Patience and then more patience built upon a sound foundation of patience and tolerance wins the day.

Insania - Angels in the Sky

Insania - The Land of the Wintersun - Sunrise in Riverland

For the long weekend people put everything including the kitchen sink in the motor, take  the high road and head for a place where they can drink like a fish and pig out because they have cast iron stomachs, and then make so much noise you have to tell them to put a sock in it.But telling them to use their loaf is a waste ot time..

Please remember that too much of a good thing can be truly, truly wonderful:)

And on the subject of long weekends, I just love the killjoys who always want to tell us just hour many billions, in whatever currency, the economy has lost due to a long weekend. What happy people they are, now where is my copy of the Financial Times?

A long weekend is coming closer and very welcome it will be when it finally arrives. So for all those who will be welcoming May with a smile, a holiday or trip somewhere interesting, or simply a good rest, I wish you all the very  best:)

Wintersun - Time I (Full Album)

I would like to thank the kind hearted, but anonymous person, who funded the cinema yesterday which meant our tickets were free! Thank you very much, whoever you are:)

Wintersun - Time (Live @ Sonic Pump Studios)

Metallica - Orion (HD)

The Beatles - The Fool On The Hill - Lyrics

Lore Movie OST

Just back from watching 'Lore' about the fall of Germany in 1945 viewed through the eyes of a family trying to survive and reach the home of their grandmother in Hamburg. Beautifully filmed and well acted, well worth seeing.

Saturday with only a few hours of work, and the sun is shining on us in all its majesty. When the sun is high in the sky the town has a wonderful holiday feel about it. A walk by the lake this morning  was most refreshing in the early morning light, and a wonderful aroma of lake in the nostrils to add to the enjoyment.

Psy ProgressiveTrance 2014 Ancient Aliens

As the sun majestically rises in the north, I realize that I need a new compass.

Beirut - The Rip Tide (Official Video)

Beirut- A Candle's Fire

Rail signals and sun

What is it about the sun that brings out the smile in everyone? I am not sure what it is, but it sure makes me feel a whole lot better. Long may it last:)

I love, really love technology. Windows XP finishes so I have to get Windows 7 and pay for it and have it installed. Then I take the computer to the office and then the keyboard does not want to work as the pins in the plug have become distorted. Oh Yes, it is Monday morning, hold on it's Wednesday!

Let's not forget (The) Ukraine. When people want to be free, as imperfect as that system may be for those inspired by empty propangand style posters, then we must help them to repulse their would be 'saviours' who pose in fascistic style and while the transparency of their hypocrisy is only equalled by their traditional lack of dress sense.

The Railway Man. A wonderfully acted film with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, amongst others.Never has a train spotter been so symathetically portrayed. But in all seriousness, a film which sees humankind at its worst, and its best.

Can't wait to get back to work, to get back in the groove, to climb back on  the horse and take the bit between my teeth, no really, I can't wait;)

How about this snappy read for the generous amongst us, ''Dating for Under a Dollar: 301 Ideas'', published in 1999. And how about a book I could really do with buying, ''Cheese Problems Solved''. Where has it been all my life?
Finally who could possibly live without the following title on their bookshelf, ''Circumcisions by Appointment: Life in Eighteenth Century Manchester''. Obviously a book which is a cut above the others:)

I read an article earlier today about the water festival in Thailand. I remember when I was there, absolutley crazy and fantastic fun. I was sitting in a bar when the owner picked up the cushions, and then everybody started throwing water over everybody, which then accelerated and was crazy fun.On the second day I remember people throwing flour bombs from a truck, and then spraying everybody with water, great fun:)

Lesson for today so far, never, I repeat never wear your glasses when engaging on a highly enthisiastic pillow fight with young children. You have been warned!

And the book for tonight is, and not for the first time, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.

In the mistaken belief that hares were hermaphrodites, Medieval people associated the animal with the Virgin Mary.

Furthermore, hares and rabbits were seen as symbols of fertility within ancient societies, bountiful and prolific producers of offspring. And to celebrate this ancient tradition, on average, every child in Britain is given 8 Easter eggs to munch their way through!

Easter is that time of the year that reminds, as if we do not miss them everyday, of those loved ones that have sadly left us forever.

Eggs And Sausage Together Encourage Reasonableness.

How long can a person spend in a hairdressers, no really, how long? Over 3 hours! Complicated life saving, triple heart by-pass operations can be performed in less time. Concorde could fly from London to America in about the same time, and probably cost less!

