Wednesday, September 26, 2007

International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day Revisited

Last Wednesday, September 19th, was International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day. I started the day off with an e-mail from my best friend Peter, a writer who lives in Melbourne, Australia. He writes the Blog 6 things, top of my “Other Links” list. There was no text in his e-mail – just this photo…

Avast! A Pirate Keyboard! There be an “A” there somewhere, me hopes! Arrr!

Last Wednesday’s lessons (actually, most of last week’s lessons) were all about how to talk pirate. Some of the students really got into the spirit of the day by posing for pirate photos with me…

You can check out some of the photos at the Be & Me Photo Albums. (Don’t forget to click on “Page 2.”)

And speaking of photos! You can find many, many, many more International-Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day photos at the Official Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day Photo Album, including…

A lot of pets dressed as pirates!

I added the “Rrrr!” – I sure the original photographer doesn’t mind!

In my lunch break on Wednesday, I had to do some errands [small jobs – going to the bank, sending letters, and so on]. As I was walking back to the school along Shinsaibashi Street, I heard a strange “clink-clanking” noise. I turned my head to see where it was coming from and I saw…

A medieval knight drinking iced green tea!
Did he think it was Walk-Like-a-Knight Day?

I looked around but could see no evidence of any kind of promotion. Apparently, this guy was just going for a walk in his suit of armour! And he looked hot – and I don’t mean “sexy!”

I enjoyed International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day so much this year, I’ve decided to organise a Pirate Party next year. I hope you can join us! Arrrr!!!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Avast, ye Land Lubbers! Tomorrow be International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day! Arrr!


That’s right! On Wednesday, September 19th, people all over the world will be talking like pirates. Why? Click on the links below to find out more:


International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day (Basic)

このブログの日本語訳はこちら をクリックしてください!

John Baur and Mark Summers

On June 6th, 1995, John Baur and Mark Summers started talking to each other like pirates. They thought that talking like pirates was fun. They decided to make a new holiday, Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day.

June 6th is the anniversary of World War 2's D-Day – featured in the opening 20 minutes of the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” They decided it wouldn’t be right to talk like pirates on such a sad day. Mark came up with September 19th because it was his ex-wife's birthday, and the only date he could think of that wasn't something important like Christmas.

John sent an e-mail about the holiday to a newspaper. Stories about the holiday were printed in newspapers all over the world. Suddenly, Talk-like-a-Pirate Day became an international event.

Why do we celebrate International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day? What’s the point? Well, there is no point! But tomorrow, people all around the world will be saying "Arrr!" and "Avast!” – simply because it's fun! How about you?
___
How to Talk Like a Pirate
Ahoy!"Hello!"

Avast!"Listen to me!" It can also be used to show surprise, like "Look at that!" or "No way!"

Aye!"Yes!” or “Yes, I agree!”

Aye, aye!"Yes, I'll do that straight away!”

Me Hearties"Friends.” Avast, me hearties!"Listen to me, my friends!"

Shiver me Timbers! – "Unbelievable!” or, more correctly, “What the Hell!”

Arrr! – This means many things: "Yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," and "My team is going to win!"

___

Avast! Here be links!

Shiver me timbers! The International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day Homepage!

Arrr! Here there be photos!

Avast, me hearties! The Be & Me Talk-Like-a-Pirate Photos!

(This page is based on content pirated [stolen!] from The International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day Homepage! )

このブログの日本語訳はこちら をクリックしてください!

International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day (Advanced)

Avast! There be John Baur and Mark Summers!
How it all started…
On June 6th, 1995, John Baur and Mark Summers were playing racquetball. For reasons they still don't understand, they started talking like pirates. By the time the game was over, they realized that talking like pirates had made the game more fun and the time pass more quickly. They decided then and there that what the world really needed was a new holiday, Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day.

First, they needed a date for the holiday. June 6th is the anniversary of World War 2's D-Day – featured in the opening 20 minutes of the movie Saving Private Ryan. They decided it wouldn’t be right to talk like pirates on the memorial of such a tragic battle. Mark came up with September 19th because it was his ex-wife's birthday, and the only date he could think of that wasn't already taken up with something important like Christmas or the Super Bowl or something.

For the next seven years they celebrated Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day pretty much on their own. One day in early 2002, John sent an e-mail about the holiday to Dave Barry, a famous syndicated humor columnist. Dave Barry wrote about Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day in one of his columns, which was published in newspapers all over the world. The story was picked up by radio DJ’s and talk-show hosts in virtually all the countries where the column was published. Suddenly, Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day became an international event.

