Friday 30 September 2011

The Daily Teaser and Friday Question Set — 30-9-2011

Morning, everyone.

And I’ll make confession, here …

I hate early mornings.

I do … !

But I also hate sleeping through my alarm!

Oooh, but I’m contradictory sometimes, aren’t I Debbi?

But at any rate …

I am now officially up …

And ready to rock and roll.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I start singing: which isn’t something I want to inflict on people, this time of the morning …

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome, as Nina’s still at that seminar, and admitting she hates early mornings, to — putting in her answers, and managing to bag 5 out of 5.

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) The 30th September Movement was an attempted coup d’etat in which country?

Q2) 30th September, 1938, saw Neville Chamberlain declare “Peace in our time”, after signing a peace treaty with whom … ?

Q3) 30th September, 1980, saw the publication of the standards for which type of computer cable?

Q4) 30th September, 1966, saw which British protectorate declare independence?

Q5) How is that protectorate now known?

Q6) And finally … 30th September, 1994, saw the closure of which London tube station?
And here’s yesterdays questions and answers …
Q1) According to the World Health Organisation, September 29th, 2011, is World what Day?
A1) World Heart Day.

Q2) 29th September, 1978, saw the lying in state of Pope John Paul 1st: what name had he used, whilst Patriarch of Venice … ?
A2) Cardinal Albino Luciani.

Q3) 29th September, 1991, saw a military coup take place in which small nation … ?
A3) Haiti.

Q4) Exactly one year later, 29th September, 1992, saw Fernando Collor de Mello resign as president of which South American country … ?
A4) Brazil.

Q5) And finally … 29th September, 1964, saw the start of which Argentine comic strip … ?
A5) Mafalda.
And — as it’s Friday — here’s the 60-question-set for struggling pub quiz masters: covered, as ever, by the Creative Commons License
Online 123.
ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Which girl band have announced they were to re-form in 2007?
A1) The Spice Girls

Q2) If you are DOA, what are you, medically speaking?
Q2) Dead on Arrival

Q3) Which crisis did the UK become involved with, in 1956?
A3) The Suez Crisis.

Q4) What does Anno Domini mean?
A4) Year of our Lord.

Q5) Which Japanese word means Divine Wind?
A5) Kamikaze.

Q6) Before becoming Archbishop of York, which Midlands city was John Sentamu the Bishop of?
A6) Birmingham.

Q7) In the farce of the same name, which South American country did Charlie’s Aunt come from?
A7) Brazil

Q8) Where is Britain most southerly mainland point?
A8) Lizard Point. (In Cornwall.)

Q9) Andy Todd joined Blackburn Rovers from which club?
A9) Charlton.

Q10) How is the American army’s General Purpose Vehicle better known?
A10) The Jeep.



ROUND TWO. FOOD AND DRINK.

Q11) What do add to béchamel to make an Aurore sauce?
A11) Tomato purée.

Q12) In addition to mayonnaise, there are three ingredients in a Waldorf Salad: name one of them. (One point for one, two for two, three for all three.)
A12) Apple, celery and Walnuts.

Q13) What is a Kügelhupf?
A13) A cake.

Q14) In which country did red onions originate?
A14) Italy.

Q15) What two ingredients are added to cheddar, to make Ilchester cheese? Name either.
A15) Beer & garlic.

Q16) What is Laver bread made from?
A16) Seaweed.

Q17) Arbroath Smokies are traditionally made from which fish?
A17) Haddock.

Q18) What size chicken eggs are usually between 60 and 65 grams?
A18) Size three.

Q19) Mozzarella cheese is traditionally made from which milk?
A19) Buffalo milk.

Q20) Marjorie’s Seedlings, & Pershore Eggs are what kind of fruit?
A20) Plums.



ROUND THREE. THE WRITTEN WORD.

Q21) Samuel Johnson was the man who wrote the first successful example of what kind of book?
A21) English dictionary.

Q22) Which of the Harry Potter books was released as a film, this year?
A22) Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: Part Two.

Q23) What was Jane Austen’s father, a vicar, a Excise man or a ship’s captain?
A23) A vicar

Q24) In which Jane Austen novel do we meet Catherine Morland?
A24) Northanger Abbey.

