The Daily Teaser — 11-3-2014

Hmmm … Rush, rush, rush, again … !

If nothing else, though … ?

I have to admit to enjoying the ECDL course I’m on.

Frustrating though it is, working with Microsoft Office.

Word and Excel were bad enough — I’m blaming the Mail Merge and Chart functions — but PowerPoint … ?

Dear me, PowerPoint … !

There’s a reason I bought a Mac, and the then current version of the iWork suite.

It’s NOT POWERPOINT … !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dratted thing … !

~≈Â≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring nine out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 11th March, 1708, saw the Royal Assent withheld from the Scottish Militia Bill, 1708: this being the last time a British monarch withheld Assent.   Which monarch was it … ?

Q2) 11th March, 1985, saw Mikhail Gorbachev named as leader of the Soviet Union.   Who had he replaced … ?

Q3) 11th March, 1955, saw the death of Sir Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin.   What is penicillin: an anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic or an antiviral?

Q4) 3 years later, 11th March, 1958, saw the death of Ole Kirk Christiansen: who founded which well known Danish toy company … ?

Q5) Finally … 11th March, 1918, saw the Queens area of New York hit by which pandemic disease … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) This year, 10th March, 2014 is Commonwealth Day: celebrated, each year, on the second what of each March … ?

A1) Monday.

Q2) It’s celebrated by the Commonwealth of Nations: mostly countries that had been members or territories of what … ?

A2) The British Empire.

Q3) How many nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations: 43, 53 or 63?

A3) 53.

Q4) Which archipelago is the only currently suspended member of the Commonwealth of Nations?

A4) Fiji.

Q5) Name any of the three European members of the group.

A5) Malta, Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

Q6) Which African country is the last member of the Commonwealth of Nations: alphabetically … ?

A6) Zambia.

Q7) Name any of the current Commonwealth countries that have Elizabeth 2nd as their head of State.

A7) Alphabetically, they are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Isles, Tuvalu and — obviously — the United Kingdom … !

Q8) Tanzania has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations since — arguably — 1964.   Name either of the countries that now make up Tanzania.

A8) Zanzibar and Tanganyika.

Q9) Suriname is applying to be a member of the Commonwealth.   On which continent is Suriname: North America, South America or Asia?

A9) South America.

Q10) Finally … which European nation left the Commonwealth in 1949?

A10) The Republic of Ireland.

I’ll leave you with this song from Anna Tsuchiya … 

And this thought from the woman my street was named after …

“I don’t feel I deserve it but I’m very thrilled that so many women are coming through in sport broadcasting now.”

Helen Rollason, 11 March 1956 - 9 August 1999.

Have a good day … !

*        Darned, eh, Debbi … ?   That’s a LOT better than being stitched up … !

The Daily Teaser — 10-3-2014: Commonwealth Day

Why on EARTH is it that Monday’s feel slightly rushed … ?

Hmm … ?

What gives … ?

I’m back at the ECDL course over in Basildon, today.

And … ?

Frankly, I’m feeling just a touch … 

Yeah … rushed is the word … !

~≈Œ≈~

So let’s get a move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring four out of five.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) This year, 10th March, 2014 is Commonwealth Day: celebrated, each year, on the second what of each March … ?

Q2) It’s celebrated by the Commonwealth of Nations: mostly countries that had been members or territories of what … ?

Q3) How many nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations: 43, 53 or 63?

Q4) Which archipelago is the only currently suspended member of the Commonwealth of Nations?

Q5) Name any of the three European members of the group.

Q6) Which African country is the last member of the Commonwealth of Nations: alphabetically … ?

Q7) Name any of the current Commonwealth countries that have Elizabeth 2nd as their head of State.

Q8) Tanzania has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations since — arguably — 1964.   Name either of the countries that now make up Tanzania.

Q9) Suriname is applying to be a member of the Commonwealth.   On which continent is Suriname: North America, South America or Asia?

Q10) Finally … which European nation left the Commonwealth in 1949?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 9th March, 1964, saw the birth of actress, Juliet Binoche: what was the name of her début English language film … ?

A1) An Unbearable Lightness Of Being.

Q2) 9th March, 1981, saw the jailing of rapist, John Lambe: who committed his crimes in areas not far from which motorway … ?

A2) The MM5.

Q3) 9th March, 1997, saw an eclipse over parts of China, Siberia and Mongolia: a rare one that allowed what to be seen of those countries … ?

