Everything is illuminated

And so here we are. According to the moon calendar the summer of love is officially over as from yesterday and the autumn of love has begun. Good, autumn is the most beautiful of 4 seasons, innit? I must admit that things feel good for me recently. I'm not sure how it happens nor how to describe it but everything seems to be falling into its right place, even not the cool stuff or not the nicest things, yes even them, seem to be where they're supposed to be. It's a very nice feeling, it's very calm, it might be called happiness.. Hmm, maybe happiness is like wisdom - the matter of age; when one is old enough one gets realistic view on life and acceptance of that view brings peace. You can quote me.

Yesterday I came to Poland which is a starting point for my road tripping week. Poland is amazing, I'm having great time here.
Come visit Poland, come visit Poland, come visit Poland.
If one could combine Asda Bedminster with Auchan Rumia and 34 Janowo one would get the best super-duper shop in the world, seriously. Today I went to the beach. I lay on a golden sand under the blasting sun and listened to the whisper of the sea. Could it get better? And because it's off season there were no tourists. And then I sat on a bench in a park next to my high school and I realised that sitting on benches is in a way more normal and natural in Poland than it is on the islands. And then I remembered my friend that wished to sit on all the benches of the world at the very same time. Guess what? One day I'm going to get a bench that will represent all the benches and I'm going to dedicate that bench to my friend and then my friend can sit on that bench and the dream will be fulfilled.
Come visit Poland, come visit Poland, come visit Poland. Okay, I paid 20 sterlings for 4 bottles of really amazing alcohol - convinced yet?

But 30 before 30..
The time has almost come. This is probably my last entry in this era. I'm not sure what to do - discard this blog or carry on as anyway I'll be finishing off my list.. Either way I'm in my birthday week atm. It's an awesome week - road trip across Europe followed by road trip to Devon followed by paint wars and weekend with friends and other dear to me people. Clearly, I haven't done 30 things as yet and even with 4 that are to come during the birthday week I'm going to be only half way through. But fear not, I'll do the list and another list, and yet another and I'm going to live the life of magic and awesome, and I will grow old while living that life but that life is going to be filled with adventures, amusement and the meaning of life. Insha'Allah.
So here it is to happy days, to days to come.

Last thing that I would like to mention is the fact that I did finish a pretty good high school and I did finish a rather good uni and please don't let my uneducated face or rough manners fool you in any way.
(I only wrote that as I was constantly, throughout the day, being given leaflets encouraging me to go back to school and to finish it or maybe even to get some A levels.)

The summer of love

I had wonderful time since I returned from Poland. After few days at work a new week begun with a perspective of a very decent amount of nicely lined up days off. Together with one of my best friends we've decided to have a summer camp in town time. Every day we would meet up in the morning and venture on a trip in search of an adventure, we would then return to town and spend the evening on more intellectual or social activities with other kids (those that were busy at work when the sun was shining). So we decided and so we executed.

It was awesome. We cycled miles, we climbed metres and we walked kilometres. I saw so many beautiful places (in the neighbourhood of town), I participated in many activities and I truly enjoyed myself.

And all in all I have two more ticks to the list.

a) I played golf ✓

b) I swam in an English river ✓

ad. a) Playing golf turned out to be really cool even though I wasted so much energy on hitting the ground and ripping the grass. And I did not loose my ball!

I may not be a female Tiger Woods but I don't care, that was fun. I got a total of 160, mean of 8.89, median of 8 and mode of 8. It was my first time and I'm proud of it.

ad. b) On the river Avon, about half way between Bath and Bristol, we've found a nice spot for a swim. It took tricking one swan and one cygnet to get into the water over there (as it appeared that swans are very protective of their territory) but eventually we got into the water. The water was cold but I had a really enjoyable swim in a gentle current, under a hot, English, September sun (sic! sic! sic!). Pure pleasure..

And I think I've just managed to accomplish 10 ticks ✓ on my list.

Never to forget!

Did I want to see the Queen live? Yes I did. But really, what's the value of HMQE2? I saw two Polish presidents! I saw people that are part of a real history not by being born and bread in any particular family but because they actively changed or are hoping to change the world.
Bronisław Komorowski - president of Poland
Lech Wałęsa - first president elect of the 3rd Republic of Poland
I encountered them in Gdańsk, the incredible city where the WW2 started 71 years ago (exactly today) and where the new solidarity and the new democracy were concieved 30 years ago (exactly yesterday), on a fantastic event commemorating Solidarność and all ideas of freedom (dir. Robert Wilson).
http://www.rmf24.pl/foto/polska/zdjecie,iId,216722,iAId,13103 (photos)
http://www.trojmiasto.pl/info_imp.php?id_imp=166535 (description in Polish)

There were many faces, many memories, the spirit of patriotism, faith and hope for the future.
And I had an honour to sit in a VIP area, not far from the presidents, and the sky was grey and cloudy on that calm, August night.