Q25) Catherine Earnshaw and, Heathcliffe, both appear in which classic Brontë novel?
A25) Wuthering Heights.

Q26) Hercule Poirot & Miss Jane Marple, were created by which writer?
A26) Agatha Christie.

Q27) Mervin Peake wrote about which Castle?
A27) Gormanghast.

Q28) What egg-shaped nursery-rhyme character appears in Alice Through The Looking Glass?
A28) Humpty Dumpty.

Q29) What was the second book, in Terry Pratchett’s discworld series?
A29) The Light Fantastic.

Q30) Mrs Beeton famously wrote about cookery: what was her first name?
A30) Isabella.



ROUND FOUR. SPORTING CHANCES.

Q31) How many French clubs did Eric Cantona play for, before joining Manchester United?
A31) Five

Q32) Who won the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix? (Bonus point for the year.)
A32) Kimi Rikkonnen. (2005.)

Q33) What race did Paula Radcliffe win, after the Athens Olympics?
A33) New York Marathon.

Q34) The Thomas Keller medal is the highest model, in which water sport?
A34) Rowing.

Q35) Sherry’s Prince was a Grand National winning what?
A35) Greyhound.

Q36) Chloë Ronaldson was a speed star during the 70’s and 80’s. At what wheeled sport?
A36) Roller-skating.

Q37) How many people are there in a hurling team?
A37) 15

Q38) Shannon Miller is famous for which sport?
A38) Gymnastics.

Q39) Are Sale, Wasps, & Bath rugby union, or rugby league clubs?
A39) Rugby Union

Q40) Wentworth Golf Course is in which English county?
A40) Surrey.




ROUND FIVE. TV DINNERS.

Q41) The William Tell Overture was the theme tune to which 50’s series?
A41) The Lone Ranger.

Q42) Holby City is a spin off from which medical drama?
A42) Casualty.

Q43) Which former Blue Peter presenter was presented Gardening Club during the 1950s & ’60s?
A43) Percy Thrower.

Q44) All Gas and Gaiters was one of the first sitcoms to poke fun at whom: the clergy, the police or the civil service?
A44) The Clergy.

Q45) Who was the female half of Mork & Mindy?
A45) Mindy.

Q46) Which well known blonde actress played Purdey, in The New Avengers?
A46) Joanna Lumley.

Q47) Which Dr was a regular on Not the 9 O’Clock News?
A47) Dr Pamela Stevenson.

Q48) What BBC1 show is the the world’s longest running current affairs programme?
A48) Panorama.

Q49) In which English county was Poldark set?
A49) Cornwall.

Q50) The Bishops and the Robinsons feature in which soap?
A50) Neighbours.



ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) In which Welsh county is the Gower Peninsula?
A51) The County of Swansea. (Which had been West Glamorgan, until 1996)

Q52) What was first put into the £1 note, in 1940?
A52) The metal strip.

Q53) Which nation were defending champions in the 1966 Football World Cup?
A53) Brazil.

Q54) Who was the first US President to be assassinated?
A54) Abraham Lincoln.

Q55) Which city was mentioned in the Book of Genesis … and is still in existence?
A55) Damascus.

Q56) What did the City of London — along with 32 metropolitan boroughs — become, in 1965?
A56) Greater London.

Q57) What did Ian Beale train to be, in the early episodes of EastEnders?
A57) A chef.

Q58) What bird is over the door of the US embassy, in Grosvenor Square, in London?
A58) An eagle.

Q59) Who’s had hits with Cliff Richard, ELO, and John Travolta?
A59) Olivia Newton John.

Q60) In which Spanish city is Bizet’s Carmen set?
A60) Seville.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

Thursday 29 September 2011

The Daily Teaser — 29-9-2011

Gaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

I’m starting to HATE early mornings, I really am!

I think the nights drawing in is starting to have an effect, basically!

Although I say that … ?

We had temperatures of 27°C, yesterday: that’s pretty hot for September.

Especially when you consider that usually, the temperature’s around 17°C.

It’s a TOUCH warm.

And looking like it could get warmer …

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Nina putting their answers, yesterday: woth both bagging 5 out of 5.

Lets see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video

Q1) According to the World Health Organisation, September 29th, 2011, is World what Day?

Q2) 29th September, 1978, saw the lying in state of Pope John Paul 1st: what name had he used, whilst Patriarch of Venice … ?

Q3) 29th September, 1991, saw a military coup take place in which small nation … ?

Q4) Exactly one year later, 29th September, 1992, saw Fernando Collor de Mello resign as president of which South American country … ?

Q5) And finally … 29th September, 1964, saw the start of which Argentine comic strip … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 28th September, 2000, saw controversy in Israel when opposition — and notoriously right-wing — leader Ariel Sharon, visit where?
A1) The Al-Aqsa mosque, in Jerusalem.

Q2) 28th September, 1867, saw which city become the capital of Ontario … ?
A2) Toronto.

Q3) 28th September, 1889, saw the first CGPM — or General Conference on Weights and Measures — define both the kilogram, and the … what … ?
A3) Meter.

Q4) More to the point, which unit of temperature did that conference clarify in 2007, its most recent meeting … ?
A4) Degrees Kelvin: ºK, in other words

Q5) And finally … 28th September, 1985, saw riots break out in which London district … ?
A5) Brixton.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

Wednesday 28 September 2011

The Daily Teaser — 28-9-2011

Oh, good grief …

I’ve got to confess, I usually don’t do politics, I really don’t: but it is political party conference time, at the moment.

And after the party I usually vote — the Liberal Democrats — went into coalition with the Tories, last year? Well, I was seriously thinking of switching my general election vote to Labour.

Unfortunately, I‘ve just recently been reminded why I’m having my doubts about them, when Labour party leader Ed Milliband, did his party conference speech, yesterday.

I actually can’t stand the guy.

Maybe that’s a bit harsh.

And I’m perfectly aware of AA’s twelfth tradition, that emphasises principles, before personalities.

Which I don’t believe applies, here.

Oh, at least, not when the personality’s is — and you’ll excuse the term, I hope — a twerp.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ? Before I turn into Ben Elton.

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Nina putting in their answers: and saw Nina ahead of the game, bagging 5 out of 5, with Debbi scoring 4.

Lets see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video

Q1) 28th September, 2000, saw controversy in Israel when opposition — and notoriously right-wing — leader Ariel Sharon, visit where?

Q2) 28th September, 1867, saw which city become the capital of Ontario … ?

Q3) 28th September, 1889, saw the first CGPM — or General Conference on Weights and Measures — define both the kilogram, and the … what … ?

Q4) More to the point, which unit of temperature did that conference clarify in 2007, its most recent meeting … ?

Q5) And finally … 28th September, 1985, saw riots break out in which London district … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) According to one UN body, 27th September is World what Day … ?
A1) Tourism.

Q2) 27th September, 1964, saw the release of the Warren Report: which said that who famously had acted alone … ?
A2) Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of John F. Kennedy.

Q3) 27th September, 1970, saw a ceasefire signed by Yasser Arafat of the PLO, and King Hussein of where … ?
A3) Jordan.

Q4) 27th September, 1954, saw the debut episode of the Tonight show, on NBC: who was the host?
A4) Steve Allen.

Q5) And finally … 27th September, saw who sent home from the Seoul Olympics, after failing a drugs test … ?
A5) Sprinter, Ben Johnson.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

And in memory of David Croft … ? I’ll leave you with a tune …

Tuesday 27 September 2011

BBC News - Dad's Army co-creator David Croft dies aged 89

Blimey …

THAT I didn’t expect!

OK, I maybe should have EXPECTED to hear about the death of someone of comedy writer, David Croft’s age, 89.

But it’s still …

Well …

Unexpected, to say the least.

Especially given that he co-wrote some of the best remembered Britain’s ever seen.

I don’t know about you … ?

But I grew up watching both Dad’s Army and the downright politically incorrect It Ain’t Half Hot Mum*: both of which were VERY funny.

I’m thinking that the best way of commemorating his passing … ?

Well …

Is to leave you with these …







* Seriously, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum is hysterical: but much like Til Death Do Us Part and its US equivalent, All In the Family, you REALLY couldn’t get away with them, today … !

The Daily Teaser — 27-9-2011

Hmmm …

Well, that’s a thing.

Ever heard of Brownsea Island?

I doubt you have, actually, unless you happen to have followed the history of the Boy Scout movement.

Brownsea Island, so you know, was where Robert Baden-Powell held the first boy-scout camp.

Well, the BBC’s news channels just given it a brief mention.

You see, Brownsea Island is ALSO one of the last remaining places that Britain’s red squirrel population thrives.

Well …

NOW thrives.

The news article was basically about a conservation project to help those squirrels thrive some more.

By cutting down Brownsea Island’s overgrown rhododendrons.

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome — putting in her answers: and, along with bagging 7 out of 7, she ALSO managed to put up this rather fun post about George Gershwin.

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) According to one UN body, 27th September is World what Day … ?

Q2) 27th September, 1964, saw the release of the Warren Report: which said that who famously had acted alone … ?

Q3) 27th September, 1970, saw a ceasefire signed by Yasser Arafat of the PLO, and King Hussein of where … ?

Q4) 27th September, 1954, saw the debut episode of the Tonight show, on NBC: who was the host?

Q5) And finally … 27th September, saw who sent home from the Seoul Olympics, after failing a drugs test … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 26th September, 1934, saw the launch of the RMS Queen Mary: which shipping line was she owned by … ?
A1) Cunard.

Q2) More to the point, what does RMS stand for … ?
A2) Royal Mail Ship.

Q3) In which country of the UK was the RMS Queen Mary built?
A3) Scotland.

Q4) Moving on … 26th September, 1944, saw the ending of which Allied air-borne operation: what was it called?
A4) Operation Market Garden.

Q5) 26th September, 1960, saw the first televised debate, between US presidential candidates, between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Who won that debate, according to radio listeners … ?
A5) Nixon.

Q6) 26th September, 1944, saw the birth of Anne Robinson: which TV show was the first she presented on a regular basis?
A6) Points of View.

Q7) And finally … 26th September, 1907, saw Newfoundland become a Dominion in the British Empire: on the same day as which island nation?
A7) New Zealand.
Enjoy those everyone: I’ll catch you later …

Monday 26 September 2011

BBC News - Alex Attwood wants tougher drink-driving laws


Hmmm …

Now THERE’s a thing …

I don]t know if you’ve actually saw that article, when it floated across the BBC’s news website, earlier, but I did.

Seemingly … ?

Seemingly, Alex Attwood, the environment minister for Northern Ireland, wants to introduce legislation to lower the amount of alcohol that drivers can legally have in their bloodstreams.

Smooth move, I’m thinking.

I don’t know about where you are, but the UK as a whole has a noticeably higher limit than most of Europe.

While I don’t drive — or even drink, these days — I can’t help but thinks that’s a good thing.

Ex-barman that I am, there’s plenty of times I’ve seen customers head off — in their cars — having had an amount that I believe would be over the limit: but never in a position to say anything.

Here’s hoping something similar goes through in the rest of the UK.

The Daily Teaser — 25-9-2011

You know, I’ve GOT to be frank, it’s now officially official.

My nephew, Jude, can now make ‘MOO’ noises!

Which is fairly impressive, actually. Well, a doting uncle certainly seems to think so, anyway … !

He’s adding them to ‘rru-rru’ and ‘dada’ to be honest: and keeps saying dada to his Aunty Anna, which is possibly going to get a bit weird, long term, frankly … !

He’s also fascinated by mobile phones: hence the picture. thet got taken while I was pointing the camera on mine at him …

Actually, talking of phones? I got a phone call, yesterday.

On my landline, which is rare.

Believe it or not, from a marketing company, working for my bank.

Carrying out a ‘Customer Satisfaction’ survey.

Now, I know call centres have a job to do, I really do.

I can appreciate that.

But phoning people up on a Sunday … ?

That’s just not on!

Hopefully … ?

If I get the chance, today, I’m quietly going to be having a word or two with my bank about that …

Lets move on, shall we … ?

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Nina putting in their answers: with Debbi bagging 5 out of 5 and Nina, four, it ALSO saw Nina managing to correct a spelling mistake of mine.

