Incredible

It has recently been suggested to me that life is becoming more INCREDIBLE. As a result of still being in post-holiday bliss and the recent owner of another sexy Apple gadget I instantly agreed. However, after a few too many glasses of red wine and a vodka chaser, I pondered more on this matter and thought, actually, what did he mean?

Is it that life is A: ‘more impossible to believe’, or B: ‘more wonderful’. And, is one definition negative and the other positive? OMG, I know – too much thinking!
Anyway, when faced with a dilemma of this magnitude, I always think it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons by writing a list. (On the other hand, it’s true; one could always save time and consult the font of all knowledge and wisdom: ‘Wikipedia’ for the answers,) but to cut to the chase, this is what I came up with:

So I ask YOU:
1, Is it true that life is more INCREDIBLE?
2, What 5 things would you say are impossible to believe and what 5 things would you say are wonderful?

SPEAKING CHALLENGE: SAY YES FOR SUCCESS!?!

It is said that saying YES more often will make your life more incredible. Seriously, is that right? I have my reservations!!!!!! Anyway, in the last two weeks I have said, YES, NO and MAYBE to the following invitations.

So, based on my responses did I say YES, NO or MAYBE?

Your speaking challenge is to invite me to do two different things where I’ll probably respond with YES and two things where I’ll probably respond with NO. However, be careful, if the grammatical structure of your question is incorrect, I will automatically disqualify you. Good luck!

SPEAKING CHALLENGE: INCREDIBLE INVENTIONS

The Bonnet Pillow: In or Out?

This invention, a pillow attached to the head, tickled me pink. Who in their right mind would want to walk around with a pillow attached to their head? Whether you’re in public or in the privacy of your own home there is no way this can be comfortable. My initial thought was that this invention is RIDICULOUS.  On the other hand, what a brilliant idea! We are all hardworking people who deserve a break every once and a while. What better way to indulge in a good cat nap than attaching a pillow to your head.  One minute you’re working away at your desk, busy as a beaver, and the next, you’re at your desk, head down, dreaming about the warm beaches of Mexico.  Genius!

So, my questions to you are these:

1.  Is the pillow bonnet in or is it out?
2. What do you think is the most incredible invention?

READING CHALLENGE: INCREDIBLE FACTS

Recent research has suggested the following 6 incredible facts:

1.  The biggest killer in America isn’t cancer, it’s obesity. 66% of the U.S. is obese, including a lot of children and teens, and 1 in 4 people in America dies of a preventable, food-related disease.
2. A little danger is good for both kids and grown-ups, and it makes you into a more versatile, well-rounded person.
3.   Stress by itself doesn’t affect your health. How you think about stress does.
4. You have three brain systems for love: lust, romantic love, and attachment. To develop more intimate relationships with your significant other, it’s important to invest in all three.
5.   One of the most effective ways to cure poverty in developing countries isn’t food, cattle, or anything else – it’s giving away mobilephones.
6.  35% percent of people who are using personal adds for dating are already married.

Well, in my opinion, I agree with 3, I am in two minds about 1, and I think 2 are complete claptrap.  What’s your opinion?

On a personal note, I’ve just learnt the following incredible facts:

There are 67 calories in A SINGLE SMALL bourbon biscuit and only 100 calories in a shot of bourbon, tequila, rum or vodka.

GET IN!! Wonderful news; the lesson to learn from this FACT is that we should eat less biscuits and drink more alcohol. OMG, I’m on cloud 9, yet more medical evidence to support alcohol consumption on a regular basis.

Now, if you’ve got a complaint about my rational please don’t comment to me, if I were in your shoes, I’d write to an official Medical Board. I didn’t make up this FACT so it’s not my fault.

READING CHALLENGE: THE INCREDIBLES

The Incredibles

I’m really keen on all superhumans, you know: Spiderman, Batman, Catgirl, Bionic Woman,Chewbacca, OB Wan Kenobi, Naruto and of course columnist, Carrie Bradshaw, so it’s a sad truth that I’ve never seen this film.  Having said that,  I really want and need all their extraordinary powers. Seriously, who wouldn’t give their left arm for the following abilities?

1. To run at the speed of light
2. To become invisible
3. To stretch and reshape your body
4. To generate force fields

However, truth be told, I also want all the super powers of the evil villains.  So, if you had a choice, would you be a villain or a hero?  VILLIAN, VILLIAN, VILLIAN.  It’s just so naughty to be bad!

Film Review of The Incredibles:

Wonderful, beautiful to watch, all in all, INCREDIBLE

WOW! What a movie. I can honestly say this is in my top ten movies of all time, how do Pixar continue to out do themselves at every movie release?

