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The Devil's In the Details

Date: Jul 22 2008

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

When a couple is fighting, things that would otherwise be normal can be really upsetting. For instance, Amanda went shopping and probably spent more than she should have and got some things she doesn’t really need, but it made Mason really upset because they already aren’t getting along.

And since they’re fighting, they haven’t been spending as much time together as they usually do. So they’ve got time to see their other friends. Amanda and Jason had a beer the other day. No big deal. Yet Mason seems relatively alarmed.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Mason

Jason

Mason: I don’t know what to do about Amanda, man. I mean, she’s just really been getting on my nerves lately with the whole Devan thing, getting all up in my face about that.

Jason: What’s the latest?

Mason: She went shopping and just went totally overkill. Got, like, cutting boards, this huge butcher block kind of thing…

Jason: Oh, for cutting strawberries.

Mason: Yeah, I guess. But all this crap that we didn’t need and I was like, “What, do you just want to ignore that we had this big tiff?”

Jason: Yeah. But, I mean, that’s not the only weird thing that’s going on in her life. She’s got that new job and I guess they’re kind of hassling her at it to a large degree, like, especially that Franklin guy.

Mason: Franklin guy?

Jason: Yeah, she didn’t tell you about this?

Mason: No. I don’t know anything about a Franklin guy.

Jason: Oh, you should ask her about it. He’s really bugging her.

Mason: Wait, Jason, but like, how did you know about this Franklin guy? What’s that about?

Jason: Oh, we hung out the other day, me and Amanda. But I’ll catch you later, man.

Mason: Wait, you did what?

Jason: We hung out. It’s no biggie. It’s nothing.

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Discussion

Mason is talking to his friend Jason about how he and Amanda aren’t getting along. He mentions that she bought a cutting board and Jason says something about strawberries, which Amanda actually mentioned to Mason when she bought the cutting board. Mason pauses for a second, but doesn’t say anything about it.

But suddenly, Jason is telling Mason about trouble Amanda has been having at work with one of her coworkers. Mason has never heard of him. Jason tells him to ask her about it and reveals that he’s been hanging out with Amanda just as he has to get on a train. Convenient timing because Mason doesn’t look too happy about it.

Do you think Jason intends to steal Amanda from Mason? How would you feel in Mason’s position? What would you do if you were Amanda?

Comments

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Viqi-w

China

Yeah~ I think it's no biggie

Every couple will have contradications during the normal

lifeThe only thing we should do is to forget…forget the all unhappy things_{Then go on loving who we loevd}

(^_)

demetria

Tanzania, United Republic Of

It's nesessary for A, to tell true to J that she have a friend which is M in oder to escap the conflict btn there.

demetria

Tanzania, United Republic Of

I think if A is serous to be with M, not bud to tell J that is need to be with he!. In oder to remove the prbms btn there.

VivienHu

China

That's just an ordinary expression when A feels down.It is not buisness with J who is only a good listner of a friend. M should bear the responsibility to get along well with A. It is sure M takes not good care of A.

Otherwise, I have the same question about meaning of "the whole Devan thing" "Devan".Who could offer the correct explaination?

thanks,

vivi_lee

China

it's hard to say J has stolen A from M.

It's nesessary for us to have listeners esp. when we have problems w/ parters.For A,J plays an impt role in her daily life.They are good friens!

But if M cant solve their problems immdly and care abt A more.Some bad things will happen on him.

M_honor

Lebanon

i wish to know what does devan mean? !!!!!

dearpesar

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

a lil complex really…... too delicate to say a word…... i just think mason and amanda should iron thing out

eda_nur

Turkey

hello

Gladiolus_Tu

China

Everyone need a listener sometime especially when we feel down.So while A and M had a cold war with each other and this weak point was taken advantaged by J,maybe it's a change for him…

eh,if i'm A i'll try to communicate with M again.well if i failed,then..sorry m i'll goto j

sun154

China

I think Amanda has been stolen from Jason, because Jason know more about Amanda. Maybe Amanda felt a little unhappy with Jaason, so she didn't want to talk those office things with Jason.When one doesn't want to communicate with his or her partner , there must be something wrong with each other.I　ｔthink Jason should talk to Amanda about what happened recently and try to see what Amanda feel about their relationship.

metal21

Nicaragua

I think Jason could steal Amanda from Manson 'cause he has more communication with her and he knows more about her than Manson does. Manson should be careful and be aware on his friend and his girlfriend Amanda.