THE LONDON 2012 MASCOTS: WENLOCK AND MANDEVILLE

They’re the official London 2012 mascots: Wenlock, the Olympic mascot and Mandeville, the Paralympic mascot.

They were created from the last two drops of British steel used for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium. That’s why they’re so shiny, reflecting the people, places and things they meet along the way as they travel around the UK. You might see yourself reflected if they meet you!

Wenlock, the official mascot for the London 2012 Olympic Games

Its name is inspired by Much Wenlock in Shropshire, a town that is at the heart of Olympic history. In the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was invited there to watch the ‘Much Wenlock Games’ inspired by the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. De Coubertin was inspired by the Wenlock Games too, and went on to found the modern Olympic movement. The Much Wenlock Games are still held annually to this day!

Its most distinctive features

The light on its head is inspired by the lights on London’s iconic black taxis. The shape of the front of its head is based on the shape of the Olympic Stadium roof. Its eye is a camera lens, capturing everything It sees as It goes...

The three points on its head represent the places on the podium where successful athletes stand to receive their medals.

Mandeville, the official mascot for the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Its name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. On the same day as the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Sir Ludwig Guttmann held his own sport competition in Stoke Mandeville for World War II soldiers with spinal injuries. It was no coincidence – Sir Ludwig dreamed of a ‘parallel Olympics’ for athletes with disabilities. The Stoke Mandeville Games grew and grew until they became the Paralympic Games.

Its most distinctive features

Its eye is a camera lens, capturing everything It sees as It goes. On its head are three prongs – they represent the three parts of the Paralympic emblem.

The light on its head is inspired by the lights found on London’s iconic black taxis!

 THE LONDON 2012 MASCOTS WEBSITE: GAMES, VIDEOS, NEWS...

COUNTDOWN TO LONDON 2012

With one year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, preparations are on track and London’s vision to host a Games that inspires the world is set to become reality. 

The Games next year will mark the end of a decade-long project, after London won the bid in 2005 based on a vision to stage Games that would have athletes at its heart, inspire young people and be a catalyst for lasting change.

London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair Seb Coe said: 'With a year to go we are inviting the athletes, spectators and visitors from around the world to come to the UK next summer – it’s ‘London Calling’. Waiting for them will be a spectacular festival of sport and culture in the world’s greatest city, which will be more magical and vibrant than ever.

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis visits London City Airport to unveil a special British Airways aircraft celebrating the countdown to London 2012.

The Airbus A318 aircraft has been emblazoned with 'one year to go' on its belly, and will be operating on the British Airways London City service to New York.

BIG BEN IN LONDON

When one speaks of visiting London, Big Ben is a must-see. This four-faced freestanding clock is the third largest clock tower in the world. 

It was in 1288 when a clock tower was established at Westminster. The Chief Justice of King’s Bench at that time, Ralph Hengham financed the construction of the tower using the money accumulated from the fine collected. When the old Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire on that fateful night of October 1834 everything was destroyed. So the palace instructed their chief architect, Charles Barry to design the palace using Neo-gothic style as inspiration. Hand in hand with Augustus Pugin who designed the present 316-ft clock tower, the new palace was built.

It may be one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the world, but the insides of the tower remains unseen by the general public because of security reasons. However, at certain times, press people and other personalities are given right of entry.

The faces of each of the four clocks are placed in an iron frame, which measures 23 ft in diameter. It owes its stained-glass window look to the 312 pieces opal glass embedded on the face. At the bottom of each clock “Domine Salvam Fac Reginam Nostram Victoriam Primam” is written, which means, “O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria First.”

This magnificent and picturesque clock tower attracts a lot of vacationers and guests annually. 

THE BRITISH MUSEUM IN LONDON

One of  the most interesting place to see in London is the British Museum. The British Museum displays a wealth of British masterpieces which include some of the famous antiquities and documents that are related to British history. The four most common masterpieces that attract the world are the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles and the Great Court.

The Rosetta Stone is more than 2,200 years old and stands one meter high. It was discovered in the year 1799 which led the Hieroglyphics Decoder. The same message was written on the Rosetta Stone in three different languages.

The second most important tourist attraction is Elgin Marbles. All the ancient sculptures in Elgin Marbles were Greek. However, in the 19th century, Lord Elgin brought them to England. The critics say that since these sculptures were originally Greek, it should be returned to Greece.

Another great attraction is the Great Court. This is a sizable court of Queen Elizabeth II and is a sight worth visiting. The court also has a reading room, which is in the middle of the courtyard. It looks more like an old fashion library that has high ceilings ad long tables. The court is now open for public viewing. All these interesting historic facts make the British Museum worth a visit.

