11 Sep 2012, 6:37 am
11 Sep 2012, 7:55 am
Prof_Pretorius
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Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Age: 66
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Location: Hiding in the attic of the Arkham Library
11 Sep 2012, 4:29 pm
Indeed, a "v" at the end of a word does sound like an "f", if you don't have a really good pronunciation.I've been told that it is almost as common as Smith in english.
12 Sep 2012, 6:08 am
12 Sep 2012, 6:54 am
12 Sep 2012, 8:03 am
This is my sketchy knowledge of Poland in summary....
- I think they were originally a Slavic tribe group
- Confused about their role in the wars of the Teutonic Knights, seem to think they were enemies and later allies.
- At some point in the middle ages they became christianized
- Reached a peak of power and prestige in the 1600's and controlled land eastwards almost all the way to Moscow.
- Were perhaps the main component of the army that defeated the invading Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Vienna (1600s)
- At this time had one of the coolest Cavalry Units in History, the Polish Winged Hussars
- The affairs of Poland went downhill from the 1700s till modern times, surrounded by more powerful and belligerent neighbors such as Russia, Prussia and Austria.
- It became customary at the end of Wars to take pieces of land from Poland and give them to the bigger countries, whether Poland was involved or not.
- Napoleon encouraged the Poles by Reforming their fragmented lands into a subordinate Duchy, as a short-lived buffer state against Russia
- World War II put Poland at the center of the most horrendous cataclysam of our time. Both Germany and Russia under secret agreement to each take half of Poland invaded in 1939. Against the invaders Poland fought a brief hopeless war which included making cavalry charges against German tanks. Poland became one of the centers of the Nazi Concentration Camps and millions of Poles were it's first imates. The Russians commited an infamous atrocity in the east executing 8000 captured Polish officers in the Katyn forest, something Russia denied up to only a few years ago.
- Years later when Russia was now an 'Ally' against Germany the Poles rose up in revolt against the Nazi occupiers in Warsaw as the Russians approached. The Russians however stopped their advance and waited several weeks till the revolt was ruthlessly suppressed to continue.
- 'Kanal' Made in 1956, and Cannes Film Festival winner, was a remarkable and ahead of it's time film of the nighmarish fighing in the sewers under Warsaw.
- Poland underwent a revival in the 70's and 80's with the rise of the Union organization Solidarity which won concessions from the Soviet backed government. This was one of the first cracks in what would be the collaspe of the Soviet Union and Warsw Pact. The first Polish Pope was elected.
- I think it was after the collaspe of the Soviet Union around 1991 that Poland elected Lech Walesa, one of the original Solidarity Leaders President.
Some Personnel Exposure
- My first childhood crush was on my best friend Victor's sister.
- Teresa and Victor went to 'Polish School' on Saturdays to learn Polish history and music and dancing.
- I briefly knew a Polish student while stationed in Germany in the 80's. He told of us the shortages, long lines, waits, and fear of speaking your mind there.
- I find the Polish facial features interesting and often attractive (on the females)
- My wife is part Polish and has that look 
. I think of it as being a little bit Elvish. Not as in Elvis but as in the Elves.
- I am also interested in international music and this is a song I liked from the group Tres.B. The singer is Polish and has the Elvish genes I think.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtnbF29m7ag&feature=related[/youtube]
16 Sep 2012, 12:09 am
Umm... Let me try this again.
IDK. They have like poles there right ?
16 Sep 2012, 7:36 am
17 Sep 2012, 9:19 am
Prof_Pretorius
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Age: 66
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17 Sep 2012, 5:16 pm
