I told the stories of Romanian spa resorts and theater actors. Now I tell you stories of West Midlands&more.
I started writing at the age of 9. Two poetry books published in Romanian, now I work on two novels in English inspired by my family history.
Prague, Copenhagen, Berlin, Istanbul, New Orleans - I visited all of them and wondered with a heart wide open at their beauty and personality.
I was three quarters of the way through Hag-seed, when I realized that I was not particularly enjoying it. The realization surprised me a lot. This was only the second novel that I had read by Atwood (the first being The Handmaid’s Tale). But I was familiar with her poetry. I had also liked the…
When he read my recent review on Fitzgerald’s Tender is the night, John Mills (photo below) said he would like to write a review piece himself. As one thing led to another, the FRIDAY NIGHT (re)VIEWERS. We open today a new category on this website, where my book loving friends will publish reviews about their favourite, or…
You ride the wind with Zakalwe – across galaxies. And you almost die with him every time. It’s difficult to keep count how many times. Then you wonder if this is where The Culture finally fails to get him out of hell this time. As you grow fond of this soldier and his backwards…
Over dinner on offer at Cafe Rouge a few weeks ago, I was talking to my poet friend John Mills about the book I had just finished at the time. Re-reading Tender is the night, first time in English, I decided it still is my favourite of Fitzgerald‘s work. Also, more importantly, neither I, nor my…
If I were to choose one thing to define Star Trek – Next Generation by, I wouldn’t hesitate. What, or better said, who else could it be other than the one character who held the news in August 2018 with his return? Obviously, I’m talking about Captain Jean-Luc Picard. As I have already confessed in…
Do you remember your favourite book character as a toddler? And what genre the book was? Even children’s books go by genres, and mine was a particular mix of interstellar fantasy. From there, my sci-fi history just carried on, naturally. Titled The Little Fire Horse (I mention it in my childhood memoirs fragment here),…
Since the Star Trek convention at the NEC Birmingham, last month, I meant to write about the evolution of sci-fi series as I have experienced it. I became as a fan of Next Generation right after the fall of communism in Romania, in 1989. And in recent years I caught up with most of the other big…
My first time at Stafford Poetry Slam, I performed this poem in the first round. I went through to the the final, where I came second. I haven’t done many slams before, despite writing since childhood, so I am very pleased with the result. Trying to decide what poems could fit with this event, I…
What is a hackday and how can it help improve well-being? A bunch of professionals with a background in health care, coaching, non-profit, digital tech and journalism researched a few health related data sets available. Also, a number of participants brought their own ideas on board, discussed and looked at available information. The Wellness Hackday…
When we talk about health care, the NHS, health and wellbeing data behind it all, we research to understand the situation better. Also, data can help us find better possible solutions. At the same time, data comes alive with people’s stories. They can empower, but also trigger debate and point out cracks in the system.…
