dialaLA

A trip to Mountain View, CA

2012-01-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

First stop: Mozilla

Conference room at Mozilla

Next : Google (Android area)

A few of Android releases...

And my favorite:)))

New Year's Eve: don't buzz and drive

2011-12-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

This New Year's Eve AAA is giving "Tipsy Tows" rides to anyone who calls (800) 400-4AAA, even they are not members of AAA. What's a "Tipsy Tow"? A free tow to the driver's residence of up to 7 miles away.
Also if you call 1-800-522-9955. you'll get free van and sedan rides from Galpin Ford and Jackson Limousine Service, within the L.A. basin,(within 10 miles).
Have a marvelous and safe New Year's Eve party !

Read more here
Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Happy New Year 2012!

2011-12-30T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold. Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right!

Happy New Year 2012!

Another one with Romanians via foxnews.com

2011-12-30T03:08:00.000-08:00

According to Fox News:
" A federal grand jury indicted six foreign nationals on charges that they defrauded hundreds of customers out of more than $4 million in bogus Internet car sales, federal prosecutors said Thursday"
And the "surprise" :
"The six defendants -- from Germany, Russia, Romania and Latvia -- are accused of collecting payments from hundreds of would-be buyers nationwide, siphoning millions of dollars to Europe and never delivering a vehicle, the indictment said."
Who would've believed that Romanians would do such thing(sarc)?

Read the full story here

Photo credit: Flickr

Focus

2011-12-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

Well...I would say:

- City employees...hmm, 2 hours

- State employees...1 day

- Federal employees- Hey, we inherited this from Bush !!!

World's most fuel-efficient car! - Pedl Pwr

2011-12-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Bergamot Station-Santa Monica, CA

L.A. snapshots - 4

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Customer service...button! :)

Breath! Oh wait, hold your breath!:D

Cruising through LA - 16

2011-12-27T00:43:00.000-08:00

EU Proclaims Water Does Not Hydrate. Water does hydrate in California!:)

P.S. I hope whiskey can reduce the risk of dehydration 'cause after reading about those pinheads in EU, I feel like a double. (heavy sigh!!)

Shortcuts: The Gift of Giving - via "Layaway Angels"

2011-12-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

The holiday spirit is gaining momentum because of a movement sweeping the country. Strangers, dubbed “layaway angels,” are spreading acts of kindness, going into stores that offer layaways and paying them off.

Thank you for restoring our faith in human kindness and in what this season is really about.

Attention, Kmart shoppers: Available now in layaway, a free display of human kindness!

Complete Strangers Touched By Altruistic "Layaway Angels"

Shortcuts - SciTech

2011-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Apple Wins Patent Dispute, HTC Phones Banned From Store Shelves

"Apple spokeswoman Kristen Huguet reiterated an earlier statement, saying competitors should create their own technology."

-------------

AT&T Agrees to Drop Bid for T-Mobile

""Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett said the announcement was "a bit of an anticlimax."
"This is like receiving the divorce papers for a couple that's been separated for years," he said.""

Good. AT&T can suck it. Whatever the future holds for T-Mobile at this point might be uncertain, but whatever. For now I'm pretty freaking happy using their services. Seriously, I think my $49.99/mo plan, for pretty much unlimited everything and with a sane customer service system even, is great.

http://dianlala.blogspot.com/2011/03/at-to-buy-t-mobile-usa-for-about-39b.html

Cruising through LA - 15

2011-12-21T02:05:00.000-08:00

LAPD Bicycle Unit! :)

Smiles

2011-12-21T02:01:00.000-08:00

"I don't really think, I just walk."-Paris Hilton, THE blonde on her technique on the red carpet

Best resume ever!

How babies will be born in future....via Funny Pictures

There would be in 3 category

packages available, each baby will be inplanted with microchip

1) Super Deluxe Package - Memory 100 TB with complete Wikipedia

2) Deluxe Package - Memory 75 TB with headlines only from Wikipedia

3) Class Package - Memory 50 TB with general knowledge no Wikipedia

*Memory TB = Trillion Bytes

"Jim, Jack, Johnny Red, Johnny Black and Jose; all my favorite men. You can have it any way you like it, as long as it's...more?" -Coyote Ugly

Auch, me too!:))

Cruising through LA-14

2011-12-21T01:17:00.000-08:00

Safety 1st!:)

Shortcuts - The Gift of Giving

2011-12-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

"A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

"The Wise Woman's Stone"
Author Unknown

My special friend Dany tries to help Alexandra to smile again. There is nothing better than to see a smile on a child's face. Here's the full story. Via Dany

Also don't forget to vote for Liviu, a romanian physics professor from Indiana. He's trying to
"Take The Power of Physics Show to the next level!". Here you can vote .Via Cristina

Despre misiunile "diplomatice" romanesti - azi Consulatul Romaniei la New York

2011-12-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

"Azi am ajuns din nou în locul meu favorit, consulatul României.

Tipul de la ghișeu îi dă doamnei niște acte, avea nevoie de trei foi notarizate. Doamna le ia, se uită pe ele, ceva nu era în neregulă cu două, lipsea whatever. Băiatul zice
– Okay, poate puteți să o notarizați măcar pe aia care este în regulă.
– Nu, nu îți mai notarizez nimic.
– Doamnă, vă rog frumos, nu pot veni săptămâna viitoare, încep chimoterapie, nu mai pot veni…
– Nu, azi nu e program cu publicul, nu îți notarizez nimic.
– Doamnă, mai devreme ați spus că mă ajutați, mi-ați dat să completez…
– Program cu publicul este Luni, Marți și Joi. Vino atunci.

Ce bine că e un geam între mine și doamnele de la ghișeu, înseamnă că nu pot să mă scuipe în față...."

