Hi David,

Thank you for explanation when you were busy.
I've got it. すっきりしました。

I happened to watch the complete version of 'Thriller' on TV on that day and there were a lot of parts I’ve forgotten so it was very fresh for me. Also I felt he was a real musician or entertainer from head to foot as everybody recognized. When he sang and danced, it seemed as if music notes ♪♪♪were jumping out of his body. He sang and composed many beautiful songs but I can sing only one song, ‘We are the world’, which was composed by Michael Jackson and is my favorite song for ever. When I sing this song at Karaoke, I enjoy imitating each original singer a bit although it is not alike at all. I want to be able to sing some other songs, too.

I've heard that his father was terrible to him when he was a child but I didn't know that MJ had so much pain that he must have taken strong painkillers.

I haven’t watched the funny 'thriller' yet.

That's all for now.

yumeko

•  yumeko
• 2009年6月29日 14:23

Hi David,
I’m afraid I’m persistent but I’m confused again although I thought it was clear.

“もうとしだから、ただ忘れただけかもしれない” = “although I am getting old, so maybe I have just forgotten.”???

•  yumeko
• 2009年6月29日 16:42

Hi David,
When I was a junior high school student, the TV show "BEST HIT USA" was on the air at midnight. The next day "Thriller" was televised on the TV show, my classmates were full of topic about it. In those days, there were only 2 televisions in my house, one of them was in a living room, another one was in my parent's room. My father didn't give me permission to watch TV at midnight, and I had to go to bed by 11 p.m, but I really wanted to watch "Thriller". One day, my friend told me "Thriller" was going to be televised at the TV show again tonight. I dicided to watch it. The midnight of that day, I went to a living room stealthily. I covered the TV with a blanket, and I used a earphone. I can't forget a amazement I got when I watched "Thriller". I had never seen such a performance before. Michael Jackson were so amazing. He was a great artist.

By the way, I have watched the funny video. If I remember correctly, they also danced to the song "Beat it". Actually, when I was a junior high school student, I danced to the song "Beat it" in physical education class. Probably, the teacher was a Michael Jackson fan.

Amica

•  Amica
• 2009年6月29日 18:41

Hi David,

I'm sorry, but to be honest, I don't really know Michael Jackson or his music. When 'Thriller' came out(It's around 1984, right?), I was in elementary school, so I was not interested in Western music at that time. When I watched some parts of the Thriller video for the first time, I thought it was just scary and creepy..(Sorry for saying this.) I checked the Internet and watched the full version of the video today, and then I watched the funny video you put on the blog. The group of prisoners did a good job! I was surprised that they were allowed to make a video.

Unfortunately, I don't have many memories of Michael Jackson(I only know a few songs of his), so I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's story.

See you soon,

Tomo

PS Yumeko, I think you are right. “もうとしだから、ただ忘れただけかもしれない” = “although I am getting old, so maybe I have just forgotten.”

•  Tomo
• 2009年6月30日 00:37

Hi David and everyone,

I have heard about the death of Michael Jackson and it was a big surprise for me. I've watched the movie, Thriller. His dance performance and music talent attracted me.

By the way, I'm going to go to Turkey for sightseeing two days later, and I'm upsetting now! I'm struggling with how to handle my private assignments; for example, packing of travel goods, gathering the information in internet.
What's more, I have to clear my house work. Anyway, I have to do all until leave Japan. I don't like preparing for travel condition under these situations. I'm not good at controlling things myself. So I now love slow mood and I'd like to relaxed life style.

Hi yumeko,

Thanks for sharing my topic. You questioned me about Shizu who is a historical woman in Kamakura period. She helped Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune, he
was escaping from his elder brother's killer.
She was a well-known dancer and clever. They loved each other.
However, she and her mother were caught at Kyoto by spy, and they were committed from Kyoto to Kamakura(Minamoto-no-Yoritomo).
She never told about her lover's news and she danced on a stage in front of his enemy.
What's more, she sang a love song and danced. At that time she was expecting his baby. After a while, she gave a birth to baby boy and her baby was killed by Yoritomo.
It is said, Shizuka-gozen and her mother let return to Kyoto.

On this year, the event Shizuka-gozen dance performance was over. You can see it the second Sunday, April at Kamakura-hachimangu.

See you again,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年6月30日 10:09

Hi David and everyone,

I have heard about the death of Michael Jackson and it was a big surprise for me. I've watched the movie, Thriller. His dance performance and music talent attracted me.