Ready for Śmigus Dyngus!

Muddy Waters- I Just Want to Make Love to You (Electric Mudd Version)

As it is that time of the year, what came first, the chicken or the egg?

One theory is that the chicken is the egg’s way of creating another egg. Clear?

And now for some of the of ways English can use such a simple word:)

a good egg  
egg someone on 
go fry an egg  
have egg on one's face
kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
lay an egg
put all your eggs in one basket   
a rotten egg.
walk on egg shells
as sure as eggs 
a good egg
a nest egg
can't boil an egg

But for me eggs are off the  menu, especially boiled eggs! What a smell and what a disgusting taste and texture.And if eggs are so healthy, why are all the cakes we buy actually prepared with egg ''substitute'' and not real eggs, as per EU directives in regards to this matter.

Can you believe that the following title was dropped as its was thought too boring, ''Male Genitalia of Butterflies of the Balkan Peninsula''. 


And was replaced by the far less snappy '' Weeds in a Changing World: British Crop Protection Council Symposium Proceedings No. 64''.

What were they thinking, the fools!
  

Just thought I would add this for enthusiasts, have you got this trolley's ID number?

''People Who Don't Know They're Dead: How They Attach Themselves to Unsuspecting Bystanders and What to Do About It''.
What an interesting read:)


And the unforgettable ''The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. A must for enthusiasts everywhere!

"Language is perpetually in a state of flux for it is a living organism which , shifts, changes, and grows in strength as it absorbs in a sponge like manner, many thousands of new elements. At the same time, it also drops words from useage as fashion dictates.

And at the same time language takes words, and then changes and moulds the meaning over time. Sometimes for inexplicable reasons. For instance buxom originally meant an obedient, meek and mild person. So very different to the idea of a buxom lass:)

Next, awful meant a thing or person that that inspired awe in people. It is a long way from its current meaning of something bad, or for instnce, when someone looks terrible. 

What does it say about a society that has no walls? Are they instinctively more open, do they share more in a collective manner and have less to hide? How does such an arrangement affect daily life and their outlook in general?

Now we have the Easter holiday coming over the horizon, and I think for many it is a welcome sight. It gives us a chance to meet with family, friends and spend quality time together, which appears to be something that is rapidly fading from our modern lives. A great shame. The only problem is the deliciousness of chocolate eggs:)

How exactly would having no walls have an impact on your love life, or answering the call of nature?

Is it true, that some houses in Venezuela have no walls? So let's think about how that would change and affect our everyday lives:)

I heard recently that some homes in Venezuela do not have walls enclosing the house, so how does that change life?

Just what I needed before a lesson earlier on today. A website with audio is primed and ready, the dialogue sheets are handed out, and then the computer decides to freeze big time

So nice to be watched and assessed for my lack of technical skills by the, obviously patient, teenager group. Anyways, onwards and upwards:)

Okay, here is an admission. I have, I repeat, no control over the actions, desires or activities in general in regards to the British government or any department or organization which acts in a subordinate role to said organization. There, I have said it, and it is true, please, please believe me.

I say this because it is true, and I was engaged by a student in the week who pulled me over the coals for something HM Government is doing.

I tried to explain, as bashfully as possible, that I do not now, nor that I have ever had at any time in the past, had any sway over HM Government policy in any sphere whatsoever. Nor that HM Government are in any way answerable to me for their actions!

I felt so guilty, but why? It is as if I and the British government are indivisible. We are not, I am me, and they, dear God, are completely separate in actions and deeds.

I am hungry, which is enough justification for the following post. My fancy has turned towards avocado, but what is this exotic food?

Technically it is a berry, with a rich delicious, soft green fruit inside a darker green skin, which has the the scientific name of Persea Americana.

It  comes originally from  Mexico, running all the way down to the Pacific coast of  Central America. 

It was used in the 1700s as a spread for biscuits, which led to the name “midshipman’s butter.”

And now, that is exactly how I am going to eat mine, as a spread on toast. Smacznego:)

	.

When the night comes and your alone with your thoughts, are you comfortable with the person you meet, the person you are, warts and all, or do you still deceive and  strive to find a justificaation to your own delusions?
Rest well as you slip into the deep well of darkness.

Dan Auerbach - When the Night Comes.flv

English is a language of staggering and beautiful diversity, with oustanding shades of meaning to explain and find reason and colour in this wonderful world which we inhabit for such a short time.
Do not be afraid to teach English as a language of love, light and variety.

