Saturday 30 June 2012

The Daily Teaser — 30-06-2012

Isn’t it amazing what you can do, if you’re bored.

No, really … !

I’ve got to admit, I was thinking os settling in, last night, with a copy of Public Enemies.

But got … well … twitchy … 

And twitchy enough to re-arrange my furniture.

OK, granted, it’s not exactly a Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen style redesign.

But it made me feel better.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?   Before I start going on about colour schemes … 


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along sharing the news that Riptide* is now out in print — and that having dystonia makes guitar chords tricky† — also bagged 6 out of 6.

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) 30th June, 1860, saw a famous debate take place at the Oxford Union: on which subject … ?
Q2) One year earlier, 30th June, 1859 saw Charles Blondin cross the Niagara Falls on a tightrope: which acrobat has recently repeated this feat … ?
Q3) 30th June, 1972, saw the first what added to Co-ordinated Universal Time … ?
Q4) 30th June, 1864, saw President Abraham Lincoln give the Yosemite Valley to the state of California: for the use of whom … ?
Q5) And finally … 30th June saw a large explosion — felt to be due to a meteorite impact the Earth — go off near which Russian river … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 29th June, 1880, saw France annex Tahiti: which famed French artist worked in Tahiti … ?
A1) Paul Gaugin.
Q2) 29th June, 1960, saw the BBC open which building … ?
A2) BBC Television Centre.
Q3) 29th June, 1995, saw US and Russian space ships dock in orbit: the US craft was which space shuttle … ?
A3) The Atlantis.
Q4) More to the point, with which Russian station did it dock … ?
A4) The Mir.
Q5) 29th June, 1976, saw the Seychelles become independent of the UK: in which ocean are the Seychelles?
A5) The Indian Ocean.
Q6) And finally … 29th June, 1881, saw Muhammad Ahmad declare himself to be the Mahdi: in which world religion is the Mahdi a figure … ?
A6) Islam.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later … !

After we’ve marked the birthday of All About Eve singer, Julianne Regan … 








*        Glad to hear it, Debbi! I’ll be lining a copy up, for when I’ve finished Least Wanted … !

†        Point taken, Debbi: but you do know having a dodgy hand never stopped Django Reinhardt … ?

Friday 29 June 2012

The Friday Question Set: 157 — 29-6-2012

 Hmm … 
You know, I’ve got to admit, Friday’s turning into Dr Who day … !

Well … 

Maybe not.

But I’ve a copy the series 2, episode, School Reunion — the episode that reintroduced Elizabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith — running at the mo.

And HAVE to admit, Anthony Head as the evil headmaster* … ?   Is rather good.

And with THAT said … ?

We’ll get moving on.

After all, it’s Friday, which regular readers will tell you means it’s time for the Friday Question Set … !

