Real English 49-Play it by ear

Last Saturday night, I got a call from my brother-in-law out of the blue.  I haven't spoken to him since the summer of 2010 when I visited Kyushu so I was surprised when I answered the phone.

The following was our dialogue:

Glenn:  Hello.

B-I-L: Hey Glenn, It's HIG.  Long time no talk.  How have you been?

Glenn:  Alright, thanks. What's up?

B-I-L: Actually, I have a meeting in Nara on Monday, and I was wondering if I could stay at your place on Sunday night...maybe we could go out in Osaka in the afternoon or something...

Glenn:  Sounds great! I'd love to show you around Osaka.  Have you ever been to Osaka before?

B-I-L:  Yeah, about 10 years ago...

Glenn:  Well, a lot has changed since then.  How are you coming?  By train? Plane?  What time are you gonna arrive in Osaka?

B-I-L:  I am taking the Bullet Train.  I haven't made a reservation for the train yet,  but maybe I will arrive around noon.  Where should I meet you?

Glenn:  After you get off at Shin-Osaka Station, change trains and get on the Midosuji Subway Line.  Meet me in front of Exit Number 4 of Honmachi Station.  From there, we will play it by ear!

B-I-L:  OK, then I will leave everything up to you!  Really looking forward to it!  Ciao.

On Sunday, I gave him a special "Glenn Tour of Osaka" and we had a great time!!

And to change the subject,  for those of you interested in business/political English, the term "fiscal cliff" is a MUST KNOW!  "Fiscal Cliff" is in the newspaper and on TV, both American and Japanese, every day.  If you haven't seen or heard the term in English or in Japanese then I would be surprised.

According to the Atlantic Journal Constitution, "The fiscal cliff refers to a series of enacted legislation which, if unchanged, will result in tax increases, spending cuts, and a corresponding reduction in the budget deficit at the end of 2012."

If you separate the two words, you have "fiscal" and "cliff."

Do you understand the meaning of the words separately below?

1.  The fiscal year for ABC Company is from April to March.

2.  I was scared when I looked down from the cliff.

Some nice photos! Thanks e!