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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 here!” “Hey there, my friend. Sorry I’m late. But parking was a nightmare. And then I got all caught up in...
Another Election. What Better Time for a Joke?
My father loved to tell an awful old joke. Given the fact that both Romania and the US are about to hold elections worthy of an awful old joke, here it is: There were two best friends – two construction workers who had grown up together, gone to school together, played football...
The Silence in the Words of Children
For any of you who have ever stopped and marveled at the purity and simplicity with which children speak their many first words - and especially for those of you who also have wondered at the silence that words break - one long and one short contrasting passages from Max...
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 firms) to operate throughout the EU. It would do this by standardizing lots of things so folks would not have to...
Just in Case You Think Journalism Ever Changes
From Salmagundi, a series of satirical pamphlets written by Washington Irving, his brothers and friends in New York City from January 1807 to January 1808. The following excerpt is from the editors to readers in the first issue, dated Saturday, January 24, 1807. *** “Our...
Steinbeck
A short excerpt from a story that takes place more than 100 years ago. Written for a book (East of Eden) published in 1952. No matter. These words will remain true - with as much relevance today as ever before. * * * “…And I guess a man’s importance in the world can be...
Dump, Squoosh, Bake, Powder = Christmas Cookies
So what do you do with all those pounds of butter you received under the Christmas tree? What? You didn't? Well, let's pretend you did. I’m here to help. Yes, in that warm and generous holiday spirit of “Oh well, why not?” here’s a recipe for some classic, delicious, and...
Oh, this is not the way I wanted to start my Christmas
Ooops. It seems I was mistaken yesterday when I wrote that short item on Facebook about the brains behind F64’s successful PR stunt a few days ago - the one that involved lying to the press when the photo retailer announced it was being sold to a foreign investor. (It was to...
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 friend Remus. “Remus. Hey, Remus! Over here!!” “Hi there. Hello, my friend. I didn’t see you. How are you?” “I’m...
Simply a Great Manager
From my very first experience inside an office in Romania, it was clear to me that one of the most debilitating realities in the workplace here was a lack of managers who provided competent, inspirational leadership. I don’t mean those one-of-a-kind managers for whom employees...
A Stolen (well, borrowed) Essay For You
Rather than remain silent while I finish a few projects and prepare for some travel, I thought I would be kind and share with you a wonderful, thoughtful passage from one of Michel de Montaigne's essays, On Books. A New York Times story a year or two ago, referred to him as...
And Now For Something Completely Different
Berry Cobbler with Crumble Topping So, as you don’t know, my daughter Hannah and I are writing a cookbook for Romania. It will be done soon. This recipe is not in it – but in the final cooking stages, I decided to look for – and adapt – a very, very simple recipe for all these...
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 matter?” “Hey, do you mind?” “What are you doing?” “Turning off the fan.” “Are you joking? It’s 40 degrees out...
How Not to Interview the President
Allow me to revisit my short comment from the other day about Romania Libera’s interview with President Basescu. It seems that based on some questions and comments I received, it might be best if I clarify what I meant. Yes, any interview with the president is important. What...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 6)
A Simple Conclusion Feel free to dismiss all of this. After all, I’m from the US. What do I know? Things are different here. That’s what some people tell me. Perhaps they're right. But judging from the reaction that I’ve received in private regarding this long essay, while...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 5)
“A Line That Moves Is No Line At All” I hope we all agree that theoretically, somewhere, there exists a line between what editorial does and what advertising should be allowed to do. The question is: precisely where is it? You cannot decide on a daily basis. The pressures are...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 4)
“No matter what you think, your publication is not your product.” (An introduction to journalism that even the owners can understand – I hope.) The previous blog postings attempted to explain why it’s bad journalism to insinuate, insert, or overlay anything having to do with...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 3)
“If their ideas are so good, let advertising write the stories.” When I was a journalist (and I hope it’s still this way in the US) if an advertising executive walked into the newsroom, one of us editors would jump up and block their path, asking if there was something they...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 2)
“So what’s the problem? We didn’t tell them what to write.” Why did I pick this one example, the automated insertion of an advertising link into the editorial product, as the one ethical transgression (out of so many) to give rise to such a reaction? Because I’m pretty sure too...
Journalism in Romania: A Diogenean Essay (Part 1)
“Why I Stopped Writing for Dilema Veche” I didn’t think journalistic standards could get much lower in Romania. I was wrong. Thanks to a combination of the mindless overuse of available technology and a woeful blindness to journalistic principles, something I never anticipated...