And we ourselves, the native speakers of English, we should not submit to the modern world and express ourselves in ever shorter fragments and sound bites that denude our language, for its is the fragrance of  life itself and gives us sustenance and purpose.

For instance, the word ''set'' can be used in 58 different ways as a noun, 10 as a participal adjective and only a limiting 126 ways as a verb. Let the language live and let is blosssom and grow.

Gdansk

This has prompted me to remember a lesson with an adult student a few years ago. We were talking about the dangers of the advertsing industry, and studying a photograph of a painfully thin fashion model on a catwalk.

The discussion swung round to the thorny problem of anorexia. But as she was having problems with pronunciation she did not say, ''Anorexia causes many problems'', but instead she informed me in a solemn tone that '' Erections cause many problems''. That was just about the end of that lesson:)

So inspiring to a car driver's faith in God as he crossed a double solid white lane in the middle of the road, to overtake on a blind corner in his old jalopy. Now where is my life insurance application form?

Saturday is here and work is finished, and for a short while work can be put aside. But sometimes the weekend just feels like a speed bump on the road of the week, as it flies past

Everybody needs a little boost now and again. According to one class today, I am a good teacher because I can explain things simply, so that everybody can understand. Bless them:)

If you can't control it, don't worry about it!

Loving that special feeling when you come across a new artist, at least to me. And you think, now that is damn fine music:) Time to boogie as I get ready for lessons.

Whispered Words (Pretty Lies). Dan Auerbach.

Dan Auerbach - I Want Some More (with lyrics)

Another week and life continues to add extra colour, depth and experience to the rich tapestry of existence that weaves its snake like coils around our diminishing light.
But seriously, I have found that my students teach me many things, aside from the English language teaching aspect. Learning is life long in whatever form it comes to us, and to shy away from learning and being open to new knowledge, even when it is unpalatable to our tastes, is to close your eyes and begin to fade away. Well, time for a coffee methinks!

The Black Keys - Remember When (Side A)

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy [Official Music Video]

How many years has Pink Floyd been helping me out at the end of a long day. To many to mention, but a never ending comfort, and as a complete chillout mode slides into place it is time to melt into the night once again.

Pink Floyd - Echoes (complete) (live in Pompeii 1971)

Do not standstill, do not settle for second best. Continually assess, and then reassess your targets, aims and needs. Taking big decisions shouldn't phase you. Step out of your comfort zone and appraise your endeavours in as an objective mode as possible. Be prepared to realign, and slim down to be fitter, stronger and more competitive, even if it means rebranding.
Evolution is vital and healthy.

A definite feeling now, that the Wednesday milestone has been passed, of the week coming to its conclusion. I feel that the students teach me as much as I teach them, and I also feel that it is always vital to listen to them, and in fact encourage a good rapport.
One student told me that it must be good to be self-employed because you can work when you want. How wonderful that would be in reality:)

Life always pushes us back a bit from time to time just to remind us we are only guests here for a short while.

To truly gauge how strange it was for an Englishman to open an English
language school in the Polish town of Giżycko it is necessary to
understand a little of the history. For instance, during World War 2 Adolf
Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair was just some 30km from Giżycko, which meant that
the towns fortress (built 1844-1848), was the sub-area HQ and it acted as a
base for Hitler’s HQ guard troop at the Wolf’s Lair, and in fact the
town was known by its German name of Lotzen, not Giżyko at all. In 1945
the future base for my language school was ‘liberated’ by the Soviet
army, who like many liberators in history duly forgot to go home, and would
not in fact become officially called Giżycko until 1946.

From a basic starter level listening practice about a young girl who only wants to eat chocolate. Through to the wrong names and poor translation of names from Native American into English in the USA. The lessons offer a rich diversity of language levels, and skills.
And sandwiched in the middle is a meeting with one of my favourite things, red tape and bureaucracy:)

Something for bed:)

Just back from work, with work still work to do. So blogging sadly takes a back seat, as does sleeping!

There it is, an actual physical fact that time moves at an acccelerated rate over the weekend, especially on a Sunday. Not so much a stately progress as a pell-mell race down a steep hill whilst chasing large pieces of cheese, as at Cooper's Hill near Gloucester.

I love this, “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”  Anthony G. Oettinger
You can't argue against this logic! Now how about some fruit?
 

Imany - Slow Down

When mighty Roast Beef was the Englishman's food,
It ennobled our brains and enriched our blood.
Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good
Oh! the Roast Beef of old England,
And old English Roast Beef!
 English ballad from 1731.

