Remembering Ike Turner

Remembering Ike Turner Music Mar 10 2008

Intro

Ike Turner is one of the unsung heroes of American music. When you hear the words, “Rolling on the river,” you can’t help but imagine Tina Turner’s tough and tense voice shouting them. But behind her, playing guitar and doing backup vocals, was her husband, Ike, the creative leader of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue.

But Ike made headlines as often as he made hit singles. He frequently hit Tina and cheated on her. He even spent some time in jail for drug use in the 1990s. Unfortunately, Ike never kicked his drug habit. He died of an overdose late last year.

Listen to Beren and Jason talk about Ike’s death and career.

Dialogue

Listen to streaming audio of this English lesson >

Beren

Jason

Beren: So, uh, Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose.

Jason: A cocaine overdose?

Beren: Uh, yeah, he was like 68 years old.

Jason: Whoa. What 68-year-old dies of a cocaine overdose?

Beren: I don’t know. He’s considered James Brown’s contemporary. Back in the day Ike Turner was considered a really, really good band leader. He had a team of crack musicians behind him and, of course, Tina.

Jason: That’s what he’s most famous for. Is kind of being an abusive husband.

Beren: Yeah. It’s not sad that that overshadows his work as a musician. I think it should, but it’s kind of interesting that he is such a talented person but the mistakes he made have diminished what he gave to R&B and soul music. That’s crazy. Because you think about James Brown, you know, there’s a guy who would take the police on hundred-mile chases, high on PCP, and when he died, people were calling him “the Godfather of Soul.”

Jason: Totally. He’s remembered for his musical contributions, but Ike…you can’t think of the name Ike Turner without thinking about him…

Beren: ...being a wife beater, basically.

Jason: Do you think that’s a good thing?

Beren: I think that’s a good thing. I think the annals of music, when people look back on it, he’ll definitely be noted when people are talking about soul, like, ‘60s soul and R&B and the birth of even, like, hip hop and really good funk. But I also think people will always say, “Oh, if he hadn’t beat Tina he could have done so much more.” Because I think it really stalled his career too when she left him and that’s why you don’t hear of him as the co-godfather of soul. Rest in peace, Ike.

Discussion

Jason hadn’t heard yet that Ike Turner had died. He’s surprised to learn that the musician died of a cocaine overdose because he seems too old to do cocaine. In fact, Ike was older than Beren thought he was. He was actually 76, not 68.

Beren explains that Ike used to be as well-known and respected as James Brown. Of course, now he’s most widely known as Tina’s abusive husband. Beren thinks that his music won’t be left out of music history and that he deserves the damaged reputation he has. But she makes it clear that she respects him by saying, “Rest in peace,” at the end of the dialog.

Which do you think is more important, the music a star makes, or the successes and failures of their personal lives?

Vocab X back in the day expr. Definition: some time ago; a while back Example: Back in the day, I used to ski 3 or 4 times a week. Now I'm lucky if I go that many times a year. PCP n. Definition: a drug that makes you wild and strong Example: The man the police arrested broke his handcuffs with his hands. They suspect he was on PCP. contemporary n. Definition: someone who was alive at the same time and equally important Example: Milton was Shakespeare's contemporary, but he's much less famous now. kick v. Definition: get rid of; quit or stop doing Example: I'm want to kick the girlfriend, but I just can't do it. cheated v. Definition: kissed or slept with someone other than your girlfriend or boyfriend Example: I've never cheated on anyone. I just couldn't hurt someone like that. unsung hero n. Definition: someone important who isn't talked about all that much Example: Latin Americans are the unsung heroes of the American economy. soul n. Definition: music related to African-American gospel singing and rhythm and blues Example: My dad loves soul music. He listens to Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin all the time. R&B n. Definition: Rhythm and Blues; a genre of music that has soulful vocals and strong bass lines with influences from jazz, blues and gospel Example: I love R&B and Hip Hop, but I don't like Country music at all. My favorite R&B singer is Alicia Keys. abusive adj. Definition: damaging, hurtful or unkind Example: Brenda's ex-husband was very abusive. That's why she got a divorce. crack adj. Definition: highly skilled Example: Our crack team of investigators will solve this case in no time.

