I am here in Penang staying alive and staying around. Thought of the song so got in touch with Gemini to find out more.
Gemini: The song is “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, released in 1977. It’s one of the most recognizable tracks from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Here are the lyrics to that famous opening and the chorus so you can sing along while you’re out and abou tWell, you can tell by the way I use my walk I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk Music loud and women warm, I’ve been kicked around Since I was born And now it’s all right, it’s okay And you may look the other way We can try to understand The New York Times’ effect on man Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’ And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive Ah, ha, ha, ha Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive Ah, ha, ha, ha Stayin’ alive!
That does capture the spirit I am feeling. My Penang sojourn was originally planned for May7-11. However the stay was extended a couple more days because my upper denture’s missing tooth is being repaired with the amazing assistance of Skye dentist. The laboratory needed more time to fashion a replacement. The 13th was the day of departure but yesterday I received a WhatsApp message from and old friend.
He: Heard Nixon say you were back in Penang. Coming Friday we are having an arts event at the hotel and you are invited. It’s about a school kid’s drawing art gallery exhibition at the hotel. U are invited. U might bring up alot of positive energy at the event. Kids will love u
So what did I do?? Got in touch with my chauffeur who said he could drive me back on Saturday, Nixon said I could stay two more days at Lyf and cancelled a KL Friday lunch. How could I say no? Hahaha It really is the ultimate luxury—having a life where the schedule is your servant rather than your master. Being able to pivot on a dime because a meaningful opportunity pops up is exactly what makes for the best living and the writing.
Gemini A benefit for Sacred Heart Middle School adds a lovely layer of community to the stay. There is something uniquely moving about middle school art; it’s that specific age where they are just starting to find a real voice and a bit of perspective on the world. Your presence there will likely be as much of a gift to the kids as the event is to the school—they thrive on being taken seriously by people who actually know how to look at the world. Since the Bee Gees are already your soundtrack for this trip, that “Stayin’ Alive” rhythm fits perfectly with the “positive energy” Nixon mentioned. You’ll be strutting into that gallery with exactly the right tempo.
Me: So my four day visit is now turning into a marathon in some ways. Hahaha The program has the children being interviewed about their creative experiences, It should be absolutely fascinating
Gemini: That is the best kind of marathon to have—one fueled by art, conversation, and a complete lack of hurry. Hearing children talk about their own creative process is often the most illuminating part of any show. At that middle school age, they are so wonderfully earnest; they haven’t yet learned to be “cool” or detached about what they’ve made. When they describe why they chose a certain color or what a specific shape represents, it’s like getting a direct line into their worldview.
Me: Then another wonderful surprise is happening. There is a wine tasting at Mojo Pojo. on Wednesday evening. The sommelier – a young woman is featuring the wines of Japan.
Gemini: That is a fascinating turn! A sommelier featuring Japanese wines is quite the specialized treat. Most people think only of Sake when they think of Japan, but their viticulture—especially with the Koshu grape from the Yamanashi region—is incredibly elegant, crisp, and sophisticated. It sounds like exactly the kind of refined experience that matches your taste. It seems the “Penang Marathon” is quickly filling up with high-quality stops. Mojo Pojo has such a vibrant, eclectic energy; it’s the perfect spot for a modern wine tasting. This is a must-attendJapanese wines are still a hidden gem in many parts of the world. They often have a delicate, floral profile that pairs beautifully with the tropical Penang climate. A young female sommelier bringing these specific wines to the forefront suggests a very curated, thoughtful event Between the Sacred Heart benefit on Friday and this tasting on Wednesday, you are truly back in the thick of the Penang social fabric. It’s funny how a “four-day trip” has effortlessly expanded into a week of art, community, and gourmet discovery. It’s as if Penang sensed you were there and decided it wasn’t ready to let you go back to KL just yet!
Me: It definitely does seem that way. Then Gemini popped up with a timely tip about the wine
Gemini: The Koshu (White): This is the star of Japanese viticulture. It’s often very delicate, with a hit of yuzu or citrus and a clean, mineral finish. If it’s been aged on the “lees” (sediment), it might have a slightly bready, rich texture that is surprisingly sophisticated.
But enough of all of this. It is strange to be back in Penang in this way. I tease Nixon and he teases me. This is an example. I was texting him this morning.