A3) A comet: specifically, Comet Hale Bopp.

Q4) 9th March, 1925, saw bombing of parts of Pakistan take place, the first independent operation by the junior part of Britain’s armed forces.   What IS that force … ?

A4) The Royal Air Force.

Q5) Finally … 9th March, 1954, saw the broadcast of an episode of a US documentary series, called See It Now: one highly critical of which US senator?

A5) Senator Joseph McCarthy.

I’ll leave you the motto of the Commonwealth Games, the organization’s best known event …

“Humanity—Equality—Destiny”

Motto of the Commonwealth Games.

And with Laura Mvula’s Sing To The Moon, as she’s due to perform at this year’s Games … 

Have a good day … !

*        Then there’s the Hierarchy, Debbi: I them in Star Trek: Voyager and thought “THEY look familiar … !”

The Daily Teaser — 9-3-2014

Oh, well, that’s something … !

Turns out this week’s The Tomorrow People got repeated, last night!

Phew … !

Last night’s episode is proving as entertaining as always.

Personally, though?   I have to say, going on what I’ve seen of it Agents Of SHIELD is a better made series.

But I’ve given up on the latter, purely and simply because Channel 4’s had it on, then off, then on, then off, I’ve given up on it … !

Oy, veh … !

~≈Â≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting her answers: and scoring five out of seven.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s teaser, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 9th March, 1964, saw the birth of actress, Juliet Binoche: what was the name of her début English language film … ?

Q2) 9th March, 1981, saw the jailing of rapist, John Lambe: who committed his crimes in areas not far from which motorway … ?

Q3) 9th March, 1997, saw an eclipse over parts of China, Siberia and Mongolia: a rare one that allowed what to be seen of those countries … ?

Q4) 9th March, 1925, saw bombing of parts of Pakistan take place, the first independent operation by the junior part of Britain’s armed forces.   What IS that force … ?

Q5) Finally … 9th March, 1954, saw the broadcast of an episode of a US documentary series, called See It Now: one highly critical of which US senator?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 8th March is International Women’s Day: marking the day women in Russia went on strike.   Which Russian Revolution did that strike kickstart … ?

A1) The February Revolution.

Q2) In which Russian city was this … ?

A2) Saint Petersburg.   (Variously known as Petrograd and Leningrad, during parts of it’s history.)

Q3) 8th March, 1010, saw the completion of the Shahnameh: the epic poem describing the mythical history of which country: Iran, Afghanistan or Tajikistan … ?

A3) Iran.

Q4) 8th March saw tech company, Phillips, introduce the compact disc.   CD’s are optical discs: as are DVDs … and what else … ?

A4) Blu-ray discs.

Q5) In which year did Phillips release the CD … ?

A5) 1979.

Q6) 8th March, 1974, saw which airport open in Paris … ?

A6) Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Q7) Finally … 8th March, 2000, saw the recovery of Donald Campbell’s boat, the Bluebell, from Coniston Water, in the Lake District.   In which English county is Coniston Water … ?

A7) Cumbria.

I’ll leave you with John Cale’s Paris 1919 … 

And this thought …

“I enjoyed the rich color spectrum of the earth. It is surrounded by a light blue aureole that gradually darkens, becoming turquoise, dark blue, violet, and finally coal black.”

Yuri Gagarin 9 March 1934 – 27 March 1968.

Enjoy your day … 

*        I know the episodes you mean, Debbi: those were Cybernauts … !   (Funny thing, Debbi, I’m sure I read — somewhere … ! — that the Borg, in Star Trek were partly inspired by the Cybermen.)

The Daily Teaser — 8-3-2014

It’s got to be said, I recorded the second episode of 37 Days To War, the three part BBC drama about the start of World War One on, at the mo.

It’s amazing stuff: showing us the lead up to the four years of lunacy that engulfed the world on August 4th.

I think I also have to give some plaudits to Ian McDiamuid: who’s playing Sir Edward Grey, the then Foreign Secretary.

And doing so, wonderfully.

Although I HAVE to add … I’m half-expecting him to go seriously Palpatine, and start cackling evilly.

Ho-HUM … !

~≈#≈~

But let’s move on, shall we … ?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in hers answers: and bagging nine out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions.

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 8th March is International Women’s Day: marking the day women in Russia went on strike.   Which Russian Revolution did that strike kickstart … ?

