Fran Capo Hopeville The City of Light

The Fantastic Fran Capo!

This week my Celebrity friend the fabulous Fran Capo is back at Celebrity English with a fantastic new book that will change your life for the better! 

Fran Capo's Hopeville "The City of Light" is out!  This is one 5 STAR BOOK you don't want to miss!   Just wait until you find out how this book came to life, "Literally"!  

INTERVIEW

"Hopeville: The City of Light" 

Alex Graham:  Fran Capo has a fantastic new book out called "Hopeville: The City of Light".  Fran can you tell us a bit about Hopeville. 

 Hopeville The City of Light at Amazon!

Fran Capo:  Hopeville is a very simple story about 4 people, a mother, a little boy, and old man and a successful business man who one night all pray for the same thing. They are having a tough time in lives at the moment and are praying for help. An Angel of light comes to all of them with the same message and they are each asked to carry out their part. Each of thinks they are not capable of such a big task but in the end they all do it in their own way. The efforts of each person (no matter how small it may seem at the time) transforms the energy of the whole small town they live in.
It's a story of hope, love, inspiration, never giving up and following your dream and living life to the fullest. It shows how what one person does has a ripple effect on a whole community and can make people come together and re-evaluate and realize the important things in life.

Alex:  Fran you have authored quite a few books on a variety of topics and genres such as "It Happened in New York", "Adrenaline Adventures: Dream it, Read it, Do it!", "Almost a Wise Guy", "Humor in Business Speaking and How to Break into Voice Overs" and more!

 

Fran Capo at her Book Signing Event!

These are all excellent books, but as I understand Hopeville is very very special.  Can you elaborate on that?

Fran: 

"Hopeville is the ONLY book that I did not plan to write."

I had not even the slightest thought about the book and then one morning at 4 a.m. I was awoken by a voice telling me I had to write this book. I actually thought I was dreaming and arguing with the voice. But the voice (and I could not tell if it was male or female, was very persistent.) It insisted I get up and write the name of the book down. So at 4 a.m. I got up, turned on the light write the name down and then went back to sleep. But it did not stop there. I was in the middle of writing my book, Adrenaline adventures and was on  deadline, and I have never had writers block, that was the only day in my ENTIRE writing career that I couldn't write what I planned to do. So then I opened up a new document and typed the title: Hopeville the City of light. For the next three hours, I don't remember what happened. I just typed. When it was done, I had no idea what I had written or even if it made sense. 

"Months later I read it and realized it had a great message and story and that it was a gift given to me to spread this message from above. So now hopefully it will happen."

Alex:   Also Monday, July 29th is your Birthday!  Congratulations!  

What is your special birthday wish this year? How can we make your wish come true?

Fran:  I've written 18 books, and while they have been successful and many of them have gone into 2nd edition (which is great for a book) none of them have been viral or best sellers. It is my dream to have this book be the book to go to best seller status on amazon. That can happen if everyone who is interested buys it ON THE SAME DAY.
A book doesn't become a best seller by how many are sold overall, but by how many are sold in one day. 


I'm am asking if anyone in your Celebrity English audience is interested in buying it that they do it on Sat. July 27 and if for some reason they  miss that date that they do it  on my real birthday Monday. July 29th. 

MAKE A WISH COME TRUE!

Alex:   Absolutely!!!!  I will be there buying on Monday July 29th to make your birthday wish come true.  And to all my Celebrity English friends, please help me to make this amazing lady's wish come true!   And Of course, for those of you reading this article now and missed the birthday wish, please by this great book now! We can create a stellar birthday year for Fran Capo and her book Hopeville! 

  MAKE A WISH COME TRUE!

Let's 'pay it forward'! Just click on the link above and let Amazon do its magic!  

Less than a coffee and done in under 2 minutes! 

Alex:  By the way, that was a 'nugget of gold' about Amazon and selling books, Fran as a professional author, writer and columnist, what other advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Fran:  Write about topics you love and interest you. Write every day. Don't just sit in front of your computer staring at it, if you can't decide what to write, write anything to get the creative juices flowing. My method is I just free style write. Then I wait a day, go back in and fix it up. Then I go back in again and add the humor. 

"Start by writing articles, then work you're way up to a book."

It's easier that way so you have a track record of things you have published. To be considered a  professional you need to have gotten paid for your work. So pick a copy or go on line and order a copy of Writers Market and find out who is buying the type of stories you want to sell.
Also, blog and build up a fan base.

Alex:  Excellent advice! Fran Capo always makes me smile and laugh in amazement with that Guinness Book of World Records voice! Here is Fran Capo 'speed talking' the first pagefrom her book "Hopeville", really really fast! Like only Fran Capo can do!

