is not like a cow and seldom behaves like a cow.

 It has been known for a long time that “Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience”.

When I went down the stairs, Lola was indeed lounging on one of the steps and showed no intention of moving. So, I tried to negotiate my way through without disturbing her, and I inadvertently stepped on her tail (an action that she protested loudly) and I unfortunately twisted my left ankle.

I am now partially incapacitated and can barely move, even with the help of a cane. A very painful and distressing situation. Lola might hire a lawyer and sue me for negligence, but fairly, ladies and gentlemen, is it entirely my fault? Should I have stopped and patiently waited for her to move, or was I legally entitled to proceed?

So, here is what I want. First, some sincere apologies. I know that a stepped-on tail can be painful, but so is a twisted ankle. And I don’t believe that a stepped-on tail is as distressing and as disabling as my injury. So yes, I want sincere apologies and a semblance of contrition… But I also realize that both things will probably be difficult to obtain.

Reflecting upon this incident, I think that cats are usually happier than humans.
“One reason cats are happier than people is that they have no newspapers.” Gwendolyn Brooks and they wisely shun television. Being oblivious to bad news keeps them more serene and relaxed than informed news junkies.

The lesson to be learned from this story is that to live a happy life, one should try to emulate a cat’s lifestyle. This includes finding a way to obtain free shelter and food, getting enough sleep, engaging in moderate physical activity such as yoga, and most importantly, enticing a preferably naive and devoted butler to work for you.

Alain