mars 2008

Dear Everyone, I've just discovered the poet Marin Sorescu (1936-1996) and his translated book of poetry 'Hands Behind My Back'. Here's one for you that hit my right between the eyes. GETTING USED TO YOUR NAME  After you've learned to walk,Tell one thing from another,Your first care as a childIs to get used to your name.What is it?They keep asking you.You hesitate, stammer,And when you start to give a fluent answerYour name's no longer a problem. When you start to forget your name,It's very serious. But don't... [Lire la suite]

Why Bucharest for the 2008 Nato Summit??? I just hope it will bring something profitable to this, the dear country of my heart. Interviewing for placement testing at BC today, I asked every potential student what they thought about the forthcoming event. The majority lifted their eyes heavenwards and groaned, adding that they planned to leave Bucharest at the weekend until it was over. One, however, was very excited about it. She said that it would put Roumania on the map at last as a country to be respected by all the world, and... [Lire la suite]

Dear Everyone, Thanks to Lucia, I'm listening to the Arthur Rubinstein (pictured left) Piano Competition live on internet (I'm such a 'varza' that she had to lead me through the site step by step and even then it took ages to download what I was meant to). It's so lovely this evening that I wanted to share it with you. Find the link under 'Liens' on the right of this page and knock yourselves out. Enjoy! Supporting artistes include the Israeli Phil., Gil Sharon, Hillel Tsori and Uri Segal all seen below.     ... [Lire la suite]

Just spent a completely sleepless night. D'you know why? Coz I realised that 3 days ago, I've been here 7 months. That means I have only 6 months to go. That means that the time I have left is less than the time I've actually been here. That means I'm more than half way through my time in Romania, and I can't bear it. I just can't. What was all that about my destiny being here for sure etc etc...nothing seems to be enabling me to come back for good, nothing. Every idea I have backfires, every possibility becomes an impossibility. Sod... [Lire la suite]

Dear Everybody I've just got back from the most wonderful evening at the Art Jazz Club tucked behind the Orizont Art Gallery in  B-dul N. Bâlcescu, where one of Flori's ex-students is lead singer in a marvellous band of a strange mixture of Celtic and traditional world influence. With Greek, Brazilian, Italian, English and of course Romanian music, Flori, Alina and I were enchanted the whole evening through. Here's an extract from YouTubes as I can't transfer my recording for you due to the size of the file:... [Lire la suite]