Thank you very much Fran Capo! 
That was excellent!   In case you didn't catch all that the first, second, or third time, here is the first page from Hopeville The City of Light

Everyone in Hopeville was born with a candle. It was not just an ordinary candle but a candle filled with magic. The candle was lit from the day you were born and went out on the day that you died.  The candle was an external measure of life. Everyone could see how bright it shined.
        Hopeville wasn’t always a town of light. In fact, it wasn’t always named Hopeville. Long ago it was just an ordinary town, filled with ordinary people living ordinary lives. Back then the town was called Acceptanceville. It was a place filled with all the human emotions: love, hate, joy, sorrow, happiness, fear, jealousy, and mistrust. Unfortunately, as time went on mistrust overtook the town. Those good souls who worked hard and tried to bring joy and happiness were shot down.
        Then one night, a small boy, a widowed mother, a successful businessman, and an old man kneeled by their beds and prayed. Their prayers were all the same, “Dear heavens up above, I am trying my best. I work hard each day, try to be good to my friends, and yet I am not happy. It seems I have lost faith. I can’t tell those who are good from those who are bad. I am lost, and I need some kind of light to help me find the way.”
        An angel of light appeared to each of them that night. “Your prayers have been heard and answered. You are not alone. From this day forth everyone in this town and everyone born in this village shall have a candle. The candle will reflect the person’s inner soul. If it is burning brightly you will know this is a person of kindness and happiness and you can trust this person. If the candle has a dark red hue, you will know that person is hiding something. You will know this is a person’s whose heart has been turned away from the true light, and you will know to keep away from this person, or at least to be careful when talking with this person so he does not lead you down the wrong path.”


And if that wasn't enough to get you to buy her book on Saturday or Monday - JULY 29th, then maybe these fantastic testimonials will! And if you don't have a Kindle No Problem! Out of the country No Problem!
#Screenshot - I bought Fran's book using Kindle Cloud. Excellent and Easy!

Testimonials for Hopeville

HOPEVILLE!

Hopeville is the next Alchemist! It shows that no matter who you are or where you are in life you can light up another person's life and in the process transform your own.  And, trust me, transformation is what it’s all about.  This book is a must have for anyone looking to brighten their lives.

Janette Barber
6 Time Emmy Award Winner, Best Selling Author, Sirius-XM Radio Host.

_____________________________


As a forth stage cancer survivor I learned how precious life is. I practice everyday the art of gratitude and giving with my Comedy Cures Foundation. This book teaches you through parable how to give, how to love, how to follow your dreams. It's a simple beautiful book that was given to Fran from above. I hope the world embraces it. I love it.

Saranne Rothberg
Forth stage cancer survivor, CEO of Comedy Cures Foundation

______________________________
 

I enjoyed "Hopeville: The City of Light" immensely.  First this wonderful and talented author, Fran Capo, peaks your interest with great stories illustrating the "the light" which can shine in all of our lives; then she caps off these inspiring accounts with a "how to" guide containing simple but very effective ways for infusing you life with the warmth of this magical light.  Once you read this book you will never forget it!  You'll take the light with you wherever you go!  Thank you Fran!

Ted Isaacson, Master Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, Retired

______________________________

I’ve been following a spiritual path and meditating for more than 30 years, and I want to thank you because after reading Hopeville, I felt so inspired and so full of joy. It made me want to live in my heart,
connect with the Divine who lives within us all, brighten my inner flame and go out and do good things for people.  And that was after reading just the first chapter!  Your story is a brilliant reminder
that true happiness comes from within and that we all belong to one big family. I pray that millions of others in our world family will read your book so they can get the same inspiration that I did.

In gratitude

Ashrita Furman
Holder of the most Guinness World Records – 444 official Guinness Records

More About Fran Capo!

http://www.francapo.com/

Fran Capo is a keynote motivational speaker, 18 time author, comedienne, TV show host, spokesperson, adventurer and six time world record holder, most known as the Guinness Book of World Records fastest talking female. She has appeared on over 350 television and 4500 radio shows worldwide including; Entertainment Tonight, Fox & Friends, The Late Show, Martha Stewart, Larry King Live and the Discovery Channel and a whole lot more! Check out Fran Capo's website for a great Great Adventures, inspiration, and a great Cuppa Capo! 

http://www.francapo.com/

http://www.francapo.com/

Connect with ALEX here or at

 Always love to meet new people!