The Incredibles is a fantastic story, wonderfully scripted and with the most stunning animation you have ever seen, it provides a perfectly rounded story with plenty of action, laughs and (almost) tears. It is guaranteed to bring a huge big smile to your face……….

Reviewer: Richard Brunton.  If you want to read more please click here

READING CHALLENGE:  INCREDIBLE! NEW BRAND OF MEAL SOLUTION

 Oh my, I’ve just died and gone to heaven! 

A Yorkshire company has just launched a new range called: Incredible! So what is it you ask?

Well, Incredible! are healthy pasta sauces that you don’t need to cook. They can be eaten just as they are, stirred into pasta, or used as a topping on potatoes.  There are 6 different varieties and 4 of them are vegetarian. It’s a dream made in heaven – come to mummy.

If you fancy reading more about this innovative, amazing, incredible Yorkshire company, then click here

I, on the other hand, am far too busy throwing away saucepans, chopping knives and other useless kitchen utensils. I probably should check that they deliver to Spain but I’m far too giddy.  If you think you can change my mind with an incredible recipe, then please send me a comment.

VOCABULARY CHALLENGE:  Incredible things – What are they?

I’m going to describe 3 ordinary things that I think are extraordinary and you have to guess what they are.

1. It’s a thing that you use to take corks out of bottles. What is it?
2. It’s a type of box which you use to keep food and beverages cold. They come in all shapes, colours and sizes and they usually have a handle. Most people take them to the beach or use them when they go on a picnic. What is it?
3. These are the most effective things to take when you have a hangover. They come in different sizes and strengths and they are things that I never run out of. What are they?

Comment and tell me what you think the above things are and also tell me 3 things that you think are extraordinary.

VOCABULARY CHALLENGE: THE INCREDIBLE VERB: TO GET

It’s incredible how confusing this little verb, TO GET, can be.

Unfortunately, the reason is because it means different things in different situations.  Here are a few common situations:

TO GET + direct object = to obtain, to receive, to buy:

To obtain

• She got her driving license last week.
• They got permission to live in Switzerland.

To receive

• I got a letter from my friend in Nigeria.
• He gets $1,000 a year from his father.

To buy

• She got a new coat from Zara
• We got a new television for the sitting room.

TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place:

• We got to London around 6 p.m.
• What time are we going to get to Álora?
• When did you get back from Vietnam?

TO GET + adjective = to become, show a change of state:

• It’s getting colder.
• I’m getting sick to the back teeth of the rise in costs of electricity
• It gets dark very early in the winter.

VOCABULARY CHALLENGE: THE INCREDIBLE VERB: TO GET PHRASAL VERBS

TO GET + preposition is used in many phrasal verbs.

Here are some of the most common ones:

Curiously, every time my mother skypes me, her first words are usually: ‘Janette, what have you been getting up to‘?

Why does she think I’ve always been doing something bad?! In any case, I usually never get away with it as one of my siblings always tells her.  I need to learn to keep my mouth shut. Anyone, got the same feeling?

LISTENING CHALLENGE: THE INCREDIBLE SLEEPER BUSES OF VIETNAM

Sleeper buses are exactly what they say they are. They are buses, which theoretically, you can sleep on. They are an economical mode of transport, as you don’t have to pay for accommodation, a great place to meet other travelers, and perhaps if you are unlucky, you might pick up a few unwanted bugs like hair nits.

When I was in Vietnam I travelled by sleeper bus a lot. Unfortunately, my experience was not the same as on this video. After 3 weeks of hopping on and hopping off sleeper buses I can definitely say that the best approach to the sleeper bus is to take a cocktail of sleeping pills, Valium and Jack Daniels at least 3 hours before you get on. All in all, they are as cheap as chips but they are not a good substitute for a bed and a duvet. Listen here to a guy from Australia talking about his experience.

LISTENING CHALLENGE: INCREDIBLY FUNNY

Pronunciation Exercise: I would like to buy a hamburger

For those of you who know me well, you know that this is one of my top 10 favourite videos. How do you pronounce:  WOULD?

LISTENING CHALLENGE: INCREDIBLY DIVERSE LEEDS

Leeds is my home town, it’s the 5th biggest city in England and the epicentre of the historical county, Yorkshire. It’s wonderful spirit comes largely from the diverse number of people who live there. Having said that, it seems to me, that although we all have different cultural reference points and tastes, essentially we all have the same hopes and aspirations.

Listen to 50 people in Leeds answering the question: What would you like to happen before the end of the day?

That’s right, the three most common topics are: Money, Sex and Shopping. How would you answer the same question? And, how do you think I would answer the same question?