今日のメモ-少ないわ-

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・'Bode...' said Ron.  'Bode.  It rings a bell...'
ピンとくる、思い出させる、共感を呼び起こす

・Frowning, he made to take the letter from the owl, but before he could so, three, four, five more owls had fluttered down beside it and were jockeying for position, treading in the butter and knocking over the salt as each one attempted to give him their letter first.
上手く立ち回って有利な立場に立とうとする、有利な位置を取ろうとする

・'This one's from a bloke who thinks you're off your rocker,' said Ron, glancing down his letter.
気がふれて

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -

My condition is still not so good. :'(
I spent almost a whole day sleeping and moaning in my bed yesterday again, and neither read an article on this week's issue of the Mainichi Weekly nor even took out it from the mailbox.
I found, however, it featuring Canada and its music column written about Avril Lavigne's song Hot after getting it out this morning.
Yes!  I love Avril Lavigne!
I already know the song's lyrics and its meaning, though...  :-/
Just scanning it, I got to feel like eating some pancakes with a generous amount of maple syrup.  :D

余談。
Avril の『Hot』は大好きなんだけど、あの日本語バージョンはいただけない・・と、密かに思っています。　
『Girlfriend』の日本語バージョンもひどいけど、「Hot」よりはマシかな？
・・・こんなこと書くと、「日本人が歌う英語ほど酷くはない！」と言われそうな気もしますが・・・。
いや、日本人としてそこは断固として主張すべきかしらん？

そういえば、Mixiの “English Only” コミュで、「オーストラリアの発音なんて英語じゃない」という意味の発言をした日本人に、「オーストラリア人の発音は問題なく聞き取れる！　日本人の発音ほど酷い発音にはお目にかかったことがない」という感じの趣旨で、オーストラリアは勿論、世界各国の人達から一斉に罵倒された人を見たことがあります。
私はといえば、圧倒されて、口をポカンと開けてみてるだけ・・・。
なまじ同じ日本人だから、巻き添え食らって傷ついたりもしちゃったりなんかして。
TOEICでオージー英語に躓いた人だったのかな？
言われて当然かもしれないけど、いや～・・・、あれは凄かった。　

それにしても、これだけメモるものがないとは・・・。
ホントに何もしなかったのね、私・・・。

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The Rose

I couldn't learn English at all for this last two days because of my headache and slight fever of 37.5C.
Cherry blossoms starting to bloom, however, cheered me up so wonderfully when I drove along the nearby row of cherry blossom trees with my SO, that I feel like I can do it today!
Yes, I'll do it!

By the way, do you know the movie titled The Rose, which is a 1979 musical-drama film and tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star, Janis Joplin, who is said to have died from heroin overdose in 1970?
It's a little bit, maybe undoubtedly, old-fashioned, but makes me in tears every time I watch it. (I have a DVD of it.)
The more Rose the heroine of the same name is loved by her enormous numbers of fans, the more badly she suffers from loneliness and becomes addicted to drugs.
Selfish, hysterical and so foolish as to drown herself in alcohol and drugs though she is, nevertheless her performance is amazing enough to give me goose bumps, and she finally dies from heroin O.D. on her stage after singing Stay With Me...
Please never misunderstand.
Bette Midler, who played the role of Rose in the film, appeals in her song, The Rose, to us not to run away from our problems, to give and to live, because spring definitely will come.
The song is also really great.

This is the scene of Rose singing Stay With Me on her last stage.

　　　
　　　
And this is a video of Bette Midler singing The Rose on her own stage.

Please listen to it, if you'd like. (^^)

「The Rose」はほとんどの人が知ってるだろうと思っていたら、そうでもないのかしら？
ヘロインのO.D.（overdoes:薬物の過剰摂取）が原因で死んだ伝説的スターJanis Joplinをモデルして作られた映画で、未だ来日していない最後の大物と言われるBette Midler（和田アキ子さんがファンですよね♪）が主役Roseを演じ、主題歌「The Rose」（これは一度聞けば誰でもわかる！・・・はず）を歌っています。
何せ昔の映画なので、見るたびに映像の古さに戸惑ってしまいますが、ストーリーも、そして何よりライブシーンが素晴らしくって、音楽DVDとして我が家のラックに並んでおります。
ワガママで、ヒステリックで、仕事に追われ、事ある毎に酒に、男に、そしてドラッグに溺れ、最後はステージ上で亡くなるという愚かな女性ではありますが（Janis Joplinは実際にはホテルの一室で死亡）、悲しいほどにステージの上では格好いいんです。
どれだけファンに愛されても、音楽の才能を認められても、決して埋められなかった彼女の孤独を思うと切なくなりますが、決して彼女の『生き方』までもが格好いいと思わないでくださいね。
（そんな人いないとは思いますが、最近、私の常識が崩壊しそうになる出来事があったので・・・　(^^; ）
Bette Midlerはこの曲の主題歌の中で、「どんなに辛くても逃げてはいけない。本当の意味で生きようとしなさい。春は必ず訪れるのだから」と歌っています。
死の間際、一人では歩くこともできなかったRoseが、何度も鳥肌が立つほどの迫力で『Stay With Me』をステージ上で歌った後、家族にも等しいと言った大勢のファンを目の前にして "Where are you going? Where's everybody going? （どこに行くの？ どうしてみんな行ってしまうの？）"と呟かなきゃいけないなんて悲しすぎる。
あ。　また泣きそう。　

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今日のメモ-多すぎる-

しばらく日記をサボっていたので、メモもたまってます。　

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・Michael saw things that reminded him of America's current involvement in Iraq.  "King thought that we sold arms to countries, we stripped other countries of their natural resources, and we got in bed with tyrants.
～と結託する

・It's easy to separate fair-weather friends from the all-weather type.
都合の良い時だけの友人

・Go for it ― you're always up for a challenge.
やる気満々で

・You can't eat your cake and have it, too.
どちらか一つしか選べない、同時に二つの利益を享受することはできない

・child: Give me a dime, and I'll be good.
mother: No, you must be good for nothing, like your father.
例訳1. お金をもらわなくてもいい子じゃなければダメ、お父さんみたいにね。（for nothing:無償で）
例訳2. お父さんみたいにダメな子ね。（good for nothing:だめな、役立たずの）

・Dieting is all in the mind, Garfield.
考え方の問題

・I guess my hunch was a bit off.
ちょっとカンが外れたみたい

・If these historical places don't satisfy the curious visitor, also within easy reach are the Round Church, over 870 years old, the Fitzwilliam Museum, one of the finest in the U.K., and the Backs.
至近距離

・"Curiosity killed the cat" is used when someone is being so nosy or curious that it looks like they will get in trouble.

