Ever since the Super Bowl started being televised (shown on television) 42 years ago, there has been counterprogramming. Counterprogramming is the showing of another type of television show on a different channel to attract viewers who may not want to watch a major television event like the Super Bowl, or to draw away (take away) viewers from that event. Since 2005, one piece of counterprogramming that has attracted a surprising number of viewers is the Puppy Bowl.

The Puppy Bowl is a TV show shown on a cable channel (television channel you can get by paying for a special service) called Animal Planet, which specializes in shows about, well, animals.  The Puppy Bowl mimics (imitates; tries to be like, for entertainment) the Super Bowl, but instead of men playing football, the game is played by puppies (young dogs).  All of the puppies that play in the Puppy Bowl are from animal shelters, places for animals without homes. Throughout the show, viewers are given information about how to adopt (take home and make a part of their family) a dog from a local shelter.

The first Puppy Bowl was in 2005 and last year’s Puppy Bowl drew (attracted) a total of about 9 million viewers.  To be honest, I had never heard of the Puppy Bowl until recently, and after watching a clip (short video) of last year’s Puppy Bowl, I’m not sure I’ll tune in this year. But, if like me, you’re not a football fan and are looking for something to watch this Sunday, this is an alternative (another option).  There’s no denying (saying it isn’t true) that these are some very adorable (cute) puppies.  Me?  I think I’ll just curl up with (get comfortable with) a good book.

~ Lucy

Photo Credit:  GoldenRetrieverPuppyDaisyParker from Wikipedia

A story in the Wall Street Journal reported that mothers apparently have some small control over when they will deliver (have; give birth to) their babies. Researchers examined births in the U.S. from 1996 to 2006 during the two weeks around Halloween (October 31st) and St. Valentine’s Day (February 14th). You would expect that the number of spontaneous or natural births to be about (approximately) the same each day. (They excluded (didn’t include) caesarians (where the doctors surgically remove the baby from the woman) and induced births (where drugs are given to cause the woman to give birth).)

They found that the number of births on St. Valentine’s Day rose (increased) 3.6% over (compared to) the surrounding days, and fell (decreased) 5.3% on Halloween. The researchers concluded that, within a limited time frame (a limited amount of time), women can “expedite or delay” (speed up or slow down) childbirth (giving birth to a baby).

I was born on September 24th, 1963, and I don’t know if my mother cared (thought it important) which day I was born on. But she might have influenced (changed) the time I was born. She told me that when she and my father arrived at the hospital in the afternoon of the 24th, she was examined by her doctor (the same doctor who had delivered (helped in the birth of) my 10 brothers and sisters). The doctor told her that she still had some time before I was ready to come out, so he was going to go watch the Minnesota Twins baseball game on TV.  When the game was over, he’d come back and deliver the baby.

Well, the Twins lost that day 5 to 1 to the Cleveland Indians, but the doctor did come back, and I was born at around 6:30 in the evening. The good news is that the Los Angeles Dodgers won that day, and a few weeks later won the World Series against the New York Yankees. Maybe that’s why I moved to Los Angeles instead of staying in Minnesota.

~Jeff

Photo credit: Happiness, Wikipedia CC

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ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 760 – Paycheck Deductions

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.

In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “stub” and “wages.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Voluntary Payroll Deductions.”
“All employees are “subject to” (affected by) “mandatory” (not optional) payroll deductions for taxes and certain benefits, but some employees…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 331
Topics: Ask an American: Online money management; don’t worry versus don’t bother; not only; to move/get past a feeling; pronouncing wool versus wall

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Piggy Banks.”
“For many Americans, a “piggy bank” is a “symbol” (an object or image that represents something) of saving and “frugality” (not wasting money). A piggy bank is a small object…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 761 – Animals in a Zoo

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.

In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “the next best thing” and “to rise up.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Types of Zoos.”
“There are many different types of zoos in the United States. A “traditional” (common; as things were done in the past) zoo has animals in many different cages…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide

Telegraph Hill, which is popular with many tourists, is an important part of San Francisco’s history. It gets its name from a signal (something used to send messages), located at the top of the Hill, that was used to identify ships arriving in San Francisco harbor (place near the city where ships stop). In 1850, the signal alerted (sent a message to) San Franciscans that California had become the 31^st state in the U.S.

Coit Tower was built on Telegraph Hill as a gift from wealthy socialite (well-known rich woman) Lillie Hitchcock Coit. She was a little eccentric (unusual, odd) – for example, she loved to chase fires (go where fires are burning) – but she wanted to add “to the beauty of the city which [she] had always loved.” The Tower was designed in the art deco style – with strong, simple shapes and colors – that was popular in the 1920s and 30s. It was dedicated (officially opened) in 1933.

