(not so) Breaking News!!! (audio upload 16)

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

Hi readers
For this audio upload I had to read 3 news articles from a page.
Let us begin.

1- Rats look for people

Trainers from Belgian company APOPO are training rats to search for people in disaster zones.

Rats are very curious and they like to explore, so people train them just like dogs. They are very small, so they can easily move through debris. Also, they have very good smell to find things.

The animals wear a small backpack with special technology. A video camera and a device helps rescuers communicate with survivors.

Currently people train the rats in a simulated disaster zone. When the rat finds the person in an empty room, it pulls a switch on their vest. This sends a signal to rescuers that someone is in the debris. Then, the rat returns to the rescuers, and they reward the animal.

2- Scientist find many new species

Biologists in New Zealand found about 100 new species deep in the sea. There were many unidentified ones and a creature called a ‘sea-pig’.

Scientists hoped to discover species before they disappeared forever. They found many creatures, like large sea cucumbers and unique sea cucumbers with leg-like parts. With the help of cameras, they saw known species at big depths. They also found new types of octopus and coral and some unknown creatures.

The area didn’t seem too interesting for scientists but now, they recognize it as rich and want to explore it more.

3- Car park is a farm

Noah Verin was a chef in Sydney, Australia, but in 2020, he started an unusual business.

Verin’s company is called Urban Green, and the man grows herbs and microgreens in a car park in the center of Sydney. Currently, he grows 40 different plants, and he uses lights and fans to keep the air fresh.

Verin wants his business to be carbon neutral by 2026. He already cut down the energy use by 50%, and now, he is replacing plastic packages with other materials. He also uses natural medium to grow his plants.

Verin delivers his products to local restaurants, and they are very satisfied with the quality. The plants don’t travel from far away, and they come in the pots and not cut, so they are very fresh.

That’s all of them

Let me know if I mispronounced anything, Im still learning after all.

Farewell
until the next time the stars align

Flatmates Reloaded Episode 132

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

Sadly… This is the last one.
I had so much fun recording these…
The last episode is: Childhood Traumas

Episode 132: Childhood traumas
Dentist:Now the receptionist told me you’re a bit frightened of dentists. Is that right?
Khalid:Yes I’m terrified actually.
Dentist:Well I hope I can change your mind about me! So first of all, let me ask you a few questions about your dental history.
Khalid:OK, if you think it will help.
Dentist:I’m sure it will. Now can you remember your first visit to the dentist?
Khalid:Yes, I was only young but I had to have a … a filling.
Dentist:And why was that?
Khalid:I ate lots of sweets when I was a boy. You see, I’ve always loved sugary things.
Dentist:Go on.
Khalid:But the dentist didn’t explain anything. He switched on the drill and when that horrible noise started, I just started screaming!

Dentist: I don’t blame you. The old equipment was really loud. 

Khalid: And they had to hold me to the chair since I could not stand still.

Dentist: Oh!, I see…

Khalid: Not to mention the awful feeling of those pieces of cotton in your mouth

Dentist: Those are there to absorb the excess of saliva

Khalid: Then my tongue got hurt because of my movements

Dentist: Well… knowing those old drills, I’m sure it wasn’t a pretty sight

Khalid: To this day, I still have nightmares of that visit.

now to the audios

A-side. Starring me as the dentist and Jose as Khalid
A-side. Starring me as the dentist and Jose as Khalid

and that is all…
I hope we have to make these again next year.
Farewell…
Until the next time the stars align.

Flatmates Reloaded Episode 123: Painting and decorating

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

As you can see in the title, this time it’s episode 123: Painting and decorating

here’s the script (the dash-line marks the en of the original and start of the extension)

Episode 123: Painting and decorating
-Helen’s Dad:The shelves look great Khalid.
-Khalid:Thank you. I enjoy working with my hands. I miss doing practical things like this when I’m studying all the time.
-Dad:Well I have an idea which might suit us both.
-Khalid:Really, what’s that?
-Dad:I hear you’re not going back home over the holidays.
-Khalid: Er, yes. It’s too expensive and my family doesn’t celebrate Christmas in Bahrain anyway.
-Dad:Well, I was planning on doing some redecorating on one of my other flats while my tenants were away for Christmas.
-Khalid:Oh yes?
-Dad:I could really use another pair of hands. Of course,I wouldn’t expect you to work for free. What do -you think?
———————————————————————————