Black Friday Deals

2011-11-25T04:40:00.000-08:00

I'm still awake at this hour because I just got home from my friends house, where we had our Thanksgiving turkey dinner. So I cast an eye over Black Friday offers. The only thing I needed at this moment was a new cellphone. So I went straight to www.fatwallet.com. Yep, that's the website I use when I want the best deals. Again, it did not disappoint me at all. Also for a quick view for the best Black Friday deals check out this website www.blackfriday.us/

Good luck and happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving America!

2011-11-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

Wishing you peace, love and happiness. on Thanksgiving and always!
Have a blessed and... Happy Thanksgiving America!

The Thanksgiving Story:

Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Native Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local natives did participate, this "first thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

Read the full story here

You know you’re from Los Angeles when…

2011-11-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

You make over $250,000 a year and still can’t find a house.
Your child’s third grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Breeze.
Your car insurance is as much as your house payment.
It’s sprinkling out, and there’s a report on every news channel about “STORM WATCH!”- Sooo true!!!:)))
You begin to "lie" to your friends about where you are (i.e. "Yeah I'm like 20 minutes away") - when you know that it'll take you at least an hour to get there).
You eat a different ethnic food for every meal.
You know it's best not to be on the 405 at 4:05 pm.
You know what "PCH", and "the five" mean.
Your pizza delivery guy is also on contract with Warner Bros.
If your destination is more than 5 minutes away on foot, you're definitely driving.
Your TV show is interrupted by a police chase.
You can't fall asleep without the lull of a helicopter flying overhead.
You don't stop at a STOP sign, you do a California Roll.
Do you understand the phrase “get work done” to mean “have plastic surgery” rather than “accomplish something"
You valet your car for the peace march
You've lost your car in the Century City Shopping Center parking lot.
You think that Venice and Manhattan are beaches.
You drive next to a Rolls Royce and don't notice.
You have a favorite Thai restaurant.
When giving directions, you follow up with the phrase: "With/Without traffic."
Driving along, you see a high-speed police chase approaching in your rear view mirror. You don't panic or even flinch. Instead, you call your friends on your cell phone and tell them you're on TV.
You know that if you drive one mile in any direction you will find a McDonald's or a Starbucks.
You live 10 miles from work. It takes you 60 minutes to get home.
You are not happy, or even slightly exited that there may be a movie star there. You just say, "They better not be blocking my parking space."
You personally know at least 5 people with agents.
You know what In N Out is and feel bad for all the other states because they don't have any.
You've gotten parking tickets from parking in the red zone in front of your house.
The guy at 8:30 in the morning at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney IS George Clooney.
The workday starts at 10am...or whenever you get out of your therapy session.
Any invitation comes with, "Starts at 8pm or as soon as you can get through traffic."
You have never met a waiter that wasn't really an "Actor."
You call 911 and they put you on hold.
The three-hour traffic jam you just sat through wasn't caused by a horrific 9-car pile-up, but by everyone slowing to rubberneck at a lost shoe lying on the shoulder.
All the "cool gyms" allow pedestrians on the street a full-view of those working out. Literally, you can’t drive by Wilshire without staring into L.A. Fitness. Perhaps a new form of window-shopping?
A really great parking space can move you to tears.

As one writer puts it: “LA is not just another city, it’s another planet.”

Dictionar englez-ardelenesc via Zobo

2011-11-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sutita de la colegii de Facebook.

Google's new trick: "Do a barrel roll"

2011-11-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Type in Google "Do a barrel roll" and get ready to take a spin for a few seconds. That's pretty awesome.

Facts: "Do a barrel roll" is a catchphrase used to call on someone to perform a 360 degree horizontal spin.

Memories from 2011

2011-11-03T02:13:00.000-07:00

2011 is drawing to a close. I know, there are still two shopping months left:)

For me 2011 was a crazy year: Interesting, Hard, Frustrating, Confusing, Devastating, Beautiful, Amazing, Eye-opening, Hot, Cold and Alive! It was weird. It was so weird that I think now perhaps all the things I presumed about future is unlikely. It was the year I realized that I had never died before.
This was the year when I first realized that I’m getting older and older and there is no way back.
There are few lessons that stand out for me this year:
The sky is not the limit - there is something above and beyond it!(literally)
Life hands you a chance when you least expect it! (really)
Fun isn't just an option.
I haven't arrived yet!
Everyone needs a cheerleader.
Laser - like focus.
It's my turn to be the expert.:)

Oldies but Goldies-The Beatles

2011-10-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Although I have always loved the rain, my heart is really full of joy when the sun shines.

The World University Rankings 2011-2012 via timeshighereducation.co.uk

2011-10-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

The World University Rankings 2011-2012


1	California Institute of Technology	United States	94.8
2	Harvard University	United States	93.9
2	Stanford University	United States	93.9
4	University of Oxford	United Kingdom	93.6
5	Princeton University	United States	92.9
6	University of Cambridge	United Kingdom	92.4
7	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	United States	92.3
8	Imperial College London	United Kingdom	90.7
9	University of Chicago	United States	90.2
10	University of California, Berkeley	United States	89.8
11	Yale University	United States	89.1
12	Columbia University	United States	87.5
13	University of California, Los Angeles	United States	87.3
14	Johns Hopkins University	United States	85.8
15	ETH Zürich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich	Switzerland

Asia according to Americans :D

2011-10-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Heat's on in Los Angeles!

2011-10-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Pasadena area.-my car's thermometer measured 103F at noon. Even Santa Monica is seeing highs in the 90s. Yes, we are baking in a heat wave:)

Sunday...

