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ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 1224 – Setting Timers and Alarms
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 time” and “to buzz.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “The CONELRAD Emergency Broadcast System.”
“The CONELRAD Emergency Broadcast System was intended to be used as a way to send messages to ‘the American public’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 563
Topics: The Black Soxs Scandal; Classic TV – The Flintstones; census-designated place versus community versus unincorporated community; to mean well and to bend the rules; pit crew
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Bobby Socks and Bobby Soxers.”
“A ‘bobby sock’ is a small, usually white sock that was very popular among young girls in the 1940s and 1950s…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 1225 – A Good Samaritan
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 “(one’s) own fault” and “deed.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Good Samaritan Laws.”
“Good Samaritan laws are ‘enacted’ (made into law) to protect people who help others ‘with good intentions’…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
Hey guys..
Following someone’s suggestion I have started reading Games of Thrones…and devoured the first book in three days.
Has anyone of you guys read or Bennett reading the books or watched the TV series?
I have really enjoyed the first book and already purchased the second one…in English of course.
I have stumbled across new terms related to the arm and clothing used in the book, but that’s not a problem, since on the electronic device the dictionary is at a tap distance.
Thank you and have good weekend everyone. Dan.
Hi me again..
Sorry for that ^Bennett^ there is always a word that escapes my scrutiny. That’s the automatic correction on my device.
I meant ^read or been reading^
Thanks
Again can’t see ESL Podcast 1224 – Setting Timers and Alarms but I’ll keep trying all day long.
From Brazil
Me
Dan, yes I have read and I have watched the Tv. Series.
Really very good both by all means. emiliano
Inside my Gatufo´s mind.
Frequently I think the cat is inside my mind or Emiliano is inside the cat´s mind. Why?. It is just like Gatufo could understand my inner thoughts either my feelings, if I am sad, happy or worried. Some how as gatufo has a radar who read all what happens round him.
I would say like he is my soul matter now as I look through things with his inteligent eyes.
Life is so simple for him, that makes me think how we like to complicate our own lifes.
Money means nothing for a cat, ambition, power, jealous, mean nothing for a cat. Have lot of things means nothing for a cat. Even tomorrow´s life means nothing for a cat.
Gatufo lives his moment, just now lives this second on my lap, nothing cares him only to be close near Emiliano. That´s all.
We think humans are intelligent souls?
Let me doubt about that.
I think we are not, we are the worst creature under the sky, the creature that suffers more, that makes more devil things on the globe.
Look round you, what is happening just now?, what have happened years before. What have happened along thousand of years?….the most inteligent creatures of the world?
Sorry, I don´t think so. Never I have think so, and now looking my cat even less.
Enjoy like him does.
emiliano
Something about Madrid, my city, and today the city where has been President Obama.
He has told us that he was here before when he was a young man with a backpack walking
round the city, being a student that likes to know this country and Madrid, of course.
Also add, that he loves the city and Spain too.
Thanks Mr. Obama.
******
Today Madrid is a big city, nothing similar to the city I knew when I was a boy and walk round its streets and squares, in fact I can´t recognise this city of today less friendly than fourty or thirty years ago.
Its a beautiful city, without any doubt, Madrid has some museums so good as el Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia, and parks as El Retiro or Casa de Campo.
Also there is the Royal Palace, Sabatini Gardens, Gran Via with its incredible buildings different from other cities of the world.
Years ago every person who came here to live, after some time it was a madrilean more, it doesn´t matter which part of the world she ot he was born.
At the end these people love the city as it was of them, their city by all means.
My parents came from Burgos when they were married already, I was the only one that was born in the city, the Little city then, but it was so nice, friedly, funny as always it was. They, my parents, seems madrileans after ten years living here.
The castellano language here sounds different, as in every land of Spain, but we talk so different that the language its called “castizo” because we use a lot of words and expressions that they are not used other parts of Spain.
+ + + + + + + +
We have our own music, “chotis”, that is sing and dance in the feasts, but also our own Opera that here we call it “Zarzuela”, it is similar to an Opera but its also spoken at the same time that the music sounds and the singers sing. I do love Zarzuelas, and despite there are these kind of music from all lands of Spain, Madrid has their own Zarzuelas where the way of speaking of “castizos” are the accent that is necessary to use.
The girls are called “chulapas” and the boys “chulapos” and all they have a peculiar way of being dressed, nice coloured garments and also the girls wear “mantones de manila” what is absolutely necessary for them if they wanted to be good dressed.
There are some Zarzuelas very funny and quiete a good music, several in fact, but some of the best known are “La Verbena de la Paloma”, “La Revoltosa”, “La Gran Via”, “El Barberillo de Lavapiés”. “Luisa Fernanda”…it was singed by the good Tenor Alfredo Kraus Placido Domingo but also Javier Pons or Jose Carreras and some of the best sopranos or mezosopranos like Teresa Berganza, Nancy Herrera, Maria Rodríguez, and so forth…….
