Au Cochonnet Marin

After months of forced abstinence, I finally sat down (maskless) at my favorite watering hole for a cup of java. It is not by any means a repudiation of the facemask; I am not that irresponsible (stupid). But after getting my second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, and sitting in an open-air area, I felt reasonably safe from catching or transmitting the virus to anybody.

Like Zorro, I still don’t go anywhere without a mask; it is a common courtesy. I just shudder, looking at throngs of thoughtless (unvaccinated) juveniles partying maskless throughout the night. The virus is an equal opportunity  supplier and won’t spare you regardless of your age or your skin color.

The pandemic, no matter what some moonstruck officials are saying, is not something that stops instantly at the flick of a switch. The virus is resilient and crafty; ignore it, and like SMERSH operatives it will inject you surreptitiously with a nerve agent. You will never know what hit you and will end up like Alexei Navalny in some hospital bed fighting for your life.

According to The Charlotte Observer, religious Americans believe that God will protect them. I am a little more skeptical. God is tired and a little overwhelmed by the pandemic and its consequences. He is besieged every day by thousands of various requests and his computer network is outdated. Do everybody a favor and give the man a break! Don’t call him… he will call you up to him… if you don’t wear a mask.

Religious Americans also blame a variety of reasons for the pandemic.

“Human sinfulness accounted for 11% of respondents, followed by immigrants at 9%, climate change at 7%, people of non-Christian faiths at 3%, non-religious people at 2% and Christians at 2%.”

I was never very keen on religion. I am too crass for this kind of thing. Like good old Uncle Karl Max, I believe that religion is an opiate that dulls the senses and temporarily soothes troubled individuals. When everything looks bleak and hopeless people will grab at anything for comfort.

In life, you seldom appreciate your blessings until deprived of them. Drinking a cup of coffee at a sidewalk café is a simple pleasure, but after months of forced austerity, it feels like nirvana.

“Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” — Voltaire

Alain

You might not have yet realized it, but America has become a gigantic minefield. Wherever you venture, proceed with extreme caution, or you might inadvertently trigger some landmines.

Landmines are strewn everywhere, and it is easy to step on one, especially if you are a well-known personality… or if you have a loose tongue. Today, political correctness reigns supreme, and woe to anyone who utters anything even slightly equivocal.

Politically correct agents (like Iran’s morality police) are patrolling the media, ready to pounce on any offender. They will jump on you if you dare to disagree with the PCP’s (Politically Correct Party) party line. Their strategy, by the way, is strangely reminiscent of Middle-ages Christianity when you could be declared a heretic and burned at the stake without any trial for your blasphemous thinking.

The cost of political incorrectness can be high. If you err on the wrong side of the track, you might lose your job and your livelihood. Whenever you broach the subject of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, immigration, and God knows what, you better be on your toes because the guardians of correctness are watching. One loose remark can trigger a landmine.

Recently British TV broadcaster Piers Morgan got in big trouble for doubting Meghan Markle’s thoughts about suicide.

He said, “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report.”

 Meghan fans (41,000 of them) were deeply offended by his remark and demanded Morgan’s head. They got it. He left (or was pushed out) of ITV’s Good Morning Britain following this incident.

I also doubted Meghan’s suicidal thoughts. Should I be ostracized for it? I don’t think so. Mental health is not a trivial matter but doubting one’s assertions is not a crime. In any case, I am my own (unpaid) boss, and I refuse to quit my job.

Today, no matter what you say, you are bound to offend somebody. I am not advocating insulting or slandering anybody, but one should be entitled to his own (hopefully fair-minded) opinions without fear of retribution.

In Cambodia, they are using sniffing rats to detect landmines. An excellent idea that saved thousands of lives. I might trade my worthless cat for such a rat to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Speaking your mind is becoming increasingly hazardous, and it is unfortunate. Blindly toeing the party line has never done much for society.

Respect yes, censure no.

Alain

As I previously noticed, women are becoming bullish on boules, and I am delighted about this.

When I took up the game about 20 years ago, the sport was dominated by old French curmudgeons who viewed women as second-rate, unworthy opponents. The game was strictly segregated, with men playing on one side, and a few intrepid women amusing themselves on the back of the bus the field.

But I am glad to report that things have changed and that there is now a bevy of beauties playing in our field. I believe that we owe this in great part to Christine Cragg. Thank you, Madame President. I am glad to see this because I always believed that women could do as well as men in many disciplines.

“I did everything he did but backward & in high heels.” ~ Ginger Rogers

In any sport, people usually like to compete with more experienced players, but personally, I don’t mind playing with newcomers. At one time or another, we all have been newbies… and if it was not for some accommodating folks, we would all be stuck in the same old routines.

In Marin, Loel McPhee, Abby Danielson, Beth Pay, Carmel O’Hara and Ann Krilanovich are now regular fixtures, and they are bullish on boules. When they started, they looked awkward and performed rather poorly; but I am happy to report that, in the last few weeks I have seen a definite improvement in all of them. Especially Ann: she is now pointing decently, and she is also starting to shoot. She is enthusiastic about the game and plays to win. Give her another year and she will give you a run for your money.

Ideally speaking, you should start any discipline at a young age, but it is not always possible. Even if you take up a new form of exercise later in life, you can become very successful at it.

Regardless of your age, pétanque is an ideal sport for just about anybody. It is a social discipline that keeps you active, the rules are simple, the equipment is minimal, and it is ridiculously inexpensive. To become good at it, there is only one way to do it: practice, practice, and practice again.

 I am tired of losing to male competitors; it is not fun. Like a true masochist, I want to enjoy the pain of losing against someone from the “weaker sex” … and I am pretty sure that this scenario is not too far off.

 Whilst men may play the game, women know the score. Habeeb Akande

 Alain