Are You Good at Verbing?

2025年10月14日

When people are asked about what they are good at, they often reply with answers such as cooking, playing the piano, dancing or taking pictures. But verbing, that is something I have never heard someone say that they are good at. Could it be they just don’t know what verbing is?

In a single work day, we might head a meeting, eye an opportunity, nose around for good ideas, mouth a greeting, elbow an opponent, strong-arm a colleague, shoulder the blame, stomach a loss, and finally hand in our resignation. What we’re doing with all those body parts is called verbing or verbification–using nouns (or occasionally other parts of speech) as verbs. Verbing often comes about when a noun becomes associated with an action and then subsequently becomes a verb. A modern example is Google. It began as the name of a company/product, and as it was widely used and associated with an action, it became a verb. I imagine that you have googled something in the past week or so. In English there are many words that are both nouns and verbs. Here are some.

 

 

  • address: I addressed the group about writing an address.
  • balloon: His stomach ballooned after eating the balloon.
  • beef: The beef producer beefed about the cost of beefing up security.
  • cake: She cakes her cakes with chocolate cream.
  • cloud: Thoughts of clouds cloud my mind.
  • dress: They dressed their daughter in a dress.
  • duck: Will the duck duck when it walks under the fence?
  • ice: He iced his hurt ankle with ice.
  • jam: I jammed my finger when I made jam.
  • milk: They milk cows and sell the milk.
  • note: Please note the note on the door.
  • oil: He uses oil to oil his bicycle.
  • pen: The author will pen the novel with a red pen.
  • question: The teacher questioned the students with many difficult questions.
  • sandwich: She wondered how he would eat her sandwich when she found herself sandwiched between the two large men.
  • stamp: The post office stamps stamps with the date the mail is sent.
  • voice: She speaks in a very soft voice when she voices her complaints.
  • winter: The retired couple likes to winter in Okinawa during winter.

 

 

 

 

 

A New Great Awakening

2025年10月6日

There have been a few major religious movements in America where God’s influence has greatly affected individuals, families, churches, and the cultural and political environment. The first two are known as the Great Awakenings. The Great Awakening was a Protestant religious revival that swept across the United States from the late 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. Its importance lies in its profound and lasting impact on American religion, social life, and culture.  Some of its key areas of importance are the changes in American religion. The Great Awakenings promoted a more personal form of Christianity that emphasized free will and individual salvation. It led to a massive increase in church membership, particularly for Methodist and Baptist churches, which used itinerant preachers and large-scale “camp meetings” to reach people, especially on the American frontier. One of these itinerant preachers was the founder of the orphanage that I grew up in, Bethesda Home for Boys. George Whitfield was an explosive evangelist who often spoke to thousands. The impact of these movements was a desire to improve society as a whole. Some of these improvements include abolitionism, temperance, women’s rights, and the growth of education and mission organizations.

I believe that a new Great Awakening is happening now in America. Through the influence of Charlie Kirk and his organization Turning Point USA, there has been has been a shaping and mobilization of young high school and college students in the US. Though his speaking and the use of social media on college campuses this movement has reached thousands of young people. His platform included “Prove Me Wrong” debates.  This approach allowed him to frame conservative values as a counter-cultural rebellion against what he termed “woke indoctrination,” resonating with a generation that felt alienated by progressive politics. He is also a vibrant advocate for Christianity. Through his platform, Kirk openly urged young men to embrace Christianity and discussed Christian principles with diverse audiences. He used his “Prove Me Wrong” series to debate with atheists and others. Sadly, on September 10th he was the victim of an assassination. Following his death, many of his followers and Christian leaders have portrayed him as a martyr for the faith he championed, which has led to an increase in church attendance and conversions among  young people.

Rick

 

Beyond the Halo: The Controversial Legacy of Mother Teresa aka Hell’s Angel

2025年09月29日

Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, known globally as Mother Teresa, is one of 20th century’s most revered figures. But her legacy is far more complex, and arguably, far less saintly than the Vatican narrative suggests.

Let’s delve into it.

What exactly was motherly about her? A hideous virgin and fraud, never had a husband let alone children, a fanatic and fundamentalist shriveled old bat. She was as far from the nature of motherhood as a woman possibly get.

Disagree? Look at that black and white picture of her!

Does she look like a woman who is filled with the joy of motherhood?

Does she know anything about being a mother?

Let’s just call her Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, “mother” she certainly was not. Calling her “mother” would be an insult to all mothers out there who do their best to take care of their children, she did no such thing. She was a cold-hearted old bag.

