REinvent

" There is a way to make things better---find it" T.Edison
Probably when T.Edison invented his stuff, he was not happy with candels, newspapers and so many other things.I never thought that unhappines can stimulate invention...
Why I'm talking about? Everytime I come to the USA, I am impressed by the inventions they have.Who would ever thought that chiken eggs(yoke) can be put in a paper box(like a milk box),called "Egg beaters" and used when you need omelet?You don't need to mix them, they are colesterol free,fat free etc and ready to go.Who would think that to eat corn on cobb you need handels?Well,let me tell Yuo that some people did and made a lot of money on it.
Do you know what was the word somebody "invented"for the left over of a cigarette(adika muc=rom.)?In english is: cigarette butt(adica in rom.:c.r de tigara).Ha!But he didn't make too much money ;)

Drive thru

"...Hit the road Jack"
We all realize that we live in a speedy century,where all things are fast:fast cars,fast foods,fast connections etc.Still,one of the main things I see different in America from Europe is-speed.All things are moving even faster in the USA so there are plenty of drive thru.
A drive-through or drive-thru refers to a business or restaurant that serves customers who pull up in their vehicles. Orders are taken and goods or services are provided through a special window, while the customers remain in their vehicles. The format was first pioneered in the United States in the 1940s but has since spread worldwide.
It's interesting to see drive thru restaurants such as Sonic and others; drive thru farmacies; drive thru liquor stores(you drive in,you drink,you' gone :);drive thru banking etc.
The craziest are drive thru marriage chapels in Las Vegas!
There are no drive thru Dentists or Barber shops(hair cut)yet but what if...

We The People

" We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America " Constitution of the USA.
Greetings from the USA(Atlanta,GA)!Few days ago I landed here after a long but good flight with KLM.It's my 4th visit in the "good,old USA" and I'm happy about.Some of my previous trips here were for visiting friends, some business and fun.This trip is mainly business oriented.Have You ever flown across the Atlantic Ocean?Well, the trip here is/was the longest day of my life:you see the sunrise in Romania and then sunset in the USA...after 19 hours (instead of 8hrs).It's incredible when You realize that the World is round and bigger then You could imagine or maybe...the World is Flat?
I love America and there are always many good things we can and have to learn from the USA and its People.Stay tuned for more.Good bye Romania, wherever You are!
ps.Let me know if You would like to hear about any particular subjects related to the USA...

We The People

" We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America " Constitution of the USA.
Greetings from the USA(Atlanta,GA)!Few days ago I landed here after a long but good flight with KLM.It's my 4th visit in the "good,old USA" and I'm happy about.Some of my previous trips here were for visiting friends, some business and fun.This trip is mainly business oriented.Have You ever flown across the Atlantic Ocean?Well, the trip here is/was the longest day of my life:you see the sunrise in Romania and then sunset in the USA...after 19 hours (instead of 8hrs).It's incredible when You realize that the World is round and bigger then You could imagine or maybe...the World is Flat?
I love America and there are always many good things we can and have to learn from the USA and its People.Stay tuned for more.Good bye Romania, wherever You are!
ps.Let me know if You would like to hear about any particular subjects related to the USA...

The right to remain silent...

"You have the absolute right to remain silent..."
Do not talk to anyone about the offense under investigation until you consult with an attorney. You cannot be forced by anyone to talk about the offense. Many people don't know that as soon as they become a suspect their rights must be read to them before questioning.
Did you know that You may be a suspect and called to the police station for an interview IF one of Your neighbours is upset on You? Yep, if any or all of your "smiley faces" neighbours are upset for any reason on You or You treated them wrong, they can go to police and say whatever they want about You.According to the Romanian law if anyone makes an acusation on You, You become a suspect. People can say any lie about You to the police and the police will come to check You. If "smiley faces" are wrong, that's ok-there is NO punishment for lying."Nice",isn't it? I think older neighbours do such things more then younger onces. That's why I consider that many of the older people don't deserve respect. Still, don't forget to greet them while walking by because You never know who may get upset on You... :)

Taxi drivers

"Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place."
-- Johnny Carson
I was wondering if cab drivers have any work ethics?Not sure about Bucharest cab drivers.I know situations when they "help"others to steal from cars,apartments...Recently I lost my cell phone in a cab.It's the first and the last time, I hope.When I called the guy,he would not be willing to "negotiate" for any reasons even I was looking to get my phone book back more then anything else.
When I lost my cell phone I realized that knowing the taxi driver's name,car licence plate would of helped me in "negotiation".Unfortunatly I have never use to ask for a receipt but You know that on the receipt You have all the details written.
Friends,always ask for a receipt from your cab driver.Don't be "nice" to him cause he will never be nice to You...They are just thiefs in the yellow cars.
ps.Since then, I always ask for a receipt.

