Tag: c1

READING CHALLENGE THREE: Film Genres: Action Films

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gi janeI love ‘kick ass’ action films and when I’m feeling pathetic I watch ‘GI Jane’ and then bounce around my flat pretending I can do a one armed press up ( the reality is I can’t do any press ups) and shouting: COME ON, I CAN TAKE YOU!

I know, PATHETIC!!

However, not as pathetic as me thinking I’m Harrison Ford in a Raider’s Film. If someone planted a video bug in my flat, they would definitely think that I needed medical attention or some psychiatric help. Either way, if drugs are involved, I’d definitely sign up.

READING CHALLENGE TWO: Film Genres: Horror Films

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draculaHorror films make me jump under the bed and scream like a baby. And, if I watch a vampire film I have to go to bed with a bulb of garlic hanging around my neck and add to my shopping list, 1 silver bullet and 1 gun.

If you don’t know this, it’s worth jotting it down: Vampires are only stunned by garlic, but if you shoot them in the heart with a silver bullet, they drop dead. In my book, it’s best to go for the silver bullet, the smell of the garlic might not be strong enough to stun them, or maybe over the years they’ve developed a resistance to garlic, just like those malaria carrying mosquitoes.

So, the moral of the story is, bullets are stronger than garlic and if possible, go and make friends with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also, Buffy rocks!

To drop off

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to drop offTo drop off is a phrasal verb which means falling asleep.

For example, I usually read in bed to drop off.

However, if I watch slapstick movies like Mr Bean or Dumb and Dumber I also drop off  in a nano second. Yes, I know Mr Bean is an international hit, but in my book it’s one of the worst British exports.

WORK: Business Relationships

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CRM business relationshipsIt is said that there are three main types of relationships in business: personal relationships, functional relationships and strategic relationships.

Personal relationships are those that may be developed at work but are not connected to your job. On the other hand, functional relationships are connected to your specific job, for example with your work mates, your suppliers and your clients and customers. Relationships that are developed beyond the boundaries of your business are known as strategic relationships.

Regarding business relationships can you define the following verbs?

Phrases to Develop Business Relationships

Definitions

To manage

 

To line manage

 

To lead

 

To inspire

 

To motivate

 

To guide

 

To set up

 

To expand

 

To merge

 

To take over

 

To stand up for

 

To take after

 

 

FRIENDSHIP: Interpersonal Relationships

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interpersonal relationshipsInterpersonal relationships are developed at work and at school, at home and in social situations.

Employers always want people with exceptional interpersonal skills, for example the ability to communicate, to listen, and to get on well with diverse groups of people.

Families develop interpersonal relationships through a series of rules, habits and personal beliefs. 

And, in my social situations interpersonal relationships are developed by playing pool, having my ass kicked at 10-pin bowling, drinking beer and yelling obscene things while watching football. 

The English language has a load of phrasal verbs that are used to describe actions connected to interpersonal relationships. Do you know what the following phrasal verbs mean and in which context you would use them?

Phrasal Verbs

Definitions

To ask after

 

To bring up

 

To fall for

 

To get on with

 

To grow up

 

To look down on

 

To look up to

 

To put down

 

To settle down

 

To stand up for

 

To take after

 

 

ROMANCE: Romantic Relationships:

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marital status 2Ok, recently I’ve been wondering why is it that everyone appears to be obsessed with our marital status.  Nowadays, you can’t fill in an official document without declaring your marital status.

Moreover, I can’t go to a family get-together without some relation inspecting my fingers for an engagement ring or asking me if I’m dating.  And, when I say NO, they pull a face, that says: ‘ Oh poor Janette she’s pathetic and she’s never going to settle down and she’s going to die alone’. I KID YOU NOT; seriously, why is it that important?

facebook defines relationshipsFurthermore, I don’t think they, or for that matter, the author who wrote ‘50 Shades of Grey’ understand the modern concepts of: Happily Single, Friends with Benefits, Friends for Life, Saturday Night Fever, Leeds United and Advancements in Technology!

It’s ridiculous! They all need to wake up and smell the coffee! Even, Facebook gets it.

Anyway, some of the key words for Romantic Relationships are written below. Can you define them?

Key Words and Phrases

Definitions

To flirt / To chat up  / To lust

 

To get to know someone

 

To go on a date / To make out / To stay over

 

Chemistry – I don’t know what this means, but someone told me that it’s one of the three most important things in a successful romantic relationship.  Help me, what are they talking about?

 

To go out with / To date / To go steady

 

To fall in love / To be in love / To be addicted to

 

To ask someone to marry them

 

To get engaged

 

Fiancé / Fiancée

 

Hen night / Stag Night

 

To get married / To tie the knot / To get hitched

 

Wedding / Reception

 

Honeymoon

 

Hard work / Compromise

 

You did what?!

 

If you can think of any more, please post your comments.  Truth be told, I’m not very knowledgeable about this type of relationship.  To quote an exceptionally wise and astute woman I am a ‘family of one’. 

Customer Service: There’s got to be a better way

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customer serviceWho hasn’t phoned a call centre, or a customer help line, or technical support? 

Of course, we all have at some point.   What was your experience?  Did you spent 20 minutes on hold listening to some dull as dishwater  music and then when finally you hear a voice, it’s prerecorded, and it’s telling you that all the lines are busy and that you can continue holding or you can call back later. Grrrrrrrr, it’s so annoying!

Check out this experience, does it ring any bells?

Red Hot Chili Peppers: I could die for you

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RHCP I could die for youIn my humble opinion, this is one of the best songs about romantic relationships of the last decade:

Something inside the cards I know is right. Don’t want to live somebody else’s life. This is what I want to be and this is what I give to you because I get it free. 

 Click here for the track and lyrics

However, I was recently reminded of the Joe Cocker version of: ‘You are so beautiful’ and maybe this is one of the most tender songs of the 70’s. Click here for the track and lyrics.  What do you think? Don’t be shy, what songs make you feel all loved up?