London 2012

You know, I’ve said this before, and I’ll possibly say this again.

But I’m no sports fan.

But as I write this, it’s been officially confirmed: that the Great Britain team at this year’s 30th Olympiad — oh, all right, the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games — has come third in the medal table.

And, while I’m not usually one for being patriotic — having grown up during the 1970s when right wing hate groups like the National Front were around, I’ve always found too much flag waving to be vaguely suspicious — I have to admit, I’m quietly feeling rather proud of the fact my country’s achievement.

Not just in coming third: although that’s something, when you consider that only the USA and China are ahead of us.

But also — in these austere times  — in being able to stage them in the first place.

Well … 

I think I’m happy about it.

Let’s hope Britain’s home football teams pick up a few hints … !

The Daily Teaser — 26-07-2012

I have to admit, RIGHT at the moment, I’ve got a documentary on, called A History of Art In Three Colours.

With the first episode being about … wait for it! … Gold …

I have to admit, it’s got some eye-popping artworks in it.

AND a brief history of Alexander the Strong’s habit of kidnapping alchemists.

Well, yeah, they DID offer unlimited gold.

Or, at least, you could spend unlimited amounts of gold on them.

And this is before we mention Benvenuto Cellini, and his salt cellar … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I start dribbling …

‹‹†››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Trevor putting in their answers: with both bagging 6 out of 6 — Oldham’s part of Manchester, so you know, Debbi — it also saw Trevor* mentioning that the Olympic soccer started yesterday, and Debbiª mentioning that her and Rick, her husband, had noticed the amount of coverage Olympic security issues had generated.

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) 26th July, 1847, saw settlers in which country declare independence … ?

Q2) 26th July, 1891, saw France annex which island … ?

Q3) More to the point, which famous French painter stayed on that island, in the 1890s?

Q4) 26th July, 1956, saw Egypt nationalize what … ?

Q5) More to the point, this was to provide funding for which project … ?

Q6) 26th July, 1963, saw which Yugoslav town hit by an earthquake … ?

Q7) And finally … 26th July, 1944, saw the first what hit the UK … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th July, 1978, saw the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby: in which city?   A1) Manchester.

Q2) 25th July, 306 AD, saw who named as Roman Emperor … ?   A2) Constantine 1st.

Q3) 25th July, 1797, saw who lose his right arm in a failed attempt at conquest … ?   A3) Lord Horatio Nelson.

Q4) More to the point, in a failed attempt to conquer which Spanish island … ?   A4) Tenerife.

Q5) 25th July, 1869, saw Japanese lords return land to the Japanese Emperor: during the period known as the … what … restoration … ?   A5) The Meiji Restoration.

Q6) And finally … 25th July, 1969, saw who plead guilty of leaving the scene of a crime, after a rather notorious car crash … ?   A6) Senator Edward Kennedy.

Enjoy those, everyone.

As it’s Darlene Love’s birthday, I’ll leave you with a tune from her time with the Crystals … 

And a quote from the one and only GBS …

“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capability to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age.”George Bernard Shaw, 26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950

*        Actually, Trevor, I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that that’ll lead to a Curling moment … 

ª        What’s basically happened, Debbi, is that G4S — the security firm who were supposed to supply security staff for the games’ venues — didn’t have enough people lined up for the games.   Hence the amount of troops and police brought in as replacements.   ‘National disgrace’ and ‘They’ve had seven years’ are just two of the phrases …