2011-10-09T22:45:00.000-07:00

It is(was) a beautiful Sunday in LA. The beach, the sun, the sand, the ocean...everything was just perfect. Today the city was quiet, I heard the sound of silence. Tonight while driving home I listened to this song and it felt like"A perfect day, indeed!!" :

"And spaceboy I've missed you
Spinning round my head
And any way you choose me
You'll break instead"

Wanna be a Rockstar?

2011-10-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Rockstar parking :D

Cruising through LA - 13

2011-10-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

A dude and his funky bike:)

"Stay hungry,stay foolish"-RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Photo credit ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Romanian Events in LA

2011-10-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

1)RAPN Orange County Mixer
Time: Thursday, October 20 · 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Kimera Restaurant
19530 Jamboree Road

Irvine, CA 92612
More Info:Dear Members and Friends,
Grupul "Romani in Los Angeles" in curand isi va uni fortele cu RAPN (Romanian American Professionals Network), Organizatie Non Profit cu Sediul In Los Angeles, CA.
https://www.facebook.com/rapnusa

www.rapn.org
RAPN is invading Orange County this month!
They are organizing a Professionals Mixer and expecting a great turnout so bring your business cards, invite your friends and come out for a fun night with your Romanian-American friends.
The bar patio is reserved.

Intrarea este Gratis.

2)Picnicul de Toamna al Bisericii Ortodoxe Romane Sfanta Treime

Time: Saturday, October 22 · 6:00pm - 11:30pm

Location: Romanian Orthodox Church Holy Trinity

3315 Verdugo Road

Los Angeles, CA 90065

More Info: Muzica Usoara si Populara - Dumitru Grigorut

Meniul:

Mici cu varza acra - $8

Pui la cuptor cu garnitura - $7

Combinatie Mici si Pui - $14

Prajituri si Cafea Americana - $3

Cafea Turceasca -$1

	Intrarea cu plata.

Adulti si tineri 13 ani in sus - $10
Copii 6-12 ani - $5
Copii sub 6 ani - Gratis

Directii: http://holytrinity-la.org/engl/pages/general/dirctns.html
Telefon: 323 - 255 - 8583

3)Concert "De la Vegas"

Time	Friday, October 7 · 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Location	Dunarea Restaurant European Cuisine

More Info	Formatia De La Vegas va concerta la Restaurantul Dunarea pe data de 7 octombrie 2011 (vineri), de la ora 8.30 pm.Biletul este $30,aperitiv inclus in pretz.In pauza muzica & djdanysony.

"For must I die in order to live"-Falco

2011-10-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

While driving yesterday...this song came "Out of the dark"(from a very old CD)

........................................
Out of the dark
Hörst Du die Stimme, die dir sagt
Into the light
I give up and close my eyes
Out of the dark
Hörst Du die Stimme, die dir sagt
Into the light
I give up and you rest your tears to the night
............................................

Get ready for Iphone 6

2011-10-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

I want 2...no... wait, 3 of them:)))

Love at first sight...

2011-09-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Louboutin!

Rescue in Topanga State Park

2011-09-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Oktoberfest(s) 2011

2011-09-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

Beers,Wine, Spirits and Food!
"Los Angeles Oktoberfest - Put on your Lederhosen and get your stein ready for the LA Oktoberfest, Sample traditional Foods, Beers, Wines, Spirits, the hottest buxom beer maidens serving Bavarian brews; bands playing lively tunes and leading sing-along's of old time drinking songs."

And...http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/oktoberfest/

"Alpine Village is the home of the oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California! This year’s Oktoberfest will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between September 9 and October 23 in our massive 32,000 square foot tent. Our bier sponsor for the event is Paulaner of Munich and the LA Derby Dolls and the LA Galaxy are co-promoting the fun."

Sweet...

2011-09-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks mom!

San Gabriel Valley : Sunday Farmers' Market

2011-09-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

Am ajuns putin cam tarziu la "piata" astazi...:)

Men and women

2011-09-21T00:51:00.000-07:00

"See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time." --Robin Williams

Only for clever, mathematically minded people:

"The angle of the dangle is equally proportional to the heat of the meat provided that the urge to surge remains constant." - I must admit, that I still do not get this one, but I thought I would include it anyway to see if any of you do!:))))))

Sight Test: Can you see the naked girl in the last line?

Hai-Hui prin Santa Barbara

2011-09-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Sometime in August...

Try the Bull eye :)

Freshly brewed in-house beer!

Damn you Auto Correct!:)))

2011-09-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Let's have some fun with iPhone auto-correct :))) Sutite de la "colegii" de Facebook:)

Once in a while, think...inside the box:)

2011-09-16T01:13:00.000-07:00

If you think outside the box...that's what you get :)

This time is better to think inside the box...

Auto Trends: Matte Color

2011-09-16T00:53:00.000-07:00

There is a new trend rounding the corner that might make you rethink car finishes. Flat or matte black is becoming as popular as its shinier counterpart.
According to the Wall Street Journal, matte is the new black.

Iron and Wine-Naked As We Came

2011-09-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

I sooo love this song...

L.A. snapshots - 3

2011-09-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Oldies but Goldies-Frank Sinatra

2011-09-14T03:36:00.000-07:00

Most guys couldn't pull off singing "shoo-bee-doo-bee-doo" so earnestly. Well, Frank isn't most guys.

