The Daily Teaser — 31-8-2011

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to be honest, I’ve got the BBC’s news channel on, at the moment.

And have to admit, I think I’m kinda of glad that the civil war — insurgency? revolution? — is almost over in Libya.

I know it’s nice to see that the people, there, are finally starting to be able to choose their own way forward in their political life.

Or, at least, get rid of a dictator.

For me, though … ?

It’s ALSO meant that the news has been a touch too focused on one big international event, when there’s still plenty of legs in other stories.

Hmmm …

Cynical … ?

Maybe.

But I’ve got to admit, I’m in a bit of a cynical mood just recently, for some reason.

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I open me mouth and say something … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and PrettyMade — also known as Nina, I should add — putting in there answers: and BOTH scoring 6 out of 6.

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) 31st August, 12 AD, saw the birth of Emperor Caligula: or Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, to give him his full name. What does Caligula actually mean, in English … ?

Q2) More to the point, who played him in the BBC version of I, Claudius … ?

Q3) 31st August, 1963, saw North Borneo and Sarawak become independent, prior to joining the Federation of Malaysia. Along with which city-state … ?

Q4) More to the point, the Federation of Malaysia — or Malaya, as it was, then — became independent on 31st August of which year … ?

Q5) 31st August, 1993, saw the closure of the British naval base, the HMS Mercury: was it the site of the Royal Navy’s Signals School, Royal Marines or Naval Chaplaincy services?

Q6) And finally … 31st August, 1888, saw the death of Mary Anne Nichols, the first victim of Jack the Ripper: in which Whitechapel street was she found … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 30th August, 1968, saw members of the Royal Family attending whose funeral … ?

A1) HRH Princess Marina of Kent.

Q2) 30th August, 1909, saw the discovery of the Burgess Shale fossil field: in which country is the Burgess Shale … ?

Q2) Canada.

Q3) 20th August, 1984, saw the launch — on its maiden voyage — of which of the space shuttles … ?

A3) The Discovery.

Q4) 20th August, 1835, saw the founding of which Australian city … ?

A4) Melbourne. (Did you hear about the Aussie bisexual … ? Who got sick of Sydney and went back to Adelaide … ? Sorry, sorry, couldn’t resist it … )

Q5) 30th August, 1918 saw Fanny Kaplan shoot — and seriously injure — who … ?

A5) Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.

Q6) And finally … 30th August, 1939, saw the birth of DJ, presenter and journalist, John Peel: which band recorded the most Peel Sessions?

A6) The Fall.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

The Daily Teaser — 30-8-2011

Oh …

POOP … !

I’ve got to admit, I’ve had a FANTASTIC night’s sleep.

I didn’t actually intend to, I know that much.

I basically forget to put my alarm on … !

I’d be kicking myself.

Except, of course, I’d POSSIBLY miss …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

I’m pretty sure my audience is gagging for it … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi and newcomer, PrettyMade putting in their answers: with both bagging 6 out of 6. (Although with a bit of a story: Nina managed to spot the fact I’d left an answer in … )

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) 30th August, 1968, saw members of the Royal Family attending whose funeral … ?

Q2) 30th August, 1909, saw the discovery of the Burgess Shale fossil field: in which country is the Burgess Shale … ?

Q3) 20th August, 1984, saw the launch — on its maiden voyage — of which of the space shuttles … ?

Q4) 20th August, 1835, saw the founding of which Australian city … ?

Q5) 30th August, 1918 saw Fanny Kaplan shoot — and seriously injure — who … ?

Q6) And finally … 30th August, 1939, saw the birth of DJ, presenter and journalist, John Peel: which band recorded the most Peel Sessions?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th August, 1982, saw the first ever synthesis of the chemical element, Meitnerium: what’s it’s atomic number … ?

A1) 109.

Q2) More to the point, what’s its chemical symbol … ?

Q2) Mt.

Q3) While we’re being scientific, 29th August, 1965, saw the return of which spacecraft to Earth … ?

A3) Gemini 5.

Q4) 29th August, 1885, saw Gottlieb Daimler patent the world’s first internal combustion what: motorbike, engine or vacuum cleaner … ?

A4) Motorbike: called the Reitwagen.

