27.6.11

Why is the letter "T" like an island ?
Because it is in the middle of waTer.





25.6.11

Can a kangaroo jump higher than the
Empire State Building? 



 Yes, because the Empire State Building can't jump!



22.6.11

Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels




TAPESCRIPT


Strokes, heart disease, cancer, and even death.
All things people know can be caused by cigarettes.
Now the Food and Drug Administration wants to show you.

“Well images of a dead body and cancerous lungs will soon plaster cigarette packs. The food and drug administration released nine images today that tobacco manufacturers must place on their products along with a warning about the dangers of smoking.” (Bloomberg)


USA Today reports the FDA doesn’t make changes often, but hopes new labels may succeed where the current ones are lacking.

“These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking."


The current label is hardly noticeable on the side of the box -- saying...


“Surgeon General’s Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and may complicate pregnancy.” (The Safe Cig)


Where that small-type was not very eye-catching the new warnings are meant to shock and will be taking up half the box with images like...

How exactly smoking can effect your lungs...
to more disturbing visuals -- like a dead body...
and one man still smoking after a tracheotomy.

The FDA is expecting a significant health impact.But ABC talked to actual smokers about how effective the new labels will be.

REPORTER: “Do you have kids?”
SMOKER1: “Yes, I got three of them at the house right now...”
REPORTER: “So how does this stand with you then”
SMOKER1: “I mean it touches you.”
REPORTER: “A few should catch anyone’s attention like a corpse and a cancer ridden mouth.
SMOKER1: “Man if I’d seen that on my pack it might make me think about, ya know, stopping smoking.”
SMOKER2: “It’s a little much I think. If you want to smoke you’re taking the risk. It’s really that simple. This is kind of offensive I guess.”



Whether or not the images will make a difference is the big question.
A CNN correspondent says similar label changes have had few effects in other countries.


“There are studies that show that there may be some relatively minimal declines in smoking possibly based on these ads, these labels rather, but it may be based something else. But really what they know is that it certainly makes people think. It may not make them stop smoking but it makes them think about where they smoke. It may make them think about wow maybe I shouldn’t smoke around their kid but these in other countries, these labels have not made people say ‘oh my gosh I’m going to quit smoking,’ and the rates have not declined dramatically.”


The new cigarette labels will be on boxes in the U.S. in September 2012.




18.6.11

Princess Diana Letters Up for Auction



TAPESCRIPT

Words are said to be a dime a dozen, but not when they involve the late Princess Diana, you can bet -- those words -- are worth much, much more.

Lady Di’s long time friend, Margaret Hodge, is now offering her own personal past photos and letters with the princess -- for a hefty price.

$30,000 U.S. -- for starters -- for the entire collection of memorabilia.

The letters reportedly reveal the highs and lows of the princess’ life.  ABC’s Nick Watt Reports--

“Shortly after her fairytale wedding, Diana wrote of her new home ‘just a cozy nest for Mr. and Mrs. Wales to roost’ She wrote of falling down rabbit holes on long walks with Charles ‘I vanished down many a hole -- the husband having not realized -- typical!’  She signs off playfully ‘I ought to finish not and give a hug to my other half.’

The letters don’t always express such joy. Diana confides to her friend about her failing marriage and the stresses of being a princess.   Many are questioning Hodge’s reasons for releasing them.

A blogger writes, “While Diana’s former friend will make a pretty penny off the endearing correspondences, timely again now that her son William is a newlywed himself, it doesn’t seem like enough to hand over such personal mementos.”

James Grinter, a royal specialist sees a promising outcome by saying, “The Princess' letters give a fascinating glimpse into her life in the early years of her marriage to Prince Charles and we are expecting a lot of interest from collectors from around the world." (Daily Mail)
The now 30-year-old letters will go up for auction on June 21st.

Hodge admits she is selling these personal items – quote -- “to comfort her in her old age.”
 

17.6.11

Woman Gets Tattoo of Her Facebook Friends




TAPESCRIPT

Too many status updates--remove. Too many Farmville invites-- de-friend. Really - nothing is forever on Facebook--unless, of course-- it’s inked.  San Francisco’s KPIX has the needles.

“A Facebook user has become her own social network. Almost a quarter of a million people have watched this YouTube video. This woman is getting an arm tattoo of all her Facebook buddies. She says all 152 friends gave her permission to use their profile pictures. Wow man.”

The Daily Mail says the woman-- only known by her YouTube handle, Suzyj87-- has been working on her tattoo for months-- and her daredevil move has raised some interesting questions...

“What happens if you lose one of those Facebook friends?”
“What about when I change my profile picture? Change the tattoo?”
“Or if she makes anymore friends, where does she put those? In her new arm? ”

An anchor from LA’s KNBC says before we get too caught up with this story-- is the tat even real?

“Lots are questioning if this is real or some sort of publicity stunt. Look at the process, no redness, no bleeding. No word from the YouTube user if this is real or fake.”

Mashable thinks the friend-focused ink was inspired by rapper T-Pain’s “Like” button tattoo.
And a PC Mag blogger says - let’s be real - we’re dealing with Facebook fanatics here.

“(Remember the) Israeli couple who recently named their daughter ‘like’ after the same (Facebook) button.... (and) … the Egyptian man who simply named his daughter ‘Facebook’. At least (he) had the excuse that the social networking site played a communications role in the grassroots uprising...”

And a CNN blogger writes- like it or not- it’s got people talking.

“And hey, art is art, right? But you know what else art is – subjective. And it's apparent the same social media circles she drew inspiration from for her mosaic-style Facebook ink feel strongly about whether it's a cool, personal idea, or the most ridiculous thing on the planet.”

The anonymous tattoo-bearer says she understands if people don’t like her new ink-- but it’s a personal expression that means a lot to her.
 


It was over before it even started...







14.6.11

A: I'm in a big trouble!
B: Why is that?
A: I saw a mouse in my house!
B: Oh, well, all you need to do is use a trap.
A: I don't have one.
B: Well then, buy one.
A: Can't afford one.
B: I can give you mine if you want.
A: That sounds good.
B: All you need to do is just use some cheese in order to make the mouse come to the trap.
A: I don't have any cheese.
B: Okay then, take a piece of bread and put a bit of oil in it and put it in the trap.
A: I don't have oil.
B: Well, then put only a small piece of bread.
A: I don't have bread.
B: Then what is the mouse doing at your house?!






Past Simple - Enter the irregular past form of the given verb