For many reasons the title announces the blog. Humor is the Name of the Game. So be prepared!!! I do not think humor is the name of the game is an idiom, but, you NEVER know. Will Google it but in the meantime I will give you a sneak preview. ChatGPT has been consulted about humor. Yes indeed!! AI – Artificial Intelligence. As well – AI (Anandani Intelligence) shall be involved in the discussion, along with AI (Alexis Intelligence.)
Google was slightly helpful when asked about humor being the name of the game. Name of the game is a phrase. “If you say that something is the name of the game, you mean that it is the most important aspect of a situation.”
Google has a lot of ideas when you start with Humor is. Some examples: Humor is 1) the best medicine. 2) tragedy plus time 3) a sign of intelligence.
Wikipedia has an ENORMOUS entry on humor. Here is some of it.
Humour (Commonwealth English) or humor (American English) is the tendency of experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as “humours” (Latin: humor, “body fluid”), controlled human health and emotion.People of all ages and cultures respond to humour. Most people are able to experience humour—be amused, smile or laugh at something funny (such as a pun or joke)—and thus are considered to have a sense of humour. The hypothetical person lacking a sense of humour would likely find the behaviour to be inexplicable, strange, or even irrational. Though ultimately decided by subjective personal taste, the extent to which a person finds something humorous depends on a host of variables, including geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, intelligence and context. For example, young children may favour slapstick such as Punch and Judy puppet shows or cartoons such as Tom and Jerry or Looney Tunes, whose physical nature makes it accessible to them. By contrast, more sophisticated forms of humour such as satire require an understanding of its social meaning and context, and thus tend to appeal to a more mature audience.
There is a short discussion on theories referring to an entire article.
Many theories exist about what humour is and what social function it serves. The prevailing types of theories attempting to account for the existence of humour include psychological theories, the vast majority of which consider humour-induced behaviour to be very healthy; spiritual theories, which may, for instance, consider humour to be a “gift from God”; and theories which consider humour to be an unexplainable mystery, very much like a mystical experience.[1] The benign-violation theory, endorsed by Peter McGraw,[2] attempts to explain humour’s existence. The theory says “humour only occurs when something seems wrong, unsettling, or threatening, but simultaneously seems okay, acceptable or safe.”[3] Humour can be used as a method to easily engage in social interaction by taking away that awkward, uncomfortable, or uneasy feeling of social interactions.Others believe that “the appropriate use of humour can facilitate social interactions.”
By the way, the Islamic Faith regards humor to be a gift from Allah. Allah has made laughter and tears.” (Quran 53:43) “Laughter is not frivolous- its part of our humanity, a gift from Allah that lightens our burdens and brings hearts together. My sense of humor has carried me through life’s storms and joys and I see it now as an act of worship when used with kindness.
More about later,
I am at Mojo having breakfast and texting with Shamir. He sent me a photo of his breakfast, not looking very appetizing actually.
He: Simple breakfast.
Me: Simple breakfast for a simple guy. Hahaha Wait until you see a photo of my breakfast.
Sitting at the breakfast bar I ordered.
Me: I’m having a Dutch baby. Not a real one. Haha Hey here is joke. I went out with a guy and he said we will go Dutch. I said: Okay. And now this???? Hahahaha
Then I remembered that Shamir is Malaysian and sometimes does not know American slang and he probably did not understand the joke. Back to Google again.
This time AI came to my rescue, He is usually smart enough to look for meanings on his own, however.
AI Overview The idiom “go Dutch” means that everyone in a group pays for their own share of expenses, rather than one person paying for everyone else. For example, if a group of friends goes to dinner and they “go Dutch,” each person pays for their own meal and drinks.
Just in case you were worried about the difference between it and splitting the bill – here is the answer. Going Dutch means that each person pays his share of the bill. Splitting the bill mean that each person pays half the bill.
My goodness what in the world was I talking about in the beginning of this blog. I got lost.
I have commented upon the closeness and immediacy of the bond between Shamir and myself. As I read the Quran verse with its interpretation it all makes sense. “Laughter is not frivolous- its part of our humanity, a gift from Allah that lightens our burdens and brings hearts together.”
