I read with interest Ben leather's comments (Nature, May) but was surprised to note that, while he linked human development with the destruction of animal species, the impact of this development
on the third world human species was largely overlooked.
Elsewhere in the magazine you referred to the influence of unrestricted travel and abusive land farming on the natural habitat of endangered species, but you failed to mention that every minute
thirty children die from starvation and other associated diseases in the human -and animal-world.
Do people not recognise the irony in this and do they not realise where we should place priorities?
I have been to Africa twice and much though I admire the animal world, I cannot help but focus my
interest on the most urgent human needs, and of children in particular, in such countries.
Surely it is time that everyone starts to question whether public money should be spent on saving
animals until there are humans needing to be saved.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
seagulls:a pest
I would like to complain about the problems we have nowadays with seagulls in our city.They have become the new and noisy pest in our coastal residences. I say "new" because seagulls are on our roofs, and we can see them at any time. Some roofs are infested with them and people have started having problems with slates. "Noisy" because they don´t stop croaking day and night, disturbing our sleep. I know that they have lost their natural habitats because of the excess of buildings in some towns, but, do we really have to suffer them ? Some times it is almost impossible to get near the rubbish bins just because they are there, waiting for the supermarkets to throw away the left overs of the day. Could it be possible to find a solution to this problem? Cannot the Council do something? I don´t think the solution can be just stealing their eggs or breaking them, as some people propose. We need something done, something radical or they will become a real pest like rats.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Lighting
Christmas Lighting
Two letters published in your magazine on December 10th and 12th raised the issue of street lighting at Christmas. The first letter celebrated the decision taken by the City Council of Bilbao of lighting up the streets one week earlier this year, that is to say, on December 1st. The second complained about it and regarded it as an excessive consumption of energy.
It is undeniably true that due to this Christmas tradition of decorating the streets with lights the city changes its look for a time and seems to join in the celebrations. But aren’t we overdoing it a little? In these times of worlwide campaigning against global warming and institutional support of carbon footprint, what kind of values are we teaching our children?
Surely, rather than wasting all that energy for as long as five weeks, hadn’t we better limit the lighting to the Christmas period itself and this way save money and energy at the same time?
Two letters published in your magazine on December 10th and 12th raised the issue of street lighting at Christmas. The first letter celebrated the decision taken by the City Council of Bilbao of lighting up the streets one week earlier this year, that is to say, on December 1st. The second complained about it and regarded it as an excessive consumption of energy.
It is undeniably true that due to this Christmas tradition of decorating the streets with lights the city changes its look for a time and seems to join in the celebrations. But aren’t we overdoing it a little? In these times of worlwide campaigning against global warming and institutional support of carbon footprint, what kind of values are we teaching our children?
Surely, rather than wasting all that energy for as long as five weeks, hadn’t we better limit the lighting to the Christmas period itself and this way save money and energy at the same time?
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Letter to Ms Lennox
The Big Thaw
I have to disagree with Ms. Lennox’s letter about the Global Climate (December 12). She claims that “Global Warming is a natural change and, thus, Earth will continue to change no matter what we may or may not do”. I am fed up with people that link global warming and natural change. To deny that we are influencing that “natural cycle” and foolishly speeding up the process of melting of the ice masses is, simply, ignorance.
Ms Lennox quotes Darwin to say that “It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change”. Now, humans have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by more than a third since the industrial revolution. Changes this large have historically taken thousands of years, but are now happening over the course of decades. This, in terms of geologic time, is unbearable. The rapid rise in greenhouse gases is a problem because it is changing the climate faster than some living things may be able to adapt –mankind amongst them?. Also, a new and more unpredictable climate poses unique challenges to all life. Ms. Lennox, it is crystal clear that those who deny that global warming is caused by mankind have an obvious ulterior motive: to carry on comfortable and profit-motivated lifestyles.