Q5) 29th August, 1869, saw the opening of the world’s first rack railway: up the side of which mountain … ?

A5) Mount Washington, in New Hampshire.

Q6) And finally … 29th August, 1871, saw Emperor Meiji abolish the ancient Japanese Han system. What were the Han … ?

A6) The ancient Japanese feudal domains.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

A Day Out in Kent …

You know, I’ve possibly already mentioned that I was in Kent, yesterday, haven’t I … ?

No, actually, scrub that: I know I have, this morning … !

But … ?

Well, to be frank, I thought I’d ALSO post up some of the photos I took.

Those …

And a video …

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But, of course, where thing’s get REALLY boggling … ?

Is when I looked up ‘cousins’ on Wikipedia: the actual family do I was at having been organised by my cousin Dean*, at his place in Kent.

Technically … ? His two adult children — Hannah and Joe — are me, Anna and Ruth’s 1st cousins, once removed.

As is Jude to Dean, and his younger brother Mark.

And … ?

Technically Jade, Hannah and Joe, as they share a great-grandparent, are second cousins.

Personally … ?

I’m just glad Wikipedia’s around.

I don’t think ANY of us have managed to sort that out, up until now … !

* That’s him with the iPad … ! (His wife, Wendy, owns a Mac mini of her own, who’ve I’ve AUTOMATICALLY started to think of as Cousin Bruce. And both of their adult child have MacBooks of their own. Including Hannah and her feller, Gary: Hannah’s running Lion the lucky what’sit … !)

The Daily Teaser — 29-8-2011

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, yesterday was rather fun!

Well …

Funnish … !

You see, I was off at a family barbecue, down in Kent.

I’ve got to admit, it’s nice to know that my nephew, Jude, definitely likes being piggy-back, for one thing.

Oh …

And I do know it’s nice to find out that that Cousin Dean’s end of the family decided to invest in some SENSIBLE computers.

Who I can’t help but think off as Bruce’s cousin Bruce, for some strange reason …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw both PrettyMade saying hello: it ALSO saw Debbi putting her answers, and managing to bag 5 out of 5, and managing to do so just before the power got turned off as Hurricane Irene hit.

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) 29th August, 1982, saw the first ever synthesis of the chemical element, Meitnerium: what’s it’s atomic number … ?

Q2) More to the point, what’s its chemical symbol … ?

Q3) While we’re being scientific, 29th August, 1965, saw the return of which spacecraft to Earth … ?

Q4) 29th August, 1885, saw Gottlieb Daimler patent the world’s first internal combustion what: motorbike, engine or vacuum cleaner … ?

Q5) 29th August, 1869, saw the opening of the world’s first rack railway: up the side of which mountain … ?

Q6) And finally … 29th August, 1871, saw Emperor Meiji abolish the ancient Japanese Han system. What were the Han … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th August, 1898, saw Caleb Bradham invent the drink that later became known as what … ?

A1) Pepsi-Cola.

Q2) 65 years later, 28th August, 1963 saw Dr Martin Luther King make his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech: in which city was he, when he made this speech … ?

Q2) Washington D. C.

Q3) 28th August, 1951, saw the birth of which member of the Osmond Brothers … ?

A3) Wayne Osmond.

Q4) 28th August, 1953, saw which country’s TV network start broadcasting … ?

A4) Japan. (The station in question is the Nippon Television Network Corporation: or 日本テレビ放送網株式会社, Nihon Terebi Hōsōmō Kabushiki-gaisha, in Japanese.)

Q5) And finally … 28th August, 2003, saw Prime Minister Tony Blair give evidence to the Hutton Inquiry: about which scientist’s death … ?

A5) Weapons expert, Dr David Kelly.

Enjoy those, everyone. I’ll leave you with today’s uninterrupted — and extremely odd — soundtrack: Diamanda Galás’ Wild Women With Steak Knives.

The Daily Teaser — 28-8-2011

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got admit, I’ve just had a quick look out of my window.

And I’ll be frank, if I may … ? I don’t think Brentwood’s going to get hit by Hurricane Irene.

But I’m also thinking that my cousin Dean’s picked a pretty grim day for the Big Family Barbecue … !