・A less pleasant cat idiom is "There's more than one way to skin a cat."  This means that there is more than one way to accomplish something.

・For Australians, Hokkaido is almost a home away from home.
故郷のような場所

　　　　　　　　　　- from The Mainichi Weekly -

・'Yes, Mr. Potter, I think a lifelong ban ought to do the trick,' said Umbridge, her smile widening still further as she watched him struggle to comprehend what she had said.
うまくいく、目的を遂げる、

・After a while he said in a dull voice, ' This is the worst I've ever felt in my life.'  'Join the club,' said Harry bitterly.
こっちも同じさ

・'And I'll tell yeh this, she's not afraid of roughin' it, Olympe.'
rough in : 不自由な生活をする

・'Partly 'cause they don't like wizards an' we didn' want ter put their backs up too soon, an' Partly 'cause Dumbledore had warned us You-Know-Who was bound ter be after the giants an' all.'
～を怒らせる

・Hold yer Hippogriffs
※ hold one's horses : はやる気持ちを抑える、落ちつかせる
＝ hold your horses : ちょっと待て、落ち着け、焦るな

・'Yeah, on the third night after Karkus was killed we crept outta the cave we'd bin hidin' in an' headed back down inter the gully, keepin' our eyes skinned fer the Death Eaters.'
目を見はっている、油断しない

・'I dunno if you get through to him,' said Ron a short while later when, having checked that the coast was clear, they walked back up to the castle through the thickening snow, leaving no trace behind them due to the Obliteration Charm Hermione was performing as they went.
～に（主語）のことを理解してもらう

・Neville had improved beyond all recognition.
見分けがつかないほどに、それとわからないほどに、見違えるように

・'But in essence divided?' [said Dumbledore.]  Harry could make neither head nor tail of this question.
本質において、本質的に
～が全然わからない、全く理解できない

・Harry stood staring after her, his brain working frantically. Then something clunked into place.
ex. click (or fall) into place : つじつまが合う、事実・話・事柄がぴったりと合う

　　　　　　　　　　from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -

既にメモが多すぎますが、ちょっと気に入った台詞もメモ♪

If we want to make good movies, we have to concentrate on what we want to do, not what we have to do," Asano says.  "The most important thing is to try something first if you really want to do it.  It is very easy to say, 'I can't,' but we lose all chances and opportunities with such words."

　　　　　　　　　　from Tadanobu Asano's words written in his interview of The Mainichi Weekly -

浅野さんのような人がこういう台詞を言うと、説得力があってかっこいい♪
それともう一つ、マメ知識として・・・

The Eagle Pub, near the city center [that means Cambridge] boasts a strange connection to science.  On Feb. 28, 1953, two scientists, Francis Crick and James Watson, interrupted the customers' lunchtime by announcing they "had discovered the secret to life," namely that DNA carries genetic information.
すなわち

　　　　　　　　　　- from The Mainichi Weekly -

さすがケンブリッジ（英）。　市内のパブでさえ知的な伝説があるのね。　

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情けない・・・

What do you think Takashi Omori , who, according to what Keisuke Kuwata said on his radio program and what he reportedly said himself, has decided to leave Southern All Stars of his own free will and accord, and who's been sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment with four years suspension of sentence for illegal drugs possession and use, wrote in his blog that he would like to play for his fans in the Southern All Stars' 30th anniversary live supposed to be held this year because there was no reason his appearance in the event was not to be allowed, despite the fact he IS still on probation?
"There is no reason"?
How could he write such a thing on the Net?
It's outrageous!  I can't believe what he wrote! 
I doubt he has enough sense to understand the situation he's in now.

He possessed and used not only marijuana but large amounts of stimulant drug when he was arrested.
I know some people say there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana because it's free of side-effect and nonaddictive, and I can't deny it's safe to human health beause of my lack of my knowledge about it, but where does the money that's paid for it come from and go, and what is the money used for?
At least in today's Japan, where these drugs are prohibited by law, it's obviously unlikely the money is used for the sake of the public welfare.

Though I also know there are such questions as "If those people who were arrested, and finished their sentences or are on probation, have to be blamed for their past mistakes, how can they work?" I must say that's just the punishment the person must receive in the real community.
The important thing is I think to continue their struggles to retrieve their own social lives, helped by their company and supporters, isn't it?

Anyway, the most shocking thing to me is the fact that there are those who can shamelessly write in on the Net as if they show off their criminal acts and egg people on to try it.
Hopeless idiots, they are.

