Au Cochonnet Marin

Do it today. It could be illegal tomorrow.

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Saturday night, I attended La Pétanque Marinière’s year-end party/business meeting. To be truthful, I proceeded somewhat reluctantly.
Instead of the anticipated restaurant venue, we had to settle for the rather stale environment of the Villa Inn in San Rafael.

We fought for years to have our function in a restaurant, and 3 years later we are back where we started. I understand that money (as usual) was a factor in this decision, but I think that this choice turned off many people who opted out of this event.

But, despite a low attendance and in spite of my initial misgivings, the party turned out pretty well. The club spent a fair amount of money on edibles and refreshments and there was more food than anybody could possibly eat.

Upon my arrival, I bumped into Louis Toulon and Ken Lee. Smiling from ear to ear, Louis told me that he won first place in the Singles tournament that took place (in the rain) in San Rafael the same day.
Felicitaciones amigo! (I am watching a lot of Hispanic telenovelas)

It does my heart good because Louis and I are the same age (two months apart) and he proved that Old Timers still can teach whippersnappers a thing or two.
I was also told that Maryanne Curley (from Petaluma?) won first place in the women’s category and our own Christine Cragg came a close second.
Well done Christine! Or as Tamara would say: Молодец!

After a few drinks and appetizers Christine Cragg, our long time president, gave the opening address. She mentioned that some new people (Henry Wessel and Mark Shirkey among others) volunteered to join our Board and that Brigitte Moran is now our new treasurer.

Brigitte then took center stage and spelled out how she envisioned our future. She is a very dynamic and motivated person and I am solidly behind her.
She is experienced and understands how to deal with the County’s authorities; I believe that with her help our club has a bright prospect in front of us.

I cannot spell out everything she said, but you will glad to know that, among others things, starting next year the field maintenance will be done by county workers.

She is also actively pursuing the field fencing project and contrarily to what some people think it is not going to bankrupt us. More about this later.

Mireille (a longtime employee of the Villa Inn) Monique Bricca and a certain Tamara worked very hard to handle the food and keep everything under control.
A big hand for these ladies!

Addendum: Calvert Barron, Sandra and Mark Shirkey were also of invaluable help.

I tried to take some pictures of this event, but as you will see it did not turn very well. Nothing more difficult than snapping pictures in an artificial environment.

All in all, this meeting turned out better than expected. For those who did not attend, I think that you missed a lot.

“Be pretty if you can. Be witty if you must. But be gracious if it kills you.” Elsie de Wolfe

 Alain

To look at photos of this event and listen to the accompanying background music, turn your computer’s sound on, and click on the link “My Photos” located on the right side of this page. For best viewing, go Full Screen.

Have you ever heard of OPD?
No, it is not an Old Persons Disease and it does not mean Officially Pronounced Dead or Outraging Public Decency.

OPD is (according to many of my friends) a fairly common ailment called the Open Drawer Syndrome by psychologists; it seems to affect mainly female Homo Sapiens.

I know that I have written about this before, but I think that this subject is serious enough to warrant a second look.

How can you tell if somebody is afflicted with this peculiar disorder?

Some of the known symptoms are as follows:
Near-impossibility for patients to shut drawers, cupboards or doors after they have been opened.
Becoming bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless doing something enjoyable.
Easily distracted, missing details, forgetting things, and frequently switching from one activity to another.
These manifestations are usually associated with the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

For most men it is a very annoying peculiarity because they usually operate according to a simple, rational principle: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

 A drawer that remains open after it has served its purpose is an aberration; it is highly illogical. But then, are women operating by the same sterling standards as men?
Many doubt it.

Logic is not part of the female’s modus operandi (way of operating).

What seems logical, sensible to men often goes against the grain for the fair sex. They always do the unexpected and thus highly confuse their enemies.

This particular trait makes them formidable foes at guerilla warfare.
Instead of sending the Marines to trouble spots, we ought to consider sending women tormented by OPD.
Due to their unpredictable tactics, they could in a matter of days clean up large areas presently occupied by ISIS.

I envision these women charging enemy positions, topless (an extremely scary sight for some) and carrying small open drawers on their shoulders.
The enemy unused to such dastardly tactics would certainly flee in disarray. Just the sight of bare breasts could shake them to the core, and the ominous look of open drawers would definitely send them fleeing in panic.

Am I exaggerating? NO… maybe… just a little bit. But this syndrome is real and can negatively affect relationships.

Is there a cure for this disturbing disorder? I don’t know, but gene therapy seems to be a promising option.

Alain

Before making important decisions, the Ancients would always consult an oracle, usually a priestess acting as a medium with the gods. Based on her prophecy, many resolutions would be approved, deferred or entirely cancelled.

In Ancient Greece, Cassandra famously warned the Greeks about the Trojan Horse and foresaw the destruction of Troy; unfortunately nobody believed her.
They should have.

I believe in seers and I would be happy to seek and follow their advice anytime, but today alas, it is difficult to find a bona fide oracle. Due to an acute shortage of virgin priestesses, many people are unable to consult them and rush into unwinnable situations.

This rambling preamble to let you know that some days you should not even get out of bed. No matter what you will try, you will fail.
Some people call this “getting up on the wrong side of the bed”, but the truth is that on this day the Gods resolved not to favor you.

I have experienced this situation many times.
I have lost many pétanque games 0/13 against people who were not that great and I have also won games 13/0 against people who were better than me.

Yesterday, in the finals of the Night Fall League my partner (Jacques Gautier) and I won three games in a row, by a wide margin.
But when you win a game by an extremely wide margin, it does not mean that you are an extraordinary gifted player; it simply means that you were lucky, or much more likely that the Gods smiled on you.
Yesterday was such a day. Not matter how good our opponents, we could not lose.

We all have such days, but we never know ahead of time what’s going to happen. Hence the need for a good, certified oracle.
It is far better to consult the Gods (all of them) than blindly venture into an unwinnable situation.

If you lose, don’t feel bad. You might have done something to offend the divinities. It is fairly easy to remedy.
Gods (like politicians) are fond of offerings. Deposit some of their favorite food (or gold) in front of their altar and you might be forgiven.
Chocolate éclairs (or bullions) work well.

Alain