Subterfuge was a word that came to mind this morning, quite profoundly actually. One of those AHAH moments, when everything comes clear, understandable, and knowable. There must be a word for that, but at the moment it is a feeling I cannot label, so it is back to subterfuge…
Its definition: deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal: Sometimes one can learn the meaning of a word from its origins, it is true in this instance. It is a late 16th century: from French, or from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere ‘escape secretly’, from subter- ‘beneath’ + fugere ‘flee’.
These are synonyms that best capture my meaning: ruse, ploy, stratagem, machination, pretext, tactic, intrigue, scheme, deception, smokescreen, sleight, wheeze.
I suddenly saw instances of smokescreens, intrigue and pretext within the family systems of people around me but then can see that it also unfortunately condition the world today.
Look at the absolute and utter horror of Gaza and NOW the Iran/Israel senseless debacle. Who in the world knows what the end game, what the goals are of the unholy alliance of Israel/USA/UAE etc. etc. etc. It defies the imagination. Their leader’s desire for power, dominance? But what of population of these countries what is their goal? To remain oblivious and unseeing it seems. To pretend they themselves are safe, are immune from the consequences of their blind obedience and helplessness. People senselessly march with signs saying Free Palestine – when the solution was revealed in myJune 9, 2025 blog A Topic Near and Dear to My Heart: A Tax Revolt; Throwing Teslas Into Boston Harbor: Organizers Needed But Heck No I Won’t Go: My Life and Times Including Foodie Photos; Nixon Joins Me at Breakfast Bar; Selfie Sent Eliciting No Jealousy; Uncertain as to Cause of New Found Happiness; Calling Upon Artificial Intelligence for You Scream, I Scream and A Day Late and a Dollar Short: So There! So There! So There! Revisited.
That was almost two weeks ago – seems no one is paying any attention to me and my solutions. Oh well, I am doing what I can and what I am supposed to be doing. Remember that adage: “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.”
The AI overview says: the proverb “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink” means that you can provide someone with an opportunity or the means to do something, but you cannot force them to take advantage of it or to actually do it. It emphasizes that individual will and desire are essential for action, and external efforts can only go so far.
Most helpfully the explanation continues:
- Offering Opportunity:
The first part of the proverb, “You can lead a horse to water,” implies creating a situation where someone has access to what they need or want. For example, providing someone with access to education, resources, or information.
Lack of Compulsion:
The second part, “but you cannot make him drink,” highlights that despite the opportunity, the individual must choose to participate and take action. They might not be interested, ready, or willing to utilize the opportunity.
Individual Agency:
The proverb underscores the concept of individual agency and free will. You can influence, guide, or even present something in the best possible light, but ultimately, a person’s decision to act is their own. - Real-world Applications:
This saying is often used in various contexts, including:- Education: A teacher can present information, but a student must choose to learn.
Relationships: You can offer support and advice, but you cannot force someone to change.
Management: A leader can create opportunities, but employees must choose to engage and contribute.
Policy: Government can implement policies, but citizens must choose to participate. “
- Education: A teacher can present information, but a student must choose to learn.
That says it all, in some ways, but in some ways not – there is a deficiency as there always is in AI definitions. This occurrence of a deficiency was found in my May 9, 2025 blog: The Pearl and the Shell; Words of Wisdom from ChatGPT; Then Words of Greater Wisdom and More Insight from Fazil Irwan Som Revealing the Mere Regurgitation (Parrot,Trot Out) of Artificial Intelligence; Photograph of the Sea and a Photograph of Shells .
I do admit, at this moment, to becoming totally sidetracked. I cannot help myself. Again AI has an explanation of the expression, the concept;
“Becoming sidetracked” means losing focus and being distracted from a task or goal, often by something less important or relevant. It involves a shift in attention away from the main objective, leading to a temporary deviation from the intended path. This can happen both literally, by physically moving off course, or figuratively, by getting distracted by other thoughts, activities, or information.
Why it happens:
- Lack of self-discipline:
Difficulty in maintaining focus and resisting distractions
External distractions: Notifications, noise, or other people can pull attention away from the primary task.
Internal distractions:
Thoughts, feelings, or physical needs can also cause distractions.
Overwhelm:
Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work or information can lead to procrastination and getting sidetracked.
Lack of clear goals:
Not having a clear understanding of what needs to be done can make it easier to get sidetracked.What to do about it, How to get it under control. - Minimize distractions:
Turn off notifications, find a quiet workspace, and limit access to distracting websites or apps.
Set clear goals:
Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to provide a clear focus.
