News & People: Stephen Fry in Hong Kong

If you are a Dr. House fan, if you are a Hugh Laurie fan, ...

Image from House MD Episodes 

... if you are a Blackadder fan, ...

Image from Free Republic

... you have no reason not to know how his dear Cambridge friend is......

Image from Ray Frensham World

... his name, Stephen Fry, and he is in Hong Kong!!!

Stephen Fry: Humour Should Transcend Language at Book Fair Internationally celebrated actor and writer Stephen Fry says his style of humour should strike a chord at the open forums he will join with other British authors next month in Hong Kong as part of the 21st edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, 21-27 July.Mr Fry was interviewed in London by entrepreneur and author Sir David Tang ahead of the Hong Kong Book Fair, and their chat is now available on the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) webcast service at www.youtube.com/hktdc. “I think most human beings have the full range of emotions, and I think it is a fallacy to imagine that language constrains, confines – or indeed, if you like, is the parent of any modes of thought,” said Mr Fry in the 17 June interview. Mr Fry, who will join fellow authors Frederick Forsyth and Andrew Roberts at the forums moderated by Sir David, also said he hopes to read excerpts from his upcoming memoirs, which cover his Cambridge University years, when he met his long-time friend and collaborator actress Emma Thompson. The book is due to be released in September. About Stephen Fry Stephen Fry is an active player in television, radio, film and writing. He first came to attention in The Cellar Tapes with Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Tony Slattery. With Hugh Laurie, he co-wrote and co-starred in A Bit of Fry and Laurie. Fry is best known for his role in Blackadder, the lead in the film Wilde, and the host of the quiz show, QI. He also presented a television series Stephen Fry in America in 2008 and frequented radio panel games such as Just a Minute, and as chairman of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. He is also famous for being the narrator of the Harry Potter audio books. Apart from his work in the television and film industry, Fry is also a very accomplished writer of books as well as newspaper and magazine columns and articles. He has written four novels – The Liar, Making History, The Hippopotamus and The Stars’ Tennis Balls, a modern version of The Count of Monte Cristo – and an autobiography, Moab Is My Washpot. His non-fiction titles included Stephen Fry's Incomplete and Utter History of Classical Music, The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within and more. Don’t miss the chance to meet Mr Fry at the Open Public forum. Date: 23 July (Friday) Venue: Theatre 2, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Time: 6pm-8pm (Autograph session to follow)Click here to register NOW! Date: 24 July (Saturday) Venue: Loke Yew Hall, The University of Hong Kong Time: 10am-1pmClick here to register now!

Here's the interview:

Oh! I would LOVE to, LOVE to go! But I don't think I can go this Friday. Saturday is waiting list... Well, at least I think I finally have my targets in this book fair.



Vocabulary:
Strike a chord -- If something strikes a chord, it causes people to approve of it or agree with it
fallacy -- (n)  [C] formal an idea that a lot of people think is true but which is false
constrain -- (vb)  [T often passive] to control and limit something
confine -- (vb) [T] to limit an activity, person or problem in some way


Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/01/tv-drama-house-with-medical-terms.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/12/tv-drama-black-adder-for-english-lovers.html

http://www.stephenfry.com/
http://www.hkbookfair.com/en/News_FairNewsPage.aspx?id=1792
http://www.hktdc.com/info/webcast/v/en/en/1X04AOEM/Stephen-Fry-speaks-with-Sir-David-Tang-about-the-HKTDC-Hong-Kong-Book-Fair-.htm

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/strike-a-chord#strike-a-chord__1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/fallacy
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/constrain
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/confine

News and Song: Back For Good & Pray -- Take That

Remember that I recommended a song by Robbie Williams in the past? She's the One? Wanna see Robbie returning to Take That? Now there is a chance!

Take That: From boyband to manband Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams were hailed as Britain's biggest boyband in the 1990s, evoking hysteria reminiscent of The Beatles. By Laura Roberts Published: 7:30AM BST 16 Jul 2010 From left: Jason Orange, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Michael Owen and (separate pic) Robbie Williams. Photo: REUTERS - PAUL GROVER Teenage girls screamed to hit after hit including Back For Good, Pray and A Million Love Songs. The band had eight number one hits and sold 10 million albums during the 1990s. But tensions began to show between Barlow, seen as the serious songwriter of the group, and Williams. Williams walked out in 1995. The band broke up in February 1996 and fans were so distraught that the Samaritans set up a special helpline. They reformed a decade later without Williams, after appearing in a tell-all ITV documentary watched by nearly six million viewers. Barlow confirmed the news with the words: "Thank you very much for giving us the last 10 years off, but unfortunately the rumours are true - Take That are going back on tour." Take That's comeback anthem Patience went straight to number one and won a Brit Award for best British single. The band have continued their success and saw their 2009 stadium tour The Circus - Live smashing UK box office records. Asked about the possibility of rejoining Take That, Williams told GQ previously: "It will happen. But not in the next 18 months, two years. "There's contracts to fulfil. And then I can do what I want." Williams has also spoken of a "healing" chat he had with Take That in 2008 while the band were mixing The Circus in Los Angeles. For his part, Barlow has said it was "inevitable" that Williams would perform with the group again. Williams was reunited with the band by sharing a stage during a Children In Need concert last year. The singer has already revealed he is releasing a single, Shame, with Barlow, the first time they have recorded together for 15 years.

