Au Cochonnet Marin

As an early “reader” of Playboy magazine I have always been enamored of the woman’s figure, but to my surprise while watching the Rio Olympics I caught myself paying more attention to men’s physique than women’s figures.

The male athletes participating in disciplines such as gymnastics, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar looked incredibly fit. Broad shoulders, thin waist, bulging biceps, impressive pectoral muscles…
Perfect human specimens. The way that every male on earth wish he could emulate… minus of course the unimaginable amount of hard work leading to this spectacular condition.

Women in comparison looked equally fit but in a lithe, androgynous sort of way.
I am not denying that they are spectacular athletes in their own rights, but aesthetically speaking the men looked better, maybe more mature.

And thank goodness, I didn’t see too many “inked” competitors. Tattoos are the decorations of people who wish they could but can’t.
Athletes can and don’t need these “look at me” attention-getting gimmicks.

In the eyes of many, what makes a woman captivating are the curves.

“A woman without curves is like jeans without pockets…you don’t know where to put your hands.”

The curves contribute to the way a woman carry herself. The combination of bosom, hips and bum provide the gait that makes some women so alluring.
Without curves, a woman lacks the smooth suspension particular to luxury cars.

But I surmise that generous women’s attributes could be a hindrance to their athletic performance. Particularly in swimming when you try to reduce drag to a minimum.

US women generally performed incredibly feats, particularly in gymnastics. And it seems that the more compact they are, the more determined they are. Diminutive Simone Biles (4’8”) is a prime example of that.

But the Olympic games are not about look; they are about performance and the American women gymnasts proved to be the best.
Simone Biles, 19, Aly Raisman, 22, Gabby Douglas, 20, Laurie Hernandez, 16, and Madison Kocian, 19 won a well deserved gold medal for their absolutely stellar performances.
The men team didn’t.

When the Games are over though, I don’t think that I will keep looking at men. As the saying goes, “a leopard cannot change its spots”.

The minute the shindig is over, I will switch my attention to what the Gods programmed true-blue men to look at: tits and ass.

Alain

Are you a MIP, a MOP or a MUP?

We live in a word of acronyms and if you don’t want to pass for a fool, it is important to understand what these funny sounding words mean.

For instance, everybody has seen or heard the word NASCAR but very few people know exactly what it stands for. On my first inquiry, the Internet told me that NASCAR stands for Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks.
OK. Thank you Internet.

Not true?
I queried the Internet again and this time it told me that NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
I don’t know what to believe anymore.

I trust the Internet with my life. This is my Bible, my holy book, my Tripitaka. I trust it more than any person I know.

The other day, out of curiosity, I checked the word Trump.
The Internet said a trump card is a decisive or advantageous move, resource, action, or a fine or reliable person.
Fine and dandy, but the Internet hasted to add that Trump in British slang means “to expel intestinal gas through the anus”.
What is a guy to believe? Personally I fancy the British definition.

In our little club, unbeknown to many we have a MIP, a MUP and a MOP.

Some people thought that MIP stood for Minor In Possession, but it also means Most Improved Player.
MUP sometimes means Master of Urban Planning but it also stands for Most Unpretentious Player.

 What about MOP? Mother of Pearl?
Niet. MOP stands for Most Objectionable Player.

Now the big question is: who at La Pétanque Marinière is the MIP, the MOP and the MUP?

To me, the MIP is without question Henry Wessel. Since he joined our club almost 4 years ago he has improved tremendously and has become one of the most proficient player of our organization.
Congratulations Henry!

In my always-partial opinion, the MUP is Charlie Davantes. An indefatigable worker who never toots his horn.
You are my kind of guy bro!

I won’t tell you who the MOP is. You do it.
Let’s see if we concur.

Alain

I dislike arrogant men and diva behavior in either gender. Robin Wright 

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You play pétanque because it is fun, but to really enjoy the game you have to play with people who are likable and easy to get along with.

In this discipline, there are two distinctive events: casual games and tournaments.
Casual games are meant to be friendly and relaxed. All the rules and regulations that apply to tournaments need not be rigidly enforced.
Winning is nice but not overly important. What is central to the game is the pleasant interaction between team members and the opposite team.
Joking, laughing is tolerated, even encouraged.

Tournaments are different animals. You often play against strangers, for honorific or monetary rewards. Competition is keener and all the rules have to be observed.
Playing against strangers is like going on a first date. As the game progresses you observe and forge an opinion.

Most competitors are cool but some  can antagonize you right off the bat. They can be cocky, pompous or over litigious.
Another reason of enmity can be caused by a team spending an inordinate amount of time discussing strategy. Seasoned players should almost immediately know what to do. If not, thirty seconds should be enough to evaluate the situation and commit to action.
Lengthy powwows are pointless and highly irritating. So are “highfives” by the way.

Fortunately the majority of players are walking the line.
It is always nice to win, but losing against fair play, skilled competitors is not the least bit traumatic.
It is the Gods’ way  to remind you that there is still plenty of room for improvement in your game.

Although physical, pétanque is a highly emotional exercise.
A good competitor should stay as cool as a cucumber and keep his mouth shut and his powder dry.
Keeping his temper in check is the mark of a wise player.

All sports are unpredictable. To win, you need skill, discipline, daring and a few generous heapings of luck.

Alain