Friday 31 August 2012

Jennifer’s Body: succubi, incubi … oh, and teenage hormones … !

30/08/2012 22:46

You know, that’s REALLY starting to get to be a habit.

You know …

Grabbing a screen shot of some description, just to show you I ’ve had Bruce hooked up to my TV set, to watch a movie.


The really weird bit … ?


Was that 2009 film, Jennifer’s Body, was one I’d actually taped from Channel’s film channel, last Saturday night: and transferred over to Bruce — my Mac Mini — to watch later.

Oh … 

And that an extraneous pair of feet seem to have wondered in from somewhere … 

±±±±±

31/08/2012 20:54

Well, of course a pair of feet wondered in: I’m actually sort of thankful that my chair’s comfy enough — and big enough — for me to really bleb out, should I so choose.

I usually do, if I think I have something to watch.

Thankfully, I did, last night.

The film in question being the one I’d taped, last Saturday: the anarchic 2009 horror comedy, Jennifer’s Body.

Told as an extended flashback, Jennifer’s Body sees Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox as Needy and Jennifer, a pair of schoolgirl friends who manage to sneak off to a local bar, to catch a band that’s playing there.

When the bar burns down, mid-gig, they manage to get separated: Jennifer being effectively kidnapped by the band, whilst Needy is left to struggle home on her own.

It’s not until Jennifer manages to get back to Needy’s — looking like a serious wreck, and vomiting slimy black goo all over the kitchen floor — that Needy realises the band weren’t quite what they seems.

And that the mysterious deaths — of a local exchange student, the school quarterback and a local emo — that Jennifer isn’t as unscarred as she claims to be … 

±±±±±

Now … 

Jennifer’s Body: good, bad or indifferent … ?

Well, just to avoid answering that one, I’d say “Fun,” actually.

Which is a fairly accurate comment.

Oh, I’m sure those of us looking for flaws will find dozens.   But Jennifer’s Body is about people getting hideously killed and eaten by Megan Fox*.

It’s not necessarily this year’s big Art House DVD release!

Putting it bluntly, if you liked Heathers, then Jennifer’s Body will be right up your street.

I loved Heathers, myself …
Jennifer’s Body
★★½☆☆















*        Yeah, I had to think for a minute, there: writing “getting eaten by Megan Fox” would’ve got me trouble … 

The Friday Question Set — 31-08-2012

Hmmm … 

Well, that’s a debatable thing.

If you’ve been following my regular Daily Teasers, just recently, you’ll’ve realised that my boiler has failed.

Frustrating, certainly.

I will give them their due, though: the individual engineers seem a lot more clued up than the previous contractors my landlords had in.   Even if they’re FINALLY getting to my place with the relevant part … 

Next Tuesday.

Oy veh … !

But let’s get moving on from my troubles, shall we … ?

