The Daily Teaser — 5-3-2014

Oh, rush, rush, rush, this morning.

I’ve got to get to Basildon for the European Computer Driving License course I’m on.

Which is going well, I should add.

THEN … !

I’ve got to get back, to arrange for travel funding so I can keep doing the thing.

It SHOULD be OK, I think.

I’ve just got to make sure of my timing.

Oy veh … !

~≈Å≈~

So let’s get a move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser say Debbi*† putting in her answers: and scoring nine out of ten.

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) 5th March, 1975, saw the first meeting of the Homebrew Computer Club: the club that famously inspired Steve Wozniak to design the Apple 1.   In which US state did it meet?

Q2) More to the point, the club also had phone phreak, John Draper, as a member: Draper was more notoriously known as Captain … who … ?

Q3) 5th March, 1981, saw the ZX81 go on sale.   How much memory did that first version come with?

Q4) The ZX81 was made by a company led by Sir Clive Sinclair: whosw first company made its money from the Sinclair Executive.   Was the Executive a slide rule, abacus or calculator?

Q5) 5th March, 1999, saw Paul Okalik named as the first Premier of Nunavut.   In which North American country IS Nunavut … ?

Q6) 5th March, 1984, saw the start of the by now notorious Miners Strike: at the Cortonwood Colliery.   In which country is the colliery: North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire or South Yorkshire?

Q7) Finally … 5th March, 1868, saw George Westinghouse patent the Air-brake.   What’s the air-brake designed to brake: aeroplanes, railway trains or cars … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and and answers …

Q1) 4th March, 1837, saw the incorporation of the US city of Chicago: in which US state is Chicago … ?

A1) Illinois.

Q2) It’s also the third most populous city in the US: name either of the cities that have bigger populations.

A2) New York is the most populous, with Los Angeles the second.

Q3) Chicago sits on the shores of which of the Great Lakes?

A3) Lake Michigan.

Q4) What’s the tallest building in Chicago … ?

A4) The Willis Tower formerly called the Sears Tower, at 108 storeys.

Q5) 2120 South Michigan Avenue was the site of what was once called America's greatest blues label.   Which record company are we talking about … ?

A5) Chess Records.

Q6) Who was Chicago’s longest serving mayor?

A6) Richard M. Daly.

Q7) Which of the Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan Batman films didn’t have scenes filmed in Chicago?

A7) The Dark Knight Rises.

Q8) Which Chicago set film ends with its two central characters being arrested in Chicago City Hall: after being chased by police, Nazis, a country and western band and Princess Leia?

A8) The Blues Brothers.   (Princess Leia was played by Carrie Fischer: who plays Jake Blues’ revenge seeking, jilted former fiancee.)

Q9) During the 1920s, which Brooklyn born mafiosi was head of the Chicago mob … ?

A9) Alphonse Gabriel ‘Al’ Capone.

Q10) Finally … which musical opens with the song, All That Jazz … ?

A10) What else … ?   Chicago.

I’ll leave you with this song from birthday boy, Eddy Grant … 

And with this thought from recovering child star, Dean Stockwell …

“Going to Peru is, well, if you ever have an opportunity in your life to go there, you should do it because it is absolutely mind boggling.”

Actor and traveller, Dean Stockwell, born 5th March, 1936.

Have a good day … 

*        Cheers, Debbi! (Got to admit, my favourite birthday card was from Jude: he made it himself, bless him … !)

†        Actually, Debbi, you’ll possibly want to have a look at today’s Teaser video: you should see who Dean Stockwell’s standing next to …

The Daily Teaser — 4-3-2014: Chicago

Phew … !

Radio Four have just announced that President Vladimir Putin has recalled Russian troops taking part in exercises on the Russian/Ukrainian border, back to base.

That’s something to be pleased about.

I don’t know if that means that Russian — seeming — troops in the Crimea will LIKEWISE be pulling out.

But it’s a step down from Def Con 1.

Which is kind of nice way to start the birthday.

Let’s get a move on, shall we?   I’ve another day in Basildon, in a bit … 

~≈†≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Mr Strict† putting in their answers: with Mr S bagging seven out of ten and Debbi* scoring nine, the day saw Debbi ahead on points.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s Chicago‡ themed questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 4th March, 1837, saw the incorporation of the US city of Chicago: in which US state is Chicago … ?

