Website: DigitalRev Camera Reviews & Videos

At a time when I am preparing for my trip to Tokyo, my sister said she has had enough of the Panasonic Lumix FX 3, which I have had enough long ago before I gave it to her, so it is time I offer her my current Canon IXUS 860 IS to her, while I buy a new one for myself ...

Image from Google

Image from cameras.co.uk

So with limited budget and the fact that I love buying things at a very low price, I am going for a compact camera that falls below $4000, or $3000.

And while I was doing my research, I found some great stuff for your English learning!!!

Check this out! DigitalREV TV. 

Kai has a strong British accent, probably due to his product reviewer profession. I might have to sound like that if I am doing a recording too! Not sure if you would like that, but oh well, I like this whole channel. I also like the website, because I can easily find the camera models I like to see and get a reference price. Well, I don't think I will buy there, but I get a rough idea of how much a camera would cost.

Kai gives detailed advices, tests camera performances and compares them with other hot picks, he uses both British slang (noticeably, "bloody") as well as American one ("All show and no go"). He might sound / act a little pretentious, but without the pretentiousness, it wouldn't be fun! And I just can't stop watching his video reviews, despite the fact that the models aren't that pretty...

My choice of camera after watching the video? I'm going for the Canon Powershot S90. I want the grey product though.

Image from DigitalRev

Vocabulary:
bloody -- (adj/adv) (before noun)(Mainly UK very informal) used to express anger or to emphasize what you are saying in a slightly rude way
All show and no go -- see my article here for meaning.
pretentious -- (adj)(Disapproving) trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art and literature
grey product -- (n) see Vocabulary: Parallel Import / Grey Product





Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalRevCom
http://digitalrev.com/en/index.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBox_wfAM08&playnext_from=TL&videos=hHtboMDq5z0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfe66TUsK00


http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/03/saying-all-work-and-no-play-makes-jack.html
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pretentious

Movie: Documentary -- The Cove

Do you love dolphins? I do.

Image from caffeine-headache

The Crocodile Hunter -- Steve Irwin did, his family does.

Watch from (1:17) & from (9:00)

Many other Holywood Stars do, can you name them?

But what do some bad humans do to these lovely creatures?

Having won the Academy Award Oscar Best Documentary, Features 2010, 24 other movie awards and 5 nominations, The Cove is not at all a pleasant movie, but we should watch. For education, for our next generation, we should watch...... You saw the way Steve Irwin taught his daughter Bindi Irwin?

Image from Celebrity Wonder

Remember "The Cheerleader" from HEROES? Do you know that Hayden Panettiere has always been an animal activist? She is truly a hero!!!

We should know what is happening to our dearest and friendliest animals in another part of the world......

I'm not sure when this movie will be out in Hong Kong, or whether DVD will be sold in Hong Kong, but just keep a firm eye on this movie, if you care enough for this intelligent animal.

It doesn't just happen in Japan, but also happened in Denmark... *Warning* Only click this if you think you can stand the cruelty




Interesting Facts about Dolphins

They are not only very clever, very friendly, very calm and very gentle, they are also unbelievably helpful:

They are Speech-Therapists

They are Physiotherapists

If you also want to help save the dolphins, there are many ways to do so. One is to educate more people and spread the message of dolphins conservation to your dear friends and family members, another is to support the WWF, and another one is to assist the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society in their work.

If you want to know how else we can save the dolphins, please visit http://www.takepart.com/thecove


Resources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1313104/news#ni2979224
http://www.thecovemovie.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cove_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayden_Panettiere


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uMvZwRUECQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k62kc07m1Dc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3chsx1gpyjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIbMKszOXWc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDY5lxd5Zc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOQRC7Z2KEU


www.wwf.org.hk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Dolphin_Conservation_Society
http://www.takepart.com/thecove

News Article: Oil Issues -- Is 10-Year-Old Smarter Than BP?

Came across this video while I was reading the news on Yahoo today.

Interesting, huh? Can a kid be really smarter than the experts at the oil company? Maybe he really can be smarter, because when one is part of something, he can feel quite like a rat in a maze.

While oil is still leaking non-stop in the Atlantic side of the world, back in Asia-Pacific side, price of the oil seems to be dropping, as the fuel surcharge for flights is to be cut in July.