You’re here for this week’s Friday Question Set, aren’t you?   Here it is, along with the Creative Commons License, and a link to today’s Teaser
Online 16   
ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.
Q1) On a standard laundry label, what does a crossed out black triangle represent?   
A1) DO NOT BLEACH
Q2) Who stars in televisions’ Doc Martin?   
Q2) Martin Clunes.
Q3) In Morse code, what number is represented by two dots and three dashes?   
A3) 2.
Q4) What do the initials Y.M.C.A mean?   
A4) Young Men’s Christian Association.
Q5) In astrology, which two star signs cover the month of January?   (Two points for both.)   
A5) Capricorn or Aquarius.
Q6) In Morse Code, which letter is represented by one dash: R, X or T?   
A6) T.
Q7) For how many seconds did the first powered flight by the Wright Brothers last?   
A7) 12 seconds.
Q8) Which famous New York square is located at the intersection of Seventh Avenue, 42nd Street and Broadway?   
A8) Times Square.
Q9) Which coin disappeared from use in the UK in 1984?   
A9) The halfpenny.
Q10) What is a Bath Oliver?   
A10) A biscuit.
ROUND TWO.   BY THE NUMBERS.   
Q11) How many different letters are used in Roman numerals?   (Bonus for telling us what any of them were worth.)   A11) 7  (I=1, V=5, X=10, C=50, D=100, L=500, & M=1000).
Q12) In Scrabble, how many points is the letter ‘Q’ worth?   
A12) 10.
Q13) In measuring a horse, how many inches are there, to a hand?   
A13) 4.
Q14) How many yards, in a furlong?   
A14) 220.
Q15) How many sides are there, on a dodecahedron?   
A15) 12.
Q16) How many minutes are there, in 11 hours?   
A16) 660.
Q17) How many sides are there on an endecagon?   
A17) 11.
Q18) Musically, how many lines are there, in a stave?   
A18) 5.
Q19) In which year did Britain abolish the death sentence?   
A19) 1964.
Q20) In general, how much money does a monkey, refer to?   
A20) £500.00.
ROUND THREE.   NAME THAT TUNE.   
Q21) “We’ll have a cup of tea.”   
A21) Right, Said Fred.   Bernard Cribbins.
Q22) “And when he died, all that he left us was alone.”   
A22) Papa was A Rolling Stone. The Temptations, or Was, Not Was
Q23) “Wella, wella, wella, Uh!”   
A23) Summer Lovin’. The cast of Grease.
Q24) “No pop, no style, us strictly roots.”   
A24) Uptown Top Ranking.  Anthea & Donna.
Q25) “Camp is very entertaining, and they say we’ll have some fun, when it stops raining.”   
A25) Hello Mother, Hello Father.   Alan Sherman.
Q26) “Das ist gut, Ich lieber dich.”   
A26) Hit me With Your Rhythm Stick.   Ian Dury & the Blockheads.
Q27) “It was a kind of so-so love, and I’m gonna make sure it never happens again.”   
A27) Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.  Soft Cell
Q28) “Wake up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir, so that every mouth can be feed.”   
A28) The Israelites Desmond Dekker and & the Aces
Q29) “I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I’m 22, now, but I won’t be for long”   
A29) A New England, Kirsty McColl, Billy Bragg.
Q30) “Oh Eh, Oh Ah Ah, Ting Tang, Walla, Walla Bing Bang”   
A30) Witch Doctor. The Cartoons.
ROUND FOUR.   ROUND THE WORLD.   
Q31) The Inuit live around which Ocean?   
A31) The Arctic Ocean.
Q32) What entirely theoretical line goes across the middle of Africa?   
A32) The Equator.
Q33) What’s the underground railway system in Paris called?   
A33) The Metro.
Q34) True or False: Japanese has no alphabet.   
A34) True, it’s got a syllabary.
Q35) The world’s oldest single mother gave birth at the age of 66, in 2005.  But in which European country?   
A35) Romania.
Q36) In which country did speed dating originate?   
A36) The USA.
Q37) The Dong is the currency of which East Asian country?   
A37) Vietnam.
Q38) Which island is larger, Java, or Sumatra?   
A38) Sumatra.
Q39) In 2000, what was the world’s largest city, by population?   
A39) Tokyo.
Q40) Which desert is smaller, the Great Basin Desert, the Great Sandy Desert or the Great Victoria Desert?   
A40) The Great Sandy Desert.
ROUND FIVE.   HOBBIES AND LEISURE.   
Q41) In ‘Scrabble’, how many points is the letter ‘E’ worth?   
A41) One.
Q42) How many balls are used in a game of Billiards?   
A42) Three.
Q43) How many members are there on a Water Polo team?   
A43) Seven.
Q44) In which sport would you wear in-line, or quad blades?   
A44) Roller Skating.
Q45) In DIY, which is shinier, matt, emulsion or gloss?   
A45) Gloss.
Q46) What’s larger, a pool table, or a snooker table?   
A46) A snooker table.
Q47) In Scrabble, what colour is the double word square?   
A47) Pink.
Q48) In which English county is Alton Towers?   
A48) Staffordshire
Q49) Which London Museum is named after a Queen, & her cousin?   
A49) The Victoria & Albert.
Q50) Sabrés, Foils, & Epées are used in which sport?   
A50) Fencing.
ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.   
Q51) In the old road safety advertisements, what kind of animal was Tufty?   
A51) A Squirrel.
Q52) Born in 1977. who is the Queen’s eldest grandchild?   
A52) Peter Phillips.
Q53) In a theatre, what do the initials FOH stand for?   
A53) Front of House.
Q54) What is the Dewey Decimal System used to classify?   
A54) Books.
Q55) In 2002, who was the first winner of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here?   
A55) Tony Blackburn.
Q56) Which painter is the grandson of Sigmund Freud?   
A56) Lucian Freud.
Q57) Who was president of the National Union of Mineworkers from 1982 to 2002?   
A57) Arthur Scargill.
Q58) Which crime fighting organisation has the motto Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity?   
A58) The FBI.
Q59) Blanket, buttonhole, and back are all types of what?   
A59) Stitches.
Q60) Miranda, Ariel, Oberon & Titania are among the moons of which planet?   
A60) Uranus.
Enjoy those, everyone: let me know if they help … 

The Daily Teaser — 31-08-2012

Hmm … 

It’s Friday.