Q2) It’s also the third most populous city in the US: name either of the cities that have bigger populations.

Q3) Chicago sits on the shores of which of the Great Lakes?

Q4) What’s the tallest building in Chicago … ?

Q5) 2120 South Michigan Avenue was the site of what was once called America's greatest blues label.   Which record company are we talking about … ?

Q6) Who was Chicago’s longest serving mayor?

Q7) Which of the Christian Bale/Christopher Nolan Batman films didn’t have scenes filmed in Chicago?

Q8) Which Chicago set film ends with its two central characters being arrested in Chicago City Hall: after being chased by police, Nazis, a country and western band and Princess Leia?

Q9) During the 1920s, which Brooklyn born mafiosi was head of the Chicago mob … ?

Q10) Finally … which musical opens with the song, All That Jazz … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd March, 1924, saw Abdul Mejid II deposed, when his post was abolished.   What was the post he held: Emir or Caliph?

A1) Caliph.

Q2) Which empire had he been ruler of … ?

A2) The Ottoman Empire.

Q3) That empire’s ruling house was called what: Osman, Osmond or Osbourne … ?

A3) Osman.   (When you think about it Sultan Donny Osmond would be odd.   As for Emir Ozzy?   “SHAAAAAROOOOON!”)

Q4) Who was the first ruler of the empire?

A4) Osman 1st.   (The dynasty’s named for him.)

Q5) What was the official religion of the empire: Judaism, Christianity or Islam … ?

A5) Islam.

Q6) The empire’s army included the Janissaries.   The Janissaries were an elite force of what: infantry, dragoons or cavalry?

A6) Infantry.

Q7) What — by the time the Empire collapsed — was the empire’s capital city … ?

A7) Constantinople.

Q8) What was the empire’s currency: the dinar, lira or dirham?

A8) The lira.

Q9) Which modern country is the successor state of the empire … ?

A9) Turkey.

Q10) Finally … Who was the reformer — and World War 1 Army officer — who founded that modern state … ?

A10) Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

I’ll leave you with Robert Johnson’s original version of Sweet Home Chicago: something I know I found literally hair-raising, the first time I heard it … 

And with the thoughts of a certain Mr Kipling, on his one visit to Chicago …

“I have struck a city — a real city — and they call it Chicago… Having seen it, I urgently desire never to see it again. It is inhabited by savages.”

Rudyard Kipling.

Have a nice day.

*        Actually, Debbi, you should hear the tune I’ve just added to this coming Friday’s Teaser video: there’s a bad pun buried in there … 

†        Oh, Mr S … Did I tell you it’s me birthday … ?

‡        It seems I share my birthday with Chicago … Oh, and Patsy Kensit … Umm … 

The Daily Teaser — 3-3-2014: The Empire In The East

Oops … !

BIG Oops!

AHEM … !

I have to admit, I’ve last night’s episode of The Musketeers on in the background.

And while I don’t know how close they are to the original novels … ?

They’re proving to be great fun, as far as I’m concerned: lot’s of extreme babysitting in this weeks, and all sorts of goings-on.

Oh … And a Medici … !

Like … goings-on … 

Hmmm … I’ve got to be in Basildon, today: I’d better get a move on, hadn’t I … ?

~≈∂≈~

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

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

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 3rd March, 1924, saw Abdul Mejid II deposed, when his post was abolished.   What was the post he held: Emir or Caliph?

Q2) Which empire had he been ruler of … ?

Q3) That empire’s ruling house was called what: Osman, Osmond or Osbourne … ?

Q4) Who was the first ruler of the empire?

Q5) What was the official religion of the empire: Judaism, Christianity or Islam … ?

Q6) The empire’s army included the Janissaries.   The Janissaries were an elite force of what: infantry, dragoons or cavalry?

Q7) What — by the time the Empire collapsed — was the empire’s capital city … ?

Q8) What was the empire’s currency: the dinar, lira or dirham?

Q9) Which modern country is the successor state of the empire … ?