Shamir is the funniest guy I have ever known and we laugh together all of the time. We have had our problems, goodness knows. Insurmountable ones, the details of which shall not be made public because our humor should not harm but instead heal – should that be possible.
I usually begin my morning with a photograph sent to my WhatsAppers. This morning was no exception. I am at Lyf and therefore not privy to beaches and sunrises. Looked back a year ago finding an amazing photo which you shall soon see. This was the caption.
Good morning from a year ago today. It must be the beach near Penang Lexis Suites. How my life has changed!!! Did receive responses, this was one.
She: Good morning. For the better I hope.
Me: Yes indeed for the better. I was SO isolated there. However the isolation offered at Lexis Suites allowed me to grow my faith in the serenity if offered in the beginning, Not in the end with Ben Hur’s persecution of me and the scabies, undiagnosed for months. This GIF a funny example of my present life. I talked to Shamir about halal hugs and he sent me this. It is SO funny.
Something happened though. She was unable to ‘get’ Shamir’s GIF. The downloads failed. Come to think of it, this person does not have a sense of humor, anyway. It would be wasted. . Hahaha
In the end I wrote.that the GIF had a girl and a guy..
Me: But Shamir and I have always been good Muslims, behaving. Always giving one another chaste hugs, not chased hugs. I also find it amusing that chased and chaste – with opposite meanings are said the same way.
Just got word from Nesh. The blog breakdown is up.
This time it is the photograph of my name on the sand. Oh my Allah!!! This is the title.
From A to Z: Alexis to Zanzibar and Back.
How a name in the sand became a lesson in history, faith and finding peace.
From A to Z, Alexis to Zanzibar. What started with a name written in the sand turned into a history lesson about spice islands, a reminder of Allah’s mercy, and even a compliment that my face “finally looks at peace.”
Because life isn’t just one thing, its trivia about clove exports, funny GIFs, old photographs, unexpected bonds, and the quiet blessings striated into a tapestry only Allah could weave.
Sone days it’s messy, improbable, and downright hilarious. But it’s always meaningful. And always, always, stitched with mercy.
Swipe the carousel, then read the full blog in bio.
Well you guys reading this cannot swipe the carousel so I guess I have to keep typing. Why do I have to do all the work??? Hahaha
“Zanzibar? Until yesterday I did not even know it existed. Wikipedia (not AI for once) filled my head with space islands, clove exports and a history stretching back 20,000 years from Portuguese traders, in 1498 to the notorious Tippu Tip and his 10,00 slaves, the story is both fascinating and horrifying. A Muslim-majority archipelago that once thrived on spice and ivory. Who knew a casual ‘name in the sand’ moment would leave me here?
It all began with Rashid writing “ALEXIS” in giant letters in Abu Dhabi sand back in 2022. Fast forward, I learn he’s now in Zanzibar. Suddenly, curiosity takes over; How did one mane’s sand script turn into a history lesson on a country with united with Tanganyika in 1964? Sometimes the most random threads connect us to the weirdest tapestries.”
Shall write more of the profundity of Nesh’s remarks tomorrow. But need to finish the blog today.
Do not think any photographs today but some of the funny GIFS Shamir sent me. I sent him the blog of yesterday wherein I spoke of Zanzibar in great detail. He was embarrassed:
He: Zanzibar. This is the first time I am hearing about this place. Then a GIF that said I might be an idiot. And then the funniest one you shall see.
Me: Oh my goodness, I am laughing SO loud at you GIFs. Especially the last one. It is my favorite of all time. It has gotta go one blog
Then I said to him, what is a rather private correspondence. That there are SO many men in my life that it is raining men. I cannot believe what he found. You shall see it.
I sent him a voice message. At the end he wrote:
He: Don’t break the bed.
I found a GIF and saiid.
Me: I did!! Good night. Much as I would like to stay awake all night laughing with you I cannot at my advanced age So good night. I hope you win the match and when you finally get to bed you have sweet dreams.
He: ❤️
I will conclude this blog with this short closing dua.
“Ya Allah, thank You for the laughter and the tears. Let my humor always heal, never harm. Make my words a mercy to others and a light on my path. Ameen.:
