The Daily Teaser — 12-12-2013: British India

You know, I think Phew is possibly the best word.

No, seriously … !

You see, we had an almost incident, last night: when the various TV channels being broadcast started acting up.

With the result that everyone in the building watching the BBC ended up with a picture like this …

Pretty unfortunate, wouldn’t you say … ?   It sorted itself out, eventually: and I think it must have been done to the weather.

But given the recent problems our building has had with its communal aerial … ?   Well, I wasn’t impressed … !

~≈Î≈~

At ANY rate, let’s get a move on.

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

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s teaser: here it is, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 12th December, 1911, saw George 5th proclaimed as Emperor of India: who was his Empress … ?

Q2) More to the point, what name to given to the ceremony: Durbar, Durban or Turban?

Q3) Even MORE to the point, in which Indian city was it held … ?

Q4) What R was the name given to British rule of India … ?

Q5) Who was the first British monarch of India … ?

Q6) Who was the last Mughal Emperor … ?

Q7) Who was the last British Emperor of India … ?

Q8) The last British viceroy of India was Viscount Mountbatten of where … ?

Q9) 12th December, 1911, also saw the capital of India moved to Delhi: from where … ?

Q10) Finally … Name any of the modern countries that occupy territory that had been part of British India …

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 11th December saw Edward 8th abdicate the throne of the UK, the British Dominions … and where else … ?

A1) The British Indian Empire.

Q2) In which year of the 1930s did this happen … ?

A2) 1936.

Q3) Edward abdicated because he wanted to marry whom … ?

A3) Wallis Simpson.

Q4) The pair were suspected of being very sympathetic: to which German regime … ?

A4) The Nazis.

Q5) Finally … Edward 8th — and his brother, George 6th — belonged to which royal dynasty … ?

A5) The House of Windsor.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“The only tyrant I accept in this world is the ‘still small voice’ within me. And even though I have to face the prospect of being a minority of one‡, I humbly believe I have the courage to be in such a hopeless minority.”

M. K. Gandhi, speaking of the end of British rule.

And with Vara Leela Gaana Lola, which has it’s origins in British India … 

*        Glad to here it got through, Debbi: you’ll love the ending … !

†        Oh, by the way, Debbi, I don’t know if you’ve caught the trailer, yet: but … 

‡        There’s a point, in Orwell’s Nineteen-Eighty-Four, where Winston defines madness as being in a minority of one.   I can’t help but wonder if this thought from the Mahatma, is the origin of the phrase.

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser

Well, that’s a thing … 

As I speak … ?

Well, as I speak, I’ve got the BBC’s News Channel on.

Which is covering the fact that there’s a G8 summit about Alzheimer’s Disease.

Personally … ?

Well, I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one who saw a much loved grandmother die of the condition.

Hopefully, the promised doubling of funding that PM, David Cameron has announced, will do some good.

But I’m VERY aware that it’s going to take some time … 

~≈∑≈~

At any rate, today’s Wednesday.

Which means, obviously, that it’s the Brentwood Gazette’s publication day: and, therefore, time for the Gazette’s weekly teaser.

Here’s this week’s questions, covered by the Creative Commons License* …

Q1) 11th December saw Bill W, one of AA’s founders, finally stop drinking.   In which year of the 1930s?

Q2) What did the W stand for … ?

Q3) More to the point, what does AA stand for … ?

Q4) The group takes its name from its main text, used to help members achieve sobriety.   The book is nicknamed … what … ?

Q5) Bill W cofounded AA with Dr Robert Smith: known to many AA members as Dr … what … ?

Q6) The group was founded in Akron: in which US state is Akron … ?

Q7) The group famously has how many steps … ?

Q8) What name does AA give to someone who talks a newcomer through the Steps … ?

Q9) One of AA’s offshoot groups helps drug addicts, and is called NA.   What does NA stand for … ?

Q10) Finally … when going through that final treatment, Bill W was treated with a drug made from which beautiful woman?

If you’re concerned about your drinking you can contact AA on 0845 769 7555 or help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

You can also contact Alcohol Concern’s Drinkline on 0800 917 8282.

Here’s last week’s questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 4th December saw the first and last studio meeting of legends, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.   In which year of the 1950s?

Q2) The impromptu jam session was held in at Sun Studios: in Memphis.   In which US state is Memphis … ?

Q3) The four were informally referred to as the what Quartet … ?

Q4) Which of the Quartet was famed for his — rather theatrical — piano playing style … ?

Q5) At the time of writing, in late October, who is the only Quartet member still alive … ?

Q6) All four members of the Quartet recorded a version of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.   Who wrote and recorded the original?

Q7) What was Elvis’ first UK hit: ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ or ‘Hound Dog’ … ?

Q8) Johnny Cash’s 1968 live album was recorded where … ?

Q9) Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis were the only two quartet members to have UK № 1s in their lifetime.   Elvis had 17.   What was Jerry Lee’s only UK UK № 1?

Q10) Finally … Perkins, Cash and Lewis recorded their ‘Class of ’55’ album, partly as a nod to Elvis, in 1986.   With who?

Answers.

A1) 1956.

A2) Tennessee.

A3) The Million Dollar Quartet.   (And wouldn’t you just KILL for the master tapes … ?)

A4) Jerry Lee Lewis.

A5) Him again: Jerry Lee Lewis.

A6) Carl Perkins.

A7) ‘Heartbreak Hotel’.   (Which, famously, was based on newspaper coverage of a man’s suicide note.)

A8) Folsom State Prison.

A9) ‘Great Balls Of Fire’.

A10) Fellow Sun Studios veteran, Roy Orbison.

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 would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 11-12-2013: The Abdication

You know, there’s a phrase that I’ve heard a lot of, just recently: ‘heating or eating’.

Heating … or eating … 

Which basically means the choice — if you’re on my sort of money — between exactly that.

The choice between spending your minimal cash on enough gas to keep the central heating going, or food.

I can appreciate that dilemma, certainly: these past few months, I’ve been able to not worry whether I’ve had enough to heat my flat.   Having enough cash on my gas meter to give me hot water, has had to do.

Unfortunately, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.   Which means I’m relying on regular showers, closed windows, and LOTS of jumpers to keep warm.

Welcome to the neighbourhood … !

Let’s get a move on, shall we?   That’ll keep the circulation going … 

~≈Í≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with wishing me me luck on the job-front, she ALSO scored seven out of seven.

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

Here it is, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 11th December saw Edward 8th abdicate the throne of the UK, the British Dominions … and where else … ?

Q2) In which year of the 1930s did this happen … ?

Q3) Edward abdicated because he wanted to marry whom … ?

Q4) The pair were suspected of being very sympathetic: to which German regime …?

Q5) Finally … Edward 8th — and his brother, George 6th — belonged to which royal dynasty … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 10th December is Human Rights Day: celebrating the day when the UN’s General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.   In which year was it adopted: 1947, 1948 or 1949 … ?

A1) 1948.

Q2) The Declaration was voted for by 48 countries: with eight abstentions.   Name any of the abstaining countries.

A2) The Soviet Union, the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR, Communist Yugoslavia, Communist Poland, South Africa, Czechoslovakia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Q3) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of how many Articles: 10, 20 or 30 … ?

A3) 30.

Q4) Which of those Articles say that we “ … should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” … ?

A4) Article 1.

Q5) Article 26 of the Declaration discusses the right to what: education, privacy or family life … ?

A5) Education.

Q6) Freedom of Expression and opinion is guaranteed under which Article of the Declaration … ?

A6) 19.

Q7) Finally … which article of the Declaration say no-one may be subject to ‘degrading treatment or punishment’ … ?

A7) Article 5.

I’ll leave you with this line from Edward 8th’s Abdication speech …

“You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.”

Edward 8th’s abdication speech.

And with this … 

Have a good day … !

*        Oh, the screenshot didn’t come through, Debbi: but I’ll have another go, tonight, for you.   (There’s a two day deadline on downloads, by the way: just so you know.)

Man Of Steel: Impressively Messianic …

9th December, 2013.

You know, I’m — and I swore I try and keep the use of the next word down — impressed.

Quite heftily so, in .fact.

You see with some of the last bit of iTunes credit I’ve had, I’ve rented a film, tonight: the 2013, Zack Snyder take on DC’s flagship hero, Superman, and I’m thinking it may not be stunning … 

But IS something I wish I had the money to buy on DVD.

I feel it may well be worth sitting down with, again.

It’s ALSO something I’m going to sleep on: it’s getting late.   Either way, I’ll back in the morning … !

~≈Ì≈~

10th December, 2013.

Right … 

Now I’ve got that sleep I was wanting, … ?   Let me tell you about Man Of Steel.

As I think I said, last night, I had a quiet night to myself, last night.   Quiet: with nothing to do, nothing on TV, and just enough money on my iTunes account to rent a film.

The film in question, of course, being the 2013, Zack Snyder directed, Christopher Nolan produced, Superman reboot, Man Of Steel.

The story opens by showing us the doomed planet of Krypton, where Jor El (Russell Crowe*) is with his wife, Lara (Ayelet Zurer), as she gives birth to their son, Kal El.

The pair are as doomed as their planet: and plan to send both their son, and a gene-bank of their race, as far as possible from their dying world.

Dying … 

And civil-war-riven.   Jor El’s arch rival, General Zod is determined to control the gene bank — or ‘codex’, as it’s called in the film — and to make sure the only Kryptonian’s who survive are the one he chooses.

Zod fails: and is sentenced to 300 years in the Phantom Zone as punishment.

Just before Krypton finally explodes … 

~≈Ì≈~

The film cuts to some years later.   And shows us Kor El wandering the world, having grown up on Earth as Clark Kent, having been informally adopted by John and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane), having flashbacks to his Kansas youth, whilst anonymously helping, using his powers, where needed.

Interweaved with this story is that of Daily Planet reporter, Lois Lane (Amy Adams) who we initially meet in the wintery parts of Canada, investigating an anomalous object being in a glacier.

It’s only when she’s poking around the camp at night, she notices Clark — who’s been using the name ‘Joe’ — seems to have found a route to the object: a 3000 year old Kryptonian Spaceship, and one that allows Clark to access the one small piece of home he’s managed to keep.

Access: and use to find out a lot more about his biological parents, his people, Krypton …

All in full view of Ms Lane, who’s kicking herself for having lost her camera.

It’s only AFTER Lois’ boss, Perry White — Laurence Fishburne — has turned down the story that Lois decides to leak it to the internet.

Which is ALSO the time a mysterious spaceship shows up, orbiting the Moon, broadcasting to everyone on Earth to help the ship’s captain find Kal El.

That ship’s captain … ?

Is Zod … 

~≈Ì≈~

Now … 

Impressed … ?

Hell, yes … !

For starters, this is a stunningly designed, and very visual film: with Kryptonian outfits, sets and kit looking like Mœbius designed Timelords,  with H. R. Giger designed armour.

On top of that … ?

On top of that, it’s well written — having Christopher Nolan along for part of the writing seems to help, although I’m sure the rest of the writing team are equally competent — and has an especially strong ensemble cast: I have to say, Crowe, Lane, Costner and Zurer as various parent, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and, indeed, Cavill himself, as Superman, were great.

The REAL standout … ?   For me personally, the outstanding member of the cast was Michael Shannon, as Zod: giving the villain a humanity and depth I feel highlights the comic book nature of Terence Stamp’s version.

Additionally, while she’s not the feisty ball-breaker Margo Kidder’s Lois Lane was, Amy Adams is both a level headed, beautiful … and intelligent … alternative.

And, while the story wasn’t perfect, I’m also feel it was pretty damn good: offering danger, emotion, and origins in one and the same package.

And one that offers seems to have remembered a line from Alan  Moore’s Watchmen.

“God exists, and he’s American.”

I think Man Of Steel would repay a lot of viewings.

Personally … ?

Well …

Man Of Steel
★★★★

*        Doing a far better English accent than he did in Robin Hood

The Daily Teaser — 10-12-2013: Human Rights Day

Righty-ho: it’s now officially Tuesday.

Which is possibly the most pointless phrase I’ve ever written.

But you take my point.

It’s Tuesday.

Which, for me, means a little, light shopping.

And back to the job-hunting grind.

Not that I’m complaining that much: if nothing else, there’s a couple of places in Brentwood High Street that I can put my CV into.   I can kill two birds with one stone, to use the old phrase.

Whether it actually leads to an interview … ?

Well, that’s a whole other question … !!

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

~≈€≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting me know she’s had an issue with Firefox, also scoring six out of six.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with todays themed questions, shall we?   Here  they are, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 10th December is Human Rights Day: celebrating the day when the UN’s General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.   In which year was it adopted: 1947, 1948 or 1949 … ?

Q2) The Declaration was voted for by 48 countries: with eight abstentions.   Name any of the abstaining countries.

Q3) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of how many Articles: 10, 20 or 30 … ?

Q4) Which of those Articles say that we “ … should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” … ?

Q5) Article 26 of the Declaration discusses the right to what: education, privacy or family life … ?

Q6) Freedom of Expression and opinion is guaranteed under which Article of the Declaration … ?

Q7) Finally … which article of the Declaration say no-one may be subject to ‘degrading treatment or punishment’ … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 9th December, 2012, saw the death of which astronomer and tv presenter … ?

A1) Sir Patrick Moore

Q2) What was the name of the TV show he presented for many years … ?

A2) The Sky At Night.

Q3) Moving on, 9th December, 1961, saw Tanganyika become independent of the UK.   Which country is Tanganyika now part of … ?

A3) Tanzania.

Q4) 9th December, 1992, saw US troops land — on an aid mission — in which African country … ?

A4) Somalia.

Q5) 9th December, 1917, saw UK forces under Field Marshal Edmund Allenby, capture which Middle Eastern city: Damascus, Tehran or Jerusalem … ?

A5) Jerusalem.

Q6) Finally … 9th December, 1968, saw the first demonstration of a computer mouse: how many buttons did it have … ?

A6) One.

I’ll leave you with this observation from Elenor Roosevelt …

“We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind, that is the approval by the General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Elenor Roosevelt.

And Peter Tosh song, Equal Rights … 

Enjoy your day.

*        Do you know how to do screenshots, Debbi … ?   (You need to press the PrntScn button, that’s up near the Page Up/Page Down/Back/Forward buttons.   That’ll take a screenshot , and add it to the clipboard.   THEN you have to open something like MS Paint, and copy the picture into a new window, and save it as usual.)   It’d be handy to let me see what’s going on.   What I suspect is happening, though, is simply that you need to update your copy of Firefox: this page tells you how.