Show 120 Monday 31 July

Watch today's show at YouTube.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, this is Stick News. Today in New Zealand, it’s the official coin changeover date.
The new coins have the same design but are up to 54 % lighter.

This is a 50 cent coin from Aotearoa. It’s very heavy.
According to the reserve bank, New Zealand’s old silver coins are among the heaviest in the world.
For years New Zealanders have struggled to maneuver the coins in and out of wallets.
Wallets in Aotearoa are among the largest in the world.
It’s a government standard that jeans made in New Zealand have reinforced stitching around the pockets.
And in what scientists call the heavy coin effect, over several decades people in New Zealand have evolved to have thicker, stronger wrists.
The New Zealand government finally bowed to the pressure from the world health organization who said New Zealand’s phenomenally high rate of wrist injury, was unacceptable.

The new coins were issued today. From August to October both old and new coins will be accepted. And from the 1st of November old coins will no longer be accepted. *
And that was Stick News for Monday the 31st of July.
Kia Ora.

* Accidentally left out: at shops and businesses.

conversations with sarah
# 78 What does that mean?

Sarah talks about watching fireworks.
Step 1: Repeat Manami’s lines.
Step 2: Read Manami’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Manami Did you have a good weekend?

Sarah 　Yeah. I went to watch the fireworks at Sumidagawa.

Manami Fireworks? What does that mean?

Sarah 　Um, beautiful things in the sky like this...

Manami Oh, hanabi.

Sarah 　Yeah.

Manami It must have been crowded.

Sarah 　Yeah, I guess so... I was in a building... so it was really comfortable.

Manami What building were you in?

Sarah 　Um, one of my students invited me to watch the fireworks from her office building. There were lots of people watching them um, in the cafeteria on the 21st floor.

Manami The view must’ve been good.

Sarah　 Yeah it was. We couldn’t hear the fireworks of course, but it was so nice being inside with nice cold beer and air conditioning.

Notes:

About the new coins.

Aotearoa = New Zealand

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album Epic.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com
Kenji William's site

Show 119 Sunday 30 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV


sunday kitchen
#16 Onigiri

This is an onigiri or rice ball.

If you want to eat onigiri, you should make it yourself. It’s not hard.
And the ones at the convenience stores are full of chemicals and don’t taste that good.

Buuuuuut... If you’re in a hurry, you can be forgiven for buying the odd convenience store onigiri.

To make today’s show I went to some convenience stores near my house and I bought some onigiri.

From Mini Stop I bought sekihan, takana, and shiso miso.
And from Family Mart I bought konbu and kishu ume.

They cost 105 yen each.

The most complicated thing about eating convenience store onigiri, is opening the packet.

Please read the instructions carefully.

Triangle-shaped onigiri are opened in three steps.
Find the number 1 written on the packet.
Grip the plastic between your thumb and forefinger.
Pull down, up and around.

Next find the number 2.
Pull.
Find number 3.
Pull.

Round onigiri are less complicated to open.
Just find the tag at the top.
Pull down.

And as for this triangle-in-bag style ... just rip the bag open.

Take a bite.
Mmm. Not bad.

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album Epic.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com
Kenji William's site

#118 How To Join Grouper

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper.


HOW TO
#5 How to join grouper

Do you have a video iPod?
Do you know how to watch The Daily English Show on your video iPod?
Do you want to watch The Daily English Show in iTunes?
Yes?
Please keep watching.

If you want to watch The Daily English Show on your video iPod or in iTunes, you need to join grouper.
It’s easy.

Oh yeah... If you haven’t already downloaded iTunes... that’s easy too.

You just go to iTunes and click on download.
Enter your Email address.
Click again.
And follow the instructions.

Now it’s time to join grouper.
Go to grouper.com
Click on Sign Up.
Enter an Email address
User name
Password
Password again
Type the code you see.
(This makes sure that you are human, not computer.)
Click Sign Up.

And that’s it.

Now you can go to The Daily English Show page...
And write a nice comment
Then write nice comments under the videos.
Rate the videos.

And, of course, watch the show in iTunes.

All you need to do is click on this cute little picture.
Then click here.
And the latest episode of The Daily English Show will automatically start downloading.
To download older episodes, just click get.
Get, get, get, get, get.

Excellent.

Then to put the shows on your iPod.
Plug it in.
Go to Edit, Preferences, iPod...
Click here.
Bob’s your uncle.

Links:

Music by Snapo.
From the album Lord I say.
Listen to the album on jamendo.
Snapo's website

Show 117 Friday 28 July

Watch today's show at YouTube


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, this is Stick News. In Tokyo, police have arrested a printing employee. He is suspected of stealing stamps.

This man works at a printing factory. He was in charge of destroying some revenue stamps that were printed on a trial.
But instead of throwing the stamps away – he stole them.
He then sold them at ticket shops.
Police say that between April 2002 and March 2006 he stole 10 million yen worth of stamps.

And that was Stick News for Friday the 28th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 77 Why does that annoy you?