Prioritize tasks:
Use a to-do list or time management techniques to prioritize tasks and tackle them one at a time.
Practice self-discipline:
Train your mind to focus and resist distractions through mindfulness or other techniques.
Take breaks:
Short breaks can help refresh your mind and prevent burnout, making it easier to refocus on the task at hand.
Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions:
Acknowledge any distractions and consciously redirect your attention back to the task.
What an I going to do now?? Heed the advice of AI and take a break. I am going for breakfast. What a blessed life I lead. Breakfast is included in my Lyf room mate.
- Hours later. I did go to breakfast eating instead from the Brunch menu I had the delicious Duck Confit. It shall be pictured. It was absolutely delicious, the crispy skin, the duck perfectly cooked, the flavor of the duck exquisite, not overpowered by sauces, The sauce delicate and perfect to also dip the pommel frites.
After breakfast returned briefly to my room deciding I was yearning for something sweet and deciding that an ice cream treat could also serve as a birthday present for Hammad Rabiu.
Getting back to AI – I did in the past question Artificial Intelligence about the Nigerian Rabiu family and specifically then about Hammad Rabiu. To make a long story sort, as the expression goes it was incomplete, erroneous, faulty and superficial. It was an interesting experiment. I have, for various reasons, researched the extensive history of this renowned family as well as the history of Muslims in the north of Nigeria. There is such richness, such intriguing history – whole books could easily be written about the northern region of the country and how access to the ocean was gained. I have not visited Nigeria and when first meeting Hammad, commented on his English accent, him saying he was from Nigeria. I hate to admit that I said.
Me: Where’s that?
Well now I know. Hahaha I do not have, at this point in time, any plans to visit Nigeria.
Knowing I had spoken about the family, I typed Rabiu in the search engine of the blog. There were six entries. This from the April 8, 2024 blog, when I did my initial research.
Renowned Kano businessman, philanthropist, leader of Islam’s Tijjaniyya movement in Nigeria and patriarch of the famed Isyaku Rabiu Family, Khalifa Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu, is dead.
Born in 1925 to the family of prominent Islamic scholar, Muhammadu Rabiu Dan Tinki, a Quranic preacher from the Bichi area of Kano State who led his own Quranic school, Khalifa Sheikh Rabiu grew up memorizing the Quran and learning Arabic from where he moved to Maiduguri in 1942 to further his Islamic studies. In 1946, he returned to Kano to establish himself as an Islamic scholar and by 1949 he had become an independent teacher of Arabic and the Quran. Khalifa Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu is survived by his wives, 42 children amongst whom are his first son, Nafiu Rabiu; Founder & Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu and Chairman of IRS Airlines, Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu amongst other notable offsprings. He is also survived by hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Then had a conversation with Hammad.
Me: Are you of the Isyaku Rabiu family?
He: Yes, How did you know?
Me: Wow. Mashallah Researched you last name. Is it true?
He: Yes, Isyaku Rabiu is my grandfather. He was such a great man, how I wish I could be half the man he is.
Me: Doesn’t everyone?!?!?!
He: When did you read about him?
Me: This evening.
He: There are a lot of writings about him, Even books My surname led you to it. Hahaha
There were even more surprises.
He: My dad is my grandpa’s heir in knowledge.”
The conversation continued between Hammad and myself. It was most touching.I had forgotten all about it, to be honest. Those were our happy, playful days – the good news is that they have returned. We laugh and joke together.
I am now driven to find the meaning of to make a long story short. Here we go.
“In modern usage, “to make a long story short” seems to be as much an advance apology that the speaker is about to tell a long story as it is a signal that a story is going to be abbreviated. It’s as if they realize they are about to give a lot of detail and they feel bad about it.”
Here is the good news. Artificial Intelligence was not utilized, so the answer is concise, clear and not trying to show off. When I think about it, Artificial Intelligence tries to show off. My goodness! thought that was a human quality. Hahaha
This blog started off serious and ended up being something else altogether. I guess I played it by ear. Good news yet again. Artificial Intelligence did not chime in and so we have a simple, clear and concise definition.
“To play it by ear is to act spontaneously and according to the situation. Playing it by ear means you have no game plan. The original meaning of this term was to play music without sheet music, meaning you either remembered the music or improvised it.”
That is all for today. I have some absolutely fantastic news – could not be better. But I shall save it for a rainy day.
“If you say that you are saving something, especially money, for a rainy day, you mean that you are saving it until a time in the future when you might need it.”
Again, Artificial Intelligence is not interested in rainy days, It appears.
Photographs will follow. My breakfast, the duck confit and a photo of Hammad’s birthday present.
