Found this when scrolling through Instagram: You are a better version of yourself when surrounded by people who remind you of Allah. I responded to its author.
Me: That is so wise and true. Thank you.
Then a song kept playing in my mind. Make Someone Happy – so, of course, I looked it up and found a list but the best is Make someone happy and then you will be happy too. People in my life now talk about how I make them happy. Even perhaps tens of people a day – it is true
I shall now attempt to make someone happy, hopefully you, by giving you more Andy Borowitz who makes us see some humor when dealing with the world particularly the Ukraine. “PALM BEACH (The Borowitz Report)—Donald J. Trump has reached out to Vladimir Putin to help Russia file for bankruptcy, the former U.S. President has confirmed.
Calling the Russian economy “in very, very bad, terrible shape” as a result of Western sanctions, Trump said that bankruptcy was “quite frankly” Putin’s only option.
“Bankruptcy is scary the first time you do it,” Trump said. “But once you’ve done it five or six times it’s the easiest and most beautiful thing in the world.”
Don’t you love it??? Calling bankruptcy the most beautiful thing in the world! But then he goes on. “Trump said that “the first thing Putin should do is stop paying his bills, and that’s something I can show him how to do.” The former President also offered to send his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Moscow to advise the Russian Federation on bankruptcy.“No one can get you into bankruptcy faster than Jared,” Trump boasted.”
Can you not see the reels of Jared getting off the airplane being treated with great pomp and circumstance ! Bands playing, soldiers saluting, flags waving. Perhaps there should be a horse on board and he could get off dressed in armor.( Armor is the metal coverings formerly worn by soldiers or warriors to protect the body in battle.) But then, at the moment of truth, the horse defecates all over the red carpet (of course, red) . What is defecate? It is a polite word: discharge feces from the body. Feces is also a polite word. Looked that up on Wikipedia.The introduction to the topic was rather unusual. “Fecal matter” redirects here. For the American punk rock band, see Fecal Matter (band).” Well, since I am not investigating the punk rock band this is the place to be.
“Feces (or faeces) is the solid or semi-solid remains of food that was not digested in the small intestine, and has been broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Feces contains a relatively small amount of metabolic waste products such as bacterially altered bilirubin, and dead epithelial cells from the lining of the gut.Feces is discharged through the anus or cloaca during defecation.Feces can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner in agriculture. It can also be burned as fuel or dried and used for construction. Some medicinal uses have been found. In the case of human feces, fecal transplants or fecal bacteriotherapy are in use. Urine and feces together are called excreta.”
Then there are photos of a comparison between elephant and human feces. But no, alas and alack. I shall not picture this – nor shall I define excreta. At some point in life one must stop being diverted and move onto bigger, and better, things.
Back to making someone happy. The song was found, the lyrics copied and a glorious version by Tony Bennett was heard on YouTube. Here are the lyrics: ,
Make someone happy
Make just one someone happy
Make just one heart the heart you sing to
One smile that cheers you
One face that lights when it nears you
One girl you’re ev’rything to
Fame if you win it
Comes and goes in a minute
Where’s the real stuff in life to cling to
Love is the answer
Someone to love is the answer
Once you’ve found her, build your world around her
Make someone happy
Make just one someone happy
And you will be happy, too
Fame if you win it
Comes and goes in a minute
Where’s the real stuff in life to cling to
Love is the answer
Someone to love is the answer
Once you’ve found her, build your world around her
Make someone happy
Make just one someone happy
And you will be happy, too
The caveat is put in romantic terms – find a ‘girl’ and make her happy. But that can be, at best, a treacherous course. Because what if the one you picked is incapable of love or happiness. Western thinking, as reflected in songs and folklore is that there is a special person for you (usually of the opposite sex) who holds the key to happiness. So you meet someone, fall in ‘love,’ and the rest they say is history. But it does not really work out that way as most of you know.
However, the idea behind it is not bad and when you make somebody happy it builds, it grows. That one person makes you happy and they make someone else happy and soon the world is a happy place.
However, there is another saying that is an applicable truism which is a a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting. Truism’s synonyms are: commonplace, cliché, hackneyed/trite/banal/overworked saying, stock phrase, banality, old chestnut, bromide; maxim, axiom,
The bromide, the overworked saying is You Cannot Get Blood Out of a Stone. That expression is a proverb meaning that “it is impossible to obtain something from someone if they are too parsimonious, uncharitable, or resolved against it.” I would add, if that person, for some reason is incapable of giving back. Apparently the expression came from a Christian tradition that states: that the red spots come from blood falling upon the stone during the crucifixion of Jesus, as he was stabbed in the side by a Roman soldier. Here is another example: to make someone give or tell you something, when it is extremely difficult because of the character or mood of the person or organization you are dealing with. Used in a rather mundane sentence: “Persuading Chris to buy a round of drinks is like getting blood from a stone.”
