A mechanical ally?

Never thought I could miss so much the use of a computer until I recently experienced a hard disk failure in my desktop.  

The machine I own is not that old, but its manufacturer would no longer service it as per past policy; thus, I decided to depend from a computing tech store in my neighborhood.  Although I could have purchased the needed part, and performed the replacement myself, I did not choose this alternative to save precious time and money. My judgment was quite correct and the choice worth it.

I have had a couple of similar needs while working in Albania, where there are no service alternatives except to depend from local expertise, which is very good. The results there have been all positive, but this was the first time I took this route here in NYC, and am happy that it also turned out so well.  As an afterthought, it's interesting to note that the technicians in the store I used are not native Americans, but all relatively young immigrants from NE Europe. 

I knew that I would not loose most of my data, which I backup constantly, but I also knew that I needed to add more time to the actual mechanical fix, to reload and update most of the additional programs I love and use daily to keep track of personal matters and work tasks.  I have almost concluded this tasks (requiring innumerable software upgrades!) , but what I found funny was my feeling of delight when the technician informed me that my machine was being returned fixed, and also upgraded in a couple of ways (in both hardware and software).  I felt like I was waiting for an old friend coming out of,  and returning home in good shape after a forced hospital stay…..:-)!   

The local tech store did an excellent job, and preserved also whatever other data, and pointers I had used previously, including my screen background!  I was able to reconnect and test all my peripherals,  and now, to complete the functionality of my mechanical ally, I am waiting for a free CD that I had to order online to activate my webcam since the manufacturer realized the problematic of its reload under Windows7. 

Onward I go with loading the data accumulated during time out, happy that I can count again on my tranquil and indispensable assistant. After more than four decades of using computers of all sorts, I really could not carry on my work without at least one of them on my side!

An anniversary

Just remembering decades ago..... on January 7th 1952, I landed in New York as an immigrant, after a dramatic  transatlantic  journey from Bremenhaven, on the "M/S Gen. Henry Taylor",  a carrier of the Military Sea Transportation Service of the United States Navy.  The incredible hurricane that was raging in the Atlantic at that time required rerouting of the ship's course due to its dangerously bouncing up and down by giant waves, which washed away with great force the ship's decks. Our arrival at destination was delayed by about 5 days. 

With great relief we reached the New York harbor on Sunday night, and were temporarily anchored in the bay until the next morning, when the stevedores became available to unload our carrier. Monday  was a very cold and a snowy day, spent mostly at the NYC Pier before being accommodated into a small NY midtown hotel toward evening. 

I traveled with my Mother and hundreds other immigrants, under the auspices of the US Immigration Service operating in Europe with the United Nations, first by special train, for three days, from Italy through Germany. Then, after spending 2 nights and Christmas Day in a huge (6,000 occupants) distribution camp in the village of Grohn, we were booked to travel on the above ship with 1200 other immigrants from all over northern Europe and the Russian countries.  

Since about  300 of us had no specific destination at arrival, at disembarkation, we had to wait for the others to be routed to other forms of transportation out of NYC.  We were kept warm, and fed all day in the waiting rooms of the pier until that evening, when we were lodged in hotels. We remained there only for a couple of days, the time necessary by a variety of agencies to take over the task of finding us work and accommodations elsewhere.

That's the beginning of my life in the new land 61 years ago, to the day!

Time for travel plans to new destinations

For adventurous people, it's Albania!  Pleasant surprises are guaranteed, as per this article's hints on Huff Post Travel......  

Old subject......

but, splendid photography by Jill Peters in this posting by Daphnee Denis.

A couple of thoughts

I cannot  believe that this year is coming to a close, but I am happy that this point in time incites me to reminisce  about  my work, actions, and life during the past 12 months.   

Interestingly, it brings to the forefront what I was able to accomplish for which I am thankful,  and makes me forget the frustrations, disappointments, and setbacks that are part of everyone's daily living. On the scale of things, the latter only provoke  in me more determination to overcome situations that are especially wrong, dishonest, or unethical, and make the results, on the winning end, even more satisfying! 

Thus, while I continue to adhere to the motto I adopted above, onward I go with no regrets, and look forward to another rewarding year ahead!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!

The best.......

to relatives, friends, and fans all over the world!

Travel is no fun

Have just returned home after 2 months in Tirana, where I coordinated lots of work regarding celebratory events for Albania's centenary, and now  I am tackling all personal chores, accumulated paperwork of all kinds , and essential tasks of the upcoming holiday season. 

Although I experienced lots of rain while in Albania, and just few days before my departure also saw the mountain peaks taking on the white blanket of snow, I felt good, energetic, and able to deal with the stress and pressures of what needed to be taken care of, while also attending several events, official celebrations, and hosting friends and relatives that traveled for the occasion from the States, Italy, and Montenegro.   

  

Tirana did not have many problems, except for the usual predicaments due to the steady rain, such as enormous  traffic  jams, temporary loss of electricity, and, in some cases, like mine, water penetration from balconies, and lack of elevator services.  When I left my apartment at 2:30AM to reach the airport I had the unpleasant surprise of having to walk down 12 stories, with luggage! 

Once at Rinas airport the unpleasant conditions persisted. The incoming flights from snowy northern Europe were cancelled forcing complete rerouting,  which took a few hours to complete. Albania and the entire Balkan region are also suffering from an unusually harsh and early winter, with dangerous traveling conditions and several deaths due to the freezing environment.

Somehow, I made it home, although traveling from JFK airport into the city took forever due to extremely heavy traffic.  NY weather was clear, brisk, and I was faced by its constant wind that I tend to forget when abroad.  Within less than 24 hrs from my arrival, however,  the weather has turned for the worst, and I started having arthritic pains, which increased in intensity  and became excruciating!   It's no fun having to deal with this unusual condition as well as jet lag, but it all shall pass, after a much needed rest that I can now afford for a few days.  

Only consolation during this troublesome travel was experiencing the pleasant atmosphere of the business class on board of the transatlantic aircraft that took 10 hours to reach NY from Rome.  

The seats of Alitalia's Boeing 777 were not the most comfortable, but the leg room and the service exceeded expectations.  It was also pleasant to be 'sandwiched in' between two noted personalities, an Italian TV actor and Maestro Riccardo Muti, who was coming to NY only for one day to receive an award, and to be able to enjoy a gargantuan and luscious dinner that lasted over 2 hours and included excellent varieties of interesting dishes.

A US reportage

For my American friends here is an informative article from The Weekly Standard that also covered Albania's centenary activities last week.

Centenary aftermath

The past month passed so very quickly for me, here in Tirana, busy as I was with lots of development work to celebrate Albania's centenary and host special guests and relatives that came visiting from abroad (Italy, Montenegro, and the USA). 

I planned and participated in many events, given interviews, met an incredible amount of new people, and successfully carried out activities for the organization I founded and continue to support in Albania.  

It has been an astonishing time, difficult to recount and document, but, definitely to be shared in some shape or form in the near future, hopefully with lots of pictures.

The weather has been pretty nice all along, except for the past three days, when rain persisted day and night.  

This morning, however, as I was saying goodbye to departing guests, the sun was shining again brightly and the air was brisk and clear. 

We woke up to the first snow of the season on the Dajti mountain chain that surrounds Tirana.  Cheers, winter is here!