New Boots
Now, from my point of view, these aren't just shoes, they are tools, very specific tools for a very specific job.
One of my extreme sports, I'm not saying which one, requires some serious ankle reinforcement to keep the old moving apparatus in working condition.
One of my good friends, I'm not saying which one, got me a pair of these highly specialized boots. Developed for something pretty different from what I have in mind for them they're sort of complicated to come by in day to day life.
While I don't want to bother anyone with scores of exulting praises to the exceptional characteristics of my new boots, I'm enthusiastic enough to write this post thus thanking, my friend and all those who made my having them possible, once again.
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| Christian Nasulea - 26.05.2009 | |
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Angels and Demons
Tonight we saw Angels and Demons. It was a very nice puzzle-based conspiracy theory type movie bringing together a Dan Brown book as the basis, Ron Howard's direction and Tom Hanks' acting.
The most notable quote related to this movie does not belong to either Dan Brown or Ron Howard or whomever wrote the screenplay. In fact it belongs to Madalina. As Cardinal Strauss was telling Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) "When you write about us, and you will write about us...." Madalina promptly completed the sentence by saying "remember that's Baggia with 2 g's". The original quote was "When you write about us, and you will, do so gently".
I know it's one of those things where you had to be there but to us it was so hilarious it turned yet another "serious" movie into a comedy fest.
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| Christian Nasulea - 21.05.2009 | |
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DynamoS'olidaire Downhill
Yesterday, after going through the meetings of the day and a bit of R&R to recover from Sunday's adventure, we decided to show our French cross-continent biking friends what we do for fun with our bicycles. So we took Tanguy and Sylvain for a little on-road downhill ride.
Costin drove us and our bikes to the top of 3 hills and we just let go of our brakes and zoomed down the winding mountain roads.
Top speed was about 70 km/h. We all wore our helmets so I guess you can just call it "nice clean fun" on a Monday afternoon.
LATER EDIT: "we just let go of our brakes" should be read "at times I was braking so hard I nearly set the brake discs on fire" as I was still scared $#!tless after a near miss fall on the same road 3 weeks ago. Oh... and besides the helmet I was also in full body armour... as usual.
Just felt the need to come clean. :)
Facebook Photo Gallery of DynamoS'olidaire Downhill
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| Christian Nasulea - 19.05.2009 | |
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DynamoS'olidaire Hiking
At the begining of April 3 guys left France, on their bikes, intent on reaching India by way of Russia and Mongolia. Their path through Europe lead them through Romania and the Prahova Valley. I got word of their itinerary and linked up with Tanguy, Sylvain and Loic a week ago while they were still in Timisoara. After the guys had a rock climbing day on Saturday at Tamina we met up with them at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning in Busteni to take them hiking.
So on we went, 3 French (listed above), 1 Serbian (Dea) and 1 Romanian (Me), up the Jepii Mici to the Caraiman chalet and then up to the top of the Bucegi plateau to see Babele and the Sphinx. The weather changed so much and so fast it made us all change more outfits than a Godmother at a Moldavian wedding. It was hot, it was cold, it was sunny and it rained, it was clear, it was foggy. When we got to the top, in some of the thickest fog I've ever seen, we decided it was time to do some bouldering, since some of the rocks in the area provided great conditions for the sport. It was fun. When we were done playing we headed out towards Piatra Arsa and then down the Jepii Mari.
We met and talked to many people. We took 11 hours for the whole tour as we also took ample breaks. The total altitude difference was of about 1350m. It was a great day and I think we all had a lot of fun. I'm very proud to have been their local contact and mountain guide for one day, therefore becoming part of their story.
To read more about the guys and to follow their progress you can check out their website DynamoS'olidaire.
You can see the photos I've selected or their photo album from this part of the trip.
Thank you, guys, and take care on the long road ahead of you!
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| Christian Nasulea - 18.05.2009 | |
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My Heelys
Today, I took a few hours off to do some light shopping. You know, a few presents for some friends, a couple of new types of yoghurt, a new tie, some computer parts, the usual list to take care of the good old shopping addiction.