By the way, I'm going to go to Turkey for sightseeing two days later, and I'm upsetting now! I'm struggling with how to handle my private assignments; for example, packing of travel goods, gathering the information in internet.
What's more, I have to clear my house work. Anyway, I have to do all until leave Japan. I don't like preparing for travel condition under these situations. I'm not good at controlling things myself. So I now love slow mood and I'd like to relaxed life style.

Hi yumeko,

Thanks for sharing my topic. You questioned me about Shizu who is a historical woman in Kamakura period. She helped Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune, he
was escaping from his elder brother's killer.
She was a well-known dancer and clever. They loved each other.
However, she and her mother were caught at Kyoto by spy, and they were committed from Kyoto to Kamakura(Minamoto-no-Yoritomo).
She never told about her lover's news and she danced on a stage in front of his enemy.
What's more, she sang a love song and danced. At that time she was expecting his baby. After a while, she gave a birth to baby boy and her baby was killed by Yoritomo.
It is said, Shizuka-gozen and her mother let return to Kyoto.

On this year, the event Shizuka-gozen dance performance was over. You can see it the second Sunday, April at Kamakura-hachimangu.

See you again,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年6月30日 10:26

Sorry, my same comment appeared twice at 30-minute intervals.
When I returned my desk my PC showed the warn "time out" so I tried to post again.

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年6月30日 10:48

Hi Tomo,
Thank you for giving me a big hint!
ずっと　"X. Althogh Y, Z."　は「Xです。Yですけど、Zです」と思っていました。
「年だけど忘れてしまっただけかも・・・」ばかり思い付き、それは変な感じでした。Although を使って「年だから・・・」になるのですね。例文を探してみます。これからも勘違いしたり間違えていたりしたら、遠慮なく教えてくださいね。本当にうれしいです。

Hi Kiyoko,
Thank you for sharing the interesting story that I didn’t know well, although I’m getting old, so maybe I have just forgotten.
トルコ旅行の前、お忙しい中、説明してくださってありがとうございます。伸びるアイスクリームと綺麗なモザイクのモスクと香辛料の効いたシシカバブしか思い浮かびませんが、どうぞ楽しんでいらしてくださいね。いってらっしゃい！

夢子

•  yumeko
• 2009年6月30日 12:39

Hi David and everyone,

Speaking of Michael Jackson, I saw a lot of news on TV and read articles on the web these past couple of days.
To be honest, sorry to say, I don't have many memories of him. When the song"Thriller" was released, I was in my 30's and was busy with raising children. Of course I do remember his songs ,and his dance called the "moon walk" had a strong impact on me, but still he was another one of those singers.
So my image towards him is about the latter part of his life; drugs, child abuse and other scandals.
I am not sure these ones are true or just rumors, though.
He seemed to have been miserable and rushed to his death.
Someone on TV said," We lost three music icons; Elvis Presley, John Lennon and now Michael Jackson."
Is it really true, isn't it? Hopefully he can be at peace now.
Looking forward to hearing from member's memories.

Hi Chiyo, Yumeko and NAO,
Nice to meet you!

Hi Amica,
Your stories always made me laugh and cheer me up! I could easily visualize you sneaking into living room.....haha

Hi Kiyoko,
Are you going to Turkey?
Hope you have a lovely time there and looking forward to your adventure!

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月30日 14:20

Hi again,
I think I have seen the video before, and it's funny!

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月30日 14:28

Hi Kiyoko,
Have a nice trip!　気をつけて行って来て下さい＾＾

Hi Yumeko,
ただ「それでいいと思います」と同意しただけなので、あまり役には立ってないと思いますが・・（＾＾;）　最初は、Yumekoの疑問は“I can't remember” と “I have just forgotten”のニュアンスの違いだと思っていたので、それは考えたことがないというか、表現の仕方の違いかなぁ･･と思っていました。　でも何だか質問の意図を勘違いしているような気がしたのでDavidの答えを待とうと思っていたのですが。。　“..and I am pretty sure we never had them in school, although I am getting old, so maybe I have just forgotten.”の although なら、私も最初に読んだ時は「ここで although？」と思いました。 Yumekoと同じで、although は「～だけれど」と思っていたからです。　何回か読んで、前後の文からこの部分は「とはいっても最近年だから･･」という風に受け止めたのですが、調べてみたら『although: used to mean ‘but’ or ‘however’ when you are commenting on a statement』というのがあったので・・
Even when I joined the police, I don't remember having a health check, and I am pretty sure we never had them in school, although I am getting old, so maybe I have just forgotten.
（警察に就職した時も、健康診断を受けた覚えはないし、学校では絶対にやってないと思う。　でももう年だから、ただ忘れちゃっただけかもしれないけどね。）
と、私はalthough を 「でも」、「年だから・・・」の‘だから’は後半の so かな、という風に解釈しました。（勘違いしているかもしれませんが。。）

Hi Anne,
Welcome back!! I'm happy to see your comment!　待ってましたよ＾＾

語れるほど Michael Jackson について知らないので（いろんなウワサは聞いたことがありますが）、Wikipedia を読んだり、ビデオクリップを見たりして勉強中です。　色々知らないことがいっぱいでビックリしてます（笑）

I'm going to my daughter's kindergarten because there is a parent-teacher's meeting today, so see you all later.

