Monday, March 9, 2009
Klaus' Friends
Klaus wouldn't start this morning. When I parked him Saturday night at the Piaţa lot after returning from Colţeşti, I had left on the ceiling light, which I'd been using to look for the GPS pouch in the glove box. I didn't find it, because Shirl had stuck it under her seat with the mount. Over the weekend, the battery had gone flat as a pancake. I opened the hood, and couldn't find the battery. I called Melinda, but she was about to teach a class. I called Alexandru and woke him up, and he agreed to go to a parts store, buy jumper cables, and come to my aid. He is a fine friend, indeed. An old Dacia pickup pulled into the adjacent space. The man got out, went to pay for the parking spot, then returned to ask me my problem. Then another man (Marc) joined him. Before long, half the men in the Piata M.V. were gathered at my car, a set of cables appeared, and I called Alex just in time to save him an unnecessary rescue mission. To make a long story short, we found the battery under the rear seat, Klaus came to life, and I bought some good men some Pepsis. See why I love Romania?
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7 comments:
Duncan:
I have a couple of thoughts for you regarding your Contrary Hypotheses article:
1. I believe a contributing factor to the increase in the Sales/Inventory ratio is the recent "Just In Time" inventory philosophy of businesses, in which suppliers deliver materials as needed, thereby reducing inventory.
2. I believe many businesses have also adopted a "Just In Time" attitude in finished goods inventory, producing only as much as orders justify, increasing the Sales/Inventory ratio.
3. Both examples of "Just In Time" philosophy may be responsible for the economy avoiding recession in recent years due to a quicker reaction time in business adjustments to customer orders. In earlier times, a business would first realize an accumulation of excess inventory, then cut back on production and jobs. The quicker reaction time of "Just In Time" inventory may have reduced the length of cycles in cyclical unemployment.
Larry Zachrich
Thank you, Larry. That idea was the essential hypothesis of my article, "Operating at the Rate of Consumption," to which these hypotheses are to the contrary. I'll send you a copy.
Duncan
Duncan,
Love this blog! I was a Fulbrighter back in 1987-88 up in Iasi. Back then, things weren't very rosey, but I did manage to teach American lit at Univ. Cuza. I also taught writing and gave the odd formal lecture to local k-12 teachers to boot--which is how I met my wife of 19 years. We managed a visit back to her hometown of Costanta last summer. We had a blast with my two sons and the rest of my wife's extended family. Best time I have ever had in Romania.
If you can drop me an email at dhadaller@massbay.edu. I am not sure this commenting is the easiest way to communicate, but I am not a complete luddite!
I admire your driving in Romania. I never have, what with all the in-laws I have. Drum bun!
Again, great blog spot!
David Hadaller
MassBay Community College
Duncan:
I have skype at home. Can you send me your Skype name to my e-mail address: lzachrich@northweststate.edu? Mine is drzachrich.
Larry Zachrich
Duncan,
Love this blog! I was a Fulbrighter back in 1987-88 up in Iasi. Back then, things weren't very rosey, but I did manage to teach American lit at Univ. Cuza. I also taught writing and gave the odd formal lecture to local k-12 teachers to boot--which is how I met my wife of 19 years. We managed a visit back to her hometown of Costanta last summer. We had a blast with my two sons and the rest of my wife's extended family. Best time I have ever had in Romania.
If you can drop me an email at dhadaller@massbay.edu. I amnot sure this commenting is the easiest way to communicate, but I am not a complete luddite!
Again, great blog spot!
David Hadaller
Thank you for your comment, my new friend. I guess you loved Romania and the Romanians, too. I hope we can get together one day, once I return to my New Hampshire homestead.
I could go for some Pepsi and jumper cables. Sounds like an awesome afternoon.
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