Once I went to the theatre to watch a Zarzuela called ” Luisa Fernanda”, singed by Plácido Domingo it was sitting close near to me Alfredo Kraus, one of the best tenors
Spain has for long.
Usually Madrid´s music is pleasant, bustling and cheerful just how madrileños are. Friendly nice people who take life easy, without too much troubles.
+ + + + + + + + +
The city now it is quite different, all has changed to be a big European city, for good or for bad I really don´t know.
Life is different, hard, too much noise, millions of people from every where of the world, some of the áreas that was absolutely typical have changed drasticaly, for worst or for good, who knows?
But time changes everything and this my city wasn´t an exception, no so much “castizos” “chulapas” or “chulapones” instead people from China, Equador, Maroc, Peru, Colombia, Nigeria, Argentina, Rumania, Russia, Ukrania, and thirty or more countries have taken their place.
At the end all these people will be madrileños too, that´s for sure, but it will take several years to be truth.
Now Madrid has another kind of events that makes the city one of the first in Cultural event in Europe and other parts of the World…
Regards. emiliano
Hey Emi..
Wow..reading about your beautiful city makes me almost jealous..
Over here I “only” have a lake and the mountains surrounding it.
My two options for socializing are the church or the bar. I dislike them both.
I do not know about those changes in you city..whether they are good or bad.
In 2010..you can find the article, Angela Merkel said that multiculturalism failed in Germany…
Thanks.
Hey guys.
Regarding what happened in Dallas..and Minnesota.
I remember writing in the past about that ridiculous and dangerous organizations that is BLM.
From my humble point of view I have observed something odd in mainstream media in the US.
When a black person gets killed by police during arrest, that is big news.
I have seen that during these years following the news in the US from their media outlets.
Now, if one only looks at the surface of that particular issue you are lead, pushed to believe that only blacks are killed from police officers during arrest.
During this years I haven’t seen on the news whites being killed by police or Asians or Latinos.
See…there is something wrong there.
In fact, according to statistics in 2016 out of the 506 people killed by police,
“only” 123 were blacks.
Anyways..my position is that I stand 100% with the police and pointing fingers at them it’s easy. That ain’t a easy job especially in a country with millions of guns circulating in the wrong hands.
Thanks
Just to register I am with you reding your comments. Dan, Emiliano and others. Thank you all.
From Brazil
Me
Dan, sure you´ll love Madrid, in fact I have met lot of Italianos walking round the streets
this year when I have gone out carrying my photograph camera taking photos like
another tourist in the city.
Doing that, being a tourist, I have seen my city with other differents eyes and I could
afirm it is really beautiful but not only the monuments, the most important just what tourists
or people who come here like more it is the way of living, the air, the people, that makes the city
so attractive to people round the world.
Five millions and a half tourist visited the city on the first six months of the year spending
a middle of 1.200 euros each of them, what is a record.
Enough, sure if you come Done you´ll like the city, but do not come in summer, it is too hot.
Best month to come it is since 15 of September, or October, also spring it is a good season.
Regards. emiliano
Hi,
I learn a lot listening to English Cafe. For instance, about Edith Warton ( English Cafe 548) or Sylvia Plath (English Cafe 557).
I like their quotes.
To Emiliano
“In spite of illness… one can remain alive… if one is unafraide of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things,
and happy in small ways.”
‘If only we’d stop trying to be happy we’d have a pretty good time.”
Edith Warton quotes
Hi,
To Emiliano
“Can you understand? Someone, somewhere, can you understand me a little, love me a little?
For all my despair , for all my ideals, for all that – I love life .
But it is hard, and I have so much – so very much to learn.”
Sylvia Plath quote
Hi,
Poppies in July by Sylvia Plath
“Little poppies, little hell flames,
Do you do no harm?
You flicker. I cannot touch you.
I put my hands among the flames.
Nothing burns.”
Hi,
At last I have drunk a Starbucks coffee on jazz music. Americana.
Hi,
Thank for the explanation of the difference between drug and medicine.
When you say “drug” we can think about illegal drug and not a medicine. “Take your drugs!” Difficult!
Hi,
Thank you for the explanation of the phrase “K9”, a dog used in service of the Police or Army.
New to me and the following phrases:
“He is a wild card.”
“Don’t lecture me!”
“I rest my case.”
All the best for you,
TANIA
Thank you so much Tania, too much to think about that words
that touch me specially on those days.
I do think they show us a way to follow when it seems we can´t
resist any more.