Sarah is rambling on to her friend Dave about what annoys her.
Step 1: Repeat Dave’s lines.
Step 2: Read Dave’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah You know what really annoys me ...

Dave What?

Sarah When people use google as a verb.

Dave Oh. Why does that annoy you?

Sarah I don’t know. It just does.

Dave What would you say instead?

Sarah “Look it up on the net.”

Dave “Look it up on the net” – that has 6 syllables. “Google it” only has three.

Sarah So?

Dave Google it, google it, google it, google it, google it.

Sarah Shut up.

Links:

Today's news.

Music by Philharmonia Baroque from San Francisco, United States.
Used with permission from magnatune.com

Show 116 Thursday 27 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.

STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, this is Stick News. The Dalai Lama will become an honorary citizen of Canada next month and China isn’t too happy about it.

In 1949 Tibet was invaded by China.
Ten years later the leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, ran away.
Since then he’s been living and leading in other countries. And he has lots of fans - including the Canadian government. They decided unanimously last month to give him an honorary citizenship.
The Chinese government isn’t so keen on the man.
A Chinese politician in Canada said he wasn’t happy about the award.

And that was Stick News for Thursday the 27th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 76 Why did you ask me that?

Sarah asks Keiko if she can name the 10 commandments.
Step 1: Repeat Keiko’s lines.
Step 2: Read Keiko’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah Do you know what the 10 commandments are?

Keiko What?

Sarah The 10 commandments ... in the bible ... someone says there are 10 rules.

Keiko Oh yeah. In Christianity right?

Sarah Yeah.

Keiko I’ve heard of them – but I don’t know what they are. Do you?

Sarah Mmm, I think I know a couple: don’t kill people, don’t steal ...

Keiko Why did you ask me that?

Sarah Oh, I saw this video on the net of this American TV presenter. He was asking a politician if he knew what the 10 commandments were.

Keiko Did he know?

Sarah No.

Notes:

Today's news.

The music on today's show was by David Schombert.

It was the seventh track from the album Quiet Life vol.2

David Schombert's site.

David Schombert's music at jamendo

Show 115 Wednesday 26 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, this is Stick News. In New Zealand some people want to ban junk food advertising during the main times children watch TV. But some television broadcasters have told the government this is not a good idea.

In New Zealand, many people are obese. Obesity is thought to cause many health problems.
So the government is thinking of ways to reduce obesity. And an inquiry is now being carried out.
Some people think advertising junk food to children contributes to obesity. They say banning this kind of advertising at certain times would help reduce obesity.
But the TV people disagree. They said such a ban “was unlikely to have any significant impact on obesity levels”.

The television broadcasters are worried that restricting junk food advertising would damage the local television production industry.
And the government’s obesity inquiry continues.
And that was Stick News for Wednesday the 26th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 75 What does obesity mean?

Takashi and Sarah talk about obesity in New Zealand.
Step 1: Repeat Takashi’s lines.
Step 2: Read Takashi’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Takashi Do you read the New Zealand news much?

Sarah 　Yeah, quite a bit actually.

Takashi What’s in the news at the moment?

Sarah 　Um. Obesity seems to be a big topic recently.

Takashi What does obesity mean?

Sarah 　Well, a person who is obese has a lot of body fat. Enough to for it to be dangerous to their health.

Takashi Is obesity a big problem in New Zealand?

Sarah 　Yeah, it seems to be. I think I read that one in five adults in New Zealand is obese and one in ten children.

Takashi Really? That’s a lot.

Sarah 　Mmm, yeah.

Notes:

The music on today's show was by David Schombert.
It was the second track from the album Quiet Life vol.2

David Schombert's site.
David Schombert's music at jamendo.

Today's news

Show 114 Tuesday 25 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.

STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, forty minutes after receiving her crown, the new Miss Universe collapsed on stage.

Miss Universe is a beauty pageant. Women walk on a stage in various outfits and are judged on their beauty.
This year Miss Pueto Rico won the competition. She was congratulated and given a crown.
Then she had to talk to the media. Suddenly she collapsed and was taken off stage.
Within a minute, organizers said she was OK. She had just fainted.
The organizers said Miss Universe had had plenty to eat that day. They said she was wearing a tight dress and it was very hot on stage.

And that was Stick News for Tuesday the 25th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 74 Is that normal?

Kumiko explains more about the Yamamoto story to Sarah.
Step 1: Repeat Kumiko's lines.
Step 2: Read Kumiko's lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah 　Do you think he’s really crying? Or just acting? It looks a bit fake to me.

Kumiko I don’t think it’s fake.

Sarah 　But it’s kind of strange...

Kumiko Yeah. But I think Kato always talks in a strange way... so for him, this is normal.

Sarah 　Oh, OK. And I’ve never seen anyone cry that much when they apologize on TV before. Is that normal?

Kumiko No, it’s not normal.

Sarah 　Normally they just bow deeply and look really sad don’t they?

Kumiko Yeah. And sometimes they cry a bit...