And she was not a friend of the poor either, she was a friend of poverty.

While she collected hundreds of millions of dollars annually, investigations reveal a staggering discrepancy. Critics, including journalists and investigative reports, argue less than 10% (perhaps only 5-7%) was ever spent on direct medical care or food for the destitute she served in her “hospices.” The vast majority of these immense donations reportedly flowed back to Rome, significantly enriching the Vatican’s coffers. How much money is in those coffers you ask?

Not even god has the right to know that! Gonxha Bojaxhiu’s primary role, it appears, was as a highly effective global fundraiser for the Catholic Church, not a distributor of aid.

The conditions within her homes for the dying are also heavily criticized. Reports describe places where basic care was shockingly lacking.

Dirty needles were reused, leading to disease transmission. Pain medication was rarely administered, even for the most agonizing terminal illnesses. The philosophy underpinning this was reportedly her belief that glorifying suffering brought the poor closer to Christ’s own passion. As she allegedly stated, “Suffering must be endured… not cured.”. She also said “The most beautiful gift for a person is that he can participate in the suffering of Christ.”.

This approach prioritized spiritual symbolism over alleviating physical suffering.

Furthermore, her institutions were explicitly structured as “homes for the dying,” or “organized form of neglectful assistance”, designed for people with no hope of recovery, rather than centers for active medical treatment or rehabilitation.

You doubt the above? Well, let’s hear it from the horse’s, I mean the old wretch’s, mouth: “Tell them we are not here for work, we are here for Jesus. We are religious above all else. We are not social workers, not teachers, not doctors. We are nuns.”. There, she said it herself.

Donations flowed in constantly, but very little flowed back out to support the poor; the act of receiving was deemed spiritually superior to giving aid.

In essence, the evidence paints a picture of a woman who became a global icon of compassion while systematically diverting vast sums to the Vatican and operating institutions where suffering was not alleviated but embraced as holy.  She was less a saint and more a master fundraiser operating a system designed to collect, not care. As evil as they come.

 

In closing, the richer the organized religion, the more powerful it is, and has the will and the means to wreak havoc and cause misery. The Catholic Church is exhibit A. It has a shining history of centuries of wholesale murder: forced conversions, the inquisition, the Crusades, which burning, not to mention systemic child abuse – pedophilia if you will, and it has not deviated one bit from that unholy crusade to this day. Its most celebrated foot-soldier — nay, general — in its war against decency and humanity was Mother Teresa aka Hell’s Angel.

Let’ hope she’s burning in hell, should there be one, where she belongs with the rest of her gang.

In case there are still doubts about religion’s destructive effects look no further than the issues surrounding the Unification Church in Japan and Korea.                  Alex

Roald Dahl Reading Day

2025年09月22日

Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British author of popular children’s literature and short stories, a poet, screenwriter and a wartime fighter ace. His books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. He has been called “one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century”.

 

 

 

Roald Dahl Reading Day events take place up and down the UK in schools, libraries and particularly in the village of Great Missenden, where Dahl lived and worked for many years.
The aim of the day is to, get kids reading, to see if you can also do something marvellous to raise some money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity at the same time. The charity provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children living with complex, lifelong conditions.
The first Roald Dahl Day was held on September 13th 2006, which would have been Roald Dahl’s 90th birthday. From a small beginning the event has now grown into an annual event held every 13th September as a celebration of the work, life and multi-faceted legacy of one of the world’s best-loved storytellers. Since 2020 it has been celebrated as Roald Dahl Story Day celebrating your favourite Roald Dahl characters, stories and moments with fans the world over.
Some of Roald Dahl’s most popular books include:

The BFG　　Charlie and the Chocolate Factory　

Fantastic Mr. Fox 　　The Witches　

James and the Giant Peach　 　and Matilda　

to name a few.
Most English children have read a Roald Dahl book. Maybe you have, too.

Richard

English Cafe Topic ～ イングリッシュ・カフェ9月のトピック

2025年09月17日

「イングリッシュ・カフェ」クラスは

毎回身近な話題を通して文化や習慣について英語で話し合います。

コーディネーターの外国人講師が適切な英語表現をアドバイスしてくれます。

9月の各週のトピックは次のようになります。

2025　September

【Monday : Erik】

1th:  If you could change a cultural practice, what would it be and how would you change it?

8th:  What do you think of the human-rental service that is becoming more prevalent in Japan?

