Author Archives: James

Why do European social media platforms fail?

Posted on December 13, 2025 by James

If you’re French and in your thirties, you might remember the blogging platform SkyRock.  For business, the French also had Viadeo, a LinkedIn competitor that seemed to offer the same functionality.  (And perhaps some of it sooner.)  If you’re Spainish, … Continue reading →

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Store brand shoes in Cluj, tested

Posted on December 4, 2025 by James

Most of the world has the same shoes. Unless you are getting pirated products, you will find the same Adidas in Cluj as you would in Tokyo or New York City. We tested store brand shoes. You might order shoes … Continue reading →

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Over 6000 police actions concerning immigration in 2025

Posted on November 24, 2025 by James

According to the “INSPECTORATUL GENERAL PENTRU IMIGRĂRI” (yes, that’s the institution you talk to in the basement of the mall), immigration police have acted 6020 times in the first ten months of 2025. Through these actions, they found 2173 foreigners … Continue reading →

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Was Kintsugi in Cluj before Japan?

Posted on November 17, 2025 by James

The story of Kintsugi is as follows.  When a shogun in Japan, perhaps Yoshimasha, broke his pot, he sent it to China to be repaired.  There, it was repaired with ugly staples.  So, the next time a teapot broke, it … Continue reading →

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Libertatea’s French scandal

Posted on November 7, 2025 by James

Big deal, you say?  So, the Romanian newspaper uses a British newspaper to translate French news site. English is an international language.  Why not look at the Guardian? Well, we have our misgivings about the fallen tabloid.  The Guardian used … Continue reading →

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Review: Vecina (Mircea Bravo 4)

Posted on October 29, 2025 by James

Technically, “Vecina” is not a sequel to Mircea Bravo.  I mean, the characters seem to be the same, with the same actor playing Bunica, and none of the actors seem to break out of the roles they play in the … Continue reading →

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Where to find umbrellas in Cluj

Posted on May 6, 2025 by James

Umbrellas are not as widely available in Cluj as they might be in Amsterdam, but you can still find them if you know where to look. Supermarkets Kauflaud. A nice variety of reasonably priced umbrellas. We saw some around 35 … Continue reading →

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Adio Tate Brothers

Posted on May 5, 2025 by James

We see it all over the Romanian news.  The Tate Brothers, the best known life coaches in Eastern Europe, are leaving Romania. If what they are accused of is true, then they deserve harsh punishments.  If it is false, then … Continue reading →

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Spring is returning to the Botanical Garden in Cluj

Posted on March 18, 2025 by James

Did you hear the adverts for Gradina Botanica by the bus stop? It spoke of experiencing “Linisterea primarii”, the peace of spring. Yesterday, the Botanical Garden surveyed its clients about what they liked and what could be improved. Do you … Continue reading →

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Is the roach problem under control?

Posted on February 25, 2025 by James

Two years ago, Cluj heard many stories of eateries being closed because of insect manifestations. Cluj 24 reported that many fast food shops have been closed after cockroaches and unsanitary conditions were found at fast food places at Iulius Mall. … Continue reading →

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