Since the article mentioned three songs, I'm picking the better two and let's see what we can learn from their past. Have an easy weekend!



Back For Good -- with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b960CyRtoyM

"Back For Good" lyrics: 

I guess now it's time for me to give up
I feel it's time
Got a picture of you beside me
Got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup
Got a fist of pure emotion
Got a head of shattered dreams
Gotta leave it, gotta leave it all behind now

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good 
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

Unaware but underlined I figured out this story
It wasn't good
But in the corner of my mind I celebrated glory
But that was not to be
In the twist of separation you excelled at being free
Can't you find a little room inside for me

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

And we'll be together, this time is forever
We'll be fighting and forever we will be
So complete in our love
We will never be uncovered again

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood

I guess now it's time
that you came back for good

**************************************************************




"Pray" lyrics

When the time gets near for me to show my love
The longer I stayed away for hiding from a word
I need to hear now don't think I'll hear it again
But the nights were always warm with you
holding you right by my side,
But the morning always comes too soon
Before I even close my eyes

All I do each night is pray
Hoping that I'll be a part of you again someday
All I do each night is think of all the times
I close the door to keep my love within

If you can't forgive the past I'll understand that
Can't understand why I did this to you
And all of the days and the nights ok I'll regret it
I never showed you my love
But the nights were always warm with you
Holding you right by my side
But the morning always comes too soon
Before I even close my eyes

All I do each night is pray
Hoping that I'll be a part of you again someday
All I do each night is think of all the times
I close the door to keep my love within

Surely we must be in sight of the dream we long to live
If you stop and close your eyes you'll picture me inside
I'm so cold and all alone, straight on back to me

All I do each night is pray
Hoping that I'll be a part of you again someday
All I do each night is think of all the times
I close the door to keep my love within


**************************************************************

Vocabulary:
hail sb/sth as sth --

phrasal verb 

[often passive] 

to praise a person or an achievement by saying that they are similar to someone or something very good
distraught -- (adj) extremely worried, nervous or upset
shatter -- (vb) [T] to end or severely damage something
for good -- forever


Homework: What do the Samaritans do?


Resource:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/05/song-shes-one-robbie-williams.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/7893493/Take-That-From-boyband-to-manband.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzNNF_d3wA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b960CyRtoyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy-Z3LnYh-I

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Pray-lyrics-Take-That/C42BC29DA74ECF6348256897001D0F50
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Back-For-Good-lyrics-Take-That/7B065127AABC1E6248256897001D77F4

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/hail-sb-sth-as-sth#hail-sb-sth-as-sth__2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/distraught
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shatter
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/good_15#good_15__3

News and Vocabulary: Bawang and Chinese Herbs (Chinese Herbs Part 2)

Just as I have posted my previous article 2 days ago, what a news today!

Image from YouTube

What news? This one in Bloomberg:

Bawang International Group Holding Ltd., a Chinese herbal shampoo maker that uses movie star Jackie Chan in its advertising campaigns, tumbled 14 percent to HK$5.05. Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch & Co. said if a report by Hong Kong’s Next magazine that cancer causing element was found in Bawang’s shampoo was true, that could hurt product sales and the market will react “negatively,” according to a research report today. Image from AAStocks

Hair isn't so bouncy any more now, huh?

And so what Chinese herbs are in the shampoo? Do you know what they are called in English? I did a little research:

Image from Bawang Official Website

Radix Polygoni Multiflori /  Polygonum multiflorum(何首烏)	Ganoderma (靈芝) Image from Mushroom the Journal
Ginseng (人參)Image from Explore Chinatown

Image from Bawang Official Website

Notoginseng (樂道三七 / 田七)  Image from china-guide	Chinese Honey Locust (皂莢) Image from Wikimedia
Peppermint (胡椒薄荷)	Arborvitae (側柏) Image from Earth Forest

Image from Bawang Official Website

Ginseng (人參)Image from Explore Chinatown	Notoginseng (樂道三七 / 田七)  Image from china-guide
Gingko leaf (銀杏葉) Image from DailyMail

There are many more products, but I guess there are enough vocabulary for the day.

Happy hair-washing!!