Celebrity English International

http://celebrityenglishinternational.blogspot.ca/

Celebrity English Face book

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrity-English/341804042518553

Celebrity English Myspace

http://www.myspace.com/browse/people#!/573390781

Celebrity English Twitter

https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

Google Plus

https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112121766796721684209/112121766796721684209/posts

Celebrity English Pinterest

http://pinterest.com/CelebEnglish/

Celebrity English Tumblr

http://www.tumblr.com/blog/celebrityenglishblogspot

Celebrity English Linkedin

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

You have read this article Amazon / birthday / book / drama / dreams / Fran Capo / hope / Hopeville The City of Light / howto / inspirational / love / novel / publish / self-help / spiritual / Testimonials / viral / wish / writer with the title writer. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/07/fran-capo-hopeville-city-of-light.html. Thanks!

Dragon!

 by Kristal McKerrington and Joe E Legend

Dragon's being hunted by the dark magic shifters. 

She's got one hope. Knox's school

of shape shifting, only she's setup to be far more. 

She might have lost everything, 

but she has the chance to set everything right. 

Can she?...…

Celebrity Power!  Joe E Legend and Kristal McKerrington are once again teamed up and creating a soon to be bestseller Dragon!  Let’s get the early scoop on this up and coming book series and the prolific writers behind the words.

Interview

Kristal McKerrington Newest Release!

Kristal McKerrington magazine & screen writer, best selling author, and has been featured on TMZ!

Alex Graham:  Please tell me a bit about yourself and how you got into writing.

Kristal McKerrington:  I'm Scottish. 24 years old and I'm an advert reader. I wrote my first short story when my Auntie came to see me and I didn't have anything to give her so I wrote her a story. Been writing ever since. 

Alex:  You and Joe E. Legend have been working on a fantasy, action adventure called  “Dragon”. Can you give the Celebrity English readership an early scoop on this soon to be bestseller?

Kristal:  Dragon is set to be published with Media Aria. It's as Joe my co-author refers to it as the martial arts version to Harry Potter. It's a lot darker though. It's good a lot of pressure resting on the heroine's shoulders. Especially when she suspects there to be evil in the school. Some of it is with the teachers. 

Alex:  Kristal, you have a lot of experience in the writing field, and you have been a best selling author before.  In your opinion, what is the hardest part about getting published?

Kristal:  The sending the submissions. It twists your guts up into a little ball. It's the worse feeling because you enter into limbo from that moment on.

Alex:  Thank you for the insight!  What books have most influenced you in your life?

Kristal:  Catherine Cookson is my huge influence and Rachel Caine's work with Morganville Vampires is the other. 

Alex:  Excellent and thank you Kristal!  Now we are going to turn the interview over to Joe E Legend. 

 

Joe E Legend world famous wrestler,

TV & film star, and author!

Alex:  You have quite a diverse and fascinating background, can you tell Celebrity English about yourself.

Joe E Legend:  I'm a 23 year veteran of pro wrestling and before that I achieved 4 black belts in Karate and Kung fu in my home town of Toronto, Canada (I now live in Hannover, Germany with my wife, twin 5 year old son's and rabbit).

I've wrestled in 43 countries around the world, had 2 TV series in the UK, been the lead villain in a graphic novel in the USA, appeared in films in Canada, France and the UK and now I've signed off to co-author several series of books as well as star in 6 films in various countries (Italy, France, Canada, USA, England, Scotland, Caribbean) all before the end of 2013.  

I've also signed a deal for a 3 book series for my autobiography.

Alex:  Fantastic!  We already heard from Kristal about “Dragon”, latest novel you coauthored, how did you two or why did you two decide to start working together?

Joe:  I was sending out my resume everywhere and it wound up in Kristal's E-mails and she got in touch. She was talking about a possible movie or TV series (we're in the planning stages for those as well) and the subject turned to her being an author. Since wrestling is such a "story telling" form of entertainment, I wanted to have a crack at it and she was kind enough to bring me along.

Alex:  I think it is fantastic that 2 very prolific writers have coauthored this new thriller.  What are the benefits of working with another writer or author on a project?

Joe:  Sometimes things seem REALLY cool in your head but once you try to explain them to others, you find it really doesn't make a lot of overall sense. Having someone invested in the same constructed reality you're invested in can ensure your ideas will land on others in the way you intended.

Alex:   Great point!  Do you have any advice for writers just starting out?

Joe:  Find someone already doing it and learn, learn, learn.

Success leaves a trail and all you really need to do is follow it. Find 3 people very successful in your chosen field (or genre) and find out what they all did in common.

Do those things as well and you're almost certain to achieve a certain degree of success.

Also... write. Everyday. Take the time to write your ideas down and see where they take you. A blank page will get you nowhere but a few ideas written down can inspire a great story.

Alex:   Absolutely!  Excellent advice from Joe E Legend!