Here’s the thing, itself: along with the Creative Commons License
ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
Q1) By what other name is the Buddleia otherwise known?
A1) The butterfly bush.
Q2) Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead comes from which musical?
Q2) The Wizard of Oz.
Q3) Which South Bank theatre was re–built, largely through the efforts of Sam Wannamaker?
A3) The Globe.
Q4) How many sides does a trapezium have?
A4) Four.   (It’s a kind of lop–sided rectangle.)
Q5) What is William Harvey credited with discovering: the circulation of the blood, penicillin or the rotary lawnmower?
A5) The blood’s circulation.
Q6) Who said, when going through US Customs, “I have nothing to declare but my genius”?
A6) Oscar Wilde.
Q7) What — after golf — is the world’s second fastest ball game?   (Bonus point for saying which European country it’s from.)
A7) Pelota.   (Spain.)
Q8) Which English band released the song, Enola Gay in 1980?
A8) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
Q9) Who wrote the novel, High Fidelity about a struggling record shop owner?
A9) Nick Hornby.
Q10) In which English city is New Street Station?
A10) Birmingham.
ROUND TWO.   THE LIVING WORLD.
Q11) Karl von Frisch won the Nobel Science Prize awarded for studying animal behaviour: what insect was he studying?
A11) Bees.   (He worked out what the dances of bees actually meant.)
Q12) What, proportionally, is the most well endowed species of mammal?
A12) The Nine Banded Armadillo.   (If it were human sized, it’d have a 4 foot willy.)
Q13) According to an ancient superstition, albatrosses are the reincarnated souls’ of drowned what?
A13) Sailors.
Q14) There are only two species that prey on the Aardvark: name either.   (Two points for both.)
A14) Humans, and hyenas.
Q15) The gibbon belongs to which order of mammals?
A15) Primates.   (DO NOT ACCEPT MONKEY.)
Q16) What’s the oldest breed of domestic cat, in the USA?
A16) The Maine Coon.
Q17) What is kelp?
A17) Seaweed
Q18) What was the first animal to be domesticated?
A18) The dog.
Q19) Which species is the closest genetic relative of humanity?
A19) Chimpanzees.
Q20) What’s another name for the linden tree?
A20) Lime.
ROUND THREE.   AT THE MOVIES.
Q21) Joel and Ethan Coen got their only Oscar for the screenplay of which of their films: Miller’s Crossing,, Raising Arizona or Fargo.?
A21) Fargo.
Q22) Steven Spielberg’s Oscar winning film, Schindler’s List is based on which novel?   (Bonus point for naming the author of the novel.)
A22) Schindler’s Ark.   (Thomas Kennelly.)
Q23) Which male film star shot to fame in Four Wedding and a Funeral?
A23) Hugh Grant.
Q24) Who joined Walter Matthau in the film, Grumpy Old Men?
A24) Jack Lemmon.
Q25) Who was Casper?
A25) The Friendly Ghost.
Q26) Which western hero is the subject of the film, My Darling Clementine?   A26) Wyatt Earp.
Q27) Archie Leach was the real name of which film star?
A27) Cary Grant.
Q28) Babes in Arms, was the first musical to pair to famous movie stars: name either.   (Two points for both.)
A28) Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Q29) The Sam Mendes film Jarhead is about which conflict?
A29) The first Gulf War, in 1991.
Q30) Which Hollywood legend played Kurtz, in Apocalypse Now: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen or Harrison Ford?
A30) Marlon Brando.
ROUND FOUR.   AROUND AFRICA.
Q31) Cape Town is overlooked by which mountain?
A31) Table Mountain.
Q32) Which East African country was once known as Abyssinia?
A32) Ethiopia.
Q33) The South African Rugby Union team has a nickname taken from which creature?   (Bonus point for telling us what kind of creature it is.)
A33) The Springboks.   (A gazelle–like antelope)
Q34) The 1990 movie White Hunter, Black Heart was inspired by the filming of which earlier Humphrey Bogart film?
A34) The African Queen.
Q35) Which African ruler had, as one of his many titles, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa?
A35) Idi Amin.
Q36) What name did Southern Rhodesia take, when it achieved independence from Britain in 1980?
A36) Zimbabwe.
Q37) Which animal is responsible for the most human deaths in Africa?
A37) The Hippo.
Q38) If a South African offered you biltong, would you eat it, drink it or put it in your wallet?
A38) You’d eat it: it’s a kind of beef jerky.
Q39) In which modern African nation would you find the ruins of ancient Carthage?
A39) Tunisia.
Q40) True or False: Algeria is to the west of Libya.
A40) True.
ROUND FIVE.   ON THE BOOZE.
Q41) Which fruit is perry made from?
A41) The Pear.
Q42) In which European country is ouzo a national drink?
A42) Greece.
Q43) Which liquor is usually used, along with vodka and cola, to make a Black Russian?   (Bonus point for telling us the alternative.)
A43) Tia Maria.   (Kahlua.)
Q44) Which Mexican liqueur is made from the heart of the Agave cactus?
A44) Tequila.
Q45) What is the dominant flavour of Curaçao?
A45) Orange.
Q46) Which liqueur was allegedly introduced into Scotland by Bonnie Prince Charlie?
A46) Drambuie.
Q47) What fruit is used to make Kirsch?
A47) Cherries.
Q48) How many bottles are in a Methuselah of wine?
A48) Eight.
Q49) If a wine is described as tough, what’s wrong with it?
A49) It’s got too much tannin?
Q50) Which cocktail is made with vodka, orange juice and Galliano?
A50) A Harvey Wallbanger.
ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.
Q51) If something is described as simian, what type of animal is it said to resemble?
A51) An ape.
Q52) Along side the juniper, Britain has two native conifer: name either.   (Two points for both.)
A52) The Scots Pine, and the Yew.
Q53) Which singer’s first backing band were called The Jordanaires?
A53) Elvis Presley.
Q54) What’s measured in Pascals: pressure, volume or temperature?
A54) Pressure.
Q55) What was tennis player Yvonne Goolagong’s married name?
A55) Yvonne Cawley.
Q56) Who, in 2006, ended his football career, whilst holding the record for the most amount of goals scored in the Premiership?
A56) Alan Shearer.   (With 260.)
Q57) Anton Edelman, Robert Carrier and Jean–Christophe Novelli are all what?
A57) Chefs.
Q58) What’s the name of the most recently released Discworld novel?
A58) Snuff.
Q59) What nationality is the central character in the film, Schindler’s List?
A59) Austrian.
Q60) Heliotrope is a shade of which colour?
A60) Purple.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll catch you next time … 































*        Possibly the only time a classically trained actor has used the line “FORGET the shooty dog thing … … … !”.

