Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
UK, Ireland / Advice to Polish parents in the UK about weaning babies? [15]
Interestingly, I've never met anyone apart from my (English) aunt who knew how to wind a baby!
It's a classic move that you should try with a teddy first. (For babies that can hold their own head up, even shakily.)
1. Sit baby on your left thigh.
2. Hold baby's lower jaw with right hand (make a V, thumb on one side of jaw, fingers on other side)
3. With left hand on baby's back gently lean baby forward. No need to rub.
4. Huge belch should come pronto.
Put an end to all that baby on your shoulder / break your back nonsense. This works fast and painlessly.
Interestingly, I've never met anyone apart from my (English) aunt who knew how to wind a baby!
It's a classic move that you should try with a teddy first. (For babies that can hold their own head up, even shakily.)
1. Sit baby on your left thigh.
2. Hold baby's lower jaw with right hand (make a V, thumb on one side of jaw, fingers on other side)
3. With left hand on baby's back gently lean baby forward. No need to rub.
4. Huge belch should come pronto.
Put an end to all that baby on your shoulder / break your back nonsense. This works fast and painlessly.
Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
UK, Ireland / Advice to Polish parents in the UK about weaning babies? [15]
The classic book of Polish child-rearing is called "Małe Dzieczko". It's a 1950s publication, so I don't know if it's still in print.
Following my wife's family habits, we started giving mashed baby carrots from our garden at age 3 months, followed by baby rice a little later.
Unfortunately, Polish mothers are as eqqually confused about feeding as English mothers, thanks to the moron professionals.
Particularly damaging, by the way, was the utterly moronic take on the "breast is best" campaign. Essentially, mothers who can, should and do (even though it takes getting used to). Others who can't, were forced in 1990s UK hospitals to breastfeed - resulting in hernias among starving new-born baby boys (like my son - hernia operation aged 10 days). Quite simply, the "professionals" had clearly taken leave of their sense. My wife had to stop me from suing ...
Child 2 was checked out of hospital asap, against medical advice (because they tried mistreating her too). Absurd.
Then I was ordered by my then headmaster to go to work immediately despite having arranged in advance for a couple of days off. He was a darling of Nu Labour too - Chris Gerry (google him - and he looks like a cross between Rowan Atkinson and Ed Milibean).
The classic book of Polish child-rearing is called "Małe Dzieczko". It's a 1950s publication, so I don't know if it's still in print.
Following my wife's family habits, we started giving mashed baby carrots from our garden at age 3 months, followed by baby rice a little later.
Unfortunately, Polish mothers are as eqqually confused about feeding as English mothers, thanks to the moron professionals.
Particularly damaging, by the way, was the utterly moronic take on the "breast is best" campaign. Essentially, mothers who can, should and do (even though it takes getting used to). Others who can't, were forced in 1990s UK hospitals to breastfeed - resulting in hernias among starving new-born baby boys (like my son - hernia operation aged 10 days). Quite simply, the "professionals" had clearly taken leave of their sense. My wife had to stop me from suing ...
Child 2 was checked out of hospital asap, against medical advice (because they tried mistreating her too). Absurd.
Then I was ordered by my then headmaster to go to work immediately despite having arranged in advance for a couple of days off. He was a darling of Nu Labour too - Chris Gerry (google him - and he looks like a cross between Rowan Atkinson and Ed Milibean).
Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
UK, Ireland / UK passports if resident in Poland [19]
Hah - we got our son's passport from the Warsaw bunker on Jan 8, 2010 ... one of the last, I see.
Hah - we got our son's passport from the Warsaw bunker on Jan 8, 2010 ... one of the last, I see.
Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
UK, Ireland / UK passports if resident in Poland [19]
EUR 160 for processing
EUR 22 for postal costs
They process them in Duesseldorf - applications to be made by post, download from the fco website.
The UK embassy compound in Warsaw cost GBP 60 million, is built like a labyrinthine fortress and nothing happens there. Dumb Britania.
EUR 160 for processing
EUR 22 for postal costs
They process them in Duesseldorf - applications to be made by post, download from the fco website.
The UK embassy compound in Warsaw cost GBP 60 million, is built like a labyrinthine fortress and nothing happens there. Dumb Britania.
Varsovian
3 Feb 2011
News / CHERNOBYL...threat to Poland? [29]
While I don't worry overly about future generations, they will look back on us as particularly short-sighted as regards nuclear power. Try as you might, decommissioned nuclear power stations will NEVER be radiation-free, and the next ice age will come when we're long-dead and the ice-sheets will spread the radioactive waste over the whole of northern Europe ...