Sarah 　But not sobbing like Kato...

Kumiko Yeah. It’s kind of funny.

Links:

Today's news.

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.

Used with permission from magnatune.com

From the album Epic.

Listen to the album or buy it here.

Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com

Kenji William's site

Show 113 Monday 24 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, the world’s most popular networking site shut down for more than half a day after a power cut in LA.

MySpace is a social networking site. It has almost 3 million visitors each month.
Its data servers are in Los Angeles.
LA was very hot over the weekend.
So hot, that the area where the MySpace severs are stored had massive power cuts.
The backup generators also failed and MySpace users were left twiddling their thumbs for more than half a day.

MySpace is now back up and running.
And rival networking sites are said to be in talks with the weatherman to arrange a repeat performance.
And that was Stick News for Monday the 24th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 73 What was he crying about?

Yukiko explains more about the Yamamoto story to Sarah.
Step 1: Repeat Yukiko’s lines.
Step 2: Read Yukiko’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah 　I still don’t get why Kato was crying so much ... Yamamoto hasn’t been found guilty of rape. He said that it was consensual. And if that’s true ... having sex with a 17-year-old isn’t that bad ...

Yukiko Yeah. But he wasn’t crying about what Yamamoto did.

Sarah 　Oh really? What was he crying about?

Yukiko He was crying because Yamamoto got fired.

Sarah 　Oh, OK. So now they can’t work together?

Yukiko Yeah. And they were together for 17 years.

Sarah 　Oh, OK. Yeah, that makes more sense. So what will happen now ... what will Kato do?

Yukiko He’ll be OK. They didn’t work that much as a duo recently anyway.

Sarah 　Oh, yeah. Kato was on a few different variety shows by himself wasn’t he?

Notes:

Today's news.

The music on today's show was by David Schombert.
It was the second track from the album Quiet Life vol.2
David Schombert's site.
David Schombert's music at jamendo

#112 Nama Grapefruit Sour

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


sunday kitchen
#15 Nama Grapefruit Sour

When I go to an izakaya, I like drinking nama grapefruit sour.
So, I decided to try and make it at home.
Nama means fresh.
Sour means a drink made with shochu and soda water.
To make nama grapefruit sour, you need:

1 glass
1 grapefruit
Some ice
Some shochu
And some soda water

First, put the ice into the glass.
Then, put some shochu into the glass.
About this much.
Next, pour the grapefruit juice in.
Then, add soda water.
And mix.
Cheers.
Mmm good.

Music by Drop Trio.
From the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
Drop Trio's site.
About Drop Trio on Magnatune.com
Listen to the album

#111 How To Join YouTube

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


HOW TO
#4 How to leave comments on YouTube

Many people who watch The Daily English Show don’t know how to leave comments. So I thought I’d show you how.

You can watch the show on several different sites.
Today I’m going to show you how to leave comments on YouTube.

Go to youtube.com.
Click on Sign Up.
This box says Join YouTube.
Enter your Email Address.
Then write a User Name.
Write a Password.
Write your Password again.
Choose a Country.
Click Male or Female.
Choose a Date of Birth.
Get rid of this Tick.
And click Sign Up.
Voila!
Then you need to check your email.
You’ll get an email which says YouTube Email Confirmation.
Click where it says Click Here.
Congratulations! Now you are a member of YouTube.
This is your profile page.
Now you can leave comments.
Write a comment in the box.
And click post comment.
To see your comment click the refresh button.
Here it is.
Lovely.
You can also subscribe to The Daily English Show.
Just click subscribe.
Easy-peasy.
You can leave a comment on The Daily English Show page.
Click on Add Comment.
Write a nice comment.
And click Submit Comment.
Check it out.
Wicked!
Now let’s try saving a show to favorites.
Click on Save to Favorites.
OK
OK
And ... don’t forget to rate the show.
Five stars, of course. : )
Awesome.

Thanks for watching The Daily English Show.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed and written comments so far.
If you haven’t already joined YouTube – why don’t you give it a go.
Joining a site in English is harder than in your native language.
But it’s great English practice!
: )

The music is by Thursday Group, from New York, U.S.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album: First Album.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Thursday Group on magnatune.com

Show 110 Friday 21 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, a German football club plans to open a cemetery next to its stadium.

This soccer club in Germany has 42 thousand registered supporters. Many of them love their team so much they want to continue to be close to the club after they die.
So the club is building a graveyard, 15 metres from the stadium’s main entrance.
Fans can stay in the cemetery for 25 years.
They can also choose different packages.
Ashes in an urn for 2500 euro, a single grave for 8000 euro or a double for 12,500.

Not everyone is happy about the cemetery. Some people said it was inappropriate. And that was Stick News for Friday the 21st of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 72 What does cremated mean?

Shozo and Sarah talk about Japanese news.
Step 1: Repeat Shozo’s lines.
Step 2: Read Shozo’s line’s on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah Do you want to buried or cremated when you die?

Shozo What does cremated mean?