May be they are the opposite to my poem:
Fidelity and love
If you think in dying with you I die
Together in the trip of not return
Tired of living without hopes
With this daily torture you feel
Wishing the end of that suffering
If you feel that life is your wish
Living with you day after day is my will
Watching the smile in your face
or the firm fight of your character
that strong wants a day more together
My partner´s life I´ll do mine your wishes
Prepared I am to make your trip each second
That life is discovering in fateful time
Of illness, suffering and hopelessness
till the moment you think it is the end.
++++
I really like this phrase:
In spite of illness… one can remain alive… if one is unafraide of change
Just change is what we, Cuca and me, are living now.
My best dear Tania.
Hi,
I have found the song Let’s Talk (about) Love.
It’s a Bollywood song.
“Tell me that you love me
Yes Mister, I have expressed it
The arrow that you shot from your eyes has finally struck the target
Let’s talk about love baby
Everyone does it.”
Hi,
Dear Emiliano,
I like very much your love poems.
Fidelity and Suffering
“If you feel that life is your wish
Living with you day after day is my will
Watching the smile in your face.”
Hi,
And this poem is wonderful.
Afternoon, The Days, The Death
“Short life use to be
too short for being happy
soon passes, the years till old age.
IT IS NOT SHORT FOR THE SUFFERING.”
Best wishes and health,
Tania
Do you know something dear Tania?
Wise Cuca always told me, emiliano you are a survivor, don´t give me
any problem if I am or not with you, you´ll survive despite it.
After more than a month she is out home now I´m thinking she is
right, as she use to be when she told me her thoughts, and now that
for first time in my life I´m living alone, with Gatufo not so alone
then, I could see how wise my dear spouse has been always.
Looking forward October to ask for a change in order to have her
close near home I await recovering some of the home tasks I have
before we need help at home for her and me too.
Life is full of suprises and in fact, its clear, we know nothing about
our next day, less about next month or year.
To me it is an helpfull tool to write again, as much as possible, doing
that I could express what I feel every moment and even I have some
consolation thinking my writing could be helpfull to others.
Guileless after all as every one is different and lives their life in very
different ways.
Thanks dear, you are really my good blog´s friend.
emiliano
I’m very happy now because I lestened to English Cafe 563 and I have to say that I saw that I am very ethical and I am proud of myself beeing so. I hate scandal and wrong doing. Also I remember Flintstone a good cartoon with Fred, Barney, Vilma, rock car, dinossaurus, Pedrita and so on. Old and good times never come back. Too bad it is over now.
From Brazil
Me
ESL Podcast 1225 – A Good Samaritan is indeed a good one. Being a good Samaritan is one episode of the Bible. I like to be a good Samaritan, helping people in need. Why not? I put myself in someone’s place and how I would like to be helped when in need. Treat the others the way you would like to be treated.
From Brazil
Me
Some questions about you dear….
Cuca wanted to ask you something, if you do not mind, and I’d like you to be honest and I will answer clearly if you want to please me. We’ll see, hopefully not be too intrusive.
Nape talk about your disease, which may be the reason for that issue hardly touch it, complain, or just tell us how you feel a particular day could be today for example. I’m always in pain, sometimes strong others less so, ie I’m never good without it hurts me or disturb something.
If it is not strong can achieve continued forget the pain if I’m doing something to entertain me, and it’s just fun to be what I always try to do.
the mind is always active, busy, watching a movie, typing on pc., playing with the Tablet, reading, ultimately always busy to avoid thinking and feeling the least pain. Satisfied your curiosity ?.
Not at all, I have many questions to ask and I think they can be useful to inform about this disease that you suffer or to the interests of persons who may be in your situation.
It’s not easy being in the situation of a patient in general, less than one who suffers from multiple sclerosis, each disease feel differently and behave differently depending on the people, evolution, and even our own mind.here is no disease like another, just as there is no birth equal to another for even a woman alum five children each will come into the world with different feelings by the mother, the disease is the same, applies to different patterns forever.
I see you’re very knowledgeable Cuca.
I had plenty of time to do so, have given birth to three daughters, was that spoke and took fourteen years supporting MS.
You think of it?. Well, if you’re an expert in both subjects, excuse my remarks but one needs, I think, if we are well informed.
Okay, okay, no apologies, you keep asking what you want if you think all this can be useful for someone, but I doubt it.
Cuca not hesitate and goes on to relate aspects of your life and your illness if you can meet to discuss this issue.
Let’s start with anotomía rather than history and imagine that we go to a class where the science teacher explains how our body, we go.
The brain is the master enterprise we call the human body, is the one who gives orders to do this or do the other, that we are clear. In the morning we are in bed thinking “get up” and even the brain orders up our legs, arms, body, muscles are generally not put in motion to sit up and go to the bathroom once standing. The legs seem move on their own, but not the brain that coordinates all movements and who sends impulses or orders, musclesto walk our body, legs moving, and remain in balance.
