Paul - welcome to the forum!

[Jaga]

Hi Paul,

welcome to the forum. I am so glad you joined us. Please, tell us a bit about yourself and your interests in Poland!


This week is personally difficult for me, as you probably read I lost my father. He was a professor of history and I inherited after him interests in Polish culture and history. He was a great man!

[cfn]

;D I am amazed at the stories I read here about personal narratives of WWII. For some reason I always had a fear of totalitarian (though of course I did not know what that meant) systems. As a result, I always had an empathy for oppressed peoples and for their stories. I must tell you, I was a square peg in a round hole. I could tell people did not care about what I cared...and that frightened me. If folks don't care about other people being unjustly treated and oppressed BY DECREE(!), why would they care about me, if the same happened to me? Really, I think as a very young child I was thrust into new surroundings a couple times where I was the minority. Add to that a heightened idealism and a sensitive nature (for myself at least!)...well that probably helps explain why I felt so different from most Americans...and most people. Because I don't think it is just an American thing. People normally don't care if their stomachs are full and no one is oppressing them. I had a hard time dealing with this short-sightedness, because I fear oppression. By the way, thank you for this opportunity...I have not really shared about this much before.... ALSO, my ambition was to be a hero. And to find a promised land here on earth where other people thought like me! In other words, I have had a lot of disappointment because I was expecting too much from others. I am learning that I should not do that! It is a tough lesson, but I can say I am finally becoming thankful that I am learning to rely on myself more. Anyway, the story of the Poles, and their remarkable bravery and tribulations, their virtues here in Toledo (I really must say, you would be proud of how your people have conducted themselves here) ALL kind of link up with the hero ambition, which I still have and don't apologize for, and the desire to identify with a most virtuous PHYSICAL group. You see, I have found a family in my faith, and this encompasses ALL physical groups. However, I think we all get energized when we find an identifiable, physical group that embodies what I admire. Don't feel pressure! I do not think it is right or wrong, it is just part of being human. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Some of you may judge me, 'Oh, he's a Christian,' but I'll not let that bother me. And I'll love you anyway, with God's help. In fact, I got to go to church now. Love, Paul and Gwen.

[gideon]

Hi Paul!
Welcome to the forum. Did I hear you mention Lima and Toodley-Doo? I am here in Dayton. I am actually a transplant from N. Wisconsin that has hung around for 20 years now.

One question, Bengals or Browns?

-Tim

[cfn]

;D First to Uncle Tim: Actually, I like both the Bengals and Browns, especially when they have something to like. When they play each other I stay neutral. To All: I shared some of this with Jaga the other day, and just wrote a long spiel again, but LOST IT! So here I go again: Most of us say, 'I don't care what other people think about me,' but we do...The Poles in Toledo had a glorious reputation: (I say "had," because of how fractured our society is anymore). They were well-known to care the most about their houses, lawns, and neighborhoods. For instance, I can't count how many times, when discussing a neighborhood: 'There are a lot of Polish people there, so the neighborhood is immaculate.' Or, when a neighborhood was going down: 'But there are still a lot of old Poles there' (meaning the neighborhood hadn't completely gone to the dogs, yet.) Just good old-fashioned, honest, hard-working people. There wasn't an ethnic group that rivaled them. I also was jealous of how they were tight-knit and knew how to have a good time. And yet they wouldn't tear the neighborhood down doing it. (I mean, how rowdy can a polka get? Hmm...Maybe I'm wrong about that.) I think the reason some of them were among our better athletes was similar to why they are such good people. They didn't take shortcuts, but believed in good old-fashioned, honest work. I hope this makes you feel good, and it was all my true perception. Now I will try to send this again, and if it fails, I'll take a nap! I just imagine Poles from all over the world reading this, and it makes you feel good!

[cfn]

So Tim, Tell us about yourself, if you'd be so kind. I may not reply right away as I have to do a bit of gardening, but I'd love to hear.

[karl]

Dear Paul

Oh dear where are my manners! For yes, please may I offer to you a very warm welcome!!

Feel not to be afraid of the word {Totalitarian} of European Government! For many of us of European lived in our early lives under such situation. But, this was of our time in youth, for we knew not better, we just wished to grow and mature to deal with our world that was left for us to do so.

I am not Polish, but German. My youth was whilst in Dänemark during the war and some years after. As so, please do not mark of my words as those of our Eastern people. For they are most important for this is their forum.

Once again, please to be welcomed to this forum

Karl

[cfn]

Dear Jaga: This is tearing me up because I am not sure if you know I wrote something about your dad. I did not want you to think that I did not care about his passing. Anyway, I am hoping it might be of some comfort to you.

[cfn]

Dear Karl, Thank you so much for your reply, sir. You show the signs of a true gentleman in that you realize this site is especially for the Poles. I, too, am not Polish, and want to keep this site focused on them. You and Jaga and others put me to shame. You know how? You all speak English! I feel ignorant by comparison. Yesterday I studied a little Polish, but I have a hard time disciplining myself. But I do feel the need to not be focused on English only. After all, we could not communicate at all(!) if people such as you fine folks had not bothered to learn my language.

[cfn]

Dear Leslie, Happy Birthday! I could not figure out how to send it to you earlier, so I hope this somehow gets to you anyhow.

[karl]

May 31, 2009 14:26:43 GMT -7 cfn said:

Dear Karl, Thank you so much for your reply, sir. You show the signs of a true gentleman in that you realize this site is especially for the Poles. I, too, am not Polish, and want to keep this site focused on them. You and Jaga and others put me to shame. You know how? You all speak English! I feel ignorant by comparison. Yesterday I studied a little Polish, but I have a hard time disciplining myself. But I do feel the need to not be focused on English only. After all, we could not communicate at all(!) if people such as you fine folks had not bothered to learn my language.

