"Real English 8-It's a wash"

I know that you think you know the meaning of "wash", like when used like this:

1. It was a gorgeous day, so I washed my car last weekend.

2. I am going to wash up before dinner.

3. Would you like a cut only, or also a wash?

But do you understand this one!?

4. It's a wash!

Read the below dialogue and maybe you can infer the meaning.

If not, look it up in the dictionary or ask me!

Glenn) Thanks for lending me 2000yen the other night at Karaoke.

Friend) Don't worry about it. I know you would do the same thing for me.

Glenn) I was really embarrassed that I ran out of money. I lost track of how much money I had, and you know, times are tough, and I am on a tight budget recently... Anyway, I want to pay you back now, so here you go (handing over two 1000yen bills.)

Friend) What about the interest?

Glenn) The interest?! What are you kidding me?! Are you a bank, or loan shark, or somethine.

Friend) I am just pulling your chain!! Now we are even. It's a wash.

Glenn) Cool. I appreciate it.

To change the subject, on Wednesday night, the Japan Under 23 (or 21, I forget) Olympic Soccer team advanced to the next round in the upcoming summer London Olympics with a 4-0 win over Malaysia. So, while on the Olympic topic, how about this:

"Tokyo: Do you think Tokyo should bid for the 2020 Olympics?"

from the Japan Times Online

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20110705vf.html

Tomatoes

I heard that the supermarkets are out of tomatoes, tomato juice, and other tomato-related products recently.

Do you know why?

The reason is that the results of a recent study on the relationship of tomatoes and the metabolic system were released. The study found that tomatoes can boost the metabolic system which can lead to weight loss.

Basically the headlines in Japan are like "If you eat tomatoes, you can lose weight!"

Just eat tomatoes, and you can lose weight.

That is ridiculous and the craziest thing I have ever heard.

Well, not actually the craziest...

This is a repeat.

A few years ago, the "Natto (fermented soy beans) Diet" and the "Banana Diet" were big hits in Japan, and there weren't any natto or bananas on the shelves then either.

Are people really that gullible?

No sweat, no tears, no pain, NO GAIN!

There aren't any shortcuts people!!

"Real English 7- Whatever"

Situation 1:

Friend) What do you want to do tonight?

Glenn with a smile) Whatever.

Situation 2:

Friend) What do you want to do tonight?

Glenn with a straight face or frown) Whatever.

Do you understand the difference of the meaning of "whatever" in situation 1 and situation 2?

If not, I'll explain it in class, just remind me!!

To change the subject,

"What website could you not live without?" from The Japan Times Online

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120117vf.html

My answer: I couldn't live without the site for "JLTP Kanji Project" because I use it every day to study Japanese.

Top 3 Favorite Things

It has been a grey and dreary couple of days, with a lot of cold rain.

But, I don't want to sulk about it. "Tomorrow, tomorrow, there's always tomorrow..."

Besides, it is Valentine's Day!

As many of you know, Valentine's Day in America and in Japan are VERY different.

If you don't know how different, then just ask me and I will explain.

(Or if you search in the archives from February of past years on this blog, you can find the answer for yourself.)

This article and question from The Japan Times Online is interesting:

"What are your three favorite things about Japan?"

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120207vf.html

My answer is easy! My three favorite things in Japan are:

Go-han (white rice), Shochu (no translation), and Kyoko (my wife)!!

But not necessarily in that order!!!

How about you?

"Real English 6-Call the shots"

1. "Let me clue you in. He may not be the boss, but he is the one who call the shots."

2.

Friend:Who calls the shots in your house?"

Glenn: That's easy...my wife.

To change the subject, I am an avid bicycle rider, so I am interested in the following article.

"What do you think of the recent police crackdown on bicyclists who break the rules?"

From the Japan Times Online

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120124vf.html

Crunch

That's the sound my glasses made when I stepped on them this morning...Needless to say, they broke.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......................................................

Great start to the day...

I think I need to get away for the weekend and go skiing or something....

Wing Bowl

Have you ever heard of the Wing Bowl!? If not, you are missing out!

From Wikipedia:

"Wing Bowl is an annual eating contest founded in 1993 by Philadelphia talk-radio hosts Angelo Cataldi and Al Morganti as a celebration of gluttony. The contest was first broadcast on WIP (AM). About 10 people attended Wing Bowl I (held in a hotel) in 1993 to see a competition between two contestants. The event pits competitive eaters in a chicken wing eating contest. The Wing Bowl is traditionally held on the Friday preceding the Super Bowl. The event, which began as a radio promotion, has grown to encompass television, the Internet, and a contest for women who are termed "the Wingettes."

It is currently held at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, where it is still broadcast live on 94-WIP-FM. There are currently no television deals to broadcast the event live; however, a replay is usually shown on WPSG, Comcast SportsNet, or one of the other local stations within the following week. The Wing Bowl now draws crowds of 20,000 or more."

This year, the famous Japanese eater Kobayashi was crowned the Champ!

"Kobayashi wins chicken wing crown"

from The Japan Times Online

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120205a3.html

And this is my father's take on this year's event and Kobayashi's triumph:

"won 20K.......downed over 300 in 30 minutes

(2nd Place got a car & nicest "Wingette" got a Harley)

two 14 minute halfs....

with a bonus round for another 2 minutes.....

shattered previous record....

he was only 90 behind the record at the end of the first half.

and has a woman translator with him who talks on the radio. "

"Real English 5-Heads up!"

Before I get to Real English 5, let me touch on a few subjects.

First, it is really cold recently!! If you are a skier, then this is the perfect weather for you. But if you hate the cold like I do, then this season is tough. I saw on the news that many people have been going to their chiropractor or massage therapist to get treatment for bad backs, stiff shoulders, and various other tight muscles. According to my massage therapist, the cold is not good for such ailments!

Yesterday, I saw snow for the first time this winter. There was just a flurry, and only for a few minutes. Even though I despise the cold, I have to admit that this scene was beautiful.

But, snow makes the roads treacherous, and driving is dangerous on the icy roads, especially if you don't have special tires, or chains on your tires. Also, did you see the news about the avalanche the other day...very sad news.

On to a more light topic, the spring season of the Japanese Baseball League began this week. Most, if not all, of the teams conduct spring training in Okinawa where the weather is warmer, which makes it easier to for the players to stay healthy. Cold weather can cause muscles to tighten, thus making it easier for the players to get injured. Similarly, many teams in the Major League do spring training in sunny Florida and Arizona, where the weather is ideal to get ready for the long season ahead.

Now, on to "Real English 5-Heads Up!"

Do you understand the meaning of the below two examples?

1. Heads up!

2. I just want to give you a heads up. The boss ain't in a good mood today!

And before I take a break, some more fodder for the blog.

Osaka: What do you think of the new mayor, Toru Hashimoto, and his plan to merge the Osaka city and prefectural governments?

From The Japan Times Online

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120131vf.html