These nerves that connect the muscles of the legs with the master, with the brain, are thin wires coated with a substance all of them, all along, called myelin.
As a copper wire needs to be protected with a layer of plastic or rubber protects it from outside, from unwanted contacts, until it reaches its destination and drop the current to turn on the light or the washer operation, the nerves that connect the brain with all organs, joints, muscles, etc. the body those nerves need be protected with a layer called myelin.
So far it is clear? Yes, very clear Cuca, I think that everyone understands it.
Well, then we leave at this point, you think interviewer unnamed ?.
OK, whatever you say, I am your desires Cuca. Thank you, see you soon then.
the gatufo….who make questions to Cuca
Where is the sun,
where is the sky,
where is my love.
where she has gone.
Far away from home
you need to go
what can I do
when you be not.
Too much to feel
too much to think
not now but soon
she will be not home.
Without you I must go
extrange I will feel
inside these extrange walls
when you will be not.
Sooner or later Cuca will be not here at home with me, I try not to think too much about it, but ahead it is the real fact.
What will I do, not any idea but it is sure that the house will be not home any more.
Multiple Sclerosis is making it´s bad work inside her and after resisting me for a long time at last it has been necessary to ask for a nursing where she could receive a good care.
Doctor said me that once and again, so finally after talking with the social assistant and listening to her I gave my arm twisted and have done what they told me.
May be a year of waiting, six months, I don´t really know but little by little my mind is accepting the idea of letting her going out home.
In some way it is possible she could be better than here but not me that start to miss her before the fact happens.
emiliano
Tv. serial House of Cards.
I’m watching “House of Cards”, one of the best series on politics, politicians, scoundrels, thieves and murderers who adorn the struggle for power in the US or elsewhere who presumes to democracy, congress, senate, and fair play on the contrary , it is one of the dirtiest and convoluted games conceived can.
Even Julio Cesar, powerful and autocrat dictator, amazed exclaimed when he was stabbed on the steps of the Senate by his Senate colleagues and even friends, “you too Brutus” showing his utter ignorance of what they were up behind him, more so than its main conspirator and murderer was one who almost had by his son.
Yesterday I saw one of the last episodes of the first season of House of Cards in which the protagonist series is appointed US Vice President step necessary for total power, and before the cold and ruthlessly murderous act which has been useful for their nefarious purposes and underground tool.
The girl, naive and physically explosive, takes advantage of the confidence that is releasing the will to have them published in her newspaper and later by Internet.
But even sleeps with her ??into believing that she obstenta some power on him because of her youth and beauty.
She has made her first mistake and so on…..
When the love afaire ceases and He no longer needs her and get information about the girl who is getting investigating about his previous crime he made and appointmente with her on the platform of the Washington Metro, bad place to go on a date, and she naively lends herself to dialogue with the edge the abyss.
A convoy is approaching the station, they are located at the beginning of the tunnel, discussing, discuss even more and naive girl (although she believes no) confesses to him that she wants to know the involvement of he in the previous death of another Congressman, she thinks he has been murderer because it serves as a springboard to be appointed vice president and fakes a suicide. More or less she is accusing him, her second and fatal mistake.
Very indignant Frank leaves apparently the edge of the platform, she follows him and he hidden comes to pass, grabs her firmly and pushed hard for fall before the convoy is entering the station.
The sequence is so fast that even I was confused because I thought it pushes against her and she would fall back on the abiss.
But not at all, revised sequence by me again it looks perfectly that Frank, the subject, turns around the girl and gives her the fatal push just as the convoy enters the station.
The station ‘s video records the scene apparent of her jumping to step off the train and it is clear to the police that has been a suicide.
When her friend and fellow incredulous by the apparent suicide of the girl goes to a friend policeman, this teaches the video recording of the station and which research finds death as suicide in the sequence to sequence its clear that the girl is facing the train tracks and jumps.
Two murders Frank’s account, that perfectly disguised as suicides and reaches be new vice president of the US, I wonder where this plot comes up, evil and ambitious character in the series who is going up USA administration.
Last night and this morning I thought the series was a monumental failure, nothing is further from reality, everything is so fast that I was right confused thinking she fell backwards and then the video she looked as jumping as you would a suicide, but is not, the scene is well argued all the terrible sequence of the murder of the poor beautiful splendid girl.
Just a pity, because we miss the presence of a very attractive young woman who shows us her very beautiful bodily attributes.
I do not lose House of Cards for nothing, I´ll be watching the tv. serial till the end, but which will be the end?.
++++++++++++++
As a rule I never watch the tv., but I like to see Netflix, and this is one of Netflix productions.
Tv. use to be boring and even watching the news you´ll be not good informed. It depends of the canal you
are watching.
More or less like the newspaper, that every one of them gives its own opinion.
Regards.