Burning Man-2011

2011-09-14T01:53:00.000-07:00

Luckily my friend Yurick was right on the job!:)

L.A. snapshots - 2

2011-09-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Bankrupt Slut Street Art ! Lincoln Blvd. & Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica-Ca

Cruising through LA - 12

2011-09-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

Can you say "Illegal"?:))))

iPhone 5 Concept Features- flatspace technology:)

2011-09-01T23:28:00.000-07:00

Peeps: what do you think about this?:)

Nike Us Open of Surfing 2011

2011-08-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Open of Surfing is a week-long surfing competition held annually during the summer in Huntington Beach, California. Huntington Beach is known as Surf City USA. Over 500k people packed the event this year.
Kelly Slater and Sally Fitzgibbons slayed their competition at the 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing. What those people do with their boards I would call it" defying gravity".It was a pleasure to watch those "ocean wizards" on the job.
Meanwhile I'm exercising to improve my surfing. It's a lot of fun and the water is just perfect.:)

Cruising through LA - 11

2011-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Are you kidding? The space station can see you!!:))
B.A.D.D. bikers against dumb drivers.:))

And the real thing.

L.A. snapshots - 1

2011-08-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Cred ca s-a dus naibii si "rabdarea de chinez batran" :)

Grab some "ba lait"

Cruising through LA - 10

2011-08-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Amber alert in LA!

Amber alert via Wikipedia

August 2011 UK AND April 1992 Los Angeles

2011-08-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles April 1992 : property damages topped roughly $1 billion. In all, 53 people died during the riots, 2000 were injured and 54.000 were arrested.

Now...this looks familiar? Same script...different cast! UK August 2011

Cruising through LA - 9

2011-08-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

A real fan!:) Angelenos live, eat, breathe, dream...Lakers. And Dodgers! When Dodgers were/are in town...then welcome to the gridlock! Bad news about Dodgers :(

Roman-american sau american-roman?

2011-08-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

Citesc si mai comentez uneori pe bloguri romanesti. Daca am ajuns pe un blog si imi place cum scrie persoana respectiva iar subiectele abordate sunt interesante(dpmdv) devin un cititor constant(in limita timpului disponibil). Chiar daca nu sunt uneori de acord cu punctul de vedere al autorului/autoarei, il respect(punctul de vedere) si cred ca este un mod de-a interactiona cu societatea romaneasca de la mii de km distanta.Ce legatura are asta cu titlul postului? Ehe putintica rabdare si veti afla.
Am intalnit aici diferite categorii de romani:romani multumiti, romani nemultumiti, romani I-don't-give-a-crap,romani care stiu totul, romani dornici sa se integreze etc.Vreau sa va spun de pe acum ca nu sunt o fana a comunitatii romanesti din Los Angeles. Nici macar nu locuiesc in zona unde este o mare comunitate de romani. Am cativa prieteni romani , dar faptul ca provenim din aceeasi tara nu consider ca trebuie sa fie un punct de plecare intr-o prietenie. Pentru mine bazele intr-o prietenie sunt altele: interese comune, o conexiune la nivel mental plus modul de-a vedea viata intr-un fel...pozitiv. Nu-mi plac plangaciosii, cei care vad totul in negru, cei care dau vina pe altii constant(iar ei sunt total nevinovati). Locuiesc intr-unul din orasele cele mai multi-culturale din lume,asa ca am interactionat cu oameni veniti din diferite tari. Ganditi-va la un fel de bucatarie...si veti gasi cel putin un restaurant cu acel specific in LA.
Sa nu credeti ca inceputurile au fost usoare, ca nu m-am luptat cu integrarea. Dar am venit cu mintea deschisa, increzatoare ca ma voi adapta.Si acum,dupa ceva ani,pot sa spun ca DA,am reusit sa ma integrez.Societatea americana este foarte diferita de cea europeana, iar daca ar fi sa o iau de la capat nu as ezita o secunda. Din punctul meu de vedere, s-a meritat.Si nu ma refer la partea materiala, ci la modul in care esti tratat aici ca si om. America se vede foarte diferit din Romania, iar societatea este departe de perfectiune, dar perfectabila. Cred ca trebuie sa traiesti aici un minim de ani ca sa o poti intelege. Pe romani nu-i pot acuza, nici chiar pe cei care vorbesc din auzite despre US si trag concluzii ca asa li se pare lor/ca le-a zis lor cineva. Pur si simplu asta este educatia. E ca si cum spui ca nu-ti/iti place o mancare, nu ai gustat-o niciodata dar ai o opinie.:).
Ce nu-mi place la ce citesc pe blogurile din Romania? Comentariile vulgare, injuriile si privitul de sus. Femeile sunt "pizde proaste"(scuzati limbajul), pitzipoance iar cei care nu sunt de acord cu un punct de vedere sunt instantaneu numiti "retardati,prosti etc". Utilizatorii de Apple sunt catalogati drept mactards! Really? As fi curioasa cati din cei care sunt "impotriva" Apple technology, au avut intr-adevar ocazia sa foloseasca asa ceva. Toata energia asta (negativa?) degajata,ar trebui canalizata spre ceva folositor. Dar asta cere dedicatie si timp, plus vointa. Mai ales vointa.
Pentru ca sunt o optimista incorigibila, inca mai am speranta ca se va schimba ceva si in societatea romaneasca, ceva major. Speranta moare ultima,nu?:)
Si cum in timp ne schimbam, ne ajustam valorile, ne legam de locurile in care traim, pentru ca US a fost alegerea mea personala, I'm proud to be an american-romanian!

Apple has more cash than Uncle Sam - Debt debate solved, Apple to the rescue!:))

2011-07-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

Folks in the White House should be taking notice, because Apple now has more cash on hand than the entire US government. That’s right, Steve Jobs is the new Uncle Sam.

Apple has an astounding $75.88 billion in cash, while the United States only has $73.77 billion. At least now the US has someone to borrow from besides China.

More here

[via TNW, thanks for the image @jgns!]
More ....

Misoginismul la romani...