Alex:   These questions are for Kristal or Joe.  What else do you two have on the way?

Kristal and Joe:

For novels:

Marie's World -  1st book, June 27th (a series, following books periodically)

Charlie's Journal - 1st book, September 2013 (a series, following books periodically)

My autobiography (title still pending) -  1st book August 2013, 2nd and 3rd book dates still pending.

Vamp and the Wrestler - December 2013

Layla's World - January 2014 (a series, following books periodically)

Edward - 1st book March 2014 (a series, following books periodically)

Dragon - 2015 (a series, following books periodically)

For films:

1)The Second Chance - Shooting summer/autumn 2013 (Italy/France)

2)Vampire Soul - Shooting autumn 2013 (USA)

3) Broken Nation - Shooting Autumn 2013 (England/Scotland)

4) Pandemonium - Shooting Autumn/winter 2013-2014 (Caribbean)

5) Untitled Zombie Film - Shooting Autumn/winter 2013-2014 (Germany)

6) Untitled Slasher Film - Shooting Autumn/winter 2013/2014 (Canada)

I also have many international wrestling tours in places such as India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Nepal and more.

Alex:  Wow! You 2 are keeping busy!  Where can we buy your novels?

Kristal:  I believe Barnes and Noble will be having them available. Also WH Smith, Waterstones, and Amazon worldwide. Apparently libraries all over the UK are meant to be stocking it as well. There will be announcements closer to release dates on all the stores to buy and sites to order from.

Alex:   Kristal McKerrington and Joe E Legend, thank you very much for your time this week!  I look forward to seeing Dragon on the bestsellers list!  And you can quote me on that!

Kristal and Joe: Thank you Alex and thank you very much to the reader’s of Celebrity English.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Alex:  You too! All the best! And until Dragon is released, check out this other fantastic book Marie's World by Joe E Legend and Kristal McKerrington!  You won't be able to put it down!  Awesome!

An Unwanted Triangle
A Simple Job
Love, Dance, Wrestling

Marie's World

Marie's World Joe E Legend and Kristal McKerrington!

And I hope everyone had a great Canada Day and a fantastic US Independence Day!    

 

Connect with ALEX here or at

Celebrity English International

http://celebrityenglishinternational.blogspot.ca/

Celebrity English Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrity-English/341804042518553

Celebrity English Myspace

http://www.myspace.com/browse/people#!/573390781

Celebrity English Twitter

https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

Celebrity English Linkedin

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

Language Learning Section 
Natural Language - Vocabulary Boost!

Vocabulary Theme: Writing and Publishing

Instructions: Write down the meaning to all of the words and expressions below.  For the words you don’t know, try to guess the meaning from the context.  Next week I will post the answers but if you can’t wait until then, there is always the Internet.  Enjoy! Write down the meaning to all of the words and expressions below.  For the words you don’t know, try to guess the meaning from the context.  Answers below.

Vocabulary from the Dragon Interview

Dragon =

bestseller =

scoop =

book series =

author =

co-author =

published =

heroine =

submissions =

enter into limbo =

huge =

influence =

lead villain =

graphic novel =

I've signed off to co-author several series of books =

I've also signed a deal for a 3 book series =

autobiography =

resume =

she got in touch =

entertainment =

to have a crack at it =

prolific writers =

just starting out =

genre =

achieve =

novels =

Amazon = 

 Vocabulary Definitions from the Dragon Interview

Dragon = a mythical animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws (see book cover picture above).

bestseller = an article (as a book) whose sales are among the highest of its class

scoop = information especially of immediate interest.A news story that is reported before other
           news reporters know about it. 

book series = A book series is a sequence of books having certain characteristics in common that are formally identified together as a group. Book series can be organized in different ways, such as written by the same author, or marketed as a group by their publisher.

author = a person who has written something.  The writer of a literary work (as a book).

co-author = A collaborating or joint author.

published = to prepare and produce (a book, magazine, etc.) for sale.

heroine = the main female character in a story, play, movie, etc.

submissions = an act or instance of submitting. An act of giving a document, proposal, piece of writing, etc., to someone so that it can be considered or approved : an act of submitting something [noncount].

enter into limbo = go into a state of uncertainty. On hold;not moving or neglected.

huge = very large.

influence = : the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen [noncount].

lead villain = A character in a story, movie, etc., who does bad things; main bad person.

graphic novel = A graphic novel is a book made up of comics content. Although the word "novel" normally refers to long fictional works, the term "graphic novel" is applied broadly, and includes fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work. It is distinguished from the term "comic book", which is used for comics periodicals.

