“Two days ago I walk into the water, and two ladies from Ukraine, from my native city, they say: ‘Captain. Oh, Captain.’ Then they ask me how old I am. I tell them, guess; and one of them gives me 55-60. The other gives me 60-65. So I say to them, and I’m saying this to you: On January 1st, God willing, I will turn 87. Today I have problem with my knee, but two years ago I could swim to Coney Island and back. I tell you my secret. Every day—one shot of vodka. One shot, no more. Every winter—skiing. Every summer—playing soccer, here on the beach. And you must work. Work keeps you on the surface of life. Without work you will sink down into your mind: ‘I don’t like this, I don’t want this, I can’t do this.’ You will drown there. So you must work. Nothing to make you rich, but enough to stay on the surface.”