Well, here we are again. Not a lot happening this week. There was my lecture on Tuesday, which attracted a whole two people. Thanks to those who did come, and to all who didn’t you missed out!

This week all the teachers go to Szczyrk for a nice little weekend trip. I’m sure we will all have a great time!

TESTS


To all those who still have tests outstanding, please book an office hour as soon as possible.

IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE THESE TESTS!





IDIOM OF THE DAY

To have an ace up one’s sleeve.

This means that you have an effective resource, piece of information or skill kept hidden until it is necessary to use – a kind of secret advantage.

This comes from gambling in card games. People would actually keep an ace up their sleeve (particularly in poker or blackjack) and exchange it for one of their poorer cards in order to win a hand. Today this is not really possible, as there are many security measures to prevent this. In some illegal gambling games, the threat of being physically hurt or killed also dissuaded people from cheating!









The Adventures of Bobby Callan – Part Twenty


Bobby looked at the atlas, puzzled. He turned to the page showing Europe.
“Miss Brown, is it right to say I’m watching the book?” he asked.
“Not really Bobby, you should know that having taught Callan for so long. We ought really to say ‘I’m looking at the book’”.
“Why?”
“Because the book is not moving Bobby. Don’t be so silly.” Miss Brown frowned.
“I know, but I really am watching the book…”
Miss Brown seized the book from Bobby. Jarkko the Finn demonstrated his use of Callan English in practical situations.
“Bobby, in Poland, what do members of the general public do when they see a girl seize a person’s book in Santa’s cottage?” he asked.
“Er, nothing,” Bobby said.
“Ah, ok. So I won’t do anything either.”

Jarkko the Finn sat back in his chair.
Miss Brown gasped, and dropped the atlas. Santa laughed, heartily, as he was amused by a comic event and that’s what people do when amused.
“I see you have noticed that the book is different,” he said.
They all looked at the book, and noticed that the book really was moving. Or rather the pictures in the book were. There was tidal movement, and clouds hovered over land masses. Santa spoke.
“This is a very special book Bobby. If you ask it a question, it will guide you to any point in the world. Providing it is, of course, a geographical question. Tell me a geographical fact, Bobby.”
“The capital of Australia is Canberra,” Bobby replied.

The pages of the book began to flick uncontrollably. When they looked at the book, it was open on the page showing Australia. Bobby gasped, his eyes widening. This was normal behaviour for someone who was surprised. He began to rub his hands. This was normal behaviour for someone who was eager.
“So Santa, you mean this will show me anywhere that I want?”
“Not only that Bobby, it will take you there. Providing you have enough credits, of course.” Santa handed Bobby a card that looked suspiciously like a credit card. It even had the name of a well-known credit card company on it.
“All you have to do is keep up with the monthly payments. Interest is 3%, a low rate given today’s financial climate!”
Bobby wondered how Santa had been able to afford the huge plasma TV. Now he knew.
“I have to make a living somehow Bobby!” Santa said, as if reading Bobby’s mind.
“Can I use it now?” Bobby asked.
“Sure you can, but remember. Overusing it can lead to a huge debt, and I WILL come looking if it is not paid…”
Bobby noted the use of the emphatic ‘will’, and remembered that the emphatic form does not only apply to the verb ‘do’.
“Take us to the last known sighting of Robin Callan!” he commanded. There was a flash, and when he opened his eyes he was standing on top of a mountain in South America.