22st:  Colorful hair color and body piercings are becoming more common. Do you think appearance matters
as long as the person does their job properly?

29th:  What has the highlight of Expo 2025 been so far?

Anybody Want a Peanut?

2025年09月16日

While the question, “Anybody want a peanut?” will quickly bring to mind the rhyming scene from The Prince Bride for anyone who is a fan of that movie, it is a genuine question as September 13 is Peanut Day. Peanuts are consumed around the world, and China, India, Nigeria, the USA and Sudan are the top five producers. In Japan, Chiba produces almost three fourths (75%) of Japan’ peanuts, and they are a familiar sight growing in many fields in the areas around Narita. With peanuts being so common, did you know that over 300 uses for them were developed by one man? That man was Dr. George Washington Carver (1864-1943).
Born the son of slaves, Dr. Carver became one of the most notable chemists of his day. From his laboratory at The Tuskegee Institute, he developed over 300 innovative uses for the peanut as well as breakthroughs in the use of sweet potatoes, pecans and soybeans. His efforts in chemistry and food science paved the way for the growth of the peanut industry. In his day peanuts we often used for little more than animal feed, but they have grown into a multibillion-dollar industry.
In 1921, Dr. Carver was invited to speak before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee in Washington DC. Initially he was given only ten minutes to speak, but the committee became so enthralled that the Chairman said, “Go ahead brother, you time is unlimited!” Dr. Carver spoke for an hour and forty-five minutes expounding on the potential of the peanut. At the end of his address the chairman asked him how he had learned of all these things, and Carver answered:
“From an old book.”
“What book?” Asked the Chairman.
Carver replied, “The Bible.”
The Chairman inquired, “Does the Bible tell about peanuts?”
“No, Sir,” Dr. Carver replied, “But it tells about the God who made the peanut. I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did.”
Through divine inspiration from the Creator of not just the peanut but the entire universe, Dr. Carver understood how peanuts could be used in an array of products that included lard, mayonnaise, cheese, shampoo, instant coffee, flour, soap, face powder, plastics, adhesives, axle grease and pickles. Dr. George Washington Carver’s life is a true testimony not only of someone who rose above their circumstances, but also someone who lived a life with genuine faith in God. Erik

Things You Might Not Know About Trump

2025年09月8日

Here are a few fun facts about the always interesting President Donald Trump.

  • Trump has never had an alcoholic drink, due to his brother’s alcoholism.
  • Trump is the only president with his own board game, titled Trump: The Game. The monopoly-like game launched in 1989 and was ultimately discontinued after dismal sales and poor reviews.
  • Trump joined Ronald Reagan as the two U.S. presidents with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the celebrated sidewalk in California that honors more than 2,500 notable achievers in the entertainment industry. Trump was honored in 2007 for his work on his reality-television show, “The Apprentice.” Reagan received his star in 1960 for his acting career before he entered politics.
  • Decades ago, Trump said he didn’t like to shake hands because he is a “clean hands freak.” But learning to overcome that distaste on the campaign trail wasn’t hard. “I’m a politician,” he said during his first campaign. “Can you imagine if I said I won’t shake anybody’s hand?” As president, he will likely shake 65,000 hands every year.
  • His first income came when he collected discarded soda bottles on the construction sites run by his father, a New York builder. The empty glass bottles could be exchanged with the distributor for a few cents each. “It was probably equal to a below-average allowance,” Trump said.
  • Trump’s favorite movie is the 1941 Citizen Kane, which tells the story of a larger-than-life newspaper baron. “I think you learn in Citizen Kane that maybe wealth isn’t everything. Because he had the wealth, but he didn’t have the happiness,” Trump said in a 2002 video interview.
  • Due to misbehaving, Trump’s father sent him to military school, New York Military Academy, when he was 13.
  • Trump is the wealthiest president in U.S. history, ahead of John F. Kennedy. As of June 2025, Trump’s net worth is $5.1 billion, according to Forbes.
  • Trump is not a fan of pizza crust. Though Donald Trump and his former wife Ivana starred in a 1995 pizza commercial, awfully enjoying the pizza crust, in real life, Trump hates pizza crusts. Trump is known for his particular food preferences, often sticking to the Big 4 when it comes to American fast food: McDonald’s, KFC, pizza, and Diet Coke. In an interview with Daily Mail, Trump has confessed he ‘never’ eats pizza crust.
  • Trump loves golf. Trump and a golf course have almost been like an inseparable image for quite some time now. He has often been spotted at the golf courses, swinging it like a pro. Trump loves to golf. He owns 18 courses, most of them in the USA, but also in Scotland, Ireland and the UAE. His company also owns many golf courses worldwide.

