July 12, 2007

Boomers, It's Your Brain: Use it or Lose it - Learn a foreign language now

What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual What do you call someone who speaks one language? American! Come on. You have put off learning a foreign language long enough. Have you noticed Americans are keen on purchasing foods and other products with French, Italian, German, and Spanish names, but won't even try to learn a foreign language. I know the usual excuses. It takes too long. Everyone speaks English. Let's face it. The real reason is because it's hard! My grandfather learned to speak fluent Italian when he was 80, so you have no excuse. Do you want to ever truly learn how people in other cultures think? Do you want a three-dimensional way of seeing the world? Well, get moving before you lose anymore brain cells. By the way, anyone who would like pointers on learning a foreign language (I speak Spanish), drop me a line. Wouldn't it be great to read G. Garcia Marquez in the orignal? Meanwhile you can get started here: Spanish BYKI 3.6

July 11, 2007

Babyboomer grandparents: Come clean!

If you were born between 1946 and 1964, let's face it; you could be a grandparent. Oy, you may be saying! Well, if you are still attending rallys -- climate change, Iraq war, No Child's Behind Left, Committee to increase G.W.'s I.Q., or other noble causes, you may feel the urge to do a traditional grandparenty thing mixed in with a bit of the digital age.