As If Things Are Not Bad Enough In Canada, There is More; Here at the Right Time and Right Place Because Marin Has Best Vaccination Rate in the State of California and Many Other Reasons; Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold; Living Well is the Best Revenge; Uncle Dave’s Advice; Potty Mouth; Dovetail Defined; Photo of Iceland Menu Card; Funny Cartoon Revealing Pros and Cons of Being a Queen

Received this email through the Knowledge Network which in inaccessible to streaming since my relocation to the USA. The email heralded a program to be aired on July 27, 2021. “This important film takes a searing look at a dark chapter in Canada’s history, a time when a campaign was waged against the Canadian LGBTQ+ community in an attempt to remove people from public service.” The dark belly on Canada emerges again, – will this ever end? Oh Canada, My Home and Native Land, the Canadian national anthem begins. Hearing these words from far away would bring tears to my eyes. It does now but for entirely different reasons. Canada you are no longer my home, furthermore, I am humiliated that you are my native land.

But at this moment I am at the right place, at the right time.” This from Google: “Marin’s vaccination rates are the highest in the state, and the county has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.” Then this from a July 1, 2021 update: Marin County, California (CA) is at low COVID risk level and 77.5% of the population has received at least one vaccine dose. Yes Indeed. Occasionally (often actually) it seems as if I am in Paradise already, comfortable surroundings, surrounded by such good people. When one thinks of it, the Paradise offered by the Islamic faith is perfect in every way – in that one is surrounded by good people, all of the evil ones are somewhere else (read Hell). My current life is enriched by the best of people. The best in the West, or the East, or the North or the South. The year 2017 marked my return to Canada. This return had once seemed like my future, but now it is just another chapter from my past.

I am blessed, NOT to be in Canada. If I would have enjoyed my stay in Vancouver, I might still be there. Goodness knows how dismal their vaccination rate is, horrible pain in both knees with no relief of surgery on the horizon in the land of Waiting Lists for Non-Essential Medical Care, half of my retirement income (never earned in Canada) would be forcibly removed from me in taxes, and there would be no bright and shining President Biden offering hope through infrastructure.

But I seek not immediate revenge upon Canada. My philosophy of life is actually this: Revenge is a dish best served cold. I shall look it up for you. The popular expression “revenge is a dish best served cold” suggests that revenge is more satisfying if enacted when unexpected or long feared, inverting traditional civilized revulsion toward “cold-blooded” violence.” Indeed it is and it is, and has been used throughout my life. Where did this revenge expression come from? “The French diplomat Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838) has been credited with the saying, “La vengeance est un met que l’on doit manger froid” [“Revenge is a dish that must be eaten cold”], albeit without supporting detail.” Then there is this: “The best revenge is to smile at hatred. To stifle your anger and show them that you can be happy. Because there’s no better strategy than to act calmly and wisely moving forward, with a firm gaze and a peaceful heart, knowing that you do not need to carry that burden.”

This dovetails with my other strategy: Living well is the best revenge. Dovetail is an interesting word; its synonyms are: fit in, go together, be consistent, agree, accord, concur, coincide, match, fit, be in agreement, conform, equate, harmonize, fall in, be in tune, correlate, correspond, tally; square; jibe. So if you hold onto your revenge, instead concentrating on living well – it is the best of all possible worlds.

Then this gets thrown into the mix. Uncle Dave Dryburgh’s advice.
He: Alexis! Stop fighting! Go to the sidelines they will do themselves in.
Me; But Uncle Dave it is so hard for me to do that! I have been a fighter my whole life I am now a lawyer.
He: Just try it Alexis. Just try it!

I did and he was right! They did themselves in. The names of individuals and institutions most numerous, some were even multibillionaires. One the mother of a multibillionaire. She and they did themselves in – now in bankruptcy, not only in Canada but the parent country in Malaysia. I was seeking revenge as she, most probably orchestrated an attempt on my life just prior to my right knee replacement surgery in August of 2019. She was aided and abetted ( I am now sure) by Tracy a woman thought to be my friend and called upon to care for me after my right knee replacement. It was delayed, she left before the surgery even though I had paid for her plane faire to come and help me. No idea what happened to her. She said she went back to New Zealand, but one cannot trust a liar, and she was one. This ability to down mine enemies was recognized quite early on. DNEFWMcB was on the lips of many during my tenure as the first long term guest (probably last long term guest) at the Trump International Hotel in Vancouver.
My use of these initials sparked an email from Computer Guru Chris.
He: Took me a minute to suss this one out potty mouth.. ‘DNEFWMMcB’.. I’m quite proud I worked it out (although what’s the first M for, Miss?)
Me: It stands for Ms. By the way, I love being called Potty Mouth.

But back to revenge. This quote was taken from Google, but could have come from the Qur’an. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” I would not go that far – feeding and sustaining the enemy but it is up to Allah to heap revenge on sinners, not the job of mere mortals. But if one is surrounded by evil people how can one prevail? Again, along comes Google.

The question now is: How do you overcome evil with good. Here is the answer:
Six Ways to Overcome Evil With Good
Focus on the Good Rather than the Bad
Do not let evil overcome you.
Transform yourself into a Vessel of Allah’s Will
Remember that Allah (God) is Always Beside Us .
We are Already Conquers Evil
Overcoming Evil with Good is a Lifestyle

So then this question emerges.: Is revenge ever justified? In believing that justice is in fact the same as revenge, with nearly invisible difference in matters of action, then revenge can still be conditionally justified: If both the individual and the state have been avenged, it is justice.
Do not repay evil for justice is mine? Romans 12:19, NASB: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,’ says the Lord.”

My friend Colette told the best joke. A man from Appalachia was forcefully reminded that vengeance must be left up to the Lord. He responded, citing certain conditions.
He: OK! But only if it takes a real long time and I get to watch.

The funniest of jokes ever, but not my philosophy of life. Just hearing about it afterward is enough for me. It is rather frightening watching people and institutions that have messed me with me fade away but usually there are other reasons. The institutions are poorly managed or under funded, the individuals mess with everyone, not just me. So I am fine with it.

This blog shall end with hope and humor. While visiting Iceland I met a young man who continued to follow me on Instagram, he reminded me of our meeting. Covid took a toll on his livelihood. But he landed on his feet and now is operating a take out restaurant. I promised to promote him on the blog.
Me: My goodness, I must come back to Iceland when I can travel. If for nothing else, than to eat your yummy food. The menu card shows diversity of food, it is colorful and well put together.
He: Thank you! When you come we must get together.
Me: Of course!
He was born in India, emigrating to Iceland about seven years ago.
The menu card is attached.

The other is a hilarious New Yorker cartoon which is most apt. Faithful readers will know that my Muslim name is Ayla, which means Queen. Computer Guru Chris made another joke. He signed an email in the following fashion.
He: love Chris, my Christian name! xx
Me: You do not have a Muslim name. I just know you do not. Hahahaha

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