There is something to be said for being deprived of something (or someone). When it (or they) return, you are inestimably grateful. This is true of my involuntary absence from Al Jazeera, during my weeks of exile in Bahrain.
You are going to absolutely love the definition and example of inestimably, I promise. Inestimably: too great to calculate. Used in a sentence: It was a treasure of inestimable value.
However, as you shall see, being cut off from Al Jazeera was actually a total win/win. My appreciation of Al Jazeera’s online wisdoms grew AND it forced me to rely on the Bahrain daily newspaper, the Gulf Daily News. Therefore, I learned more about Bahrain, the country, its programs and its ruler King Hammond. The Gulf News did feature articles about Palestine and Gaza – so it was possible to ‘keep up’. However, understandably, that publication did not have the personnel, nor the ‘folks on the ground’ provided by the vastness of Al Jazeera .
Nothing is perfect. Or – as I often say to myself (and others) Islam is perfect; Muslims are not. Everyone agrees with that statement, by the way. Everyone, I have ever said it to, anyway.
Back to praising Al Jazeera, which contains a Banner, a separate section called, so appropriately, Israel War on Gaza. Contained therein is this headline: Israel’s war on Gaza live: ‘Two mothers killed every hour’ in Gaza – UN This from the article:
- UN Women’s agency executive director Sima Bahous warns of “generational trauma” on Palestinians as figures show “two mothers killed every hour” in Israel’s war on Gaza.
- US official John Kirby says there is no evidence of “deliberate” Israeli war crimes after Mexico and Chile request investigation from the International Criminal Court into Israel’s actions in Gaza.
There are also articles containing a measure of hope. It is hopeful because Israelis themselves are saying: THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!
“Dozens of relatives of Israelis held captive in Gaza have rallied outside the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding he reach a deal with Hamas for the release of their loved ones, the Associated Press news agency reports.”
Wait until you read this, it is almost laughable.
While Israel’s war in Gaza continues to dominate the international agenda, discussion of the conflict was avoided by many attendees at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
It is amusing, thinking that some people are SO stupid to actually think that there will not be any economic repercussions from Israel’s war in Gaza. I am not an economic genius, that is for sure. Math is one of two or three major weaknesses but even Alexis McBride can see that, as the expression goes, heads are going to roll.
Heads are going to roll is an idiom. If you say that heads will roll as a result of something bad that has happened, you mean that people will be punished for it, especially by losing their job.
You shall see that the first guy that is going to lose his job is Biden, then will come Harris and then will come Blinken etc etc etc. Next, there is massive US taxpayers outrage, seeing what their tax dollars have funded Israel for decades, instead of being spent on the US, that the IRS will hope and pray that they will loose their jobs. Now for me, if is sort of a mixed blessing – as my retirement fund comes from the US. I am somewhat reassured by this common knowledge. In the US – the rich get rich and the poor get poorer. MCERA is wisely invested in rich people’s stocks and properties.
Al Jazeera then discussed another matter to discuss Biden. I shall place his analysis in my own blunt terminology – Biden is a B,S, Artist. We all know what that stand for.! It is one of my very favorite phrases. I think, (and sometimes say) that out loud to the folks, in my life who lie to me. Do not say it at the time, but later, when their defenses are down. Here are the words used by Analyst Zunes: .
“Biden keeps talking about a two-state solution, but he recognises Israel and not Palestine. He’s encouraging countries to unilaterally recognise Israel while actively discouraging countries or the United Nations from recognising Palestine. He refuses to condition aid to Israel or stop vetoing UN Security Council resolutions. There is nothing that Biden is doing that really backs up his rhetoric for a two-state solution,” he said.Politically, Biden’s unwavering support for Netanyahu amid the war on Gaza does not make sense, Zunes said.“Politically, this is a disaster for Biden. I think, frankly, he is an ideologue who really believes in the Israeli project and is wedded to this naive assumption that by being nice to Netanyahu he might be able to get the Israelis to compromise even though that has been shown over and over again, that it simply does not work.”
I rather prefer my analysis. B.S. Artist – it is short, sweet and right to the point. Hahaha. This is what someone else says about the subject. “Short, sweet, and to the point. Clear writing, and therefore clear commands, comes from clear thinking. Think simple.” — Tim Ferriss This is another brilliant quote from him: “It isn’t enough to think outside the box. Thinking is passive. Get used to acting outside the box.”
Biden is definitely not acting outside the box. He is acting in a totally halfhearted manner. Whereas I have started to act outside the box – I have been newly energized, because I am acting with my whole heart, not half a heart.
Halfhearted means without energy or enthusiasm. But there are synonyms that round out its meaning: apathetic, perfunctory, cursory, superficial, desultory, feeble, weak, tepid; indifferent, unconcerned, lackluster. . Desultory is the best of the bunch, then more appear token, perfunctory, haphazard, random, aimless, rambling, erratic, unthinking, capricious offhand, chaotic.
That is what it means, to say something or to undertake anything in a half-hearted way. Why bother if you are not putting your all into it ?? Success shall never be yours.
An example of putting one’s all into something really has to be my Ritzy gnocchi cooking class. I did put my all into it – as did Yuda, the man who filmed the introduction, Mirssa, the sous chef in the Primavera Restaurant, her boss, the woman who filmed the entire project, EVERYONE on that day. You will see a continuation of the lesson, it shall be attached to this blog.
I intend to return to the Bahrain Ritz Carlton for many reasons. I suppose the main reason is to pick up my luggage, which was somewhat accidentally sent there from Medina. I am thoroughly grateful for the error, the mistake, because it paved the way, enabling the next step of my journey. Sometimes a complete and utter mistake can become a complete and utter blessing.
It did in this situation. Without the luggage, without any obligation I was free to experiment. Finding a hotel in Khobar for a couple of days, traveling along the causeway, meeting AMA, learning of the wonders of the King Abdulaziz Cultural Center (Ithra); going there, being SO warmly welcomed. All of this was done in a whole hearted, enthusiastic manner, experiencing the moment, surrounded by no one with hidden agendas. I could be filled with trust, with peace of mind. Doors had to be closed before others were opened – but those doors have been closed. Time consuming, energy draining, non rewarding relationships severed. I can put energy into my new endeavors – and I shall.
But like General McArthur, I shall return. I can return to the Bahrain Ritz Carlton – not to live there, but to visit. I can enjoy the surroundings, the restaurant, the staff for a couple of days. Then call my trusty driver to drive me across the causeway to Ithra, the location of my new ‘job’. Writing a book under the most creative, the most nurturing of environments. Alhanduillah
Alhandulilluah is an Arabic phrase meaning Praise to God, some translated as ‘thank God” This phrase is called Tahmid, meaning Praising. “It is an excellent expression of sincerest praise to the Almighty. Even if we spend all day, every day in praise and gratitude, it would still not be enough. Alhamdulillah teaches a believer to be grateful in all turns and phases of life, be it good or bad.”
That is so very important to realize, that one should be grateful for all phases of life, both good and bad. Some situations, some people, must be cleared away, doors must be closed – but they did serve a purpose. I am thankful that the luggage went to the wrong place, at the wrong time. Because of that I am here about to begin the next adventure of my life. Writing a book and my blogs from the best ever place – the best Saudi Arabia has to offer, The library at King Abdulaziiz Cultural Center, known as Ithra.
