We are a club of English language and culture friends. We meet in Guadalajara every thursday from 18:45 to 20:45 in order to talk in english.

We usually have a topic of the day but the conversation normally flows by itself and we have fun talking about lots of things. We meet in the Social Centre in Calle Cifuentes.

Why don't you try next Thursday? Meet us, talk and enjoy. If you like it and decide to be a member it's only 20 Euros a year, and we have a lot of resources, like a library service with lots of books, games and films, and some magazines such as Think in English, Speak Up and National Geographic.

sábado, 10 de diciembre de 2011

"Love the Way You Lie"


"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album, Recovery (2010). It was released as the album's second single on August 9, 2010, by Interscope-Geffen-A&M. The song features vocals by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. According to her, the song's theme, domestic violence, is one that few people are conscious of, making it effective. In the mid-tempohardcore hip hop song, Eminem raps over an acoustic guitar and a piano as one half of an unstable love–hate relationship. Journalists have suggested that he references his ex-wife Kimberly Scott.

Eminem and his manager considered Rihanna after listening to a track that Alex da Kid produced, noting her to be ideal; Rihanna appreciated the song's theme, claiming it to be one she can reflect on. Eminem and Skylar Grey wrote the song with da Kid, who collaborated with Makeba Riddick for production. The recording sessions took place at Effigy Studios in Ferndale, Michigan and Sun Studios in Dublin. A multitude of recording artists have covered or remixed the song, including The Pretty Reckless, Cher Lloyd, Ariana Grande, Alex Feather Akimov and Rudiger. Rihanna recorded and released a sequel of the song for her album Loud, titled "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)"; it is mostly narrated from the female perspective, unlike the original.
Critics commended "Love the Way You Lie" for Eminem's lyrics, da Kid's production and Rihanna's vocal performance. Publications listed the song among the best of 2010 and Eminem's work. The song peaked at number one on 25 charts worldwide, including the US BillboardHot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. It sold over five million copies in the United States and became the best-selling single of 2010 in the United Kingdom. "Love the Way You Lie" charted at number one on the year-end charts of Australia and the UK. It has earned Eminem six awards from 30 nominations around the world, including nominations for Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, MuchMusic Video Awards and others.
In July 2010 Joseph Kahn directed the song's accompanying music video, for which Los Angeles was selected as the setting. He hired thespians Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox to play the starring roles of a love–hate relationship. The video also depicts Eminem and Rihanna in front of a burning house. Although Kahn commended Fox's acting and appearance, explicit imagery that suggests domestic violence sparked controversy. Speculation initially arose from fans and critics that the video is based on the relationships of Eminem and Rihanna with Scott and Chris Brown, respectively. "Love the Way You Lie" has been performed on eight occasions, including Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and Lollapalloza, among others.
[Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that’s alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that’s alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
 
[Eminem]
I can’t tell you what it really is
I can only tell you what it feels like
And right now there’s a steel knife in my windpipe
I can’t breathe but I still fight while I can fight
As long as the wrong feels right it’s like I’m in flight
High off of love, drunk from my hate
Its like I’m huffing paint
And I love it the more that I suffer, I suffocate
And right before I’m about to drown she resuscitates me
She fucking hates me and I love it, wait
Where you going, I’m leaving you
No you ain’t, come back
We’re running right back
Here we go again, it’s so insane
Cause when it’s going good it’s going great
I’m superman with the wind at his back, she’s Lois Lane
But when it’s bad it’s awful I feel so ashamed, I snapped
Who’s that dude I don’t even know his name
I laid hands on her, I’ll never stoop so low again
I guess I don’t know my own strength
 
[Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that’s alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that’s alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie, I love the way you lie
 
