Once in a Blue Moon

"Once in a blue moon" is an idiom that means that something happens not very often.
But what's a blue moon? You'll see it tonight, on New Year's Eve, if you look up at the sky.
Do you want to know more? Read here.
I wish you all the best for the coming year!

Christmas Carols 4U

Britain discovers a Catalan Xmas tradition

Stephen Fry is a well known British actor, writer, and comedian.
Here's the script if you need it (some aspects you've been working on this year highlighted in yellow) . And of course, Merry Christmas to you all !

Law no jokes

Click on the image and you'll see real questions and answers from attorneys and witnesses in the USA courtrooms.

Barcelona Pickpockets and a Chinese horror story

Back to crime...
Full story HERE (plenty of passive voice use in this story)
*** And a much worse case : Briton to be executed in China for smuggling drugs
*** Update 26/12 Briton unaware of execution (for humanitarian reasons!!)
*** Update 27/12 Death row Briton learns he faces execution tomorrow
***Update 29/12 China executes British national despite pleas

Copenhagen's Climate Summit

Polluting should also be a crime, so let's focus on the Copenhagen's climate conference being held these days, and the controversy generated by the "warmists" on the one hand -those who believe in climate change and would like governments to pass strict laws to stop it, and the skeptics on the other -who think data is being manipulated to exaggerate the threat of global warming (also known as the "Climategate")

**By the way, "hot air" in the cartoon refers to empty, exaggerated talk.

It's certainly difficult to find the truth among so many different opinions and interests from countries who don't want to be forced to cut carbon emissions that could slow their economies.

So just to put you in the picture, I'm including a series of links that will help you understand the situation -and a wonderful source of vocabulary related to environmental issues.

• What is at stake in Copenhagen?
• National Geographic Global Warming effects
• National Geographic Going Green test

In the meantime, I have to buy a car -how could I live without one?- but the only thing I am offered is a petrol-powered old dinosaur ... and they call it 'green' .

Law and Order

I know it's not very Christmassy but we'll be talking about crime next week.
Being a lawful citizen is not always easy: Did you know tht it is illegal to name a pig 'Napoleon' in France ? Or that it is forbidden to die in the Houses of Parliament in London? Or that in Australia you can be arrested if you dress up like Batman? At Harrington Court, London you may find some more examples.
In the United States guns deserve a special chapter, like "It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot the clerk with a water pistol." (Louisiana). In Florida, a special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing (can anyone figure out why ??) And my favourite:
" No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket on Sunday" (Georgia)
Can you find an explanation to these apparently stupid, probably outdated or just downright dumb laws? So if you were planning to go to the USA, just take these tests to make sure you don't end up in jail!
Test 1
Test 2

Barcelona

I know it's not very christmassy but we're going to talk about crime these days and you probably know that, in spite of what the Major thinks, Barcelona is considered a hot spot in the crime scene.

Full story