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2009年6月30日 15:01

Hi again,
少し訂正；
Is it really true, isn't it?→It is really true, isn't it?
又は、"Isn't it really true?"　の方がぴったり来るかもしれませんね。

See you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年6月30日 16:07

Hi David,
Thank you for your feedback! Talking about a health check is a bit difficult for me because of medical words, but it was interesting.

As for Michael Jackson, I was really impressed when I watched 'Thriller' at the first time. But I prefered 'Beat it', because 'Thriller' was a bit scary.
Anyway, I was looking forward to watching MTV on Saturday nights.
I've heard a lot of rumors and scandals about him, but I'm not sure they were true or not. It might have been true that he really sticked with fair skin.
I hope he feels peace and happy now.

Hi Anne,
Glad to find your comment!

Bye for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年6月30日 22:02

Hi Team,

I remember that Michael Jackson appeared in a Japanese TV commercial before he released "Thriller".
It was SUZUKI motors. He sang "Off the wall" and "Don't stop till you get enough". He said "Love is my message." at the end of the CM. I like these songs and this CM. My mother has been working for SUZUKI and that's why I know about it.
I also remember that he sang a few songs with Paul McCartney.
If you enter "Michael Jackson, Suzuki, CM" into the search box on YouTube, you'll find several videos of the CM.

Appoh

•  Appoh
• 2009年7月 1日 00:22

Hi Tomo,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I really got it this time with your help. When I read the last sentence, I saw the light(目からうろこが落ちました). I found out the easiest way for myself from your explanation and other materials that ‘although’ in the middle of a sentence sometimes means ‘but/however/yet/もっとも’ and ‘ばってん’.
Good night!

yumeko

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 1日 01:06

Hey!
Who is that rude person?

Tomo
You don't have to worry about the above comment at all.I don't know why he or she wrote it..
Well,,I'm sure you don't care of that anyway:)
Even if you make mistakes,we will take the responsibility by ourselves,and David will correct your mistakes for us!!
I think that's we do here..
もし、トモさんの解釈が間違っていても、それをチェックしながら学習するのが私たちだし、デヴィだってちゃんと正してくれるでしょ★
そういう学習方法を実践しているのが、このブログじゃないかしら？笑
私なんて、皆さんのコメントに間違いを見つけることすら間々ならない。。。

Everyone
I'm sorry that I wrote a comment.
It has nothing to do with this topic..
気分を害してしまったらごめんなさい。。
書かずにいられないわ～笑。

Hi David

I know MJ,but I didn't know much about his music..
But when I watched tha video of Thriller,I couldn't keep watching until the end..because it was so scared me..
I couldn't watch Kyonshee(キョンシー知ってる？).
I am a chicken something!
I think my feeling was simmilar to yours when Imawano Kiyoshirou was deid..He was like MJ for me.
Tow big persons died in Japan and the USA at a sametime..
同時期に違う国で、すごい人が死んじゃったなんて。

•  Chiyo
• 2009年7月 1日 11:57

Thanks Chiyo,

Hi everyone,

somebody named 'tst'wrote an offensive comment, so I have deleted it. This is an unfortunate danger of runing a public blog 'Tst', whoever you are, that kind of comment is inappropriate, and people who make them are not welcome on this blog. Any more comments that you make like that will be deleted as soon as we see them.

Everyone else, see you on Friday.

David

•  David
• 2009年7月 1日 12:27

Hi,David and everyone!
Do you know 「Finger5」?
It was ａ very popular group that was active in 1970's in Japan.
It was made up of 4brothres and 1sister that from Okinawa.
They imiteted Jacson5(Jacsons).
We can listen to their song as cover songs even now.

