The title of this post is the title of a song written in 1959 by Barret Strong. However, the most popular version of it was recorded by The Beatles in 1963. But they were not the only ones who saw something in it that made them want to play it. The song has actually been covered by myriad artists, including John Lennon during his solo career, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Tina Turner, Scissor Sisters, and The Blues Brothers, among many many others. So, what is it that it has that has appealed to such a number of different bands and singers throughout the years? Is it cause it has a catchy rhythm? Is it cause it’s full of swing? I doubt it. I believe the main reason why this song is entrancing is because we all feel identified with it, whether we like it or not.
Taking the whole matter to an extent, Madonna once sang “Cause we are living in a material world and I am a material girl”, and she was not so wrong after all, was she? It’s not necessary to date rich people only because of their money to be called “materialistic beings”. The majority of us, if not all, are currently working. But how many of us REALLY need it? Luckily, there hasn’t been a moment in my life in which I have felt extreme hunger or lacked a roof. Yet, I sometimes say “I need to work”. And I do! Because there are many things I want to buy, many places I long to visit, many concerts I yearn to attend, and loads of other things that only money can get. I will work all my life to buy a house of my own, my dream car and a holiday in Europe, and, especially in our country in which everything seems so unattainable, I’m not positive I will ever achieve such goals.
Supposing that the day in which we obtain all we need eventually comes, do you think we’ll stop being greedy? Even The Beatles, who were incredibly wealthy but proclaimed themselves as hippies strongly opposed to capitalism, were very concerned about money and even had quarrels about it. And if you have ever watched the show called “Cribs”, on MTV, you surely know that the more they get, the more they want. But don’t you slobber over their possessions?
Some months ago, one of my friends in Flixster shared his review of “Avatar” with me and added the video of this song to it. James Cameron has proved to make films only for the sake of profits. “Titanic” is absolutely lame but earned him millions of dollars, just like “Avatar”, a movie in which the only people who really worked were the ones in charge of art direction, cinematography and visual effects. However, there’s something that money cannot buy: watching Cameron’s ex-wife win all the awards he was supposed to take home is absolutely priceless.
So, I’ll conclude by adding some verses from the song that ring true.
The best things in life are free
But you can keep 'em for the birds and bees
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want
Your lovin' gives me a thrill
But your lovin' don't pay my bills
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want
Money don't get everything, it's true
What it don't get, I can't use
Now give me money (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want)
That's what I want (that's what I want), yeah
That's what I want
Wednesday 30 June 2010
Thursday 24 June 2010
Working Online
In spite of certain arguments and occasional brake-ups in our relationship, I have to say that technology, and more specifically the computer, is definitely a friend of mine. I cannot even begin to describe how much easier my life is with it. It helps me to study, to be tidier, to work properly, to feel encouraged to do anything. And within the computer, a bigger love: the internet, oh l'internet!
The internet has given me the chance to learn as never before. Every single day I find something new to profit from. And I’m convinced that, if you know how to use it, it’s the most enriching invention ever come up with.
Lately, I’ve started to use it with my students, and although many are reluctant to work with it, when there’s at least one who can benefit from what you’ve posted, it makes your day. I’ve decided to work with wikis, since I find them nice and easy to handle. There’s one for my adults and one for my kids.
As you can see, the adults’ wiki is more concerned with theory and extra practice. I have some students that even prefer the summaries and explanations I write there than the ones that appear in the book. And, at the end of the year, when they have to study everything to pass the final exams, they feel more confident knowing they have everything there. There are some fantastic pages to copy grammar rules from, and which offer amazing online exercises.
The kids’ wiki aims more at entertaining, but there’s also undercover practice. Some games are incredibly cute! But of course some students would be like “They are soooo easy! We want something more difficult!” (in Spanish, of course), but well… you can never do it all right.
Both groups are difficult to encourage since some grown-ups are not at all interested in getting involved with anything related to technology advances, and some kids don’t have computers at home or don’t really know how to use them.
So, regarding this just like anything else, my motto is “Do your best but don’t expect much.”