In my view, it is not persisting deniers like Ms Lennox that are to fear; after all, I am sure there are some harmless folks out there who still believe evolution played no role in shaping us and that "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so." (Are they really harmless?) But it is apathy and disbelief about climate change that are far from harmless, for they affect governmental policy (what about the Bali Summit?) and our ability to take action. The real challenge is to make people aware: What sacrifices am I ready to make?
I have to disagree with Ms. Lennox’s letter about the Global Climate (December 12). She claims that “Global Warming is a natural change and, thus, Earth will continue to change no matter what we may or may not do”. I am fed up with people that link global warming and natural change. To deny that we are influencing that “natural cycle” and foolishly speeding up the process of melting of the ice masses is, simply, ignorance.
Ms Lennox quotes Darwin to say that “It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change”. Now, humans have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by more than a third since the industrial revolution. Changes this large have historically taken thousands of years, but are now happening over the course of decades. This, in terms of geologic time, is unbearable. The rapid rise in greenhouse gases is a problem because it is changing the climate faster than some living things may be able to adapt –mankind amongst them?. Also, a new and more unpredictable climate poses unique challenges to all life. Ms. Lennox, it is crystal clear that those who deny that global warming is caused by mankind have an obvious ulterior motive: to carry on comfortable and profit-motivated lifestyles.
In my view, it is not persisting deniers like Ms Lennox that are to fear; after all, I am sure there are some harmless folks out there who still believe evolution played no role in shaping us and that "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so." (Are they really harmless?) But it is apathy and disbelief about climate change that are far from harmless, for they affect governmental policy (what about the Bali Summit?) and our ability to take action. The real challenge is to make people aware: What sacrifices am I ready to make?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
wanna play?
Crazy about poetry and computers?
Ok, check this out!
http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcbasic/birthday/poem.exe
Take it easy,
Angel
Ok, check this out!
http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcbasic/birthday/poem.exe
Take it easy,
Angel
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Film Review-"Match point"
Woody Allen's "Match point" is a gripping story of ambition and lust with a final twist and an attempt at making a philosophical point on the meaning-or meaninglessness?-of life. Without deeming it a masterpiece,-some critics have overrated this film,perhaps due to the director's prestige-the movie really stands out and captures the viewer's attention by means of powerful devices and a dose of surprise.
Allen knows his trade so he cannily renders the ambience of the posh London high class through well-developed main characters, convincing dialogues and beautiful settings. On the other hand, nothing is quite what it seems here: surprisingly, Nola(Scarlett Johansson) and Chris(Jonathan Rhys Meyers),the lovers, are both outsiders who have been accepted into that exclusive club. Neither of them ends up the stereotype they initially fake: the sexy man-eater and the romantic gentlemanly lad every mother-in-law would dream of. Moreover, as the plot gradually progresses, even the genre becomes dubious: are we watching a love story, a thriller or what?
As possible flaws, I could mention the ending, which is rather far-fetched, and a jarred, unsuccessful attempt at establishing a deeper, subtler level of meaning. But on the whole, the virtues of the film outweigh by far its faults. I won't disclose any more details about the plot, so as to leave you with the intrigue(in case you haven't seen it yet). A should see.
Allen knows his trade so he cannily renders the ambience of the posh London high class through well-developed main characters, convincing dialogues and beautiful settings. On the other hand, nothing is quite what it seems here: surprisingly, Nola(Scarlett Johansson) and Chris(Jonathan Rhys Meyers),the lovers, are both outsiders who have been accepted into that exclusive club. Neither of them ends up the stereotype they initially fake: the sexy man-eater and the romantic gentlemanly lad every mother-in-law would dream of. Moreover, as the plot gradually progresses, even the genre becomes dubious: are we watching a love story, a thriller or what?
As possible flaws, I could mention the ending, which is rather far-fetched, and a jarred, unsuccessful attempt at establishing a deeper, subtler level of meaning. But on the whole, the virtues of the film outweigh by far its faults. I won't disclose any more details about the plot, so as to leave you with the intrigue(in case you haven't seen it yet). A should see.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Film review
Hi blogmates!