2011-07-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

Prin calatoriile mele virtuale pe bloguri din Romania am ajuns la o concluzie foarte trista : Romanii sunt misogini.
Fragmente dintr-un interviu cu Octavian Paler aparut in revista Tango:E foarte complicata o opinie... In primul rind, sint constient ca traiesc intr-o tara de misogini. Cred ca România este o tara de misogini. Si daca ma veti contrazice, va voi ruga sa-mi dati un exemplu, macar unul, de mare poveste de dragoste la români. In toate culturile, mai mari sau mai mici, exista o poveste de dragoste: „Tristan si Isolda“, „Romeo si Julieta“, „Anna Karenina“… pina si cei din pesteri au desenat un corp de femeie. La noi nu exista nici o poveste de dragoste. Dupa cum nu exista sentiment tragic. Cred ca dragostea, la noi, parcurge doar distanta dintre romanta si pat. Altfel spus, dragostea nu este un sentiment puternic, care sa tulbure spiritele.

Tango: Si credeti ca asta se intimpla din cauza lipsei de pretuire profunda fata de femei?
Octavian Paler: Nu, din cauza psihologiei noastre, care este o psihologie de popor superficial, de popor care poate frige mititei pe orice Golgota. Inteleg, din punct de vedere istoric, de ce s-a intimplat asa, pentru ca asta ne-a ajutat sa facem fata multor nenorociri, multor drame, multor mizerii, multor vicisitudini. Am iesit din toate tragediile prin zeflemea, prin bancuri "

Dragostea la romani este marcata de ani si ani de rutina: dimineata la munca la o ora stabilita, coada la paine la o alta ora stabilita,iar dupa ultimul ecou din "trei culori cunosc pe lume" la terminarea programului TV, urma partida de sex cauzata de romanta patriotica .Cum sa canti dragostea cand partidul era mai important ? N-aveai cum ...asa ca nuantele trairilor amoroase au mocnit fiind inabusite constant . Din pacate asta nu este o scuza pentru ce se intampla acum,si ce este mai trist este ca acest microb se transmite si generatiilor mai tinere.
Trist....foarte trist.Comentariile "cititorilor" arata nivelul de educatie al romanilor.

http://www.arhiblog.ro/2011/07/femeile-sunt-oameni.html
http://www.zoso.ro/barbatii-buni-sunt-peste-tot-nu-gasesc-femeile/
http://makavelis.com/2011/07/cautand-barbatul-perfect.html#comments

and so on...

Cruising through LA - 8

2011-07-28T23:20:00.000-07:00

"Old" America!

El Condor Pasa(with panpipes)- Simply amazing!

2011-07-26T00:43:00.000-07:00

This is the music I can listen to over and over again!

And Gheorghe Zamfir's interpretation:

Continuamente by Francesco Sondelli

2011-07-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

From my good Italian friend...with love :

Help bring jobs back to the U.S.A. Ask for an American!

2011-07-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

I have not actually tried this, so I cannot tell you that it worked for me.:)

"Any time you call an 800 number (for a credit card, banking, charter communications , health and other insurance, computer help desk, etc) and you find that you're talking to a foreign customer service representative (perhaps in India , Philippines etc), please consider doing the following:

After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is
not from the USA (you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent), please, very politely (this is not about trashing other cultures) say: "I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the United States of America ."

The rep might suggest talking to his/her manager, but, again, politely say,
"Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the
USA." YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO A REP IN THE USA . That's the rule and the LAW..

It takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA . Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort Lauderdale .

Imagine what would happen if every US citizen insisted on talking to only US
phone reps from this day on. Imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of US jobs that would need to be created ASAP..

If I tell 10 people to consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing
this - see what I mean...it becomes an exercise in viral marketing 101.

Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone rep. You may even get correct answers, good advice, and solutions to your problem - in real English."

Collected via e-mail

Oldies but Goldies-Joe Dassin

2011-07-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

Et si tu n'existais pas
Dis-moi pourquoi j'existerais
Pour traîner dans un monde sans toi
Sans espoir et sans regret
Et si tu n'existais pas
J'essaierais d'inventer l'amour
Comme un peintre qui voit sous ses doigts
Naître les couleurs du jour
Et qui n'en revient pas

Carmageddon ends early : 405 freeway re-opened by noon-Sunday

2011-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

I was on the road yesterday-I had to be . 10 West and 10 East,101 North and 134 East. Everybody called this weekend Carmageddon, but seeing the freeway(s) empty it felt more post-apocalyptic :)) . Instead of Carmageddon I guess we had Carma-Heaven.:))
Thanks to you Angelenos and the strong construction team, the freeway opened 17 hours ahead of schedule.
At a news conference announcing the reopening,Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa thanked Angelenos for making an effort to stay off the road in the "car capital of America."
The city of Los Angeles will save $400,000 and the project contractors, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. and Penhall Co., will share a bonus of $300,000 for avoiding another 12-hour shift.
Missing Carmageddon already: 'Monday is going to be be hell again'

Photo: A 405 Freeway sign thanks northbound motorists for helping to avoid the feared "Carmageddon" traffic jam scenario. The freeway reopened 17 hours early after crews demolished half of the Mulholland Drive bridge. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

2012 DV LOTERRY - rezultate

2011-07-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

De astazi va puteti verifica statusul aplicatiei pentru 2012 DV LOTTERY aici .

Bafta tuturor aplicantilor!

Avatarul dupa Oscar - sau psihologia invinsului

2011-07-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

Genial! Via HappyFish.ro

Carmageddon,Carpocalypse - let's get real Angelenos,it's not the end of the world!