I've signed off to co-author several series of books = to sign off on something = to sign a paper, indicating that one has finished with something or agrees with the state of something.

I've also signed a deal for a 3 book series = signed a deal Having a signature affixed: a signed document that creates a legal contract for a 3 book series.

autobiography = a biography written by the person it is about.

resume = a short document describing your education, work history, etc., that you give an employer when you are applying for a job.

she got in touch = to connect or contact someone.

entertainment = amusement or pleasure that comes from watching a performer, playing a game, etc. [noncount].

to have a crack at it = to try to do something although you are not certain that you will succeed.

prolific writers = authors producing a large amount of writing.

just starting out = just beginning; now starting or recently started.

genre = is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or entertainment, e.g. music, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres are invented and the use of old ones are discontinued. Often, works fit into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions.

achieve = to get or reach (something) by working hard.

novels = an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events.

Amazon =  company Link http://www.amazon.com/

See the week of July 15^th with more great stuff! 

Always happy to meet new people!

You have read this article Action / author / bestseller / book / Celebrity / Dragon / English / fantasy / films / Harry Potter / Interview / Joe E Legend / Kristal McKerrington / novel / style / TMZ / TV / vocabulary / wrestler / writer with the title writer. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/07/dragon.html. Thanks!

The Mickey Strange Experience!

 Mickey Strange’s vibrant sound is powering through the music world!  Already well known in the alternative underground music scene, Mick’s blend of Goth, Electronica, Industrial and rock is trending heavy on the Internet.  This vocal powerhouse out of Detroit is getting rave reviews from his fans, media, and DJ’s!

Laney & Friends say,  “You are the King of the    Underground!”

Metro Times Detroit calls Mickey Strange “Liquid Fire!"

“The Dark man from Detroit sheds some light in Brazil” - DJ. Markus Marques - Brazil

“Mickey Strange Rocks This Place!” DJ Jetta - New York

Interview

Alex: With 340 million Google website hits, how are you feeling?  How long have you been in the music game?

Mickey Strange: Wow! I didn’t even know!

Two weeks, just kidding I have to mess with you a little bit Alex…being old as the moon you know; I have been around a long time.

Alex: What got you into music and what keeps you going?

Mick: As far back as I can remember - I was singing on a picnic table with my Batman cape on and fell off and broke my collarbone. I don’t remember much after that…I have always been singing - always. What keeps me going? -  I do it for me. It’s who I am. Record deal or no Record deal.

Put your faith not into men, for men only reflect the being that you are.

Alex: Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

Mick: In order – Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Peter Murphy – I have a real low voice.

I would have to say “Bowie” sent me over the edge…I’m terribly attracted to the bizarre.

The one major highlight of this past year was meeting “MikeGarson” I was really nervous – I think he knew it…what an amazing talent!!!

Alex: Where does the fantastic 'Mickey Strange' artwork come from?

Mick: LOL – I can’t draw a straight line if my life depended on it – seriously! I love art so much…I really do admire people that can draw and paint…then came Photoshop! I said “ah” what a great form of self-mutilation…LOL - I do all the pics with my phone and Photoshop.

Started school at Bauhaus Design 1919–1933 - I have been around a long time remember.

Alex: When you are creating lyrics or a new song, what types of things inspire you?

Mick: The Supernatural. I’ll leave it at that for now.

Alex: As a professional singer, would you mind giving us a few tips on projecting your voice or on some voice training exercises?

Mick: First of all no one is tone deaf.  That is false information.  Everyone can sing.

Ear Training for pitch control - musical notes have colors.

There is a breathing exercise called “Breath of the Dragonby Bruce Lee” most don’t know about.

Vibrato - start real slow - equals control.

Alex: Where can people check out your music online or in person?

Mick: Free downloads for everyone.

  http://www.talentlive.com/mickey_strange.htm

I’m hiding right now but coming out live real soon…

Alex: Thank you for the free downloads!  That’s very cool of you!  What can we look for in the future from Mickey Strange?

Mick:

As long as I am in the three-dimensional world – there will always be a song.

Keep up with the digital artwork – that I didn’t think anyone would really care about.

A lot of musical videos that I’m really excited about!

Alex: Mick! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy recording schedule to do an interview here at Celebrity English!  I really enjoyed the Mickey Strange Experience! You are a true artist and gentleman! 

Mick: Thanks so much Alex I had a wonderful time and thanks for having me.

Thank you everyone for all your support!!!

I am that which I am

A changing thing indeed

And while I am that which I am

I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are

I recognize that there are not two of us that are the same

I recognize that we have many differences

I recognize that there are things that are similar

There are things that are even same

And in all of our sameness

And in all of our differences

I find joy

-Mickey Strange

 

See you next week! Watch for Mickey Strange updates at Celebrity English Facebook!

