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Posts by SeanBM  

Joined: 10 Mar 2008 / Male ♂
Last Post: 6 Jun 2017
Threads: Total: 34 / In This Archive: 14
Posts: Total: 5781 / In This Archive: 2780
From: Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Displayed posts: 2794 / page 72 of 94
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SeanBM   
31 Dec 2009
History / Life in communism vs democracy in Poland [234]

yes, it makes luxury and race cars,,, but, it cant help finding a simple cure to cancers.

You are confused, the function of capitalism is not to cure cancer.
but it does work on an incentive basis (at best) and creates an environment that someone can find a cure and get a reward for it.

go and learn cuba hospitals. maybe not to cancer yet, but to many illnesses that capitalist world dont know the cure yet, but, cuba.

This is simply not true.
SeanBM   
31 Dec 2009
History / Life in communism vs democracy in Poland [234]

all about capturing the wealths of earth. this is capitalism.

Are you talking about capitalism?
The thread is about Life in communism vs democracy in Poland.

And if your point is that ''pure communism'' was never in Poland, then you could also make the point that ''pure capitalism'' doesn't exist today.
SeanBM   
31 Dec 2009
History / Life in communism vs democracy in Poland [234]

print as much money as we need

During the height of hyperinflation in 1992-1993, the Central Bank actually tried to derail reforms by actively printing money during a period of inflation. After all, the Russian government was short of revenue and was forced to print money to finance its debt. As a result, inflation exploded into hyperinflation, and the Russian economy continued in a serious slump.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_post-Soviet_Russia#Reform_by_decree

And their citizens can be counted as among the impoverished of the world, while their leaders go along, fat and happy.

He must mean being a leader? ;)
SeanBM   
28 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

The house i am interested in is the one thats called piotre

log-homes.eu/log-homes-under-construction-in-progress.php

The firm itself is not too far away from me , so after the holidays i might have to tootle over there and have a look...

That is the best idea, ask to see some of their work and go on to site, so you can see exactly what it includes.
SeanBM   
28 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

but i may as well get the ball rolling in terms of getting permission etc...

Yes, there is a lot of research you can do and getting good builders will usually have to be booked in advance.
How big is that house, in metres square?

My friends who are building their house, had to put it the foundations and then the builders come and construct the wooden house on that.

.They only give the dam price of this house in m2 which is a pain for peeps like me with no skills in maths but i think it works out around 78 grand in UK money...would that be about right...? its got four bedrooms...

I don't know, you would have to ask them if it includes the foundations, the wiring/plumbing etc... or just for "standard zamkniety", meaning ''closed standard'' which means that the roof is on and the windows and doors are in but nothing else is done inside the house.
SeanBM   
28 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

I was thnking of building this wooden house on my land , actually in my garden , as i have been told its much more tricky to build it on my farmland ouside of the fenced area

It depends on the 'general plan' for your area i.e. what your land has been designated for.
If your local council has made a ''general plan'' "Plan zagospodarowania".
I think there is an easier way for you though.

I would kinda like to keep the old original house , it survived the second war , i don,t want to be the one to knock it down...

You do not have to knock it down at all for the "renovation" I am talking about, you could just have a wall or something linking the old farm house to the new wooden one. Or even better if you somehow attach the old house to the new one but on paper say it is a renovation, it will be obvious what you are doing, it is not a trick but just an easy way of dealing with paperwork.

It is of course extremely difficult for me to give you correct advise with so little knowledge of your particular project.

I was always pretty good at those Airfix kits , so might save a bit in construction costs....

You could also build your house out of Styrofoam and pour cement in it.
Here is a video of what I am talking about. broken link removed
Another friend of mine built his house using this technology, it is very quick, cheap and works well but the quality is not great and I am only recommending it because I believe that you want the cheapest option possible.

It is incredibly easy to build (provided you have help).
I can get you more information but it is better if you tell us what you want and why.
what size, how many rooms etc...?
I recommend you build a small house, Polish people tend to build hotel like houses probably because of their whole family 3/4 generations living under the same roof.

Would a cottage, with no basement do?

These photos were taken a few days ago:


  • IMG_6557_2.JPG

  • IMG_6560_3.JPG

  • IMG_6562_4.JPG

  • IMG_6572_1.JPG
SeanBM   
28 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

My friends are building a wooden house.
It should be the same permissions with any other material except a wooden house has to be further away from neighbouring houses due to the possible spread of fire. I do not think that would be a problem for you though.