寝坊はするは、朝一で怒りを通り越して呆れるしかないような発言の数々を目にするはでしばらく日記をサボってしまいました。~(=^‥^A
所詮、人の考えていることなどわかるわけないので、推測だけで批判するのもいけないのかもしれませんが、某巨大掲示板ならともかく、ネット上で恥ずかしげもなく薬物を容認するかのような発言をする人がいたことには本当に驚いた。
覚醒剤はもちろん、大麻などに支払われたお金はどこに行って、何のために使われているのか考えもしないんでしょうか。
周囲の人間や制度のせいにして自分を正当化することしかできないなんて情けない。

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今日のメモ-鳥頭 part.２

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・'I know, mate,' said Ron sympathetically, tipping bacon on to Harry's plate, 'she's bang out of order.'
全く受け入れられない

・... three Ravenclaw boys he was pretty sure were called Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner and Terry Boot, Ginny, followed by a tall skinny blond boy with an upturned nose whom Harry recognised vaguely as being a member of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team and, bringing up the rear, Fread and George Weasly with their friend Lee Jordan, all three of whom were carrying large paper bags crammed with Zonko's merchandise.
最後尾を行く、しんがりを務める

・What with the regular sounds of retching, cheering and the sound of Fred and George taking advance orders from the crowd, Harry was finding it exceptionally difficult to focus on the correct method for Strengthening Solution.
～が理由で、～の結果

・'She says on no account whatsoever are you to take part in an illegal secret Defence Against the Dark Arts group.'
決して～しない

・'Well then, it would be a perfect way for Umbridge to manage it ― tip off Filch, let him do the dirty work and confiscate the letter, then either find a ay of stealing it from him or else demand to see it ― I don't think Filch would object, when's he ever stuck up for a student's right?'
～を弁護する、～を擁護する

・'It was a very, very close call last night,' said Hermione.
危機一髪

・Hermione soon devised a very clever method of communicating the time and date of the next meeting to all the members in case they needed to change it at shot notice, because it would look suspicious if people from different House were seen crossing the Great Hall to talk to each other too often.
直ちに、即座に

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK) -

I found I hadn't been able to read even thirty pages a day at least for this last three days.
Why can't I speed up my reading despite feeling the number of times of looking up dictionary has gradually decreased?
There seems, needless to say, to be a lot of problems I have to solve to improve my English skills.

Oh, one more thing.
Ruu the budgerigar got into his brand-new cage last night without noticing at all it was no longer his familiar house, where he'd lived since the moment he was born.
I'm glad he is a bird-brain. (It's just a joke, Ruu. )

２個目の例文、かなり長い文章を引用してしまっていますが、これでも前半分以上を省いています。
ある場所に現れた25人全員を入ってきた順番に、ハリーの感想も交えつつ、たった一文で紹介しているんだから英語ってすごい。
こういう一連の動作なんかだったら、どこまでもどこまでも文章をつなげる事が（やろうと思えば、かつ、それ相応の英語の知識があれば）可能なのよね・・・。
それより、そろそろ読むスピードを上げる努力もしないといけないかしら？
今のところ、私にとって洋書を読むことは、趣味であると同時に知らない単語や文法を覚えるまたとない機会となっているので、『多少、わかりにくいところがあっても読み飛ばす』ということができません。
よくわからないところは読み飛ばして、限られた時間で最大限の情報を効率的に得るのも必要なことだとわかってはいるんだけど、これがなかなか・・・。~(=^‥^A

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プレゼントの立場

Is this all because I forgot to say happy birthday to Ruu the budgerigar on his birthday?
It was when I was cleaning up his cage last Tuesday that with a ominous clang his cage suddenly broke down.
I thought it was likely to get broken before long, considering it had been nearly 10 years since I got it for his grandparents in Kyoto.
If, however, I got a new completely different cage from old one, different-colored or different-shaped one, for instance, he would undoubtedly panic and not want to get into it.
So I bought a new and almost the same cage for him at a nearby pet shop first thing in this morning.
The same-colored, same-sized and same-shaped one, except it's glittering a little more brightly.
What a joyless purchase.
I've already put it together and placed it on its usual place, on the shoe cupboard, and Ruu, the very bird for whom I've worked from this morning, however, hasn't noticed anything yet.
I hope he will remain not to notice any difference when he enters the brand-new cage at night.

朝一でペットショップに行き、カゴを組み立てる。
・・・何て有意義な休日の朝。
それに、どうせ買うなら最近流行の手乗りインコ用の扉が大きく開くタイプのカゴが欲しかったんですが、何せ新しい物にはトコトン警戒して、警戒すべき物には全く無防備なルー君。
買ったはいいけど、肝心のルー君が怖がって入ってくれなきゃ単なるお飾りになってしまう。
結局、ほとんど同じ物を買ってきたんですが、何て買い物し甲斐のない子なのかしら・・・。
色とりどりの可愛いインコ用オモチャにも誘惑されましたが、そんな物を買ったところで、ルー君に止まって欲しくないところに『ルー君除け』として飾る以外に使い道はない。
巣立ちしてから１～２歳ぐらいまでは、インコも好奇心旺盛で、初めて見る物にも果敢に挑んでいくんですが、年をとるほど警戒心が強くなってしまうんですね。
若い時には巣立ちして、新しい自分のテリトリーや伴侶を探さないといけないのに対し、大人になると自分のテリトリーを守るために警戒しなくてはいけない・・。
自然の摂理なんでしょうか。
人間も同じですね。
まぁ、カゴはちょっと（？）遅めの誕生日プレゼントだと思おう。
そして、新しいカゴになったことにルー君が気付かないことをひたすら祈るという、なんとも虚しい立場のプレゼントに思わず同情してしまった春分の日。

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今日のメモ-単純じゃないのよね-

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・It's possiblr yo just make lucky guesses in some caes.
make a lucky guess : まぐれ当たりをする

・I thought if I was able to perform in sign language and use my own voice, I could kill two birds with one stone.
一石二鳥になる

・I then rewrote it and, with the help of a member of my sign-language circle, played around with the storyline so that it would be more suitable for an audience of people who couldn't hear.
～に変更を加える

・There's always a possiblity that the cherry forecasts are off and we might get to see them at their best.
桜開花予想が外れる

・She felt strong and in a strange sort of way, wonderful.
不思議なことに

・To "sweep something under the rug" means to hide or dismiss something in a casual manner, usually to hide embarrassment. For example, "This government is always sweeping problem under the rug without solving them properly!"

・A "clean sweep" is when someone or some people win everything: a complete victory.

・If you "sweep someone off his feet," it means that person is overcome with strong feelings towards you.

