From the top of the staircase I saw the dog descending the one thousand and one steps the old dog taken out for a walk on the leash the old dog taken out for a walk on his knees in the splendour of the winter morning   he had my eyes, my former eyes, my Read more...

Once upon a time in a forest, Peahen meets Crow. Peahen says: ‘I’m the most beautiful in this forest!’ ‘No! I’m the most beautiful in this forest! Shall we go and ask around who’s the most beautiful, me or you?’ says Crow. ‘And whoever is less beautiful, let them have one of their eyes poked Read more...

I feel best when I travel… Although I don’t like travelling as such. I don’t like luggage… I was blessed with the chance to leave my home country. Although I never wanted to… Never! I have moved to a country that, from afar, I didn’t like. Now living in it, I very often plan to Read more...

I have just bumped into some Slavoj Žižek which applies rather well to the ‘European’ debate, I think! Žižek says: ‘Recall the classic example of two missionaries working in a politically stable and wealthy country: one says, ”The end is near – repent or you will suffer greatly”, while the other’s message is just to enjoy a happy Read more...

  During his previous office, Cameron has quite cheerfully joined the despicable chorus of buffoons – Nigel Farage conductor – in chanting that Brussels does this and that to the UK: we can’t do business, we’re being chained by an undemocratic structure, immigration is out of control, Justice back to the courts of this country, Read more...

An act of ‘gentle’ remembrance of the ‘Golden Age’ in Romania.   Comrade Nicolae Ceausescu Comrade Elena Ceausescu The most ardent gratitude From children’s hearts For such a life that’s filled with beauty Today, we’re only our country’s offshoots But Communists with arms of steel tomorrow We’ll take Romania much further Towards Communism Our greatest Read more...

GINA PATRICHI (Romanian actress 1936 – 1994) You know, the stars can sometimes be those who have lost the battle as individuals, but have been victorious as artists. Who knows… it’s like a payback perhaps. And if we agree on this, it means that glory ends right then, when the last spotlight is switched off. Read more...

  Ziceti, va rog! Ce sa fac eu? Cand vin in vacanta in Romania sa-mi blestem bunicii care nu mai sunt si care au trait Comunismul, crezand in virtutile lui? Sa imi dau in judecata parintii ca au luat casa de la Ceausescu bine merci si au acceptat sa se duca la munca, sa aiba Read more...

Who’s going to save US?   As I was saying in a previous post, I do not know a lot about politics: I was referring then more to the local, national (UK and Romania in particular) and perhaps by a generous extension to European politics. About US politics I know nothing. In my previous post, Read more...

Here is a new interview I’ve conducted – part of my research into Actors and Acting in a Second Language – with Italian actress Martina Polla.   Mihai: Hi, Martina! Please tell me a bit about yourself!   Martina: I was born and raised in a small city in the north of Italy. Lovely parents, gorgeous Read more...