We English love Sunday roast which has always been based around roast beef.

It was normal practice to roast "the noble sirloin of about fifteen pounds" in front of the fire for about four hours for Sunday lunch. This method of hanging the meat on a spit or hanging in front of said fire meant that a fire of good size was needed and would feed a large family on Sunday, and also throughout the week.

The poor did not have big fires and meat was not cheap. So the poor would leave their smaller joint at the bakers as they went to church. This meant everybody had the chance to cook and eat meat on a Sunday, and a tradition was born.

And that is why I had a splendid roast dinner today, but the beef was substituted admirably by roast chicken:)

Crane/żuraw

My first teaching job was for a generous man, he paid me the bare minimum, but tried to make it sound
like heaps of cash. It was in his school that I was thrust for the
first time in front of sixteen teenage students affecting varying states
of interest, or disinterest to such a degree that it
was an art form to admire. The owner later confessed that he would listen at
the door during my lessons to gauge the humour of the class, of which he
told me later was happy and engaged, I was a success!
He was so impressed that he decided to kill me, but in a cunningly manner,.

The owner had rented a room in a building in Suwałki, in an
attempt to offer lessons to the locals, and now I was part of his plan. 

The idea was for him to drive me from Olecko to Suwałk so that I
could take lessons. But here was the rub, it was winter. The road from Olecko to Suwałki can
at the best of times be described as interesting, and at other times as 
plain bloody dangerous.

Imagine the temperatures hovering anything from -10 to -25 with the road coated in compacted 

with ice and incredibly slippery,  an ardent fan of the Cresta Run would not have felt out of place.
Now as if the conditions were not enough,  I had the Bosss and his aged
VW with all the comfort of a 18th century cart, trying to kill me on the
road. He attempted this by driving fast, then a little faster, and then he
would slam on his breaks and wait to see the result. 

The result varied, but I am still alive but can attest to the fact that we did, how can I say
without overstating things, wobble a bit from time to time! It was at this
point he would look at me with a huge smile and state that ‘’it was not
too slippery’’. I smiled the smile of the condemned and agreed as best
I could in my alarmingly limited Polish, that yes, in fact the road covered
in compacted ice, being travelled at highly disproportionate speeds under the conditions, was in

 fact slippery. Shock, horror, what a revelation!

Sunday morning coffee and pancakes, and in bed with Down Under by Bill Bryson. By the way, as I look at my coffee, which is steaming and inviting, I wonder if the water in the sink always turns clockwise as it makes its escape via the plughole?
I noticed this as I diligently washed up before going back to bed. Maybe the northern hemsisphere or the way the earth turns has a bearing on this phenomena. Now to go Down Under:)

The clouds are rolling in, like so many eager waves upon the shore, and for certain they suit my mood as  I slip beneath the comfort of my sheets and cuddle down against the rain which thrums against the window pane.

Hello,

Dating back to the Middles Ages in France, this word derives from an exclamation of surprise. It comes from the French hallow, or to ''pursue by shouting''.

It is believed that Thomas Edison popularized the current form of useage. 

Another exclamation, this one of excitement, exuberance or happiness , heyday is from the Saxon heh-doeg, "high day." 

Imany - you will never know (lounge remix - violin intro)

Skye - Not Broken (+playlista)

Saturday afternoon  has finally bought some respite from work, and what a beautiful day it is, and what a long week it has been! Dinner has been prepared, served and eaten with relish.

It is at this juncture that I would like to extend my thanks to a certain Mr Joel Houghton who devised a hand powered device for washing dishes. And to a Josephine Cochrane, who in 1887 invented the first truly ''modern'' dishwasher.

As I turn on my dishwasher, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to these pioneering people, which means I can do something productive now, so where is my book and cup of tea?

^]

Why Write?

Why Write?

 

Nice one Cyril!

Nice has really changed from its original meaning.  It is derived from the Latin nescius which meant “ignorant”, the word began life in the 14th century as a word for “foolish” or “silly”.

The word started to change and began to include negative elements, for instance, wantonness, extravagance and sloth. Changing once again in the Middle Ages it took on the neutral meanings of a shy and reserved person.
.
The positive meaning to which we attribute ''nice'' did not come about until the 18th century. 
But remember ladies, it still a less than positive accolade when you say a man is ''nice''!

 

 

Fantastic is used to tell someone just how great they look, or how good they are at doing something. True praise indeed.

 It derives from 14th century France and originall meant “existing only in imagination”.