Gender bender bender

What can I say? It's a 2-in-1 tick (✓✓) and it was so much fun!

The brief story goes like that:

Pride Week Friday was themed Gender Trouble. It was as well the day when I learned that the Proud Bus is not gonna be. So I raised my spirit by few drinks in probably the best pub in Bristol (The Bridge Inn, just by the new sex clinic) and it got quite late. Following one lawyer's advice I decided to go as a Drag King. That was cool and my folks liked it a lot but a) I did not really look like a boy and b) that was not that much of a challenge. Still fun though and my dearest friends attempted (again) to rob me of some of my garment.

But for the following day, the big Pride Day, I had something special awaiting. I went Drag Queen! (or as some might prefer faux queen)

The effect was stunning. So, first of all, I looked like a whore, a prostitute. A walk to town with dear Pixie on my side (angel-like winged creature straight from Love Parade Berlin) was a long encounter of by-passers comments and smiles. Second of all, it was confusing. People that new me had at least few seconds delay recognition, those that knew me less well often did not recognise me until I opened my mouth and those that didn't know me at all were at least confused - a boy? but a girl? but a boy? but a girl?.. Awesome!

Of course there's a story of a singing star from Sing Out Bristol (http://www.singoutbristol.com/) that did not recognised me for something like 20 minutes of conversation. Isn't it lovely?

And in the evening on the after party (http://www.facebook.com/?page=1&sk=messages#!/event.php?eid=117989081582622) I had a very pleasant conversation with a very pleasant random girl and she so clearly thought that I was a boy in girls clothes.

So pretending to be a boy pretending to be a girl and pretending to be someone else on a night out - oh yes, I've done it! And I'm gonna do it again :)

Last two things - my drag name is Miss Chardonnay. And Miss Chardonnay was so hot in the eyes of many many lesbians. That's weird, but that's awesome. That's legendary.

Other stories

I'm not doing great with my original list hence a bit of replacements on the way..

I'm not doing great with time but there's still over a month to go so I still stand a chance.

And after the 27th of September there's a Jesus time ahead of me and it's going to be awesome! Jesus was a low profile carpenter until he hit 30. Then everything changed - he became a public person, he had a grand group of friends and followers, he showed his talents, he had lots of fun, he achieved whatever he wanted to achieve.. he was fulfilled.

Back to ticking boxes:

I played rugby for the first time ever on Saturday last week (part of Pride Week events). It was great fun and I really enjoyed myself. It even crossed my mind to maybe play rugby sometime with a lesbian team. But after 1 day of fun I couldn't walk properly for at least another 4 and I strained my shoulder which kept on hurting for a week... I'm not a sporty person but I'm rather fit, I thought. Is that ageing?

Write a short story ✓ (and get a prize!)

On the 6th of August 2010 the Folk House in Bristol was hosting an amazing event called Open Write Night.

(http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&suggest&note_id=456284725329&id=150021483106#!/event.php?eid=135682079785809&ref=ts)

It was loads of fun oscillating around people having 20 minutes to write a piece containing 3 random words/phrases picked up by the audience. I decided to partake in it. And I got my incredibly awesome 3rd place! And I'm so so so Proud of it. That's my bit (including: Nancy's double bass, Greyhound bus and legs).

Travelling expands horizons. Literally and figuratively. That's why it's awesome. That's what I've been hearing throughout my life again and again and again.
My friend Anna did America in 1999- old good times. This is one of her stories.

No matter how introvert you are and how much you dislike random people after travelling for ten hours on a Greyhound bus you run out of options.
Starring through the window - ticked,
Sleeping - ticked,
Fantasizing - ticked.
Anna had to start talking to a fellow passenger.
- Hey..!
- Hey, I'm Anna.
- I'm Nancy. Where do you come from?
- I'm from Poland. Po-land.
- Yeah... Cool.
- That's...
- Oh, I know! Let me think. Poland, Poland, Poland... Pol-and, Pole-end, Pole-end. Of course - it's at the end of the North Pole.
And so it went. They talked and talked. Killing the time, talking about families, movies they've seen, hobbies. Anna talked about her fourteen hamsters, Nancy talked about her double bass.
After three hours of talking they arrived to L.A. After three hours of talking they really liked each other and Anna really wanted to see Nancy's double bass. But when Nancy asked:
- Do you want to stay at mine overnight? I could show you some really cool places that not many people have seen..
Anna answered:
- No. I have my hostel booked. Maybe we meet later?

And that's the worst story Anna has ever told me. And why did she say no? Because she didn't shave her legs for a week.
It's not an awesome story, is it?

LE-GEN-DA-RY

It's been over a month and I've ticked only one (1!) thing on the list. But here is the true story - it's not that much about doing all of the particular things as much as it is about doing things, trying new things..

