At all times, and perhaps especially in the darker moments of our lives, humour has a healing power. Thankfully, the latter is free of charge and widely accessible to all of us.
Likely like many of you, dear readers, Bambi loves Mr. Rudy Ayoub’s sense of humour. She is fond of his multi-talent as actor, writer, music and song composer, singer, dancer, oud as well as guitar player, and communicator, etc.
This sketch made Bambi think of Dr. Ramani Durvasula’s outstanding book, entitled “Don’t You Know Who I Am?”: How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility (shown below). Indeed, this is the exact question that came out of the mouth of “Arab dad”? If you watch until the end, you will see how Tyler, the clever salesman, outsmarted Mr. Ayoub’s dad by appealing to his fragile ego. If Bambi is not mistaken, this interaction might be the first sketch when this happens. Hence Tyler’s final wink to us, the viewers : ).
Bravo and thank you, Mr. Ayoub, for another funny sketch, which could be easily used in a course on narcissism.
It is disturbing to learn that a team of father and son were behind the horror of terror.
Thankfully, it is reassuring—and surely inspiring—to watch a hero of a man in action. Bless his heart and soul. May he heal well after his surgeries.
Despite hatred that blinded the hearts of the perpetrators of this senseless violence, there is something comforting about humanity when we learn that this hero’s name is Ahmad. It could have been David or Avi. It could have been John Smith or anything else.
No, it is Ahmad. Ironically, it is not just Ahmad. It is Ahmad El Ahmad (https://tinyurl.com/mrxzfcy3). Perhaps this coincidence is meant to remind us that love, humanity, compassion, and at times INCREDIBLY uplifting courage of ordinary individuals exist within any community or family, including a Muslim one. Mr. El Ahmad refused the barbaric cruelty toward his fellow innocent Jewish citizens. Without hesitation, he jumped on the older shooter to confiscate his weapon without even any training in using guns, wow!
We still do not know anything about the father and son mentioned above. Indeed, we can just speculate at this stage because we do not know any fact yet other than the blood tie between the 50-year-old man and the younger 24-year old one (https://tinyurl.com/ufmtv37k).
As you can guess, and maybe likely like you dear readers, Bambi rejects terror because she values human life and dignity for all, including for our fellow Jewish grandparents, parents, spouses, children, friends… or simply brothers and sisters in humanity.
When will violence targeting Jews in Australia, and everywhere in our troubled world, end?While waiting for an answer to the question, Bambi sends her heart to beautiful Australia as a nation, especially its shocked Jewish community as well as her beloved relatives, friends, and readers there. Their collective sorrow is also Bambi’s sorrow.
May all the injured people heal. May the memory of each dead person be eternal. May all those traumatized by this terror attack eventually find peace deep in their heart.
Last but not least, may Hannukah’s first candle tonight bring the needed light of healing.
Hannukah, an eight-day festival of lights, starts this evening.
Is there anything more fundamental to life than light?
Is there anything more spiritually meaningful and behaviourally joyful than lighting the candles of the Hannukah menorah, evening after evening?
Whether this action is done alone, within families, or at gatherings with friends, it is a sweet Jewish tradition.
May the light of love illuminate the hearts and the light of hope shine in the darkness.
Happy Hannukah to you, dear readers, if you happen to observe it… or if you just appreciate joyful shared moments of old cultural traditions, like bilingual Caillou : )!
It is not a secret to anyone: Bambi dislikes wars. Her heart aches to the suffering of innocents in any armed conflict, anywhere in the world, and on any side.
When it comes to the Middle East, her heart remains deeply saddened by both the human tragedy of October 7 2023 and by the fiasco of the cruel resulting war in Gaza. Too many people lost their lives. For what? Is it worth it? Already life is too short, why do human beings insist on making it even shorter?
And what can she say about a related big tragedy still unfolding in, and threatening, her birth country? Does any country or any protester truly care or even virtue signal about it?
Regardless of all the above, Ms. Yuval Raphael’s performance at Eurovision a few months ago remains timely. Indeed, the extremism of Islamism remains a public threat in the region—and by extension in the world—Same for the unmeasured, atrocious war acts, whether they are called genocidal or not.
Bearing the above in mind, Ms. Raphael sung for what our world needs the most: healing. She went from a (young) victim to survivor to thriver, rising above October 7th’s crime against the entire humanity, not just innocent people of her country. For those interested in her story, they can find it on YouTube. Bambi took the time to listen to it in the past. It is a story of paternal love as much as human cruelty. Indeed, her dad literally saved her life, and the lives of others hiding with her, bless his heart for his efficacy.
