Au Cochonnet Marin

Today I purchased a new iPhone. The iPhone 6S that is. A gizmo that no metrosexual (a young, urban, heterosexual male with liberal political views, an interest in fashion, and a refined sense of taste) – I think that I closely match this description- can do without.
Not that I really need this gadget, but at my age I still want something to brag about.

I will celebrate this occasion by randomly calling a bunch of strangers to let them know the good news.
I will also try to reach the Pope. I have been told that he is a very understanding man and will talk to just about anybody. Why not me, even though I am a confirmed pagan?

The process of getting the new phone was extremely smooth.
About a week ago I made a reservation on line to get a new phone and Apple obliged me by setting a date and a time for our encounter.
My date was Friday, September 25^th at 2:00 pm.

I showed up to the Corte Madera store at 1:50 pm and after showing my credentials I was asked to wait a few minutes. I waited no longer than 5 minutes. Then a very knowledgeable young man took me in charge and started the sale and installation processes.
Apple also gave me a credit of $165.00 for my old 5S phone and 30 minutes later I was on my way home.
I was truly tickled pink red with the smoothness of the process.
Jolly good show Apple!

Everybody who is anybody has got to have a cell phone. Not the antique flip phone mind you, but a smartphone that will faithfully obey your every command.
Siri, bring me my slippers!
Yes master.
That’s what a call a smart phone.

Parents who want to keep up with the Joneses start providing cell phones to their offspring as early as kindergarten. It is for their protection they say.
No matter that Johnny barely remember where he lives.

I noticed that men and women carry their phones differently. Men usually keep them in a pocket but women carry their phones in the open, like protecting amulets.

If bothered by ruffians they point their phones in the direction of the intruder while saying loudly “Vade retro satana”.
It does not always work. Sometimes the criminal grabs the phone and run.
But then according to Apple, you can neutralize the device and render it useless by using the lethal Kill Switch.
Does the phone self destroy? I hope so.

Before I leave you, a little rib tickler:

“After 20 years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed one evening, when the woman felt her husband begin to fondle her in ways he hadn’t in quite some time. It almost tickled as his fingers started at her neck, and then began moving down past the small of her back. He then caressed her shoulders and neck, slowly worked his hand down over her breasts, stopping just over her lower stomach. He then proceeded to place his hand on her left inner arm, caressed past the side of her breast again, working down her side, passed gently over her buttock and down her leg to her calf. Then, he proceeded up her inner thigh, stopping just at the uppermost portion of her leg. He continued in the same manner on her right side, then suddenly stopped, rolled over and became silent. As she had become quite aroused by this caressing, she asked in a loving voice, “Honey that was wonderful. Why did you stop?” “I found the remote cell phone,” he mumbled.”

GGPBL (Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!)

Alain

 

“All hockey (and pétanque) players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.”
Gordie Howe



I have been playing the game steadily for the last 10 years and my motto has always been:

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings”.

 My philosophy is that regardless of the situation, a game is never lost until the 13^th point has been recorded.
It is only when Brünnhilde has mooed her last aria that I will lay down my weapons.

 It is not uncommon by the way for a team to lead 12/3 and (as our Australian friends would say) be “pipped at the post” and lose by a final score of 12/13.

The key to any game is to keep your head cool and your powder dry. No matter how bleak the situation, there is always hope. Try to remember that there is a blue sky just a few feet above the clouds.

And never assume anything.
I have sometimes been surprised to defeat renowned players and be trounced by lesser opponents.

In a game, there is time to play defense and a time to play offense.
The natural inclination of many players is to shoot the boule hugging the “cochonnet” but it is sometimes better to let it go instead of wasting precious ammunition trying to dislodge it.
It is more sensible to lose a single point than 3 or 4.

If you are leading, never show arrogance. Forget jubilant high-fives; they are showbizzy but could come back and bite you in the “derrière” if you lose the game.

In my (humble) opinion, there should never be a long strategy discussion during a game (especially during a timed one). After a quick look, an experienced player will know what to do. Long huddles are useless and exasperating.

