You can learn a lot about a society by the way people drive. The problem is I’m just not sure what that is. I always found driving in New York City relatively easy. You...
Stop! Maybe. Well, Maybe Not.
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Culture
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 12)
"The March" “Remus, hello! Over here!" "Hi." "How are you?” “Oh, my friend, it’s been a terrible few days. Just terrible.” “Yes, I know. It’s unbelievably sad. You were...
A Woman I’m Happy Got a Plaque
Several months ago, I came across something in Bucharest that was so unexpected and so much fun that I was thinking to write a blog post about it. Until, that is, after...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 11)
"A Tall Blonde" It's been a very busy spring, but after an urgent phone call from my Romanian friend Remus, we had a chance to catch up. “Hey Remus. Over here!!”...
Hickory Dickory Dock, The Mouse Ran Up George Enescu
Being roughly twice the age of the internet, I believe I have the right to render some judgment on this latest flash in the pan. (I mean, what are today's tablets if...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 10)
"The Remus Vote" It’s been quite a while, but my Romanian friend, Remus, and I finally found time to sit down for a beer to talk about the election. “Remus! Remus! Over...
Oh Yeah? Standardize This!
In case you missed it last week, the European Commission announced it wants to make it easier for companies with single shareholders (meaning small and medium-sized...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 9)
"Black Friday-and-a-half" I apologize for the delay, but I've been out shopping and didn't have time until now to jot down the recent conversation with my Romanian...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 8)
“To Fan or Not To Fan” My Romanian friend Remus came to my office the other day. “Hi, Remus. Have a seat.” “Thanks.” “How are you?” “I’ve been better.” “What’s the...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 7)
“My car's stuck in traffic.” I was sitting in a café after work waiting for my Romanian friend Remus. He was almost an hour late – so I called him. “Remus, where are...
The Welcome Pain of Dislocation
In a wonderfully unexpected recent concurrence of conversations and thoughts (separated by a few weeks but coincident in memory), I was reminded to share with you a bit...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 6)
"Remus Unchained" [Even more than my other conversations with Remus, this is essentially verbatim. So you politically correct Americans out there, don’t send me any...
Save Our Really Real Reality®
I saw a movie a while ago in which a mouse got crushed. It was funny. I don't remember what movie it was or why it was so funny. What I mostly remember is that some...
Metrosexual Me
I typically stay away from the topic of fashion in any form at any time with any audience – except perhaps when my inseam is being measured by some 85-year-old Italian...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 5)
“Remus Bank & Trust” I met with my Romanian friend Remus the other day. As you might know, he has been searching for a career that fits his, well, let’s say, his...
haiku for a phone booth
All right, I'm not a poet, but I do get sentimental sometimes. Wires kept phones alive But no longer could survive Just as friends arrived ...
Living Life in Reverse and the Perfection of Joseph Roth
So much of what I see and experience in Romania recalls a history that for Americans is difficult to fathom. The invasions, the wars, the peasants, the kings, the...
Happy Birthday to Me, Dammit!
If you’re searching for an example to illustrate the difference between Americans and Romanians, you need look no further than at the very different ways we celebrate...
How I Know I’m Not in New York (Part 3)
[Originally published Feb. 22, 2013, in Dilema Veche.] “They can’t do that to us!” My Romanian friend Remus called me the other day. He was upset. Very, very upset....
You’re OK, Just Go Away
I love a good argument. And I enjoy seeing protests and people stand up for their beliefs. There is no better way to see the deep flaws in their thinking. So of all the...