It is also easier to do "renovation" work than to build a new house in the paper work.
What I mean is you could build a wooden house and say it is a renovation of your existing house, this way you'll get a decision quicker and easier.

I have some photos of my friends wooden house, if you would like to see them?
SeanBM   
26 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

Congratutations, Sean

I try not to talk about work on the internet, part of my work is in real estate.

(still, there were several interesting posts in the threads)!

I think that is the reason that the mods and Admin keep them going.

There are some developers in Poland on this forum that have posted from their sources and experiences, so all and all very few of the posts actually inform.

I just don't like the abuse of the rules, with that person having so many poster names and misinforming.
I have nothing against people of opposing views to me, in fact it forces me to take a good look at what is happening but the spamming is over the top.

But I suppose at the end of the day he is just provoking a reaction and we are feeding him.

A country farm in Zachodniopomorskie, that sounds interesting,

You should see the photo he posted and please feel free to contribute to the ongoing monthly contest.
SeanBM   
26 Dec 2009
Real Estate / KRAKOW APARTMENTS...BUY NOW.. they are a bargain.... [16]

i am thinking of selling my country farm in the lovely forest and moving to a small box like home in a concrete block , its got to be better...?

:)

You're not a city boy.

hope i can see it with one eye half closed....?

No! try reading it with the other open eye :)
SeanBM   
24 Dec 2009
Off-Topic / PF - The Omnibus Edition [1502]

A very Merry X-mas and Happy New Year,
With adventure, love and a dash of cold beer.

So much has happened these 365 days past,
I don't know where to start, I hope it won't last.

Lets hope that everyone has peace this year,
That families reunite and not live in fear.

Matters not if it's karp, turkey or just a microwave meal,
So long as friends and family are making the deal,

And so another year's almost up,
To this we should all raise a cup!

A precious princess was brought into this world,
As our hearts, they did melt, when we saw this little girl.

Sons were united with fathers unknown,
The seeds of good relations have this year been sown.

From Texas, came a cowgirl at last,
Who came to see Krakow and visit her past.

Some made fine grooms while others made brides,
A union of which, fills us with pride.

Matters not if you are Muslim or Jew,
This X-mas we'll all start a new.

With family and friends we'll forget all our woes,
Eat, drink and sleep! and forgive all our foes.

With make-ups and break-ups to make up some more,
A drink for yourself, I hope you will pour.

With generalisms, ologies and isms galore!
We try to turn away but we howl out for more.

So I'll end this ryme, this season greeting,
On Polish Forums, we are always meeting.

And to all those who love and love to hate,
I'll catch you on other threads, now that's a date ;)

Remember dear Poland keeps us all together,
Under Admin's flagship we brave the weather.

With a kick in our step and a gleam in our eye,
You'd think butter wouldn't melt and we were all nice as pie.

So a rich man or beggar, you be.
Merry Christmas to all, I do decree!
SeanBM   
20 Dec 2009
Travel / Poland in photo riddles [3134]

1 What is it?
The Wawel castle in Krakow where princess Wanda preferred to throw herself into the Wisła to kill herself than marry German.

2 What is it?
It is a ship, well kind of, it is made to symobolise a ship, it is in fact the roof of a church in Nowa Huta. The communist built city where the people showed their allegiance by building a church there.

3 What`s going on?
The priest is hard of hearing and wanted a chat with his flock? :)

4 Why do people crowd?
The date, makes it a Sunday, so I will say Sunday mass.

5 Whose is it?
A person of no fixed abode.

6 I have seen sth special. What?
The insulation of solar powered playground lights, unfortunatly they only work during the day?

7 Where is he from?
In the Carpathian mountains, high Tatras, I would say Zakopane.

8 Where can you see a mime?
On Ul. Krupówki in Zakopane? I think I recognise the cobbled street and architecture.

9 This style was designed for which region of Poland?
Again in the Carpathian mountains, high Tatras, I would say Zakopane.

10 What is special in this wood carving?
is it made of a special material?

11 Why is the tree special? What does it commemorate?
Being a Polish tree, it was probably planted to commemorate independence?

12 The custom that was popular in the past but now slowly disappears. What?
People from different parts of Poland, leave a symbolic reference to where they are from?

13 WHat is going on?
You took a photograph of someone taking a photograph of you on a bus.
I know there is more to it than just that but there is too little information to know what.

14 It is inside what?
A restaurant? a house?

15 What have they found?
Mushrooms?

16 What is the man doing?
Cooking on a grill suspended from the ceiling?

17 What is it?
A native American 'Dream catcher'?
SeanBM   
20 Dec 2009
Life / Winter in Poland? [160]

The above video is so cool.