Close Window

Bad news

Bad News Eavesdropping Mar 11 2008

Intro

As excited as you must have been last week when Mason and Amanda finally got together, you must have been at least a little worried about how Devan and Jason would take it.

Even though his attempts to date Amanda weren’t going so well, Devan told Jason that Amanda liked him. And then Mason even encouraged him to try to date Amanda. Poor guy. There’s no way he could have seen this coming.

And, of course, Devan likes Mason too. She even might have lied to try to prevent him from getting together with Amanda.

So the news about Mason and Amanda is not anything Jason and Devan want to hear. But watch as they find out what’s going on.

Video

Dialogue

Listen to streaming audio of this English lesson >

Jason

Devan

Devan: So how are things going with Amanda?

Jason: Oh, they’re going great.

Devan: Really?

Jason: Yeah.

Devan: Good? Like, you guys are dating?

Jason: I think so. I mean, like, we went on a date. I suppose that would constitute dating. And it went really well. We’re doing the whole take it slow thing, like I told you. I didn’t even try to kiss her or anything afterward, but yeah, I think it’s going great. I sent her a text message to see if she wanted to get together maybe later tonight in a little bit so…

Devan: Great. That is great, great news. So you think that you guys are pretty much just into each other then, right?

Jason: I think so. I mean, I don’t know. Hope so.

Devan: That is great news!

Jason: Oh, I’m vibrating, hang on.

Devan: Is it her?

Jason: Yeah it’s her…Oh.

Devan: What?

Jason: Uh, she said that she wants to hang out tonight, but that I should know that she’s seeing Mason.

Devan: What?

Jason: Yeah, I know…

Devan: What? No, no, no. What?

Jason: Yeah, I mean that’s what it says, look.

Devan: No this is all wrong. I mean, for you. This is terrible for you.

Jason: I know.

Devan: What? Are you sure? Well that just figures.

Discussion

Devan asks Jason how things are going with Amanda and he says they’re going well. They’re taking it slow and they went on a date.

Devan is happy for Jason, but she’s also happy for herself because Amanda is out of the picture when it comes to Mason, or so she thinks.

Jason had sent a text message to Amanda to ask if she wanted to hang out later. As he and Devan are talking, he gets a reply. Amanda says that they can still hang out, but that’s she’s seeing Mason now.

Devan is shocked and upset, but she tries to hide from Jason that she’s thinking about herself and how she won’t be able to have Mason now. Jason doesn’t notice that Devan seems to be taking the situation rather personally. He’s too sad.

How would you react if you were Jason or Devan? Do you think Jason should be upset with Mason or Amanda?

Vocab X into v. Definition: like romantically Example: I think he's great, but I can't tell if he's into me or not. taking it personally expr. Definition: to feel deeply affected by some news or event, as though it's a comment on you and who you are Example: There's no need to take it personally. We just don't want to hire you because you don't have certain skills we're looking for. That's all. text messages n. Definition: typed out words sent from phone to phone Example: It'll be too loud to talk so send me a text message when you get to the show and I'll come out and find you. take it slow v. Definition: to proceed slowly, usually in a romantic relationship Example: We're taking it slow. We haven't slept together yet. constitute v. Definition: qualify as, count as Example: Well, I have a couple of bottles of alcohol. I don't think that really constitutes a bar. I can take it expr. Definition: I can handle/deal with it Example: I can take it if my favorite team loses, but not every game! out of the picture expr. Definition: irrelevant; no longer important; dead Example: Now that the best team in the league lost and is out of the picture, anyone could win the championship. figures v. Definition: makes sense considering my bad luck Example: So I didn't get the promotion again? Well, that figures. seeing v. Definition: romantically involved with Example: I've been seeing a couple of different people pretty casually. vibrating v. Definition: phone ringing on vibrate Example: I didn't think he was going to call at all, but at about midnight I started vibrating. I was so surprised, I almost dropped the phone!