I wanted to write a film review about “Monster Factory” but I have changed my mind because the film didn,t convince me much. Instead I would recommend your to watch “Schreck”. This film is really worth watching. Any of the three versions made are a masterpiece. It is a cartoon film which main character, a green monster embarks on the most hillarious adventures together with his mates a donkey an a cat . He finds his true love in Princess Fiona which he rescued from the tower. In the second film they go to Fiona`s castle, in order to get the blessing of her parents. This second film is the one I know best because I have it at home and watch it with my children every now and then.
The situations are originally madeand very funny. The music is wonderful. It is also a mixture of many of the characters taken from a lot of well-known tales. The film is full with references to other films and also to real characters of the American scene. It is not only for children, because they are not able to follow many of the jokes, but also for adults. I loved it the fist time I saw it.
I wanted to write a film review about “Monster Factory” but I have changed my mind because the film didn,t convince me much. Instead I would recommend your to watch “Schreck”. This film is really worth watching. Any of the three versions made are a masterpiece. It is a cartoon film which main character, a green monster embarks on the most hillarious adventures together with his mates a donkey an a cat . He finds his true love in Princess Fiona which he rescued from the tower. In the second film they go to Fiona`s castle, in order to get the blessing of her parents. This second film is the one I know best because I have it at home and watch it with my children every now and then.
The situations are originally madeand very funny. The music is wonderful. It is also a mixture of many of the characters taken from a lot of well-known tales. The film is full with references to other films and also to real characters of the American scene. It is not only for children, because they are not able to follow many of the jokes, but also for adults. I loved it the fist time I saw it.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
FILM REVIEW
EAST IS EAST
A group of streapers, a music band, a dancing child and now a "Pakistani" family.What do all these films have in common? They are set in the 70´s and 80´s in low-working class neighborhoods, they depicte the social problems these people face everyday.But, what´s special about "East is East"? In this case the films presents the conflics that emerge in a multiracial and multicultural family living in England.The father is a man who came from Pakistan having absolutely nothing and who became the proud owner of a Fish and Chips shop. Married to an English woman the problems start when he tries to follow his own country´s traditions in marrying their children in the Muslim way... Of course he doesn´t know that they prefer being Christians and that they consider themselves British and no Paks (as they say).
The portrait is a sour one in which they mix the tragedy they all are living when marriages are set and the comic scenes when the children try to cheat their father (the girl playing football with other boys,for example). The story also touches ill-treatment but shown as a cultural tradition.
If you liked "Billy Elliot" and the stuff you´ll pass a good time watching this one.
A group of streapers, a music band, a dancing child and now a "Pakistani" family.What do all these films have in common? They are set in the 70´s and 80´s in low-working class neighborhoods, they depicte the social problems these people face everyday.But, what´s special about "East is East"? In this case the films presents the conflics that emerge in a multiracial and multicultural family living in England.The father is a man who came from Pakistan having absolutely nothing and who became the proud owner of a Fish and Chips shop. Married to an English woman the problems start when he tries to follow his own country´s traditions in marrying their children in the Muslim way... Of course he doesn´t know that they prefer being Christians and that they consider themselves British and no Paks (as they say).
The portrait is a sour one in which they mix the tragedy they all are living when marriages are set and the comic scenes when the children try to cheat their father (the girl playing football with other boys,for example). The story also touches ill-treatment but shown as a cultural tradition.
If you liked "Billy Elliot" and the stuff you´ll pass a good time watching this one.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Film Review
This Happy Breed, directed by David Lean.-
I would recommend this film, the most successful blockbuster in 1944 and directed by David Lean, to all those people keen on so-called British social films with an optimistic tinge, depicting the humour and resilience of ordinary British people even in the worst of circumstances.
It starts with a breathtaking opening sequence, a stunning aerial view of London, from the Thames and across the rooftops, down to the back door of one particular house and right through it to the front door.
Here live the Gibbons, a lower-middle class family in the suburbs of South London between 1919 and the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.
Their everyday lives show us some of the important events in the post-war national reconstruction, and their discussions, about whether another war will somehow be avoided.
