Journalled on Tuesday, 15 August 2023 | Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro: 23 degrees, cool and overcast.

I am still thinking a lot about what I wrote yesterday regarding my daughter Jessica.

I have felt for a long time that she does not like me very much. I wonder whether it is 50-50, with 50% due to me as a father and 50% due to my being a gringo and what gringos represent in Brazil.

Is it 100% my fault as a bad father? Or did she not expect this from me as a father? Or is it 100% because I am a gringo? I am not sure which. I know that my daughter does not like me as much as I would like her to.

It is not something I can or will dwell on, because life is too short to keep ruminating and overthinking without making progress.

When I encounter difficult problems, I find that walking helps clear my mind and find a solution. This time, I woke up extra early and went for a walk. The streets were still damp from the night before’s rain, so exercising in the muddy park would not have been possible. Instead, I decided to go for a walk.

I think I walked about 7 kilometres between 5 and 6 a.m. It helped me think about what had happened and decide what I needed to do for the rest of the week and until the end of the month.

As you know, I am developing websites.

Right now, I am working on ‘PlaceBeads’. I have worn bead bracelets for over ten years. I’ve always preferred bracelets to rings, chains, and other jewellery. A bracelet is an excellent accessory for a man, and even a simple one can make a statement.

My father always wore an onyx ring. Maybe I will wear one in the future, but for now, I have only worn bracelets. Maybe it is because bead bracelets are cheap? And I am poor. But it still looks good.

These bead bracelets can feature a variety of bead sizes and colours. I am wearing black bracelets with different-sized beads on each. I like to wear two bracelets at a time, but I have worn three before at times.

However, three is too much, and one sometimes isn’t enough. This is just my personal preference. Others may choose to wear any number of bracelets and different combinations. It is all about mixing and matching sizes, colours, and styles.

I have been wearing these bracelets for years, and they attract a lot of attention. People have often stopped me to ask where they could buy them; some have even wondered whether they are religious artefacts or whether I wear them for a spiritual reason.

I have been considering commercialising them for the past two years and am finally doing so. The first step is to finalise the size. I have already mastered the fabrication process, which is not complicated.

The brand name and marketing are based on the word “Placebo,” which means “fake,” but in a clever way.

When a doctor prescribes a placebo to a patient, they are providing a substance with no actual medicinal properties, with the intention of helping the patient feel better psychologically.

By taking a placebo, the patient believes they are receiving effective treatment, which can foster a positive outlook and support their healing process. This practice inspired the name of the bracelet company, PlaceBeads.

Why does jewellery or a fashion accessory have to be expensive?

Is it because of the brand name or what it represents? PlaceBead Bracelets are made from simple materials, yet look great. They draw attention and make the wearer feel good, boosting self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of strength.

Building a brand is like peeling an onion. The deeper you go, the more layers you must peel to reach the centre. Building a website has been an interesting journey in which I have had to learn new skills, both technical and life-related.

Every new challenge is gratifying, and each stage you pass through or each obstacle you overcome brings you closer to your target, makes you stronger, and is ultimately more rewarding.

This week, I am focusing on accelerating website development. It is proving to be far more work than I expected, and in some ways, I feel like I am walking in the dark. Despite the challenges, it remains gratifying.

I know the responsibility rests solely on my shoulders, and I am determined to see it through. As I often tell my daughters, it is important to finish what we start. I will persevere and complete what I have begun, no matter the cost.

Nalva has a course tonight and will return late, so that I can go to bed early.