In France, a man walks on what can only be described as a human-sized hamster wheel. The wheel moves around and around, as the man keeps walking. What is he doing? He is lifting a heavy object to the top of a tower the same way workers moved such objects 800 years ago.

    In the 13th century, workers did not have the 100-meter tall cranes they now use to build tall buildings. So they had to be creative and come up with simple machines to get their work done.

    The man on the large wheel is walking at a reasonable speed. The wheel turns and pulls a rope connected to a pulley(滑轮)at the top of the tower. Another rope tied to the pulley lifts supplies from the ground.

    This is just one way skilled craftsmen arc building a 13th-century castle without using modern tools. Crew have been working on the castle since 1997. It is being built in the Burgundy area of central France. Organizers expect the work to last another 10 to 15 years. That means it will take close to 30 years to finish the project.

    The crew are making progress at about half the speed of the workers from 800 years ago. That is because many of them are accustomed to using modern tools. When the crew use heavy chisels(凿子）and hammers to break rock, as they did hundreds of years ago, they are learning as they go. The goal of the project is to learn more about old building techniques in case they might be of use today.

    Clement Guerard, 44,is a stonemason; he cuts and builds with stone. He has been working on the tower for 17 years. He said one way he is able to work on something like this for so long is by forgetting “some of the pace of modern life", he is able to adapt to working by hand.

    It is widely known that any English conversation begins with The Weather. Such a fixation with the weather finds expression in Dr. Johnson's famous comment that “When two English meet, their first talk is of weather.” Though Johnson's observation is as accurate now as it was over two hundred years ago, most commentators fail to come up with a convincing explanation for this English weather-speak.

    Bill Bryson, for example, concludes that, as the English weather is not at all exciting, the obsession with it can hardly be understood. He argues that “To an outsider, the most striking thing about the English weather is that there is not very much of it.” Simply, the reason is that the unusual and unpredictable weather is almost unknown in the British Isles.

    Jeremy Paxman, however, disagrees with Bryson, arguing that the English weather is by nature attractive. Bryson is wrong, he says, because the English preference for the weather has nothing to do with the natural phenomena. “The interest is less in the phenomena themselves, but in uncertainty.” According to him, the weather in England is very changeable and uncertain and it attracts the English as well as the outsider.

    Bryson and Paxman stand for common misconceptions about the weather-speak among the English. Both commentators, somehow, are missing the point. The English weather conversation is not really about the weather at all. English weather-speak is a system of signs, which is developed to help the speakers overcome the natural reserve and actually talk to each other. Everyone knows conversations starting with weather-speak are not requests for weather data. Rather, they are routine greetings, conversation starters or the blank “fillers”. In other words, English weather-speak is a means of social bonding.

    Whether you are entering the job market for the first time or you are already at work, you have to know the various fields where you can work and the types of jobs available per field. Now it is time that you gained basic knowledge about ten common fields of work and some types of jobs in that field. Here they are:

    Technology Jobs

    The technology field is always growing very fast, so job growth in the field is also constantly booming. Here, you are always in the cutting-edge. However, you always have to update your skills when you are working in technology. Engineering and IT graduates are people who primarily do work related to technology.

    Education Jobs

    Here is a field which allows you to share your knowledge with others. You need subject-matter knowledge and teaching skills to be in this field. Most of all, you need plenty of hearts. While the everyday life of teachers may be tiring, education is one of the most fulfilling (令人满意的) fields to enter. You may need some certifications, though.

    Healthcare Jobs

    Healthcare professions enable you to use a great knowledge base of the human body and of latest health advances so you can save lives, provide comfort, cure illness, and maintain people's health. Work here is often done in hospitals and private clinics.

    Science and Mathematics

    Discovering new knowledge is the primary task of scientists and mathematicians. Training here takes a long time and goes beyond getting a bachelor's degree. However, the work will be fulfilling, especially that you may be at the edges of revolutionary discoveries. You can also use any experience and research skills acquired in either field to work in regular employment settings.

    I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town of Venice. As we enjoyed our coffee, a man called the waiter and placed his order, “Two cups of coffee, one on the wall.” We got interested and observed that he was served with one cup of coffee but he paid for two. As soon as he left, the waiter attached a piece of paper to the wall saying “A Cup of Coffee.” Similar occasions took place twice while we were there. It seemed that this gesture was quite normal at this place. However, it was something unique and confusing for us.

    After a few days, when we again enjoyed coffee there, a man entered. The way this man was dressed did not match the standard or the atmosphere of this coffee shop. Poverty was evident from his looks. As he seated himself, he looked at the wall and said, “One cup of coffee from the wall.” The waiter served coffee to this man with respect and dignity. The man had his coffee and left without paying. We were amazed to watch all this when the waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dustbin.

    Now it was no surprise for us; the matter was very clear. The great respect for the needy shown by people in this town moved us to tears.

    Coffee is not a necessity. However, the point is that when we take pleasure in any blessing, maybe we also need to think about those people who also appreciate that specific blessing but cannot afford.

    Note the waiter, who gets the communication going between the affording and the needy with a smile on his face. Think about the man in need: he enters the coffee shop without having to lower his self-dignity; he has a free cup of coffee without asking or knowing about who has given this cup of coffee to him; he only looked at the wall, placed an order for himself, enjoyed his coffee and left. Besides, we need to remember the role played by the wall that reflects the generosity and care of people in this town.

    We're Hiring Shift Workers for Our Production Plant

    Looking for a career with a company that values its employees, and promotes them from within? Then Black Cat Blades is the company for you!

    Cutting Operators

    CNC Operators

    Heat Treat Operators

    Full training provided, starting at $14.50 per hour, with the potential to move to $18.16 in one year.

    We also require a Skilled Welder(焊接工), to work 12-hour rotating shifts (轮班) in our cutting department. The successful candidate must be a registered journeyman(熟练工) within the Province of Alberta or with a Red Seal.

    We offer a great benefit package, including health and RRSPs(注册退休储蓄计划). Desirable welfare: Profit Sharing, Pay for Years of Service, Fitness Program Allowance, and fun social events for you and your family.

    Apply in person, and we'll take you on a tour of our production equipment or forward your personal information by fax or e-mail.

Black Cat Blades Ltd

    HR@ blackcatblades.com

    5604-59 St. , Edmonton, AB T6B 3C3

    Fax:

Dear Mom,

    I haven't written before for quite a while because I have got no energy. I now get around my room and this floor of the hospital with a walking stick but I can go only a little bit at a time because I'm awfully weak yet. My right leg was taken out of the cast (石膏) several days ago and it's still as stiff as a board and awfully sore from so much carving around the knee joint. But the surgeon says that eventually it will be all right. I've included a picture of me in bed. It looks like my left leg is a stump (残肢), but it really isn't. Just bent so it looks that way...

    This war makes us a bit less fools than we were. There isn't going to be any such thing as "foreigners" for me after the war is won. I've gotten Italian pretty well. I've picked up quite a lot of Polish and my French is improving. You want to be prepared for a lot of visitors after the war now because I've a lot of pals coming to see me in Chicago. I don't know when I'll be back. I can't get in the army and they won't take me with two shaky legs in the draft (征兵) if I go home. So I might as well stay over here and avoid the awkwardness for a while.

    Also Ma, I'm in love again. Now don't start worrying about me getting married for I'm not. I'm not even going to get engaged. So don't write any "God Bless U, My Children": Not for about 10 years. You're a dear old kid, and still my best girl. God bless you and write me often... I love you.

Ernie