・The performance was not good enough to get the 35-year-old gold medal winner at the Sydney Olimpics eight years ago on to Japan's team for this summer's games.
get ～ on to ・・・ : ～を・・・に入れる

・But Takahashi dismissed suggestions she would retire after missing out on a place in Japan's Olympic team for the second successive Olympiad.
～を逃す

アルファベットの単語化
A:Alpha  B:Bravo  C:Charlie  D:Delta  E:Echo  F:Foxtrot  G:Golf  H:Hotel  I:India  J:Juliet  K:Kilo  L:Lima  M:Mike  N:November  O:Oscar  P:Papa  Q:Quebec  R:Romeo  S:Sierra  T:Tango  U:Uniform  V:Victor  W:Whiskey  X:X-ray  Y:Yankee  Z:Zulu

　　　　　　　　　　- from the Mainichi Weekly -

The front-page article of this week's issue of the Mainich Weekly features Takahashi Naoko's run at the Nagoya International Women's Marathon on March 9, with her big smile shown after the race under the headline.
Her result might be disappointing, and yet at the same time, her smile was really impressive and encouraged me so much.
I admire people in a serious slump all the more for their struggle to try to get out of it, and I think people now at their best are obviously those who've got over their slump.

・'Poisonous toadstools don't chage their spots,' said Ron sagely.
生き方を変える


・Serve them right, hethought, why can't they give it a rest ... bickering all the time ,,, it's enough to drive anyone up the wall...
～をカッカさせる、イライラさせる、ウンザリさせる

・He had hadly spoken to anyone about this, least of all thirty eagerly listening classmates.
とりわけ～しない、最も～でない

・It was clear that as far as they were concerned, Hermione's threat was way below the belt.
（発言などが）相手の痛いところをついた、個人的なことに立ち入りすぎの、反則の、公正でない

・'And in the meantime, I'm afraid, we shall be working harder than ever to ensure that you all do yourselves justice.'
自分の力量を十分に発揮する、自分らしさを十分に示す

・'It's just playing into Malfoy's hands to look worried; it tells him we don't know exactly what's going on.'
～の思うつぼにはまる

・To cap it all, Angelina Johnson tracked him down at dinner again and, on learning that he would not be able to attend Friday's Keeper tryouts, told him she was not at all impressed by his attitude and that she expected players who wished to remain on the team to put training before their other commitments.
挙げ句の果てに

・'So I can, you know, get my eye in a bit.'
ボールに目が慣れる

・'I haven't got time to listen to a sermon, all right, Hermione, I'm up to my neck in it here ―'
～に没頭している、～にすっかり巻き込まれている

・Seriously, Ron, you do not want to be tarred with the same brush as Potter, it could be very damaging to your future prospects, and I am talking here about life after school, too.
同罪にされる、同じ欠点を持っている

・'I know she's a nasty piece of work, though ― you should hear Remus talk about her.'
～な奴、作品、産物、一仕事、困難な仕事

・'Fudge thinks Dumbletore will stop at nothing to seize power.'
どんなことでも躊躇せず思い切ってやる
　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK) -

今日のお気に入りの台詞は Sirius の一言♪

Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eathers.
　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK) -

The world isn't split into good and bad people.
ほんとにね。
世の中、善人と悪人だけなら少しはわかりやすくていいんだけど、そうなると私は完璧に悪い方に分類されそうで恐い。（少しやましいことがあるらしい・・・）

え～、Harry君、怒っております。　とっても短気です。
読んでいるこちらまでイラついてしまいそうですが、彼の置かれている状況と年を考えると、これでも随分といろんな事を我慢してますよね。
読書よりも部屋の掃除についつい逃避してしまうこの頃ですが、もう少しペースをあげないとこの後の予定がキツイかも。

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忘れてた・・・。

Though having almost completely forgotten about it because I was preoccupied with something else, March 14th, known as White Day, of 2008 was my little Ruu the budgerigar's eighth birthday.
I'm sure I kept it in my mind firmly, and that I thought I should say to him "Happy birthday," ...until going to the hospital on March 13th.
Suddenly remembering it when watching him pecking at the feed delightedly yesterday evening, I tentatively offered him a very belated Happy Birthday.
He seemed to me not to care when his birthday is, or whether his birthday comes or not.
Knowing living today as happily and calmly as yesterday is the most important thing to him, I also didn't do anything special to celebrate his (a little belated) special day except giving him some leaves of komatsuna.
Big presents or surprises seems to be nothing but terror to him, which is, in a sense, a big help to me.
Anyway, he's reached eight years old of age, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that he can continue to enjoy his peaceful life for a long, long time to come.
I love you, Ruu!

ちょっとゴタゴタしていて忘れていましたが、ルー君（注：セキセイインコです）が８歳になりました～♪
『忘れるなよ』と自分でツッコンでしまいましたが、本人（本鳥）はそんなことは一切お構いなしで、ただ毎日を穏やかに過ごせればそれでいいようです。
彼の仙人（仙鳥　もういいって？）のような生き方は、少し見習いたいものです。
超自己中で、多少野望に欠ける感もありますが・・・。

『お誕生日のお祝いに♪』と、『粟穂』（脱穀しない状態の粟の穂。自然に近い状態で餌を食べさせてあげようという発想から生まれた商品らしい・・・）やインコ用オモチャを買ってきては、ルー君に思い切り怖がられ、拒否され、背中を向けたまま本棚から降りてきてくれなくなった過去の過ちを繰り返すまいと、今年も何にもしませんでした。
頬と頬をスリスリしながら『おめでと～♪』と心からの一言を述べれば、彼はそれで満足。
ついでにその姿勢のまま10分ほど歌を歌ってあげると、なお喜んでいただけますが、10分歌うのはシンドイので、その時かかっていた曲を１曲だけ歌いました。
なんて安上がりなお誕生日☆
それでも、『これからもずーーーーーっと元気で長生きしてね♪』という気持ちに嘘偽りはありません。
大好きだよん♪　Happy Birthday♪

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今日のメモ-浮気を問い詰められたら-

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・I can't promise no one's going to get hurt, nobody can promise that, but we're much better off than we were last time.
よりよい状態である

・'Are you taking the mickey?' said  Ron, frowning at her.
take the mickey out of ～ : ～を笑いものにする、からかう