[Eminem]
You ever love somebody so much
You can barely breathe when you’re with ‘em
You meet and neither one of you even know what hit ‘em
Got that warm fuzzy feeling
Yeah them chills used to get ‘em
Now you’re getting fucking sick at lookin at ‘em
You swore you’d never hit ‘em
Never do nothing to hurt ‘em
Now you’re in each others face
Spewing venom in your words when you spit ‘em
You push, pull each other’s hair, scratch, claw
Bit ‘em, throw ‘em down, pin ‘em
So lost in the moments when you’re in them
It’s the craze that the corporate controls you both
So they say it’s best to go your seperate ways
Guess they don’t know you
Cause today, that was yesterday
Yesterday is over, it’s a different day
Silent broken records playing over
But you promised her next time you’ll show restrain
You don’t get another chance
Life is no nintendo game, but you lied again
Now you get to watch her leave out the window
I guess that’s why they call it window pane
 
[Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that’s alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that’s alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie, I love the way you lie
 
[Eminem]
Now I know we said things
Did things that we didn’t mean
And we fall back into the same patterns, same routine
But your temper is just as bad is mine is
You’re the same as me
When it comes to love you’re just as blinded
Baby, please come back it wasn’t you maybe it was me
Maybe our relationship isn’t as crazy as it seems
Maybe that’s what happens when a tornado meets a valcano
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though
Come inside, pick up your bags off the sidewalk
Don’t you hear sincerity in my voice when I talk?
Told you this is my fault, look in the eyeball
Next time I’m pissed I’ll aim my fist at the drywall
Next time, there won’t be no next time
I apologize even though I know it’s lies
I’m tired of the games I just wan

[Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that’s alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that’s alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie, I love the way you liet her back
I know I’m a liar if she ever tries to fucking leave again
I’mma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire
 

lunes, 24 de octubre de 2011

Leonard Cohen

Prince of Asturias Awards Letters 2011

Leonard Norman Cohen, CC (born September 21, 1934 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a Canadian poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter. His musical career has largely overshadowed his prior work as a poet and novelist, although he has continued to publish poetry sporadically after his breakthrough in the music industry.


Musically, Cohen's early songs are based in folk music, both for melodies and instrumentation, but, beginning in the 1970s, his work shows the influence of various types of popular music and cabaret music. Since the 1980s he typically sings in a deep bass register, with synthesizers and female backing vocals.

Cohen's songs are often emotionally heavy and lyrically complex, owing more to the metaphoric word play of poetry than to the conventions of song craft. His work often explores the themes of religion, isolation, and complex interpersonal relationships.

Cohen's music has become very influential on other singer-songwriters, and more than a thousand cover versions of his work have been recorded. He is also popular in his native land, having been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honor.

In 2008, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was distinguished with the Grammy lifetime award in 2010. He was awarded the Glenn Gould Prize in 2011.

Transcript: Leonard Cohen at Oct 21, 2011 Prince of Asturias Awards Ceremony
From El Pais [Google English translation]:

It is an honor to be here tonight, but perhaps, as the great master Riccardo Muti, I’m not used to be before an audience without an orchestra behind. I will do my solo. I could not sleep last night, I spent a sleepless night wondering what I could say here today. After eating all the chocolate and peanuts from the minibar scribbled a few words but I doubt it takes to refer to them. Obviously, I’m very excited about the recognition of the foundation. But I have come tonight to express another kind of gratitude that I hope to have three or four minutes.

When I was packing up in Los Angeles I felt uneasy because I have always been some ambiguity about poetry. Comes from a place that no one controls, that no conquest. That is, if he knew where the songs would come more often. Accepting an award for an activity that does not really control it. Packing up to come, I took my guitar Conde, made in Spain 40 years ago or so. The out of the box and seemed made of helium, very light. I put it in the face and smelled it, is very well designed, the fragrance of living wood. We know that wood just never die and it smelled like cedar, so cool, like the first day, when I bought the guitar for 40 years. And a voice seemed to say: “You’re an old man and have not thanked you have not returned your gratitude to those who deserve it: soil, land, the people who gave you so much. For just as a man is not a ID card, a debt rating is not a country. You know of my strong association with Federico Garcia Lorca and I can say that while I was young and adolescent not only found a voice and when I read Lorca in a translation, I found a voice gave permission to discover my own voice, to find my self, a self that is not yet finished.