Close Window

I am Legend

I Am Legend Movies Mar 12 2008

Intro

It’s a familiar concept to us now, but when Richard Matheson wrote his novel I Am Legend in 1954, the idea of a world completely destroyed by disease was relatively new.

The book, which describes a disease that turns people into monsters that resemble both vampires and zombies, was made into a film for the third time in 2007. Will Smith has the difficult task of playing the last man on Earth. Devan thinks he pulls it off, but Mason’s not so sure.

Dialogue

Listen to streaming audio of this English lesson >

Devan

Mason

Devan: Have you seen I am Legend yet?

Mason: Uh, kind of, I practically fell asleep during it. It wasn’t really my kind of thing.

Devan: Oh. How come?

Mason: I don’t know. I’m not a huge Will Smith fan and the whole post-apocalyptic thing just…

Devan: Yeah, I’m not really into that either, but I heard he did a really good job in it. Having to do all that dialog on his own must have been really challenging. I guess it wouldn’t be dialog…I guess that would be monologue...

Mason: Technically. But you know, whatever. He talks to the dog so you can call it a dialog, if you want. The dog barks a few times. But seriously, to me he’s not the kind of actor that carries a movie that, like that I’d go see a movie just for Will Smith in it.

Devan: Just to see Will Smith talking…

Mason: But, listen, some of it had some compelling scenes. I know it was based on an old science fiction book and there are some other adaptations that I heard are better.

Devan: I saw the Charlton Heston version…

Mason: That was The Omega Man, right?

Devan: That was terrible.

Mason: Ha!

Devan: But I heard that the original, original one, which is called something else.

Mason: The Alpha Man?

Devan: Something like that. I heard the original one is great.

Discussion

Mason says he almost fell asleep while watching I Am Legend because Will Smith is on-screen alone so much of the time and he’s not a huge Will Smith fan.

Devan says that an earlier version of the film that stars Charlton Heston isn’t any good, but that the first adaptation of the book (which is actually called The Last Man on Earth, not The Alpha Man) is the best.

What actor do you think could pull off a movie full of monologues?

Grammar Point

Sometimes if you’re talking about a lot of objects, it helps to repeat an adjective so people will know what you’re talking about. Notice how Devan calls the first movie made from the book, “the original, original.” She doesn’t want Mason to get confused and think she’s talking another early version of the film she already mentioned.

For instance, if someone said, “Today is the last day to turn in your assignment,” and you didn’t know that, and you’re about to panic, you might say, “The last, last day?” meaning, “Is it really the last day?”

Vocab X monologue n. Definition: speech; when one person talks Example: I have to memorize a ten-minute monologue for the audition for the play. adaptation n. Definition: when a book is made into a movie Example: I thought American Psycho was a great adaptation from the book. post-apocalyptic adj. Definition: after the end of the world Example: Your computer is pretty post-apocalyptic, dude. Are those wires poking out of it? my thing expr. Definition: something I like to do Example: I don't want to go to the club tonight. Dancing's not really my thing. I don't want to go to the club tonight. Dancing's not really my thing. practically adv. Definition: might as well have; basically Example: I was practically up all night there was so much noise. pull it off v. Definition: succeed at something difficult Example: I really want to be a full time student and work full time, but I don't know if I can pull it off. science fiction n. Definition: imaginary stories related to science or the future Example: My favorite science fiction show is Star Trek. compelling adj. Definition: interesting, intriguing, demanding attention Example: This book I'm reading is really compelling. I can't stop reading it. I want to find out what happens next. carry v. Definition: support, sustain; be responsible for the success Example: Michael Jordan often had to carry his team because he was the best player. technically adv. Definition: in accordance with a strict interpretation of the rules Example: It's hard to believe, but technically you don't have to pay rent if your kitchen sink is broken.

Close Window

scramble

scramble Slang Mar 20 2008

Quote

”...Just scrambling around tryingPublish Post to get my last minute things together for the Asian tour upon which we are about to depart.”

- Mickey Madden of Maroon 5 has a lot to do before he leaves town. (MySpace)

Meaning

to be mixed up, confused, unorganized or very busy

Use

Diners in America are full of morning customers ordering scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee. But what do scrambled eggs and Mickey Madden scrambling around have to do with each other? Both Mickey Madden of Maroon 5 and the eggs are mixed up, out of order and hurrying to get ready.