2011-07-14T01:42:00.000-07:00

We're talking here about 53 hours of the 405 being closed , not 53 days. My fellow Angelenos ,we can survive. Let's ride our bikes, let's take the train . Let's enjoy the great weather and the weekend without being anxious and angry. I do believe this is just a preemptive panic.
I love how innovative are our businesses:
- Kim Rodgers is offering to photograph our pets—at a discount
- Howard Teman, owner of T-Man Tattoo on Ventura Boulevard , is offering 15% off "any piercing or tattoo."
- JetBlue Airways Corp. announced a "Fly Over the 405" deal with a $4 one-way flight from Burbank to Long Beach
-"Brave the 405 closure with a four-course dinner for $40.05," declares the Wilshire Restaurant on Los Angeles' west side
- Harvelle's bar in Santa Monica is offering $5 for an "Irish Car Bomb" or a "Cadillac Margarita."
-Fifth Generation Readers Fine Jewelers is offering 20% off all merchandise except single diamonds over half a carat.
-Pacific Park, the amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier is offering 53 hours of free rides to anyone with a San Fernando Valley zip code on their driver's license. It also ordered special "traffic-cone orange" cotton candy for the weekend—free with a day pass.The cotton-candy color: "Caltrans Orange."
-At the Sherman Oaks Galleria mall , owners touted an "I Survived Carmageddon Weekend Celebration."

LAPD even asked celebrities to use Twitter to warn their followers.

@tomhanksTom Hanks

This weekend, LA! Avoid Carmageddon, Gas-zilla, 405-enstein, Grid-lock-apalooza! STAY HOME. Eat & shop local! Hanx

@apluskashton kutcher

LAPD askd me 2tweet: 405fwy btwn 10 & 101 will b closed July16-17. In xchange I would like a free pass on that stoplight tickt IT WAS YELLOW

@DAVID_LYNCHDavid Lynch

Dear Twitter Friends who live in the LA area, the 405 freeway will be closed July 16 & 17. Plan ahead. LAPD is calling "Carmageddon.

Cruising through LA - 7

2011-07-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

They are everywhere...be aware!:))

4th - The Party Afterwards

2011-07-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Location: Hermosa Beach,The Strand

Happy 4th of July y'all!

2011-07-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday America! And never forget: Freedom is never free.

Cruising through LA - 6

2011-07-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

Crazy times,crazy people!

Conveyor belt sushi - mancare japoneza

2011-07-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Ce e happy hour? Preturi speciale(mici) intre anumite ore ( cand nu este busy)

Ce am mancat?

Philadelphia Roll-favoritul meu

Tuna biscuit

Si desert...Marshmallow ,chocolate strawberry si banana-cu-nu-stiu-ce:))

Timpii de asteptare pentru locuri sunt intre juma' de ora si 2 ore.

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe via ciaoflorentina.com

2011-06-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

My dearest friend Tina and her delicious recipes ...

Everything that reminds you of your childhood, everything that has the ability to take you back in time the moment the aroma hits your nostrils -that’s what comfort food is!

Based on where you are from comfort food means different dishes, for some is pasta, for some is fried chicken, for some is a bowl of home made chicken noodle soup and for some like me: a variety of things. Grandma’s chicken stew or a pot of stuffed bell peppers comfort my soul just as well as some fresh chicken schnitzel.
Schnitzel is the European version of fried chicken, traditionally an Austrian dish. It can be made with chicken, pork or veal, thinly pounded, seasoned with salt and pepper then dredged in flour, egg and fresh bread crumbs (fresh bread crumbs are simply made out of dried bread that hasn’t been toasted ). Always cooked in a pan and never deep fried.

In the western side of Romania they have a specialty schnitzel made of two very thin and different layers of meat, like pork and chicken then filled with sauteed mushrooms or vegetables. You can also make a Cordon Bleu Schnitzel by stuffing cheese and ham in between the slices of meat.
Here is my basic but perfect recipe for chicken Schnitzel that I love to eat anytime, anywhere!

Scary....

2011-06-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Sun,sand and the ocean...

2011-06-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

Location:Malibu

Later ....

Cruising through LA - 5

2011-06-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

10 freeway!

And a close-up shot!

Cruising through LA - 4

2011-06-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

What's the reason behind this message?
Caltrans Halts All Work After 3rd Employee Killed in 6 Weeks

LulzSec teams up with Anonymous - Hackers at war

2011-06-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

Lulzsec and Anonymous have just declared full open war against all governments, banks and big corporations in the world. They are calling all hackers in the world to unite. Their objective is to fully expose all corruption and dark secrets:=
Read more here

The Lulz Boat - Twitter

What a crazy world we're living in!

Oracle sues Google over Java use in Android

2011-06-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

Oracle has filed a lawsuit against Google, charging that its Android phone software infringes Oracle patents and copyrights related to Java, Oracle said.

Oracle sues Google over Java use in Android

Hint: RIM is using JAVA from SUN. They're not infringing on Sun, they're using their tools. Android is using Dalvik, a clone of Java. The lawsuit is about Dalvik!!

The Lulz Boat- live on Twitter

2011-06-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

What is Lulz? - an offshoot of "LOL," webspeak for laughing out loud. Think of it as a substitute for "just for a laugh."
Who is Lulz?- They've breached or busted the websites of the CIA, PBS and the U.S. Senate, and launched at least part of an extended attack on Sony, whose PlayStation Network was brought to a grinding halt for the better part of a month.And, to hear them tell it, it's all for a laugh.

Where is Lulz? - Twitter

Read more here

Don't pass out :)

2011-06-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever you drink way to much it's inevitable you're are going to pass out somewhere you will probably regret in the morning. These people experienced firsthand why you should pass out in private and nowhere near your friends or people you think are your friends.:))

Oldies but Goldies - Rod Stewart

2011-06-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of obsessed with this song lately (I'm listening to it right now actually)...
............
"With the words I love you rolling off my tongue...."
........
Enjoy!