Many people have seen the Tower from the outside; fewer, however, know about the art treasure inside. The interior walls are covered with fresco murals created by 27 different artists and their assistants. Frescos are works of art created by painting directly on the surface of a wall or ceiling, often when the surface is still wet, so that the painting becomes a permanent part of the wall or ceiling. Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper is one of the most famous examples of fresco.

A mural is any work of art painted on a wall or ceiling, often as a part of the design of the building. According to a recent report, more than 2500 murals were painted in post offices, schools, and other public buildings in the U.S. in the 1920s. The murals in Coit Tower tell a story of life in California in the early part of the 20^th century. They include scenes of “the grim (serious) reality (truth) of city life, the pastoral (peaceful) beauty of California’s agriculture (farm life), and the worlds of food and leisure (relaxing activity).” Famous Mexican muralist (someone who paints murals) Diego Rivera influenced many of the artists who painted the Coit murals.

Many of the public murals in the U.S., including those in the Coit Tower, are in danger today. The U.S. Post Office, for example, is down-sizing (becoming smaller) and closing many of their buildings, including some with murals. The Coit murals, however, face a different peril (serous and immediate danger) – the San Francisco fog.

One of the problems with frescos is that anything in the environment that damages the wall or ceiling they’re painted on also damages the paintings. This kind of deterioration (becoming worse) seriously damaged Da Vinci’s Last Supper and required a major effort by art conservators (someone who repairs art) to rescue (save) the painting.

In the Coit Tower, moisture (small amounts of water) from the almost daily San Francisco fog penetrates (goes into) the walls. As it evaporates (dries), it moves through the wall to the painting on the face of the wall and leaves tiny white salt crystals (pieces of salt) that slowly destroy the paintings. This process causes the wall and the paintings that cover it to slowly crumble, or fall apart.

People in San Francisco have begun to raise money to try to preserve (save and protect) the tower.

If you’d like to learn more about the Coit Tower  murals and what’s being done to save them, you can read and listen to this story from the PBS Newshour.

*Peril = serious and immediate danger

~ Warren Ediger – English tutor and coach and creator of Successful English, where you can find clear explanations and practical suggestion for better English.

Photo by Thomas Hawk used under Creative Commons license.

There are no official (legal) duties of an ex-president.  They can do pretty much (almost) anything they want to do.  Some write memoirs or autobiographies – stories of their own lives.  Most work on their presidential library – a place where their documents are kept and where scholars (researchers) can go to study their time as president.  Oftentimes, they are sent by the current president on some diplomatic mission (activity involving talking to or working with another government) or to help with some particular cause.  Some ex-presidents, like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, start charitable organizations to help people in need (who need help).

In the past, a few ex-presidents have gone into (become a member of) another branch (part) of government.  After leaving the presidency in 1829, John Quincy Adams became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (he had also been a U.S. Senator before being elected president). President William Taft (1909-1913) was later (1921 – 1930) the Chief Justice of the United States, head (leader) of the United State Supreme Court.

Even if President Obama wins the election this fall, he will still be a relatively young man when he finishes his job as president – only 55 years old in 2016.   It is possible that he could take another job in government.  It is more likely, however, that he will follow the path (do the same as) other recent ex-presidents and work in some charitable organization, write books, and look back on (remember) his days (time) as the occupant of (person living in) 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House’s street address).

What happens to ex-leaders of your country? Do they do what our ex-presidents do?

~Jeff

Photo credit: White House, Wikipedia CC

Become a Basic or Premium Member and you’ll get the Learning Guide.  We designed them specifically for English learners like you.  Get more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural notes, and more.

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………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 758 – Showing Off a New Purchase

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.

In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “baby” and “to whip it out.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Luxury Taxes and Sin Taxes.”
“A “luxury tax” is a “tax” (a way for a government to receive money) on “luxury goods” (products that are very expensive and nice, but “nonessential” (not necessary; optional)) such as…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 330
Topics: American Authors – Toni Morrison; Homeboy/Homegirl Industries & Father Greg Boyle; screw versus bolt versus nut; to kidnap versus to abduct; to sharpen (one’s) ax

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Gang Hand Signs.”
“Belonging to a group sometimes means “adopting” (taking on; accepting) certain types of “identifying” (showing who one is and where one belongs) things…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 759 – Worrying About Your Children

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.

In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “natural” and “to take after.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “GPS Tracking of Children.”
“Parents always worry about their children, “wondering” (wanting to know) where they are, whom they are with, and whether they are safe. In the past, parents had to ask their children to share that information…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide

In a recent study, scientists measured the height (how tall someone is) of 100 male and female college students.  Then they gave them a test that (the researchers said) measured (indicated; showed) how much ability they had to be a leader (boss; manager). Finally, they asked students to role-play (pretend) that they were either managers or employees.