Since I was in present buying mode I thought I'd pick out something for myself as well. I was passively looking when fate brought me right in front of my long-sought object of desire... Heelys... in European size 42... my size!!! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Heelys are a brand of roller shoes, shoes that have a wheel embedded in each heel. Since their appearance sometime in 2000 the Heelys brand has started to be identified with the item itself.
Without a moment of hesitation, except maybe to pick a colour, I got them.
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| Christian Nasulea - 16.05.2009 | |
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Medrano Circus
Last night we went to the circus, not the Romanian Globus Circus but the visiting Italian Medrano Circus, camping out in Drumul Taberei. I hadn't been to the circus since I was about 13 or 14 years old.
It's funny how things evolve. Back then, I think, I was most impressed by lions and tigers and other animals trained to do stuff, now it seems it's things like motor bikes racing inside a sphere that appeal more to my entertainment-thirsty mind. I also came back with a newfound understanding of what clowns are actually there to do in a circus and, provided I get 5 spare minutes, I'm going to watch some of the footage from the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo that's already waiting on my computer.
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| Christian Nasulea - 13.05.2009 | |
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Are we out of bullets?
I'm in the middle of writing a huge research report for my PhD, but I simply couldn't help myself and had to stop for a few minutes to publicly ask a question that I have been asking myself for a while now.
- I remember the time when we would have exams at 7:30 in the morning and we would meet at 11:00pm the night before to start learning for those exams.
- I remember doing my homework and taking care of other people's homeworks too just "because".
- I remember project deadlines only 24 hours away, by the time of which we'd pull through some kind of miracle to save those projects everyone else had abandoned.
- I remember working 3 jobs and going to university at the same time, acing exams and reeling in good results on the job accross the board.
At that time it seemed we were kings of the world and nothing could stop us. Every attempt was followed by a success, every project was bound to become another notch on a very thick and seemingly indestructible belt. We always said it couldn't last forever, we were just hoping the end would take its time to come.
I don't think I can do it anymore. Whether it's a matter of luck running out, over-extending towards much more labour-intensive activities, or simply old age taking its toll on my capacity to stay up for a week and just take care of everything, the fact remains "I am 25 and I can't do it anymore". I'm not entirely out of bullets but it seems I'm running low. I badly need someone to teach me how to make more bullets or kill 5 birds with one shot.
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| Christian Nasulea - 10.05.2009 | |
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IECS 2009
I have just returned from the International Economics Conference in
Sibiu where I presented two articles together with some of my fellow
PhD colleagues. I am very happy with the outcome of the conference and
I have to say that the organizers did a good job putting everything
together.
For me one of the highlights of the trip was the fact that I managed to
escape the conference programme for 2 hours in order to attend a
concert of the Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra. I had been struggling to
see Claudia and Florin in concert for ages and now I can finally say I
have, although I wish I'd seen more of them. A big thank you to Florin
for making Beethoven's number 4 not just enjoyable but also "fun".
A real find this time around in Sibiu was the Bohemian Flow club where
we saw a live band performance on Thursday night. Both club and band
were enjoyable and impressive.
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| Christian Nasulea - 09.05.2009 | |
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May 1st Holiday - Vama Veche
I spent "labour day" and the ensuing weekend in Vama Veche again this year. I had a VERY good time, for which I thank all those involved.
To sum it all up and to remind everyone "What happens in Vama Veche stays in Vama Veche".
For further details read Cipri.
Photo: HDR Field near Medgidia, Dobrogea.
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| Christian Nasulea - 03.05.2009 | |
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Mountain Biking Lunch Break
Because I have been way too busy lately and because I've received many requests to clarify what "throwing myself off a mountain" refers to, I will have you know that today my weapon of choice was my bike.
After a very busy morning and yet another quasi-sleepless night, with tired eyes, I took a 45 minute break and went on a downhill off-road bike ride. I strongly believe all companies that can do so should build their offices away from big cities and closer to the great outdoors.
I would like to thank Adriana for the assistance in choosing my new shin guards. They fit, they're comfy, I haven't crash tested them yet (Thank God!).
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| Christian Nasulea - 30.04.2009 | |
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