This week’s contributor comes to us from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, a city that sits on the Dambovita River in Eastern Europe. This cultured intellectual has a fascinating life. I am excited to introduce premier answerer Desdichado! Read on to learn what makes him so unique…

First Name: Sorin

Occupation: Now I am a pensioner, but I was chemist all my life. I worked for uranium nuclear fuels.

What is your Answers.com username and how did it come about?

Desdichado is my user name. It is a Spanish word – and in a sense it means to be unfortunate. It is the title of a very original poem by Gérard de Nerval, a French poet.

Where in the world do you hail from and what makes this place special?

I am Romanian, and I live in Bucharest (Bucuresti in the Romanian language); Bucharest is a strange big town, somehow dirty and messy, noisy, crowded but with some beautiful buildings and parks, lakes and restaurants and girls should not be forgotten. So what makes it special? Simply, I was born here 70 years ago. It’s my town with many good and enormous bad things.

How did you discover Answers.com?

I was searching on Google for a correct Romanian language translation of “cut time” as a term in chromatography, I discovered Answers.com on July 8, 2007, but I didn’t discover a very satisfactory answer!

What is your favorite activity on Answers.com?

I like to answer (if I know) questions on Inorganic chemistry, radioactive elements, Romania, Romanian words, etc. I also enjoy correcting errors in questions and answers, but it is difficult for me because my knowledge of the English language is limited.

If you were inviting someone to join Answers.com, how would you convince them that they would love being a part of our community?

There are various reasons:

• It is a help for many people around the world. And when answering questions, you’re bound to learn about new problems or remember the old ones. It takes intellectual effort and curiosity to answer questions, and both are useful exercises in the everyday life of modern man!
• It also puts you in permanent contact with strangers from everywhere.
• Answers.com is an important venue for culture, science and progress.

What life accomplishments are you proud of?

• I am a graduate of Bucharest University.
• I managed to get my own small apartment.
• I have traveled in my country and abroad.
• I have read many books.
• I go to many shows, including movies.
• I worked seriously all my life.
• I was independent and rebellious.

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you?

There are many! I was once lost in the mountains. Several times I escaped being run over by cars. I have met strange women. I stayed one night in the woods at more than 1200 m, during a cold autumn and drinking snow, without any equipment.

What was the last song you listened to?

It was an old song from my youth: “Questa picollisima serenada”

You can only pick one: banjo, butterfly, or babbling brook. Which would you choose and why?

I like very much brooks in the mountains.

What are your special interests, hobbies, or collections?

My special interests are books, movies, theater, trekking in the Carpathians, P.C., strong drinks, walking in parks, visiting Greek islands, the history of science, Romanian politics, museums, and history.

What are you most passionate about in your life?

I am most passionate about chemistry, uranium, truth, honesty, fairness, fighting but also severity, hardness, justified hatred and sometimes intolerance.

Who is your inspiration in life?

My greatest inspiration is Vlad III the Impaler (Vlad Þepeº in the Romanian language) and many other Romanian heroes and of course, heroes from all the nations. I am also inspired by Voltaire, Napoleon, Seaborg and others.