And I see no point in walking back and forth to check the likely path of the boule. When you release your metal ball, you never know the exact spot where it is going to land.
Unless there is a bad spot (the size of a pizza) to avoid, scrutinizing the ground is not going to do anything for you.

Above all, good sportsmanship and humility are the true marks of a champion.

That’s the way I see it. Feel free to disagree and throw boules at me.

Alain

Everybody loves a picnic and last Sunday was no exception.
Around 70 to 75 people gathered on the Marin field to feast on lamb & beans and partake in a few games of pétanque.

But before I go into the tournament itself, I would like to mention that something else happened on our field last Saturday.

The Two Christines (Lemor-Drake and Cragg) coaxed the Bay Area Citroen Club to make an appearance (with their vintage vehicles) and be introduced to the game of pétanque.

Everything went very well and the Citroen people thoroughly enjoyed the games. It is hoped that some of them will be hooked and come back to join our club.
Thank you Christine & Christine for your hard work!

Back to the tournament.

A picnic for a large number of people is a rather complex affair and it takes a lot of coordination (and hard work) to bring it to fruition.

By the way, you MUST register (first and last name) if you plan to attend such an event.
E-mailing is the most efficient way of doing it.

I want to acknowledge here the people who did the heavy lifting.
On Saturday Christine Cragg, Claudie Chourré and Verena Rytter went to Costco and purchased all the necessary ingredients for the picnic.
After this they went straight to Liv Kraft’s home to clean and stuff the lamb.
The same day, Liv Kraft, Christine Cragg and Charles Davantes also cleaned the courts.

Next time you see them please acknowledge their hard work and dedication to the club.

On Sunday, Jean-Claude Etallaz, Antoine Lofaro, Claudie Chourre, Christine Cragg showed up early (around 8:30 am) to set up the barbecue grill and prepare the lamb and the beans.

Jean-Claude Etallaz and Antoine Lofaro were the “maître-queues” and did as usual an excellent job.

After lunch, Christine Cragg spelled out the rules of the game and tearfully asked everybody to observe a minute of silence for the unexpected and tragic demise of beautiful Narin Garrett.
A tragedy that should never have occurred. Condolences to family and friends.

After the first game, a raffle was held to determine who would take my book (Pétanque Memories) home.
Francois Moser (through his mother-in-law) was the lucky winner.
I am glad to report that the proceeds of the raffle ($100.00) were donated to the club.

Three doublette games were played in the afternoon.

The participants were as follows:

1. Patrick Vaslet & Tamara Efron
2. Charlie Davantes & Claudie Chourré
3. J-C Etallaz & Paul Lacomar
4. Brigitte Moran & Mireille Di Maio
5. Philippe Arnaud & J-M Poulnot
6. Bernard Passmar & Herb Moran
7. Shannon Bowman & Noel Marcovecchio
8. Carlos Couto & Calvert Barron
9. Francois Moser & Minette Etallaz
10. Alain Efron & Eva Lofaro
11. Louis Toulon & John Morrison
12. Teri Sirico & Helga Facchini
13. Michel Ratteire & Spinace Maurice
14. Sabine Mattei & Debra Mattei
15. Larry Cragg & Steve Edmonson
16. Christine Cragg & Judy Edmonson
17. Monique Bricca & Jean-Paul Bricca
18. Tom Fair & Paulina Bricca
19. Roger Mattei & Richard Mattei

The tournament ended around 5:00 p.m. and the winners were as follows:

1^st place: Charles Davantes & Claudie Chourré $40.00 ($ 20 ea.)
2^nd place: Carlos Couto & Calvert Barron $36.00 ($18 ea.)
3^rd place: Monique Bricca & JP Bricca $32.00 ($16 ea.)
4^th place: Brigitte Moran & Mireille Di Maio $28.00 ($14 ea.)
5^th place: Francois Moser & Minette Etallaz $24.00 ($12 ea.)
6^th place: Patrick Vaslet & Tamara Efron $20.00 ($10 ea.)
7^th place: Louis Toulon & John Morrison $16.00 ($8 ea.)

I apologize for the quality of some pictures (especially of Charlie and Claudie), but as you might know, it is extremely difficult to get clear shots in shaded areas.
Still hope that you will enjoy the slideshow.

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”.