So I was going to write about Polish elevators on the "you know you're Polish" post but then I decided to make this a separate 'elevator' post. These are my confessions.
Hi. My name is Augustyna and I have a phobia of elevators.
Ever since I was a kid I feared elevators! When growing up I used to live in a building that had three elevators (all of which have freaked the shit out of me at least once). I became so sensitive to the moving floor under my feet that I told myself stories and even talked to the elevators to calm my anxiety. I'm not kidding.. I can go on and on about the shit I forced myself to believe.
I hated being alone in elevators and being in crowded elevators. So many times the elevator wouldn't open its doors OR it would open its doors but midway between the floors. I was more calm when this happened on say the third floor but when it happened on the 17th (and it usually did) I'd shit my pants. K, not literally.. but I would crouch to the floor (when alone) or move around (when with some1) so I wouldn't have to feel that "falling" feeling.
Nevertheless, I swallowed my fear just so I could be "cool" and ride in the elevators with my friends. Unfortunately they all lived on floors below mine.. so I'd usually hold the elevator door till the person living on the last floor got home.. then I'd sneak out and take the stairs to my floor (haha). I only got caught once.. so I pretended my mother sent me for some sugar and I accompanied my frnd to her apt. In addition, I would never take the elevator down. I'd take the stairs from the 12th floor to the first- which only took me 3 min's. As I got older I used to make sure I rode the elevators up with my special friend.. lets call him Sam.. because he used to live on the penthouse floor haha. But this got turned waaayyy out of proportion when he started noticing I wanted to be left alone with him in the elevators .. oh man!
Aneways, I was a strong believer that every elevator had a character. This is not to say that I believed the elevators were alive.. its just that all 3 elevators had a different way that they stopped and lifted off the ground. The first elevator was the 'uncertain' elevator. She was light on the departure and slow on the stop. She also couldn't pick up as many ppl as she stated she could (on that lil 'elevator paper'). She was the most common to get stuck and do something unexpected- such as the opening of doors midway between floors. She was my least favourite and I called her "The Bitch".
The middle elevator was my favourite. The feel of the rise and fall sensitivity was inbetween "The Bitch's" and "Grandpa's" (the last elevator). I named this elevator "Max" and knew his every move- he would not surprise me, he was safe, he was predictable. When going up I would always take this elevator (that is, when I had a choice of which one to take. During 'traffic' I had to catch a ride wherever me n my frnds would fit).
However, I did get stuck in this elevator (when I was 6 years old.. and I remember it like yesterday). Actually, I think this is how my elevator phobia started. I got stuck during the 'traffic' hours. A bunch of us kids were coming home from the park and we noticed the other elevators were full. So we decided to pack into the middle elevator despite the fact that it's lights were not working. So we decided to go down to the basement (to avoid traffic from the basement) and come back up in this dark elevator...and like the 6 year old angels that we weren't, we were jumping, bouncing balls around the walls.. and pressing every button just for fun. Then suddenly there was a loud noise, a jerk, and the elevator came to a stop. We were stuck half way between the basement and the first floor, in the dark, for over 30 minutes. I think I was fine the first few minutes.. but then my frnd started crying and someone started talking about some movie they saw with elevators falling from top floors (I know now this movie was Speed). We were all rescued by firefighters... who pried the doors open while were stuck half way btwn floors.
Cool huh? NO!
Since I was crouched on the floor I happened to see both basement and first floor..and my imaginations started taking me places I didn't want to go. As they were pulling me out of the elevator I also took a look at what was under the elevator. It scared the shit out of me. 1. Not only could the elevator have dropped and cut my body in half but 2. There was a large space or smtn' below the basement where all this garbage was present; it was dark, deep, and dirty- what if I fell in? lol.
So ever since then, and ever since watching Speed (which was on PPV at the time) I'd have the same elevator dream over and over again. Me being stuck- falling in elevators that were cut from the top floors- only having discovered that one elevator was connected to another, which was connected to another! and when I'd finally reach that dark, dirty room below the basement- I'd be pulled up on a rope only to start falling again.