The Daily Teasern — 29-06-2012

YARGLE … !

Says I … !

I’ve GOT to admit, those late nights, prepping up teaser videos … ?

Is an absolute killer, it REALLY is … !

Still … ?

I’m thinking hopefully this batch aren’t too bad.

Or, at least, they shouldn’t be: after all, I did put in some work proofreading them.

But enough of my problems, already.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with scoring 5 out of 5, also admitted she’d managed to hit the proverbial stage*.

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) 29th June, 1880, saw France annex Tahiti: which famed French artist worked in Tahiti … ?
Q2) 29th June, 1960, saw the BBC open which building … ?
Q3) 29th June, 1995, saw US and Russian space ships dock in orbit: the US craft was which space shuttle … ?
Q4) More to the point, with which Russian station did it dock … ?
Q5) 29th June, 1976, saw the Seychelles become independent of the UK: in which ocean are the Seychelles?
Q6) And finally … 29th June, 1881, saw Muhammad Ahmad declare himself to be the Mahdi: in which world religion is the Mahdi a figure … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 28th June, 1846, saw Adolphe Sax patent what … ?
A1) The Saxophone.
Q2) 28th June, 1880, saw the capture of bushranger, Ned Kelly: who played Ned, in the 2003 film, Ned Kelly … ?
A2) Heath Ledger.
Q3) 28th June, 1914, saw the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who’s death triggered World War 1.   What was the name of his Serbian assassin … ?
A3) Gavrilo Princip.
Q4) 28th June, 1838, saw the coronation of Queen Victoria: in which year was she named as Empress of India … ?
A4) 1876.
Q5) And finally … 28th June, 1997, saw Mike Tyson disqualified from a match, for biting whose ear … ?
A5) Evander Holyfield’s.
Enjoy those, everyone: as today marks the birthday of Men at Work frontman, Colin Hay, I THINK we have an excuse to head Down Under … 

















*        Hang on, you did … ?   Hmmm … Debbi, you DO realise one of my local pubs was doing an Open Mike night, until recently … Just a thought, if you can still remember how to play I Can See For Miles … (Oh, just a thought, Debbi … ?   Have you seen who The Who’s current drummer is … ?)

Thursday 28 June 2012

The Daily Teaser — 28-6-2012

Hmmm … 

I think — think, mind — I’ve turned into the unofficial family archivist.

Remember me saying that I’d been scanning in a lot of family photos?

I’ve been scanning in a lot of family photos, just in case you DIDN’T realise.

Part of that … ?

Well, we’ve just found out an old friend of my sister, Anna, is moving to the States with her husband.

So, of course, my copy of iPhoto has had some overtime: as has my aging copy of iMovie.

Adjusting photos and putting them together as slides Claire and Carlos can take with them on a USB flash drive.

Here’s hoping it’s goes down well … !

‹‹•››

Yesterday’s Teaser Debbi putting in her answers: and , along with commenting she’s formed a rock band at college*, and bagging 6 out of 6.

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) 28th June, 1846, saw Adolphe Sax patent what … ?
Q2) 28th June, 1880, saw the capture of bushranger, Ned Kelly: who played Ned, in the 2003 film, Ned Kelly … ?
Q3) 28th June, 1914, saw the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who’s death triggered World War 1.   What was the name of his Serbian assassin … ?
Q4) 28th June, 1838, saw the coronation of Queen Victoria: in which year was she named as Empress of India … ?
Q5) And finally … 28th June, 1997, saw Mike Tyson disqualified from a match, for biting whose ear … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 27th June, 1950, saw the opening of the world’s first nuclear reactor: was this in the UK, USSR or USA … ?   A1) The USSR: in the town of Obninsk.
Q2) 27th June, 1759, saw General James Wolfe begin a siege of which city … ?   A2) Quebec City.
Q3) More to the point in which Canadian Province is that city … ?   A3) Quebec.
Q4) 27th June, 1963, saw who make a visit to his ancestral home in Ireland … ?A4) President John F. Kennedy.
Q5) More to the point, in which County was this … ?   A5) County Wexford.
Q6) And finally … 27th June, 1986, saw the International Court of Justice find the US government guilty of supporting rebels in which country … ?   A6) Nicaragua.
Enjoy those, everyone.

