Booyah for Sara

A short while ago, I received some intel that our very own Sara Danielson penned a little piece in the Marin Independent Journal, praising the game of pétanque. To that, I say, “Booyah for Sara!”

Joe and Sara Danielson

In response to the IJ’s article titled “Adults need playdates too,” Sara highlighted that “pétanque provides social interaction outdoors in the fresh air with minimal equipment.” Booyah indeed!

The crucial takeaway here is social interaction, a key factor irrespective of age. Humans, much like all living beings, require playtime, and beyond a certain age, staying active and socially connected becomes even more vital. Play isn’t just reserved for children; it is also a necessity for adults.

Isolation tends to afflict older citizens, and it is known to contribute to dementia. Imagine a car left idle for an extended period; it won’t function as well as one used regularly. Similarly, human beings need to stay socially and physically active—essential elements for happiness.

“As if a man’s soul were not too small to begin with, they have dwarfed and narrowed theirs by a life of all work and no play; until here they are at forty, with a listless attention, a mind vacant of all material of amusement, and not one thought to rub against another, while they wait for the train.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

You’re not always in the mood to play, but, as the French say, “l’appétit vient en mangeant” (appetite comes with eating). Sometimes you must push yourself to do something to finally enjoy it; it’s often a case of mind over body.

Unfortunately, many Americans are unfamiliar with pétanque, missing out on a great activity. It’s something everyone can enjoy, even those in wheelchairs. In France, numerous celebrities partake in this sport, enhancing their public image.

As America faces crucial elections in 2024, there’s concern about the incumbent’s fittingness for the role. A notable boost in ratings could occur if the president was seen on the pétanque field mingling with common folks. While past presidents often played golf, (seen by many as an elitist sport) the current president could demonstrate solidarity with common folks by playing pétanque with them. What a great photo opportunity it would be…

Once again, a big  Booyah for Sara, for making pétanque more familiar and more appealing to all Americans.

Alain

Sweet memories

“Youth would be an ideal state if it arrived a little later in life.” – Herbert Asquith

According to AARP, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones celebrated his 80th birthday last December and continues to rock. I reached the age of 85 myself on January 6 of this year, and like Keith, I aimed to show that we ‘oldies’ can still swing (mainly our arms).

So, I decided to throw a small party for my fellow Capricorns: Jacques Gautier, Jean-Claude Bunand, and myself. The challenge with these birthdays is their timing in January—right in the heart of winter when daylight is limited, and the mood for celebration a bit subdued.

It seemed that our pétanque court, equipped with picnic tables and ample parking space, would be the most convenient location for this little shindig.

In the past few days, I kept a close eye on the weather forecast and hoped for a decent day on either January 6 or 7. Thankfully, fate smiled upon me, granting me a sunny day on January 7. With the weather on our side, I promptly invited a group of people to join us for some Galettes des Rois, Champagne, and a bit of pétanque.

Around two dozen individuals responded positively, and last Sunday, we all gathered to celebrate our birthdays. Unfortunately, our dear friend Jacques Gautier could not attend due to serious health problems. Nevertheless, our thoughts were with him throughout the festivities.

The merriment started around noon, as we shared some tasty (albeit pricey) Galette des Rois and Champagne, along with a delectable ‘tarte aux pommes’ baked by Tamara. Sara Danielson and Mireille Di Maio found the lucky charms hidden within the galettes, earning themselves the titles of Queens for the day.

The remainder of the day was dedicated to playing pétanque. Despite the brisk (but sunny) weather, everyone had a great time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, to share food, drinks, camaraderie, and the joy of pétanque.

Alain

Practical advice from Sabine Mattei:
“If all the toilets in your house are occupied and you’re waiting for one to become free, try turning off the Wi-Fi.”

PS: Due to a lack of time, I have only a few pictures to share. Sorry

The soulless abomination of self-service

In ancient times, the self-service concept was non-existent—an unthinkable and probably forbidden practice. When individuals required something, they’d request assistance, and an attendant would present the item. A courteous and skilled attendant often led to successful sales.

Today, however, the landscape is vastly different. The invasion of so-called “self-service” permeates stores and institutions, often leaving customers frustrated and angry.

Yesterday, after completing errands at a Corte Madera shopping mall, I longed for a cup of coffee and a light snack… an exercise easier said than done.

Firstly, America isn’t particularly renowned for its fancy cafés. A genuine café is a place to unwind, relax, decompress… yet Americans seem to have little use for such environments. Relaxation isn’t a core aspect of American life; movement or activity seems essential for happiness. The concept of “farniente” (the sweetness of doing nothing) so loved by Europeans, is considered suspicious—not to be trusted or used.

Consequently, there are presently few pleasant leisurely spots in America. Yesterday though, we stumbled upon Boudin, an establishment with a reassuringly French name, hinting at authenticity. Boudin, ostensibly a boulangerie-café, offered bread, croissants, etc., and a promise for relaxation.

Regrettably, over the years Boudin has lost its convivial way. At some point, a bad marketing decision led to the implementation of a self-service system, and Boudin morphed into a soulless, grey McDonald ‘s-esque operation.

“Self-checkout is detrimental as more retailers lose the personal touch. Customers yearn for businesses where they are known and communicated with.”  Debbie Allen.

The original Boudin, founded in 1849 by Isidore Boudin, once offered exceptional food and service, but this ethos no longer holds due to the ill-thought implementation of “self-service.” There is no joy at Boudin anymore.

Customers now grapple with an unfamiliar and unfriendly software system hindering quick goal accomplishment. The cherished human touch is now conspicuously absent from this establishment.

What happened to the age-old mantra, “the customer is king”? With this new practice, customers find themselves relegated back to humiliating serfdom.

The soulless abomination of self-service must be eliminated.
Boycott this dreary marketing practice and bring back the warmth of the human touch in business.

Alain