Tuesday, February 24, 2026

24.02.26 - Nojo de farra

Hallooooo,

Hope all well. Carnaval is officially over, and the Brazilian New Year has unofficially begun, much to everyone's chagrin. 

We're just trying to get our old furniture restored, and if you want to do something properly (and cheaply) you've got to do it yourself, so we went to Zila's on Sunday to have lunch and scope out her garage as a potential workshop space. 

I've made a new playlist - haven't had time to listen to it yet! - and my phrase of the day is "nojo de farra", literally "disgust at merriment"... a common feeling among hungover Brazilians on a post-Carnaval comedown. 

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

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

17.02.26 - Pinto no lixo

Halloooo,

Hope all well. Carnaval is in full swing here, but I've been struck down by the flu and have been resting up at home, although we did have a nice trip to Indaiatuba and a nearby farm, for plenty of cheese and milk.

I have, however, made another mixtape. And my phrase of the day translates to "a chick [baby chicken] in trash", which is the local equivalent to "as happy as a pig in sh*t". May it serve you well. 

Ciao for now,
The Grateful Fred

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

10.02.26 - Enquanto existe cavalo, São Jorge não anda a pé

Halloooo,

Hope all well. 

We've been wrangling servicemen and taking receipt of cooktops as the work on the flat reaches the final stretch, plus I went to the centre of town first thing on Friday to renew my driving licence, and the entire system went down so I'll have to do it all again next week. And we went to a cool antiques market on Sunday (including a bookshop in a working bus!), followed by a slap-up Italian meal in the Italian meal district which we took you to last year.

In other news, I've made another compilation, and my phrase of the week means "as long as there are horses, Saint George won't travel on foot". Or: as long as gullible people are around, opportunists will take advantage of them. 

And that's about it - speak soon!

 

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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