Here … 

Have some South Koreanº pop … 






*        Yep, it’s a decade, Debbi: always amazes me how fast it goes.

º        It was that … or some really obscure and practically incomprehensible Death Metalª band.   Not wanting to sound too old fashioned … but can someone tell modern metal bands about things like harmony and melody … ?   Kiss, Iron Maiden and Motorhead may be fast and incredibly loud, but could carry a tune: and in the case of Iron Maiden lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, could also explain Rising Fifths … !


ª        I’m assuming your old college band could do likewise, Debbi … ?   I know that’s what me and Grub were trying to aim for, back in the day, when we recorded a demo tape.   Nothing ever came of it, but … (I got told we sounded like Lou Reed, which is a shame: I wanted to sound like Jim Morrison … … … … … )

Wednesday 27 June 2012

A Birthday Wish

You know, it’s not THAT often I wish someone a Happy Birthday: at least, not on the Blog.



But but as it’s long time reader, @RockTique, today … ?

Well, one can’t NOT say SOMETHING, can one … ?

Happy Birthday, Meredith.

The Daily Teaser — 27-06-2012

Fascinating stuff … !   

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got a documentary on, at the moment, that I taped last night.

The series concerned’s a potted history of London, and based loosely on the old poverty maps by Charles Booth.

Last night’s episode’s all about the Cally.

The Caledonian Road, in case you’re asking.   Turns out that — going by this episode — is was the guaranteed one place you got ALL sorts of stuff.

Just stuff.

It’s possibly best not to speculate, isn’t it, when the word stuff doesn’t get elaborated on … ?

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

⌘⌘⌘⌘⌘

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with admitting she’s looking forward to the new series of Dr Who*, she ALSO bagged 7 out of 7.

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) 27th June, 1950, saw the opening of the world’s first nuclear reactor: was this in the UK, USSR or USA … ?
Q2) 27th June, 1759, saw General James Wolfe begin a siege of which city … ?
Q3) More to the point in which Canadian Province is that city … ?
Q4) 27th June, 1963, saw who make a visit to his ancestral home in Ireland … ?
Q5) More to the point, in which County was this … ?
Q6) And finally … 27th June, 1986, saw the International Court of Justice find the US government guilty of supporting rebels in which country … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 26th June, 1870, saw the US Federal Government declare what to be a holiday … ?
A1) Christmas.
Q2) 26th June, 1953, saw the arrest of Lavrentiy Beria, by members of the Soviet Union’s Politburo.   What had he been head of, under Josef Stalin … ?
A2) The NKVD, or Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del: the (then) Soviet secret police.
Q3) 26th June, 1857, saw the first investiture of the Victoria Cross: for Valour during which war … ?
A3) The Crimean War.
Q4) More to the point, in which London park was the ceremony held … ?
A4) Hyde Park.
Q5) 26th June, 1945, saw the signing of the UN Charter, in San Francisco.   How many of the original members nations signed that day … ?
A5) 50, out of the original 51.
Q6) What was the only original nation NOT to sign … ?
A6) Poland.
Q7) And finally … 26th June, 2000, saw international inspectors view an arms dump controlled by whom … ?
A7) The Provisional IRA.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with this tune from The Who.   As it’s the tenth anniversary of the death of bassist, John Entwistle … 













*        I have to admit, Debbi, I am, too: the fact that Asylum of the Daleks may well feature a return of the Special Weapons Dalek could make it … rather interesting … Hmmm … 

Tuesday 26 June 2012

The Daily Teaser — 26-06-2012

You know, people are always banging on about design work, aren’t they?

They are.

And let’s face it, there’s been a few classics out there, hasn’t there?

I’m a Mac fan: the platform’s generated a few.   The original Mac was nice, I always felt, but Apple’s not stopped since then.

Personally, though … ?

I still remember the Little Black Book edition of the rules for Traveller.

Cheap and cheerful design classic: and one I couldn’t resist homaging with the picture I’ve used today … 

Well … Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and along with wondering the heck Eddie Tenpole*º was on, also managing to score 6 out of 6.