As I got older I knew that the instructions came with that voice. What were those instructions? Never regret. And if we want to express the loss we all attacks must be in the strict confines of the dignity and beauty. So you had a voice, but he had the instrument to express it. I had a song. And now I will tell briefly the story of how I got my song.

I was a guitarist indifferent. I only knew a few chords. I sat with my friends, drank and sang, but never saw myself as a musician or a singer. One day, in the early sixties, was visiting my mother. His home was near a park with a tennis court where we would watch them play basketball. It was a place I knew from my childhood. I wandered around and met a young woman playing a flamenco guitar. I loved it, was surrounded by some girls and I sat down to listen, captivated me, I wanted to play well, but I knew I would never make.
I approached him and we understood half French half English and we agreed some classes at my mother. He was a young Spanish. The next day came. He said, “Let me hear you play something.” I did and said he had no idea. He picked up the guitar, tuned it, I returned it and said, “does not sound bad. Now touch it again.”

Not change much. He grabbed me again and said, “I’ll teach you a few chords.” He played a rapid sequence of chords and then I explained where I had to put my fingers and said again: “Now playing”. But it was a disaster.

The next day began again with the six chords. Many flamenco songs based on them. On the third day it keeps getting better. I learned six chords. The next day the guitarist did not return at home. Stopped coming. Since I had the number of the boarding house where he was staying went looking to see what had happened. They told me that he had killed himself Spanish, who had killed himself. I did not know anything about him, what part of Spain was why he was in Montreal for what was at the tennis court, why he killed himself.

I felt a great sadness. We have never had this in public. The six chords, the sound pattern has been the basis of all my songs and my music and maybe now they can begin to understand the magnitude of appreciation I have for this country. All you have found favor in my work comes from this story I just told you. All my work is inspired by this land. So thank you for holding it because it is his, I only have allowed to put my signature at the end of the last page.

lunes, 3 de octubre de 2011

September 29th. Ultramarathon, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc & Kílian Jornet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Runners in the Rialp Matxicots Trail 82Km Run
An ultramarathon (also called ultra distance) is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26.2188 mi).

There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time (with the winner covering the most distance in that time). The most common distances are 50 kilometres (31.069 mi), 100 kilometres (62.137 mi), 50 miles (80.467 km) and 100 miles (160.934 km), although many races have other distances. The 100 kilometers is an official IAAF world record event.

Many ultramarathons, especially trail challenges, have severe course obstacles, such as inclement weather, elevation change, or rugged terrain. Many of these races are run on dirt roads or mountain paths, though some are run on paved roads as well. Usually, there are aid stations every 5 to 15 km apart, where runners can replenish food and drink supplies or take a short break.

The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) organises the World Championships for various ultramarathon distances, including 50 km, 100 km, 24 hours and ultra trail running. These events are sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the world governing body of track and field. Many countries around the world have their own ultrarunning organizations, often the national athletics federation of that country, or are sanctioned by such national athletics organizations. World records for distances, times and ages are tracked by the IAU.

Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (also referred to as UTMB) is a mountain ultramarathon. It takes place once a year in the Alps, across France,Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 166 km, with a total elevation gain of around 9,400 m. Some believe that it is the most difficult foot race in Europe.
While the best trailers complete the loop in slightly more than 20 hours, most runners take 30 to 45 hours to reach the finish line. There is no prize money awarded.

Logistics:
 1700 volunteers were involved in 2010.
 The North Face is the main sponsor.
 Runners are supposed to carry a minimum of equipment for safety reasons. This includes a waterproof jacket, warm clothes, food and water, whistle, survival blanket and head lamp.
 There are food and drink points along the route, every 10 to 15km. In addition, four big "life bases" provide hot meals, beds and massages:Chamonix (France), Les Chapieux (France), Courmayeur (Italy) and Champex (Switzerland).
 At Courmayeur and Champex, runners can collect a bag they previously left at Chamonix.
 Runners' race numbers contain a magnetic badge that is read at approximately 50 check points. Timings and rankings are available online and by Short message service in real-time.
 The organizers encourage solidarity between runners and respect for the environment.