... but we will have "saved the planet from global warming" in the meantime ...
Oh how I hate the dumb ecologists who've brought us to this ...
While I don't worry overly about future generations, they will look back on us as particularly short-sighted as regards nuclear power. Try as you might, decommissioned nuclear power stations will NEVER be radiation-free, and the next ice age will come when we're long-dead and the ice-sheets will spread the radioactive waste over the whole of northern Europe ...
... but we will have "saved the planet from global warming" in the meantime ...
Oh how I hate the dumb ecologists who've brought us to this ...
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Language / Changing Polish punctuation? [23]
The beer used to taste better ... and as for the youth of today ...
The beer used to taste better ... and as for the youth of today ...
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Language / Changing Polish punctuation? [23]
The British billion was the same as the Polish billion when I was young ...
The British billion was the same as the Polish billion when I was young ...
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
All Chinese believed 100% that the Great Wall could be seen from space with the naked eye - many Polish historians operate along the same lines.
My point about archaeology could be expanded a bit - more Poles have dug more in Egypt than has ever been dug up in Poland. That's not because there's nothing in Poland - my area (Pruszków to Podkowa - west of Warsaw) is littered with primitive iron furnaces (which armed the Vandals in their great drive south) but no-one is interested. The only time you get any interest is when someone wants to build a house - then of course the investor has to pay for ex - spurts to excavate everything.
All Chinese believed 100% that the Great Wall could be seen from space with the naked eye - many Polish historians operate along the same lines.
My point about archaeology could be expanded a bit - more Poles have dug more in Egypt than has ever been dug up in Poland. That's not because there's nothing in Poland - my area (Pruszków to Podkowa - west of Warsaw) is littered with primitive iron furnaces (which armed the Vandals in their great drive south) but no-one is interested. The only time you get any interest is when someone wants to build a house - then of course the investor has to pay for ex - spurts to excavate everything.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Genealogy / Mroz surname - adoption - searching for family members of my adopted Polish daughter [7]
Without going into it any further, you can't argue with the deep emotions of other people - it's a minefield in so many ways.
Without going into it any further, you can't argue with the deep emotions of other people - it's a minefield in so many ways.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
Sausage churl - you'll find that there is little actually known about Poland in antiquity and the Dark Ages due to the lack of archaeology. Loads written, little known - doesn't that speak volumes? Next, you'd have an American know-it-all writing about Mieszko I ...
Sausage churl - you'll find that there is little actually known about Poland in antiquity and the Dark Ages due to the lack of archaeology. Loads written, little known - doesn't that speak volumes? Next, you'd have an American know-it-all writing about Mieszko I ...
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Language / Declensions, prepositions and pronouns [16]
I had a few drinks with this bloke and found him very personable. Very pleasant Byelorussian wife. He also runs a now little-visited forum.
I had a few drinks with this bloke and found him very personable. Very pleasant Byelorussian wife. He also runs a now little-visited forum.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Language / Changing Polish punctuation? [23]
I do get the occasional Pole correcting my written English ... though of course I double-check (I'm not perfect) before telling him precisely why he's wrong.
I do get the occasional Pole correcting my written English ... though of course I double-check (I'm not perfect) before telling him precisely why he's wrong.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
Count Adam Zamoyski - a true Brit. Still, nice wife. Rejected a marriage proposal from Imran Khan.
Count Adam Zamoyski - a true Brit. Still, nice wife. Rejected a marriage proposal from Imran Khan.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Life / Some Poles have fine houses [68]
Quite a lot of Polish houses get built nowadays with the polystyrene purposefully put on the outside.
Quite a lot of Polish houses get built nowadays with the polystyrene purposefully put on the outside.
Varsovian
25 Jan 2011
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Love / Dutch farmer chooses Polish woman in reality TV show [10]
Not wishing to waste time, she's already moved in and is pregnant.
beroemd.sterrenstek.nl/d11954_boer_zoekt_vrouw_marcel_woont_al_ samen_met_poolse_ksenia.html
It's not the 'not wanting to be a farmer's wife' that's the problem with women in rural Poland - it's the money ...
By the way, we've just received some EU subsidy money - time to buy some booze. Good old Brussels!