Green

•  Green
• 2009年7月 1日 13:00

コメント、消されていてホッとしました！
最初に見たとき、あまりの内容にビックリして、「どうか、Tomoが気づく前に消去されますように！」って願ったのですが、Tomoは読んでしまったかしら…。
これがネットの恐ろしさなんですよね。このブログではそんなことはないだろうと思っていたのですが。とにかく、もし読んでしまっていても、Tomoは何も悪くないのだから、気にしちゃダメですよ！

Amica

•  Amica
• 2009年7月 1日 13:06

Hi Chiyo,

You are SO TRUE! I didn’t see the above comment as you mentioned, however, it was related to my question, wasn’t it? If so, don’t worry. I am very sure that Tomo’s explanation was exactly appropriate to my puzzle.

Hi someone without name,

You are very good at grammar and fond of talking about grammar, aren’t you? I believe grammar is helpful for us to communicate well. I don’t think you made good use of it for good communication this time. I think Tomo knows about David’s way of writing and thinking much better than you; that’s also helpful to understand what he writes. If you have another point of view, please comment it in a nice way with your handle name next time.

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 1日 13:37

Thanks Chiyo, David, Amica, and Yumeko!

Actually, I read that comment before I went to pick up my daughter at kindergarten. I was thinking if I should reply to him/her, but when I got home and checked the blog again, the comment has been deleted already.(Thanks David:))
I first thought the person wrote it because I said that I didn't really know Michael Jackson or his music, but I might get it wrong. Well, either is fine because I don't need to read it anymore.

Thanks again for your kind comments. They made me feel better:)

読んだ時は私もあまりの内容に絶句･･でしたが、もう大丈夫です。　みなさん、ありがとう＾＾

See you soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 1日 14:16

Hi "Tst"!!
I haven't read your comment, so I'm afraid my comment for you might miss the point, but as long as judging from other members comments, your English must be good. While reading entries and comments, you might feel "What the hell are you guys doing! It's not correct". BUT this blog is the place to learn English not the place the show the model answers. We've been learning this way since this blog has started. "Tst", it's really a shame to join this blog in such a way.
OK, I tried to write this comment in a POLITE WAY.

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年7月 1日 15:33

Hi Tomo,and everyone,
今、外出先から戻ってパソコンを開いて本当にびっくりしました。
なにが書いてあったかは知らないけれど、本当に悲しい事です。
Tomo,これにめげちゃダメだよ。

Anne

•  匿名
• 2009年7月 1日 15:37

Hi Anne,
ありがとうございます＾＾　そのコメントを読んだ時はびっくりしてすぐに閉じてしまったので、ちゃんと読めてなかったかもしれませんが、最後の一文は swear word が入ってました。　本当にびっくりしましたが、みんなのおかげで今はもう大丈夫です。　気持ちが落ち着いたので、さっきその swear word がどんな意味で使われていたのか調べてみました。（←ちゃんと勉強してます（笑））　私は絶対使いませんけどね。

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 1日 16:35

Hi David and everyone,

Thanks to this blog, I have improved my English skill little by little.

I was thinking of Michael Jackson.
I know he has been on top music industry and often I've heard it.
But actually I wasn't so interested in that.
However I have involved in his music unconsciously.
I can't say anymore about Michael Jackson.

But... 故人の冥福をお祈りいたします。

Kazu

•  Kazu
• 2009年7月 1日 20:13

Hi Tomo and Everyone,
のんきに今コメントを読み始めたら・・・ん？ん？ん？
とにかく、ひどいコメントが投稿されていたのね。悲しいね。
Tomo、そんなの気にしないでね！今までどおり一緒に楽しくやっていこうね（＾＾）ｖ

As for the video, I forgot to write about it last night. I've seen it before on TV. According to the TV programme, the number of fighting among prisoners has been decreasing and their attitudes have been getting better since they started to practice dancing. Did you see another ones? "Do the Hustle" reminds me my junior-high life.;-)

Talk to you later,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年7月 1日 21:16

Hi Tomo,
You are always great and fabulous.

Hi Green.
I remember "Finger 5" very well. They debuted just after Okinawa came back to Japan.

Appoh

•  Appoh
• 2009年7月 1日 22:46

Hi everyone,

I’ve watched the funny ‘Thriller’ with my friend, who started to like it very much and watched it repeatedly saying ‘Wow, さすがPhilippine! His face itself is a real thriller. He should have worn a different costume.’ (talking about a man who was a role of Michael Jackson) The person who was not wearing an orange jersey, who seemed to be gay, got into the role of a girl and looked fascinated with himself. It’s a great idea to help their concentration, cooperation and getting a feeling of success.

Good night!

