Show 573 Friday 7 December

Watch today’s show at YouTube or BlipTV.


Hi, I’m Sarah, welcome to The Daily English Show.

The survey isn’t over yet, but I’ve already read some of them and I thought I’d start doing something that somebody suggested. They wanted me to talk about songs more and recommend songs to study.
So, I’ve decided Friday is song day. I’m going to talk about a song every Friday. So feel free to suggest a song that you want me to talk about.

Today’s song is: All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
Because it’s December and it’s one of my favorite Christmas songs. I love the tune and the lyrics ... so romantic.

Wikipedia says it was recorded for Carey's fifth album Merry Christmas which was released in 1994.

Its protagonist declares that she doesn't care about Christmas presents or lights; all she wants for Christmas is to be with her lover.

Do you know what protagonist means?

protagonist noun (formal)
The main character in a play, film/movie or book

Or song, I guess ...

Anyway, it also says:
It is one of the most commercially successful Christmas singles of the modern era.

It’s good for studying. Most of the vocabulary is pretty straightforward ...

I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace

Upon means on – it’s just a more formal version

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe

Mistletoe is a plant that people use as a Christmas decoration and if two people meet under it they’re supposed to kiss. Well that’s what happens in the movies anyway. I don’t think I’ve seen mistletoe in real life ... but maybe we don’t have it in New Zealand.

I also quite like how this song is not consumeristic ...
Not that I’m really anti-shopping ... but it’s just nice that this song’s not about spending money.

Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you

STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, in Stick News today a town in Nova Scotia is considering a by-law that would ban smoking on all town property including streets and footpaths.

The town of Bridgewater, NS has proposed banning smoking in all public places in the town, except for two bridges – because they are owned by the Province of Nova Scotia.
CBC News reports the town is fuming – and opponents of the by-law plan to take a stand on Saturday by smoking on one of the bridges.
The proposed by-law is expected to be voted on in a few weeks.

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

conversations with sarah
#349 Are there many bars in Kutchan?

Step 1: Repeat Tim’s lines.
Step 2: Read Tim’s lines and talk to Sarah.

Tim Are there many bars in Kutchan?

Sarah Mmm, yeah there are a lot actually, for the population size.

Tim About how many?

Sarah There are like only about 15 thousand people living here and about 50 bars.

Tim 50? Really? That’s a lot.

Sarah Yeah, but most of them are just small snacks.

Tim Snacks? What does that mean?

Sarah It’s a kind of bar for men.

Tim Like a strip bar?

Sarah Mmm, yeah, but um they don’t usually strip. The women just talk to the guys and, like, pour their drinks and stuff.

Tim And female customers aren’t allowed?

Sarah No, you can go there. Like I’ve been to snack bars with a group of people. And it’s OK. But, there are like women sitting there fake smiling and clapping while you’re singing. So, it’s kind of annoying. I’d rather go to a normal bar or izakaya.

Tim Are they beautiful young women?

Sarah Ah, well ... maybe if you go to an expensive place. But, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

notes

won't - I accidentally said don't

consumeristic - this is actually a word (I looked it up), but I don't think it's very common

a kind of bar - I talked about snack bars in Show 192 and shot bars in Show 202.

links

today's news
today's STICK NEWS pictures

Powder Company
Takaku Tomoki's blog
GENTEM

All I Want For Christmas lyrics

music

show start
artist: Anawin
album: A glimpse inside the bubble
track: Little jazzy
from: Arles, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo

the snow report start
artist: Olga Scotland
album: Scotland Yard
track: Absolute
from: Moscow, Russia
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

the snow report bgm
artist: OPRACHINA
album: The jazz farm
track: Torti
from: Roma, Italy
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site
YouTube channel

cws start
artist: San Sebastian
track: Happy Sad
artist site

qa start
artist: ioeo
album: Groovetracks
tracks: groovetracks ending
from: Saint Raphael, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

qa bgm
artist: Wikoo
album: Neologism
track: Neologism part.4
from: Paris, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site
MySpace
YouTube channel

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