Syrena

I think I might be the eldest of all members here. I'm 48 years old. I'm Canadian, non-Polish. I'm a first-time forum member and I don't talk much. I do better on a one-on-one basis, rather than in a group such as this one. Add to that the time difference and it just makes the interactions that much more... syncopated. I'm a music lover and l love cooking, ballroom dancing, tai chi, reading, tennis, learning, and I'm involved in some social advocacy/community work. I'm a generalist, a humanist, an environmentalist, a feminist and a Trekkie.

My claim-to-fame is to have pulled over a policeman for dangerous driving.

I missed some of my early adult years because of illness and I'm trying to make up for them in a way by observing what goes on here and in sharing in the conversations occasionally. I am very happy in my life even if it hasn't quite turned out as I thought it would. I enjoy good debating and logical thinking, wit and kindness. And I admire the strong women's voices in this forum.

I forgot to mention that I like to talk about myself.

Cheers,

Syrena

You like to talk about yourself? Ok than, where exactly from Canada are you?

argum

I think it's a Polish characteristic and with all the politness and political correctness in Canada I grew tired of it. Not that I am dreaming of offending anyone, but having stong believes and expressing them is part of the Polish culture which I miss and it's good to hear a positive opinion of somebody who is an observer.
Thank you for the kind words and welcome to the forum.
I am looking forward to definately seeing you here more often))))

I'm in Ottawa. Thanks for asking.

Thanks Miranda. I've edited my post and left out that part but I'm glad that you were able to read it and react to it. I have to agree that I am also getting tired of political correctedness (I'm a federal bureaucrat on top of things) and I am trying to reconcile my personal opinions and outspokenness to my career. I take my work very seriously and I cannot tell you what I do, unfortunately. Not that I'm trying to be secretive. It's just not something I feel comfortable discussing right now.

I love the Polish way of saying simply what is.

In the original posting, I said something along the lines that I thought you were quite wonderful people, that I was impressed by how you could argue with one another (rather seriously at times) and end up being friends (at least friendlier) after it all. Conflict is such a sensitive area for me. In any case, nice to meet you all.

Your nick - do you know that in polish it means mermaid, or more commonly a type of old car? :

Seriously? It's the same in Spanish but it's spelled sirena. (I took Spanish in college)

When I chose the nickname, I was thinking of the mermaid of Warsaw. I visited Warsaw last year and loved the city (I know, that's unusual but still, ...) My full name is Syrena Warszawska But given my age, I could also be an old car Welcome to you both !
edit: 'mermaid' = 'sirène' in French

Could you tell us how you managed that?

Syrena, there was a post yesterday that I responded to about insults to the guys
who were giving someone a hard time in canada, I had found some jokes
and other stuff, but in no way was i trying to offend anyone, so I do want to clarify
that.

I know you or anyone else hadnt said anything about it, but, my intentions are
purely to help him to find ways to have a witty, or quick response. some are harsh
towards each other, and its mostly the guys who have to harass each other at times
to show they are witty, even when they dont intend harm, but it had bothered
someone, and my posts bothered me, because I dont have that kind of feeling
towards people at all, no matter who.

but I dont like when someone does insult, that is why I need to clarify, and
I do respect you as well as many others in here, so anyway, I will stop
babbleing and get on with life lol

ok. now i will go stick my head in the ground.

but why her Recently there was an ideas to change her image a little bit. They were thinking about changing it to be american fashion (I hope u know what I mean)



It happens but normally it takes a little more then one time in it. There is a common opinion that this city has no identity because of it's destruction during II WW (especcialy Warsaw Upising). As you may know communists treated Warsaw as they're main goal. The goal to rebuild, but in stalinist way... They also "imported" a dozens of people, especcialy poor ones (villagers, workers etc) to it. If you sum this up you can understand why this is such a strange city - full of contrasts, but also with some strange energy being all around you

Call me local patriot I don't care

I might consider it once I know you better. In the meantime, feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduction thread, or continue to read and post for a while. Merry Christmas.

