No internet connection at home since that storm the other night in Prague. Had us thinking: “wow, what did people do before the internet!?” What about you – what can’t you live without?
The media say we’re living in times of austerity. You hear this word a lot right now from politicians such as David Cameron, that because public finances are not in good shape, we need to cut down on expenditure.
Fair enough – if everyone pulls their weight.
Another word in the media is staycation – those who spend their vacation time at home. This was the first summer I think I’ve ever had where I didn’t go anywhere, and I know others in the same boat. This is connected to these austere times. Some folks just don’t have the money right now, or perhaps they wish to save while the economic situation is bleak.
If you don’t know who the staycationers are, they’re the grumpy ones walking down Václavské náměstí trying to trip up the smiley ones with the Croatian tans. But after a while, you accept your lot and move on. I decided last week that I wouldn’t go on holiday after all, which then got me thinking about other things. What will I do next year? How will this blog develop?
It also got me thinking about what things we must have in our daily lives in order to be happy, and what is really just ‘fluff’, something the media and the marketers tells us we need but we don’t really. Not having the net at home has been a novelty. We’ve had to go downstairs and walk around the block until we find a signal. On Sunday night we were at the tram stop in front of Cigars and Cigarettes updating our inboxes.
What about you – what things can’t you live without? Your iPod, iPad, the internet, something your girlfriend gave you? The ring you got from your Prince (hi Kate if you’re reading this).
Here are some phrases you can use to talk about what you can’t live without:
What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without… [my iPad]
I’d be lost without… [my favourite pair of jeans]
The most important thing I have is…
I really love ..[my iPad]..as it reminds me of [my lovely Aunt Agna]
My most valuable possession is…
I don’t really need…
I guess I could go without.. [my laptop]
This has got great sentimental value.
If I had to choose my top 3 things, I’d say…
Plus from Hanka’s comment (below):
I’d die without…
There’s nothing better than…
I can’t imagine being without…
Homework
Leave a comment below answering what is true for you ; )
Vocabulary mission
I’ve used quite a few idioms and collocations in this post – can you find them? What items of vocabulary can you write down in your notebook?
Further reading
‘Staycation’ is an example of a portmanteau word. Find out more on this here on Get Into English.
Bérengère says
Every new post is a challenge to improve my English.
All the best for your blog, you should write one post per day 🙂
David Sweetnam says
Hi Bérengère
It’s great to see you here and hope that the posts are the right level. Are you back home now? You don’t fancy starting a ‘Get Into French’ blog, do you..? : )
David
Hanka says
Well, I think I’d die without myroller-skates, if everything seems to be just falling down on you, there is nothing better than to put yourskates and headphones on and go out. I always feel so much better afterwards, and can’t really imagine a life without my regular skate adrenalin rush 🙂
David Sweetnam says
Ahoj Hanko
Some really cool phrases here, I’ll add them to the post ; )
I’d die without…
There’s nothing better than…
I can’t imagine being without…
See you tomorrow
D…
Francisco Javier says
Well, life wouldn’t be the same without music, books and films. Even in antiquity they had music, story-telling and plays.
As they say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
David Sweetnam says
Well, I’m living great with my new iPad 🙂 Can’t go without it now probably.
Have been without internet at home for a few weeks + still getting it solved. One week was a nice holiday, the second week it’s become a little frustrating, as I want to post some new articles!
Which plays + books? Yeah, even today we’re doing rituals that people did in ancient times.
David
Francisco Javier says
“Which plays + books?”
I mean people in the past also had entertainment, I’m not being specific.
Now, I’m off to watch “The Pillars of the Earth”.