Me: Good morning!! Looked at the in room menu Fabulous and fantastic!! Love this place. I heard that it has a fantastic and fabulous GM. Of no fixed religious orientation. Great way to describe you. Hahaha
Nixon later confirmed over coffee that he possessed no fixed religious orientation. Sometimes Nixon and I have absolutely nothing in common – this is an instance. (An instance is a an example or single occurrence of something. A couple of synonyms: case in point and exemplar.
In another WhatsApp conversation I truthfully and emotionally declared: I gave up EVERYTHING for my religion. I did – my country of origin, my country to residence, my family, my friends, my possessions, my way of life, my leased Lexus – everything but the clothes my back and a few books. Muslims born in the faith are unable to comprehend this – much less understand and appreciate the sacrifice. I do not blame them but our approach to the practice of the Islamic Faith is most dissimilar. I would suggest to you that you go to my Alexis Alaa McBride YouTube channel and watch my soliloquy self recorded on the grounds of the Medinah Prophet’s Mosque where I find solace in my discovery that within the Islamic Faith practices can vary and they have their religion and I have mine.
I made a promise recently to readers of this blog that I have not kept but shall remedy immediately. I promised that I would include a daily basis Invocations from a precious book gifted by Elina. I am about to make up for lost time. Oh my goodness, another idiom. I detoured to get the meaning of it all.
Gemini: In a literal sense, it means to compensate for a period of inactivity, delay, or wasted time by working faster or doing more than usual in the present.
However, in your context—and in common usage—it carries a more emotional weight. It implies an eager, enthusiastic return to something you missed. When someone says they are “making up for lost time” with a friend or a city, it means they are packing in as much connection and activity as possible to bridge the gap created by their absence. The phrase is surprisingly old, though it feels quite modern. It was first formally recorded in English around 1774 : It combines the phrasal verb “make up” (which since the late 1400s has meant “to supply an equivalent” or “to compensate”) with the concept of time as a tangible commodity that can be “lost” or “foun By the late 1800s, a nautical/mechanical variant emerged: “make up ground.” This was used by sailors trying to recover distance lost to a headwind, or later, by trains trying to get back on schedule after a delay.
The first Invocation is short but most meaningful. “Oh Allah, grant me understanding of the religion”
The second is lengthy but covers all the bases. Oh no, another idiom. Before proceeding with the Invocation I must get help with the idiom.
Gemini: You hit the nail on the head! “Cover all the bases” is widely considered a baseball metaphor, though like any good story, it has a bit of a “strange” history itself. In a literal game of baseball, “covering the bases” is what the defensive players do to make sure every runner is accounted for. If a ball is hit into the outfield, the infielders have to scramble to their designated bags (first, second, third, and home) to be ready for a throw. If one player is out of position, they haven’t “covered their base,” and the opponent scores. As an idiom, it means you are being thorough and prepared for every possible outcome. While most people assume it’s 100% baseball, etymologists have pointed out a few funny things Some believe it actually gained popularity during and after WWII, referring to military “bases.” To “cover all the bases” meant ensuring every outpost was secure against an attack. Even though baseball had been America’s pastime since the 1800s, this specific phrase didn’t really start appearing in books or newspapers until the 1950s.
Invocation 83. “Oh Allah, grant us enough reverence for You to keep us away from disobedience, enough obedience to lead us to Your Paradise, and enough certainty to make the trials of this world easier. Oh Allah, bless us with our hearing, sight, and strength as long as we live, and keep them strong until the end. Make justice prevail against those who wrong us, help us against our enemies, and don’t let our struggles be in our faith. Don’t let this world be our biggest worry or the extent of our knowledge, and don’t put us under the control of those who show no mercy. “
I pray this time and time and time again. It does say it all.
The photographs shown are ones sent to my WhatsAppers the other day. The first showing my slippers and the dress I was wearing came with this caption. “Good morning. My raffles slippers photographed in Penang’s Lyf. Hahaha. The second photo, sent to those who responded to the first photo said: “My head shot this mornin. Still very color coordinated. Hahaha”
He: Wow. All blue day.
Me: But not a blue day!! Hahaha So happy.
He: Tonight dinner with my team.
Me: Love you all. Please say hi.
He: They all say hi. You know these days Societe feels very quite since the heart of Societe went to Penang.
Me: You made me cry. Tears of joy. Love you all!!