-Khalid:Of course! But may I ask… How much will you pay me?
-Dad:About fifty pounds for the whole thing.
-Khalid:Fifty pounds!?
-Dad:Do you want more?
-Khalid:No, no… It’s actually more than enough
-Dad:Then it is settled, can we start next Friday?
-Khalid:Yes, no problem for me
-Dad:Then see you on Friday Khalid.

end of script

A-side starring me as Helen’s Dad and Jose as Khalid
B-side starring Jose as Helen’s Dad and me as Khalid

this one took many tries, “maybe” I won’t keep the bloopers anymore.
so that’s all
Farewell, Until the next time the stars align.

Flatmates Episode 116 RELOADED

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

This is the first flatmates reloaded of my uploads
this mean that me and my teammate extended the dialogue of the episode.

here’s the original script

Episode 116: Khalid’s DIY
Tim:What’s all that banging about?
Khalid:Oh I didn’t realise you were in. I thought I had the flat to myself. Do you like the new shelves?
Tim:You can’t just decide to start hammering things into walls. You need to get permission first. Have you checked with the landlord?
Khalid:Of course I have. Calm down Tim. I got his number from Helen, gave him a call and he gave me the thumb up.
Tim:Oh OK. Well in that case. Can I give you a hand?
Khalid:Sure, I need to checking if this one is straight.
Tim:Well, let me just put these books on it here and see if…
Khalid:No, wait, wait!
Tim:Sorry, was I a bit too quick?

And here is the extension..

Khalid: Why did you think putting books on an unfinished shelf would be a good idea!?
Tim: I just wanted to check it’s straightness. You know… To see if they would slide off.
Khalid: The books are too heavy. Why not use the level I´ve left on the table?
Tim: I… I didn’t see it.
Khalid: Now, because of your carelessness, there’s a hole on the wall.
Tim: Can we cover it with a painting?
Khalid: Or… We can own up to our mistake and talk to the landlord. I’m sure he will understand and help
us fix it
Tim: Good idea! I just hope he doesn’t get mad.

give it a listen

A side starring Me as Khalid and Jose as Tim
B side starring Jose as Khalid and Me as Tim

that is all…. kinda
there were many…. MANY bloopers
but I won’t go into details
please “comet” your opinions on the extended dialogue
Farewell
Until the next time the stars align.

Flatmates episode 84: A visit from the police

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

For this episode, I worked with my classmates Maxi and Jess

Here’s the script for episode 84: A visit from the police

Episode 84: A visit from the police
Police 1:You see sir, we’ve received a complaint from a Mr Hall about a gentleman’s watch that you sold to his wife just before Christmas. It would appear that the authenticity of the watch is in doubt.
Tim:Oh – Oh, I see…
Police 1:Would you mind answering a few questions for us?
Tim:Well, no, but I think you should be talking to my boss about this.
Police 2:We’ve already spoken to your boss sir, at some length as it happens. That’s why we’d like to talk to you now. So, if you wouldn’t mind answering a few questions…
Tim:What, here?
Police 2:We can always go down to the station if you think you’d be more comfortable there, sir…
Tim:No, no, that won’t be necessary. Would you like to come through to the office?
The A-side, Starring Me as Tim, Jess as Police 1, and Maxi as Police 2
The B-side, Starring Maxi as Tim, me as Police 1, and Jess as Police 2
The A-side, Starring Jess as Tim, Maxi as Police 1, and me as Police 2

There were no bloopers for this one.

Farewell
Until the next time the stars align

Looking up to a new adventure

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

This is the beginning of my second semester in uni, the beginning to my English Language II class. Looking back to my self-assessment of the previous semester, I keep pretty much the same mindset. That mindset being: I’m doing alright, there’s way for improvement, and a desire to improve.
With that said, my main objective this semester is improving my weakest point, pronunciation. I also want to be more responsible with homework. Those were my two main challenges last semester, and they are something that I can’t get rid off so easily. But you can’t climb a mountain in a single day, so I’ve got my climbing gear ready and I won’t give up.
Now…
I’m looking forward to learn new techniques to improve in every aspect of this language, to new concepts I didn’t knew before, and to refresh what I know.
That is all I wanted to say.