The plot, the setting and the characters get wonderfully accomplished and, thus, we get an intimate portrait of the economy and politics of Great Britain in the 1920s and 30s, and the advances in technology : the arrival of primitive crystal radio sets, home gas lights being replaced by electric lights, the arrival of telephones and mass broadcast radio. The dialogues are really witty and at times moving.
Moreover, he is considered to be one of the greatest film directors of all time by many people and having some of his films achieved great success (Dr. Zhivago, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Oliver Twist, Passage to India, among many others)
I would recommend this film, the most successful blockbuster in 1944 and directed by David Lean, to all those people keen on so-called British social films with an optimistic tinge, depicting the humour and resilience of ordinary British people even in the worst of circumstances.
It starts with a breathtaking opening sequence, a stunning aerial view of London, from the Thames and across the rooftops, down to the back door of one particular house and right through it to the front door.
Here live the Gibbons, a lower-middle class family in the suburbs of South London between 1919 and the outbreak of World War II in September 1939.
Their everyday lives show us some of the important events in the post-war national reconstruction, and their discussions, about whether another war will somehow be avoided.
The plot, the setting and the characters get wonderfully accomplished and, thus, we get an intimate portrait of the economy and politics of Great Britain in the 1920s and 30s, and the advances in technology : the arrival of primitive crystal radio sets, home gas lights being replaced by electric lights, the arrival of telephones and mass broadcast radio. The dialogues are really witty and at times moving.
Moreover, he is considered to be one of the greatest film directors of all time by many people and having some of his films achieved great success (Dr. Zhivago, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Oliver Twist, Passage to India, among many others)
The Human Stain
THE HUMAN STAIN: A REVIEW
Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins stars this dramatic thriller based on a novel by Philip Roth. He plays the role of a prestigious classics professor who is dismissed from the university where he works on the grounds of an accusation of racism.
The film starts with a car accident where the two main characters, Nathony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, the professor’s lover, apparently die. In fact, this is the end of the story.The film then moves back in time to the professor’s dismissal and his wife’s death. After that we are introduced to the two other leading characters played by Gary Sinise, once a successful writer who is now living in a cabin by a lake and by Nicole Kidman, a woman with a dark past who becomes the professor’s lover.
The story has an unexpected twist when by means of flashbacks into the professor’s past we discover a secret he has hidden for years. Besides, this gripping thriller reveals the mystery in the professor’s lover’s previous life, a tragic story of lost children and an abusive husband.
With The Human Stain, Robert Benton, the director, concocts an intelligent and dramatic thriller that intertwines the themes of racism, remorse, women’s battering etc. in a story with a tragic ending. You should definitely see it if only for its superb acting and engaging plot... And perhaps for the two questions that have been left unanswered: was the accident deliberate? And what is the professor’s secret?
Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins stars this dramatic thriller based on a novel by Philip Roth. He plays the role of a prestigious classics professor who is dismissed from the university where he works on the grounds of an accusation of racism.
The film starts with a car accident where the two main characters, Nathony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman, the professor’s lover, apparently die. In fact, this is the end of the story.The film then moves back in time to the professor’s dismissal and his wife’s death. After that we are introduced to the two other leading characters played by Gary Sinise, once a successful writer who is now living in a cabin by a lake and by Nicole Kidman, a woman with a dark past who becomes the professor’s lover.
The story has an unexpected twist when by means of flashbacks into the professor’s past we discover a secret he has hidden for years. Besides, this gripping thriller reveals the mystery in the professor’s lover’s previous life, a tragic story of lost children and an abusive husband.
With The Human Stain, Robert Benton, the director, concocts an intelligent and dramatic thriller that intertwines the themes of racism, remorse, women’s battering etc. in a story with a tragic ending. You should definitely see it if only for its superb acting and engaging plot... And perhaps for the two questions that have been left unanswered: was the accident deliberate? And what is the professor’s secret?
A real traveller´s book
Hello blogmates. I know I should be writing a film review but this is going to be a book review instead. I hope you do not mind. Ok Anne? The point is that, now that I have just finished reading this book, I take it as a must for me to recommend it to you all.
