Eddie Izzard's long run

It comes with a bit of a delay, I am well aware of that. But I have just got to know about it so here it goes: crossdresser stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard, author and performer of such classics as the Death Star Canteen, ran 43 (yep, four times ten plus three) marathons in 51 days. Now, you probably either don't believe this or think: "Well, he probably just jogged or walked briskly for a few ours every day." But just try to walk 30-40 kilometers a day (at the pace you want) for one week and you will know better what you are speaking about.
Besides, he had a purpose to all this. His mega-run was organized to raise funds for Sport Relief, a charity organization that helps poor and disadvantaged people. Watch the youtube video that was taken after his destination at Trafalgar Square, London and read more about the details of the run here.

Hubble back in business

NGC 6302 or Butterfly Nebula (from Hubblesite)


The Hubble space telescope underwent its fourth servicing mission in May 2009. During the mission, the astronauts performed numerous repairs and installed new instruments that have enabled the telescope to look even deeper into space and to make various new observations. You can read about the details of Hubble's new abilities and watch snapshots and a video that showcase the new vision here.

Slang (Part I) - Rhyming Slang

A couple of days ago I came across this news article:

"A cash machine operator has introduced Cockney rhyming slang to a number of its ATMs in east London.

People using Bank Machine's ATMs can opt to have their prompts and options given to them in rhyming slang.

As a result they will be asked to enter their Huckleberry Finn, rather than their Pin, and will have to select how much sausage and mash (cash) they want.

The rhyming slang prompts will be available from five cash machines in east London for three months.

Other rhyming slang prompts people can expect include a speckled hen (£10), while the machine may inform users that it is contacting their rattle and tank, rather than bank." (read the whole story and listen to locals' opinion here)

So, what is Cockney rhyming slang? This is a special encryption that makes it possible for the speakers to completely confuse outsiders. Instead of saying, for instance, "Let's go up the stairs" the user of rhyming slang would say "Let's go up the apples." This comes from 'apples and pears' where you drop the second (the actual rhyming) word. The exact origins of the phrase are unknown. Probably, the shape of the apple and pear stalls at the market reminded somebody of stairs. Despite the nice image, once you have dropped the rhyming part it gets really difficult to find out the meaning. (Note for foreign learners of English: The word 'pear' rhymes with 'stair' or 'wear' and not with 'hear'!)

My personal favourite is 'Dog and Bone' used for a telephone. The classical telephone's receiver really had a bone-like look to it and the 'dog' really seemed to be clinging onto it.














'Dog and Bone' (from here)

Sometimes, especially with longer words, the whole expression is used. So, if someone asks you: "Would you Adam and Eve this?" you should encode it as "Would you believe it?". Although this slang originated from the East End of London, some of the expressions have become quite widespread in other parts of Britain, too. For example, the expression 'use your loaf' comes from 'loaf of bread' ( which means 'head' in rhyming slang).

Do this quiz to check and improve your rhyming slang knowledge:

Cockney Rhyming Slang » Test maker

A new way to look at success

Sometimes you find yourself trying hard but somehow not making much headway. Or you believe that you are making good progress but later realize that you have been going round in circles. Usually it is with jobs but can be in all other arenas of life as well. Others seem to have it a lot easier or perhaps they get along better because they deserve it more? If you have ever felt this way then this video will feel like a balm for the bruises. The speaker, Alain de Botton, encourages us to find the meaning of "success" for ourselves. No big secrets are revealed but I like the very rational yet humane way he gets his point across to the audience. There is also a bit of clever humour in some of his ironic remarks.






Do this simple exercise to practice the vocabulary of the speech.

Watching the night sky from home

A couple of weeks ago I spent half a night awake trying to catch sight of some meteors in the Perseid Meteor Shower. The sky remained cloudy the whole night long so I didn't manage to observe any meteors. It was a nice night though, and I really wouldn't like to sound complaining. However, if you - like me - enjoy guided astronomy tours where clouds don't matter here is a chance to see one. The Hubble Site has a cool feature: Tonight's Sky. It is a short flash video with menu and English subtitles. The pictures are great, the audio is absolutely clear both regarding the content and the pronunciation.(you could even say it is lucid:) Go and watch it if you haven't done it so far. After all, 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy.

When you have watched the video for September 2009 you will be able to answer the following questions:

- What is the other name of the constellation Sygnus?

- What is Deneb?

- What can you see halfway between the stars Altair and Alberio?

- Which planet dominates the September sky?

- When is the Autumnal Equinox this year? Where does the sun rise on this day?

(You can find short answers to the questions here.)




















Altair