From the Standard,

Hong Kong route fuels lift for airline Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Image from Boeing.com Singapore Airlines is optimistic about passenger demand rising in the second half, after its load factor recovered to pre-crisis levels, Hong Kong general manager David Lim said. Capacity on the Hong Kong-Singapore route rose by 15 percent as of June but overall capacity is expected to rise 2 percent amid market uncertainties, Lim added yesterday. Its East Asia load factor jumped to 77.2 percent last month from 62.1 percent a year ago, surpassing the 71 percent posted in May 2008 before the global financial turmoil. SIA and Cathay Pacific Airways (0293) will cut their passenger fuel surcharge in July, the Civil Aviation Department said. The surcharge for short-haul flights will drop 4.55 percent to HK$105 per person while that for longer flights will be 2.1 percent less at HK$513. Meanwhile, the number of people arriving in Singapore from Hong Kong surged 20 percent year-on- year to 138,000 in the first five months, the Singapore Tourism Board said. Tourists from the SAR to the Lion City in the first week of June soared 58 percent from a year earlier because of new attractions such as Resort World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore, said Vincent Huang, the board's Hong Kong and Macau area director. MANDY LO

Do you remember that I wrote 2 articles on Singapore, one on photo-taking and one on food and drinks? I wrote them because I knew trips to Singapore will get popular, but never expected the popularity rise to be so great.

Well, I'm not going there this summer to compete with the crowd. I'm planning to visit Tokyo for my very first time instead. Do you guys have any suggestions for me in terms of the look-and-see and the shop-and-play?


I hope for nice seafood, but I will feel sick if I see whale / dolphin meat. Why do I say this? Wait for my Friday entry......


Vocabulary:
Like a rat in a maze -- (metaphor) to be in a confused situation or to be confused.


Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo0mrSU3rO8
http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/is-bp-smarter-than-a-10-year-old-20467971
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=2&art_id=99697&sid=28672685&con_type=1&d_str=20100623&fc=4
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/04/travelling-and-living-lockys-top-10.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/05/travelling-and-living-lockys-top-10.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=pqlRO2jdI2gC&pg=PA588&lpg=PA588&dq="like+a+rat+in+a+maze"+"idiom"&source=bl&ots=zEYNxm3W7N&sig=wLxpzkEze1RyuhfxQcehMisWcGs&hl=en&ei=_b0hTKWxBMaecbjWjCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22like%20a%20rat%20in%20a%20maze%22%20%22idiom%22&f=false

Business Vocabulary: The Cogs -- The Sales Group

So, hope everyone has learnt the business vocabulary well so far, and this entry will mark the last chapter of "The Cogs".


The Sales Group will focus on the sales and marketing side.


Cold Caller - Someone who makes unexpected calls to an unknown household, often for making that person a customer.

Image from mytrsoft

Telemarketer - Someone who markets various goods to people over a phone.  Basically the same thing as a Cold Caller.

Image from cartoonstock

Name Dropper - Someone who tries to gain popularity by pretending that famous people are his/her friends.

The girl in black is a name dropper herself.

Image from cartoonstock

Glad Hander - Someone who is overly friendly with a stranger in order to gain an advantage.

Image from westsidetoastmasters

Mover & Shaker -  Someone who has power and influence in some field or activity.

Image from cartoonstock

Two-Face - Someone hypocritical or deceiving; A person who will say one thing to your face, and a different thing behind your back.

Image from Cartoonstock

The Mingler - A person who tends to join or take part in a conversation with others at random, especially during parties. A very social person who is always hanging out with other people.

Image from cartoonstock

Image from cartoonstock

Mr. Hollywood - A term for someone who is very flashy.

Image from ToontownWikia

V.P. - Vice President. An executive officer ranking immediately below a president; may serve in the president's place under certain circumstances. (This is not referring to the President of the United States, however. True name is, though, Senior V.P.)






Enjoy your learning!


Resources:
http://toontown.wikia.com/wiki/Cog_Name_Definitions


http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/glad-hander
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/glad-hand
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mover_and_shaker

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/two-faced

Movie: She's The Man

Just as you think Facebook's status "It's Complicated" is complicated enough, wait till you watch this movie! She's The Man is a teens-oriented movie released back in 2006 but it is filled with fun and humour. 

It talks about a teenage girl named Viola (Amanda Bynes) who enjoys playing football a lot sees her girls' football team at Cornwall getting axed. She wants to join the boys' team but she is turned down. Her boyfriend, Justin, chooses not to support her and so they break up.