Q10) Finally … Who was the reformer — and World War 1 Army officer — who founded that modern state … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 2nd March saw the formal chartering of the UK’s College of Arms.   By which English king: Richard 1st, Richard 2nd or Richard 3rd … ?

A1) The obscure bit of rhyming that is Richard 3rd.

Q2) In which year of the 1480s was this … ?

A2) 1484.

Q3) The College of Arms covers every country of the UK: apart from where … ?

A3) Scotland.

Q4) What’s the equivalent body, in that part of the UK … ?

A4) The Court of the Lord Lyon.

Q5) The three senior officers of the College of Arms are are called whats of arms?

A5) Kings of Arms.

Q6) The next rank down are called what: dukes, heralds or pursuivants … ?

A6) Heralds in Arms: the pursuivants of arms are the most junior.

Q7) If your coat of arms is the pattern the College of Arms calls Chequy, it’s got what sort of pattern: chequerboard, striped or honeycombed … ?

A7) Checkerboard.

Q8) The shield in your coat of arms is party per pale.   This means it’s divided in half, how: horizontally or vertically?

A8) Vertically.

Q9) Two or more coats heraldic shields combined into one are said to be what: privated, generalled or marshaled?

A9) Marshaled.

Q10) Finally … what name is given to the various figures — usually animal in nature — standing on either side of a heraldic shield?

A10) The supporters.   (Although Cornwall County Council has a fisherman and a tin miner.)

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Devlet-i Ebed-müddet”

Motto of Abdul Mejid II’s empire.

And with this song: as the composer would’ve been alive at the time of Abdul Mejid II … 

Enjoy your day … 

*        Cheers, Debbi!   I’m rather pleased with that one … !

The Daily Teaser — 2-3-2014: Coats Of Arms

You know, I’m actually looking forward to a (fairly) quiet day, today.

Just the usual basics: do my jobsearching, write a couple of teasers, and do the associated movies.

Oh, and do the housework.

Laundry, cleaning, what have you.

I tell you something that helps, though: the simple fact I got that Apple TV as an early birthday pressie.

It means I can stream some catch-up TV to my TV set up: AND stream some music.

One question, though … ?   Can you stop me if I start dancing in the kitchen … ?   I’d hate to have the neighbours see me, through the window … !

~≈Ï≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: AND bagging ten out of ten.

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

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

Q1) 2nd March saw the formal chartering of the UK’s College of Arms.   By which English king: Richard 1st, Richard 2nd or Richard 3rd … ?

Q2) In which year of the 1480s was this … ?

Q3) The College of Arms covers every country of the UK: apart from where … ?

Q4) What’s the equivalent body, in that part of the UK … ?

Q5) The three senior officers of the College of Arms are are called whats of arms?

Q6) The next rank down are called what: dukes, heralds or pursuivants … ?

Q7) If your coat of arms is the pattern the College of Arms calls Chequy, it’s got what sort of pattern: chequerboard, striped or honeycombed … ?

Q8) The shield in your coat of arms is party per pale.   This means it’s divided in half, how: horizontally or vertically?

Q9) Two or more coats heraldic shields combined into one are said to be what: privated, generalled or marshaled?

Q10) Finally … what name is given to the various figures — usually animal in nature — standing on either side of a heraldic shield?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 1st March is Saint David’s Day Day: the patron saint of Wales.   Saint David is traditionally portrayed with which bird: a crow, an eagle or a dove … ?

A1) A dove.

Q2) In addition to the Welsh, he’s also the patron saint of whom: vegetarians, pescetarians or fruitarians?

A2) Vegetarians.

Q3) Saint David is also the patron saint of which Welsh county … ?

A3) Pembrokeshire.

Q4) The Welsh flag takes two of its colours — green and white — from the coat of arms of which English king: Henry 6th, Henry 7th or Henry 8th … ?

A4) Henry 7th.

Q5) Saint David was bishop of the town called Tyddewi in Welsh, and Menevia by the Romans.   What’s the city NOW called … ?

A5) Saint Davids: or St Davids and the Cathedral close, if you want the full version.

Q6) In 2003, the American Film Institute named Hannibal Lecter as the greatest film villain of all time.   Which Welsh actor played Lector, in The Silence of the Lambs … ?