The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple is a panorama of the Indian subcontinent, poised in between chaos, westernisation and immemorial tradition. To put it into Dalrymple´s own words:"This book is a collection of peripatetic essays, a distillation of ten years´travel ... My travels took me from the fortresses of the drug barons of the North-West Frontier to the jungle lairs of the Tamil Tigers; from flashy Bombay drinks parties to murderous Bihari blood feuds; from the decaying palaces of Lucknow to the Keralan exrorcist temple of the bloodthirsty goddess of Parashakti".
Diverse as it is, The Age of Kali has the effect of engaging, making its author such an attractive companion you don´t want the journey to end. Dalrymple has an extraordinary ability to set a scene and conjure an atmosphere. His description of goddess Parashakti´s seizure of possessed persons at the Chottanikkara Temple is simply breathtaking.
But Dalrymple´book is also informative and, at times, funny in its tone. When visiting the Tamil region in Sri Lanka, he is given permission -the first time for a foreign journalist- to meet the "Freedom Birds", probably the most upright of all guerrillas, formed only with girls. As the author puts it in his book:
"It is easy to se why the Freedom Birds are kept away from the public eye, strictly segregated in their own barracks. They are stuff of Bond movies: a regiment of beautiful Tamil amazones dressed in tight-fitting khaki fatigues, with carbines strapped across their waists. But they were far from the Bond model in at least one respect, as I soon discovered: they had all taken a vow of chastity, and were as buttoned-up as an order of cloistered nuns".
Dalrymple´s The Age of Kali is simply fascinating.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Film review
Saving Grace
It is a film with a story centred on Grace Trevethen's struggle to survive after her husband's tragic death has left her with a manor, but having to face a great amount of debts and a lot of creditors after her. To make things worse she also finds out that her husband had a lover.
Suddenly her comfortable world is turned upside down, so she realizes that if she doesn't take a quick decision she is bound to lose everything she had taken for granted.
Together with the manor's caretaker, they engage in a risky business to save her properties, making the spectator feel that they may end up in prison. Nevertheless, out of their personal needs, a very deep and special relationship builds up between them to support each other to the end.
As for Grace's character, on the one hand it conveys innocence and at first she seems to be delightfully naive, on the other hand as the film goes on she reveals her cunning side.
It is a simple but well developed plot gripping the spectator's attention, wondering what is up next. The film in itself is humoruos and in particular the way some of the characters are portrayed, such as the two ladies in the village shop, the doctor, and the policeman.
However, the most hilarious scenes are when Grace smokes marijuana for the first time, and when she faces the drug dealers in London.
The film was rated as the comedy hit of that year, therefore I would recommend it to those who love having fun built up in a clever way. Moreover, the two main protagonists' interpretation is splendid.
It is a film with a story centred on Grace Trevethen's struggle to survive after her husband's tragic death has left her with a manor, but having to face a great amount of debts and a lot of creditors after her. To make things worse she also finds out that her husband had a lover.
Suddenly her comfortable world is turned upside down, so she realizes that if she doesn't take a quick decision she is bound to lose everything she had taken for granted.
Together with the manor's caretaker, they engage in a risky business to save her properties, making the spectator feel that they may end up in prison. Nevertheless, out of their personal needs, a very deep and special relationship builds up between them to support each other to the end.
As for Grace's character, on the one hand it conveys innocence and at first she seems to be delightfully naive, on the other hand as the film goes on she reveals her cunning side.
It is a simple but well developed plot gripping the spectator's attention, wondering what is up next. The film in itself is humoruos and in particular the way some of the characters are portrayed, such as the two ladies in the village shop, the doctor, and the policeman.
However, the most hilarious scenes are when Grace smokes marijuana for the first time, and when she faces the drug dealers in London.