On the other hand, Viola's brother, Sebastian, who is supposed to enter Illyria as a new student, plans to fly to London to play in a music festival, so he asks Viola to cover for him by telling the school that he is sick. 

Viola, realising that she resembles her brother physically, decides to disguise as Sebastian in order to join the boys' football team at Illyria instead. She hopes to beat the Cornwall boys' soccer team and humiliate her goalie ex-boyfriend.

And this is when all the fun begins!!

This movie has many charming young guys, which suits the ladies' taste...

pretty school girls to suit the guys'...Talks about all the troubles that Viola faces disguising as her brother...

The lines and twists in the movie are just so hilariously intelligent ...and Amanda Bynes really rocks! She IS A STAR!!! She's immensely intelligent, she's cool, she's got style, she's bubbly, she's no pushover! There is no better actress to play Viola than Amanda Bynes and she is just so talented!

The movie is young, and even watching it makes you find energy! Although it is not a new movie, it has to be one of the best and my favourite teen movies ever!!! So go get the DVD! There is slang to learn (including those you use to curse someone) and the DVD should be cheap!

I also like the theme song by the Veronicas -- 4ever

Here's something extra, an interview with Channing Tatum and Amanda Bynes

Vocabulary:

resembles -- (vb)[T] to look like or be like someone or something

immensely -- (adv) extremely

bubbly -- (adj) informal (especially of a woman or girl) attractively full of energy and enthusiasm

pushover -- (n) [C usually singular] informal something that is easy to do or to win, or someone who is easily persuaded or influenced or defeated

Resources:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454945/synopsis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3MTWRXWvtc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9QZrhXa-yY

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/resemble#resemble__3

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/immensely

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bubbly_1

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pushover

News: Ban On Vuvuzela After Players and Fans Complain? Not!

Image from VOANews.com

Just how do you feel about this unique South African musical instruments?

Let's first take a look at how an ESPN commentator feels about it:

How about the footballers? What do they think?

From BBC News,

England defender Jamie Carragher said the noise did not bother him when he came on as a half-time substitute during the 1-1 draw with the United States and he said he had already bought two to take home to his children in Liverpool.


"When I came on I didn't notice it too much. I think you notice it more when you are watching on TV," he said.


"But my kids have been on the phone and asked for two so I'll have to take two home for them. I've got two in my bag already.


"Anyone who watches me play at Anfield will know that I am louder than the vuvuzelas!"


..........


A recent survey found that the sound emitted by a vuvuzela was the equivalent to 127 decibels - louder than a drum's 122 decibels or a referee's whistle at 121.8 decibels.


Portugal star Ronaldo is the latest World Cup star to voice unease about the instrument.


"It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate," said the Real Madrid forward. "A lot of players don't like them but they are going to have to get used to them."

France captain Patrice Evra blamed the noise generated by the vuvuzelas for his side's poor showing in their opening group game against Uruguay, which finished goalless.


He added: "We can't sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas. People start playing them from 6am.


"We can't hear one another out on the pitch because of them."

I personally think it resembles a mosquito flying in and out of my ear trying to land successfully and bite me because I have covered my entire body, except the head part, with quilt. Ooo... This is a memory I am never fond of, but memory stays, the noise stays as long as I have ears and there are mosquitoes, and the sounds of the vuvuzela also stays, as long as the World Cup is still on going.

Well, you have vuvuzela, I have electronic filter!

From VOAnews.com,
The BBC says it may start to filter out the sound of vuvuzelas from its World Cup broadcasts, following complaints about the incessant drone.

The BBC said Tuesday it had received 545 complaints from viewers, forcing officials to look into options to reduce the noise from the plastic trumpets.

One option would be to offer an electronic filter that reduces most of the ambient noise while maintaining the game commentary. 

Football coaches, players and reporters have all complained about the constant din generated by thousands of vuvuzelas at the stadiums.  However, FIFA officials say the horns are a South African tradition and will not be banned.


Let's see who wins?



Resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-rKemC0QI0
http://www.youtube.com/v/9wmSqoL1izU&hl

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8737455.stm

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/World-Cup-South-Africa-2010-Pressure-Grows-For-Ban-On-Vuvuzela-After-Players-And-Fans-Complain/Article/201006215648670?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15648670_World_Cup_South_Africa_2010:_Pressure_Grows_For_Ban_On_Vuvuzela_After_Players_And_Fans_Complain

http://www1.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news/sports/BBC-May-Filter-Out-Vuvuzelas-from-Broadcasts-96393404.html