In English, in some French, and a short sentence in her mother tongue, her song is a message of hope with a new dawn. It is a call for action to create beauty out of healing from suffering. It is a transformation of pain into musical art. Universally, we can all identify with her pain, if we want to, whether we have sympathy for the government of her country or not. Her beautiful song is a bridge to shared humanity in our divided world, reflected in the politics over Eurovision competition.
In about two weeks, it will be Christmas. How charming that snow is already here. Are you familiar with the voices of two great Canadian singers from Québec, Ms. Isabelle Boulay and Ms. Laurence Jalbert? Bambi is always moved when she hears their warm singing voices. This brief post is a musical tribute to them and a friendly nod to Christmas!
A mezuzah is a small sort of box, which is placed on the right doorpost of Jewish homes or of apartments where a Jewish person lives. The mezuzah includes a tiny parchment scroll with verses from the Torah. This piece of spirituality on houses and apartments means the world to Jewish people as it is a form of blessing of their safe and cozy place of living.
Well, imagine, that the “Toronto police’s Hate Crime Unit is investigating after multiple Jewish prayer scrolls were removed from the doorways of units in a TCHC apartment building in North York” (https://tinyurl.com/ycxhaana). Is there anything more shocking, and totally unacceptable, as this act of hateful vandalism meant to intimidate Jewish Torontonians?
Bearing the above in mind, another shocking story of discrimination also occurred in Toronto recently. This ordeal happened to a top model, called Ms. Miriam Mattova, who was kicked out of an Uber taxi for being Jewish. It seems that she had mentioned to a friend with whom she chatted on FaceTime a recent trip she made to Israel (https://tinyurl.com/y5jducwd; https://tinyurl.com/ymsb8j4t). According to this 33-year-old model, the driver stopped the car and kicked her out, pretending not feeling comfortable driving her and adding that “they do not drive Jewish people“. Disgusting, isn’t it?
Put yourself in the shoes of this passenger for seconds, dear readers, would this be acceptable for you? How would you feel if you have been treated in this way? Put yourself in the shoes of the Uber company, would the service of your employee be acceptable? And what about us as a society, collectively: where are we heading with such stories of intolerance, discrimination, or social violence against our fellow citizens? Is this the Canada that we want to live in today, in 5, 10, and 25 years?
Bambi just read in L’Orient Today that a young Lebanese comedian, Mr. Mario Moubarak, was detained and released by the General Security because of a clip from one of his sketches, which included a joke about Jesus.
What a sick and sad world we live in when we cannot even joke and laugh about any topic, including religion or faith. This joke, which was taken out of context (a classic in censorship cases) seemed to have been that the funeral of Jesus Christ was not successful because he has risen from the dead: “Jesus’ burial probably wasn’t successful, since in the end he got up” was the precise joke. Is there anything funnier than this original joke (https://tinyurl.com/2kav2rb7)?
Bambi made the above favourable comment, even if Jesus Christ happens to be “her” God (in her heart), just like for Mr. Moubarak who made the following statement: “The one-minute portion currently circulating is part of a 20-minute segment that has been available on YouTube for six months. In stand-up, context is essential to understanding the idea. There was no intention to harm or blaspheme Christ. I am Christian, attended a Catholic school, and Christianity has always been an important part of my life. That is why I addressed it in my show, with no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings.” He also thanked those who had supported him“.
Of note, Bambi would have made the same comment , had this comedian been of a different faith or atheist.
Bearing the above in mind, L’Orient Today’s article ended with the following alarming facts: “A source close to Moubarak said the Christian group Les Soldats du Seigneur was the first to share the clip “for malicious reasons, making it appear as though Mario himself had just posted it.” The source added that the comedian has received “numerous death threats” after his phone number was circulated online. Lebanese General Security questioned Moubarak upon his arrival at Beirut airport, later releasing him while confiscating his passport and phone, according to information obtained Friday night”.
Bambi recalls having had an old post about this odd, extreme group, calling itself “Soldats du Seigneurs” [Soldiers of the Lord]. This being said, regardless of this group’s involvement or not, it is totally unacceptable to threaten Mr. Moubarak’s life.
Furthermore, it is highly disturbing and unacceptable to learn that the Lebanese General Security arrested Mr. Mario Moubarak upon his return to the country, confiscating his phone and passport. All this because of a joke? Where is the legendary sense of humour of the people of Lebanon gone?
Of note, From other Lebanese media sources on YouTube called Red TV, Bambi learned about a lawyer, Ms. Aimée Helou, who caused Mr. Moubarak this legal hassle. Ms. Helou did this in her personal name, it seems. How sad to see a legal expert dishonouring a precious value in both her country and profession, namely the protection of freedom of expression of a fellow citizen. In this case his artistic expression.
