This morning I rode to NY Penn Station in Fernando Batista’s taxi. No, I don’t remember every taxi driver’s name. There is a only-in-New-York story here. This taxi had neatly written pieces of paper taped all over the partition that divides the front and back seats. Based on his observations of people and (the beauty of) life, Fernando writes these really smart, easy-to-understand axioms. You know most of these things instinctively but it still feels good to read them in black and white. Things like – you won’t have a problem if you choose not to make it a problem. Or my favorite one, our perception and awareness of reality is always incomplete; thus we will always be partially right and partially wrong. Anyway, Fernando has almost finished compiling a book of his thoughts and ideas and is ready to take them to a publisher. He wrote – today you will do four things (I can remember three) – solve a problem, create a problem, do something special. Thank you Fernando for sharing your thoughts and making my Monday morning commute special.

On a different yet related note, will I be able to talk philosophy with my S’pore cabbie? Will he help me with my luggage (NYC cabbies are infamous for never helping with luggage)? Will he give me correct change? Will he take the most crowded streets at rush-hour (Ever lost your temper when the taxi driver took you through Times Square at 7pm on a Friday?)? Will I be able to ‘hail’ a taxi by raising my arm and pretending to be the Statue of Liberty?