Sarah Burnt.

Shozo Oh. Um, I’m not sure. How about you?

Sarah Cremated I think.

Shozo Why?

Sarah It just seems kind of selfish to take up so much space after you die.

Shozo Yeah, true. And getting buried is also really expensive.

Sarah Yeah. And it’s also kind of creepy to think that someone could dig you up.

Links:

Today's news.

The music on today's show is by Philharmonia Baroque from San Francisco, United States.
This music was used with permission from magnatune.com

Show 109 Thursday 20 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, Japan and South Korea have agreed to cooperate to try and stop their birthrates from falling any lower.

For a population to keep stable, each woman needs to give birth to 2.1 babies.
Recently, the fertility rates in Japan and South Korea have reached record lows.
In 2005, South Korea’s rate was 1.08 births and Japan’s rate was 1.25.
The two countries have now started joint research on the issue.

And that was Stick News for Thursday the 20th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 71 What actually happened?

Mihoko and Sarah talk about Japanese news.
Step 1: Repeat Mihoko’s lines.
Step 2: Read Mihoko’s line’s on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah 　Did you notice that most of the videos on the most watched page on YouTube are about Yamamoto?

Mihoko Yeah, I did see that. What actually happened?

Sarah 　Um, Yamamoto has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl.

Mihoko Oh really. And who is Yamamoto?

Sarah 　He’s a comedian. He’s a member of the comedy duo Gokuraku Tonbo. The other person is Kato.

Mihoko Oh, he’s the person crying and apologizing isn’t he?

Sarah 　Yeah.

Mihoko And what does it all have to do with baseball?

Sarah 　Well ... Yamamoto also plays baseball. And this alleged rape occurred when they were on a baseball trip to Hokkaido. So the leader of the team decided to disband the team. But then lots of people really wanted the team to continue, so now he’s doubting his decision.

Links:

Today's news about the low birthrates.

New's about Yamamoto.

Music by Drop Trio.
From the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
Drop Trio's site is here

Show 108 Wednesday 19 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, a cruise ship has tipped, injuring at least 93 passengers.

These people were having a lovely holiday on a cruise ship, when suddenly the cruise ship tipped.
Afterwards passengers cried and hugged.
Some passengers suffered bruises and broken bones.

Some of the passengers are now in hospital. And the cruise company is investigating the cause of the list.
And that was Stick News for Wednesday the 19th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 70 Where did you get it?

Mitsuko asks Sarah about her dog.
Step 1: Repeat Mitsuko’s lines.
Step 2: Read Mitsuko’s line’s on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Mitsuko Cute dog!

Sarah 　Thanks.

Mitsuko Where did you get it?

Sarah 　Um. Where did I get it? Oh, that’s right! I got it in Nerima.

Mitsuko In Nerima? What were you doing in Nerima?

Sarah 　I went there a couple years ago to check out the view from the top of the kuyakusho building.

Mitsuko Can anyone go to the top of that building?

Sarah　 Yeah. They have a restaurant on the 20th floor. So we went to the restaurant.

Mitsuko How was it?

Sarah The view was really good. But the restaurant ... Hmmm ...

Notes:

Today's news.

Music by Drop Trio.
Track 7 (Wet Dog) from the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
Drop Trio's site is here

Show 107 Tuesday 18 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or BlipTV.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, a man was jailed today in New Zealand following an axe attack on the Prime Minister’s office.

In November 2004, an axe was put through the Prime Minister’s electorate office window.
Afterwards one of the men involved sent two documents encouraging others to take similar action.
He did it because he wasn’t happy with a new law.
A jury found him guilty of sedition. And today he was sentenced to two months jail.

He was also sentenced to 15 more months for dishonesty charges including obtaining benefits using the names of dead people.
And that was Stick News for Tuesday the 18th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 69 Is that Momotaro on your shirt?

Sarah and Takuo talk about Momotaro.
Step 1: Repeat Takuo’s lines.
Step 2: Read Takuo’s line’s on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Takuo Is that Momotaro on your shirt?

Sarah Yeah.

Takuo Do you like that story?

Sarah Yeah, I do. I like the part where he jumps out of the peach.

Takuo I like Momotaro too.

Sarah I don’t like the ending though.

Takuo Why not?

Sarah It’s really violent. Momotaro goes and beats the ogres up. I mean ...Why? What did they do wrong?

Takuo They were pillaging the land.

Sarah Yeah ... but ... he didn’t even try negotiating first to reach a peaceful resolution. I’m sure he could’ve found a better way to solve the problem than just by attacking them.

Links:

Today's news.

Music today by David Aubrun, from Orleans, France.
From the album My Revolution.
You can listen to the album here at Jamendo.
This is David Aubrun's site

Show 106 Monday 17 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, a development company in New Zealand has been fined for cutting branches off a tree.

The 70-year-old tree was sitting happily minding its own business in Wellington, New Zealand when the attack occurred.
By the time police arrived, all its branches had been hacked off.
Police caught those responsible for the attack. They were two brothers who own a development company.