Videoclip

Mr. Gorbachev, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." ~President Ronald Reagan

2011-06-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

In a speech at the Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin on 12 June 1987, Ronald Reagan challenged Mikhail Gorbachev, then the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, to tear down the wall as a symbol of increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc:

"We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! ~President Ronald Reagan

And that was the beginning....! Thank you President Reagan!

My first speeding ticket ...and hopefully my last!

2011-06-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

Prima mea amenda de circulatie:(.Ever. Pentru viteza!:(
Nu am fost atenta pentru un minut(imi iesise IPod-ul din mufa:() si m-a agatat nenea politistul pe motocicleta cu radarul! De obicei ma uit des in oglinzile retrovizoare, mai ales cand am viteza! Dar acum eram ocupata cu neshte treburi...! Partea nasoala este ca mergeam cu trafficul. M-a prins cu 80mph intr-o zona cu max 65 mph! Si era sfarsit de luna si tre' sa-si faca si ei target-ul...nah!:))
Care este treaba aici cand primesti un ticket? Politistul iti scrie ticketul,unde iti zice data cand trebuie sa mergi in court! Nu-ti spune cat este amenda!Asta o afli mai tarziu!:D Daca ai doar un ticket in 18 luni, poti sa faci traffic school si punctele nu-ti intra in record si nici asigurarea nu-ti creste. Ama depinde si de infractiune. La fiecare 18 luni,poti face din nou traffic school pentru o amenda.
Treaba cu court-ul sta asa: il poti amana o data ,pentru 2 luni. Daca ai norocul ca politistul sa nu apara,cazul este dismissed si iti iei banii inapoi Daca apare..nah..atunci poti sa te declari vinovat si sa platesti amenda.Daca te declari nevinovat, se merge mai departe la proces.
Io ce am facut?Dupa cele 21 de zile regulamentare,am intrat pe site-ul Superior Court of California - County of Los Angeles si acolo mi-am vazut amenda si optiunile pe care le am. Am amanat data infatisarii in court...

Ce o fi mai incolo,si cum o sa pledez(lol) ...nu stiu!:) Stiu ca am de platit ~$300..si asta este partea dureroasa!:)))
Ce fac acum? Pun cruise control-ul pe 70mph( 5 mile peste nu sunt chiar o problema) ca sa nu apas mai tare pedala de acceleratie!:))) Asta cand nu e traffic.

Ce inseamna sa ai bani in Romania via arhiblog.ro

2011-06-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Asta este concluzia pe care eu am tras-o citind comentariile de la postul asta:
http://www.arhiblog.ro/2011/06/fie-ploaie-fie-vant-noi-cu-drag-muncim.html
ARHIIunie 9, 2011

burtalistu » bloggarii au bani, nu mananca ca aia, cartofi prajiti cu 2 mici

ARHIIunie 9, 2011
anatati » cu KFC

ARHIIunie 9, 2011
Amon » habar nu ai cat e o caesar salad, nu?

Mie chiar imi place cum scrie bloggerul. E mai mucalit asha, dar e"straight-forward". Desi nu sunt de acord de multe ori cu parerile lui,i le respect pe principiul "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." -Voltaire

Azi m-au mirat putin comentariile/atitudinea lui.Adika sa mananci Ceasar Salad la KFC...te face om cu bani in RO? Nu ca parlitii care mananca cartofi prajiti cu 2 mici. Lasand la o parte faptul ca io n-as manca KFC nici sa FIE GRATIS,nu i-am inteles rationamentul. Sau sunt eu prea rupta de realitatea cotidiana romaneasca?

Cu siguranta ca nu va citi ce am scris eu aici( nu asta este scopul postului meu),dar pe zi ce trece diferentele de atitudine dintre romanii ce traiesc in Ro si cei plecati sunt tot mai evidente. Asta din punctul meu de vedere...normal.:)

Trist...!:(

Fumator sau nefumator?

2011-06-09T01:25:00.000-07:00

O data cu o noua lege/propunere de lege -cumva impotriva fumatului,vad ca prin presa/blogurile romanesti s-a inceput o noua "batalie" :cine are dreptate-fumatorul sau nefumatorul?
Cel putin asa o percep eu... ca un nou motiv de incaierare(online?) intre romani!
Cum vad eu treaba? Poti fuma linistit la tine-n masina,la tine-n casa,la tine in pridvor, la tine-n camara sau in spatii special amenajate . Ce fel de lege a lu' peste e asta: restaurant de fumatori si...nefumatori?Da' ce fac fumatorii?Fumeaza in borcan si apoi repede pun capacul sa nu iasa fumul si sa ii deranjeze pe cei care stau 2 mese mai incolo si sunt nefumatori?C'mon...ce BS e asta??
Io as face ca si aici: nu se fumeaza in locurile publice,la job,baruri(eventual undeva pe patio daca e ceva amenajat),clubburi, restaurante etc. Aici lista cu orasele din California si ce fel de smoking-ban exista.
Inclusiv in Las Vegas,unde inainte legea era mai permisiva...s-a cam imputit treaba! Se mai fumeaza la liber doar in cazinouri si baruri.
Campusul scolii unde invat este smoke free campus.Ca sa fumezi o tigara,tre' sa iesi practic din campus.Si cum nu este tocmai mik...mai bine te lasi de fumat!
Ce nu inteleg eu este agresivitatea cu care fumatorii romani se apara/ataca,dand vina pe "retardatii"-cika nefumatori! Really?:)

Am fumat si eu destul de mult timp(cu pauze si mai ales doar seara),si am renuntat la acest obicei urat de curand. Faptul ca nu prea am fumatori in anturajul meu, m-a ajutat foarte mult. Ca un fapt divers ,tigarile aici le cumparam la 2,5 para/pachetul de Davidoff!Mai ieftin decat in Ro,asa-i?
Nu vreau sa fac apologia nefumatului,la urma urmei este o alegere personala! Dar la cata poluare inghitim zilnic...e pacat sa inhalam si voluntar substante nocive! Zic si io!:)

Tips: desi eu am renuntat fara nici un fel de ajutor, cika de un ajutor real ar fi "snus"-urile,mai exact "swedish snus". Da' io n-am incercat,asa ca informatia este neverificata de catre moi!