Scrambled eggs are stirred or beaten before they are cooked. As Maroon 5 rushes around to get ready for their big tour, the band feels unorganized, confused and mixed up. It seems like they have to move in all directions at once, which is how you cook scrambled eggs.
But besides scrambling around to get stuff done, you can use scramble to talk about minds or thoughts too. If your mind is scrambled, it means your thoughts are really chaotic and unorganized.
So go ahead and USE it!

Examples

“I have been scrambling around at work trying to finish my projects.
My thoughts are all scramble, what am I supposed to be doing?”

Grammar Point

You might hear people on TV shows about the military use scramble when they’re talking about radios. Criminals can scramble signals. They make the radio signal unorganized, so that people can’t understand it.
To learn more about scrambled eggs and even how to make them at home, read this user lesson on writing recipes and making scrambled eggs.

English idioms

　下文加粗部分的英文成语中都有一个词与一项娱乐活动或体育运动有关。请先读一读下面的小故事，你能猜出这些成语的含义吗？

　　We always knew what our boss, Winona, was thinking. Right off the bat, as soon as she walked through the door, she'd let you know what she wanted you to do. Her style was clear, direct, and open. She always put her cards on the table.

　　If you did something wrong or said something inappropriate, Winona told you were off base. If she thought you were doing well and on the ball, she told you that, too. And when she said no, she meant no. No dice. Not many people argued with Winona and won. But I think she really enjoyed people who would stand up to her and give their own opinions. I think she secretly got a kick out of it.

　　现在让我们看看这些成语在例句中的用法，这回你能猜出它们的意思了吗？

right off the bat: 毫不犹豫地，一下子，马上。

　　put one's cards on the table: 摊牌，把自己的打算和盘托出。

　　off base: 与事实不符的，错误的，荒谬的。

　　on the ball: 高明的，效率高的。

　　no dice: 不行，没门。

　　get a kick out of something: 从某事中得到乐趣。

　　现在，这些成语的意思你全都明白了吧，建议大家把上面那篇简短而又有趣的小文章背下来，这样就能轻松而又牢固地记住这些成语的用法啦。

　　right off the bat:

　　Una looked at the math problem for just a minute, and she got the correct answer right off the bat.

　　put one's cards on the table:

　　Let me put my cards on the table. Either we sell more or we'll have to close the business.

　　off base:

　　You're off base with the answer. Try again.

　　on the ball:

　　Sophie is an excellent manager. She really knows how to organize things and get things done. She is really on the ball.

　　no dice:

　　Tom wanted the party to be at my apartment, but I said no dice.

　　get a kick out of something:

　　I really get a kick out of Lisa's jokes. She always makes me laugh.

Lost phone

English Lessons Lost Phone Real Life Feb 29 2008

Intro

Mobile phones and other portable devices make our lives easier. Remember when you used to have to wait at home if you were expecting a call?

But sometimes we depend too much on our gadgets. For instance, where do you store your phone numbers? Do you have a little book where you write them down? Most people keep phone numbers stored in their mobile phone. It’s handy because you can call someone without looking at a piece of paper or entering all the numbers.

But it’s not so handy if you lose your phone. Then, even when you get a new phone, you don’t have any numbers! So you have to go around and ask all your friends for their phone numbers again. Listen to Jason do just that.

Dialogue

Listen to streaming audio of this English lesson >

Marni

Jason

Jason: Wait, before I forget, can I get your number…again?

Marni: Yeah, what…I mean, didn’t I just give it to you?

Jason: I mean, I’ve had it but I lost my phone and I had to get a new phone…

Marni: You lost your phone again?

Jason: Yeah, yeah.

Marni: Oh my God.

Jason: Yeah, but the worst part about it is I have phone insurance so I get a new phone for pretty cheap, but I have to get all the phone numbers again from everyone I know and, I don’t know, it’s kind of interesting.