Today in court the company was fined 14 thousand dollars. They’ve also been ordered to replace the tree, and install a plaque at the foot of the new tree outlining its history. And that was Stick News for Monday the 17th of July. Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 68 What are you going to do?

Sarah and Kate discuss paper clip trading.
Step 1: Repeat Tomomi’s lines.
Step 2: Read Tomomi’s line’s on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Tomomi Are you having a summer holiday this year?

Sarah 　Yes. I’m taking a month off.

Tomomi A month?!

Sarah 　Yeah.

Tomomi Wow. What are you going to do?

Sarah 　I’m going to go surfing.

Tomomi Really? Are you a surfer?

Sarah 　Well, I wouldn’t call myself a surfer. But I have been surfing a few times.

Tomomi Where are you going to surf?

Sarah 　In Chiba.

Tomomi Are you good at surfing?

Sarah 　No.

Links:

Today's news.

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album Epic.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com
Kenji William's site.

Show 105 Sunday 16 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


sunday kitchen
#14 Hiyayako

冷や奴
Hiyayako is chilled tofu.
To make hiyayako you need:

1. Tofu
There are many kinds of tofu.
Today I bought this tofu at the supermarket.
It has yuzu in it. Yuzu is a kind of small citrus fruit.
This was more expensive than the tofu I usually buy. It was really delicious.

And you need:
2. Negi
If you look negi up in the dictionary it says: leek, spring onion, scallion, chives.
To me, negi looks like a cross between a leek and a spring onion. So I just call it negi.

And you need:
3. Ginger.
This ginger came to Tokyo all the way from Koichi prefecture in Shikoku.

And you need
4. Soy sauce.

First, open the packet.
Put the tofu into a bowl.
Put negi on the tofu.
Put some ginger on top.
Pour some soy sauce over it.
Now it’s ready to eat.
Goodbye.

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album Epic.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com
Kenji William's site.

Show 104 Saturday 15 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


The King's Birthday
A play by Asako Sakihama
based on the book: Just in Time for the King's Birthday by E.B.Chance

This is a play done by one of the kid's classes that I teach.
I can't take much credit for it - Asako organises the classes and teaches them most of the time.
I only teach them twice a month.
She wrote and directed this play. She did a great job I think - and so did the kids.
I took the video and did the editing.
I really enjoy teaching this class because the kids are so enthusiastic, fun and full of positive energy.

Music by Drop Trio.
Track 3: Melody, melody.
From the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
Drop Trio's site.
About Drop Trio on Magnatune.com
Listen to the album.

Show 103 Friday 14 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, a man in Canada turned a paper clip into a house. He did it by trading online.

One year ago, this 26-year-old man was the proud owner of a red paper clip. But what he really wanted, was a house.
So, he traded the paper clip online.
14 trades later, he got house and he was happy.
But, there was something missing in his life.
So, a 12-foot red paper clip was built in the front yard. And the local town also plans to build the world’s largest red paper clip.

Red paper clips are now in hot demand all over the world. This morning Asahi Shinbun reported that Japan’s leading red paper clip manufacturer 株式会社赤いペーパークリップ(kabushiki geisha akai pepa kuripu / Red paper clip Co. Ltd) has sold out of red paper clips.
And that was Stick News for Friday the 14th July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 67 I might try it myself

Sarah and Kate discuss paper clip trading.
Step 1: Repeat Kate’s lines.
Step 2: Read Kate’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah Did you hear about the guy who changed a red paper clip into a house?

Kate 　Yeah. Wish I'd have thought of that.

Sarah Yeah. It was a good idea. Might try it myself.

Kate 　With a paper clip?

Sarah Nah, that’s already been done. Something different.

Kate 　Like what?

Sarah Like ... a stapler.

Kate 　OooooK.

Sarah Mmm, yeah. Red paper clip. Blue stapler. Why not?

Kate 　Good luck.

Links:

Today's news.

Music by Rob Costlow from Indianapolis, U.S.
From the album Sophomore Jinx.
Listen to the album and download it for free here.
Rob Costlow's website.

Show 102 Thursday 13 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today French footballer Zinedine Zidane has talked about the head butting incident on French TV. He said his mother and sister were insulted.

Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille, France in 1972. He is 185 cm tall and has the nickname Zizou.
Zidane has played professional football in France, Italy and Spain. For the last four years, he’s been playing for Real Madrid.
He first played for the French national team in 1994. In the 1998 World Cup final, Zidane scored two goals, both with his head.
8 years later, Zidane used his head again in the World Cup final. This time he rammed it into the chest of outspoken Italian player Marco Materazzi.
After the incident, Zidane was given a red card. The Italians got a trophy.

Yesterday Zidane apologized for his behaviour, but said he didn’t regret it.
And that was Stick News for Thursday the 13th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 66 What did he say?

Sarah and John talk about the head butting incident in the 2006 World Cup final.
Step 1: Repeat John’s lines.
Step 2: Read John’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah Did you read the news about Zidane this morning?