The students were assigned (put into a group) randomly (by chance) to play either a manager or an employee.  They were told that they were put into the manager or employee group based on (because of) their score on the leadership test, but in fact, their assignment wasn’t related to that score at all.

After they were assigned to a group, the students were then asked to give their own height.  There was no actual (real) difference in height between the two groups.  The employees gave their correct height, but the managers said that they were taller than they actually were!

Our perception (the way we see something) of ourselves psychologically is, according to the researchers, related to how we view ourselves physically.  Does this mean that if I imagine myself as being 20 years younger, I will be able to grow my hair back?

~Jeff

Photo Credit: Robert Wadlow, 1918; Wikipedia PD

Several things set this performance apart (make it unique or unusual). Rhapsody in Blue is the first piece of concert music to blend (mix) classical music and jazz (If you want to know more about jazz and blues, read this blog post that I wrote several months ago). So I suppose it is fitting (appropriate) to have the piano part of Rhapsody played by classical and jazz pianists together, especially since it is usually played by only one pianist.

What makes this performance even more interesting to me is that the story of jazz in China did not begin until 1981, almost exactly one year before Lang Lang was born.  Before then, jazz, which began in America, was virtually (almost) unknown in China.

American jazz was introduced to the Chinese by two other African American jazz musicians, Willie Ruff and Dwike Mitchell, when they were invited to Shanghai to spend (use time to do something) several days with the teachers and students of the Shanghai Conservatory (school for studying music and other arts) of Music. William Zinsser, who also traveled to Shanghai, tells their story in his book Mitchell and Ruff: An American Profile (an article or book that describes someone) in Jazz.

Zinsser writes that Ruff and Mitchell explained jazz and the blues to their Chinese audience and performed (play their instruments) examples of what they are talking about.

The Chinese musicians in Shanghai had never experienced anything like this. Jazz is not written or planned. It is like an unplanned musical conversation. There is always a theme – like a topic of conversation – but every player has a different idea of what to “say” about it. A piece of jazz develops like an after-dinner conversation where we all talk about the same thing but have different ideas or feelings about it.

“The audience buzzed (made an excited noise) with amazement and pleasure,” writes Zinsser after one number (piece of music) when Ruff told the audience, “That is called Shanghai Blues. We just made it up (created it now).”

One of the older professors got up and asked Mitchell and Ruff if they had a plan when they started to play Shanghai Blues. “No,” said Ruff, “I just started tapping (make a quiet noise by moving your foot up and down) my foot and played the first thought that came into my mind…. And Mitchell heard it. And he answered. And after that we heard and answered, heard and answered, heard and answered.”

The old professor asked if they could ever play the piece again. “No,” said Ruff, “We never can.”

“That is beyond our imagination (we can’t imagine that),” replied the professor. “Our students here play a piece a hundred times, or two hundred times, to get it exactly right. You play something once – something beautiful – and then you just throw it away.” For those of us who enjoy jazz, that is part of its attraction (what makes it interesting) – it’s always new, always different.

If you want to experience part of Mitchell and Ruff’s Shanghai experience, including hearing them create a new jazz piece based on (to use something to develop something new) a song written by one of  the Chinese students, you can do it by viewing this YouTube video.

Thanks to Mitchell and Ruff, and many other American jazz musicians, jazz has traveled around the world and is enjoyed today by people from virtually every country. And musicians like Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock can share the stage (perform together) to create something new.

~ Warren Ediger – creator of Successful English, where you’ll find clear explanations and practical suggestions for better English.

Photo credit: cover of Mitchell and Ruff: An American Profile in Jazz from Amazon.com.

By becoming an ESL Podcast Member, you get the Learning Guide with even more vocabulary, language explanations, sample sentences, comprehension questions, cultural notes, and more.

Get the Learning Guide and support ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member today!

………

ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 756 – Holding Structured and Unstructured Meetings

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.

In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to fall to” and “free for all.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Business Meeting Agendas.”
“At most business meetings, each “attendee” (person who participates in a meeting) is given a copy of the agenda. The agenda lists each item of business and the…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 329
Topics: American Presidents: Jimmy Carter; The Lost Ship of the Desert Legend; phrases used to ask for status updates; to start off for; likely versus probable

In the Learning Guide:  Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Dune Buggies.”
“If you live in or near a desert, you may be familiar with “dune buggies,” which are vehicles that look like cars, but with very large and wide wheels…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide
…

ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 757 – Getting Political Support

In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to sign on” and “first things first.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Common Events Before an Election.”
“Most political candidates organize many events in the weeks and months “prior to” (before) elections. These events help them “garner” (gather; earn; get) support and…” - READ MORE in the Learning Guide

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~ Jeff and Lucy