Official British Museum Website: THE BRITISH MUSEUM

CAMDEN MARKET - LONDON

One of the biggest attractions in London are street markets.

Camden is the best of all London street markets.

The largest street market in the UK, Camden’s markets attract around 500,000 visitors each week. The various markets located in Camden Town, collectively known as Camden Market, are Camden Lock Market, Camden Stables Market, Camden Canal Market, Inverness Street Market, and Buck Street Market. 

Camden Lock Market, located by the canal, was originally a craft market, but now has a much wider range of goods on sale. The popular Camden Stables Market is the center of the alternative fashion scene and is world renowned as the place to shop for alternative clothing. No visit to Camden Town is complete without stopping at one of the many pubs, clubs and bars which vary in range from the trendy fashionista hang-outs to the good old family joints.

SONG: I BELIEVE I CAN FLY - Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams and the Soul Children of Chicago directed by Walt Whitman sing "I Believe I Can Fly" at the Concert for World Children's Day in 2002. 
Fantastic song.

"I Believe I Can Fly"

I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[Chorus:]
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly

See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh

If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[Chorus]

Hey, cause I believe in me, oh

If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

[Chorus]

Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Fly-eye-eye 

 

MACHU PICCHU DISCOVERED 100 YEARS AGO

On July 24, 1911, American archeologist Hiram Bingham gets his first look at Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world's top tourist destinations.

Tucked away in the rocky countryside northwest of Cuzco, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a summer retreat for Inca leaders, whose civilization was virtually wiped out by Spanish invaders in the 16th century. For hundreds of years afterwards, its existence was a secret known only to the peasants living in the region. That all changed in the summer of 1911, when Bingham arrived with a small team of explorers to search for the famous "lost" cities of the Incas.

Traveling on foot and by mule, Bingham and his team made their way from Cuzco into the Urubamba Valley, where a local farmer told them of some ruins located at the top of a nearby mountain. The farmer called the mountain Machu Picchu, which meant "Old Peak" in the native Quechua language. The next day--July 24--after a tough climb to the mountain's ridge in cold and drizzly weather, Bingham met a small group of peasants who showed him the rest of the way. Led by an 11-year-old boy, Bingham got his first glimpse of the intricate network of stone terraces marking the entrance to Machu Picchu.

The excited Bingham spread the word about his discovery in a best-selling book, sending hordes of eager tourists flocking to Peru to follow in his footsteps up the Inca trail. The site itself stretches an impressive five miles, with over 3,000 stone steps linking its many different levels. Today, more than 300,000 people tramp through Machu Picchu every year, braving crowds and landslides to see the sun set over the towering stone monuments of the "Sacred City" and marvel at the mysterious splendor of one of the world's most famous man-made wonders.

FIRST MAN ON THE MOON

On 21 July 1969, American Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon.

Eagle landing craft.

As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

He described the surface as being like powdered charcoal and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep.

Take off

On 16 July 1969, the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 into the sky from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The Crew

Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins

The Lunar Module

To land on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin used a lunar module nicknamed Eagle.

When they landed Neil sent the following message back to Earth: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Everything is achievable

A remarkable achievement especially as no human being had ever been in space prior to 1961. Within a short space of only 8 years, we had learned not only how to send someone into space but also to land safely on the moon.

PETER TOSH

Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh (19 October[1] 1944 – 11 September 1987), was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a major member of the musical band The Wailers (1963-1974), and who afterward had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari.

Peter Tosh was born in Grange Hill, Jamaica with a father and mother too young to care for him properly. He was raised by his aunt. He began to sing and learn guitar at an early age, inspired by American radio stations. After a notable career with The Wailers and as a solo musician, he was murdered at his home during a robbery.

BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
LYRICS

JETHRO TULL

Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967.[1] Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.

Initially playing blues rock with an experimental flavour, they have also incorporated elements of classical music, folk music, jazz, hard rock and art rock into their music.

One of the world's best-selling music artists, the band has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide[1] in a career that has spanned more than forty years.

HISTORY
JETHRO TULL WEBSITE
LYRICS









"Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young To Die"


The old Rocker wore his hair too long,

wore his trouser cuffs too tight.

Unfashionable to the end --- drank his ale too light.

Death's head belt buckle --- yesterday's dreams ---

the transport caf' prophet of doom.

Ringing no change in his double-sewn seams

in his post-war-babe gloom.


Now he's too old to Rock'n'Roll but he's too young to die.


He once owned a Harley Davidson and a Triumph Bonneville.

