*** Tuesday, 01 Apr 2002 ***
I resisted the temptation to put a memo on everyone's desk announcing that COP and DCOP were returning to the States for an indefinite period and that a disliked person was being appointed acting COP and DCOP. I would also demote me, Allen, Iuliu and Anca and appoint replacements. I decided not to do this because I was convinced that many would not get the joke and would show it.

Mircea thought the idea was quite humorous in an evil way.

*** Sunday, 06 Apr 2003 ***
I went to Herastrau Park for a nice walk amidst the budding trees and bushes and decided to walk around the lake completely and found that I had made a mistake for the length of the

A traditional Romanian wooden cross in the Serban Voda cemetery.

walk was four times as long as I had anticipated and accompanied by absolutely lousy weather -- black clouds, cold, gusty winds, hail, snow and rain. I was bummed out by the reversion to February. I was also pissed off at the refusal of a wimpy Spring to take over. Here it was the 6th of April and the Forsythia had hardly budded.

The likely result is that the length of time between the first day of nice Spring (which I define at 25 C (78 F)) will be followed in five days by the first day of summer (35 C (95 F)) so Spring will be about a week long. This is weather programmed by the Devil (la naiba).

I had lunch at La Mama for the fourth time in two weekends and still enjoyed the mititei and fries.

*** Monday, 07 Apr 2003 ***
It snowed -- again -- during the day. What a bummer. When will this horrid winter end?
The air was cold but not the beer at Cafenaua Actorilor. I was so put out when I was served a bottle of room-temperature beer that I said "nu bere rece" and the waiter just shrugged. I asked for the bill, paid it, left no tip and went home. They might get the message from that.

I got my hair cut short after work in a second marking of the non-existent Spring.

*** Tuesday, 08 Apr 2002 ***
I went to Cafenaua Actorilor on the return and got cold beer from my favorite waiter. I had three beers and tipped him twice the minimum.

A be-medaled 19th century tomb monument.

On my way out someone stopped me in the dark, narrow way and said, "You don't see me? You don't recognize me?" The light was behind the face with the soft voice and I couldn't make him out until he had moved past me and the light was on his face. "It is Robert," he said. "Don't you know me?"

"I know you," I said, "but your face is hidden by the light behind you." I put my face behind the light and said, "Can you see me now?" and he said, "No, I knew you by your coat. It was your coat that I recognized. It is what I saw as you came toward me!" I must get rid of that coat!

We had met in January and he went on to discuss how he missed me and how he wanted a friend. Yes, he needed money because living was so hard. He was looking around but hadn't found anything. He went on to say that he had thought that since my email there were too many kilometers between us. "I said to myself, what can be?"

His said his email account was kaput but was unclear about why or how.

He offered his wallet as proof that he had none (as if I cared). I gave him 50,000 lei and said it was goodbye and we kissed on both cheeks like good friends and I went to my apartment.

*** Wednesday, 09 Apr 2003 ***
The inflammation in the toes of my left foot returned this morning, forcefully and for no apparent reason. It was slow, painful limping to work. I minded the pain a lot less than the image I presented of an old man.

Bright skies and a little less cold today but still no sign of Spring. Very depressing.
I spent the morning giving an American history lesson to Mircea and Mihaela. They liked it. I guess it beats work.

With no medals to boast of this guy used his moustache to impress.

Saw a good performance of Rigoletto at the opera with Ella and Paula. Afterwards, we had dinner at La Bastille. The restaurant didn't have a big bottle of beer so I had none at all. Still, the company was pleasant.

*** Saturday, 12 Apr 2002 ***
I did the right thing in staying home last night. I awoke feeling very refreshed.

Had lunch at La Mama's -- the mitite again. I really like it a lot.

*** Sunday, 13 Apr 2003 ***
I went to CA to study my Romanian and to be part of Zizi's 19th birthday party. Unfortunately, the party never showed up so I was left to wonder if he had one. I waited an hour and a half after the scheduled time but no show. At least I learned more Romanian.

*** Tuesday, 15 Apr 2002 ***
As far as I am concerned this is the first day of Spring. The forsythia is in bloom everywhere, the breeze is light and you can sit out of doors in the shade in your business shirt. I have been waiting six weeks for this.

I have been putting all my spare time into learning Romanian (I see it as a major resume addition 8-). ) I am actually making some progress - 'tho with a lot of effort.

I had a pleasant lunch with Paul Baran at the Uptown.

The weather still sucked -- big time.

Sergiu arrived just after ten. We talked and I told him that I was tired and we should see a movie on Sunday. He seemed OK. I bought him a coffee and a pack of cigarettes and we left.

*** Saturday, 19 Apr 2002 ***
Tried to get an American breakfast at Silkes but it was closed. Why?

*** Thursday, 24 Apr 2003 ***
Leave for Chicago.