Q2) In which Russian city was this … ?

Q3) 8th March, 1010, saw the completion of the Shahnameh: the epic poem describing the mythical history of which country: Iran, Afghanistan or Tajikistan … ?

Q4) 8th March saw tech company, Phillips, introduce the compact disc.   CD’s optical discs: as are DVDs … and what else … ?

Q5) In which year did Phillips release the CD … ?

Q6) 8th March, 1974, saw which airport open in Paris … ?

Q7) Finally … 8th March, 2000, saw the recovery of Donald Campbell’s boat, the Bluebell, from Coniston Water, in the Lake District.   In which English county is Coniston Water … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 7th March, 1994, saw the US Supreme Court rule that parodies were Fair Use, under US law.   Who released a parody version of Beat It, by Michael Jackson: called Eat It … ?

A1) Weird Al Yankovic.

Q2) More to the point, which song — released internationally on 7th March, 1985 — was parodied by the Spitting Image team as We’re Scared Of Bob … ?

A2) We Are The World.

Q3) BBC sitcom, ’Allo ’Allo! took the mickey out of which rather more serious BBC series?

A3) Secret Army.

Q4) Classic Spanish work, Don Quixote, parodies medieval romances.   Who wrote Don Quixote … ?

A4) Miguel de Cervantes: or Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, if you want the full version.

Q5) Which Monty Python film parodies the tales of King Arthur … ?

A5) Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Q6) Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift, was a parody of travelers tales popular in the 18th Century.   What’s the book’s full name … ?

A6) Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.   (Now … BREATHE … !)

Q7) Who, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was the first person to use the word, parody, in English … ?

A7) Ben Johnson.

Q8) Which parody religious belief is organized by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster … ?

A8) Pastafarianism.

Q9) Who co-wrote and directed the Star Wars parody, Space Balls … ?

A9) Mel Brooks.

Q10) Finally … Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, parodied who … ?

A10) Adolf Hitler.

As today is Mickey Dolenz’s birthday, I’ll leave you with this tune … 

And with this observation …

“I can tell you that the one thing I really, really couldn't bear when I was an MP were my constituents.”

Gyles Brandreth, born 8th March, 1948.

Have a good day … !

*        He was cool, Debbi.   But I have to admit, when it comes down to robots, I was always fond of the Cylons … !   WAY cool!

The Friday Question Set — 7-3-2014

Now, THAT’S embarrassing … !

I completely forgot about last Friday’s Friday Question Set … !

Although, play fair, all the excitement about the course I’d started, it went RIGHT out of my head.

What’s more … ?

I’ve not had the chance to add the usual links to this week’s question Set.

All I can do is apologise for that: and dive straight into this week’s Friday Question Set.

Here’s this week’s: covered by the Creative Commons License*

Online 241ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What word can go before ground, pedal and water?

A1) Back.

Q2) Which tv show features two main characters called Christine & Mary Beth?

Q2) Cagney & Lacey.

Q3) What is the African country of Abyssinia now called?

A3) Ethiopia.

Q4) For how long had David Cameron been an MP, before becoming Conservative party leader?

A4) Four years.

Q5) In which country did the voting to determine the site of the 2012 Olympics take place?

A5) France.

Q6) Which sport did Marco Van Basten play?

A6) Football.

Q7) How would four fifths be shown, as a decimal?

A7) 0.8

Q8) Which singer’s life story was filmed as Sweet Dreams?

A8) Patsy Cline.

Q9) Cu is the chemical symbol for which metal?

A9) Copper.

Q10) Petrology is the study of what?

A10) Rocks.   (As opposed to Geology, which is the study of the Earth.)

ROUND TWO.   SPORTING CHANCES.

Q11) Which Spaniard won the Formula 1 World Championship, in 2005?

A11) Fernando Alonso.

Q12) From 1991, to 1995, Miguel Indurain was the winner, in which French sporting event?

A12) The Tour de France.

Q13) Which Chris was the WBO super-middleweight champion, in 1991?

A13) Chris Eubank.

Q14) Who was the first jockey to go through a seven race card?

A14) Frankie Dettori.

Q15) Which darts player was known as the ‘Crafty Cockney’?

A15) Eric Bristow.

Q16) Which cricketer won Strictly Come Dancing in 2005?

A16) Darren Gough.

Q17) Who was the national Hunt champion jockey, from 1986 to 1992?