Counted his friends in burned-out spark plugs

and prays that he always will.

But he's the last of the blue blood greaser boys

all of his mates are doing time:

married with three kids up by the ring road

sold their souls straight down the line.

And some of them own little sports cars

and meet at the tennis club do's.

For drinks on a Sunday --- work on Monday.

They've thrown away their blue suede shoes.


Now they're too old to Rock'n'Roll and they're too young to die.


So the old Rocker gets out his bike

to make a ton before he takes his leave.

Up on the A1 by Scotch Corner

just like it used to be.

And as he flies --- tears in his eyes ---

his wind-whipped words echo the final take

and he hits the trunk road doing around 120

with no room left to brake.


And he was too old to Rock'n'Roll but he was too young to die.

No, you're never too old to Rock'n'Roll if you're too young to die.

SAN FERMIN GAME

 

START GAME AND HAVE FUN!

WRITER, JOHN HEMINGWAY, IS AWARDED THE “GUIRY DEL AÑO” 2011

North-American writer, John Patrick Hemingway received the VIII Kukuxumusu Guiri del Año Award  at Key West (Florida). This award is bestowed each year on a foreigner in acknowledgement of his passion and fervor for Sanfermin fiestas and his connection with the popular fiestas in Iruñea/Pamplona. It so happens that this year, 2011, is the 50th anniversary of the death of Ernest Hemingway, the paternal grandfather of the award winner.

Mikel Urmeneta, founder-member and creative director of Kukuxumusu, went down to Key West (Florida-USA) to personally hand over the award at an event which took place in what was once the house of Ernest Hemingway himself, in Key West. Mister Testis, the Kukuxumusu blue bull, did not wish to miss the party and he also managed to make his way there for the award ceremony which was held in the very same office -now closed to the public- where Hemingway wrote his Taurino book - Death in the Afternoon (1932), inspired by the bullfights he had first seen in the Pamplona bullring during Sanfermin.

COMMERCIALS

A TV Commercial or a television Advertisement

is a notice or display advertising something on TV.

Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience (viewers, readers or listeners) to purchase or take some action on products, ideas, or services.

It includes the name of a product or service and how that product or service could benefit the consumer, to persuade a target market to purchase or to consume that particular brand . 

 

A television commercial or television advertisement (often just commercial, advert, or ad) is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message.

Most television advertisements today consist of brief advertising spots, ranging in length from a few seconds to several minutes.
The effect of commercial advertisements on the viewing public has been successful and powerful.

To Emphasize the POWER OF MUSIC in commercials, watch the next TV advert from Thailand with no lyrics. Just music and images. Simply brilliant !!
Enjoy it!
The story of a deaf and mute girl who learns to play the violin against all odds. One of the most touching advertisements I've seen in a long, long time.

TENNIS IN WIMBLEDON - GLORIOUS HISTORY

The very first Wimbledon Tennis championship take place in 1877 at the All England lawn tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London,United Kingdom - the real home of modern tennis and wimbledon tennis history. All England Crocquet Club was the sponsor and the event was initially made to produce money to repair a broken roller at the private club but instead, has grown to the most respected tournament in the whole world. Just 22 players introduced the Mens Singles and spectators pais a mere one shilling to watch the final match.

This year the tournament  takes place from 20 June to 3 July 2011 OFFICIAL WEB 

SUMMER SOLSTICE 2011

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice begins on Jun 21 2011 at 1:16 P.M. EDT

In the UK June 21, 2011 at 17:16 UTC.

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light. 

Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.

Today, the day is still celebrated around the world - most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.

Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.

Summer Solstice Fun Facts

Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.

Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stab

More about summer solstice around the Web:

On the Web, discover more about the topic, where & how Summer Solstice is celebrated around the world along with related history, folklore and rituals that mark the much-awaited long, bright days of summer ....

Summer Solstice - Good overview of its history, customs & holidays, illustrations, date & time charts and related links, from Wikipedia.

Summer Solstice Celebrations - Ancient & Modern - Skip past the intrusive ads for a detailed discussion about how the day has been celebrated over the centuries, and in many cultures, with suggested reading and related links.

BBC Religion - Summer Solstice - A brief overview of Pagan rituals and ceremonies with related links to more facts & information.

Weird Wilstshire - Summer Solstice - Archived pictures with a report on one particularly successful UK sunrise celebration, including related links & online forum.

The Pagan Festival of Litha - The origins of Druidic Summer Solstice celebrations and their meaning in the natural cycle of seasons.

PRONUNCIATION TIPS

The sounds of English

There is a system of symbols for writing the sounds of English. We have a guide to these symbols and also videos to show how to pronounce each of the sounds.