Marni: We don’t commit telephone numbers to memory anymore. I used to have a file of numbers…

Jason: Totally. I still have my first girlfriend’s phone number memorized from like 9th grade, but I had get all new phone numbers for everyone I call nowadays. It’s an interesting social experiment to not have any numbers and just see who calls me.

Marni: There you go. Those are your true friends.

Jason: It makes me seem like a real loner, like a cowboy who just doesn’t need anyone because I’m not reaching out.

Marni: OK. Sure. I hear ya. Well, um, yeah, I’ll give you my number and hopefully you won’t lose this one.

Jason: Yeah, and you should back up your numbers because that’s what I’m doing now.

Marni: Oh, good idea. Yeah, see, never done that.

Discussion

Marni is a little confused when Jason asks her for her phone number because she thought he already had it. But it turns out Jason lost his phone, and it doesn’t sound like it’s the first time this has happened.

In fact, Jason looses his phone so often that he got insurance on it this time so it wouldn’t cost him very much to get a new phone. The only problem is that his new phone doesn’t have any phone numbers in it! So he has to start from scratch collecting all of his friends’ phone numbers again.

Jason says it’s kind of interesting to see who calls you when you don’t have anyone’s number. He hopes that not calling anyone makes him seem cool and that everyone will assume he’s just too busy to call. But it can get kind of lonely when you can’t call your friends. If you have Jason’s number, give him call so that he’ll have your number again!
Image: The location of Jason’s old phone.

Vocab X loner n. Definition: someone who likes to be alone Example: I'm a loner, a rebel. You don't want to get involved with a guy like me. start from scratch expr. Definition: start with no help, from the very beginning Example: I accidentally burned the food I was making so I had to start over from scratch. insurance n. Definition: a service you pay for that provides financial protection from expenses Example: I don't have insurance, so it is very expensive for me to go to the doctor. handy adj. Definition: easy to get and positive Example: It is handy to get gas before we start on our trip because the gas station is right there. gadget n. Definition: a small electronic or mechanical device Example: I love gadgets. I have to stay away from the electronics store or I will spend all my money on them. portable adj. Definition: something you can take with you, that works anywhere Example: My dad got a portable DVD player so he can watch movies on planes. it turns out expr. Definition: what really happened was; it ended up that Example: It turns out he'd been stealing from the company for years. back up v. Definition: to save a copy of information in a different place Example: Remember to back up your computer files before you leave the office. You don't want to lose any information if your computer crashes! I hear you expr. Definition: I understand; I agree Example: I hear you. I know just how bad a divorce can be. My parents got one when I was a kid. reach out v. Definition: to seek contact from other people Example: I've been trying to reach out to him, to help him, but he won't talk to me.

Close Window

Spoon

spoon Slang Feb 28 2008

Quote

“Because I refused to spoon with you last night?”

- Adam Sandler just wanted to sleep alone. (Anger Management)

Meaning

lay with another person front to back; cuddle; sleep close together

Use

When you lie down to sleep with another person, how do you lie? Do you like to lie with your head on the other person’s chest? Do you like to sleep not touching at all? Or do you like to lie front to back, each on your side facing the same direction?

If you think about it, two people lying front to back look like a pair of spoons. Their legs are curved a little, but the rest of their bodies are straight, just like the handle of spoon and the little bowl on the end.

Spooning can be uncomfortable in warm weather because there is a lot of body heat. But in the winter, it keeps you warm and it’s nice to be so close to another person.
In the movie Anger Management, Adam Sandler’s character goes to see a psychiatrist for his anger problems. The doctor throws some eggs across the room and asks, “Now why did I do that?” Sandler jokes that he did it because he wouldn’t spoon with him in bed the night before.

Some people like to spoon, but only if they are the big spoon. The big spoon or papa spoon is the person, whose face and chest are against the other person’s back. The little spoon or baby spoon is the person whose backside is touching the other person. In the picture, the man is the big spoon and the woman is the little spoon.
It isn’t only lovers that spoon. You can spoon with your friends when they’re sad. You can spoon your dog, or if your dog is big enough, he can spoon you!

Examples

“Nothing happened after my date last night. We just spooned.”

“It’s cold. Come spoon with me tonight.”