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

Q1) 26th June, 1870, saw the US Federal Government declare what to be a holiday … ?
Q2) 26th June, 1953, saw the arrest of Lavrentiy Beria, by members of the Soviet Union’s Politburo.   What had he been head of, under Josef Stalin … ?
Q3) 26th June, 1857, saw the first investiture of the Victoria Cross: for Valour during which war … ?
Q4) More to the point, in which London park was the ceremony held … ?
Q5) 26th June, 1945, saw the signing of the UN Charter, in San Francisco.   How many of the original members nations signed that day … ?
Q6) What was the only original nation NOT to sign … ?
Q7) And finally … 26th June, 2000, saw international inspectors view an arms dump controlled by whom … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 25th June, 1993, saw Kim Campbell become the first woman to be elected as PM of where … ?
A1) Canada.
Q2) Whilst we’re being political, 25th June, 1938, saw Dr Douglas Hyde elected as President of where … ?
A2) Ireland.
Q3) 25th June, 2005, saw who elected as President of Iran … ?
A3) Mahmoud Admadinejad.
Q4) 25th June, 1788, saw where become the 10th US state to ratify the Constitution … ?
A4) Virginia.
Q5) 25th June, 1932, saw the birth of Pop artist, Peter Blake: which Christmas single did he famously design the cover of … ?
A5) Do They Know It’s Christmas.
Q6) Finally, and more to the point, which revered British New Wave singer was Peter Blake the tutor of, during the 1960s … ?
A6) Ian Dury.
Enjoy those, everyone.

Given it’s Georgie Fame’s birthday, I’ll let him sing at you, shall I … ?


Oh … And as we’ve given him a mention … AGAIN … !


And as we’ve ALSO mentioned Peter Blake’s most famous pupil … 













*        Pointless trivia for you, Debbi, there WAS a point when he was being eyed up as a replacement for a certain Mr Lydon, in his original band … … … 

º        Oh, and even MORE off topic, Debbi … ?   Seems Dr Who, series 7 … ?   The opening episode is to be called Asylum Of the Daleks.   As a rough guess, I’m thinking Cybermen aren’t in it … 

Monday 25 June 2012

The Daily Teaser — 25-06-2012

You know, I have to admit to mixed feelings.

On the ONE hand … ?   I’ll admit to a certain amount of disappointment that the England side didn’t make it through to the Euro 2012 semifinals.

On the OTHER hand … ?

I’ve got to admit to a certain amount of relief that we’re out.

That means there’s going to be no interruption to the TV schedules — and no potential interruption to my favourite shows — for at least … 

Well, about 10 minutes, actually.

Wimbledon … !

Oh, well … 

At least that’s an excuse to buy some strawberries …

‹‹•››

But let’s move on, shall we, before I start joining the (currant) national sport of wondering why the England team are useless at penalty shoot-outs.

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Peter putting in their answers: with Peter* bagging 1 point, and Debbi scoring 6, it ALSO saw Debbiº pointing out, quite rightly, that mystery writers need to keep an eye on details, too!

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


Q1) 25th June, 1993, saw Kim Campbell become the first woman to be elected as PM of where … ?
Q2) Whilst we’re being political, 25th June, 1938, saw Dr Douglas Hyde elected as President of where … ?
Q3) 25th June, 2005, saw who elected as President of Iran … ?
Q4) 25th June, 1788, saw where become the 10th US state to ratify the Constitution … ?
Q5) 25th June, 1932, saw the birth of Pop artist, Peter Blake: which Christmas single did he famously design the cover of … ?
Q6) Finally, and more to the point, which revered British New Wave singer was Peter Blake the tutor of, during the 1960s … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 24th June, 1947, saw Kenneth Arnold make the first widely reported sighting of a UFO: what does UFO stand for … ?
A1) Unidentified Flying Object.
Q2) More to the point, in which US state was this … ?
A2) Washington: near Mount Rainier, if you’re curious.
Q3) 24th June, 1916, saw who become the first woman to sign a $1, 000, 000 Hollywood contract … ?
A3) Mary Pickford.
Q4) 24th June, 2010 saw John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut at the conclusion of their sport’s longest profession match.   What WAS their sport … ?
A4) Lawn Tennis.
Q5) 24th June, 972, saw which country win the Battle of Cedynia?
A5) Poland.   (It was Poland’s first ever documented military victory.)
Q6) And finally … 24th June, 1974, saw Britain’s government admit to having tested what … ?
A6) A nuclear bomb.
Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with something soulful, shall I … ?



And ok … England MAY be out of Euro 2012: but at least it’s sunny enough to justify my playingª this …










*        Wacky Baccy, Pete … ?   That’s not QUITE the answer I had in mind … !

º        Very VERY true, Debbi!   Now why didn’t I think of that … ?   Hark at me, telling you your job … !

ª        Debbi, Pete, can I ask … ?   What on EARTH was frontman, Eddie Ten Pole ON … ???