I’ve had an AMAZING 2010. It wasn’t all easy, but there’s been some events that really made it the best year I’ve ever had. My web design business grew steadily, I created tens of sites for my clients and was able to receive good feedback and provide a good service to them. We also traveled for 6 months, so it was a blast. We stayed at our friends in NYC, so I kinda know Manhattan as if I’ve lived there all my life. My resolutions for 2010 were almost entirely achieved, even if we did have a hectic schedule (not … Continue reading →

We’re days before the Holidays start. Whether it’s Christmas or any other similar celebration or the New Year’s Eve, that doesn’t depend on religion anymore, people are maxing their credit cards, buying way too much food and try to show off, because … you’re supposed to. We’ve had a very difficult year in my country too. Hundreds of thousands of people were fired, their bank payments are late and some lost their homes or the cars they bought on credit. January will come with more cuts and even less money for most people. And still, these days, it seems like … Continue reading →

Let me start by saying I AM NOT A GOOD COOK. And I don’t like to cook too often. It should give you a good perspective over this, since, even if my skills in the kitchen still need a lot of improvement, let me tell you that, when I cook something, NO ONE can cook a tastier meal than me. I’ve done “take outs” in my life, I’ve done restaurants, I’ve spent hundreds of dollars for all kinds of meals prepared by others. But, when it comes to an affordable, good tasting and healthy meal, I am the one. Here … Continue reading →

When I was a kid, I first saw my grandmother write on  a piece of paper what expenses we’ll have the current month. They’ve just got their pension and she was trying to manage the money so that we don’t have anything left unpaid till the end of the month. She still does this today. I gave her a nice agenda so that she can write in the ‘book’, but it’s all the same. She’s got a nice pen to use and, each time she’s getting her pension, she’ll prepare the list of the things needing money. We have all … Continue reading →

Maybe these will help you know me better I have a HUGE thing for Japan, hence my passion for Karate and also the nickname “dojo”. Unfortunately I’ve  never visited it and don’t think it would happen too soon I don’t drink coffee. I’ll be 32 in 1 week and still I act like a kid. Don’t like the idea of depending on something to start my day, so no coffee for me. I do love MILK a lot. If I do drink 2 teaspoons of coffee, it would be just to make my milk less bland. I’ve discovered chicory lately, … Continue reading →

Today I attended a Social Media Summit in my city and was able to meet some of the biggest bloggers in Romania and also network with some of our local people who’ve built up an amazing community. Overall it was a great event and, with only few small issues, it went on smoothly. The event gathered over 100 people (I think closer to 150), interested in Social Media and how to tackle this amazing promotion tool. After seeing almost 20 people speak to us and taking very accurate notes on everything, there are some things I do believe are worth … Continue reading →

For many months all I hear on the radio and see on the TV is about the economical issues all countries have. It’s crisis, recession, you name it. People lose jobs, many get scared and get into a “letargic” state. I have many friends who are almost “paralized” by the fear of becoming unemployed. Many firms close doors and business owners try to get a “day to day” job. And still .. there are business owners who make it and people who still keep a well paid job.

I was watching an episode from Monk last night (I know, it’s a geeky series) and there was something that really made me think … a new motto: “Leap and a net will appear“. It does sound like those “self help books” that most of the time don’t say anything, just mix some ideas all over again in the hope someone will take them seriously. The change is in us all and most do have some reasons for being as they are. It’s a good idea to try and inspire people to have faith in their own strength and this … Continue reading →

I have been running forums for 6 years now. Started as a totally “noob” admin and made my way by learning all I could about forum scripts, modding the skins, adding plugins etc. I made mistakes and was able to learn a lot at the same time. Never wanted to depend on anyone, never knew how to sum up my “courage” and bug others to assist. All the “do it yourself” thing was good in my case .. from a brand new web designer with no knowledge (not knowing where to add some Java script code in the page for … Continue reading →

This article will be more personal than others, so please bear with me. I am poor. I live in a poor country and my teen age years were hard and ugly. My family (father and his parents) would barely make the ends meet each month and they made huge efforts to keep me fed and in school. In my family being a good student was the only thing the kid had to do and they were very strict about this. They knew that only studying hard I would have the chance to maybe have a better life. A good job … Continue reading →