Wicked :)

life is good.

It's great to be alive, it certainly beats the alternative, sure there are plenty of people in the graveyard that'd love to have my problems.

+5 degrees inside my house

Light a fire, that is too cold to sit in.
You'd better take better care of yourself.
SeanBM   
20 Dec 2009
Life / Winter in Poland? [160]

Definitely, no doubt about it.
You have to otherwise it is miserably cold.
Get a ski jacket, long johns, scarf, hat (that covers your ears), gloves and warm shoes and your quality of life will improve ten fold.
SeanBM   
20 Dec 2009
Life / Winter in Poland? [160]

Too young to remember.. I hear the Winters are brutal down there.

Poland is beautiful during the winter.
Everything looks so pure, white and clean outside (when you come inside everythng is wet and dirty:)
The freshly fallen snow in minus 7 or 10 forms crystals that glitter like diamonds when you walk around this winter wonderland.
The sound of your footsteps changes depending on how cold it is, yesterday in minus 12, the snow squeaked with every footstep but at higher temperatures the snow acts as sound insulation, sucking up all the travelling waves and giving the place a wonderful sense of peace and tranquillity.

The trees look naked in autumn only to be decorated in winter with snow. And when the snow blows on the trees on one side, all the trees lean over under the weight of the snow. This makes the trees look animated, as if they are all walking in the same direction :)

At lower temperatures the bacteria die and the air is so fresh, like it was medically treated or something.
It is essential to have the correct clothing and you must be aware of so many things that I am not used to coming from a temperate climate. Pipes may freeze and burst, heck everything may freeze and burst.

This time of year it does take extra effort to be energetic, the short cold days can take it out of you but if you force yourself to get out and about, it is amazing.

Here in the south of Poland it does not get so cold for long, you may have a few days of minus 20 Celsius. Like now for example, it was plus 7 or 9 last week now it is about minus 15 or 20 and next week it is expected to be plus again. They can predict the weather here to a great degree. This is something you can't really do where I am from, on an island in the Atlantic, as the ocean is too unpredictable and usually means rain anyway.

The coldest I have ever been in was minus 32 Celsius now that is a whole other thing, no Irish man should ever be in such cold. It was incredible but even with that said, I am glad to have experienced it as that is all this life is after all, a series of experiences, so I am happy enough to be part of these wonders of nature.

My main plan for this winter for having fun is to snowboard/ski (which is the best fun you can have with your clothes on), make snow sculpting in the garden and drive down to the frozen car park and skid around it.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing (well except for minus 32, then it is actually too cold :)
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

Ah, yes, I misread, I thought he wrote

"What's that, in Euros?".

My bad, I should have known BB is too bright for that.

Today
1 Polish zloty = 0.2382 Euros according to Google, so 115000 PLN reward is about 27393 Euros.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

I was interested in the exchange with Euros...

I don't understand you?

Yea, they become a footnote. Ask someone about the Thirty Years' War and see what kind of response you get.

The First Reich: The Holy Roman Empire (800/962 - 1806)
The Second Reich: The German Empire (1871 - 1918)
The Third Reich: Nazi Germany (1933 - 1945)

answerbag.com/q_view/4009

This type of thing makes me think that Neo-Nazis want a forth Reich.
Again I wish to remind everyone this is purely speculative and just my opinion.

I doubt if it was a Polish commissioned thieft, if it was planned but no doubt there will be a lot of Polish hate propaganda in the up and coming weeks.

The sooner the thieves are caught the better as this is one of those frustrating 'Political' mud throwing sensationalist pieces of news.

By now it's prolly been smuggled out of Poland and is who knows where? Could even be on another continent. All they had to do was put it in a box and ship it.

I would imagine so as the hunt continues and the population of Poland wants it returned.
But if it were just some stupid people, well then they should be caught soon enough or they'll leave it somewhere for the police to take it back, I would not like to be them right now.

They catch a lot of fine art thieves at the sale end of things, perhaps these guys will make their mistake there, if they do not already have a buyer. Again all this is pure speculation.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

Reward for information about the theft of the "Arbeit macht frei" sign: 115 thousand PLN

In connection with the event today to announce that for any information that will help you to find the stolen inscription " Arbeit macht frei" Director of the Auschwitz -Birkenau designated prize totaling 100 thousand . zł - informed the Auschwitz- Birkenau .

Those interested in submitting relevant information please contact us immediately with the police throughout the country - said in a statement.


