Dear readers,
As this terrible/awful/horrible (酷い) year comes to an end, I can only say good riddance (厄介払い). This expression is used when one is glad or relieved that something bad is gone or finished (嫌な物が無くなって・終わって嬉しい又はホッとする). Sometimes we even use it about people. For today, though, let's practice by saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year for all.
Looking forward,
Alan
Dear 007 fans,
It is with great sadness (悲痛な面持ちで) that I report the passing of (逝去の) Sir Sean Connery on October 31, 2020 at the age of ninety. He was the first and, for many, the best James Bond. For some, he was the ONLY 007. For me, he was a childhood hero.
Playing a variety of roles over his seven-decade career, Sean Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (助演男優賞) in 1988 and received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award (アメリカ映画協会の生涯功労賞を受賞した) in 2006.
A man's man who was knighted (ナイト爵を授けられた) by Queen Elizabeth in 2000, Sir Sean's services will be greatly missed.
Goodbye, Mr Bond!
In mourning,
Alan
P.S. As a child, my favorite James Bond movie was "You Only Live Twice" (007は二度死ぬ), when 007 travels to Japan!
Hello drivers, riders, and walkers,
How do you get to E-Style? For many students, the answer is either by car (車で) or by bicycle (自転車で). For some, the answer is by train (電車で) or by scooter (原付で). I have even had some students come by ferry (フェリーで). But what about those who walk to class? For them, the answer is on foot (徒歩で).
I have heard many students who walk to E-Style say that they come "by walking." Unfortunately (残念ながら), this sounds a little strange in English and is not used by native speakers.
Of course, there are other ways to answer the above question without using "by" or "on." Examples include the following:
Regardless of how you get to E-Style, please be careful on your commute (通学).
Driving safely,
Alan
Let it Beatles, the weekly radio program which I have been cohosting with Dr. Koji Takebe since 2018, ends today. It has truly been a pleasure to work with "Doctor Robert" these past two years (この2年間) and an honor (光栄) to help out in the fight against both breast cancer (乳がん) and animal abuse (動物虐待). I would like to thank Dr. Takebe not only for his sponsorship of the show, but for his friendship, as well. I would also like to express my gratitude (感謝の意を表す) to all of our listeners, who sent us their requests and encouragement (激励). Lastly, thanks to The Beatles, without whom . . .