You’ve possibly already worked that out, haven’t you … ?

But at any rate, that means today is possibly the day that my boiler’s supposed to finally get fixed.

The sooner the better, I hope.

According to the Today programme’s weather report, last night was one of the coldest August nights on record.

Hmmm … 

Did I tell you the boiler also powers the central heating?

Yeah … 

Like I say … !

Let’s move on … 

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with bagging 4 out of 5*, also told us about thisº post.

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) Oslo 31st August is a 2011 film set in Oslo: in which country is Oslo … ?
Q2) More to the point, what’s the name of the main character … ?
Q3) Moving on … 31st August, 1896, saw Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin patent his famed aircraft: what was it … ?
Q4) Which former Soviet republic declared independence, on 31st August, 1991 … ?
Q5) And finally … 31st August, 1962, saw the independence of two islands: name either …
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 30th August, 1982, saw the leader of the PLO forced out of Beirut: what was his name … ?
A1) Yasser Arafat.
Q2) More to the point, what does PLO stand for … ?
A2) The Palestine Liberation Organisation.
Q3) 30th August, 2001, saw Slobodan Milosovic informed he was to be charged with genocide: Milosovic was the former president of where … ?
A3) Yugoslavia.
Q4) 30th August, 1963, saw the hotline between Washington and Moscow:  2008 saw a similar hotline established between Washington and which capital city … ?
A4) Beijing.
Q5) And finally … 30th August, 1984, saw the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on its maiden voyage: how many communications satellites did it put into orbit … ?
A5) 3.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with this rather charming quote from the famously pyschotic Caligula …
“Utinam populus Romanus unam cervicem haberet!”
Translated as “Would that the Roman people had but one neck!”Words attributed to Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus 31 August AD 12 – 24 January AD 41
And as it’s Squeeze co-founder and singer, Glenn Tilbrook’s birthday, here’s one of the band’s better known tunes … 



























*        Sorry, Debbi: it was actually Beijing: but at least we can say it doesn’t involve a duck, Peking or otherwise.   Or pressedº, come to that … 

ª        Nice piece of work, there, Debbi … !

º        That’s got to be up there with Klingon food.

Thursday 30 August 2012

The Daily Teaser — 30-08-2012

Oh … 

Wouldn’t you just know it … ?

You’re probably very aware that I’ve been having troubles with my boiler: that’s if you’ve been following me over the past few days.

Frankly … ?   Frankly, I thought yesterday’s visit would be the last of them for a while.

How wrong can you be?

Very, actually … !

It turns out that — get this, you’ll like this … ! — the boiler needs yet another part … !

That’s the third or fourth in a week.

Mind me asking why the HELL I bothered?

Honestly … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Before I start asking my landlord if I can get the blessed thing replaced with one of these … 


‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and along with admitting she … ahh … borrowed yesterday’s videos for a post of her own*, she also bagged 5 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 August, 1982, saw the leader of the PLO forced out of Beirut: what was his name … ?
Q2) More to the point, what does PLO stand for … ?
Q3) 30th August, 2001, saw Slobodan Milosovic informed he was to be charged with genocide: Milosovic was the former president of where … ?
Q4) 30th August, 1963, saw the hotline between Washington and Moscow:  2008 saw a similar hotline established between Washington and which capital city … ?
Q5) And finally … 30th August, 1984, saw the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on its maiden voyage: how many communications satellites did it put into orbit … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 29th August, 2012, sees London play host to which sporting event … ?
A1) The Paralympic Games.
Q2) More to the point, how many sports feature in the event … ?
A2) 20: or 21, depending on how you count the cycling events.
Q3) 29th August, 1786 saw the start of Shay’s Rebellion: in which US state … ?
A3) Massachusetts.
Q4) 29th August, 2003, saw the assassination of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim: a Shia muslim leader in which Middle Eastern country … ?
A4) Iraq.
Q5) 29th August, 2005, saw New Orleans — and other parts of the US Gulf Coast — hit by Hurricane Katrina: in which state is New Orleans?
A5) Louisiana.
Q6) And finally … 29th August, 1949, saw the Soviet Union test its first atomic bomb: at their test site near which Kazakh town … ?
A6) Semipalatinsk: or Semey, as it now is.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

But leave you with Monday, Monday, as a nod to John Phillips.