Paul

Thank you very so well for your very nice reply, it is most appreciated.

But 1st though of some bits of bit. I must say of this: Leslie is no longer with us, he has passed on some time ago from complications of his health. He was a very fine person, a gentleman of fine personage. He is still very much missed by all who knew him. I am very sorry it was of my self to inform you.

Paul, in as much as feeling ignorant, please do not feel this way. For you are a very fortunate man, you are an American and as so, to many of us, a very favoured man of privilege. In time, you will notice of what would be on surface of my writing, a certain colour of disfavour of America. But, this is not so as fact. For we do hold a great regard to America, but, we do not agree upon many aspects of the foreign policy that effects us.

Personally: My rathers, I would rather be returned to my home, for I am European.

For as of our knowledge of English language. Yes, here we have the opportunity to speak what we have studied in school. But, for the most of us {I do not have the right to speak for every one} it was/is a long road and much time of effort to have learnt the language. For my self, it was forced upon us children whilst during the British occupation of both my country and of my then home in Dänemark. I later upon return to my home country, was to then study English whilst in the University {our education is free}.

As a person, I have lived and worked in North America for my rotational period of 4 years. Of 1st, was in Saskatchewan Canada, and then and present, in the Pacific North West in a metropolitan suburb of greater Seattle.

My work is comprised of both in my language and English. Speaking for my self, it is a continuing education in the English language whilst on the forum. For as I pride my self with highly functional knowledge of English, it is a realization that language is a continuing process of change. And if spoken rapidly or use of slang, it becomes difficult to properly comprehend of both the words spoken, but the meaning as intended by the speaker. And this is the dangerous portion of the language. For if the meaning is not understood, then understanding as intended, very easily is mis-understood and provides a means of conflict.

Paul, with your desire of the Polish language, there are several Polish Nationals on this board. Jaga is very good with directing you to the best locations for expanding your Polish knowledge with the language. For national and general information and news of Poland, Both Jaga, Pawian and Tufta are very knowledgeable and very helpful. All are very well educated and very much understate them selves as so.

Provide your self with time Paul, and you will be come so knowledgeable that your friends will become to wonder if this is the Paul they have always known.

Karl

[cfn]

Karl, I just saw your reply today; otherwise, I trust I would have answered sooner.
I have learned recently that I have to be more careful in how I write, so people do understand. I even wrote on a thing regarding the Katyn Forest incident recently.... In it I felt a person was unfairly attacking Poland about WWII. I defended Poland. He somehow misunderstood me, and seemed to feel I(!) was attacking Poland. Talk about arguing in circles!
Ah, life is so busy nowadays! I'd love to spend more time learning, but often spend much more time worrying. If we had it easy, though, we'd probably forget about God. These troubles can keep us humble, and help us realize we are only in these bodies for a short time. And that the 'school' lessons we learn are administered to us with eternity in mind. As a young man, particularly, I would often encourage myself with the verse: "An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning, will not be blessed in the end." After all, the foundation of a house is the most important part.
There are so many dreams!! Mysteries! Almost sacred-feeling memories! Just talking to another person on a deeper level is an awesome, sacred thing. And I feel God there, I must say. If we could figure Him out, if He was not a mystery, He would not be.
Dear friend, I hope the rest of your workweek goes well, and you can 'recharge your batteries [I hope you understand this phrase}' soon.

[cfn]

Dear Karl--Continued: I read your letter again, Karl, and I appreciated your honest report. I remember when I was about 10 years old (I was very interested in America's place in the world) thinking with amazement, 'How was I born in this, the strongest, greatest country in the world?' 'How was I so blessed? Out of all the billions of people on this planet, how was I so favored?' I knew it was not anything I had done.
But I must tell you my opinion: That I could see the downfall of America, personally, long before most people could. Some still don't see it! So I've had to live with this, too. Ah, the cycles of history...Empires grow, get rich, get corrupt, and fall! Another rises up in its place to continue the same cycle. Not everyone will agree with me, but history will have the final say (judgment, decision).

[cfn]

One more reply, Karl: I'll tell you something about myself: I started out life feeling very smart in school and very good at sports. I thought I was on top of the world! This was till I was about 14. My father did not prepare us very good for life and he died when I was 15. We became more poor. I was the oldest of six kids. We lived in a neighborhood that was changing. I was the last white guy in my neighborhood. All the dreams I had gradually 'went out the window.' It was through this sudden reversal of fortunes, I found life and love and all the things I really wanted. It has not been easy, but it has been, and continues to be, worthwhile.
This might help some people understand why I am interested in Poland, no, Poles, and other people. And I have been interested in such since I was a young boy.

[Jaga]

Jun 3, 2009 20:39:01 GMT -7 cfn said:

One more reply, Karl: I'll tell you something about myself: I started out life feeling very smart in school and very good at sports. I thought I was on top of the world! This was till I was about 14. My father did not prepare us very good for life and he died when I was 15. We became more poor. I was the oldest of six kids. We lived in a neighborhood that was changing. I was the last white guy in my neighborhood. All the dreams I had gradually 'went out the window.' It was through this sudden reversal of fortunes, I found life and love and all the things I really wanted. It has not been easy, but it has been, and continues to be, worthwhile.
This might help some people understand why I am interested in Poland, no Poles, and other people. And I have been interested in such since I was a young boy.

Paul,

interesting life story. We lived for 2 years in MD in black district also. It was hard to find friends since we were so different. I believe there is racism and also inverse racism....