Lets see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video

Q1) 26th September, 1934, saw the launch of the RMS Queen Mary: which shipping line was she owned by … ?

Q2) More to the point, what does RMS stand for … ?

Q3) In which country of the UK was the RMS Queen Mary built?

Q4) Moving on … 26th September, 1944, saw the ending of which Allied air-borne operation: what was it called?

Q5) 26th September, 1960, saw the first televised debate, between US presidential candidates, between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Who won that debate, according to radio listeners … ?

Q6) 26th September, 1944, saw the birth of Anne Robinson: which TV show was the first she presented on a regular basis?

Q7) And finally … 26th September, 1907, saw Newfoundland become a Dominion in the British Empire: on the same day as which island nation?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 25th September, 1983, saw Britain’s largest jailbreak, from HMP Maze: how had the Maze been known, prior to 1976?
A1) Long Kesh Detention Centre.

Q2) 25th September, 1066, saw the Battle of Stamford Bridge: the last — and thankfully unsuccessful — battle in a Viking invasion of where … ?
A2) England.

Q3) 25th September, 1972, saw the population of which country reject joining the European Community … ?
A3) Norway.

Q4) 25th September, 2002, saw what’s thought to be the nucleus of a comet hit the Vitim River, near the town of Bodaybo: in which country is Bodaybo?
A4) Russia. (In Siberia, if you’re felling picky.)

Q5) And finally … 25th September, 1690, saw the first publication of a multi-page newspaper in North America. What was it called … ?
A5) Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick. (It got shut down by the colonial authorities. I’m not surprised, given the spelling. I mean, is that do-MES-tic, or DOME-stick*?)


* Think about it: Fourain and Doomstick: Sound’s almost exactly like some of the odder Private investigators a certain Ms McRae would be forced to hire …
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

Sunday 25 September 2011

The Daily Teaser — 25-9-2011

Oh, now hang on, that’s weird …

That’s definitely strange.

You’ve probably worked out by now, that I’m a Dr Who fan.

In fact you can find out what I thought of last night’s episode, here.

Except you won’t find the clip I used to illustrate a point.

It’s been blocked: so I’ve taken it off the post.

Fair enough.

But, for starters, I can’t see a way to delete a video I’ve uploaded.

But on top of that … ?

I’ve tried making sure that every clip I upload has text included in the clip itself, and in the attached notes, acknowledging the BBC as the copyright holder.


And also include a bit of blurb that say’s I’m trying to review the relevant episode, and that I believe the clip to be covered by the Fair Dealing provisions under Sections 29 and 30 — criticism and review — of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

So the BBC blocking last night’s clip, when they’ve not blocked others, is just bloody silly.

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw just Debbi — all on her ownsome, bless her — putting in her answers: AND bagging six out of six.

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

Q1) 25th September, 1983, saw Britain’s largest jailbreak, from HMP Maze: how had the Maze been known, prior to 1976?

Q2) 25th September, 1066, saw the Battle of Stamford Bridge: the last — and thankfully unsuccessful — battle in a Viking invasion of where … ?

Q3) 25th September, 1972, saw the population of which country reject joining the European Community … ?

Q4) 25th September, 2002, saw what’s thought to be the nucleus of a comet hit the Vitim River, near the town of Bodaydo: in which country is Bodaybo?

Q5) And finally … 25th September, 1690, saw the first publication of a multi-page newspaper in North America. What was it called … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 24th September, 622 AD, saw Muhammed complete the first Hijra: but was he going from, or to, Mecca.
A1) From: he ended up in Medina.

Q2) Many years later, 24th September, 1968, saw the debut of which US TV show, on the CBS channel?
A2) 60 Minutes.

Q3) While we’re in the US, 24th September, 1789, saw the US Congress pass the Judiciary Act: which US government official did this create … ?
A3) The US Attorney General.

Q4) 24th September, 1992, saw the resignation of which Government minister, over a sex scandal … ?
A4) David Mellor.

Q5) More to the point, which ministerial post did he hold … ?
A5) Minister for National Heritage.

Q6) And finally … 24th September, 1975, saw a British team complete their ascent of which mountain … ?
A6) Mount Everest.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later … !















* That’s if someone’s not complained about it …