Tomo, have an icecreamy sweet dream! I like you!

yumeko

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 1日 23:32

Hi Maki,
ありがとう！　うん、一緒に楽しくやっていこう＾＾
And thanks for the information about the funny video. I see, that's why they can make a video. Dancing is a good way to relieve stress, and it's much better than fighting. That makes sense. I watched the video you mentioned. Some of them seemed to be really enjoying themselves.
By the way, I also thought that Michael Jackson wanted to change his skin color, but according to the articles on Wikipedia, he had a disease called 'vitaligo'(尋常性白斑) that makes a person loses his/her original color. I'm not sure if it's true or not, though..

Hi Appoh,
Thank you! I love those words:)
By the way, I watched some videos of the CM you mentioned. As you said, Michael Jackson said "Love is my message" at the end of the CM. He also winked, but he blinked with his both eyes. He was cute.

Hi Yumeko,
ポストしようとしたらYumekoのコメントを見つけました。　Thank you! I like you, too!

Good night, and see you all later.

Tomo

PS Green, I used to sing 学園天国 at a karaoke box!　小泉今日子がカバーしてましたよね＾＾

PPS Kazu, I learned how to say ‘冥福をお祈りいたします’ in English when I was reading comments on You Tube today. It's "rest in peace", and I saw a lot of comments saying "rest in peace Michael" or "R.I.P. from Poland(or somewhere)" Just for your information;-)

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 1日 23:51

It's been quite a long time since I last commented, so I hope everything is going well for you all.

David:
Did you deleted a comment just because it was offensive? Hey, give me a break! Is this blog only for people you can easily deal with? If so, I can only think you are people who look at things in the same old way and are no longer capable of appreciating how others thought of.

Blogs need to be open for anyone and all comments need to be accepted except for when they are spam.

There are a lot of people who are different from what you expected and couldn't express their thought straightforwards, so maybe you should just ignore its comments instead of deleting them.

I am not intersted in Michael Jackson at all, but very intersted in the comment I was unable to read deleted by force.

I wish you could accept my comment.

•  Mie
• 2009年7月 2日 00:26

Hi Tomo,

Thank you for your translation.
I learned it.
I'll put it into my data base.

Thank you again.

Kazu

•  Kazu
• 2009年7月 2日 09:20

Hi Tomo, 私はその記事を見てませんが、かわりなくて安心しました！

Hi everyone,

The news says Michael Jackson died!
I was very surprised to hear the news.

I have been knowing on TV news that Michael is going to performances in U.K. near the future.

Actually, I'm old person. I had a no chance to enjoy music during my youth. I was working hard morning to night.
Although, these days, sometimes I am watching his performances that very good, it make me happy and cheer up, especially his young days ones.
I'm going to listen to his music when I have a chance.

Anyway, "we lost a great person".

I sympathize with Michael Jackson's family from the bottom of my heart.

　Everyone, have a good day.
eeko

•  eeko
• 2009年7月 2日 10:51

Hi Mie,
That comment was not just offensive but had a swear word. Actually, it was the first time David had deleted a comment because it was inappropriate. He always tells his students that they should not try to use taboo words or swear words if they don't understand the grammar and exact meaning of taboo words, don't have a deep understanding of a country's culture, or are not a member of the group.(Using taboo words is a sign of belonging to a group.) ←These reasons are explained in one of David's books.
As you said before, this blog has a long history. It's been more than three years since the blog started. In those past years, we have built a community, and we've been trying to make the blog community even bigger and even better. David said before that this blog is interesting because people write what they really think, so you can write what you really think like the comment you posted above. But writing what you really think is one thing and hurting people's feelings on purpose is another thing. That's a different thing. This blog is a place to communicate with people, to learn English by using, and to help each other. That's why we call this community 'team'. It's not a place to just post your hate to hurt people's feelings. I do not want to have those people with us.
By the way, please have a look at the left-hand side of this page, and you'll see the explanation about comments and trackbacks from ALC. It says, “不適切と思われるコメント、本企画の趣旨にそぐわないコメントは予告なく削除いたします。営業・勧誘目的と思われるコメントに関しても同様と致しますので、あらかじめご了承ください。”

Hope you'll understand why the comment was deleted.

Tomo

PS Kazu, you are welcome!

PPS eeko、ありがとうございます＾＾

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 2日 11:33

Hi Mie,

Nice to hear from you again. There is a difference between disagreeing with people and calling them names. If somebody said to my face what the person wrote in their comment yesterday, I would probably punch them! I agree that blogs should be a forum for lively discussion, but the same basic rules apply to blogs that apply to all forms of communication. I am quite happy for people to disagree with me or any of the other commenters, but I will not accept name-calling or the making of comments that are intended to offend people. If people become scared to make comments because they are afraid of personal attacks, the blog will just die. I will never delete a comment just because I don't agree with the person's opinion, but I will delete comments instantly if I think they are offensive, just as I would tear up an offensive letter or tell an offensive person to shut up.

