You can’t go on being what you have been

Yesterday, Saturday, February 10th, unfolded as a great day, bathing in sunshine, and eventually warming up. However, the turnout didn’t match the weather’s cheerfulness, as many people chose to remain indoors. Consequently, only 26 players, predominantly from our club, graced our field for this first tournament of the year.

Handling the registration process and overseeing the tournament’s proceedings were Christine Cragg and Shama, launching the event around 10:00 am. The day’s schedule comprised five games, three in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Despite the bright sunshine, the field retained some of its previous dampness, presenting an extra challenge for most of the players. Extra effort was required to propel the boules toward their targets, putting additional strain, especially on aging bodies.

Fortune favored me with Eddy Pay (a good shooter) as my partner. Our first match pitted us against, Jean-Michel Poulnot and Jean-Claude Bunand. Despite Jean-Michel’s great form and initial dominance, we managed to mount a good comeback and clinched victory with a score of 13/11.

Our second encounter saw us facing off against Delio, and Rick Z. They chose to play on the far right of the pétanque court (near the registration desk) where the is a notable incline. They also opted to play long, where negotiating uphill shots demanded extra exertion.

It proved to be a strenuous battle, teetering on the edge throughout. Although victory seemed within grasp at times, our opponents ultimately clinched to win by an extra narrow margin of 13/12.

As the French adage goes, “On ne peut être après avoir été” (You can’t go on being what you have been), a sobering reminder for me of the aging process. Regrettably, my back pain became so unbearable after the last game that it compelled me to withdraw from the tournament.

Thankfully, Ben Pierce was present on the field and graciously agreed to take my place. I retreated shortly after 2:00 PM and headed home to give my back a much-needed respite.

Additional information provided by Christine Cragg:

1st place: Mark Shirkey & Kurt Lundblad: $65.00 ea
2nd place: Bernard Passemar & Loël McPhee
3rd place: Rick Zieke & Delio Cuneo: $26.00 ea

Before leaving the field though, I also managed to take a few pictures to give you an idea of what happened. Please watch.

Alain

Knowledge

I am bursting with knowledge. I am so full of it that I don’t know what to do with it or where to store it anymore. But when you think about it, it is rather normal… after all, I am an octogenarian, and over the years I have accumulated a lot of (often useless) stuff.

I feel like a pack rat aware of the problem, but reluctant to get rid of the rubbish. But I know that I must because it is becoming burdensome. Knowledge is like money. When you have too much of it, it weighs on you and becomes difficult to manage… and you cannot take it with you anyway.

So occasionally (like many seniors) I do some “cache “cleaning. I purge the attic of some unimportant dates or facts such as anniversaries or birthdays.  Some mean-spirited people call it dementia, but I prefer to view this as a salubrious Spring Cleaning operation.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” ― Alan Alda

Regrettably, knowledge lacks tangibility or marketability. It cannot be bequeathed to relatives or donated. Thus, it is better to jettison some of it to gain altitude and fly above the clouds.

In many ways, knowledge is akin to money… and it is often squandered. Despite the universal understanding that wars are a waste of time, money, and human lives, some individuals persist in initiating new conflicts. Is territorial expansion really necessary? Smaller countries are often more prosperous and happier than their larger counterparts. Would you not prefer residing in Switzerland rather than Russia?

Finally, many individuals should opt for a cerebral flush rather than resorting to plastic surgery to mask imperfections. Presidential candidates, in particular, should undergo a form of brain drain to eliminate the rubbish and fabrications accumulated over the years.

Finally, the sanitized candidates should write about what they know before we vote for any of them:

“Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.” ― Howard Nemerov

 Never be afraid to jettison some rubbish to gain altitude.

Alain

Ignorance is bliss… or is it?

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Ignorance is bliss”? As you grow older, you will come to realize that this notion is far from being true. It’s a pervasive lie perpetuated by various sectors of our society. Ignorance puts blinders on you, and that’s the way the ruling classes prefer it.

In the Middle Ages, only priests could read, and they wielded this privilege to their advantage. They could dictate what was good or bad for you (and for them), without delving into details. It was a matter of blind obedience to their instructions.

Though time has passed, some aspects of life have remained unchanged. Today’s doctors often play a role similar to the priests of yesteryear. They may possess knowledge, but they seem to be reluctant (or pressed by time) to share it with their patients. Due to our limited understanding of medicine, we tend to listen to our doctors and blindly follow their directives.

However, as you age, you’ll discover that this approach is fundamentally flawed. A consultation with your doctor should not be a one-sided conversation dominated by the physician. Instead, it should be an intelligent dialogue. But how can it be a dialogue when medical professionals communicate in Latin, a language you might not fully understand and are afraid to ask?

For a meaningful dialogue, knowledge is crucial. Without it, you can only listen without asking pertinent questions. The human body is akin to a mechanical device; regular maintenance is essential for optimal functioning. Just as you don’t take your car to the garage only when it breaks down, your body requires consistent attention from scratch.

Initiating maintenance from the beginning and staying aware of your body’s functionality, understanding trends and weaknesses since birth, are vital. Knowing the significance of the numbers in your medical tests and what actions to take for prevention and correction is equally important.

This awareness shouldn’t start when you begin experiencing issues in your so-called “Golden Age.” To make your later years truly golden, it’s imperative to cultivate a body-conscious mindset early on.

Never take your health for granted. Stay vigilant about the numbers from your medical tests and ask pointed questions of your regular physician.

Ignorance is not bliss; it’s a grave delusion. The remedy for this regrettable knowledge gap is to be aggressively aware and proactive.

Alain