Welcome Syrena. Do, please tell us about it.
In my case it was the opposite - I was chased by the police! However I was so young and cute that I didn't even get a ticket! I "smiled myself" out of it. It was the 80-s, you know. I think, nowadays I could get shot...or at least my tires to stop me..
No, you are not the oldest, I beat you to it.

Patrycja, thanks for your post. I read that thread just a couple of days ago. I actually thought that the jokes about Canadians were funny ('homo milk'?) and had a good giggle. (I'm sure there are some much nastier ones, circulating out there...) I did not take any of the posts personally, especially since the thread had been started in September, I think, before I joined. And I agree completely that the insults are unacceptable. I was actually thinking up ways in which he could have responded but did not get a chance to give it serious thought. I wondered also if he was still around to read the posts. I still want to post something in that thread.
I appreciate your thinking about me in this context.
Feel free to speak your mind anytime.

Oh well, ok... feral belcher, it's your lucky day... but it's really not as exciting as it sounds. I was driving on a two-lane highway one Sunday morning, going to visit my elderly parents in the country. I was the only car on the road. All of a sudden, this cruiser appears behind me, speeding, no flashing lights on, and passes me on a double solid line, going uphill. The idiot (sorry). For about three full seconds, there we were, driving up the hill, side by side, him at full speed, reaching the crest. Any car that would have been coming our way would have killed us all. The idiot ! (not sorry this time). He finally moved back into the right lane, ahead of me, and sped off.
Once I could breath again, my heart was racing, the blood was pounding in my head, and my knees were like jelly. I just couldn't believe what had just happened. I remembered reading about citizen's arrests, and decided I could do this. Cop or no cop, he had endangered me and I wasn't going to let him get away with it. So, I caught up with him (he was already so far ahead of me, the idiot, that it took me a good two minutes of driving to finally catch up). And I flashed him my headlights. He pulled over.

I don't mean to leave you hanging but this takes time...

And...?

He pulls over. I pull over in front of him. He gets out of the car. I get out of the car.
He stands there, looking at me from behind his sunglasses, his arms folded on his chest and doesn't say a word. And I gave him a piece of my mind. That's all. He never said anything. When I had finished, I got back into my car and left. Looking back on it, I wish I had asked him for his badge number and filed in a report, but I was too upset. I just needed to tell him off. So now, you know the story.

A great story. Thanks for telling! Even the ones who serve and protect need a lesson.

Just did.
Merry Christmas!

How do we know it was me or you? :)

Yeah, how? :)

TY I have offended others ( I think) lol so I wanted to make sure my lack of
knowing slang, or even joking etc with folks from other countries didnt do that
again.

gosh I am tired, was going to stay over tonight, and decided to not , now I am
almost closing eyes at comp.

time to hit the pillow.

Thanks again Syrena

Welcome Syrena - and you sound like a fine lady, can just imagine that police man standing there like a naughty school boy! needless to say he wasnt going back to the station bragging about that one.

Welcome Syrena. And yes, I do feel strange welcoming you since you have been contributing to this forum from some time now.

Thank you everyone. This thread was started way back in November but was unearthed again recently.

I think she appealed to my mythical and protective side. From what I know of her image, I think it's just fine at it is now. And no, sorry, I'm not sure I know what you mean.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It might have been a good reminder to him to be more careful for his own sake, too.
Actually, he did not seem repentant in the least. He followed me for a while. I don't know if it was because I had knocked some sense into him and he was keeping to the speed limit, or he wanted to make sure I wasn't unstable, or if he was trying to intimidate me. In any case, nothing more came of it. And I still think I let him get off much too easily.

Thank you very much Amathyst. I am touched. And I think very highly of you, too.

Matyjasz, I'm honored that you have taken the time to pop in.

I suppose a late welcome is better than none Have a Merry Christmas Syrena!

Thank you Fisz. And a very merry Christmas to you as well. Is there finally snow where you are?