Au Cochonnet Marin

After the massive destructions and the horrendous loss of human lives of WWII, you would assume that anybody would think more than twice before starting another war. But human hubris often trumps reason, and this is what happened in Ukraine.

Conflicts often have the feeling of poker games. One side is bluffing and daring the other to fight or capitulate. Vladimir Putin thought that he could intimidate tiny Ukraine, or if need be, dispatch it in a few days, but it now looks like he mightily overplayed his hand.

The would-be prey didn’t fold and even had the audacity to fight back. After a few weeks of hard combat, it seems that the Russian ogre bit more than he can chew. Its quarry is now sticking uncomfortably in its throat and threatening to choke it.

This terrible war, instead of enhancing the political status and the invincibility of Russia, has had the opposite effect. It has shown the ineptitude and the blaring weaknesses of the Russian army and its leaders. After a month of relentless fighting, the Russians have suffered a large number of casualties and a tremendous loss of material. It is also said that supplies are low, and so is troops’ morale.

This war has also shown the changing tactics of modern warfare. Tanks are not any more invincible monsters and can be destroyed rather easily by a single infantryman. They, like CDs, might soon end up in large graves or museums.

But the tragedy of this conflict is that neither side really wanted it. It only happened because of the hubris of a single flawed individual: Vladimir Putin. Most Russians didn’t support this war and were shanghaied into it through propaganda and intimidation. Many have now sheepishly expressed sorrow and regrets about this disaster.

On July 20, 1944, Claus von Stauffenberg tried to kill Hitler. He didn’t succeed but he saved a tiny bit of the immensely tarnished honor of Germany. It proved that not every single German was in step with the monster who led them, and some tried to fight back. Russians can do it too.

As president Biden said, I hope that the Russian people will soon see the light and eventually reject a cold-blooded tyrant who never freed his countrymen from slavery.

Like Lady Macbeth, he can wash his hands forever, but the blood of his victims will always remain on his fingers.

Alain

Hello, sports fans! Here is a quick account of what happened yesterday in Sonoma-by-the-Sea.

Forty-six people (23 doublettes) responded to the invitation of the Valley of the Moon Petanque Club to participate in a little event dubbed “Pétanque Vite (quick) Tournament”. Supposedly a half-day tournament, but which eventually proved equally grueling as a full-day tournament.

The games started around 12:30 pm in a format that I never experienced before. Six 30 minutes “mènes” were to be played at the beginning of the event, with elimination games following later in the afternoon. To be honest, it was a little confusing, but nevertheless, everything worked according to plan.

In this mêlée, I was paired with Jean-Claude Etallaz who was the designated shooter, and I seconded him as a pointer. The early phase of the game did not work well for us, but later in the afternoon, we managed to “reprendre du poil de la bête” (I cannot come up with a better English expression) and finish with some “dinero” in our pockets.

Before starting the elimination games, I felt a little weary and was hoping for a quick, merciful death in the first bout. But fate would not have it this way. We won one game, darn… another one, double darn… and a third one, alleluia!

This of course didn’t leave me much time to memorialize this event, but I managed to take a few shots “à la sauvette” (on the sly). To those who wonder why they are not in my offering, just remember that I prefer shooting with the sun on your face (in my back). If at the time of the shooting, you are not positioned in this setting, you probably won’t be in my collection.
Included in these photos, you might notice an interesting portrait of little old me by Carlos Chavez.

That’s the way I saw it yesterday in Sonoma.

Concours C:
1st place: Jean-Claude Etallaz & Alain Efron
2^nd place: Stephanie Wilkinson & Ashlee Dencklau

Concours B:
1st place: Evan Falcone & Dick K ?
2^nd place: Lynda Evans & Adair Hastings

Concours A:
1st place: Marco Illario & Ron Rohlfes
2^nd place: Kevin Evoy & Michael H ?
3^rd place: Casey Franklin & Monique Bricca

Alain

PS: I am not quite sure about the ranking order of all the winners. If you notice some errors, please let me know.

Additional pictures by Tamara.

What is the nastiest, most insulting word that somebody can throw at you today? Quick!

It is not a four-letter word, and I am pretty sure that you won’t guess the answer…

Let me help you. Today, the most abusive remark in the English language, is a tiny three-letter word: OLD! You are old, you are an old fart, you are an old bag, you are too old for this job/part…

Old age is an insult. It’s like being smacked. Lawrence Durrell

 Yes indeed, today being called “old” is an insult, a dirty word not to be pronounced (just whispered) in polite society. Don’t ever believe the syrupy stances you hear on TV about getting old gracefully… and loving it. Getting old is a relentless pernicious process. And to add insult to injury, it requires a lot of efforts… and a lot of money.

Aging is a sneaky process. You don’t feel a thing. Everything seems to be normal, and suddenly you discover that all your hair is gone and that you have gained 10 pounds overnight. Tarnation! What happened?

You did not know it, but your body has been under siege for months/years by invisible enemies whose leader is known as OLD. Mister OLD. A nasty, unpleasant fellow. His troops like termites, toil silently in the dark, and suddenly your entire shiny building starts to fall apart.

And when you visit your doctor, he/she has not much to offer… just tests and pills, in a great variety of colors and shapes. Because what can you do stop the advance of old age? Bathe in virgin blood like Elisabeth Bathory? Not very practical… besides, there is an acute shortage of raw material today…

Old age is a woman’s hell, said Ninon de L’Enclos. And she ought to know. She was a smart, literate, independent woman who entertained many men. She was a person known for her wit and beauty and getting old for her was certainly hell. But she was an exceptional woman, and she managed… “she died at the age of 84, as a very wealthy woman.”

Why this sudden outburst? might you ask. Well, I feel that I am not in command of my body anymore. Different organs and limbs refuse to obey as directed and I feel like am caught in a “révolution de palais”. My closest (well-fed and well-paid) body parts are abandoning me. It is rather irritating wouldn’t you say so?

But like Spunky Zelensky said, “we are not ready to surrender”. And  neither I am… but old age should be avoided at all costs. If you know somebody influential, call that person and ask him/her to cancel your aging activity. By the way, it can be done remotely.

A woman tells her doctor, ‘I’ve got a bad back.’ The doctor says, ‘It’s old age.’ The woman says, ‘I want a second opinion.’ The doctor says: ‘Okay – you’re ugly as well.’

 Alain