Connect with ALEX!

http://celebrityenglish-alex.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrity-English/341804042518553

http://www.myspace.com/browse/people#!/573390781

https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

http://www.youtube.com/user/blogalexg

You have read this article artist / band / Celebrity English / Detroit / DJs / Electronica / free downloads / Goth / I See Your Eyes Everywhere / indie / Industrial / MickeyStrange / Mike Garson / Music / rock / singer / song / top / underground / writer with the title writer. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-mickey-strange-experience.html. Thanks!

Taylor Swift’s Childhood Memories

Taylor Swift is an American singer songwriter who has won 116 music and writing awards. Let’s take a look at how this talented, 'down to earth' lady creates a story in conversation. 

TAYLOR SWIFT:  “When you say, ‘I spent my summers at the Jersey Shore,’ people always say, ‘Oh, really?’ They think of the TV show. So I just say, ‘A cute little harbor town in New Jersey.’ “We lived on this basin where all this magical stuff would happen. One time a dolphin swam into our basin. We had this family of otters that would live on our dock at night. We’d turn the light on and you’d see them, you know, hanging out, just being otters. And then one summer, there was a shark that washed up on our dock. I ended up writing a novel that summer because I wouldn’t go in the water. I locked myself in the den and wrote a book. When I was fourteen. She laughs. “Because of a shark!”

Taylor Swift's Speaking Style

Taylor’s story is warm, loveable, and memorable.  Taylor Swift shares a magical moment from her childhood by the ocean.  Immediately, Taylor Swift sets the tone by creating a PG13 version of New Jersey that is in contrast to the TV show.   Taylor takes control! Taylor segways into ‘her’ Jersey shore by re-framing the language to engage a magical childhood memory:

“A cute little harbor town in New Jersey” 

Moreover, Taylor shares with the listener a glimpse of a 14 year old burgeoning songwriter practicing her craft passionately: 

 “I ended up writing a novel that summer because I wouldn’t go in the water. I locked myself in the den and wrote a book.” 

Next, she finishes her childhood memories by making a wonderful joke about her younger self:   

...She laughs. “Because of a shark!” 

This ocean setting is a place of enjoyment that anyone would love to experience. It is such an easy story to be involved in as a listener! 

 

The language of the story is exceptional!  Swift has just shared an intimate and fun time with the listener.  This is great 'language & style' to create a past and casual 'story telling feel' to your conversation.  Follow Taylor’s Swift's style but make it your own!

Try it out and remember to have fun!

Key Phrases

We lived on this basin where all this magical stuff would happen.

We’d ______________.

One time ____________________.

And then one summer, __________________________.

Create a definition in the words below within the context of  Taylor's conversation.  

ended up =

hanging out = 

Next week- I will post an example idea/answer. 

Idea/Answer for Key Phrases

We lived near the mountains where lots of stuffwould happen.

We’d spend our weekends with friends playing and exploring the area.

One time we saw a dear and her babies hanging out.  They were so beautiful.

And then one summer, we ended up face to face with a black bear.  That was scary!

Create a definition in the words below within the context of Taylor's conversation. 

ended up = became, just happened, not planned

hanging out = socializing

Video Time!

 Have a good one!

Connect with ALEX here or at

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002654569713

Twitter

https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

Celebrity English

You have read this article American / awards / Celebrity English / childhood / English / Language Learning / memories / New Jersey / ocean / singer / speaking / Stone Harbor / style / summer holidays / Taylor Swift / teenage years / vocabulary / writer with the title writer. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/09/taylor-swifts-childhood-memories.html. Thanks!

Jamie Oliver: Food Revolution

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver is an award winning British Celebrity Chef.  Jamie is a well known TV personality, restaurateur, writer, and promoter of healthy food choices.  Jamie Oliver is on a mission to transform the way we feed ourselves, and our children.

 Jamie Oliver Speech at a TED Conference

(adapted/shorter version)

Jamie Oliver: Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat.

My name's Jamie Oliver. I'm 34 years old. I'm from Essex in England and for the last seven years I've worked fairly tirelessly to save lives in my own way. I'm not a doctor; I'm a chef, I don't have expensive equipment or medicine. I use information, education.

I profoundly believe that the power of food has a primal place in our homes that binds us to the best bits of life. We have an awful, awful reality right now. America, you're at the top of your game. This is one of the most unhealthy countries in the world.

(to be at the top of one’s game = to be at one’s best)

Right? The statistics of bad health are clear, very clear. We spend our lives being paranoid about death, murder, homicide, you name it; it's on the front page of every paper, CNN (American TV News Station).