A17) Peter Scudamore.

Q18) Which boxer was known as Smokin’ Joe?

A18) Joe Frasier.

Q19) Kelly Sotherton is a comptetitor in which multi-disciplined event?

A19) The Heptathlon.

Q20) Who was the 1st British male to reach Wimbledon’s last 8, during the 90’s?   (Bonus point for the nickname.)

A20) ‘Tiger’ Tim Henman.

ROUND THREE.   MUSIC & LIGHTS.

Q21) Eighth Day was a hit for which 80’s singer?

A21) Hazel O’Connor.

Q22) More to the point, what film was it from?

A22) Breaking Glass.

Q23) What song was Kylie Minougue’s first UK million seller, Can’t Get You Out of My Head, The Locomotion or Confide in Me?

A23) Can’t Get You Out of My Head.

Q24) Cheryl Jones, & Sandra Denton were better known how?

A24) Salt ’n’ Pepa.

Q25) Baggy trousered rapper, Reverend Stanley Burrell was better known how?

A25) MC Hammer.

Q26) Christina Aguilera, Maya and Li’l Kim all co-operated with whom, on a version of Lady Marmalade?

A26) Pink.

Q27) Transformer is considered by many critics to be whose definitive LP?

A27) Lou Reed’s.

Q28) Whose name came before The Mastermixers?

A28) Jive Bunny.

Q29) Which group found 1970’s success with Night Fever?

A29) The Bee Gees.

Q30) Hit album, Tubular Bells, by Mike Oldfield, was the début release on which record label?

A30) Virgin.

ROUND FOUR.   TV DINNERS.

Q31) Tony, Carmela, Meadow and Anthony Junior, belong to which TV family?

A31) The Sopranos.

Q32) Dancing With The Stars is the US version of which TV show?

A32) Strictly Come Dancing.

Q33) Which of the Dimbleby brothers presents BBC show, Question Time?

A33) David Dimbleby.

Q34) Which Geoff presented Gardeners World, until his death, in 1996?

A34) Geoff Hamilton.

Q35) Which chairman A Question of Sport retired in1997?

A35) David Coleman.

Q36) Which daytime soap features the doctors of Cardale?

A36) Peak Practise.

Q37) Who presented What The Ancients Did For Us?

A37) Adam Hart-Davies.

Q38) Is the weather forecast before, or after, the News at Ten?

A38) After.

Q39) What’s the profession of Sam Ryan, in Silent Witness?

A39) Pathologist.

Q40) In which English city does Inspector Morse take place?

A40) Oxford.

ROUND FIVE.   THE MEDIA.

Q41) What does BBC stand for?

A41) British Broadcasting Corporation.

Q42) What’s the Daily Mail’s sister Sunday paper called?

A42) The Mail on Sunday.

Q43) What was Britain’s third terrestrial channel called?

A43) BBC 2.

Q44) What type of information does CNN broadcast?

A44) News.

Q45) What kind of programme is a Drama-Doc?

A45) A Drama Documentary.

Q46) In broadcasting, what did LWT stand for?

A46) London Weekend Television.

Q47) What’s the name of Radio 4’s early morning news programme?

A47) Today.

Q48) Which ITV company was named after a Spanish city?

A48) Grenada.

Q49) What was the first half hour news programme to be broadcast in the UK?

A49) ITV’s News At Ten.

Q50) Which media company does the TV licence Fund?

A50) The BBC.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Aladdin Sane and Let’s Dance were hits for which British Rock icon?

A51) David Bowie.

Q52) Ellison’s Orange is a variety of which fruit?

A52) An apple.

Q53) Where would a Spanish woman wear her Mantilla?

A53) On her head.

Q54) Some people feel embarrassed by their Lentigines; - what are they?

A54) Freckles.

Q55) Syd Barrett was a founder member of which iconic 60’s band?

A55) Pink Floyd.

Q56) Jatarkas are stories about the previous lives of which religious figure?

A56) Buddha.

Q57) In which European city was Europe’s oldest university founded?

A57) Salerno, in Italy.

Q58) Ronnie Kray shot George Cornell in which East End pub?

A58) The Blind Beggar.

Q59) Dr John Camembert invented which world famous fizzy drink?

A59) Coca Cola.

Q60) Michæl Hordern provided the voice for which tv bear?

A60) Paddington.

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you later … 

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.