And a quote from Mary Shelley: that Mary Shelley, so you know …
“My greatest pleasure was the enjoyment of a serene sky amidst these verdant woods: yet I loved all the changes of Nature; and rain, and storm, and the beautiful clouds of heaven brought their delights with them.”
Mary Shelley 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851
Oh … 

And just because I like Stephen Malinowski’s animations of classical pieces?

Have some Bach … 





























*        Wouldn’t you know it, Debbi, Mail.app’s gone an lost it!   That’s got me good and annoyed, now … !

Wednesday 29 August 2012

The Daily Teaser — 29-08-2012

You know, I have to admit, I love the occasional movie.

And have to admit, I did a little spending, as well.

I now have a VGA cable permanently hooked up to my TV.

That means I can indulge in all sorts of geeky fun: but mostly hook Bruce to the telly, and watch movies.

Which should be fun: soon as I catch something, I’ll let you know … !

Let’s move on, shall we?

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting her answers: and, along with being flattering about the choice of video, also bagging 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) 29th August, 2012, sees London play host to which sporting event … ?
Q2) More to the point, how many sports feature in the event … ?
Q3) 29th August, 1786 saw the start of Shay’s Rebellion: in which US state … ?
Q4) 29th August, 2003, saw the assassination of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim: a Shia muslim leader in which Middle Eastern country … ?
Q5) 29th August, 2005, saw New Orleans — and other parts of the US Gulf Coast — hit by Hurricane Katrina: in which state is New Orleans?
Q6) And finally … 29th August, 1949, saw the Soviet Union test its first atomic bomb: at their test site near which Kazakh town … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 
Q1) 28th August, 1917, saw ten suffragettes arrested for picketing which US landmark … ?
A1) The White House.
Q2) 28th August, 1789, saw William Herschel discover a second moon orbiting which planet of the Solar System … ?
A2) Saturn.
Q3) 28th August, 1985, saw a couple charged with spying, at Horseferry Road Magistrates: which country was that couple from … ?
A3) East Germany.
Q4) 28th August, 1531, saw an Ottoman Turk army occupy which European city … ?
A4) Belgrade.
Q5) And finally … 28th August, 1609, saw Henry Hudson discover Delaware Bay: name either of the US states that border it.
A5) New Jersey and Delaware.   (And if that’s not the cue for a Perry Como song, I don’t know WHAT is … !)
Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with a song from Dinah Washington … 


And a quote from comedian, Lenny Henry
“I have done a sketch show almost every year since I started in 1975. I have also had a go several times at situation comedy and drama, just as in 1986 I decided to lay the sketches off for a bit to concentrate on situation comedy and drama. I am NOT giving up comedy. I love doing stand-up comedy and characters”
Lenry Henry, born 29th August 1958.























*        Why thank you Debbi: and yes, I think we can say I’m clear, migraine-wise.   Ooh, by the way: yesterday’s fifth answer has a bit of an easter egg, so to speak: normally Perry Como’s not my thing, but the song seemed appropriate … 

Tuesday 28 August 2012

The Daily Teaser — 28-08-2012

Right, then … 

That’s the bank holiday done with: or public holiday, just in case you didn’t know the term.

Hopefully, that means that — as I was informed on Friday — I’ll be getting a visit from the contractors my landlord has on the books to fix the boiler.

Somehow I’m sceptical: granted, I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but I’m still sceptical.

Actually … ?   About as sceptical as I am about the Essex lion.   That’s about as genuine as the Picasso I’ve got.

Not very, so you know.

At ANY rate … ?