The third elevator was sturdy and heavy. I'd call it "Grandpa" because it was usually used for moving in and out of apartments- also maintenance. This elevator was okay but it was incredibly slow. It's slowness took the doors to open more longer.. and it was soo pianful for me when I saw the doors open early (b4 the elevator fully stopped) and at slow motion. So I also avoided this elevator. lol.
But if I were forced into the elevator, by my parents f. ex, my belief was that if I talked and trusted the elevator it would treat me well (of course I believed the elevators could here my thoughts..so I'd never talk to it out loud haha).It was all about trust. lol.
Aneways, this isn't meant to be some sad, pathetic story. I assure you that as I'm writing this I realize how stupid this phobia is (and how crazy I really am :S)! but I battled this fear.. and am not afraid of elevators anymore. Although, I do admit that when caught off guard the same feeling of anxiety does come back.
Here is a video of the elevators in Poland.. I've seen them in person.. and to this day have not stepped into one. In fact, I hope I never have to ride these elevators. I do not trust them and can not believe that they are still operating!
This video shows what it is like in the elevator. There is only one door, that on the floor (not in the elevator). So when waiting for the elevator, you just push one door and walk in as if you were entering a room in your house. There is usually a sign before you pull the elevator door open that says "DANGER! Make sure there is an elevator on the other side of this door". I've read many stories where people would open the doors, the elevator was late in arriving, and they would lose their.. body parts. SAD!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Fave Movie Songs
From Bourne Identity, Extreme Ways- Moby
From Thomas Crown Affair, Sinnerman- Nina Simone
From Thomas Crown Affair, Sinnerman- Nina Simone
You Know You're Polish When...
I've combined some of the best "facts" about Polaks =)
This brought on the laughs cuz it just happens to be true...
-You or some1 you know has a white and red PL sticker proudly displayed on the back windshield of their car.
-You sing the same song "100 Lat" (100 years) on every occasion (birthday,weddings, baby showers)
-You watch soccer and always "know" they're gunna win the World Cup, meanwhile they don;t make it past the first round :(
-You know very well who Pope John Paul II is, and know his name was Karol not Carol.
-Your grandmother has a picture of the Pope right next to your school photo.
-You take cabbage to the extreme- in pierogi and in body cleanser.
-You like to put sour cream, horse raddish, or beer on everything you eat (I like ketchup + horse radish haha).
-You go to midnight mass every Christmas Eve and keep you tree up till February.
-You share "oplatek" on Christmas Eve and bless your food during Easter (You open presents on Christmas Eve)
-You regularly attend mass but spend most of the ceremony sleeping or reading the bulletin (I like to run away in my thoughts haha) but when asked you are a devout Catholic.
-Your church has a fully loaded bar.
-You kiss on the cheek 3 times, not 2.
-You have at least one uncle named Stan or "Stas".
-Your cute nicknames from your childhood stay with you as you age despite the huge difference btwn them and your original name (Augustynka, Agasia, Aga oh my!)
-You drink your wodka straight.
-You get along best with the Irish and blame all the problems of the world on the Germans and Russians (ha!).
-You know the difference between Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenes- and you think they're all inferior to the Poles despite their glaring similarities.
-You are convinced your pets only understand Polish, so when your english friends come over that's why they ignore them.
-You can spot Polish ppl just as easily as Asians can spot Asian ppl- cuz they just have that "Polish look".
-You arrive one or two hours late at a party and think its normal.
-You talk for an hour at the front door when you are leaving.
-You have lace curtains (firanki) on at least one (if not all) windows in your house.
-Your house is full of medicine from the old country and its probably all illegal here.
-Your family owns a coffee grinder and a nut grinder.
-Your name always gets slaughtered on the first day of school.
-When you're at a stranger's house you expect the garbage to be under the sink.
-You know Chopin was Polish not French.
-You were speaking Polish before English.
-When your family considers mushroom picking good fun.