Wouldn't it be something if they did, in fact, forget to remove the replica and the people who stole it think they have the real thing when it isn't?

There is a third copy in a holocaust museum in the U.S. too.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

It seems that the perpetrators had to have a ladder with him. Climb the gate is difficult to unscrew the screws in such a cold too easy. Have to be two or three people - he adds. However, it is too early to say that someone from the museum staff can assist the thieves - said officers.

camera aimed at the same gate with the inscription "Arbeit macht frei" is not recorded anywhere. - There is only online on the Internet - said, "Rom" Inspector Smith.

They can replace it with a replica.

They have already, while they keep looking.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

The information the police and representatives of the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau that the theft was planned.

Sorry for my translation but they are basically saying it was planned.

I really hope Poland doesnt profit from the camp.

Well that is of course debatable. When I first came to Poland 8 years ago, it was Poland's biggest tourist destination, flights, hotels, restaurants etc... all made money of the tourists.

But it being free for visitors means the maintenance money comes from somewhere else.
it is all on that thread about Norway donating, I can't remember off hand.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

One end was unscrewed the other end was just ripped away. It was done fairly quick.

You have a point.

Now it's Poland vs Israel??? ;)

No....wait...it must read Germany vs Israel!

i think it was vs Neo-Nazis in general.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

What i wnat to know is were there any cameras on it?

I doubt it, they would have said by now.

Remember this Norway offers aid for Auschwitz upkeep about Poland basically left to fit the bill for Auschwitz. It is free in, so this might be a good time for interested parties to insure the security and maintenance of the museum.

Personally, I think there should be an admittance fee, like other death camps in the world.

No, its worth money regardless.

I know but I would not deal with anyone who wanted to by this sign because it represents genocide, no amount of money would be worth that for me. But you have a point, less scrupulous people just see it as a sign for sale.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

no-one noticed two geezers walking down the road with 3m of the most famous sign in the world
or
Security didn't notice a truck waiting at the gate at 2 or 3 in the morning.

That is what makes me think it was precision planning and the tools to get the thing off and what it represents to Polish people too.

Thats worth thousands, id stash it good and proper, sell to the highest bidder, wouldnt you?

There is only one type of person that would make such a bid, a Neo-Nazi, no?

As I read about it I got the impression that it was quite easy as Auschwitz isn't secured.

I heard on the radio this morning that it was a proffesional job but I have no confirmation on that.

And there's a hostel for visitors and a convent both very close, and people living across the road. It must have been very well planned indeed.

Yes, it does make me think that.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

Honestly I doubt that....I rather think about a prank by some idiots!

A prank?
I doubt that even more, the tools involved, the method of transport, all had to be planned with precision as capture would mean prison.
Imagine getting caught with it now, you'd be up the creek without a paddle.

Edit*

With Neo-Nazis there should be some political gain behind it and I can't see any.

A trophy would be enough, no?

Again, I am only speculating.
SeanBM   
19 Dec 2009
News / The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland [240]

thats easy - money, that sign is known world wide, it would be worth a fortune. You can just imagine some super rich twat hanging it in his living room bragging thats the very sign of the Auschwitz death camp and original too. Problem for them they cant brag too much as it will be reported, you cant just make history like that dissapear. To many people care.

I agree, it makes me think that it was a commissioned robbery by Neo-Nazis, of course this is purely speculation.
It is not the same as robbing the Mona Lisa or some other world famous object, we all know the horror it signifies.

e a piece of work was commissioned by an SS officer whose property was stripped from him because of his crimes, the piece of work belongs to the Polish state and not to the artist who painted the piece

What exactly are you talking about?
Post a link if possible, I am just curious.

In 300 years, WW2 will be a footnote

I think it is more to do with what it became to represent, the third-reich.

Can you and obviously only a few others really not see the symbolic and actual value of this sign?

The only people that would want it would be Neo-Nazis though, no?
As you mentioned before, it'd be reported if it were just rich people.
I am of course just speculating, I can't see anyone else bragging about it.

Sell for big cash...

Yes but it is not like a famous piece of art, that most people would like, it represents something completely different, a time, a power and a genocide.

It's not good. What will they do if they can't find it? Everybody expects to see the "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, it is a symbol.

They have another one that they used when this one was begin restored or repaired.
SeanBM   
12 Dec 2009
History / Polish hatred towards Jews... [1290]

Jews are better, smarter, wiser, cleverer, brisker, cannier, craftier, bolder and brainier while the rest of us goys are just dumb retards.

Given that definition, I must be a Jew.
I never knew :)