Vocabulary:
tumble -- (vb) to fall a lot in value in a short time
bouncy -- (adj) able to bounce


Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/07/drink-hung-fook-tong-herbal-drinks.html
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-14/hong-kong-s-stock-index-advances-to-two-week-high-lenovo-jumps.html
http://www.bawang.com.cn/English/productinfo.asp?Newid=1
http://www.bawang.com.cn/English/productinfo.asp?Newid=2
http://www.bawang.com.cn/English/productinfo.asp?Newid=3

http://www.traditionalchinesemedicineguide.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonum_multiflorum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganoderma
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginseng
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notoginseng
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_honey_locust
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arborvitae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tumble_1#tumble_1__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bouncy

Drink: Hung Fook Tong Herbal Drinks (Chinese Herbs Part 1)

Hot, hot, hot! But that doesn't stop me from playing football. And when I finished playing my game, I need something to rehydrate myself. So, what's there to drink?

Pocari Sweat? Lucozade? Or Chinese herbal tea? Well, it depends on the price and the sugar content level, but you can't learn much if you drink the former two......

We can see Chinese medicine everywhere now, in drinks, in tortoise jelly, shampoo, but do you ever wonder what they are called in English?

Here's Part 1 of my research:

Liquorice root (甘草) Image from topnews.in	Chrysanthemum (菊花)
Honeysuckle Flower (金銀花) Image from Atiko Fianti's Weblog	Sugarcane (蔗) Image from Cairns
American Ginseng (花旗参) Image from Blogger	Canton Love-pes Vine (雞骨草) Image from DGAGRI
Honey Dates (蜜棗) Image from Rasa Malaysia	Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (川貝母)

Vocabulary:
Rehydration -- (n)[U] the process of putting water into someone's body when they are suffering from dehydration (= a lack of water)

Resources:
http://www.pocarisweat.com.ph/
http://www.lucozade.com/
http://www.hungfooktong.com/products_1_1.php?language=en
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/01/health-and-fitness-liquorice-root-2nd.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/02/food-festive-puddings.html
http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/lifestyles/chinese_tea_traditional.html

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

News Article: Top 10 Crazy Diego Maradona Moments

And so, you heard part of my complaints about Maradona's Argentina team...Wait, I shall say "the ways he handled the Argentina team". But am I the only one who has problems with his management / non-management?


Here's an article:

