Humor4u

Students watch a few short clips and match them with different comedy genres. This video activity can be used to supplement a speaking activity in Innovations Advanced .  Innovations were the first series of textbooks that truly embraced the principles of the Lexical Approach (LA). While other books have started including collocation boxes and introducing some multi-word units, Innovations (published by Thomson Heinle or what is now known as Cengage) was the first one to embody the spirit of the LA focusing on chunks, formulaic expressions and dealing with aspects of grammar relevant to the spoken language which are rarely featured in other textbooks influenced by the written grammar of English. Innovations Upper-Intermediate is by far my favourite. (I may be biased here because upper-int. is my favourite level to teach). Not only does it have engaging, thought-provoking articles and refreshing topics (Women in boxing, rave parties and hair styles), it introduces the lexis that will ma

Very BIG decisions are made in corporate boardrooms, a place where your vote is neither needed, welcomed or required. It is within corporate boardrooms your fate and future is decided and sealed.  The myth of democracy is shored up by the concept of voting for a political entity who (ostensibly) will represent your best interests and work diligently crafting legislation supposedly used to protect and ensure the constituents well-being. If this were in any way shape or form effective... our world would be pleasant, predictable, safe and desirable for all inhabitants, yet it is not, in fact anecdotal and literal evidence demonstrates quite the opposite. How can this be?  Our world has become a literal death trap for humanity and life in general, hardly a glowing testament to the notion of responsible governance influenced by the will and desires of the population. Real-world result demonstrates the futility of this "democratic" notion. Constituent well-being and welfare are rou

Finally, some new stuff. Here are some girlie watercolors I did tonight. I've been in a big drawing rut for a while now, but forced myself to draw while I watched this French 70's movie, "Don't Deliver Us From Evil." I've wanted to get away from just drawing girls, but the two main actresses were too cool looking not to draw. Here are some Post-It drawings of Anne (Jeanne Goupil), a long-limbed sociopathic school girl. She's not always this deadpan in the movie. Also, a warning- while this movie is interesting to watch, I had a hard time getting through it because of some disturbing themes, and some really horrible treatment towards animals. I really don't deal well with that type of thing. So if you're sensitive about that sort of thing, maybe skip this one. Part of me would like to re-watch the movie and do some more drawings of the other main actress as well, but I'm not sure that'll happen anytime soon. Here's one more waterc

I have watched in amusement as press, corporate and politicos have struggled with the aims and goals of the current "Occupancy" phenomena. In the world of greed and avarice the presumption is the "protester" wants something... it is after all how their world works, they are looking for what the "hush-money" should look like. When one  actually "listens" it is readily seen the sentiment is not so much about what is wanted... but rather what is not wanted.  Typically what is not wanted is a hopelessly stacked system which marginalizes the general population and effectively cancels out any semblance of democratic governance while encouraging the rapid migration of wealth to a few well connected elitist predators using illegal means. One need not be a genius to realize the socioeconomic model today is pure unadulterated corruption--any intent of parity, fairness and equitable standing within the system is long gone, at least for the average citizen a

Finally, some new stuff. A seaside-colored girl. Cora, being dreary. I've been drawing a lot of models lately. I think these ones are from the Urban Outfitters website and America's Next Top Model. Here's some sketchbook stuff I had posted earlier, before my blog crash. First are some criminal man heads. Renaissance faire girls. Johanna and Klara Söderberg from the Swedish band First Aid Kit. Thanks for coming back! Don't forget to check my Tumblr from time to time to see drawings and doodles that I don't always post here. ^u^