-When you and your friends speak english, you occasionally slip in Polish words and assume they know what you are saying.
-You occasionaly add the suffix "ski" to English words for no apparent reason; "I'm gunna put the car-ski in the garage-ski".
-Your dad carries around enough money to buy a car.
-Your car costs more than your college education.
-Your friend's parents talk to you like they're your parents, and you refer to them as "ciocia" or "wujek" even though you're not related.
-Your family is so loyal that even your second cousin will take a bullet for you.
This brought on the laughs cuz it just happens to be true...
-You or some1 you know has a white and red PL sticker proudly displayed on the back windshield of their car.
-You sing the same song "100 Lat" (100 years) on every occasion (birthday,weddings, baby showers)
-You watch soccer and always "know" they're gunna win the World Cup, meanwhile they don;t make it past the first round :(
-You know very well who Pope John Paul II is, and know his name was Karol not Carol.
-Your grandmother has a picture of the Pope right next to your school photo.
-You take cabbage to the extreme- in pierogi and in body cleanser.
-You like to put sour cream, horse raddish, or beer on everything you eat (I like ketchup + horse radish haha).
-You go to midnight mass every Christmas Eve and keep you tree up till February.
-You share "oplatek" on Christmas Eve and bless your food during Easter (You open presents on Christmas Eve)
-You regularly attend mass but spend most of the ceremony sleeping or reading the bulletin (I like to run away in my thoughts haha) but when asked you are a devout Catholic.
-Your church has a fully loaded bar.
-You kiss on the cheek 3 times, not 2.
-You have at least one uncle named Stan or "Stas".
-Your cute nicknames from your childhood stay with you as you age despite the huge difference btwn them and your original name (Augustynka, Agasia, Aga oh my!)
-You drink your wodka straight.
-You get along best with the Irish and blame all the problems of the world on the Germans and Russians (ha!).
-You know the difference between Czechs, Slovaks, and Slovenes- and you think they're all inferior to the Poles despite their glaring similarities.
-You are convinced your pets only understand Polish, so when your english friends come over that's why they ignore them.
-You can spot Polish ppl just as easily as Asians can spot Asian ppl- cuz they just have that "Polish look".
-You arrive one or two hours late at a party and think its normal.
-You talk for an hour at the front door when you are leaving.
-You have lace curtains (firanki) on at least one (if not all) windows in your house.
-Your house is full of medicine from the old country and its probably all illegal here.
-Your family owns a coffee grinder and a nut grinder.
-Your name always gets slaughtered on the first day of school.
-When you're at a stranger's house you expect the garbage to be under the sink.
-You know Chopin was Polish not French.
-You were speaking Polish before English.
-When your family considers mushroom picking good fun.
-When you and your friends speak english, you occasionally slip in Polish words and assume they know what you are saying.
-You occasionaly add the suffix "ski" to English words for no apparent reason; "I'm gunna put the car-ski in the garage-ski".
-Your dad carries around enough money to buy a car.
-Your car costs more than your college education.
-Your friend's parents talk to you like they're your parents, and you refer to them as "ciocia" or "wujek" even though you're not related.
-Your family is so loyal that even your second cousin will take a bullet for you.
You and I..Yes YOU! make this song work!
I love this song.
What a question to ask.. Are we human or are we dancer?
I think this song speaks for everybody.. are we human or are we following a pattern of outlined movements- movements already walked by others?
Where is our individuality? What makes you, YOU?
What a question to ask.. Are we human or are we dancer?
I think this song speaks for everybody.. are we human or are we following a pattern of outlined movements- movements already walked by others?
Where is our individuality? What makes you, YOU?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Among the Clouds
Success!
After three hours of searching> we found our second and third geocaches =)
Both were located downtown and rather difficult to find! The first was a nanochip and it was placed at an interesting location (at Cloud Park @ Richmond and Yonge). I've always passed by that location but never realized how unique it was. In that little park there is a waterfall, little bridges to Terabithia (lol), and public access to an observatory and conservation area. Anewho, the pictures below are of the nanochip (which was magnetic.. and SOOOO hard to find, look at the size of it!).