Top 10 crazy Diego Maradona moments of the World Cup 2010-07-05 09:55:59 Last Updated: 2010-07-05 12:55:46   South Africa 2010 has been dominated by the hilarious antics of a certain Diego Armando Maradona. We look at the Top 10 moments of the Mundial: 10) Maradona & His Amazing Garce-Coloured Dreamcoat There was widespread anger when Argentina record-cap holder Javier Zanetti was left at home, despite a brilliant treble-winning season with Inter. Rumour has it that virtually unknown Colon veteran Ariel Garce was called up instead because Maradona had a dream that Argentina won the tournament, and Garce was the only player he could remember! 9) I Told You So About Milito How about this for irony? After controversially leaving Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso out of his original 30-man World Cup squad there were reports that Maradona would then cut another Interista Diego Milito from the final 23. When the 1986-World Cup winner did indeed retain Milito, he mocked the media and public by humorously making out as if he was the only person who believed in the striker: “Milito ended up confirming I was right in including him among the 23 players I'm taking to the World Cup. I'm not surprised about what Milito has done.” Milito bagged a brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, blasted home the only goal of the Coppa Italia final and scored the winner over Siena that clinched the Scudetto for Inter, scoring 30 club goals in all competitions. Check out our blog: Would you want Maradona as a boss? 8) Maradona Runs Over Cameraman & Curses The Man Maradona had enough to worry about on the day he formally announced his 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa, however the announcement turned into a farce after the coach ran over a cameraman. Driving a Mini to a news conference, Diego was surrounded by newsmen as he made his way to the venue before hitting one poor guy with his car. According to reports, Maradona drove his car over the cameraman's foot and then began blaming and hurling insults at his victim for causing the accident in the first place. Witnesses were quoted hearing Maradona saying "What an a**hole you are. How can you put your leg there where it can get run over, man?" See how Diego’s God-given genius with the ball has not deserted him despite his mature age of 49. 7) Maradona Encourages Players To Have Sex Maradona is like the cool teacher at high school who lets you eat and drink in class, answer your mobile during lessons, and not wear proper uniform. When quizzed whether he permitted his players to have sex during the World Cup, Dieguito is reported to have responded: “Of course, as long as the women do all the work.” Team doctor Donato Villani added: “Sex is a normal part of social life and is not a problem. The disadvantages are when it is with someone who is not a stable partner or when the player should be resting. “It is important the action should not reverberate in the legs of the players. Sex isn't a problem. It's only a problem if they're doing it at two in the morning with a bottle of champagne on the go." 6) Naked In Buenos Aires Argentina have been in fantastic form in South Africa so far, and are looking like a real potential winner. Maradona has promised that if the Albiceleste lift the trophy in South Africa after the World Cup final on July 11 he'll run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires. "If we win the World Cup, I'll get naked and run around the Obelisk in the centre of the city," Dieguito smiled. FIFA World Cup 5) We All Know What The French Are Like In the early stages of the tournament, Maradona lashed out at UEFA president Michel Platini. At a press conference, Dieguito called for Platini to try the controversial Adidas Jabulani match ball which has not impressed 'El Pelusa'. "Platini, I'm not surprised with him because we've always had a distant relationship." he revealed. "Hello, Goodbye! We all know how the French are, and Platini is French and believes he is better than the rest." 4) All The Losers, Line Up During a training session in Pretoria, Maradona punished the losers of a mini-match by making them line up in the goal and have the ball pelted at them by the winning opponents. Diego joined the recipients – including Kun Aguero and Walter Samuel - in receiving the lashes.  Maradona's crazy team spirit training session 3) Maradona Prefers Women After thrashing South Korea 4-1 in Argentina’s second match, Maradona was asked at the post-match press conference why he always hugs and kisses his players when celebrating, to which he replied that he was definitely straight. "Well I still prefer women,” Diego proclaimed. “I am dating Veronica who is blond and 31-years-old. No I have not gone limp wristed [homosexual]. But I like to acknowledge and congratulate my players when they play as well as they did today. That was a pleasing result and display. It was a job well done." World Cup Comment: Germany Have A New Engine In Bastian Schweinsteiger 2) Pele Should Go Back To The Museum One thing that was guaranteed to happen this World Cup was a verbal war of words between eternal enemies Maradona and Pele. In response to Pele's assertion that Maradona only took the Albiceleste coaching job because he needed the money, the Argentine declared that ‘The Jinx’ should "go back to the museum". Maradona also earlier accused Pele of failing to support the South African World Cup and the country itself. "When the tragedy happened to the Togolese team before the Africa Cup of Nations, a certain coloured gentleman who played number 10 didn't believe that the World Cup could be played here", he roared. "But today South Africa answers him 'yes it can', the World Cup begins." Uruguay, Netherlands, Germany & Spain - Who Will Win World Cup 2010? 1) No One Takes Free Kicks Like Diego The 2010 World Cup has been a disaster for long-shots and free kicks, with the majority of players struggling terribly to get to grips with the Jabulani. But, one person, who has had no problems handling the much-maligned World Cup ball is Maradona, as he fired home free kick after free kick into the top corner during training. Powered by: Goal.com

Lots of vocabulary here, but take your time. We'll have lots of time before we'll see the next news about Maradona, since Maradona's future (is) in his own hands.Brazil's manager Dunga wasn't so lucky.


Vocabulary:

dominate -- (vb) [I or T] often disapproving to have control over a place or a person, or to be the most important person or thing
hilarious -- (adj) extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter
antics -- (n) plural funny, silly or strange behaviour
treble -- predeterminer three times greater in amount, number or size
irony -- (n)[U] a means of expression which suggests a different, usually humorous or angry, meaning for the words used
retain -- (vb)[T] slightly formal to keep or continue to have something
mock -- (vb)[T] slightly formal to laugh at someone, often by copying them in a funny but unkind way
brace -- [C] (plural brace) two things of the same type, especially two wild birds that have been killed for sport or food
clinch -- (vb)[T] informal to finally get or win something
hurl -- (vb)[T] to throw something with a lot of force, usually in an angry or violent way
reverberate -- (vb) [I + adverb or preposition] If an event or idea reverberates somewhere, it has an effect on everyone or everything in a place or group
lash out -- phrasal verb to suddenly attack someone or something physically or criticise them in an angry way
controversial -- (adj) causing disagreement or discussion
pelt -- [T] to throw a number of things quickly at someone or something
limp wristed -- (adj) offensive describes a man who seems, by his manner, to be homosexual
Jinx -- (n)[S] bad luck, or a person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck
malign -- (vb) [T often passive] to say false and unpleasant things about someone or to unfairly criticize them

Resources:
http://sify.com/sports/top-10-crazy-diego-maradona-moments-of-the-world-cup-news-football-khfjTXifhhj.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/dominate
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/hilarious
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/antics
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/treble_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/irony_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/retain
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/mock_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/brace_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/clinch_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/hurl#hurl__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/reverberate_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lash-out#lash-out__2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/controversial
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pelt_1#pelt_1__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/limp-wristed
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/jinx
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/malign_2#malign_2__3

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/806652/ce/uk/

Message: This is Definitely NOT me!

FYI, I'm NOT Dr. King.