Therefore post factum I'm adding to the list:

• participate in a fashion show ✓
• be a stage kitten ✓

It all happened last Saturday during the amazing Pimp My Pride event (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=139978412681981&ref=ts)

I got my role as a model and as a kitten. For those that don't know, a stage kitten is burlesque dancers helper that collects all the items they leave behind on the stage and prepares the stage for the next act. I loved it. And I loved the close proximity of the girls. And I loved the girls - they were totally amazing.

Diving ✓

It was FANTABULOUS!!

Malta, Cirkewwa

dive 1: 12m (Right Arch), 36 min

dive 2: 10m (Left Reef), 45 min

So now I'm a proud owner of a little PADI Diver Certification card. And I want to do it again and again and again.

It's just an absolutely incredible experience. Breathing in the water. So much one can learn about oneself. And depending on the site - all variety of marvels and beauty of nature.

More final list (at last)

OK, it's been a while but I went for my loveliest holidays. The list.. well, I did not spend so much time thinking about it but I can tick first thing on it (see later). Success!

And that's what I'm thinking:

1. skydiving
2. snowboarding
3. cycling Velodrome
4. surfing
5. diving
6. boxing
7. ride a motorcycle
8. ride a cow
9. speed-dating
10. kiss 30 random people in London tube
11. see the Queen
12. dance in a fountain
13. attempt to win karaoke
14. learn to play an instrument
15. visit a friend that lives far away and I don't see often
16. climb Ben Nevis the alternative route
17. swim in the sea, river and lake in the UK
18. pay for the coffee/entry/etc. of a total stranger
19. graffiti
20. stop smoking cigarettes and smoke a pipe
21. pretend to be another person on a night out
22. pretend to be a boy or a boy pretending to be a girl
23. girly beauty treatment
24. pottery class
25. write a short story, make a movie, record a song
26. read at least 30 owned but unread books
27. act/be an extra in a play/soap/etc.
28. do something for charity
29. plant a tree
30. try something new and illegal

I really loved visit 30 countries idea but I've checked and I already had 30 foreign countries on my list.

Pre-list

So this is an unedited list of ALL suggested things for the Project 30b430 in no particular order. In the brackets are suggested specifics and/or names of the people that offered to do the task with me :)

1. skydiving (Manchester, Portugal; Ross, Agnieszka & Asia, Sandra)
2. bungee jumping
3. rock climbing (Avon Gorge)
4. balloon ride over Bristol (Vicky)
5. snowboarding/skiing (Milton Keynes)
6. zorbing
7. go-karting
8. cycling around the Velodrome in Newport (Dom)
9. sail a proper sailing vessel
10. sailing lesson
11. ride a garbage truck
12. ride a motorcycle
13. ride a cow
14. boxing
15. get in a bar fight
16. get married (rich)
17. meet the One
18. speed-dating
19. don't kiss anyone for 2 weeks
20. kiss 30 random people in London tube
21. compliment 30 random people in London
22. see the Queen (while she's still alive)
23. dance naked in public
24. dance outside in public
25. dance in a fountain (with a reluctant friend)
26. win karaoke competition
27. learn to play an instrument (properly)
28. top up visited countries to 30
29. visit a friend that lives far away and I don't see often
30. climb Ben Nevis the alternative route
31. take a boat to Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel
32. swim in the English Sea (find a nice sandy beach)
33. organise weekend for foreigners in Poland
34. pay for the coffee of the total stranger in the queue behind you, or alternatively, invite a total stranger for coffee
35. have a conversation with a random phone number
36. learn magic or bar tricks
37. cocktails making class
38. try unusual drink
39. some kind of a drinking challenge
40. go busking
41. do something naughty to feel like a child again
42. move a road sign or repaint/redraw on one
43. graffiti
44. smoke a pipe
45. quit smoking (altogether, only cigarettes)
46. have a bonfire
47. go camping
48. learn another language
49. learn to wire a plug
50. learn to back up the computer
51. learn astrology or just pretend that I did and be a good scammer
52. pretend to be another person on a night out
53. pretend to be a boy pretending being a girl (drag queen)
54. girly beauty treatment or a make-up lesson
55. paint toenails and fingernails (bright colour) then wear sandals
56. make an item of clothing
57. dress to impress for £10 (excluding underwear) and go out in a new outfit
58. staged fancy dress fight (pirates vs. ninjas, cowboys vs. indians, cops vs. robbers)
59. throw a dinner party
60. buy a sextoy (in person) and a role-play outfit
61. set up a date for one of the cats
62. purple hair
63. learn to juggle fire
64. pottery class
65. write an article for a magazine/newspaper
66. write a short story
67. be an extra in one of the soaps
68. act in a play
69. make a YouTube video
70. read 30 books that I already own but I have not read yet
71. buy a really old book (from childhood)
72. volunteer for something
73. fun run for charity or any other sponsored charity event
74. plant a tree
75. pyjama photos project
76. Silent Night project
77. bridges of London project