・'Branched out a bit this year, hasn't it?' said Ron, his eyebrows raised.
活動を他の分野まで広げる

・'The hat feels itself honour-bound to give the school due warning whenever it feels―'
feel honor(=honour) bound to do : 面目にかけて～しなければならない

・'And it wants all the house to be friends?' said Harry, looking over at the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was holding court. 'Fat chance.'
hold court : 崇拝者や信者達に囲まれる
fat chance : 見込み薄

・'It's a figure of speech!' said Nearly Headless Nick, now so annoyed his head was trembling ominously on his partially severed neck.
比喩的表現、言葉のあや、単なる喩え

・A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.
take ～ unawares : ～に不意打ちを食わせる
（be taken unawares by ～ : 不意に～を食らわされる）

・Seamus did not answer immediately; he was making rather a meal of ensuring that his poster of the Kenmare Kestrels Quidditch team was quite straight.
大袈裟に～をする

・'Don't you have a go at my mother,' Seamus snapped.
～とやり合う、～に説教する

・'You'll be singing a different tune soon enough, Hermione,' said Fred, thickly buttering a crumpet.
態度・意見を・口調を変える

・'They'll be keeping your noses so hard to that grindstone they'll be rubbed raw,' said Fred with satisfaction.
keep one's nose to the grindstone : 絶え間なく（休憩無しで）働く
be rubbed raw : （表面などが）こすられてはげる

・'We just haven't got your brains or your memory or your concentration ― you're just cleverer than we are ― is it nice to rub it in?'
嫌なことを繰り返し言って困らせる

・'Yeah,' said Harry, trying to grin as though the memory of their last meeting was funny as opposed to mortifying.
～ではなくて、～とは対照的に

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -

覚えたい句動詞（熟語？）なんかも嫌というほどあるんですが、とても書ききれないので、印象的な句動詞やイディオムだけメモっておきます。
当然イギリス英語独特の表現もありますが（UK版）、ハリ・ポタは面白い口語表現がいっぱいで勉強になります。
もちろん身に付いてこそ言う資格のある言葉かもしれませんが（『勉強になる』）、言葉遣いにキャラクターの性格も感じられるようになってきて、最近ますます楽しくなってきました。

で、今回のお気に入りの台詞。

Ask us no questions and we'll tell you no lies.

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -

英辞郎君には "Ask no questions and be told no lies." "Ask no questions and hear no lies." なんてのもありますね。
もし恋人に浮気を問いつめられるようなことになったら使ってみてください。
＞ Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

ぶん殴られるとは思いますが・・・。

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凹んだ

I went to the hospital yesterday and was so shocked when my doctor said I needed to increase my steroid dosage from 5 to 7 mg a day that I could hardly believe what he said.
Though I've not suffered from its noticeable side-effects yet, I can't say with confidence I'll remain not to do after increasing the dosage.
I couldn't relish the scent of spring having come a little early at all on my way home despite the fact that yesterday was a wonderfully beautiful day, warm, plum trees in full bloom, and everything I saw shining and bright in the gentle sunlight.
I neither could read even one line of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix nor do anything I had to do yesterday.
I know there's no point to worry about things I have no control over, but his words brought me down so terribly that I couldn't think like that about the possible side-effects caused by steroid.
The fact remains, however, that I just do what I can.
When thinking like that. I sometimes feel it's a bit weird that we can't control even our own organs or cells despite their being part of our bodies.
Don't you think so?
I also sometimes wonder whether it means I'm made alive by something or someone beyond words, or just tortured by none other than myself until I get to want to die.
The idea of the later is really ridiculous and one of those a person like a drama queen might have, and I hate such a kind of people.
I'll never let it me down anymore.

『（何か超自然的なものによって）生かされている』って英語でどう言うんでしょう？
"be let alive" かと思ったんですが、google で調べてみると "be made alive" という表現の方が圧倒的に多いんですよね。
でも、全く違う意味で "be made alive" って書いてあるのかも・・・。

昨日は本当に何にもしなかったんですが、一つだけしました。
証明写真を撮ること。

・・・これは友人との約束を果たすために必要だったんであって、決して taspo の申請をしようとしているわけではありませんから。
一応、禁煙続行中です。　念のため。
臓器や細胞にちゃんと働くよう言い聞かせることはできませんが、臓器や細胞がちゃんと働けるように私が出来る数少ないことだと思うので、もう少し（？）頑張ります。
（といっても、決してそのような大志（？）を抱いて禁煙に臨んだわけでは決してありませんが・・・）
自動証明写真撮影機（←名前違う？）の側面に早くも貼られた『taspo用』という写真サイズの説明書きを見て、誰に聞かれてもいないのに思わず、『違うの、煙草を吸おうと思ってるワケじゃないの～！』と（心の中で）言い訳を繰り返した春の日のように穏やかな午後でした。

はぁ、でもまだちょっとお疲れ。
今日は（今日も？）無理はすまい。

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今日のメモ-長いぞ！

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・I found myself in Covent Garden recently and popped into the Rock and Sole Plaice.
気が付くと～にいる

・The mushy peas had the right touch of minty flavour(=flavor) about them, and the chips were cut satisfyingly thick.
絶妙なミントの風味

・weather : 不可算名詞（日々変化するから？）
・climate : 可算名詞（年間平均のある程度一定したものだから？）

・I doubt he did it.（彼がそうしたことを疑う→彼はやっていないと思う）
・I suspect he did it.（彼がそうしたのではないかと思う）

・doubt : 1. to think that something may not be true or that it is unlikely
　　　　　 2. to not trust or have confidence in someone
・suspect : 1. to think that something is probably true, especially something bad
　　　　　　2. to think that something bad has happened or is happening
　　　　　　3. to think that someone is probably guilty of a crime
　　　　　　4. to think that something is not honest or true
　　　　　　　　　　- from Longman Online Dictionary -

・I'm afraid your memory is playing tricks.
記憶違いをしている（play a trick on ～ : ～をだます、～に一杯食わす）

・My memory is still good, and I am too young to be in my second childhood, you know.
ボケて

・When someone is "playing with fire," it means that he is taking a risk which is putting himself into danger.