The film was rated as the comedy hit of that year, therefore I would recommend it to those who love having fun built up in a clever way. Moreover, the two main protagonists' interpretation is splendid.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
film review
Monster's Ball
This is a film I first saw long ago, but which made a big impact on me.Starring Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton
and Heath Ledger, and directed by Marc Foster, it tells the story of a racist, ultra-conservative prison officer
in charge of executing the inmates in the death row.
He meets an attractive black woman whose husband was sentenced to capital punishment and whose overweight child died in a car accident.
When the prison officer's son commits suicide, a strong bond is created between the lonely couple and he eventually manages to overcome his initial apprehension and lead a meaningful life next to her.
It is a deeply moving, gripping film that shows how personal, deep-rooted prejudices can be broken down in favour of a more tolerant outlook. It is also a film about loneliness and how pain draws people together.
The acting is superb, awarding Halle Berry an academy prize.
I would strongly recommend this film to adults loving good stories wonderfully told, to those who enjoy some food for thought, not just fun.
This is a film I first saw long ago, but which made a big impact on me.Starring Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton
and Heath Ledger, and directed by Marc Foster, it tells the story of a racist, ultra-conservative prison officer
in charge of executing the inmates in the death row.
He meets an attractive black woman whose husband was sentenced to capital punishment and whose overweight child died in a car accident.
When the prison officer's son commits suicide, a strong bond is created between the lonely couple and he eventually manages to overcome his initial apprehension and lead a meaningful life next to her.
It is a deeply moving, gripping film that shows how personal, deep-rooted prejudices can be broken down in favour of a more tolerant outlook. It is also a film about loneliness and how pain draws people together.
The acting is superb, awarding Halle Berry an academy prize.
I would strongly recommend this film to adults loving good stories wonderfully told, to those who enjoy some food for thought, not just fun.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Radio podcasts
Hi! I couldn't listen to the radio on my PC, so I had to do my homework in the workplace.
Do you know the meaning of the verb "to moonlight"? If not, and if you want to learn, listen to "Real English" at BBC World Service. You can also hear some Chinese!
Do you know the meaning of the verb "to moonlight"? If not, and if you want to learn, listen to "Real English" at BBC World Service. You can also hear some Chinese!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Have a good week
Hi everyone,
Just to say to you all - have a good weekend - switch off if you can and enjoy this week´s short story- looks like the bad weather might impose a reading weekend on all of us...
See you next week
Julie
Just to say to you all - have a good weekend - switch off if you can and enjoy this week´s short story- looks like the bad weather might impose a reading weekend on all of us...
See you next week
Julie
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Comment on article about torture
On the 5th November did I read and print an article about torture in the Guardian but I am so ankward with computers, that I was not able to get in our page. I have managed this time and here comes my comment:
It is an inteview between John Bellinger, senior adviser on international law of the USA and Philippe Sands, professor of law at University College London.
The fact that PS just makes the question if the technique of simulated drownig ranks as torture for the USA, and that JB was not able to answer if the water boarding was prohibited by international law, shows which kind of country is leading the world.
If torture is considered as the intentional infliction of physical pain or suffering, I think that it is no doubt about the the illegality of this practice, which is not only taken into practice by the USA, but also nowadays in Spain.
It is an inteview between John Bellinger, senior adviser on international law of the USA and Philippe Sands, professor of law at University College London.
The fact that PS just makes the question if the technique of simulated drownig ranks as torture for the USA, and that JB was not able to answer if the water boarding was prohibited by international law, shows which kind of country is leading the world.
If torture is considered as the intentional infliction of physical pain or suffering, I think that it is no doubt about the the illegality of this practice, which is not only taken into practice by the USA, but also nowadays in Spain.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
News about climate change
I didn't manage to send it last week. So better late than never.
I read some apocalyptic news about what may happen to some of Spain's most emblematic places because of climate change. The most overwhelming issue about it is that there is a digitally retouched picture of La Manga del Mar Menor in Murcia showing it before and after a rise in sea level, where hotels and apartment blocks are almost underwater.
Should we start panicking about it or just take it as a catastrophic warning about the future?