The third cache was a litle easier. It was located at City Hall.. at the "ROOT of the City"> that was the hint =)
That's three finds in total! SCORE~
After three hours of searching> we found our second and third geocaches =)
Both were located downtown and rather difficult to find! The first was a nanochip and it was placed at an interesting location (at Cloud Park @ Richmond and Yonge). I've always passed by that location but never realized how unique it was. In that little park there is a waterfall, little bridges to Terabithia (lol), and public access to an observatory and conservation area. Anewho, the pictures below are of the nanochip (which was magnetic.. and SOOOO hard to find, look at the size of it!).
The third cache was a litle easier. It was located at City Hall.. at the "ROOT of the City"> that was the hint =)That's three finds in total! SCORE~
Rebel..
Take a minute out of your hectic schedule..
to appreciate these classics:
Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall
Led Zeppelin,Stairway to Heaven
SURPRISE!:
LOL =)
to appreciate these classics:
Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall
Led Zeppelin,Stairway to Heaven
SURPRISE!:
LOL =)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Geocache US!
I think this geocaching is gunna have to have a label of its own!
We are venturing off 2moro on another expedition.
This time we're focusing on D/T Toronto. I wonder what kind of treasure we'll find! As we're looking for our treasure we're gunna discuss where to hide a cache of our own. I am sooo excited!
This is our business card that we are going to leave behind in the containers after we find them:
We are venturing off 2moro on another expedition.
This time we're focusing on D/T Toronto. I wonder what kind of treasure we'll find! As we're looking for our treasure we're gunna discuss where to hide a cache of our own. I am sooo excited!
This is our business card that we are going to leave behind in the containers after we find them:
This business card is accredited to Nelson's skills =D
*TFTC- thanks for the cache!
Just a Story..or Two
So I have two cool stories today. Nothing spectacular.. but its definately out of the ordinary.
Story Number 1:
I saved the day on the subway
from a long ass train delay
I was reading my diva of a textbook (anatomy) on the subway this morning when I noticed that a dude was leaning against the subway doors causing them to open slightly. This is a problem considering that the doors he was leaning on weren't the ones that opened on the side of the platform (lol). Well, apparently I was the only one who thought that this was a problem because no one else spoke up about it. I was sitting rather far from the doors (on the double seats by the window) and the train sitting capacity was at max (meaning there were a few ppl standing on the train as well). So anyways I immediately spoke up, "Excuse me, you're holding the doors open.. the train won't move... Excuse me". So this dude obviously didn't hear me from under his headphones. So then I started waving my arms.. and get this> I get the attention of the guy standing next to him. Yes! there was another guy standing next to that guy. So two of them were blocking the doors- and one of them was leaning on them- keeping them open. So guy number two (with music in his ears as well) smiles at me, looks at the doors, laughs, and continues listening to his music. At this point I decide to try again.. "Excuse me...", when there's an announcement on the train, "We are currently experiencing a delay on Runnymede Station due to mechanical difficulties on the train". WTF?! why isn't anyone else helping me with this. So as I was gunna get up and walk towards the guy.. an older man grabs my hand and says, "Don't worry, I'll go". Dude Number one was startled, leaned forward, and the doors finally closed. As this happened the TTC subway operator was coming around checking the doors of the train- but she was checking all the doors on the opposite side. So I pointed her to the "problem" doors and someone else finally spoke up and told her about the problem. Then she went back to her lil booth- and the train moved.
Wow.. I mean- this problem could've been solved sooner if others helped me out. I'm working on my "speak out when you see something wrong" skills. lol. I mean, I'm pretty quiet n stuff but it bugs me soooo much when I see smtn not right and I let it pass.. I start regretting : so why not let it out when you have the opportunity? and get the credit you deserve. Live by the moment.
Story Number 2:
Ppl skills come in handy even at Home Depot!
