Au Cochonnet Marin

 

“La gentillesse, c’est de l’amour donné par petites bouffées.”
“Kindness is love given in small puffs.”

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Those who are close to me know that I am partial to dogs, cats, myriads of four-legged critters and GNP. Not “the total value of the goods and services produced by the people of a nation during a year“ but the other GNP: the Genuine Nice People.

In a world of fakes, phonies and con men it is nice once in a blue moon to come across a honest-to-goodness Genuine Nice Person. But unfortunately they seem to be a vanishing breed that needs protection.

Nice people don’t tout their niceness. It is up to you to discover them.
They are like truffles. You might have to dig a little to find them and appreciate them, but it is definitely worth the effort.

The main quality of a GNP is empathy, the ability to understand and share someone’s feelings. GNP listen and identify with your problems. They are kind, compassionate and discreet. You can confide in them without fearing that your most intimate feelings are going to be broadcast to the four corners of the earth.

A GNP is almost like a BFF, but in a better, improved version. You are born a GNP while a BFF is a (flaw-prone) manufactured product.
A BFF might judge and condemn while a GNP will listen and soothe, without ever passing judgment. In times of sorrow, we all need a sympathetic ear, and if you are lucky a true GNP will always be there to commiserate with you.

This year, without fear of contradiction, I confer the title of GNP to Liv Kraft, a bona fide Genuine Nice Person.
She is a delightful companion, a good pétanque player, a helpful club member, and a joy to be around. May she live forever.

Three hearty cheers for her!

Skal Liv!

Alain

“Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

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I have been a Seinfeld fan from the start and I still vividly remember many of the series’ episodes. I particularly recall “The Puffy Shirt”, the second episode of the fifth season.

In this installment, Kramer’s girlfriend (Leslie) says something to Jerry. Since she is a “low-talker” (a person who talks in a low, soft voice) and not really comprehending what she said, Jerry and Elaine just nod their heads in agreement… and Jerry ends up wearing a ridiculous “puffy shirt” on a popular talk show.

Over the years I have become let’s say a tad “acoustically challenged”. I don’t hear as well as I used to, but I am still in running condition.
I don’t pretend to have my cat’s auditory perception (who while napping can hear a mouse fart) but I still can hear you perfectly well providing that you are not a mumbler or a “low-talker”.

So yes, I have a beef (maybe a calf) with low-talkers.
It is not the responsibility of the listener to hear well, but the duty of the speaker to get the message through. By carefully monitoring his audience, an accomplished speaker will know if his message is received or not. If he notices a vacant stare somewhere, he should realize that he is not getting through and try again.

Like many slightly impaired people, when I don’t clearly understand what is being said, I politely ask the person to repeat what he/she just said.
But if for any reason I don’t grasp what is being said for a second time (just like Jerry and Elaine) out of embarrassment I might nod in agreement… with sometimes-unforeseen consequences.

“An older man had serious hearing problems for many years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the man to hear 100%.
A month later the old man went back  to the doctor who said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.”
The old man replied, “Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to their conversations. I’ve changed my will three times!”

 So, if somebody seems to constantly agree with you, keep in mind that it might not be that you are exceptionally convincing, but rather that your interlocutor did not get a thing you said.
And you should ask yourself: am I a mumbler or God forbids, a “low-talker”?

Do you copy? Over and out!

Alain

 

Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it does not matter. Jack Benny.

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Some people dread birthdays while some rugged souls on the other hand grab the bull by the horns and push back against the encroachment of time. They won’t let mere digits hinder their way of life.

A couple of days ago I attended a birthday celebration hosted by Brigitte Moran’s clan. Her devotees went all out to commemorate Brigitte’s admission to the exclusive Geezer Country Club and give her a fiery send off to the geriatric orbit.

The theme of the party was the groovy 60’s and people were asked to show up in period threads.
I have always maintained that if you wait long enough (50 to 100 years), your dated wardrobe will come back into fashion, and this occasion proved me right. The only problem is that 50 years later your waistline won’t be exactly the same as when you were a young buck. But some people managed to dig out (or buy) vintage clothes and showed up decked with long hair, tinted shades, beads and platform shoes.
At the door I bumped into a tall, dark, longhaired hippy that to my amazement turned out to be Beatnik Herb (Moran). Great duds Herb!

The celebration started with an open bar followed by a sit down dinner.

After dinner an Afro wearing DJ opened the shindig with loud (very loud) throbbing musical pieces. Among the first people on the floor was Flower Child Brigitte who, in spite of a recent hip replacement, behaved like a teenager on Prom night.
She was followed by some (naturally reserved) people who suddenly moved like possessed by Beelzebub.

They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body. Unknown author.

For best costume (among the people I know), I recognized Monique Bricca, Herb, Brigitte, Tom Moran (loved those platform shoes) and Sandra Shirkey. I also liked the threads of a cool black dude whose name I don’t know.

To sum it up, it was a funky, outta sight party.

Joyeux Anniversaire again to a groovy chick! S.W.A.K!

Alain

PS: To watch photos of this event, click on the “My Photos” link located on the right side of this page. For best viewing, go Full Screen. No more music, sorry.
Click on the 2017 folder and on the arrow at the right top of the folder to watch the slideshow.