英语博客(A cup of English):088 The Pizza Man.

　　Beginners.

The other day, I was driving along when I saw a man dancing on the side of the road. It wasn't something that I hadn't seen before. This man stands on the side of the main road and dances around waving a sign. This sign advertises pizza. The shop that he works for makes fresh pizzas by the dozen, and sells them for only five dollars each. Mind you, those pizzas are just plain old pepperoni. If you want anything special, like vegetables or chicken, you have to pay extra. It is an interesting sight, a man dancing away with earphones in his ears connected to an ipod, waving a big sign at the traffic. Infact, the other day, the temperature was very close to a hundred degrees. It was unbearably 1 hot outside. Most people were staying in, out of the heat. Thank goodness for air conditioning! When it gets that hot, you stay inside a cool building, or a cooled car. You certainly don't go outside for very long, and if you do, you definitely don't dance. This man is quite incredible 2. And, you know, he does the business. Lots of people see his sign moving around, so a few feet further, they turn off the road, park the car, and go and buy a pizza or two.

Grammar notes.

Common expressions: by the dozen, away (to dance/ sing/ talk etc away), unbearably hot/ cold.

Exs:

I have been receiving bills every day by the dozen!

The two lovers danced away into the night.

The restaurant was unbearably hot, but outside was unbearably cold.

Advanced.

You know, the U.S is a highly commercial place to live. Everywhere you go there are obvious advertisements for something to buy, something to eat, or something to do. Our local pizza guy is a case in point. He must be one of the toughest men around. Not only does he have a job that keeps him moving, dancing all day, but he does it outside, in any weather, and in any season. That might not seem very drastic 3 to you, but here in Wenatchee, the temperatures get to over a hundred degrees in the summer, and easily to below freezing during the winter. Since he first started working, I have noticed that he has lost weight and become quite muscular 4. He now also has a good tan. The other day, I drove past him and thought, "He would make a perfect subject for a podcast." So, I turned into the parking lot that was right next to him, parked, and  briefly 5 asked his permission for a photo. He was very polite and agreable. Infact, he asked me how I wanted him to pose 6. I said, "Oh, you can keep on moving if you want," so he did. He twisted and turned, and spun 7 around  and jumped. He is serious about his job. Either that, or he is addicted 8 to it, and can't stop moving. Either way, I hope that he is paid well. His attitude, adopted nationally, would mean an end to the U.S. problem of obesity 9!

Grammar notes.

Useful expressions: a case in point, not only, I have noticed.

Exs:

Crime is getting worse. Our town is a case in point.

Not only is he handsome, he is kind and intelligent!

He knows a lot about politics, but I have noticed that he doesn't have many friends.