Hope that makes things clearer,

David

•  David
• 2009年7月 2日 12:55

Tomo:
I am very sorry to say that I couldn't understand what you meant to say about the action David did at all.

Are you saying that David himself is an administrator in this site though I have believed that he is only a bloger?
It was no strange if ALC had done that since they have right to do so as an administrator as you remarked, but I have never for one moment heard that blogers themseves did so without saying any prior notice. The action may have prevented that person from having an opportunity to apologize to you for the lack of politeness.

Anyway, based on your explanation, I could realize what you would like to maintain, i.e., your exclusive community you call 'team', - I don't know David agrees with you on this-, which sounds vary sad to me because it makes me feel I am an outsider.

The community 'team' typical in Japanese society shows what kind of people you really are.

David:
If so, maybe you should only delete the parts which are inappropriate remarks or expresions.
It seems to me that it must be unfair because there may have remained a good part in that comment, although I cannot evaluate that since I was not able to read.

This has to be a place not for genuine English learners but only for your community 'team', that has been beyond my thought; I completely counted myself out.

Mie

•  Mie
• 2009年7月 2日 14:24

訂正します。進行形は臨時的なニュアンスでしたね。
　　I was working hard morning to night.
→ I worked hard morning to night.

I'm always make mistakes.
eeko

•  eeko
• 2009年7月 2日 14:29

また訂正(^_^;)

I was always making mistakes.　に。 So sorry!

•  eeko
• 2009年7月 2日 14:35

Hi David and everyone,

At last, my sightseeing travel of Turkey will be starting tomorrow!
It's rain on and off, and on the walk road is wet.
Anyway, I was really busy yesterday all day long.
However, I have done the packing and I made a list all my things.
This tour is early departure and late arrival.
It's not easy to reach at the Narita airport by printed time, if I get on
the first express bus.
I decided to go by bus that starts at 5:45 nearby terminal station, because
it was faster than JR NEX.
However, I'll be not okay on time, and I told the real things to the tour
conductor, and I've got her permission.
So I've a little relaxed.
Accidentally, I'll step on Seoul on the way to Turkey. and this is my first
experience to see something of South Korea in the airport.

I'm remembering and thinking about Mr. Lee. He was a gentle English learner
in our circle for less than one year. He was a business man of the large
company. I used to have a coffee break time with him after the class and
talk about many topics in English as long as possible.
It was a pleased and useful time. I pretty surely think he is speaking
English in somewhere.

yumeko, Anne, Tomo,
Thanks for your kind words.

I'll see you again after I came back to Japan,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2009年7月 2日 14:41

Hi Mie,
You are the person who said yourself to be crap at your English and preferred to be called Jap to Japanese, aren’t you? During the period I was just reading entries and comments, I felt it seemed that you could neither see nor say things straight and you were cynical all the time like ‘意地悪ばあさん’, however, I liked your comment on “Find vs. Find Out” in June 8th 2009 starting with “Trying to find out what you explained, I found two errors in your entry, i.e.,” and I burst into a laugh to read it and I thought you used both ‘find out’ and ‘find’ effectively. To be honest, I guessed you did yesterday.

Besides, your last comment on 14th June 2009, in which there was a list of 14 verbs made by yourself, on which nobody commented. You might have felt it was ignored, but your list was wide and beyond the topic, so I don’t think it was so easy to answer it. When you really need some hints or comments, why don’t you carefully select and make your point clearer and easier, next time? Sorry for my 生意気！ If my question was not answered yet, I wouldn’t think it was ignored, but would think everybody was busy or the way of asking was neither clear nor good enough to appeal to everyone, then I would adjust it.

Of course, you have different opinions and tastes, also it is fun to know various ones, however, it definitely should not be offensive to hurt someone, so your request of last night was not suitable at all.
You might be honest although mean, yet don't be so curious about the bad! Everybody wants to forget about it.

yumeko

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 2日 14:48

Hi Mie,

I am not the administrator of the blog, but I have adminstrator access so that I can correct mistakes in my own entries or comments. The comment I deleted was all offensive, so there were no parts of it that could be left. It had no purpose other than to cause hurt to one specific person. I did not however, block that commenter, so he or she could easily just write another comment if he or she wanted to apologize.