Not till the 20th century did this come to mean super, marvellous or wonderful.

Words often change their meaning over time, so much so that the original meaning is lost. For instance, to dribble meant to shoot an arrow wide of its mark. But as we get older maybe the meaning hasn't been completely lost:)

Lynyrd Skynyrd - If I'm Wrong

For those struggling through the language learning process, take heart, because there are benefits to your endeavours.

The more we think, the more we exercise our brain, the more intelligent we become. This may have a link to helping to ward of degenerative brain diseases and help to keep our memory in  good condition at the same time.

Again this can be linked to improving our own sense of worth and raising our level of self-confidence. Another benefit is that learning a foreign language helps us to appreciate our own language more.

And who knows, it might even help you to get a better job and improve your standard of living and life in the future in general.

“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”

The only thing better than the weekend, which is almost here, is a weekend without having to work in the office.

Funny English Class - Hilarious video

German Coast guard trainee

Two computers, two printers but only one pair of hands!

My God, what are some people thinking when they write a book or booklet. In this case the fascinating 46 page booklet entitled 'Highlights in the History of Concrete' by C. C  Stanley.

It would be the perfect solution for insomniacs, the only problem, and here is the really shocking fact, it is very rare and hard to get hold of a copy!

If you want to learn English, and love concrete and its history as it wends its way through our modern world, then this is the booklet for you.




 

When learning English it is important to read about a subject you find of interest.

Do You Speak English? - Big Train - BBC comedy

So back to the bowlegged bridge. How does a nice town end up with a bridge that it didn't want.Well, according to one version the town asks the EU for a new road, for example. The EU says no, but we have a project for a bridge, a real nice bridge:). The town asks  for a new bypass, the EU replies no, but we have a bridge you can have, really it's lovely! Again the town requests a new library, but the EU once again steers the town towards, wait for it with a roll on the drums...  a bridge.
So in the end the town chooses a bridge, the bridge is built and the money is spent. Good to know the EU knows what it is doing:)

Wonderful Italy last year

The lesson is on chocolate, and someone, a define human being, has just handed me a large slice of chocololate cake as a treat. I am very happy:)

A lesson on chocolate today, which the students always take part in with great gusto:)

This bridge once again! A bridge designed by a man with an obsession with bowlegged women:) More to come on this intriguing story:)

Students really like when they have a task to do which enables them to build up a story and narrative themselves. So today some of the younger students will be given a group of picture cards which they must connect with another set of cards with specific phrases. They link them and then they construct their own story . They find this process fun and it stimulates their imagination, and the bonus is that they learn at the same time:)

One of my visits today was to a car garage, not usually one of my favourite destinations because I am not particularly mechanically minded. Couple to the fact it is always expensive. But in this case it was neither highly befuddling in a mechanical manner, nor expensive.Very strange.

 And in this case it is another difference with my life in England. The car had to have its winter tyres changed, and be fitted with the super shiny summer tyres. In England we seldom have snow, and when we do we battle through until ulimately giving up as 2 cm of snow brings the country to a grinding halt. But here cars, fitted with their winter attire, plough through the far worse winter conditions stoically.

Now I simply hope I haven't jumped the gun and have winter return next week. Fingers crossed and here comes the sun:)

Science is developing in leaps and bounds Apparently researchers have revealed details of logic units built using living slime molds, which could act as the basis for computers and sensors in the future.
And I thought slime mould was going to only be used to replace politicians:)

Proof I am not an  inspirational figure when having lessons on fashion.

I love banks, such a wonderful place to spend those few precious free moments that come your way by chance in the day. The queue, the stimulating decor and mind numbingly inane posters and entreaties to invest your pennies.

Hoovering finished and time to swing into teaching, well maybe not swing so much as rather walk briskly in a positive manner. And be careful what you read and hear today because it is April Fool's Day. You have been warned:)

A quiz to start the first lesson of the day at 8.30am with the children, which they love because it brings out their competitiveness. Whilst yesterday an adult group used a Pearson textbook with a DVD produced by the BBC. It was about the 'Noughties' amd how basically, especially for men, the age of childhood, or as it is now termed 'kidadulthood" has stretched the length of time people play and act like teenagers. This is because men apparently like gadgets.
 One contributor to the clip, from Sheffield University, claimed that the majority of games in the world are now purchased by adults. Does this paint a wonderful picture of us as a society?
As for me, I must do the hoovering before lessons, a 'gadget' I'm not especially fond of using:)