To conclude this post, Bambi has never heard about Mr. Moubarak until today. She will take the time to listen to his sketches from now on. Even if she might not understand specific jokes if they are too culturally charged (she has been away of Lebanon for too long), she knows the following very clearly: she stands by his right to freedom of expression whether his jokes are related to Christianity, Islam, Judaism, atheism, or anything else, including sex. Thanks to him for making our world a bit lighter.
Last night and earlier today, the first major snow storm of the season hit Atlantic Canada.
Welcome snow! Hello winter!
On June 2026, Bambi will start her 36th year in Canada. Yes, time flies as we age.
Time flies yet some elements remain constant in Bambi’s life and mind, including the perceived charm of our beautiful Canadian winter.
Today, Bambi’s thoughts go to newcomers who may be seeing the snow for the first time.
She still has vivid memories of her first own winter storm in Montreal. It happened on a school day, when she was in CEGEP, and she happily danced under the snow in the middle of Fairmount Avenue during a break between her courses :).
Yes, before migrating to Canada, she had seen snow on the beautiful Lebanese mountains. Regularly from far away (i.e., the view from Beirut). On a handful of occasions, she saw snow closer. She even played with it. Yet, she was thrilled and fascinated by the beauty of this peaceful white scene on the streets of Montreal in the late fall of 1990.
What about you, dear readers? Do you like snow? Do you see it often? What do you like about it, if you do enjoy it? And why would you dislike it, if that’s it the case for you? Do you have good winter memories from your childhood? With you own children or maybe grandchildren? Perhaps with other loved ones, younger or older, or on your own?
Whatever the season, scenery, or weather forecast where you are located right now, be safe, warm, and enjoy the present moment, just like in Fairuz’s song celebrating snow.
Today, Bambi was moved to the core by the images coming out of her birth county. As you can see in the brief YouTube video below, Pope Leo XIV received a WARM welcome by everyone, from all walks of life and religious backgrounds, especially by youth.
Many old and young people travelled within the tiny country from ALL its different regions, including the destroyed south, to come to greet the Pope. Some even came from abroad while others visited from Syria and Irak, as he kindly acknowledged them all.
Pope Leo XVI embraced youth’s energy, listened to their inspiring stories or songs, and brought a breath of fresh air to all. He surely contributed to consolidate their faith, at the spiritual, human, civil, and universal levels. He also encouraged their loyalty for their country (i.e., asking them not to migrate anymore, if at all possible).
By emphasizing the values of kindness, forgiveness, interpersonal peace, and unity, Pope Leo XVI seemed to have implicitly validated Lebanese people’s desperate aspirations for peace, individually, domestically, and regionally. Perhaps most significantly, he may have acted as a role model for an agent of peace. It is Bambi’s hope that young people will value, demand, and insist on contributing to peace.
For all the above, thank you Holy Father Leo for being a ray of light in the darkness. As for Lebanon, may it find peace and rise in order to flourish and shine again.
Bambi is quite busy, but she just took the time to read the news about her birth country.
It seems that Lebanon is preparing for the visit of Pope Leo. About 150,000+ people are expected in Beirut to attend the big mass service (https://tinyurl.com/33yzvmr7). The estimated number of participants may be even higher since many will be travelling not just from all the Lebanese regions, but also from out of neighbouring countries. Of note, his Holiness Pope Leo would be the fourth pope to visit the land of the Cedars since 1964 (https://tinyurl.com/4ams2z4s).
Ahead of this high-profile visit, Hezbollah prepared a welcome letter for him. Related to the letter, and as reported in L’Orient Today, a Lebanese Mufti close to this militia, “rejected any negotiations with Israel”: “As long as we take the Bible, the Quran, and the charters of divine justice as our criteria, we cannot accept that this country [Lebanon] — sanctified by so many sacrifices — negotiate with Zionist evil” (https://tinyurl.com/4pj8xx6m).
First, the decision of negotiations usually comes from governments, not from any religious entity, with all due respect to the latter. Second, what do the Bible and the Quran, along with so-called charters of “divine” justice, have to do with diplomacy among countries and in post-war negotiations, if any?
Related to the above, why is the current leader of the Hezbollah still insulting the intelligence of his fellow Lebanese people, and those aspiring for peace in its diaspora, by stating that “those who want to remove weapons are serving Israel” (https://tinyurl.com/3umwu2vr)?
When will all the leaders of the world, secular and religious alike, listen to their people who are fed up of senseless wars and endless armed conflicts? They say no to death, injuries, tears, destruction, drones in the air, prisoners, kidnapping, etc. They want peace. Yes peace. They deserve it. So do their children and the children of their children.