•  David
• 2009年7月 2日 15:39

Hi David and everyone,
I'm sorry to hear that Micheal Jackson passed away and a lot of gossip about him were still in the news,but then I　think an enourmous number of big fans of his will love his music for many years to come.

Amica is so funny and nice. I can picture her watching TV in the dark room.　I'd like her to keep talking about her heart-warming story.

Three years have passed since this blog started.
Tomo has been here all the time,hasn't she?　It's nice to have Anne back.　I'll enjoying the blog for years to come.
Bye for now.

•  May
• 2009年7月 2日 16:24

訂正です。
I'll be enjoying the blog for years to come.

•  May
• 2009年7月 2日 16:27

Hi　Mie,
お久しぶりですね。今回のあなたのコメントに対してもう書く必要もないのかもしれませんが、私も一言参加させてくださいね。
英語で書く気力がないので、日本語で失礼します。
もうすでにDavidが書いておられるので必要ないのですが。。
私の考えは、このブログはアルクの方の助けもあり、名前もありますが、「David」という先生が主催しているブログであるということ。あなたも、私もその参加者の一人、としてとらえていますが、いかがでしょう。
administratorと言う言葉を使われましたが、私はorganizeしておられるのだととらえていますが、いかがですか？
私もブログに参加した経験が今までないので、えらそうな事はいえませんが、やっぱり個人攻撃はルール違反だと思います。このブログの元であるDavidにはコメントを判断し削除する権限は当然あると考えます。権限があるということは、責任を伴う、と言うことですね。日本人は、議論のうえでの戦いに（debate,discussion)慣れていないので、難しいのですが（私は逃げるタイプかも）
そんな風に"意見"を戦わせることが出来たらすばらしいと思いませんか。多くの人が参加する場所は、１００％自分の満足するようには行かないけれど、それもそれ、ですよ^^)
次回のDavidのテーマが何か分かりませんが、あなたの素晴らしい英語力で、意見を聞くことが出来るのを楽しみにしています。

とりとめもないこと書きました^^;)

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年7月 2日 16:57

yumeko:
I am not sure that I can properly reply to since I didn't quite catch what you said.

I did just say 'I would rahter be called 'Japs (a plural noun) than 'the Japanese (a general term using an adjective)' because I feel that 'the Japanese' sounds much more rude in expression in a sense than 'Japs'.

As for 'find' vs 'find out', I did it deliberately just for answering the offer David had made which we were unable to refuse.

The list I made, which I have already forgot, meant just for your information as a little pastime of mine at that time. I didn't feel ignored even when nobody answered my comment, because I have never ever commented, hoping to have some replys, otherwise, there is no participating in blogs like this.

Sorry, I am not such a mean person who you expect like someone else ( by any chance. are you being difficult today?)

David:
Ok, point taken.

Mie

•  MIe
• 2009年7月 2日 16:58

Anne:
Sorry, I don't have much time right now because I am at work, so if I have time I will answer you later as soon as posible after I read your comment carefully.

Mie

•  Mie
• 2009年7月 2日 17:09

Anne:
I totally agree with you.

This debate or discussion here must be no battles or combat at all. If this continues, it will become the endless duration of the heartbreaking present, in which it is impossible for me to have any hope for the future, so I am determined to give this up since someone nastily pointed out to me, saying, 'a mean old woman' in Japanese, -isn't this offensive at all based on your standard or common sense, is this?

I can understand the word 'administrator' in computer area, but 'organizer', it can be found on a desk or in a drawer. I also don't know the best word for that though.

I might be a contrary person, and granted that it is true, but I cannot stand this offensive situation and stereotyped opinins to me any more.

Good luck, this exclusive comunity! ( Oh, he is a community organizer, is he? Now I got it right.)

•  匿名
• 2009年7月 2日 20:28

Hi Mie,

I got it about the difference ‘Japanese’ and ‘the Japanese’. Sorry for that I misunderstood it! You meant you hated to be bundled up together as ‘the Japanese’.
What you write is always difficult for me, if you kindly write a bit simpler and easier, I could understand it.

To think you belong to a team, or to be an outsider, that’s up to you. This blog is not for an exclusive community as you said because it is always open to us, new visitors. I feel I am in between but it is natural because I was not here during 3-years-time. Most important thing for me is that everybody here likes to communicate in English. That’s why I can write freely with peace of mind. I really need such an opportunity to get to my goal. I hope this blog continues as long as possible. If you don’t like to be a typical Japanese, to comment as an outsider would be fun, too. If I were you, I would feel comfortable.

When I was about to post my comment, I found your comment. Thank you! I'm sorry to have said
such an offensive word. Forgive me, Mie!