 

Fact: Diet-related disease is the biggest killer in the United States, right now, here today. This is a global problem. It's a catastrophe. It's sweeping the world. England is right behind you, as usual.

(Audience Laughter)

(a catastrophe = a tragic event or situation)

(to sweep something = to move across something or to become common)

 We need a revolution. Mexico, Australia, Germany, India, China, all have massive problems of obesity and bad health. Think about smoking. It costs way less than obesity now. Obesity costs you Americans 10 percent of your healthcare bills, 150 billion dollars a year. In 10 years, it's set to double: 300 billion dollars a year. And let's be honest, guys, you ain't got that cash.

(Audience Laughter)

(obesity =  very fat in a unhealthy way)

(ain't got =   have not - usage Ain't is usually regarded as an error or poor education, but it is common in the very informal speech)

I came here to start a food revolution that I so profoundly believe in. We need it. The time is now. We're in a tipping-point moment. I've been doing this for seven years. I've been trying in America for seven years. Now is the time when it's ripe -- ripe for the picking. I went to the eye of the storm. I went to West Virginia, the most unhealthy state in America. Or it was last year. We've got a new one this year, but we'll work on that next season.

(Audience Laughter)

(a revolution = a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc.)

 

Let's start with the Main Street. Fast food has taken over the whole country; we know that. The big brands are some of the most important powers, powerful powers, in this country. Supermarkets as well. Big companies. Big companies. Thirty years ago, most of the food was largely local and largely fresh. Now it's largely processed and full of all sorts of additives, extra ingredients, and you know the rest of the story. Portion size is obviously a massive, massive problem. Labeling is a massive problem. The labeling in this country is a disgrace. They want to be self -- they want to self-police themselves. The industry wants to self-police themselves. What, in this kind of climate? They don't deserve it. How can you say something is low-fat when it's full of so much sugar?

(massive = very large)

Home. The biggest problem with the home is that used to be the heart of passing on food, food culture, what made our society. That ain't happening anymore. And you know, as we go to work and as life changes, and as life always evolves, we kind of have to look at it holistically -- step back for a moment, and re-address the balance. It ain't happening, hasn't happened for 30 years.

(Audience Laughter)

(ain't = isn’t)

(holistically = relating to or concerned with the whole or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts.)

Before I crack into my rant, which I'm sure you're waiting for ...

(Audience Laughter)

Now, the reality is, the food that your kids get every day is fast food, it's highly processed, there's not enough fresh food in there at all. You know, the amount of additives, E numbers, ingredients you wouldn't believe -- there's not enough veggies at all. French fries are considered a vegetable. Pizza for breakfast. They don't even get given crockery. Knives and forks? No, they're too dangerous. They have scissors in the classroom, but knives and forks? No. And the way I look at it is: If you don't have knives and forks in your school, you're purely endorsing, from a state level, fast food, because it's handheld. And yes, by the way, it is fast food: It's sloppy joes, it's burgers, it's wieners, it's pizzas, it's all of that stuff. Ten percent of what we spend on healthcare, as I said earlier, is on obesity, and it's going to double. We're not teaching our kids. There's no statutory right to teach kids about food, elementary or secondary school.

(crockery = British English for plates, bowls, cups)

(double = twice the amount)

I want to tell you about something, I want to tell you about something that kind of epitomizes the trouble that we're in, guys. OK? I want to talk about something so basic as milk. Every kid has the right to milk at school. Your kids will be having milk at school, breakfast and lunch. Right? They'll be having two bottles. OK? And most kids do. But milk ain't good enough anymore. Because someone at the milk board, right -- and don't get me wrong, I support milk -- but someone at the milk board probably paid a lot of money for some geezer to work out that if you put loads of flavorings and colorings and sugar in milk, right, more kids will drink it. Yeah.

(Jamie Claps)

(loads of = lots of )

And obviously now that's going to catch on. The apple board is going to work out that if they make toffee apples they'll eat more apples as well. Do you know what I mean? For me, there ain't no need to flavor the milk. Okay? There's sugar in everything. I know the ins and outs of those ingredients. It's in everything. Even the milk hasn't escaped the kind of modern-day problems. There's our milk. There's our carton. In that is nearly as much sugar as one of your favorite cans of fizzy pop, and they are having two a day. So, let me just show you. We've got one kid, here, having, you know, eight tablespoons of sugar a day. You know, there's your week. There's your month. And I've taken the liberty of putting in just the five years of elementary school sugar, just from milk. Now, I don't know about you guys, but judging the circumstances, right, any judge in the whole world, would look at the statistics and the evidence, and they would find any government of old guilty of child abuse. That's my belief.