John 　No. What did he say?

Sarah He talked about the head butting incident on French TV.

John 　And what did he say Materazzi said?

Sarah He said that he insulted his mother and sister.

John 　He must have heard that kind of thing before.

He should be able to control himself.

Sarah Yeah, I guess so. But no one should say things like that.
That’s such an ugly way to play sport.

John 　People do it all the time though.

Sarah But not all teams play like that, do they?
I think anyone who says anything bad should be sent off.

John 　But the ref can’t hear everything. That’s the problem.

Links:

Materazzi's profile at the FIFA site.
Zidane's profile at the FIFA site.

Music by Kenji Williams from New York, USA.

Used with permission from magnatune.com
From the album Epic.
Listen to the album or buy it here.
Read about Kenji Williams on magnatune.com
Kenji William's site.

Show 101 Wednesday 12 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. This is Stick News.
There were parties all round the globe yesterday. And it wasn’t just the Italians who were celebrating.
It was The Daily English Show’s 100th episode and the reveling almost overshadowed the World Cup final.

According to the latest research The Daily English Show is one of the highest quality shows on the internet.
It’s also one of the most popular. Fans all over the world express their love for the show.
World leaders also endorse the show.
Yesterday, was the 100th show.
Fans were celebrating all the way from Shibuya to Gotano.

Yesterday major newspapers reported that one of the world's largest media conglomerates News Corporation was involved in a takeover bid of The Daily English Show.
However, today the show’s CEO released a statement saying the show would continue to be produced independently and they were looking forward to the next successful 100 shows.
And that was Stick News for Wednesday the 12th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 65 What was he thinking?!

Sarah and Jane talk about the head-butting incident in the 2006 World Cup final.
Step 1: Repeat Jane’s lines.
Step 2: Read Jane’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Sarah Did you watch the final?

Jane 　Yeah. What about that head butt aye.

Sarah Yeah. I can’t believe he did that!
What was he thinking?!

Jane 　I guess he wasn’t.

Sarah The Italian guy must have said something pretty bad to him.

Jane 　Yeah. I wonder what he said.

Sarah I’ve read a couple of different theories on the net.
Apparently some English newspapers have even hired lip-reading experts to try and
work out what he said.

Links:

The music on today's show is by Philharmonia Baroque from San Francisco, United States.
This music was used with permission from magnatune.com

Show 100 Tuesday 11 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper.


The Daily English Show started on Monday the 3rd of April 2006.
It is an internet show to help motivate and entertain people who are studying English.
And anyone else who feels like watching.
Stick News brings you the important news of the world 5 days a week.
You can practice your English conversation.
And increase your vocabulary.
You can study grammar.
On weekends you can watch different shows...
And there is a cooking show on Sundays.
And sometimes interesting things occur at the end of the show.
People are enjoying The Daily English Show all over the world.

Show 99 Monday 10 July

Watch first half at YouTube, second half at YouTube.
Watch first half at grouper, second half at grouper.


World Cup Special #2
The Final

I went to Shibuya to watch the final.
I caught the last train and arrived in Shibuya at 1am.
It was raining.
I went to a sports bar to watch the game.
The game started at 3am.
After a few minutes, France got a penalty. And they scored.
13 minutes later, Italy scored.
At half time, the score was 1 all.
At full time the score was 1 all.
They played 30 minutes of extra time.
10 minutes before the end of extra time, Zidane was sent off for head butting an Italian player.
At the end of extra time, the score was still 1 all.
They had a penalty shootout.
Italy won.
We left the bar at 6am.
And walked to the station.
Then we went home.

This show was too long, so I had to cut it in half.

Show 98 Sunday 9 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


sunday kitchen
#13 Adzuki bars

Azuki bars are made by the company imuraya.
They contain sugar, adzuki beans, “mizuame” (clear, glutinous malt-sugar), GE free corn starch, salt.
And 149 calories.
You can buy azuki bars at a supermarket or convenience store.
You can buy one bar.
Or a box of six bars.
They are very convenient to eat.
They don’t need to be prepared or cooked.
You don’t need a knife and fork, or chopsticks.
You only need your fingers to open the wrapping and hold onto the stick.
You can eat azuki bars when you are: reading a book, using a fan, watching The Daily English Show.
You can even eat them standing in a river.
I love azuki bars.

Music by Drop Trio.
Track 3: Melody, melody. From the album Big Dipper.
Used with permission from magnatune.com
Drop Trio's site.
About Drop Trio on Magnatune.com
Listen to the album.

Show 97 Saturday 8 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


Sarah’s Dairy
#8 Golden Week part 4

During Golden Week my friends from Aichi came to Tokyo.
On the second day they were here we went to Kamakura.
And visited a temple called Hase dera.
We walked around the beautiful gardens.
We talked to a cat.
Had a bit of a dance.
Took some photos.
Pushed this for good luck.
We saw some takenoko.
And had a great view of Kamakura beach.
There were lots of jizou.
We poured water on this jizou.
We walked around a cave.
Then we went home.