So I ran out of tu(ooo)bing for my thesis project and decided to go to Home Depot. I still had a couple of dollars left over from my Professors pocket (no, I didn't steal his money lol).. so I emailed him 'n told him not to worry- I'd get the materials. So neways-- as I was in the store, a man walks past me and I briefly catch the side of his face> who was that? It was my high school principal. So as I continue scavenging the store, I stop and think to myself WTF.. why didn't I say hi. It's true I've only spoken once to him in my high school career (When I brang down the attendance to the office he says to me, "I've never seen you here before and I hope I never do. You must be a good girl" haha). But he was the coolest principal ever! (and he saved my bf's ass from possibly dropping hs- Nel, look at you now! you successful bum! :D ). So I ran all around the store looking for the Principal and then.. I saw him =) So I started asking him if he was who he was lol... and the convo developed into me telling him my life story and what I was up to. The convo ended with a hug, a telephone number- and possibly a chance to work with him or his env't biology frnd (who's conducting research on streams/rivers in Ontario) at Niagara University in Ontario (because that is where he is currently working). Amazing!
So yea =) I was telling my frnd yesterday we should work on our ppl skills.. cuz damn! one day later.. and they can sure come in handy! I recommend every1 do the same! it's worth it!
(even if it's "chopping" one of your professors haha jks :P)
Story Number 1:
I saved the day on the subway
from a long ass train delay
I was reading my diva of a textbook (anatomy) on the subway this morning when I noticed that a dude was leaning against the subway doors causing them to open slightly. This is a problem considering that the doors he was leaning on weren't the ones that opened on the side of the platform (lol). Well, apparently I was the only one who thought that this was a problem because no one else spoke up about it. I was sitting rather far from the doors (on the double seats by the window) and the train sitting capacity was at max (meaning there were a few ppl standing on the train as well). So anyways I immediately spoke up, "Excuse me, you're holding the doors open.. the train won't move... Excuse me". So this dude obviously didn't hear me from under his headphones. So then I started waving my arms.. and get this> I get the attention of the guy standing next to him. Yes! there was another guy standing next to that guy. So two of them were blocking the doors- and one of them was leaning on them- keeping them open. So guy number two (with music in his ears as well) smiles at me, looks at the doors, laughs, and continues listening to his music. At this point I decide to try again.. "Excuse me...", when there's an announcement on the train, "We are currently experiencing a delay on Runnymede Station due to mechanical difficulties on the train". WTF?! why isn't anyone else helping me with this. So as I was gunna get up and walk towards the guy.. an older man grabs my hand and says, "Don't worry, I'll go". Dude Number one was startled, leaned forward, and the doors finally closed. As this happened the TTC subway operator was coming around checking the doors of the train- but she was checking all the doors on the opposite side. So I pointed her to the "problem" doors and someone else finally spoke up and told her about the problem. Then she went back to her lil booth- and the train moved.
Wow.. I mean- this problem could've been solved sooner if others helped me out. I'm working on my "speak out when you see something wrong" skills. lol. I mean, I'm pretty quiet n stuff but it bugs me soooo much when I see smtn not right and I let it pass.. I start regretting : so why not let it out when you have the opportunity? and get the credit you deserve. Live by the moment.
Story Number 2:
Ppl skills come in handy even at Home Depot!
So I ran out of tu(ooo)bing for my thesis project and decided to go to Home Depot. I still had a couple of dollars left over from my Professors pocket (no, I didn't steal his money lol).. so I emailed him 'n told him not to worry- I'd get the materials. So neways-- as I was in the store, a man walks past me and I briefly catch the side of his face> who was that? It was my high school principal. So as I continue scavenging the store, I stop and think to myself WTF.. why didn't I say hi. It's true I've only spoken once to him in my high school career (When I brang down the attendance to the office he says to me, "I've never seen you here before and I hope I never do. You must be a good girl" haha). But he was the coolest principal ever! (and he saved my bf's ass from possibly dropping hs- Nel, look at you now! you successful bum! :D ). So I ran all around the store looking for the Principal and then.. I saw him =) So I started asking him if he was who he was lol... and the convo developed into me telling him my life story and what I was up to. The convo ended with a hug, a telephone number- and possibly a chance to work with him or his env't biology frnd (who's conducting research on streams/rivers in Ontario) at Niagara University in Ontario (because that is where he is currently working). Amazing!