The internet has given me the chance to learn as never before. Every single day I find something new to profit from. And I’m convinced that, if you know how to use it, it’s the most enriching invention ever come up with.
Lately, I’ve started to use it with my students, and although many are reluctant to work with it, when there’s at least one who can benefit from what you’ve posted, it makes your day. I’ve decided to work with wikis, since I find them nice and easy to handle. There’s one for my adults and one for my kids.
As you can see, the adults’ wiki is more concerned with theory and extra practice. I have some students that even prefer the summaries and explanations I write there than the ones that appear in the book. And, at the end of the year, when they have to study everything to pass the final exams, they feel more confident knowing they have everything there. There are some fantastic pages to copy grammar rules from, and which offer amazing online exercises.
The kids’ wiki aims more at entertaining, but there’s also undercover practice. Some games are incredibly cute! But of course some students would be like “They are soooo easy! We want something more difficult!” (in Spanish, of course), but well… you can never do it all right.
Both groups are difficult to encourage since some grown-ups are not at all interested in getting involved with anything related to technology advances, and some kids don’t have computers at home or don’t really know how to use them.
So, regarding this just like anything else, my motto is “Do your best but don’t expect much.”
Wednesday 23 June 2010
Great movies site
I’m a huge fan of movies, and one of the things I really hate about leading such a hectic life (you know, with school, work and everything) is not having so much time to see as many films as I would like to. However, I have to admit I’m quite picky and I absolutely loathe wasting my time with bad movies.
As probably all of us, I have some favourite directors and actors that I’m pretty sure will not disappoint me, so if I want to play safe, I turn directly to them. But there are always new people in the industry that may deserve a chance. So, how can I watch a film by a new director and with new actors without running the risk of going through, what can result in, a torturing experience?
Some years ago, I found the answer to that question: Flixster. Flixster is a site in which you can create an account, do a test as regards how much you have liked certain movies, and then compare your results with all the other users’. The site then tells you how compatible you are with them and in that way you can choose your friends. The rest can become a perfectly healthy and fruitful routine: after watching a film, you go to the computer, rate it, write a review (which can be a synopsis, a summary – be careful with the spoilers - or just your opinion) and share it with your friends. They will do the same, and, the next time you have to choose which movie to watch, you’ll know what you may expect from each and make a wise decision.
But of course this is not only about picking films. I’ve made many friends there. I enjoy talking to them about many things, practising my English and reading their reviews. There’s a guy from Canada (Larry) who turned out to be a fantastic writer! His way of using the language is so inspiring! When he has watched a bad film, you just can’t miss his comments. He’s a master of irony and will make you laugh your pants off. Here are two of his reviews.
So, if you sign up in flixster, you’ll not only know what movies are right or wrong for you, but you’ll also make friends, use your language, acquire new vocabulary and have a good time.
As probably all of us, I have some favourite directors and actors that I’m pretty sure will not disappoint me, so if I want to play safe, I turn directly to them. But there are always new people in the industry that may deserve a chance. So, how can I watch a film by a new director and with new actors without running the risk of going through, what can result in, a torturing experience?
Some years ago, I found the answer to that question: Flixster. Flixster is a site in which you can create an account, do a test as regards how much you have liked certain movies, and then compare your results with all the other users’. The site then tells you how compatible you are with them and in that way you can choose your friends. The rest can become a perfectly healthy and fruitful routine: after watching a film, you go to the computer, rate it, write a review (which can be a synopsis, a summary – be careful with the spoilers - or just your opinion) and share it with your friends. They will do the same, and, the next time you have to choose which movie to watch, you’ll know what you may expect from each and make a wise decision.
But of course this is not only about picking films. I’ve made many friends there. I enjoy talking to them about many things, practising my English and reading their reviews. There’s a guy from Canada (Larry) who turned out to be a fantastic writer! His way of using the language is so inspiring! When he has watched a bad film, you just can’t miss his comments. He’s a master of irony and will make you laugh your pants off. Here are two of his reviews.
So, if you sign up in flixster, you’ll not only know what movies are right or wrong for you, but you’ll also make friends, use your language, acquire new vocabulary and have a good time.
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