Route:
The route follows basically the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking path, that is usually completed in 7 to 9 days by hikers. This is a loop around Mont Blanc.
It starts from Chamonix (1,035 m) and goes up to the Col de Voza (1,653 m) to reach Les Contamines (1,150 m). It then climbs to the Croix du Bonhomme (2,479 m) before going down back to Les Chapieux (1,549 m), which is the first life base. The path then runs up to the Col de la Seigne (2,516 m) to enter Italy, follows the ridge of the Mont-Favre (2,435 m) before going down to Courmayeur (1,190 m), the second life base. It climbs again to the Refuge Bertone (1,989 m) and Arnuva (1,769 m) before reaching its highest point, the Grand Col Ferret(2537 m), which also marks the border with Switzerland. The path goes down again to Praz de Fort (1,151 m) via La Fouly (1,593 m) before reaching the third life base, Champex d'en Bas (1,391m). The last part includes two rather low cols: Bovine (1,987 m) and Les Tseppes (1932 m) separated by Trient (1,300 m). On the descent to Vallorcine (1,260 m), the path enters back France, crosses Argentière (1,260 m) before terminating at Chamonix, its starting point.
Slight variations are applied to the route every year sometimes for safety reasons. In 2010, the route was 166 km long for a total elevation gain of 9500m.

Race profile


Year Runners Finishers Winner Winner time
2008 2500 1269 Kilian Jornet  20h58
2009 2500 1382 Kilian Jornet  21h33
2010 2400* - Jez Bragg*
2011 Kilian Jornet                     20h36

Kílian Jornet
Kílian Jornet Burgada (born October 27, 1987) is a Spanish ski mountaineer, long-distance runner, mountain biker and duathlete (mountain running and mountain biking). He is a three time champion of the Skyrunner World Series from 2007–09 and the winner of the 2011 Western States Endurance Run.

Biography
Jornet was born in Sabadell in Catalonia, Spain. He started ski mountaineering in 1999 and competed for the first time at the La Molina race of the Spanish Cup in 2000. In 2003 he became a junior member of the Spanish national ski mountaineering team, and has raced as a senior since 2007. He is a member of the international Dynafit team and lives in Puigcerdà.

Selected results 2011
Mountain Running / skyrunning
 1st, The North Face 100, Blue Mountains, Australia. Course Record
 1st, Western States Endurance Run
 1st, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 

Ski mountaineering
• World Champion Overall
• World Champion Individual
• World Champion Vertical Race

REM






6 th - october- 2011
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia. (USA). REM played their first concert in this city, on 19 April 1980. Their line-up consisted of four drop-outs from the University of Georgia; Michael Stipe (b. 4 January 1960, Decatur, Georgia, USA; vocals), Peter Buck (b. 6 December 1956, Berkeley, California, USA; guitar), Mike Mills (b. 17 December 1958, Orange County, California, USA; bass) and Bill Berry (b. 31 July 1958, Duluth, Minnesota, USA; drums).
One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records.
In 1983, the group released its critically acclaimed debut album, Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide.
By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed by subsequent acts such as Nirvana and Pavement as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound.
R.E.M.'s 1994 release, Monster, was a return to a more rock-oriented sound. The band began its first tour in six years to support the album; the tour was marred by medical emergencies suffered by three band members.
In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract in history. The following year, Bill Berry left the band, while Buck, Mills, and Stipe continued the group as a trio. Through some changes in musical style, the band continued its career into the next decade with mixed critical and commercial success. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. R.E.M. disbanded in September 2011, announcing the split on its website.


If you want to listen to their music and watch a video, get into:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pudOFG5X6uA

NEW SEASON

We have started a new season (2011-2012). The first meetings were about the organization of the topics which are decided in advance, such as HURACAN IRENE, HIGH MOUNTAIN RACES, REM (Presentation and songs)...