(Audience Applause)

 

(catch on = to become fashionable or popular)

(Applause = a show of approval or appreciation at a play, speech, sporting event, etc., in which people strike their hands together over and over)

Now, if I came up here, and I wish I could come up here today and hang a cure for AIDS or cancer, you'd be fighting and scrambling to get to me. This, all this bad news, is preventable. That's the good news. It's very, very preventable. So, let's just think about, we got a problem here, we need to reboot. Okay so, in my world, what do we need to do? Here is the thing, right, it cannot just come from one source. To reboot and make real tangible change, real change, so that I could look you in the white of the eyes and say, "In 10 years time, the history of your children's lives, happiness -- and let's not forget, you're clever if you eat well, you know you're going to live longer -- all of that stuff, it will look different. OK?"

(tangible = real or not imaginary; able to be shown, touched or experienced)

So, supermarkets. Where else do you shop so religiously? Week in, week out. How much money do you spend, in your life, in a supermarket? Love them. They just sell us what we want. All right. They owe us, to put a food ambassador in every major supermarket. They need to help us shop. They need to show us how to cook quick, tasty, seasonal meals for people that are busy. This is not expensive. It is done in some, and it needs to be done across the board in America soon, and quick. The big brands, you know, the food brands, need to put food education at the heart of their businesses. I know, easier said than done. It's the future. It's the only way.

(Week in, week out = week after week)

(across the board = happening or having an effect on people at every level and in every area)

Fast food. With the fast-food industry you know, it's very competitive. I've had loads of secret papers and dealings with fast food restaurants. I know how they do it. I mean basically they've weaned us on to these hits of sugar, salt and fat, and x, y, and z, and everyone loves them. Right? So, these guys are going to be part of the solution. But we need to get the government to work with all of the fast food purveyors and the restaurant industry, and over a five, six, seven year period wean of us off the extreme amounts of fat, sugar, fat and all the other non-food ingredients.

Now, also, back to the sort of big brands: Labeling, I said earlier, is an absolute farce and has got to be sorted. OK, school. Obviously in schools we owe it to them to make sure those 180 days of the year, from that little precious age of four, til 18, 20, 24, whatever, they need to be cooked proper, fresh food from local growers on site. OK? There needs to be a new standard of fresh, proper food for your children. Yeah?

(Audience Applause)

(farce = a joke or an empty or patently ridiculous act, proceeding, or situation)

Under the circumstances, it's profoundly important that every single American child leaves school knowing how to cook 10 recipes that will save their life. Life skills.

(Audience Applause)

(Under the circumstances = in a particular situation; because of the circumstances)

Now, look, if we do all this stuff, and we can, it's so achievable. You can care and be commercial. Absolutely. But the home needs to start passing on cooking again, for sure. For sure, pass it on as a philosophy. And for me it's quite romantic, but it's about if one person teaches three people how to cook something, and they teach three of their mates, that only has to repeat itself 25 times, and that's the whole population of America. Romantic, yes, but most importantly, it's about trying to get people to realize that every one of your individual efforts makes a difference. We've got to put back what's been lost. Huntington Kitchen. Huntington (American town name), where I made this program, you know, we've got this prime-time program that hopefully will inspire people to really get on this change. I truly believe that change will happen. Huntington's Kitchen. I work with a community. I worked in the schools. I found local sustainable funding to get every single school in the area, from the junk, onto the fresh food: six-and-a-half grand per school.

(Audience Applause)

( a grand = a 1000 dollars - slang measurement for money ; 5 grand = 5 thousand dollars)

And look, I know it's weird having an English person standing here before you talking about all this. All I can say is: I care. I'm a father, and I love this country, and I believe truly, actually, that if change can be made in this country, beautiful things will happen around the world. If America does it, I believe other people will follow. It's incredibly important.

(Audience Applause)

My wish is for you to help a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, to inspire families to cook again, and to empower people everywhere to fight obesity.

 

Thank you.

(Audience Applause)

(sustainable = able to continue over a period of time)

(to empower = to promote the self-actualization or influence of someone)

 

Jamie Oliver Website Link http://www.jamieoliver.com/

Original Speech at TED Conference Link http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html

  

Alex

Celebrity English

http://celebrityenglish-alex.blogspot.com/

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002654569713
https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

http://www.youtube.com/user/blogalexg

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

You have read this article award winner / British / Celebrity / chef / conference / English / ESL / food revolution / healthy food choices / Jamie Oliver / restaurateur / speech / TED / TV personality / vocabulary / writer with the title writer. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/01/jamie-oliver-food-revolution.html. Thanks!