A6) Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Q7) Which Welsh singer had an 2008 international hit, with Mercy … ?

A7) Duffy.

Q8) Penderyn is a distillery in Wales: producing the first Welsh what, for over a century?

A8) Welsh whisky.

Q9) Welsh Rarebit is — basically — cheese on … what … ?

A9) Toast.

Q10) Finally … the Cambrian News, the Wrexham Evening Leader and the Carmathen Journal, are all Welsh what … ?

A10) Newspapers.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with a tune called Mesmerised: by the appropriately named Coat Of Arms … 

And with the College of Arms’ motto …

“‘Diligent And Secret’”

Heraldic Motto of the College Of Arms.

Have a good day … 

*        My pleasure, Debbi, any time!   (Oh, what do you think of today’s poster: the image at the start of the post … ?   I’m rather pleased with that … !)

The Daily Teaser — 1-3-2014: Saint David’s Day

You know, that seemed to go rather well!

As you’ve possibly realised, I’m job-hunting, at the mo.

And managed to sign up to a basic computer literacy, through my local job centre.

My first day, the initial assessment and induction … ?

Was yesterday,

Personally, I must admit, it went well: at least, that’s how it felt.

If nothing else … ?   If nothing else, it also felt good to be able to do something positive: however short term it may be.

At any rate … ?   Let’s move on.

~≈Á≈~

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 Welsh questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 1st March is Saint David’s Day Day: the patron saint of Wales.   Saint David is traditionally portrayed with which bird: a crow, an eagle or a dove … ?

Q2) In addition to the Welsh, he’s also the patron saint of whom: vegetarians, pescetarians or fruitarians?

Q3) Saint David is also the patron saint of which Welsh county … ?

Q4) The Welsh flag takes two of its colours — green and white — from the coat of arms of which English king: Henry 6th, Henry 7th or Henry 8th … ?

Q5) Saint David was bishop of the town called Tyddewi in Welsh, and Menevia by the Romans.   What’s the city NOW called … ?

Q6) In 2003, the American Film Institute named Hannibal Lecter as the greatest film villain of all time.   Which Welsh actor played Lector, in The Silence of the Lambs … ?

Q7) Which Welsh singer had an 2008 international hit, with Mercy … ?

Q8) Penderyn is a distillery in Wales: producing the first Welsh what, for over a century?

Q9) Welsh Rarebit is — basically — cheese on … what … ?

Q10) Finally … the Cambrian News, the Wrexham Evening Leader and the Carmathen Journal, are all Welsh what … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th February, 1883, saw the first vaudeville theatre open in Boston.   What’s the nearest British equivalent to vaudeville: burlesque or music hall … ?

A1) Music Hall.

Q2) In a non leap year, 28th February is the last day of the month.   What’s the last day of February, in a leap year … ?

A2) 29th February.

Q3) 28th February, 2013, saw Pope Benedict 16th’s resignation take effect.   He was the first pope to resign since which year of the 15th Century … ?

A3) 1415.

Q4) 28th February, 1820, saw the birth of illustrator, Sir John Tenniel.   Best known for his work on the works of Lewis Carroll, which satirical magazine did he draw cartoons for … ?

A4) Punch.

Q5) Finally … 28th February, 1940, saw the first televised basketball game: broadcast from Madison Square Gardens.   Name either of the teams, playing that game.

A5) Fordham University versus the University of Pittsburgh.

I’ll leave you with this thought from Gwyn Thomas …

“There are still parts of Wales where the only concession to gaiety is a striped shroud.”

Gwyn Thomas.

And given that 1st March is also the birthday of Dafydd Ieuan, drummer with the Super Furry Animals, I’ll also leave you with this … 

Enjoy your day … 

*        Will do, Debbi, soon as I get the chance … !   (Back to the photo/song front … ?   Be sure to ask at the next one-to-one session you have, how to download things from iCloud: I think a lot of missing songs will be there†.)

†        Now I think of it, Debbi … When you open iTunes, the little iCloud logo I’ve called ‘2’ will go stripy for a few seconds: that tells you iTunes is seeing what you’ve got stored in the cloud.   If you hit the one I’ve marked ‘1’, that’ll show you what’s in the cloud and can be downloaded.