The last practice of 2021 in my secret place. It has been another strange covid year with plenty of Tai Chi to keep me sane, but no Tuczno, nor Zlatý Kopec, nor International push hands meetings in Prague.
Let’s hope 2022 will be kinder to all of us.
There is hope though, although January, one can smell springtime in the air 🌞🍀
#ThomasNowakowski #ShapesofBalance #TaiChi #London
Preparing for new “no fuel” order
Human world has been crazy place as long as we know. But we had those hopes, that we are going in the right direction after disastrous first part of 20th century. 2nd part wasn’t that great for eastern Europe neither, but it didn’t stop us, and at the end, we changed plenty. Changed for better. Why we forget this so easily?
Last week I attended Fedessa Conference, Yearly Self-Storage meeting, which was absolutely great after whole lockdown life. 
One of the topics was “listening”. I think we should try to learn much more about that.
Stop lecturing world. Start to listen.
Funny enough one of the exercises within this lecture, was to try communicating in such a way that one person is talking about your favourite hobby, when another is only nodding, and not allowed to say anything.
Try for yourself to see how Difficult it is.
I happened to be one who talks, and realised once more, that actually swimming and not taking is one of my favourites.
You know, I do Tai Chi a lot. I started in 1995, the year I also finished my architectural studies.
Daily practice keeps me sane when the pressure is getting mad..meaning every second day 😉
But my weekly swim gives me special kick.
Just water, me, and deep cleansing breath.
Plus, smart watch to see how far I can go 😉
It is nice to see improvements every week.
Hopefully I will get so good I could cross English Chanel if needed 😉
I visited my old architectural office and had lovely meeting with architect Janina Dunal. We have worked together for almost a decade, and done so many cool projects. At the beginning I was still drawing by hand! Can you imagine?
I must be 100 years old 🤣🤣🤣
Look at that:
#architecture #design #projects #construction
This gallery contains 13 photos.
Work has been so crazy busy, and strange with all COVID issues, that we need fresh air and nature more than ever. So, For a change, here I am with couple of today’s rainy photos from around our lovely Hampton.
Janus & Janus – Company and Family Name
Although Janus International (the company I am working for) is named after Roman God of doors, gates, and transitions it can be also Family name. Funny enough my great grandfather’s sister married into Janus family. Which is not a common name in Polan. Not only that. Her son Zygmunt Janus during IIWW served in RAF and all of that I discovered thanks to the history enthusiast, Gentleman leaving a few kilometres from our UK factory. Isn’t it quirky?
Here is the photo of 305 Bomber Squadron.
That’ what Neville Bougourd discovered: L/Ac Zygmunt Janus – service number 784197 born on 27th April 1901 at Częstochowa, Poland. He was not a pilot because he was too old. He served with 305 Bomber Squadron but he would be nearly 40 when they were formed. He served as a motor transport mechanic/driver and the following places were all 305 Squadron bases between August 1940 and January 1947:
RAF Bramcote, Warwickshire
RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire
RAF Lindholme, Yorkshire
RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire
RAF Ingham, Lincolnshire
RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk
RAF Lasham, Hampshire
RAF Hartford Bridge, Hampshire
RAF Epinoy, France
RAF Volkel, Germany
RAF Brussels, Belgium
RAF Wahn, Germany
RAF Faldingworth, Lincolnshire
It is possible that he could have been a pilot in the War between Poland and Russia (1918-1920) but we have no records for that war
He is one of little boys on this photo taken around 1905. The gentleman staying in the middle is my grandfather Stanisław Polak, on the left his sister Jadwiga married into Janus family.
It was September 1995 when I joined 1st time our Tai Chi class back in my hometown in Poland. I didn’t know how much it will change my life. Year after year deeper and more natural, I have been becoming submerged in Tao.
This long journey has been reach in getting plenty of experience. I am greatful for all of them.
2020 is strange year. Covid changed our lifestyle. Thanx to Tai Chi It was much easier go through it. Daily practice keep you going in the right direction.
We had to cancel our International Push Hands in Prague. This year it should be 9th. Ivo Marvan had this cool mask ? idea, and sent the masks to the participants. Here me and Thomas:
Cheers
Hopefully next year will be easier
