From Alexandru: Non-coincidence of the Day

Just over a month ago I returned from my last visit to Romania.  While there I spent one day in Timişoara, where I was stopped on the pedestrian mall and asked one question by a young couple with a camera.

Received this day in Yahoo Mail, subject: "Non-coincidence of the day."

Hey Duncan,

Remember the two girls that were here, one of which was Alexandra?

Well this is what she sent me today, hopefully you will enjoy it.

The part that interests you is at 1:40

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XKNdmxy76ao

It was cool

Cu stima / Best Regards,
Alexandru Mican

The question was, "What is your favorite memory?"

Academic Fantasy

The Student Show

The house lights flash for a minute, then slowly fade to black.

A spot light comes on, illuminating a slightly built, yet imposing figure standing in front of the curtain at center stage.  He is gray of hair, and wears narrow wire-rimmed reading glasses on an aquiline nose.  His tweed coat is threadbare but looks comfortable and thoroughly appropriate.  His dark trousers are old, a bit chalky around the pockets, but well-pressed.  He wears a white shirt, and a dark necktie that is narrower than the current fashion, but made of silk.

Glaring at the audience over his glasses. The Professor points his forefinger outward, and sweeps it across the house, as, in a strong bass voice, he starts to sing, a capella:

"You students didn't come here,

To meet a bunch of sweeties,

You came here to meet Meeeeee!

To see if you could cut it!

And then, if you cut it,

To be proud that you cut it with Meeeeee!"

The spot goes out, The Professor exits silently and invisibly, and the curtain opens on a raucous tailgate party in the stadium parking lot, just prior to The Big Game.

[There is your opening, dear students.  You write the rest, and I shall audition for the part of "The Professor."]

Thanksgiving at Hotel New Hampshire

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing... ."   Shirl, seven Romanian friends, and I joined to give thanks at our table in Campton this year.  Here is a photo essay.

Moni's first lesson.  Great form, and many solid hits!

Shirl made it home from her Mom's place, just in time for dinner!

Alex Mican din Bistriţa, Danny Rusu din Cluj, Titiana Morariu din Sebeş, and Valer Şuteu din Satu Mare, Romanii unu, doi, trei şi patru.

Sandra Chioralia din Târgu Mureş, şi Profesor Dr. Roxana Wright, din Braşov.  Romanii cinci şi şase.

Dr. Monica Zaharie din Sighetu Marmaţiei, Romăn nr. şapte!

Alex swears his cell phone is behind him on the shelf.  Hmm.

Danny and Titiana

Vali has a great heart, which shines through his smile.

Roxana, my esteemed colleague in both operations management and international business.

And again, my beloved wife Shirl (on the left), and Sandra, soon to be an MBA from Plymouth State University, New Hampshire.

Miki, Roxy, and Maria (six months)

Missing at our Campton table, but celebrating together at Miki and Gus DeMaggio's home in Meriden, NH, were Roxana Fera din Sibiu, her sister Mihaela (Miki), and Miki's three children, the youngest of whom is Maria, shown here.  Miki and Maria came to pick up Roxy for the holiday.

It has been a great Thanksgiving day.  Thanks to all, and especially to The Force that has brought us all together.

Images from the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Business and Transitions for Sustainable Development, Konya and Aksehir, Turkey, October, 2012 (Photos provided by Miruna Nachescu)

"Nasreddin Hoca was hired to take ten donkeys to market.  He was careful to keep count of them often.  But, it was a long way to the market.  So, he decided to ride on the lead donkey.  He sat on it backwards, so he could keep count of his charges.  But when he counted them next, he was disappointed to see only nine."  (Thus, the seal of the city of Aksehir, Turkey.)

Dean of the Aksehir Campus of Selcuk University, Prof. Dr. Fehmi Karasioglu, with colleagues at the opening of the conference.

A troupe of folk dancers from the local high school performed a dance for the attendees, clacking spoons to set the rhythms.

Their costumes were beautiful.

And their synchronicity was a delight.

Speakers seated in the Auditorium in Aksehir.

Prof. Alexandra Muțiu of Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, was a keynote speaker.

That evening, a traditional Turkish dinner party was held.

Miruna and Alexandra at the dinner.

Marc Guiraud worships Miruna, at the Center of the World.

Nasreddin Hoca

Good friends, Alexandra and Miruna

The ladies at the Karasioglu home in Konya, following the conference.

And the men.

Veteran's Day, 2012

The National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida

My Dad.

I Love Cluj! (And this family.)

My friends Alexandra, Tibor, Ida and Ingrid, at dinner in their apartment just two weeks ago, today.  I love Cluj!
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Photo by the blogger with a cheap Nokia phone, and an unsteady hand.  But aren't they a beautiful family?

Got 'Em!

Shirl says I am now acceptable "for several more decades."  That was the best part of the whole 18-month "self-improvement project."

Non-Coincidence of 3 November 2012

Moni, Diana, and Loredana

On Saturday night I had the great pleasure of hosting a dinner in Stamford, Connecticut, with these three Maramuresan ladies.  As we walked through town after dinner, we found that the film current at the local cinema was quite apropos.  Da, da, da, da!

Functional Gap Yesterday, New Teeth Tomorrow.

At the risk of jinxing myself, I will report yet another trip to the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University, this time with the assurance of Dr. Aleksander Vojdanowski that my three porcelain crowns are in hand, and that they will be permanently installed atop the three custom abutments mounted to the three titanium implants already screwed into my upper jaw!

The gap in my teeth, however, served me well at last evening's PSU International Students' Halloween Party.  Dressed in a black shirt, I removed my plate, grinned at the girls, and said "I vant to bite your neck," in my best Romanian accent.  To a one, they jumped!