So yea =) I was telling my frnd yesterday we should work on our ppl skills.. cuz damn! one day later.. and they can sure come in handy! I recommend every1 do the same! it's worth it!
(even if it's "chopping" one of your professors haha jks :P)
*b=.=d*
House musik reminds me of Australia...
A chilled out euphoria that lifts your soul from your body. So peaceful and so happy.
Trust me. Listen to these tunes with your eyes closed. Focus your mind on nothing but the beat. Let your body glide and be free. Allow it to do whatever it wants without the control of the brain. Then picture yourself in a rainforest. The deepest of greens and amongst the most exotic plants you have ever seen. Rise above the eukalyptic trees and start flying, slightly brushing your bare feet against the gentle leaves. You see a koala as you soar through the hills. You stretch your arms out and feel the gentle warm breeze as you soar by. You glide lower because the tummbles of the hills suddenly turn flat. You glide past the kangaroos that jump by your side. Suddenly they stop at the sharp cliff that approaches. But you soar on where the flat land ends. A splash of blue and bright yellow suddenly take you by surprise. You've reached the loud and unpredictable movement of the waves. The ocean. So blue, so restless. The waves crash on a beach of golden sand. You see yourself lying outstretched on this beach, the waves pushing your body softly back and forth, back and forth. The friction of the body fighting to get pulled into the ocean, holding on to remain on the earth. A splash of water hits your face and you return to your physical state, to yourself, and attain consciousness of your surroundings.
Ian Carey- Keep on Rising
But honestly, this is how Aussie is; so beautiful, so chillaxed, so tropical, so colourful, so HOTTT!
http://www.iancarey.com/
A chilled out euphoria that lifts your soul from your body. So peaceful and so happy.
Trust me. Listen to these tunes with your eyes closed. Focus your mind on nothing but the beat. Let your body glide and be free. Allow it to do whatever it wants without the control of the brain. Then picture yourself in a rainforest. The deepest of greens and amongst the most exotic plants you have ever seen. Rise above the eukalyptic trees and start flying, slightly brushing your bare feet against the gentle leaves. You see a koala as you soar through the hills. You stretch your arms out and feel the gentle warm breeze as you soar by. You glide lower because the tummbles of the hills suddenly turn flat. You glide past the kangaroos that jump by your side. Suddenly they stop at the sharp cliff that approaches. But you soar on where the flat land ends. A splash of blue and bright yellow suddenly take you by surprise. You've reached the loud and unpredictable movement of the waves. The ocean. So blue, so restless. The waves crash on a beach of golden sand. You see yourself lying outstretched on this beach, the waves pushing your body softly back and forth, back and forth. The friction of the body fighting to get pulled into the ocean, holding on to remain on the earth. A splash of water hits your face and you return to your physical state, to yourself, and attain consciousness of your surroundings.
Ian Carey- Keep on Rising
But honestly, this is how Aussie is; so beautiful, so chillaxed, so tropical, so colourful, so HOTTT!
http://www.iancarey.com/
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weather and Shadows!
Happy Groundhog Day!!
The most reliable sources for weather, the amazing weather duo Warton and Willy, just predicted that there will be 6 more weeks of winter! Let's see if its true!
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
a) "As much wood as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
b) "As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
c) "A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
d) "A woodchuck would chuck all the wood, if a woodchuck only could."
e) "42 pounds"
The most reliable sources for weather, the amazing weather duo Warton and Willy, just predicted that there will be 6 more weeks of winter! Let's see if its true!
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?a) "As much wood as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
b) "As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
c) "A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood."
d) "A woodchuck would chuck all the wood, if a woodchuck only could."
e) "42 pounds"
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