・To "light a fire under someone" means that you are motivating them to work harder or pushing them to do something.

・When someone is "under fire" it means that they are being attacked or harshly criticized for something they did.

・Mori has starred in the play, Horo-ki, which is based on the namesake novel authored by Hayashi Fumiko, since 1961.
namesake novel : 同名の小説
authored by : ～作の

　　　　　　　　　　- from the Mainichi Weekly -

・Keep your nose clean and everything will be OK
身を慎む、面倒に巻き込まれないようにする

・When their voices had faded once more he headed around the corner into Magnolia Crescent and by walking very quickly he soon came within hailing distance of Dudley, who was strolling along at his ease, humming tunelessly.
～の声の届くところに、すぐ近くに

・Oh, this explains everything, everything, no wonder the country's going to the dogs.
ダメになる、失敗する、荒廃する、道徳的に退廃する

・'You two passed your Apparation test, then?' asked Harry grmpily. 'With distinction,' said Fred, who was holding what looked like a piece of very long flesh-coloured string. ... 'Anyway, Harry, you're interfering with reception.
with distinction : （ここでは）優秀な成績で
reception : （ここでは）受信

・The way he looks at us when he sees us.

・look : to turn your eyes towards something, so that you can see it, etc.
・see : to notice or examine someone or something, using your eyes, or to be able to use your eyes to look at things and know what they are
　　　　　　　　　　- from Longman Online Dictionary -

・We think they're biding their time until you're expelled, then they're really going to go to town ― I mean, if you're expelled, ovbiously,' she went on hastily.
事を行う

・'Ah, well, you've put your finger on the problem,' said Mr Weasley with a wry smile.
～を的確に指摘する、～を突き止める

・'He loves being Minister for Magic and he's managed to convince himself that he's the clever one and Dumbledore's simply stirring up trouble for the sake of it.'
（特定の理由もなく）ただそうしたいから

・The idiots are letting her get into her stride,' said George, shaking his head.
本調子になる、自分のペースに乗る

・They weren't alone, either, there were quite a few people, before Voldemort showed his true colours, who thought he had the right idea about things ... they got cold feet when they saw what he was prepared to do to get power, through.
怖じ気づく、がっかりする

・― and now Dumbledore's added his protection, you'd be hard put to find a safer house anywhere.
困窮する、難渋する

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix  (UK) -

ハリ・ポタ５巻はこれまで出たイディオム（"biding their time" （bide one's time : 好機を待つ） 等）も含め、新しいイディオムもいっぱいです。
一文あたりの語数も格段に増えてきて、読み応えがあって嬉しいやら、悲しいやら。
例えば↓は、これまでで一番長い文章というわけではなく、５巻では割と普通の長さです。

Tonks joined them for a memorable afternoon in which they found a murderous old ghoul lurking in an upstairs toilet, and Lupin, who was staying in the house with Sirius but who left it for long periods to do mysterious work for the Order, helped them repair a grandfather clock that had developed the unpleasant habit of shooting heavy bolts at passers-by.

文章が長かろうが、文章の途中に挿入句、というか付け足しがどれだけ割り込もうが、日本語の文章を読む時と同じように、ひたすら前から順番に単語を追っていけば大丈夫です！
頑張れ！！ ＞ぢぶん
『主語を訳したら、後は後ろから訳していきましょうね♪』なんて、中学生時代に嫌というほど叩き込まれたせいで、『書いてある順に、耳に入ってくる順番通りに理解する』というごく当たり前のことができるようになるのに何年かかったことか。
（そんな人間、私だけかもしれませんが。~(=^‥^A）
日本の英語教育が全く無駄だなんて私は思っていませんが、この訳し方を強制されたのは、単に教師が採点しやすくするためだけだろうなとポツリ。
今は違うのかな？
会話に重点を置いたり、ネイティブ教師をおいたりして、私の時代の英語教育とはだいぶ変わってきているようですね。
う～ん、うらまやしい。　もとい。　うらやましい。

doubt と suspect の違いは、言われなかったら意識せずに使い分けできてたような気がするのに、指摘されると急に気になってワケが分からなくなってきました。
よくあることです。
『右足の次に左足を出して、その後にまた右足を前に出して歩くのよ！』
意識しなければ普通にできることなのにね～。（←コケたのか？）

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捨てる！

I know it's a little sudden to say this, but my theme of this year is "disposal," to get rid of everything in my room I don't need any more.
As a matter of fact, I've already put this idea into action since the beginning of February, when I started to quit smoking.
It might be thanks to my uncontrollable frustration caused by smoking cessation that I suddenly noticed my room was so full of unwanted things that there was no space to place anything I newly bought, and that I thought I could no longer stand this state.
Anyway, I've been gathering things to dispose of and throwing them out little by little every trash day.
The problem, however, is to decide what to keep and what to get rid of, and how and when to discard them.
Books, a pile of papers and letters, floppy disks and CDs I used to use and don't need any more, shoes and clothes, and a mountain of useless things which I thought might come in handy and I don't know why now, etc.
There are too many kinds of things each of which needs a different disposal method to deal with at a time, and besides, it's hard to say goodbye to things I used to like or use, but I'm coming to think it's great fun to see the space in my room getting larger bit by bit.
It's almost addictive and makes me want to buy something new to display!
If I really did it, however, I'd be a complete fool to "put the cart before the horse."