Farewell…
Until the next time the stars align.

A new teammate? (flatmates episode 76: a new flatmate?) audio upload 8

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

Hello reader,
I’m back from the winter break with a new flatmates episode.
It’s episode number 76 “A new flatmate?”
and we’ve got a new teammate, his name is Lukas

the script

Episode 76: A new flatmate?
–Helen:Ok everyone, I’ve got an announcement. We need to get someone for Michal’s room as soon as possible.
-Alice/Tim:Really?
-Helen:Yeah well, he e-mailed me the other day and he seems to be staying in Poland, at least for the time being. And my dad’s starting to get twitchy about the rent. He doesn’t want the room sitting empty much longer.
–Tim:Fair enough, I suppose. So, have you got anyone in mind?
-Helen:Well we could advertise for someone.
-Alice:I’ve got a colleague who’s looking for a room!
-Helen:Have you?
-Alice:Yeah, she’s got to move out of her flat by the end of the month.
-Tim:Oh no. We’re having another guy, thank you very much…
-Helen:So let’s get an advert in the paper, straight away!



The A-side starring me as Helen, Nico as Alice, and Lukas as Tim.
The B-side starring Nico as Helen, Lukas as Alice, and me as Tim.
The C-side starring Lukas as Helen, me as Alice, and Nico as Tim.

that is all,

Farewell
until the next time the stars align

Looking back to past skies

Posted on by Tomás Agurto

This is my self-assessment for English Language 1
I will start by saying that it wasn’t as hard as I thought, but it wasn’t a walk through the park either. For me, it has been mostly refreshments of what I already knew. Remembering all the things I learned in school, putting them to use, and polishing my knowledge. some subjects, like phonetics, were about completely new things.

The hardest part was remembering specific things like which phonetic character made which sound, or where exactly does the comma go in some sentences. I also have to recognize one of my weakest points, that being my pronunciation. some words are really hard to get right, and I cant really trust the spelling (looking at you “Talk”). Even though I get some pronunciations wrong, I think that I speak very fluently, mostly because I try to always expand my vocabulary. There’s always room for improvement.

Lastly, I’m writing about the work I had to do. I always did my classwork, trying to finish quickly but not rushing it. Sadly I can’t say the same about homework. Unless it was a team project, I either forgot or didn’t find my motivation. It doesn’t really surprise me since I never was the homework type of student. I have to work on that.

I don’t really know what else to say, so…
I’ll leave this here

I will leave an audio reading of this below the image,so you can listen to it if you want.

When Looking At Stars, You're Actually Looking Into The Past

Farewell
Until the next time the stars align.

Flatmates episode 69

Posted on by Tomás Agurto
this week’s episode is n°69 the art gallery

Episode 69: The art gallery
Alice:This is a lovely painting.
Paul:Isn’t it? Let’s find out about it. Excuse me!
Guide:Ooh, hello there, can I help you?
Alice:Could you tell us a little about this one please?
Guide:Ooh, by all means. this beautiful picture is several hundred years old. In this period, paintings would often be commissioned by the wealthy as a way of showing their status, and, they would be hung in the home to be admired by visitors, in much the same way that we might admire an expensive piece of jewellery or a car these days.
Alice:Oh, it’s beautiful. How long would it have taken to paint?
Guide:Well, a painting like this would probably have taken up to a year to complete.
Paul:Mmm, it’s a fine piece: one of my favourites.
A-side starring Nico as Alice, Jose as Paul, and me as the guide.
B-side starring Jose as Alice, me as Paul, and Nico as the guide.
C-side starring me as Alice, Nico as Paul, and Jose as the guide.

there are 4 bloopers for this episode, but I’ll just leave the link to the soundcloud playlist, since I don’t want to make this post too long.

that is all

Farewell
Until the next time the stars align.