Viviana Ball

I’m officially Twitter user No 5 in #Romania http://uris.us/cy1RL Check out Your Number @ http://uris.us/iOYq.

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It is harder to say NO! to a REAL person

Some time ago, a friend (singer) told me that he never accepts facebook friend requests from people who don’t send him a message (who don’t introduce themselves first). I gave it a thought and I agreed. At that time I was spending a lot of time trying to find out who the people who were asking me for friendship were. I was using Google searches, websites, links, comments, any source that could give me an idea about who those people were. Basically, I was doing someone their job. Most of the time I would decide to decline when no info was available.

My friend is a public figure, so he gets tens of requests every day. In order to identify the reason why another person would like to befriend him on facebook, for him it is a must they at least introduce themselves and the opportunity/relation/thing in common/reason in general why they should be in future contact. Should we apply the same principle, or is it just a public figure privilege?

I think we should all apply it. I, for one am getting really tired of checking facebook profiles that contain no information. Just a name! A simple name, usually a nickname something like Dj Cool or Catonstrings or Kallissa or something similar for crying out loud! Sometimes the request is sent by a person who does not share any info whatsoever unless we are friends. Why would I accept then? Why would I want to become a Dj Cool’s friend if I know nothing about him? Don’t get me wrong, I love to have more facebook friends. It is by far the easiest way to stay in touch, have fun, share info, etc. But, in order to decide whether I am willing to share anything at all about me (or my friends for the matter) I need to know who will have access to that info. That little box that says: “Add a personal message” when we send friend requests is vital. If we write a short personalized message in that box, it’s a win-win.

My personal message when I send friend requests (as I usually want to be in contact with bands, promoters, music reviewers, journalists, basically people who have something to do with music) is very simple and straightforward: “Hello from Bucharest, Romania! I own Viva Music, local dark.electro.industrial.gothic music promoter. Thank you. Viviana Ball”. It may not be the best in the world, but it serves its purpose: it is short, and allows people to find out quickly where I am from, who I am, and implicitly let them know why I am trying to be in contact with them. I encourage all of you to write a short text about ourselves and use it! It is not offending and no one can blame you for not introducing yourselves! Cheers from lovely Romania!

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Some time ago I decided I was entitled to bitch about Romania. I have earned my right to complain. I am a good citizen, I am a tax payer, I support my country and proudly represent it. There are so many things I would change about Romania that it would take an Encyclopedia to list all of them.

Today I am not going to complain, but speak highly of a group of Romanians who have earned my respect and gratitude over the past 3 weeks. My Granny, who survived tuberculosis (at the age of 22) has been very sick lately. She got pneumonia. The only lung hospital in Bucharest is Marius Nasta Hospital. I took her to a private clinic first, and then they told us to go to a remote place I barely found (I am not good with orientation) called something funny with a Z (later found out Marius Nasta is the general name).

The second we arrived I wanted to turn around and leave. The building, the patients, everything about that hospital was creepy. I felt we were entering a war camp. I immediately realized it was not about my likes and dislikes, but about my Granny’s health, so we entered.

That was the moment when I realized that the poor conditions of the Romanian hospitals they keep talking about on TV should not always make the headlines, but the kindness and respect and dedication of the staff should! I was amazed to see how well my 90 year old dear Granny – who is practically blind and can barely move and hear – was treated. Wonderful doctor Iacobescu (a small big hearted woman in her 40’s) actually listened and cared about what was going on with my Granny. She suggested treatment, gave me the option to either take her home or stay with her in the hospital. The nurses went the extra mile to protect her and help her.

As I promised myself, I need to contribute, even if it is in a very small way, to the renovation of the hospital. And I will! Romanian medical staff are wonderful and I thank them for getting my Granny back!

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“I have some time between changing nappies” I would have said approx. 10 years ago. In 2000 I was learning how to take care of the first newborn in my life. I mean it: my daughter was the first small baby I ever held in my arms.

On July 29, 2010, my granny got sick. She hasn’t recovered 100% from pneumonia yet, but yesterday she was really better. I guess yesterday was the first day I didn’t feel helpless in front of her…I hope I managed saving her again (she was sick before and I took care of her).

So, now, between feeding her and checking on her again, I wanted to share with you a thought: I feel good when I help my family/friends/anyone who needs me, and my happiness comes from protecting people who need me. I feel happy these days because my granny has no fever.

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