Not wishing to waste time, she's already moved in and is pregnant.
beroemd.sterrenstek.nl/d11954_boer_zoekt_vrouw_marcel_woont_al_ samen_met_poolse_ksenia.html
It's not the 'not wanting to be a farmer's wife' that's the problem with women in rural Poland - it's the money ...
By the way, we've just received some EU subsidy money - time to buy some booze. Good old Brussels!
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Law / 2012 Euro Football Championships - hotel accommodation [9]
Obviously, there won't be enough beds to go round, but I have a cunning plan ...
EITHER
Improve areas under bridges
OR
Give a tax-free bed&breakfast business licence for the duration of the championships to anyone who applies, on condition they can show an inspector they have a decent spare room and bathroom.
Should do the trick.
Would be popular too.
Obviously, there won't be enough beds to go round, but I have a cunning plan ...
EITHER
Improve areas under bridges
OR
Give a tax-free bed&breakfast business licence for the duration of the championships to anyone who applies, on condition they can show an inspector they have a decent spare room and bathroom.
Should do the trick.
Would be popular too.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Bolesław Chrobry beat Terry Wogan's ancestor in battle [9]
Dunno - preferred to finally dismantle the Christmas tree before dissolving my liver in whiskey in front of a roaring fire.
Dunno - preferred to finally dismantle the Christmas tree before dissolving my liver in whiskey in front of a roaring fire.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Life / Support wanted to stop the sale of live carp in Poland [74]
I'd ban the sale of dead carp too.
I'd ban the sale of dead carp too.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Bolesław Chrobry beat Terry Wogan's ancestor in battle [9]
But the Jarosław Mądry connection was quite good though - no, don't tell me - half of Ireland is related to him too. Sure got around ...
But the Jarosław Mądry connection was quite good though - no, don't tell me - half of Ireland is related to him too. Sure got around ...
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
UK, Ireland / ENGLISHMAN JAILED FOR MURDER OF POLISH GIRLFRIEND [47]
?
I'm guessing you're from planet Earth ...
?
I'm guessing you're from planet Earth ...
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Bolesław Chrobry beat Terry Wogan's ancestor in battle [9]
Terry's origins are quite interesting - Norman knight in Ireland. I got this from a trailer to a documentary he's done on himself that kicked off last night on UK television.
I'll try to find a link, but seeing as Wogan said it himself I don't have any particular reason to believe he's lying. You don't get any Brownie points in Ireland by saying you're a descendant of Norman invaders!!
Update:
Sorry - can't find any link. You'll just have to ask someone else who watched telly last night!
Terry's origins are quite interesting - Norman knight in Ireland. I got this from a trailer to a documentary he's done on himself that kicked off last night on UK television.
I'll try to find a link, but seeing as Wogan said it himself I don't have any particular reason to believe he's lying. You don't get any Brownie points in Ireland by saying you're a descendant of Norman invaders!!
Update:
Sorry - can't find any link. You'll just have to ask someone else who watched telly last night!
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Life / Some Poles have fine houses [68]
I didn't understand that bit either! Well-constructed, well-insulated brick walls keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
I didn't understand that bit either! Well-constructed, well-insulated brick walls keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
I don't need a link - just give some sort of clue as where to back up the statement at issue. As for he's British and therefore impartial ... erm, not good enough for me!
I don't need a link - just give some sort of clue as where to back up the statement at issue. As for he's British and therefore impartial ... erm, not good enough for me!
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
Life / Support wanted to stop the sale of live carp in Poland [74]
Carp isn't an edible fish.
To pretend otherwise is cruel to humans.
Carp isn't an edible fish.
To pretend otherwise is cruel to humans.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Bolesław Chrobry beat Terry Wogan's ancestor in battle [9]
Jarosław Mądry (Tel's great-great etc grandaddy!)
And you thought good ol' Wogan was just a normal Irishman! Actually, his ancestors got to Ireland in a Norman invasion ship.
Jarosław Mądry (Tel's great-great etc grandaddy!)
And you thought good ol' Wogan was just a normal Irishman! Actually, his ancestors got to Ireland in a Norman invasion ship.
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
Hey - before you lot go tribal ... can we get back to the original post?
Hey - before you lot go tribal ... can we get back to the original post?
Varsovian
24 Jan 2011
History / Poland obliged to make war reparations to Austria and Germany after WWI. Why? [119]
Dunno, and don't have time to find out myself - does anyone out there know?
Dunno, and don't have time to find out myself - does anyone out there know?