Pétanque

I don't know how i came across this idea, but i must have been reading something which referenced pétanque. Anyway, i wasn't sure what it was, but once i did a little research on the internets i realized that i actually DID know, but just didn't know it was called that. My first encounter with the game was in Barcelona, my very first time there before I knew Ivan, Pijus, Al, Carlos, and wasn't really familiar with the city and its architecture, cool places to go, etc. etc.

Another name the game goes by is Boules/Bowls (though this may be a slightly different game, or the name for the family of games played with steel balls and a jack), and I also realize that it's similar to Bocce Ball, which i have played, but i'm not exactly clear on the differences between the sports. I think it's cool that both are related to ancient games played during the Roman Empire.

Senario I:

Julius Caesar: "A fine toss, Brutus!"
Brutus: "Et tu, Caesar!"
Other Competing Senators: "We are lost!" *whisperwhisperwhisperwhisper whisperwhisperwhisperwhisper whisperwhisperwhisperwhisper "We really should get rid of that guy!" whisperwhisper whisperwhisper whisperwhisperwhisperwhisper.*

Senario II:

The Accuser vs. Theophilus, last game of the match

Jesus: "Theophilus! If you just have faith the size of a jack, you can say to your opponent's ball, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea!' and it will be done for you. Believe in God, and nothing will be impossible for you!"*


Lastly, i found this video on the web, and it is an interesting mix of pétanque Frenchiness (note: rock/pop musique en français) and the Portland scene. It also paints a portrait of boules being a compatriot of lawn bowling, another example of an interesting, low-physical activity, probably largely underrated sport. Maybe this is just further evidence that i am an old soul.




*On a related note, my buddy Dillon gave me a shirt for Christmas which says "Jesus Saves" on it with a picture of Jesus as a hockey goalie saving a puck from going into the net! Look for its debut in a county near you.