h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Wow, this was really a stupid Saturday!

First of all I was forced to go for few hours in my office - there were some problems with one of our trucks, so I needed to fix this.

And then, on my way back home, I had this idiotical car crash! Why on Earth people are drinking and driving?! And this in the early afternoon. This man was so drunk, that he was convinced to drive only, when the lights are red. So as it turned green, he just stopped all of the sudden and I bumped into his car! I was lucky, because nothing happened to me or him. Okay, my car is pretty bad damaged (his is not, this is just unfair!) and I was so angry of his stupidity. And all he was able to say as he rolled out of the car, was an 'oops'. Isn't this just mad?!

As I've just spent the last 3 months or so writing an insurance claims system in Warsaw, it is interesting to see that it may be put to some use. (Although it is for AIG so more likley to be insuring your company trucks than your own car...but no matter.)
I was amazed at how few claims there are considering that the beer is quite strong, some of the roads aren't very good and in winter the ice makes drivimg nearly impossible.
Anyhow - hopefully you are back on the road again

Unfortunately I'm still out of my car, but then it's healthy, because I'm much more on my feets, so it's okay.

This is quite interesting, I mean that you wrote this insurance thing. But what is "AIG" - I don't know this shortening.
Well, to the weather you can get used, as well as to the bad roads. As for the beer: think a little bit about our Vodka, than you are able to understand it!

Did you stay in Warsaw during this 3 months or were you only writing about an insurance claim system in Warsaw?

I'm sure Dunx will answer your questions when he gets back on Monday. He was once with me on a very icy road in southern Poland (near Jeviec if that's how you spell the brewery) when we spotted a man lying in a crucified position in the middle of the road. So we skidded to a halt and got out to help . He didn't seem to be injured. So we helped him to the side of the road, whereupon he came to and "walked" back to his original position. I have never seen anyone drunker . Think it was more likely to have been Spiritus than beer; it was about nine am.[I consider myself very fortunate to have driven in Poland for six years without an accident although I once came very near it when a car transporter jacknifed in front of me]

Hi Wandrin'star,

this is a story, you are telling! But if you are still around in Poland or will be, then please be careful in such situations!
I'm sorry to admit this, but it could be also a try to robb you or catch your car.

Do you like Lee Marvin or how did it come with your Nick?

I left Poland 5 years ago, having spent 4 years in Gdansk and 2 in Szczecin. I think my car may still be going. although the travelling salesman I sold it to may have hammered it into the ground by now. Thanks for the advice, though. The possibility did occur to us, but we couldn't see anyone else and he was genuinely very very drunk.

PSThe reasons for the monicker are now back on my home page

I was in Warsaw for a total of about 3 weeks during this time. I did a week at the very start, when there was still the last remnants of snow on the ground and was there last month when the sun was nearly splitting the pavement. There's a very large variation in temperature over the year!
The bulk of the work was getting the database to accept Polish characters (i.e. ę,ż,ł etc.) A bit tricky as I have next to no Polish myself .
AIG (about whom I would write a guide entry if it wasn't to fawning) are the one of the worlds largest insurance companies. In Poland they concentrate mainly on corporate and fleet insurance (which is why they are likely to isnure trucks ).