Au Cochonnet Marin

Word-of-mouth rules… I absolutely believe that, but I don’t care much for this awkward Anglo-Saxon expression. It is difficult (especially for a non-native speaker) to quickly comprehend what it means. I far prefer its French equivalent “de bouche à oreille» (from mouth to ear).

Originally, “bouche à oreille” meant something shared “in confidence”. It was a tidbit that you would whisper in somebody’s ear under a condition of trust. Today it is almost like a seal of approval for a product or a person.

Lately, we have seen a lot of new faces on our pétanque court, and it is mainly due to the word-of-mouth activity. Women have been the main proponents of this undertaking and they ought to be praised for it.
I am particularly thinking of Abby Danielson who brought her two brothers to the court and Ann Krilanovich who introduced a multitude of people to our game, including her daughter Andorra.
Kudos to these great pétanque ambassadors.

“Word-of-mouth is powerful, trusted, and cheap.” ~ Martin Lindstrom

 Today, advertising is the primary medium of promoting a product, but since the airwaves are saturated with it, it has lost a lot of its convincing powers. Enters word-of-mouth. Somebody tells you about a restaurant and praises it. It will definitely make a bigger impression on you than the tedious messages heard daily on TV. Who would you rather believe, a friend or McDonald’s?

It seems to me that women are better at exchanging confidences than men. They are chattier and manage to include more details in their conversations. In retrospect women (including our long-time president Christine Cragg) have done a lot for our club and ought to be recognized for their contributions. One more time, thank you, ladies.

Everybody knows that women and men are different. For instance, women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember.
Don’t hate me for saying that; I am just repeating word-of-mouth what I heard.

To conclude on a cheerful note… and to praise women’s creativity, did you know that “High heels were invented by a woman who was tired of always been kissed on the forehead.” Marcel Achard

 Ta ta for now… and keep up the good work.

Alain

Yesterday was a dark day for women… especially for women in Afghanistan.

 Kabul has fallen and the Taliban predators are swarming in. The Sharia is going to be re-established, and women will be required again to cover all their bodies except hands and face. They are already hiding and burning or concealing any document validating their education.

This turn of events is eerily reminiscent of the Nazi treatment of conquered European nations during WWII. The Nazi first move was to seek and exterminate the elites. Educated people were especially targeted and swiftly murdered by specialized execution squads. Ignorant people they thought, would be easier to control and manipulate.

Under the pretense of “religion,” the Taliban is seeking new enslavement of their women. And it is relatively easy in a country steeped in misogynistic beliefs.

Since an early age, I have distrusted theocracies. Religion was created by zealots, and God has absolutely nothing to do with it. Religion is just a devious way to control minds and bodies. Why would a priest or a mullah have better judgment or wisdom than a common mortal? Do they have a direct line of communication with the Almighty? It is up to every individual to decide for himself what is right and what is wrong and act accordingly.

Women are not second or third-class citizens. They are as able and as smart as any man, and they ought to be treated as fairly as men. They can, and they have proved it, achieve anything that a man can do.  They are teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, lawyers, astronauts…  Only ignorant louts will argue with this.

Women are not saints to be worshipped or adored. They are as fallible as men, but they always must be given a chance to prove themselves. We have had very capable world female leaders, and they often performed as well if not better than men.

If the Taliban return to its old nasty habits, it is my hope that civilized nations all over the world are going to unite and apply intense pressure on them to force them to treat their women fairly and humanely.

I deeply empathize with the panicked people trying to flee Afghanistan. At one time or the other, we all have been persecuted, and grateful to have found a haven somewhere.

All civilized nations must do their share and help as many people as possible. Keep in mind that what is happening in Afghanistan can happen anywhere in the world, including America.

Alain

For the past seven years, we have provided free room and board for an individual afflicted by (I believe) a bipolar disorder.

“Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).”

 Typically, she can be playful and friendly, but suddenly, without any provocation, she can bite or scratch. Despite her excellent physical condition, she is not interested in any kind of job. She spends most of her time snoozing, reading trashy novels, or snooping on the neighbors.

Above all, she is atypical. Although she looks like a feline, she does not behave like one. She never purrs and does not like to cuddle. Like a beautiful woman, she likes to be around people, but just to be admired… You can look at me, but don’t you dare to touch me… I know excellent lawyers who have won all their cases of sexual harassment.

She is also very territorial and guards what she considers her home with great vigilance. Night or day, any trespasser will be repulsed by loud cries and hissing sounds. And nothing is more frightening than the sight of an angry female.

A cat is supposed to be nice and cuddly, but this one probably was a juvenile delinquent. When we adopted her, we didn’t bother to check her criminal record. Maybe we should have… because who knows what evil lurks behind her fearsome green eyes?

Even though she is rather indolent, she is capable of extraordinary feats. She can scale fences and posts as easily as Spiderman… probably even better.

Lately, I have started to suspect that she belongs to a subversive organization called « Coalition secrète des chats conspirateurs pour l’asservissement des humains » or «Secret Coalition of Conspiratorial Cats for the Enslavement of Humans”.

Do you remember the flick called Planet of the Apes? If we are not vigilant, we could soon end up on the Planet of the Cats. And it could be tough. The felines would certainly treat us like slaves (they already do) and force us to submit to all their whims.

Moral of the story: beware of individuals afflicted by bipolar disorder. They might be good-looking but they are difficult to live with… unless you subscribe unconditionally to all their caprices.

In spite of it all, I still love that darn cat… but she does not deserve it.

Alain