I read some apocalyptic news about what may happen to some of Spain's most emblematic places because of climate change. The most overwhelming issue about it is that there is a digitally retouched picture of La Manga del Mar Menor in Murcia showing it before and after a rise in sea level, where hotels and apartment blocks are almost underwater.
Should we start panicking about it or just take it as a catastrophic warning about the future?
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Hundreds of Russians were ordered to attend Putin ...
Hundreds of Russians were ordered to attend Putin rallies With this short article we can realize how strong Russian official powers can be when trying to introduce changes so as to enable Putin to stand for a third term as president, which at the moment is illegal.Prosecutors are examining all the documents to make clear whether the compulsory demonstrations in support of Putin were ordered by the Kremlin or by local bureaucrats.On the other hand, although Mr. Putin has promised to leave the presidency, he has hinted he could become prime minister when his term ends.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Young actress Ruth Wilson
This news item is about a young , promising actress named Ruth Wilson. She has arched eyebrows, conjuring up actresses in silent films. Having starred as Jane Eyre in a BBC 1 serial and in a TV drama, Capturing Mary, shown on BBC 2, she possesses a curriculum that most young actors of her age, 25, would wish for.The secret of her success is her ambition and perseverance. Being the youngest of four children - and the only girl- has also imprinted a strong , determined character on her. She reckons she´s been lucky but also that you make and fight for your luck.
Nice photos of Bilbao
You can use Flickr Storm to find really nice photos like these.
You can also use Google's image search
You can also use Google's image search
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Salary gap between men and women-Nov 6
Today I read an article about a survey carried out in the UK which tracked 25,000 students 3 years after graduation. It shows that inequality between men and women is a stubborn reality and that not even higher education can bridge the gap. Women have to work their way up in their careers, they accept more part-time jobs and those below their expectations and they are hindered by choices involving traditional roles in the family. They also get paid less in full-time graduate jobs even before having children. We seem to be a long way from real equality.
Tomorrow's blogging session
The aim of the session will be to get everybody feeling comfortable about using the blog. We'll look at:
- how you can add photos and videos to your postings
- a list of web resources related to the CEF grid where you can find skill-based tasks to practise with
Just to say Hello
Hi there everyone,
you´ve obviously been busy reading your articles over the long weekend... Did anyone find time to go away? Tomorrow you´ll have a few minutes to talk about your weekend, but you´ve got to include a few convincing, plausible LIES in your account as well, and see if the others can guess where your untruths are....remember tomorrow is STORY time so we can invent whatever we like...
See you tomorrow
Julie
you´ve obviously been busy reading your articles over the long weekend... Did anyone find time to go away? Tomorrow you´ll have a few minutes to talk about your weekend, but you´ve got to include a few convincing, plausible LIES in your account as well, and see if the others can guess where your untruths are....remember tomorrow is STORY time so we can invent whatever we like...
See you tomorrow
Julie
Church/supermarkets/farmers
Church urges supermarkets to give farmers a fairer deal
I have chosen this article for two reasons mainly. The first one is that I wasn't really interested in any of the other articles on the page: war in Iraq, terrorism,... the usual stuff. The second reason is that I found the headline striking. I think it is the combination of the three ideas: church, supermarkets and farmers.
The content of the article is OK. The Church of England is asking big supermarkets to treat farmers better, so that the agricultural sector does not suffer so much. They ask for codes of practice to protect farmers, as well as a specific ombudsman.
I can't imagine the Spanish Catholic church doing the same!
I have chosen this article for two reasons mainly. The first one is that I wasn't really interested in any of the other articles on the page: war in Iraq, terrorism,... the usual stuff. The second reason is that I found the headline striking. I think it is the combination of the three ideas: church, supermarkets and farmers.
The content of the article is OK. The Church of England is asking big supermarkets to treat farmers better, so that the agricultural sector does not suffer so much. They ask for codes of practice to protect farmers, as well as a specific ombudsman.
I can't imagine the Spanish Catholic church doing the same!
Monday, November 5, 2007
What happens with Prince Harry?