7 mituri despre romani si Romania via BusinessMagazin.ro

2011-06-09T00:03:00.000-07:00

Romanii se considera destepti, frumosi, ospitalieri, poeti si, in general, cred ca se descurca. Avem o tara frumoasa si cu mult potential, insa e intotdeauna vina vecinului pentru ca acesta nu este exploatat.

Avem momente de glorie cand vine vorba de afaceri, dar sunt conjuncturale si doar putine se transforma in businessuri de anvergura. Sunt franturi despre cum se descriu romanii, mai in gluma, mai in serios, iar BUSINESS Magazin si-a propus sa dezbata 7 mituri despre romani si Romania, despre defectele, dar mai ales despre calitatile care ne definesc.

"Ca o consolare pentru faptul ca suntem lipsiti, in general, de seriozitate, de acribie, de mandria lucrului bine facut, sau dintr-o profunda frustrare, ca o justificare pentru lipsa de pragmatism pe seama careia romanul tinde sa-si puna esecurile", s-au nascut aceste mituri despre Romania, considera Catrinel Plesu, directorul Centrului National al Cartii.

Catrinel Plesu pleaca in aceste aprecieri de la sintagma "romanul s-a nascut poet", ca fiind printre cel mai des folosite mituri dintre cele pe care publicatia si-a propus sa le dezbata. Pana la urma, nu e nimic rau in a fi poet si chiar n-ar fi nimic rau in a fi granarul Europei. Problema apare atunci cand vorba in cauza isi pierde esenta si devine un fel de proverb, o vorba de duh spusa ca sa umple o conversatie sau ca sa scuze o greseala.

Asadar, ne reprezinta, ne onoreaza sau ne acuza faptul ca romanii se considera frumosi, inteligenti, ospitalieri? Sunt in Romania cele mai frumoase femei din lume si cei mai buni croitori si ingineri software? Pana la urma, fiecare popor are parerile lui, mai mult sau mai putin magulitoare, la adresa cetatenilor sai.

Fiecare natie considera ca are cele mai frumoase femei si fiecare popor vorbeste despre placerea de a primi oaspeti. In valoare absoluta, cele mai multe dintre aceste ziceri despre Romania sunt adevarate - romanii sunt placuti la infatisare, scriu poezie, omenesc oaspetii si asa mai departe, dar totul e in regula atat timp cat nu ne comparam cu altii, dupa cum spune Paul Marasoiu, unul dintre analistii intervievati pentru acest articol: "De ce credem ca am fi noi mai ospitalieri decat japonezii, croatii, marocanii sau eschimosii?

Fiecare dintre noi, ca indivizi sau ca natiune, avem propria proiectie a imaginii despre noi insine. Important este ca aceeasi perceptie sa o aiba si cei din exterior, esential este ca evaluarea acestora sa fie similara celei la care noi ne raportam mental. In general noi, ca romani, avem tendinta de a ne asuma merite care nu ne apartin in mod direct si ne vedem mai frumosi, mai isteti nativ, mai inzestrati de mama natura, dar niciodata mai punctuali, mai seriosi, mai constiinciosi".

Odata iesiti "in lume", calitatile pe care si le atribuie romanii devin in mare parte cu adevarat mituri. Adica, asa cum spune DEX-ul, "povestire de origine populara, cu continut fabulos, care explica in mod alegoric originea lumii, fenomenele naturii si viata sociala".

ROMANUL S-A NASCUT POET

ROMANIA GRANARUL EUROPEI

ROMANII SUNT INTELIGENTI

ROMANCELE SUNT CELE MAI FRUMOASE

ROMANUL ESTE OSPITALIER

ROMANUL ESTE CROITORUL EUROPEI

ROMANUL ESTE SOFTIST SAU HACKER

Mai mult :7 mituri despre romani si Romania

"Carmageddon" -405 closure

2011-06-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

405 freeway on a regular sunny breezy day:))

Now think about this: 405 freeway closed for 10 miles between 10 and 101 freeways in Mid-July(July 16 and 17)! Brrrrr.
So dear westsiders, just suck it up and "go on vacation"(like the mayor Villaraigosa suggested :)).

Motorists warned about 'nightmare' of 405 closure

Tips: I-405 is a heavily-traveled thoroughfare by commuters and freight haulers along its entire length and has earned its place as the busiest and most congested freeway in the United States. The freeway's annual average daily traffic between exits 21 and 22 in Seal Beach reached 374,000 in 2008, making it the highest count in the nation.(via wikipedia)

Cruising through LA - 3

2011-06-07T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hollywood -Sunset Blvd.

Bike it day-Santa Monica

2011-06-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Bike it day - June 1st! The sign is still displayed...!:)

Cruising through LA - 2

2011-06-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

In pura traditie americana-Just married!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

2011-05-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Wish you a Memorial Day filled with warmth, pride and togetherness!

Cruising through LA

2011-05-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

I bet you $1.00 u read this. I did...so I lost the bet and gave him $ 1.00.
Too funny!:)

This is in Santa Monica 10 West-Lincoln Blvd. exit.

Woman having an orgasm on a roller coaster!:)

2011-05-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Now...this is something else!:)Lol:))