So one has to be careful choosing the one person to love. The next blog or two will give examples of picking the right and the wrong person. But here is a text which illustrates the picking of a good person. It took place while writing this blog actually.
Me: The Sheikha says good morning to you. I am thinking we go to hospital perhaps in late morning. Perhaps we have lunch in the hospital restaurant, talk and make plans and then I get a booster shot and pick up my meds at the pharmacy. The exact time can be up to you.
He: Some one telling to you very good morning dear. What time do you want to go to the hospital.
Me: Perhaps around 11. Would that be okay?
He: Okayyyyyyy
Me: Goodie goodie See you then my dear.
He: See you 11pm
Me: No my silly 11am
He: ok
Me: You make me laugh
He: I love you!
Me: I love you too.
Now that is S.A.D. my driver who also jokingly becomes my body guard when we emerge from his taxi. He makes my life possible as I can get around, go for medical treatment, Apple classes at the Yas Mall, get groceries, take me for manis and pedis, takes me to the Grand Mosque and pushes me in a wheelchair, takes me to Louvre and also pushes me in a wheel chair, All that stuff. We met on December 23, 2021 by accident. He was the first cab in line at this Premier Inn. We have grown to love one another. Not on the romantic way, of course, as he is married with a wonderful wife and two daughters in Bangladesh. Very significantly, he is a Muslim. He is capable of giving and getting love. A certain ‘old friend’ of mine seems not to be. That is the story that will be told.
But back to good news and funny news. I have been suffering from pain in my left arm for about two weeks. Finally decided that it was time to do something about it so S.A.D. drove me to the Emergency Room of the NMC Royal Hospital. He knows all the good places to go. The fantastic doctor gave me a gel for my arm but decided that I should see a neurologist for a complete diagnosis and examination and also gave me a referral to an Internet for continuing care. I called, and received appointments within a day. Off we drove in the chariot.
The neurologist was an incredible physician – practiced last in Toledo, Ohio. He gave me a thorough neurological exam, providing diagnosis and treatment. When he rendered his professional determination I howled in laughter, It had to be heard throughout the entire hospital because I have a very loud laugh.
He: You have a condition commonly known as tennis elbow.
Me: (first howling in laughter). You must be kidding. I happily and joyously gave up tennis about forty years ago. And I am right- handed!.
I do not doubt his diagnosis and with the brace and proper application of gel I shall be fine. Then off to the Internist – a man from Jordan and a woman intern. He prescribed my necessary medications for three weeks, we talked about my capability to fast during Ramadan and he enabled me to get a booster shot. I had attempted but was unable to get it at the Clinic because I do not have an Emarati ID, The appointment process was exhausting, solent without my covid booster shot and picking up meds as it would have taken about half an hour. Back today to do it all.
I cannot speak highly enough of the medical care in this country. It is the best in the world. My biggest concern when leaving the USA was my medical care as I had the same physician for forty five years and he was exceptional, caring and loved me. (He did, his office manager told me). But I definitely am in totally safe hands here. Could not be better as a matter of fact. It is a bit inconvenient. I pay for the visits and medication but can be reimbursed by my medical plan. It shall be a huge hassle but you don’t get something for nothing in life. Well, you do – you read this blog, ad free for nothing. You get what you pay for is another expression.
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“It’s true, in most circumstances, that the quality of products and services increases as the price increases. You get what you pay for. When you cheap out on something, be it a bottle of wine, pair of jeans, or a manicure, more often than not you’ll end up disappointed.”
The photograph is something that I got for nothing. Did not pay any money. Not one red cent for it. It came with this:
He: That is my good nyt surprise. And I am sure you did not see that coming!! I can now sleep my Empress.
Me: Oh my goodness gracious. OMG. Really?!?!?!
He: We can now sleep. Mission accomplished. I can now rest my tired back. You still doubt me?
Me: You are totally amazing. I am shocked even.
He: Okay dear. I am glad you appreciate the little things I do for you
Me: I am so excited. I cannot sleep. Not little HUGE