もう何年も同じ部屋に暮らしていて、ある日突然、部屋が要らない物で溢れていると気付くのは何故でしょう。
私の場合、少し重症かもしれません。
今は昔の大学・普通のOL時代から今に至るまでの、『想い出』と呼ぶにはあまりにも埃をかぶりすぎた不要物が多すぎる。
おまけに、シャンプー・リンスは１．６リットル単位、入浴剤（といっても単なる炭酸水素Naとクエン酸ですが）がキロ単位、ハーブや茶葉も特大大袋単位、化粧水＆入浴剤代わりの日本酒もドーンとケース単位と、ネットで、しかも購入手数料の無駄を少しでも省くため一度に大量に日用品を購入する人間なので、とにかく場所に余裕がない！
年明け早々、これらの置き場所に困った挙げ句に、台所の隅に大きなダンボールをドカッと置かざるを得なくなった時にようやく『何とかせねば』と思ったのですが、少し遅かったかもしれません。
とても一度に片付けるのは体力的にも時間的にも無理なので、ゴミの日の前日に『今日はここ！』と決め、チマチマと片付け始めております。
『捨てる』という行為はエコロジーに反するような気がして、偉そうに書くことでもないような気がしますが、『勿体ない』と何でも溜め込んだところで、利用しなきゃ意味がない。
溜め込んだ結果、私のそれでなくても狭い部屋が不要物で埋め尽くされてしまっては、それこそ勿体ない。
捨てますよ。　えぇ、今年は捨てます。
そして空いたスペースを眺めて、『まだこんなに物を置くスペースがある♪』と思ってしまう私は本末転倒も甚だしい。
何かを買い足すために物を捨てるのではなく、夢見るものは余裕のある空間での生活・・・
まぁ、入れ物は既に決まっているので、大した変化もないでしょうが・・・、捨てます！

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A twinge of sorrow

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・...and I had given up hope, now, that any of my Death Eaters cared what had become of me...."
～はどうなる

・For, hungry one night, on the edge of the very forest where he had hoped to find me, he foolishly stopped at an inn for some food... and who should he meet there, but one Bertha Jorkins, a witch from the Ministry of Magic.
who, whatと共にbutを伴って、過去の意外な事柄を示す "should"
（彼がそこで出会ったのは、誰あろう Bertha Jorkins だった）

・There was no hope of stealing the Sorcerer's Stone anymore, for I knew that Dumbledore would have seen to it that it was destroyed.
～するよう配慮する、取り計らう

・I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also ― if she will consent to come ― Madame Maxime."
条件節の中で主語の意思を表す "will"。短縮形は用いられない。
～しようと思うなら、～する気があるのなら

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

And I'll write down some sentences I felt a sharp twinge of sorrow in my heart as my eyes followed.

"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready...if you are prepared..."
"I am," said Snape.
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.
"Then good luck," said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Snape swept wordlessly after Sirius.

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

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やっと４巻終了

After spending 28 days struggling with so many English sentences that I wondered if I really could read it through, I finally finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire yesterday.
I thought the fourth volume was the least exciting and interesting one in the Harry Potter series; however, I can't deny I was surprised at some facts I'd forgotten ever since I last read a Japanese version of it when it came out years ago, and really enjoyed it.
Yes, I think there's no doubt it's one of the books worth reading, after all.
At the same time, I feel like the Harry Potter series starts to show another aspect of it a little more clearly from this volume.
Another aspect, I mean, is that it's just part of the long path leading to the amazing ending.
Though we can enjoy each book from the 1st to the 3rd as if it were a one-shot story, much more pleased with each ending rather than anxious about Harry's future, we can't help getting more and more worried about him after that, yes, until we finish reading the final volume of it.

And now, the next book to read is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth and longest book in the Harry Potter series, and I've already gotten a copy of the UK version of it.
(I was going to buy one of the US version, but somehow they are sold out at Amazon.)
I don't want to think about how long it will take me to read it through.

まだ少し頭がフラフラしておりますが、なんとかハリ・ポタ第４巻を読み終わりました。
４巻はハリ・ポタ・シリーズの中では一番退屈な印象がありましたが、それは単に私が４巻のオチのほぼ全てを忘れていたからかもしれません。
彼が復活するシーンは、６＆７巻を読んだ時にだいぶ思い出したんですが、それ以外はほとんど忘れていたので、初めて４巻を読んだ時と同じくらい楽しんでしまったような・・・。
（それにしては随分と時間をかけてしまいましたが）

１～３巻までは、読み切りの本と同じくらい結末に満足して読み終えることができましたが、４巻からはハリ・ポタ・シリーズのラストの為の前置き（？）のような側面が強くなっていく気がします。
１冊を読み終えても、単純に『あぁ良かった、面白かった』と本を置くことができなくなって、満足感よりこれからどうなるのかという不安の方が強くなる感じ。
で、次はシリーズ最長の Harry Potter and the Order of the Phenix （UK版）。
『あら？　ページ数が６巻(UK版）よりも少ないような・・・』と思ったら、中の文字の大きさ（文字のつまり具合？）が全然違う！
同じUK版のペーパーバックなのに何故？
え～～・・・、今日はまだ頭がついていかないと思うので、明日からでも読み始めようと思います。m(__)m

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キスしたくない生き物は？

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・The Golden compass, directed by Chris Weitz, is based on the first book in Philip Pullman's best-selling "His Dark Materials" trilogy of children's novels.
三部作

・The thing about poetry that intrigued Phillips from the beginning was that it enables us to say something that goes unsaid.
言葉にならない

　　　　　　　　　　-from the Mainichi Weekly -

・"But I had my wand hidden up my sleeve," he asuured Padma Patil, who seemed to be a lot keener on Ron now that he was getting so much attention and was making a point of talking to him every time they passed in the corridors.
必ず～する、= "make it a point to do"

・"Well," said Sirius slowly, "I wouldn't put it past Mad-Eye to have searched every single teacher's office when he got to Hogwarts.
～なら～しかねない

・"What's the betting she comes back with a box of I Hate Rita Skeeter badges?" said Ron.
どうなると思いますか、どんな具合ですか

・"I've got her number now! Tryin' ter get back in me good books, tryin' ter get me ter tell her what's comin' in the third task.
～の真の性質を発見する、～の正体を知る
（正しくは "in one's good books") : ～に気に入られて、好かれて

・"But under his own steam?" said Hermione eagerly, "or because someone made him?"
誰の力も借りないで

・"Should be right up your street, this one," said Moody, looking up at Harry and scratching his scarred and stubbly chin.
（仕事等が）～の能力・好みにぴったり合って、まさにもってこいで

・A few hexes wouldn't go amiss either.
ありがたい、好ましい

・"Rita Skeeter goes out of her way to cause trouble, Amos!" Mrs. Weasley said angrily.
わざわざ進んで～する

　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

Though I forgot how it is written in Japanese edition, the riddle of English version a sphinx asked Harry in his final task is interesting.
It's this:

"First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together, and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"

　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

The answer is down below.
If you don't want to know, don't scroll down this page.

