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ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1176 – Limits to Advancement at Work
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 jump ship” and “raise.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Unfair Gender-based Work Practices.”
“Unfair gender-based work practices are not officially ‘condoned’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 539
Topics: Famous Americans – Sally Ride; American Presidents – Millard Fillmore; rational versus rationale; killing it in the cost per wear category; to requite
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Presidential Portraits.”
“For every U.S. president, there is an ‘official’ (recognized by the government) ‘portrait’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1177 – Pedestrian Safety
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 “blind corner” and “flashing.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Pedestrian Rights.”
“Being a pedestrian can be a ‘dangerous proposition’ (something that is difficult, challenging, or dangerous)…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
Man,
The bad economy has walloped my wallet so hard for the inevitable rise in prices in food and services is not congenial to my financial ruin.
The loonie ( one Canadian dollar ) slipped to a 13 year low.
Well , in a way it is good since it attracts a lot of foriegn investments as they see a bang for their buck.
It is good for exporters too for they see a better return of investment.
However , the current instability governing the money value of the market in particularly food market has severely struck fixed-income people.
My pay check shows no increase , yet grocery price tags have been promoted big jumps. Cauliflower who was 3 dollar a head just two months ago trading for 8 dollars a head these days. That never see my kitchen table for sure. I miss u already cauliflower :))
The ramification : I have to cancel my trip and tighten my belt.
Feels like my world is rolling to a standstill.
The loonie has taken a noise dive and taking me down with it.
🙂
Pete
The middle class family and the poor is bearing the brunt of high inflation in the price of goods and services in particularly the produce department.
Well , in all fairness , we are paying less at the pumps since the price of oil dropped too. But , the decrease in the cost of gas or gas bills is nowhere near to the three and in some areas fourfold jump on the price of food.
Well, Lower prices in gas is a mild relief. However , it never offset the loss in the grocery front.
In the kitchen beef is replacing with pork and home made salads haven’t seen the face of tomatoe for a while.
I don’t know why but tomato has always been the most volatile fruit at the time of price fluctuations.
I think , it is mainly due to the fact that tomatio is an imported fruit. But , so are oranges. Well , to be more accurate , so is Canadian produce department.
🙂
Pete
Man
Most Cities situated in East coast of the US still struggling with the severe blizzard that has dumped heavy snow on them.
The hard weather condition continued through Saturday and forced the authority to close most roads and tunnels even at one point transit system came to a halt.
I m afraid , despite all the precautionary measures , there have been some casualties.
Well , the storm must have wrapped up by now.
But , don’t kid yourself the worst is yet to come-that is – the aftermath.
Typically , the high winds continues for at least several hours after the blizzard blew over.
The freezing high wind chile makes the road conditions specially in alleyways even worse. the collide of strong wind chill with the accumulated snow on surface streets create the worst nightmare for pedsterians specially on side street : a phenomenon
called ” Black Ice.”
The vicious ice is literally invisible and some times covers a large area on the road or sidewalks.
Well , let me paint u a senario
you are leaving your place early in the morning for work. You are late for work already ; well ,I ,for one ,am always late.
You are late for work therefore u are walking faster so you don’t miss the bus. You are walking rather jugging on the side walk while watching ur steps the best you can for the ground under your feet feels slippery but ,in a way , you are managing it.
All of a sudden you see the bus from two or three stops away down the road ,and that it is getting close to ur stop.
U check the ground ahead ,no ice or anything. So , My friend you decide to run for the bus. Man , it happened to me like milion times.
As u pace yourself , all of a sudden out of no where something from underneath sweep u off your feet and ” bang ” to the ground.
The fall is sometimes so hard that people shatter a part of their bones, mostly legs. U asking me What causes the slips? I ‘ll tell you , a tin layer of invisible pure ice “the Black Ice ”
Belive you me , I m not exaggerating for effect here.
Lucky for me , I haven’t broken anything; well , not yet!!!
Touching wood
🙂
Pete
Hey.
I was looking at this nonsense controversy about blacks whining over the lack of diversity on Hollywood movies.
I am not even sure that it truth. And then of course I am thinking like “why aren’t Latinos or Asians doing the same?” But you know, I am looking all this from the outside.
I don’t know you guys but I am not going to spend my money on Hollywood’s movies regardless of the actors’color.
Bye thanks
Hi Dan,
The propaganda about the skewed numbers of white oscar nominees as opposed to their black counterparts doesn’t hold a lot of water.
Statistically speaking, for one thing , the numbers of white actors and actress are noticeably more than the numbers of African-American actors.
So ,logically the odds are in favours of actors faired-complexion.
Besides ,in all fairness , I could detect some brilliant performance done by some of the nominees in the run to win the 2016 Oscar awards.
Take ,Leonardo DiCaprio for example who is nominated in the best actor category.
I watched ” the Revenant ” his performance during the the entire movie is brelliantly meticulous,regardless the color of his skin
In the ” Big Short ” Christian Bale performance as a socially awkward , math-minded genius nerd is steady and examplary.or , Steve Carell as an agitated ,short temper boss whose conscious gets the best of him in every financial move he makes.
Long story short ,u have watched most of the movies that are up for the Oscar awards.
I ,for one , not see any biased judgment in there. In my opinion , they are all fair and just.
In fact , African-American actor advocates neglected too point out that just not too many years ago Aftican-Americans swept almost all the prizes which , By the way , raised voices as being totally favoured in some categories.
Yours
🙂
Pete
P.S. I think , There are just a few Asian actors ,Or Latinos out there.
Hey Pete.
I don’t know why but falling people is one of the funniest thing to witness.
That is probably one good motivation to visit Canada during the winter.
Hey guys, have you seen the video of that Panda playing in the snow?
It’s been put out there by the
Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Sooo cute.
Thanks
Hi,
I saw Panda playing in the snow on TV last night , too. Funny.
Hi,
As I told you, click on “hockey moms” in last issue of the Learn English Magazine and access
The New York Times… I have seen a slide show with 13 images about
“snowstorm sends heavy snow across East Coast”.
I have seen a image with “a pedestrian bridge over the F.D.R. Drive in Manhattan” flooded.
F.D.R. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as you told us in English Cafe 518.
Hi everyone.
I noticed that a good strategy to memorize words, idioms, phrases is to follow the news and learn from stuff that grabs my attention.
For example, from the non existent controversy about the Oscars I have learned:
Whining.
Cry babies.
Playing the victim’s card.
These are the ones that I have picked up so far. And I like those very much.
I thought about sharing, you know.