03.02.26 - A pista está salgada

Halloooo,

Hope all well. We've been Getting Stuff Done this week, from moving into the new-flat endgame to... well that's about it, really. But we did go to another kid's party (science-themed!) with lots of familiar faces, then on to Gaúcho's for MEAT in the evening, at Amelie's request. 

I've made another compilation, and my phrase of the day is new to me, coming as it does from the youth on TikTok. It literally means "the track is salty", and as I understand it has become a catch-all for describing how tough the dating world or job market is, depending on context. Not sure why, exactly, but I may start using it anyway.

And that's about it - speak soooon!

Blue VelFred

27.01.26 - Ser uma formiguinha

Halloooo,

Hope all well. Running a bit late this week, as we had to go all the way to Campinas for an ultrasound first thing this morning (due to nefarious health insurance shenanigans which I shan't bore you with - all is well, in any case!), followed by lunch in Indaiatuba then back home for work. We also got out a bit at the weekend, heading to the Horto to hang out with the capybaras and stretch our legs.

In other news, I've made a new compilation, and my phrase of the week is a new one even for me - if you have a sweet tooth, Brazilians will refer to you as a "formiguinha", or little ant, which is extremely whimsical but also makes more sense than whatever a "sweet tooth" is...

And that's about it for now... speak soon!

Space Frod-dity

20.01.25 - Está caindo o mundo

Hallooooo,

Hope all well. 

We've been struggling with a heatwave, which has sapped us of our will to get stuff done, but managed to get out to going-away drinks at work, and a kid's birthday party (with a very specific "astronaut Mickey Mouse" theme"), among other things. And we've set the last stages of the flat renovation in motion, so hopefully we'll be moving in next month, which is exciting!

In other news I've made a new mixtape, and my phrase of the day ("the world is falling") applies to particularly heavy tropical rainstorms, of which there have been a lot recently. I've also become obsessed with Culinary Class Wars, a cooking show on Netflix which features 100 extremely competent Korean chefs making amazing meals in a giant warehouse. Highly recommended!

And that's about it for now - speak soon!

Give us this day our daily Fred

13.01.26 - A cobra vai fumar

Hallooooo,

Hope all well. We're now officially back to work, which hardly seems fair now that we've got used to our life of leisure over the holidays, complete with copious napping in the afternoon heat. Although we did a lot of that over the weekend too. 

On the plus side, new music is back and I've made not one but two new compilations as a result. And my phrase of the day - "the snake is going to smoke" - refers to something that's hard to achieve or unlikely to happen. Back in the day, sceptics said it was likely for a snake to start smoking than for Brazil to enter WW!!, so when they eventually did, the army adopted a snake smoking a pipe as a symbol of defiance. Apparently!

And that's about it for now - speak soon!

Fred Flag Blues

06.01.26 - Bobeou, dançou

Hallooooo,

Hope all well, and might I add, Happy New Year!

We are back from Ilhabela, after a relaxing week of doing not very much by the sea. New Year's Eve was fun, with fireworks on the beach, but we mostly stuck to our accommodation, which had its own private beach, occasionally heading out for meals and to stretch our legs. 

The cats had a great time too, although Berry hated the actual sea on the one occasion we brought her down to see it. 

No compilation this week, but my phrase of the week means "you messed up, you danced", or "you snooze you lose". And that's about it for now - speak soon!

Fred Sea Scrolls

29.12.25 - Saco vazio não para em pé

Hallooooo,

Hope all well. Sending this slightly early because we're off to Ilhabela first thing tomorrow, away from the perils of modern technology. 

Christmas was a whirlwind of food and trees and people, followed by several days of intense heat where everyone forgot who they were and what day of the week it was. 

No playlist this time around, and my phrase of the week means "an empty bag doesn't stand up", and is used as an exhortation (by grannies and the like) to eat up and stay strong. 

And that's about it - will call you from the island, dahlings!

Fred Scare

23.12.25 - Então é Natal, e o que você fez?

Halloooo,

Hope all well. We are officially on holiday, with nothing between our ears but the wind. 

On Saturday we went to Aldeia da Serra to see Bruna's parents' Huge Christmas House and take some baby announcement photos, then on Sunday we met up with Taynah and family to look at the big Coca Cola Christmas tree in Parque Villa-Lobos. And I made some passable homemade mince pies, which I'll be scaling up and rolling out over the Christmas period, so let's see what the reaction is...

In other news I've made another compilation, once again split between late-year dregs and weird Christmas songs, and I've released my much-awaited Best Of 2025 playlist too. My phrase of the day is from the Brazilian version of John Lennon's "Merry Xmas (War is Over)", by Simone. 

And that's about it. Have yourselves a very merry Christmas, and speak to you soon!

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fred