Au Cochonnet Marin

Like it or not, we live in a contrarian world… a world rife with anger and discord. And contrarians are not making our lives easier. But what exactly is a contrarian? Is it something like a politician? a malapropian? Close, but not quite.

According to the Urban Dictionary, a contrarian is…

“Someone who automatically tends to take the opposite point of view from the person to whom they’re speaking, or to disagree with society at large out of a sort of knee-jerk reflex.”

And that’s why it rubs me the wrong way. I have nothing (or little) against somebody who argues intelligently with me, but I highly dislike people who automatically disagree just for the sake of disagreeing.

“I swim against the tide because I like to annoy.” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón

There are two distinct species of contrarians. The smart ones and the stupid ones, and I am sorry to say that the latter vastly outnumbers the first ones.

A smart contrarian is a person who opposes or rejects popular opinion, especially in stock exchange dealing. He buys shares of stock when most others are selling, and sells when others are buying. It is a risky business, but it can be hugely rewarding.

“I paraphrase Lord Rothschild: ‘The time to buy is when there’s blood on the streets.’ David Dreman

The stupid contrarian is usually (but not always) somebody with very little schooling, not very successful, and unhappy about his condition. He also seldom or never traveled abroad and would not recognize a croissant if it flew into his mouth. He is highly susceptible to side with rabble-rousers.

You don’t have to look very far to see some of those. Just look at Congress. Some of these people make a career of being contrarians. They don’t bring much to the pot, but they made a name for themselves for being useless “mavericks”.

Contrarians are like bedbugs, irritating and difficult to get rid of. Some constituents like them for their rebellious attitude, but they just do a disservice to the nation… especially in the fight against an unyielding pandemic.

Some countries have already mandated the wearing of masks and proof of a “Health pass” in public venues. There is no doubt that contrarians of all stripes and colors will vigorously protest this preventive measure. If they persist, I have a solution.

Relocate them in some sparsely populated island (like Pitcairn) where they could live and thrive (?) with like-minded contrarians.

Alain

Contrary to what some misguided people imagine, freedom is not the liberty to do anything you please.

Individual freedom ends where the freedom of others begins. You might be the king of your castle, but you are a trespasser on somebody else’s rights or property. And you might go to jail for exercising your so-called freedom when it clashes with official rules and common sense.

Refusing to wear a mask where it is mandated, does not fall under the category of individual freedom either. It is more an act of ignorance than defiance, and ignorance is definitely not bliss… Thousands have already died and many more will follow if we are not vigilant.

“Give me liberty or give me death” sounds catchy, but death will certainly come calling if you insist on your so-called freedom to do as you please.

The pandemic is not over… far from it, and like a cat, it has at least nine lives and probably more. Now is not the time to lower your guard and pretend that everything is back to normal, for it might never be “normal” again. Like a serial killer, the invisible enemy has settled among us and is inclined to strike unprotected victims.

The efficiency and safety of existing vaccines have been widely demonstrated and it does not make any sense for anybody to refuse an extended lifeline. Especially when it is offered everywhere and at absolutely no cost to anybody who wants it.

According to doctors and scientists, the individuals who had the common sense to get vaccinated are much less vulnerable to the Delta Variant than those who refused a prick in the arm. But the unvaccinated are highly susceptible to be infected and spread the disease.

“The freedom to be yourself, which everyone should try to access, is also, for some, the freedom to be a jerk or a bastard.” Guy Bedos

You are not alone on our poor mistreated planet, and before defending your “rights” you ought to think at least of your family and friends. Lack of intelligence is far from bliss… it is a lethal flaw, and the virus is licking its chops looking at you.

There is absolutely no excuse for the unvaccinated. When your house is on fire, your individual beliefs don’t matter anymore. It is Do or Die. Follow the evacuation orders or gamble with the devil… and Satan seldom loses.

In some extreme situations, individual “rights” are totally ignored. The global situation is dire (pandemic in Japan) and for the good of the majority, drastic measures should be implemented. Today, your freedom has been totally devalued, and would not buy you a cup of coffee.

Get smart and get vaccinated while you can. It is free, and it will certainly prevent you from spending harrowing weeks under a ventilator… or eternity in the Great Beyond.

Alain

« C’est la fête aux copains
C’est la fête aux barbus
C’est la fête aux cocus
C’est la fête à tout le monde »

Bien que la fête nationale française soit tombée un mercredi cette année, nous l’avons célébrée  le samedi 17 juillet. Ça a été la “Fête aux copains.”

Cette petite bacchanale soigneusement organisée par Jean-Michel et Ellen a été une complète réussite. Jean-Michel nous a en effet conviés dans son domaine de Santa Rosa pour une grande bouffe, et bien-entendu une partie de Pétanque.

Il faut dire que cette celebration a eu lieu dans un décor idéal. Jean-Michel a en effet la bonne fortune de posséder un grand jardin (d’ailleurs très bien entretenu) et dans lequel il a aménagé un petit terrain de pétanque.

Le matin donc, vers les 10 heures , armés de nos boules et de nos boucliers, nous nous sommes livrés à un notre  passetemps national. Un combat d’autant plus difficile que le terrain était sableux et que les boules avaient tendance à s’enliser. Mais tout s’est passé dans la bonne humeur ; il y a eu très peu de blessés, et aux environs  de midi nous nous sommes tous attablés pour une petite extravagance culinaire.

Chacun a contribué à ces agapes avec des mets divers, et la nourriture n’a pas manqué. A la fin du repas (d’ailleurs très bien arrosé, merci Jean-Michel), chacun a pu dire « merci Petit Jésus, j’ai la peau du ventre bien tendue. »

Peu après, notre hōte vêtu bien-entendu de nos couleurs tricolores, nous a régalé avec une énergique version de la Marseillaise. A la fin de cet hymne, nous étions tous prêts à prendre les armes et à défendre la patrie en danger.
Heureusement, nous n’en sommes pas arrivés à cela.

Après le repas, Jean-Michel a diffusé de la musique des années soixante, et nous a invité a danser. Tamara s’est immédiatement jetée dans les bras de ce dernier pour une danse effrénée.
Nous avons évidemment entendu Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, Claude François, France Gall, Dalida, Hugues Aufray, Alain Barrière, Richard Anthony, Les Chaussettes Noires, etc.

Pour conclure, encore une fois un grand merci à Jean-Michel et Ellen pour avoir eu la bonne idée et l’obligeance  d’organiser cette très sympathique    “fête aux copains “.

Alain

Comme d’habitude j’ai fait de mon mieux pour illustrer cette occasion, et si vous le désirer, vous pouvez jeter un coup d’œil sur cette petite fête en cliquant « My photos ».