The answer : Spider（蜘蛛）
"spi"(="spy" : スパイ、変装して秘密を生業とし嘘しか言わない人）+ "d"（"mend"の単語の最後、"middle"の真ん中で"end"の最後）+ "er"（英語を母国語とする人は言葉を模索しつつ話す時"er..."って言いますよね♪）
このなぞなぞ、日本語版ではどうなっていたんでしょうか？
一度読んだはずなのにすっかり忘れてしまいました。
スフィンクスが出てくることも忘れてたし。σ(^_^；

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お酒のせい

I'm so sleepy, I feel these days as though no sooner did I fall into bed and a deep, dreamless sleep than my alarm clock unmercifully rang to wake me up.
I guess most of people feel the same way.
I know I'm not the only one who is forced to fight against drowsiness to get through every day, working, doing housework, and learning for self-development.
Probably, I'm not also the only one who feels like s/he has a lot more things to do or consider than usual whenever s/he is in such a not-so-great condition, am I?
And what is worse, I made a promise I didn't have the slightest intention of doing until then with a friend of mine.
Oh, I can't believe what I did myself!
Maybe it's because I was a little too happy to know well what I was talking about because I was enjoying a nice dinner with my friends to celebrate my having spent a month without smoking even one cigarette at the time, of course, drinking.
Hmm..., though I'm going to make every effort to keep my promise with her, I must say nobody knows whether or not I'll be able to make it and get good results.
Be careful about what you're saying, especially when drinking!

私という人間は、お酒の持つ摩訶不思議な魔力に一体何回はめられたら気がすむのでしょうか？
気が大きくなってしまうんですね。　どうしてでしょ？
気を大きく持つことのできる根拠なんて何一つ持ってもいないのに。
そして、自分のあまりの馬鹿さ加減に、先週末からずっと脳がエンスト中です。
まぁ、何とかなる・・・のかなぁ？

あ、それから『禁煙生活１ヶ月達成パーティー（注：パーティと言えるモノであったか否かはここでは論議いたしません）』なるものをする際は、お酒は飲まない方が賢明です。
薄々どころかハッキリわかってはいましたが、お酒と煙草は大変相性がよろしい。
特にグループに愛煙家が紛れ込んでいる時は要注意。
ましてやかつて愛煙家だった禁煙生活の先輩とも言うべき人が同席している時はなおさらです。

私：『何で禁煙してる人間の目の前でそんなに美味しそうに煙草が吸えるの？！』
友人A：『美味しいから』
私：『・・・・・』
友人B：『っていうか、禁煙してる私の目の前で美味しそうに煙草を吸ってた人間がよくそんなこと言えるよね』
私：『・・・・・・・・・・』

今日の一言。　『選ぼう、友人。　慎もう、己が言』
あ、二言だ・・・。
（一応、数多の誘惑を振り切って、禁煙生活２ヶ月目を邁進中です。念の為）

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今日のメモ

☆　今日のメモ　☆

・I didn't dare tell Mum what he's got to do for the first task; she's already having kittens about him....
ぷんぷん怒っている

・He said he'd seen the error of his ways, and then he named names ... he put a load of other people into Azkaban in his place....
共犯者の実名を公表する

・"Quidditch," he said dully, "and a far lot of help ―"
何の助けにもならない

・"Well, that's good," said Harry loudly, his temper getting the better of him, "just as long as it's not drawn-out. I don't want to suffer."
～に打ち勝つ、～より勝る

・"Right little ray of sunshine, aren't you?" said Ron.
周囲を明るくする人・物

・Really, Harry thought, as he pulled the hangings on his four-poster closed, Hagrid had a point ... they were all right, really, dragons....
一理ある、長所がある

・Harry noticed her eyes travel over Dean (who had a nasty cut across one cheek), Lavender (whose robes were badlly singed), Seamus (who was nursing several burnt fingers), and then to the cabin windows, where most of the class stood, their noses pressed against the glass waiting to see if the coast was clear.
危険無し、あたりに敵なし、絶好の時期だ

・Everyone in the common room was much too busy in letting off more holiday steam to observe what anyone else was up to.
うっぷんを晴らす、精力を発散する

・Paravati seemed to be enjoying herself; she was beaming around at everybody, steering harry so forcefully that he felt as though he were a show dog she was putting through its paces.
～の能力をテストする

・While Dumbledore turns a blind eye, Hagrid has maimed several pupils during a series of lessons that many admit to being "very frightening."
～を見て見ぬふりをする

・Harry kept his eyes skinned for a sign of Hagrid all the way down the slushy High Street, and suggested a visit to the Three Broomsticks once he had ascertained that Hagrid was not in any of the shops.
目を見張っている、油断しない

・Bagman didn't seem in any particular rush to spill the beans, though.
秘密をもらす

・"I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl ... not that it needs it ―" she added, eyeing Hermione's bushy hair.
人の身の毛をよだたせる、ぞっとさせる

・As Snape and Filch both turned to look at it, Harry threw caution to the winds; he raised his arms under the cloak and waved furiously at Moody to attract his attention, mouthing "It's mine! Mine!"
慎重をかなぐり捨てる、大胆な行動を取る

・But Snape's black eye's were darting from the egg in Filch's arms to the map in Moody's hand, and Harry could tell he was putting two and two together, as only Snape could....
（見たり聞いたりしたことを）あれこれ考えあわせて正しい結論を引き出す

　　　　　　　　　　- from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

I have too many things to write down in my usual entry because I update this blog much less often than before.
What should I do?

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