(#190) They also say that the plane was so well-balanced that it seemed to anticipate the pilot's mistakes, ultimately correcting them itself. I had never flown on an airplane before. It was in 1972, on the occasion of my older brother's wedding to a girl from another island, Terceira Island, while we are originally from São Miguel, in the Azores.   We had already been to the airport countless times. It was always an adventure going to the airport, which was located in the middle of a...

(#192) I would even say that it would be smarter to actually be smart instead of just trying to be smart. This business of trying to be smart reeks of Portuguese cunning. The phrase always works well in any circumstance.   We have to be smart. We typically use this phrase when we don't know what to say and want to come across as reasonably intellectually gifted.   We have to be smart.   Furthermore, it has the advantage of being able to be said in various ways and with different cadences,...

(#193) Therefore, in the morning, one should draw the curtains, raise the blinds, open the windows, and look at the sky. If the morning drowsiness doesn't allow for deep reflection, at least check if it's going to rain and put on some appropriate clothes to face the day and life. It's true: I turned 60 and I'm a sexagenarian. People kindly tell me I look great, in good health, and young-looking. I know I don't look decrepit, but I'm not interested in being young, strong, and handsome for the...