Why Celebrate Internaional Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day?
What is the point? Well, there is no point! But tomorrow, tens of thousands of people all around the world will be saying "Arrr!" and "Avast!” – simply because it's fun! How about you?
___
How to Talk Like a Pirate
The Basics

First of all, you have to remember some simple “pirate grammar.”

Be – Am/is/are Ye – You Yer – Your Me – My

Where be me ‘at?“Where is my hat?”

Where be yer shoes?“Where are your shoes?”

Next, you need to remember some important words.

Ahoy! – "Hello!"

Avast!"Listen to me!" It can also be used in a sense of surprise, kind of like "Check it out!" ["Look at that!"] or "No way!"

Aye!"Yes!” or “Yes, I agree!”

Aye, aye!"Yes, I'll do that straight away!”

Hearties"Friends.” Avast, me hearties! - "Listen to me, my friends!"

Shiver me Timbers!"Unbelievable!” or, more correctly, “What the Hell!”

Arrr! – This one is often confused with "Arrrgh!” – the sound you make when you sit on your sword. "Arrr!" can mean many things: "Yes," "I agree," "I'm happy," "I'm enjoying this beer," "My team is going to win," "I saw that television show, it sucked!" and "That was a clever remark you or I just made." There are many more possible ways to use “Arrr!”

Advanced Pirate Lingo [Language]
Once you've mastered the basics, you're ready to start expanding your pirate vocabulary. Try these for starters.

Beauty – The best possible pirate address for a woman. Always preceded by “me,” as in, “C’mere, me beauty!” You’ll be surprised how effective this is.

Bilge Rat – The bilge is the lowest level of the ship. It’s loaded with ballast and slimy, reeking water. A bilge rat, then, is a rat that lives in the worst place on the ship. A lot of guy humor involves insulting your buddies to prove your friendship. Since bilge rat is a pretty dirty thing to call someone, by all means use it on your friends.

Grog – An alcoholic drink, originally rum diluted with water, but in this context you could use it to refer to any alcoholic beverage other than beer. Call your beer grog too if you want – we won’t stop you!

Lubber – (or Land Lubber) This is pirate for “land lover.” A “lubber” is someone who does not go to sea, who stays on the land. In a room where everyone is talking like pirates, lubber is ALWAYS an insult.
___
Avast! Here be links!

(This page is based on content pirated [stolen!] from The International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day Homepage!)

Monday, September 10, 2007

September Inner Sky

Our friend Simon holds a monthly concert called Inner Sky at Covent Garden in Horie. The next Inner Sky is on this Saturday, September 15th, from about 8:30 pm. It costs 1,000 yen to enter, but that includes one "free" drink.

Simon has recently formed a new band called “Goodman Bad.” He’s very excited about the band and thinks this month’s concert will be a lot of fun. Here’s what he has to say about it:

“Acoustic 80s pop and 90s grunge done in reggae and rock styles will be provided by Goodman Bad -- Eric "Is there nothing he can't play?" Wiegman on percussion, Glen "Is there nothing he won't play?" on bass, and Simon "Is there anything he CAN play?" Yates on guitar. I'm hoping this will be the regular line-up of the band from now on, as we did a great show last month and it was exactly the sound I've been looking for for a long time. If you don't believe me, come and check us out on the 15th. If you do believe me, come and check us out on the 15th. If you were there last month, I'm sure you'll be coming down for this one too anyway.”

Don’t forget that this weekend is a “Long Weekend.” If you go to Inner Sky on Saturday night, you still have 2 full days to relax before you have to go back to work.

In March, we went to see Inner Sky with a group of students. You can check out some pictures at Inner Sky Photos.

Also, you can Click here for a map to Covent Garden.

Long Weekend

When the Friday before a weekend or the Monday after a weekend is a holiday, we call the resulting 3 days off work a long weekend.

Monday, September 17th, is Respect-for-the-Aged Day. Also, Sunday, September 23rd, is the Autumnal Equinox [one of two days every year when night & day are exactly the same length. The other day is the Spring Equinox]. Holding National holidays on Sundays doesn't have any meaning so Monday, September 24th, has been declared a holiday instead.

Wow! 2 long weekends in a row! Have fun!!!