at 75 alex raphael fernandes aka alexyz is a happy man living in his house in the north goan village of siolim with his wife who is a teacher in the neighbourhood school though she has retired several years ago she heads to school each day giving alexyz time by himself which he mostly spends working on his cartooning projects while he isnt working on his daily cartoons he is busy compiling his autobiography attending events and interacting with students at various colleges in the state he was bestowed with the goa state cultural award recently to celebrate his exceptional work in the field of painting by the directorate of art and culture government of goa on a bright late winter morning he greeted us with the most cheerful smile which later broke into a laugh as he welcomed us into his home we found ourselves surrounded by art on all the walls cartoons paintings caricatures doodles he settles into a cosy chair before he begins a chat with us about all things cartooning his love for the state his fondest memories of mario miranda and a lot more excerpts youre just getting younger and happier by the day whats the secret to your happiness in a world where too many people are stressed its become a part of me over the years i think i am blessed with a happy feeling about people and things i love meeting people i love sharing what i make with my talent because you receive back in a thousand other ways the joy of just being alive is what makes me happy cartooning is a serious profession and not a fun thing a cartoonist is always trying to highlight certain things in society that are not good i am really blessed that i can smile and laugh all the time and enjoy life usually you are the one who is making everyone laugh who or what makes you laugh i need to laugh myself i keep banging my head and say today is not a good day you better put a smile on your face all days are not good you read the papers and get upset but i try to not get upset about things i cant change what does a day in your life look like now every morning theres something to do but before i get to work i go on my usual morning walk just to stay fit thats a routine otherwise each day is different what inspires your daily cartoons what comes on the paper my brief is to do cartoons on current issues so i stick to that you have a beautiful house do you have a specific spot you work out from at home the couch at night the balcony or terrace during the day earlier id go to a garden or caf in panaji and finish my cartoons since you dont require much space and tools i can work from anywhere what are