I read in the Guardian Unlimited that Prince Harry is again in trouble. This time he was hunting in Sandringham with one of his friends and it seems they killed some protected birds of prey. They face a prison sentence of up to six months or a 5,ooo pound fine. What´s happening with this boy? He is always in trouble :drinking, choosing the wrong disguise, scandals and now this.Perhaps it would be better for him and the Royal family if they send him somewhere to do some social work. What do you think?
Talking about films
This has been a long weekend and , having a cold as I had, I watched lost of films in the last few days. But the one I´m going to tell you about is the only one my daughter wanted to see. Can you imagine? Yes, High School Musical 2. As you can guess it is the typical Disney film for ten/twelve-year-old girls. Lots of teenagers dancing and singing following the tradition of the 1940-1950 musicals. A naughty girl, lots of good youngsters and a simple plot. The best of it was when it finished!!
It is Monday, then Sports.
What else did you expect?
Ok chicks, do not panic! I am not going to start a debate on football and the results of the weekend, nor am I going to bore you with irrelevant information about (bi-?) multi- millionaire male players and their high-maintenace bimboes showing off in their boxes at some posh sports event casually posing for the media.
This time is about rugby. Rugby? What´s that? Now girls, Question: Can you recall the name of a rugby player?
Ok forget it. This article from the GUARDIAN is not about sport, it is about sociology. It is about how a nation is made, about the "True colours" of a country, regardless the colours of a certain flag. It is about the people.
Now, go ahead and enjoy the article as much as I did. Oh! And see If you can track down the "comments" from the readers.
Ok, you lot. Bye now,
Angelo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,,2192102,00.html
Ok chicks, do not panic! I am not going to start a debate on football and the results of the weekend, nor am I going to bore you with irrelevant information about (bi-?) multi- millionaire male players and their high-maintenace bimboes showing off in their boxes at some posh sports event casually posing for the media.
This time is about rugby. Rugby? What´s that? Now girls, Question: Can you recall the name of a rugby player?
Ok forget it. This article from the GUARDIAN is not about sport, it is about sociology. It is about how a nation is made, about the "True colours" of a country, regardless the colours of a certain flag. It is about the people.
Now, go ahead and enjoy the article as much as I did. Oh! And see If you can track down the "comments" from the readers.
Ok, you lot. Bye now,
Angelo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,,2192102,00.html
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Getting definitions from the page
Look at this site; (double click on it) can give you an explanation of any word as you go along, would it be useful here for us? What do you think? This was passed on by another teacher, Gary, at the British Council.
http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp
http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp
Thursday, November 1, 2007
On the block now....
Hi, I can now post as well, and am around if anyone needs help with posting etc. I hope you find some interesting news to point us to on Guardian.co.uk. Well, it will save me reading the papers for a week or so.....!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Congratulations
I think these are due to everybody, especially to those of you who don't feel very comfortable with computers. I really liked what Cristina said in her post, it's a great feeling when you start taking strides into the unknown.
Keep up the good work and I'll show you how to add images and videos to your postings in the next session (if you haven't already found out how to do it by yourselves before then).
Keep up the good work and I'll show you how to add images and videos to your postings in the next session (if you haven't already found out how to do it by yourselves before then).
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hi!
Today we have dealt with technology, that is creating a blog which before I came I didn't even know what it was. I don't feel confident about technology at all, so it has been hard for me.
first day
I´m really enjoying this course.Learning is definitely more fun than teaching.The world of computers mesmerizes me.I wonder what life will be like in twenty years' time. The course started with Anne Lennon, we listened to the news of the San Diego fire and now,with Ann F, we´re contributing to a blog.Until now I didn't know what it was.I feel a bit more confident;you usually fear the unknown.
Surprised
I´m quite surprised I could do it! It´s the first time I touch a computer and it is still working perfectly well! I think I´ll improve not only my English but also my relationship with computers.
1st. impressions!
This may be an interesting way of improving not only our English knowledge, but also how to use new technologies.
Greeting
Hello everybody! How are you doing? Hope we'll all learn a lot and enjoy the course together!
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