Music today by David Aubrun, from Orleans, France.
From the album My Revolution.
You can listen to the album here at Jamendo.
This is David Aubrun's site.

Show 96 Friday 7 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. This is Stick News. In two US states, advocates of gay marriage have lost court battles.

In the United States of America, there are two kinds of law: state law and federal law.
State law applies inside each of the 52 states. Federal law applies to the whole country.
Same-sex marriages are legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Canada.
In the US, same-sex marriages are only legal in one state: Massachusetts.
In two other states: New York and Georgia, people have been fighting recently to make same-sex marriages legal.
However, both court battles were lost.
In New York, one plaintiff said it was a sad day for New York families. Another plaintiff said they hadn’t given up, and they were in it for the long haul.

And that was Stick News for Friday the 7th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 64 I can take you if you want
This conversation is from the movie　The Bridges of Madison County

Francesca offers to show Robert the way.
Step 1: Repeat Robert’s lines.
Step 2: Read Robert’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Francesca Well, I can take you if you want. Or I can tell you. I can take you or tell you. Either way. It's up to you. I don't care.

Robert 　　Well I wouldn’t want to take you away from what you were doing.

Francesca No. I was just going to have some iced tea then, ah... split the atom, but that can wait.

Robert 　　OK.

Francesca I’ll just get my shoes.

Robert 　　I wasn't exactly expecting company. Where are we headed?

Francesca Out, then right.

Links:

Today's news.
About gay marriage at wikipedia.
The Bridges of Madison County at IMDB.

Show 95 Thursday 6 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, unemployment in New Zealand has reached a 24-year-low. There are now less than 40 thousand people receiving unemployment benefits for the first time since 1982.

In New Zealand, people who have no job can get money from the government. This is called a benefit.
There are many kinds of benefits. If you can work, but don’t, you can get an unemployment benefit. If you are too sick to work, you can get a sickness benefit. Single parents can get the domestic purposes benefit.
The Labour party has been in power since 1999. Since then, the number of people registered as unemployed has dropped by 75 percent.
But opposition parties point out that the number of people receiving sickness and invalid benefits has risen a lot.
However the combined numbers have fallen. Since 1999 the number of people receiving unemployment, sickness, invalid’s and domestic purposes benefits has fallen from 372,000 to 280,000.
The social development minister said the figures were a milestone for the government.
“We’ve proven that supportive, not punitive, policies are the right way to go”, he said.

And that was Stick News for Thursday the 6th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 63 Why did they do that?

James and Sarah talk about the latest news about North Korea.
Step 1: Repeat James’s lines.
Step 2: Read James’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

James Did you hear the news about North Korea?

Sarah Yeah, they launched some rockets, didn’t they?

James Rockets?!

Sarah No, not rockets, that was America. I mean missiles.

James Yeah. I wonder why they did that. Do they want to start a war?

Sarah Um, I don’t think so. I was listening to a guy talking about it on the radio today and he just said that they wanted to get attention.

James To get attention? Why?

Sarah I don’t know. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going on, actually.

Links:

Today's news.
About New Zealand's benefit system.
North Korea weapon testing at wikipedia.

Show 94 Wednesday 5 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, 11 people have been arrested in Osaka. Police say they defrauded billions of yen in a pyramid scheme.

There are many pyramids in Egypt. They are beautiful.
Pyramid schemes are not beautiful.
According to Wikipedia, a pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves the exchange of money primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, usually without any product or service being delivered.
The people at the top of the pyramid sometimes make money. The people at the bottom lose it.
In Osaka, executives from a pyramid scheme collected nearly 2 billion yen off 5000 people – mostly students.
The scam involved selling the rights to distribute mail-order catalogs.

In Japan, pyramid schemes are illegal. Those found guilty can face a prison term of up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million yen. And that was Stick News for Wednesday the 5th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 62 What are you doing George?
From the movie Back to the Future

Marty tries to get George to ask Loraine out.
Step 1: Repeat George’s lines.
Step 2: Read George’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Marty All right. OK. All right, there she is George. Now, just go in there and invite her.

George OK, but I don’t know what to say.

Marty Just say anything, George. Say whatever’s natural. The first thing that comes to your mind.

George Nothing’s coming to my mind.

Marty Jesus, George, it’s a wonder I was even born.

George What, what?

Marty Nothing, nothing, nothing. Look, tell her destiny brought you together, tell her that she’s the most beautiful girl you have ever seen in the world. Girls like that stuff. What, what are you doing George?

George I’m writing this down. This is good stuff.

Links:

Today's news.

Pyramid schemes at wikipedia.

Back to the Future at IMDB.

The music on today's show is by Philharmonia Baroque from San Francisco, United States.
This music was used with permission from magnatune.com

Show 93 Tuesday 4 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. In Stick News today, there is crack in the space shuttle Discovery. But NASA is not worried, and is going to launch it anyway.