There are also activities to practise identifiying the difference between certain sounds which may sound similar.

Features of English
Information about different elements of English pronunciation.
There are also interactive and downloadable exercises to help you build your understanding of these areas.

Quizzes
Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge of and help you learn about English pronunciation.

Programmes
Three radio programmes from 2005 on the topic of pronunciation. You can download the full programmes along with the script and audio examples.

CLICK HERE TO START

WHIT SUNDAY

Pentecost comes from the Greek, meaning Fiftieth Day, as it is the 50th Day after Easter Sunday, 10 days after Ascension Day. It was the Greek name for the Jewish festival of Shavuot, although the dates for the two celebrations rarely correspond.

In the Orthodox church, Pentecost falls on the same day as Trinity Sunday.

Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday (the old-English for White Sunday) in the UK and other English speaking areas. 

The day after Pentecost is sometimes called Whit Monday and is a holiday in many countries.

Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts, Chapter 2, when tongues of fire are said to have descended from heaven causing the disciples to start speaking in many different languages and leading to the conversion of some 3,000 witnesses.

Pentecost is observed in churches across the world, but customs differ from country to country. Italian celebrations feature rose petals; the French blow trumpets to simulate a mighty wind; horse-racing and Whitsun ales used to be a major element in England, suppressed by the Puritans; In Poland people decorate their houses with green branches. In the Eastern Orthodox Church the whole week is regarded as an ecclesiastical feast and celebration.

ANTONIO BANDERAS INTERVIEWED BY ELLEN DeGENERES

JOB INTERVIEW

You can practice your speaking, reading and listening with the following links related to Job Interviews:

• INTERVIEW 1 
• INTERVIEW 2 
• INTERVIEW 3
• EXERCISES

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?

Simon Pegg and the Big Train comedy sketch team perform a funny short on life of an English speaking tourist in France.

KING AND QUEEN ATTEND MILITARY TRIBUTE IN MALAGA (SPAIN) 29th MAY

Thousands turned out this weekend to witness the numerous events that formed part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the city of Malaga.

On Sunday some 50,000 people crowded into the Paseo de Parque for the final part of the celebrations which was attended by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía as well as the Prince and Princess of Asturias and Defence Minister Carme Chacón, among other authorities. Some 250 servicemen and women from the three armed forces took part in the flag ceremony and the tribute to the fallen followed by a 21-gun salute.

The previous day an estimated 80,000 people gathered on the Malagueta beach and promenade for the exhibition that took place on land, sea and air. While Harrier jet fighters and helicopters landed and took off from the Príncipe de Asturias aircraft carrier, a demonstration of the forces' skills and resources was given in the form of a staged operation to rescue UN observers captured by rebels. The exhibition culminated in an aerobatics display put on by the Patrulla Águila who finished by painting the Spanish flag in the sky with their vapour trails.

ARMED FORCES DAY IN MALAGA

The main events for Armed Forces Day, the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas, will be held in Málaga this year.

It takes place in the capital of the Costa del Sol on May 28 and 29.

The King and Queen of Spain, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, will be there to preside a ceremony in honour of the Spanish flag and of the troops who have died while serving their country.

One of the highlights will be an exhibition involving all three branches of the military: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

The celebration id very special for all members of the armed forces, who have been working throughout the year for the sacrifice of their country and who will have the chance to demonstrate their high standard of preparation.

The event is always held on the weekend of the Sunday closest to the Day of St Ferdinand, May 30th – King Ferdinand III during his lifetime.

It’s a day, which allows the public to show their support for the armed forces, for the respect and admiration they feel for Spain’s most appreciated institution.

EASY CONVERSATIONS FOR BEGINNERS

Here you have 25 topics to practice conversation. There are different situations in each topic.
You can practice "speaking" conversation with an online Robot.
Link on the image to start.

KARAOKE ON LINE

Here you have a real karaoke on line. Write the name of your favourite artist and song and start singing!
Link on the image and enjoy yourself.

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY - 18th MAY

Every year since 1977, International Museum Day is held worldwide sometime around 18 May. From America and Oceania to Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day aims to increase public awareness of the role of museums in developing society.

The theme for International Museum Day 2011 is Museum and Memory. Museums preserve memories and tell stories. They have in their collections numerous objects that are fundamental to the memory of the communities we live in. These objects are the expression of our natural and cultural heritage. Many of them are fragile, some endangered, and they all need special care and conservation. International Museum Day 2011 will be an opportunity to discover and rediscover your individual and collective memory.