New passport

"A wolf may change his colour but will not change his habbits"
Today early in the morning I had to take same people to the airport.Because I have a deal with airlines, we got there early.My deal with airlines is: If I'm not there on time, they may leave/take off without me :)
So, we got there early, before the check in started and we had to wait.After waiting a while our gate was open and we were the first in line. Suddenly, from nowhere, a lady with a German passport and some children's toys started pushing her way in, speaking in German.When she realized that not many speak German in that line, she changed it to an excellent Romanian yelling:" Let me in!!!I have a kid and I need to be the first one here!Let me in!!!Oh, such a wild buch, such non educated people..."
Excuse me???!!! I may not be a member of Mother&child association but her aproach was a very low level and it really bothered me.
You know, some people may change their passports, hair colour, language they speak or clothing they wear but their character remains the same. Cheap people remain cheap people.

Would you mary me?

"Do you, ___(bride)___, offer yourself wholly and joyfully, and do you choose ___(groom)___ as the person with whom you will share your life, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, loving what you know of her, and trusting what you do not know yet?"
NO.This was the answer one of my aquintaces heard few days ago from his "potential wife" in front of the officer of civil rights. He was getting ready for the wedding, had a long term relationship with this girl. The wedding was scheduled for 2 days after civil ceremony, the invitations were sent, everything&everybody was ready and ....BOOM! She said: NO. Ouch! I feel sorry for him and I am still wandering why would a girl say NO in the last moment.Any suggestions from girls, wives, girl friends and any other experts?

Story on brave russian militia (part 2)

" Our militia (a.k.a. police) protects us..." (part 2)
When the cop asked me for money and "the more the better" I refused even to consider giving him any because the reason he came up with was ridiculous.
I start arguing with him and I told him:" I have NOT heard of a need on translation for driving licence and Russia is not the first country I am driving in.It doesn't take much to see the categories I am alowed to drive because B,C,D are the same everywhere...".There were many other reasons I was coming up but "our friend" looked death.Then he said only:" Bring me the money.Son,I'll tell you another thing-I don't care even if you are right.So what if you are right??? Who cares???"
Then I thought I'll touch his "emotional"side and started another type of aprouch:
"Sir,I have not visited Russia for a long time but I am so excited about this trip.We all know that russians are very friendly and hospitable people.We are also very hospitable and treat our visitors very friendly and well..." .Suddenly,he looked at me and said:"Why then,you guys,hurt our russian brothers from Transnistria???".
Wow.No comment.Then he added:"Give me the money or go back to where you came from".
Nice.I went to the car and got 5$.I came and put those money on his table.He looked at me again and said:"The fine for not wearing seatbelt is higher.Bring 5 more".I was tired and just wanted to leave so I gave him 5 more.The amount is not great but the attitude was what bothered me.
Well,for 10 USD I found out two things:
1.The police is right even they are wrong(according to russian rullz)
2.Even a drunk cop in the middle of nowhere admits that russians from Transnistria are his brothers.
Good luck and survive.In Russia,no one cares if You are right.

Story on brave russian militia(part 1)

" Our militia (a.k.a. police) protects us..." (part 1)
This russian saying when mentionned has an ironical value because people there know if You are looking to be happy: stay away and don't mess up with doctors (hospitals) and police.Why? If don't pay your way in and out of a hospital or police, you'll die there or spend more days there then would like.
I'll share a story with you. After driving over 1000km and crossing Ukraine from one end to another, after a lot of paper work at Russian border finally I made it to Russia. It didn't take me long to meet the "brave russian militia". It was 4a.m. and I got stopped at a road patrol check point. The officer asked for all my documents (passport, registration nr, driver licence etc). Knowing that I have it all, I gave it to him without any hesitation. After carefully looking on my papers, he said:"Do you have translation of your driving licence?". "A what???" was my reaction. "Nobody told me and I never heard about such requirement." "Follow me" he said. Because he had my documents I had to follow him in a little office on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere.Inside, a drunk cop was playing Solitaire, probably the most challenging game for some russian cops. Without looking at me he said: "What's his problem?" and junior replyed "He doesn't have translation for his driver licence".
Then the superior said:" Well, you've got these options: 1.You drive back 2.You find a driver to drive for you further OR..." "Or what?" was my reaction. "You are old enought to know what I am talking about or you prefer me telling you straight?". I told him to tell me straight and he did."Son- he said- bring me some money and the more the better"...
To be continued.

Endless resourses

"Natural gas will change our lives..."
Recently I read about the influence and power that Gazprom has in Russia and all over.Europe depends on 26% of russian natural gas and it is constantly increasing.The more dependable we'll be, the more vulnerable we'll be and the russians know that.
During my visit I was again amaised by their natural resourses: rivers and seas, oil, coal, wood.Their strengh comes from here and this is why I believe G7 invited them to join the game. Except roads and part of their infrastructure, everything else is old, grey, noisy, dirty(generally speaking).
I'm not sure they will ever make it to EU standarts even they have millions and huge budgets.Reason? Huge country and great coruption. If you are looking for "real" coruption, you'll find there.Personally I believe what we see in Romania are just left overs of real coruption.
Yep, natural gas and coruption can change lives. I'll come back with more.Stay tuned.