Discovery was due to lift off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA last weekend.
Bad weather caused delays.
Tomorrow morning is the new scheduled lift-off time.
Yesterday, inspectors found the crack in the insulation foam near the shuttle’s fuel tank.
The crack is about 12.7cm by 1cm.
NASA says they don’t need to fix the crack, and they are ready to fly.

And that was Stick News for Tuesday the 4th of July.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 61 When would you like to leave?
From the movie The Truman Show.

Truman tries to book a flight to Fiji.
Step 1: Repeat Truman’s lines.
Step 2: Read Truman’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Travel agent I’m sorry to keep you.

Truman 　　　Oh, that’s OK.

Travel agent How can I help?

Truman 　　　I would like to book a flight to Fiji.

Travel agent When would you like to leave?

Truman 　　　Today.

Travel agent I’m sorry. I don’t have anything for at least a month.

Truman 　　　A month?

Travel agent It’s the busy season. You want to book the flight?

Truman 　　　It doesn’t matter. I’ll make other arrangements.

Links:

Today's news.

The Truman Show at IMDB.

Music today by David Aubrun, from Orleans, France.
From the album My Revolution.
You can listen to the album here at Jamendo.
This is David Aubrun's site.

Show 92 Monday 3 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper.


STICK NEWS

Kia Ora. This is Stick News. Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be finishing up the job in September. But before he finishes, he’s been attending to some vital business, including doing Elvis impersonations with his friend George Bush.

Recently, Koizumi was photographed with celebrity Ayaya to launch a campaign against recreational drug use.
But some political commentators are now wondering if Koizumi is taking his own advice after his antics abroad last week.
Koizimi’s fondness for Bush is no secret in Japan. Neither is his love for Elvis.
But now more of the world knows, thanks to the two men’s trip to Memphis to visit Elvis’s’ old house.
Koizumi danced, sang and even wore Elvis glasses.

Koizumi is now back in Japan. It is not known whether any actual political issues were discussed during his trip.
And that was Stick News for Friday the 30th of June.
Kia Ora.

conversations with sarah
# 57 Do you go to school here?
From the movie Good Will Hunting.

Truman tries to book a flight to Fiji.
Step 1: Repeat Skylar’s lines.
Step 2: Read Skylar’s lines on the screen and talk to Sarah.

Skylar 　Oh, hello.

Chuckie Hi, how are you?

Skylar 　Fine.

Chuckie So, do you ladies uh. . .

Skylar 　Come here often?

Chuckie Do I come here..? I come here a bit. I here...uh...uh...from time to time...Do you go to school here?

Skylar 　Yup.

Chuckie Yeah...let's see...see, I think I had a class with you.

Skylar 　Oh yeah? What class?

Chuckie History.

Skylar 　Maybe.

Chuckie Yeeesss...I think that's what it was.

Links:

Today's news.

Good Will Hunting at IMDB.

Show 91 Sunday 2 July

Watch today's show at YouTube or grouper
or watch me tv.


sunday kitchen
#12 Sushi

In Japan, people don’t usually make sushi.
They buy it.
You can buy it at the supermarket or convenience store.
Or you can go to a restaurant.

There are some very expensive sushi restaurants.
And some very cheap ones.

The other day, I went to a very cheap sushi restaurant.

In this restaurant there is sushi going around on a conveyor belt.

On the bottom of every plate is a bar code.
Every time around, a machine reads the bar code on the bottom of the plate.
And when the sushi has been on the conveyor belt for too long it’s automatically pushed into a rubbish bin.

Goodbye.

You can take whatever you want to eat off the conveyor belt.

Or you can order something.

First look at the menu and choose what you want.
The number next to the sushi tells you which page of the electronic menu it ‘s on.
For example, natto makki is on page number seven.
So, find page seven, press natto, then press the number you want to order. Then press “chumon”, which means order.
Inari zushi is on page 4. Kappa maki is on page 8.

The sushi you have ordered comes on a red plate, that says
“go cyumon hin” which means “ordered thing”.
When the red plate approaches, there is a beeping sound.

We ordered inari zushi, kappa makki, kanpyo maki, natto makki, nasu, and some wagashi.

The tea is free. You can have as many cups as you like.

We ate the sushi with ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.

There are some rules when you eat at this sushi restaurant.

Don’t smoke.
Don’t let your sleeve touch other the sushi on the conveyer belt when you are taking sushi off.
Don’t put sushi back on the conveyor belt once you have taken it off.

Be careful not to burn yourself when you are pouring boiling water into the tea cup.

This hole is for plates only. Don’t put your hands, chopsticks, spoons, or toothpicks in this hole.

Unfortunately, the sushi at this restaurant isn’t very good.

The only reason you might want to come here is for the excitement of throwing the plates down the hole.

When you throw 5 plates down, you have a chance of winning.

The first time, I didn’t win.

The second time, I won!

I won this great pen.

Wow.

Music today by David Aubrun, from Orleans, France.
From the album My Revolution.
You can listen to the album here at Jamendo.
This is David Aubrun's site.