At least we know Dr Who starts its seventh series, this Saturday: we can sit back and enjoy part one of Pond Life … 


‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with feeling a touch happier that’s she back on form*, also 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 August, 1917, saw ten suffragettes arrested for picketing which US landmark … ?
Q2) 28th August, 1789, saw William Herschel discover a second moon orbiting which planet of the Solar System … ?
Q3) 28th August, 1985, saw a couple charged with spying, at Horseferry Road Magistrates: which country was that couple from … ?
Q4) 28th August, 1531, saw an Ottoman Turk army occupy which European city … ?
Q5) And finally … 28th August, 1609, saw Henry Hudson discover Delaware Bay: name either of the US states that border it.
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 27th August, 1883, saw which volcano begin erupting … ?
A1) Krakatoa.
Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the 1969 film about this eruption … ?
A2) Krakatoa, East of Java.   (Krakatoa’s actually west of Java … )
Q3) 27th August, 1928, saw the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact: what did this outlaw: the illegal drug trade, war or arms dealing?
A3) War.
Q4) 27th August, 1962, saw the launch of the Mariner 2 probe: by which space agency … ?
A4) NASA.
Q5) More to the point, where was that probe heading … ?
A5) To Venus.
Q6) And finally … 27th August, 1967, saw the death of Beatles manager, Brian Epstein: who was the only female artist he managed … ?
A6) Cilla Black.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

As a nod to singer Kim Appleby, whose birthday it, today, I’ll leave you feeling Respectable … 


And with a quote from Jack Vance …
“The less a writer discusses his work—and himself—the better. The master chef slaughters no chickens in the dining room; the doctor writes prescriptions in Latin; the magician hides his hinges, mirrors, and trapdoors with the utmost care.”
Jack Vance  born August 28, 1916












*        You’re right about war, by the way, Debbi: and I think that’s a cue for a song … 


Or two … 


Oh … 

Monday 27 August 2012

The Daily Teaser — 27-08-2012

I think it’s officially official: I hate migraines, I really do … !

On top of a rough one on Friday, I had one, yesterday, as well.

That’s the last time I’m eating cheese, I know that.

On a frank note, though … ?   I know everyone’s different, but I always seem to get them, in the summer: when there’s a lot of thunderclouds overhead.

I think it’s the way the light’s affected.

Either way … ?

Not nice … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we?   I know people are gagging for their scores … 

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Tim and Debbi putting in their answers.   With Debbi*, admitting she’d had a great day, bar dropping the proverbial ball, the day before yesterday, it saw her bagging 7 out of 7, and Tim bagging 4º.

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

Q1) 27th August, 1883, saw which volcano begin erupting … ?
Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the 1969 film about this eruption … ?
Q3) 27th August, 1928, saw the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact: what did this outlaw: the illegal drug trade, war or arms dealing?
Q4) 27th August, 1962, saw the launch of the Mariner 2 probe: by which space agency … ?
Q5) More to the point, where was that probe heading … ?
Q6) And finally … 27th August, 1967, saw the death of Beatles manager, Brian Epstein: who was the only female artist he managed … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 26th August, 1978, saw Cardinal Albino Luciano elected pope: what papal name did he assume … ?
A1) Pope John Paul 2nd.
Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the David Yallop book about his death … ?
A2) In God’s Name.
Q3) 26th August, 1975, saw peace-talks break down: peace talks between the government of Rhodesia, and whom … ?
A3) The ANC.
Q4) 26th August, 2011, saw Boeing’s new plane receive its certification: what plane is that … ?
A4) The 787 Dreamliner.
Q5) 26th August, 1676, saw the birth of Britain’s first Prime Minister: what was his name … ?
A5) Sir Robert Walpole.
Q6) More to the point, what’s the Prime Minister’s formal title … ?
A6) First Lord of the Treasury.
Q7) And finally … 26th August, 1938, saw the birth of drummer, Jet Black: with which English band does he play … ?
A7) The Stranglers.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.   After I’ve left you with this quote from Don Bradman …
“The game of cricket existed long before I was born. It will be played centuries after my demise. During my career I was privileged to give the public my interpretation of its character in the same way that a pianist might interpret the works of Beethoven”
Don Bradman 27 August 1908 – 25 February 2001
And this tune from Captain and Tenielle: as it’s the Cap’s birthday.


Now, if you’ll excuse me?   I’m getting out of Essex, as there seems to be a lion on the loose … 

























*        Well, I think THAT score’s a definite improvement, Debbi … !   I think you can give yourself a celebratory pat on the back … !

º        Hang on, there, Tim … First Lord of where … ?   Shame on you, sir … ! :D