Good night!

yumeko

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 2日 20:48

Hi Tomo,
I thought that MJ might have sticked with fair skin, as he changed his own appearances. He had the disease, didn't he? I was rude to him...
Anyway, I watched his music videos on You Tube last night and they remind me he was a genius rather than a great performer.

There is one more working day this week.;-)

Bye for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2009年7月 2日 22:35

p.s. Mie, '意地悪ばあさん' of '長谷川町子'　used to be my idol, so I didn't need to apologize you, actually.

•  yumeko
• 2009年7月 2日 22:55

Hi David

Although I am not great fan of Michael Jackson, I know some of his songs.
My favorite his song is “Black or White” and I think his voice is kind of cute in this song.
I also remember that I watched the video for the first time. It was amazing, but it’s a bit creepy though. He was such a great entertainer so many musician have been influenced by him. May his soul rest and peace

At least I had found a time to write a comment even a few sentences.
Tomo do you remember what I wrote a new year’s resolution?
I wrote that “On of my new year’s resolutions is keep writing a comment in this blog once in a while.” And you commented “You should change once in a WHILE to once in a WEEK” and I never fail to write a comment once in a week so far.
Thank you Tomo!! If you had not commented to me at that time, I wouldn’t write a comment constantly.

TGTF

Good night and sweet dreams

•  amo
• 2009年7月 3日 00:40

correction

I also remember that I watched the video for the first time. It was amazing, but it’s a bit creepy though.
-> I also remember that I watched the video "Thriller" for the first time. It was amazing, but it’s a bit creepy though.

•  amo
• 2009年7月 3日 00:55

Hi Mie,
Thanks for your idea."the word 'administrator' in computer area"→I see.　I didn't know that.
I'm afraid I couldn't use the word"organizer" correctly;I didn't mean that, but it's OK. Thanks.

Hi everyone,
It's Friday now. The weather around here is fine and a bit cool.
I'm happy I could be back to this wonderful team again. Thanks for your generous words,Tomo,Maki, Amica, and May.
I recharged my batteries and I'm fine now.
I could learn a lot from members' comment this week; new words, other members ideas and my mistakes.....
That's why I love this blog.
I'm going out today, see you later.

Have a nice day!

Anne

•  Anne
• 2009年7月 3日 07:51

Hi Mie,
Good luck to you, too.

Hi May,
そうですね、その間にいろんな話をして、いろんな人に出会いました。　このブログは、英語を含め、いろんな意味で私を変えてくれた場所です。　懐かしく思う人もたくさんいますが、新しい出会いもまた楽しみにしています＾＾　

Hi Yumeko,
You are right. This blog is always open to new visitors, and you are already one of the team. It doesn't matter how long you've been here. Your comments are interesting, and there are a lot of things I want to learn. I also hope this blog continues as long as possible, and I'm looking forward to talk about lots of things with you!
Oh, by the way, when I read one of your comments on this entry, I burst into a laugh. Thanks for making me laugh. I really needed it.

Hi Maki,
It's the end of the week, so it's time for your batteries to be recharged;-)

Hi Amo,
Of course I remember that conversation! It's great that you keep the new year's resolution, and I'm very happy to see your comment on every topic. Let's keep it up!

Hi Anne,
We are all happy to have you back here. Everyone needs to take a break sometimes;-)

I'm going to my son's elementary school to see his class this afternoon, so see you all later.

Tomo

PS David, I'm looking forward to your new entry!

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 3日 11:32

【訂正】
I'm looking forward to talk about... → I'm looking forward to talking about

•  Tomo
• 2009年7月 3日 11:35

Hi Anne, thank you!
Anne welcome back, I'm also glad you are in here.
I hope that I want to read a lot of your comments.

•  eeko
• 2009年7月 3日 11:45

Hi Everyone,

I've been away from this blog most of the time recently, and I haven't read these comments through, but I just wanted to make a short comment as a not-always-regular participant of this blog for more than two years.

Although it's hosted by ALC, this is a blog: David's blog. He states the intention and purpose of this blog clearly by its very title: 英語と仲直りブログ. There have been heated debates about one subject or another over the years, but he handled them graciously and never deleted a comment as far as I know. I give him credit for that. This is an open blog too. I actually think it's incredibly open for a blog. Many people came and went. They were all welcomed and will be welcome back any time. That's what I like about this blog, and I want it to stay that way.

Have a nice week.

•  Lily
• 2009年7月 3日 12:53

クレジット現金化比較できます。
よろしくお願いします。

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