Rick

 

Summer vacation

2025年09月5日

 where did you go this year?

If the answer is “nowhere this time”, may I suggest a European visit next year?

Most Japanese take woefully short vacations – I mean can you really call five days off (including a weekend) a “vacation”? –  however, a trip to Europe definitely deserves two weeks, coworkers’ and the boss’ feelings be damned.  Most preferably a self-organized trip so you would have enough time to “stop and look around”.

Japanese tours, while usually good value for the money, are notoriously busy leaving very little time to explore interesting sites, off the beaten path places or less frequently traveled locations. Book the hotels yourself and you can choose something that’s more interesting, charming or unique than the accommodations tour companies usually select. Rent a car and drive around at your leisure, giving you ultimate freedom to go anywhere, anytime you wish and stay as long as you desire. It’s definitely more challenging than joining an organized tour however the enjoyment factor is also much higher.

What countries should you visit? Well, that’s really up to you and your budget.

 If it’s Western Europe you are interested in, well you better hurry as the “old” Europe you may have seen in movies, heard of or remember from a previous trip won’t exist much longer.

Unchecked immigration, herds of illegals from North Africa and South Asia flooding into those countries, has irrevocably altered the once charming and safe cities, made France, Italy, Germany, Holland, the UK, Sweden etc. more like third world hell holes than once thriving cultural centers of the world.

Numerous large Western European cities and capitals have “no-go” zones where even the local police don’t enter.

They are ruled by immigrant gangs, drugs and violence are rampant.

As immigration is ramping up in Japan, it’s just a question of time before similar things happen here too, make no mistake about it.  Most of the newcomers to Japan have large reproduction rate (fertility rate), same as immigrants in Europe, they often have 3-4-5 children per family compared to the 1.2 (2022 data) in Japan. It’s a demographic time bomb waiting to explode.

Do you want to see those people in the pictures in your neighborhood?

I think not…

 

 

If you really want to see what Europe used to look like I suggest a visit to East Europe and to a lesser degree Switzerland and Austria, although the latter one also has a lot of problem now with immigrants in places like Vienna and other large cities.

On the other hand, East Europe is still pure, clean, safe, customer service is as it should be and on top of that much more wallet friendly than the West. You can walk around in any city in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland or in the Czech Republic and won’t be harassed, mugged, beaten or your property stolen by immigrants.

You can enjoy reasonably priced accommodations in beautiful cities, good food and friendly faces serving you with a smile, as it should be.

The same cannot be said about the West, as I have experienced it first hand on my trip this summer to Italy, Switzerland and Germany.  In Venice most of the souvenir stands are staffed by people who looked like they are from South Asia. They have zero customer service skills, are rude and ignorant. In one souvenir shop I was greeted by Indian music blasting from loud speakers! In Venice!

Talk about ruining the mood.

 

And it was similar in Germany. In the hotel I stayed at in Stuttgart the front desk staff, two Middle Eastern looking men, were sitting outside the hotel, smoking! Unimaginable in Japan or indeed in any country with decent customer service standards. It was a 3-star hotel, not a rundown youth hostel. The West is declining and doing it fast so plan your trip as soon as you can if you want to catch the tail end of what’s left of this once magnificent continent as the inevitable decline of Western civilization is already here.

Old (Western) Europe is no more.

And a phone call to your local government representative regarding limiting the number of immigrants to Japan would also be a good idea. If you want to leave a livable place to you children, that is.

 

Make no mistake, they are coming!

Does Japan have the foresight to protect herself?

Alex

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

秋の入会キャンペーン始まります！！　期間【10/1～10/31】

2025年09月1日

2025年08月25日

The Notting Hill Carnival in 2025 will take place on August 23-25, with the main action on August 24-25. The festival officially starts with the Steel Band Competition on Saturday, August 23, followed by the Children’s Parade and “Dutty Mas” on Sunday, August 24, and the Adult Parade on Monday, August 25.

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean Carnival event that has taken place in London since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill area of Kensington, over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

It is led by members of the British Caribbean community, and attracts around three million people annually, making it one of the world’s largest street festivals, and a significant event in British African Caribbean and British Indo-Caribbean culture. In 2006, the UK public voted it onto a list of icons of England.

Richard