That’s going to be fun, that really is …

Especially when you consider about half the family can’t make it.

Or isn’t talking to the other half …

Or is working …

Or …

Well …

LOTS of things, really, but that’s families, isn’t it … ?

If there’s not at least one diplomatic incident going on, I think something’s gone wrong …

Lets move on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Birthday Girl Alexandra putting in their answers*: with Debbi bagging 5 out of 5, and Alexandra bagging an entirely honourary equal score. (Which translates as 1½, just in case you’re wondering … )

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

Q1) 28th August, 1898, saw Caleb Bradham invent the drink that later became known as what … ?

Q2) 65 years later, 28th August, 1963 saw Dr Martin Luther King make his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech: in which city was he, when he made this speech … ?

Q3) 28th August, 1951, saw the birth of which member of the Osmond Brothers … ?

Q4) 28th August, 1953, saw which country’s TV network start broadcasting … ?

Q5) And finally … 28th August, 2003, saw Prime Minister Tony Blair give evidence to the Hutton Inquiry: about which scientist’s death … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th August, 1776, saw the Battle of Long Island, in what’s now which New York borough … ?

A1) Brooklyn.

Q2) 27th August, 2003, saw which planet make its nearest approach to Earth … ?

Q2) Mars.

Q3) 27th August, 1967, saw the death of Beatles manager, Brian Epstein: what was the name of the company he was a director of and that owned the copyright of Lennon and McCartney’s songs?

A3) Northern Songs.

Q4) 27th August, 1991, saw which landlocked country declare independence from the Soviet Union … ?

A4) Moldova.

Q5) And finally … 27th August, 2007, saw whose remains found near the Russian city of Yekaterinburg?

A5) Tsarevich Alexei Nikolævich, and his sister, Grand Duchess Anastasia.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

* And earning a Metaphorical — and entirely Cybernetic — Birthday Cake … !

The Daily Teaser — 27-8-2011

Hmmm …

Blimey …

I’ve got to admit, I’ver got the news on, at the moment.

And would you believe it … ?

Someone’s actually gone and managed to win this year’s Air Guitar Championship.

Dear old Aunty Beeb, of course, hasn’t managed to get a page up about it, despite having just mentioned it on the News Channel.

Personally … ?

Well, I know there’s plenty on-going news stories that are more important — Hurricane Irene springs to mind, as does the news the Metropolitan Police have identified a suspect in the WPC Yvonne Fletcher case — it’d be nice to see some fun stuff going up.

Hmmm …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I say something tactful …

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi, bless her, putting in her answers: and along with bagging 5 out of 5, she also managed to put up a whole pile of post, herself: including one that caught my eye …

So …

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) 27th August, 1776, saw the Battle of Long Island, in what’s now which New York borough … ?

Q2) 27th August, 2003, saw which planet make its nearest approach to Earth … ?

Q3) 27th August, 1967, saw the death of Beatles manager, Brian Epstein: what was the name of the company he was a director of and that owned the copyright of Lennon and McCartney’s songs?

Q4) 27th August, 1991, saw which landlocked country declare independence from the Soviet Union … ?

Q5) And finally … 27th August, 2007, saw whose remains found near the Russian city of Yekaterinburg?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th August, 1939, saw the first televised baseball match, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers: in what’s known as a … what … ?

A1) A doubleheader: two games on the same day, between the same two teams: usually because an earlier one has been rained off.

Q2) 26th June, 1962, saw an American mother of four returning home after having which controversial procedure, in Sweden … ?

Q2) An abortion.

Q3) 26th August, 1920, saw the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution come into force: what did this grant to women … ?

A3) The vote.

Q4) 26th August, 1940, saw the birth of voice-over artist, Don LaFontaine: what — in 1964 — was the first film he recorded a trailer for … ?

A4) Gunfighters of Casa Grande.

Q5) And finally … 26th August, 1978, saw who elected to the papacy … ?

A5) Cardinal Albino Luciani, otherwise known as Pope John Paul 1st.

Enjoy those, everyone. I’ll catch you later …

The Daily Teaser and Friday Question Set: 26-8-11

Whoah …

Now I’ve got to admit, that’s more like it … !

You’re probably wondering what I’m ‘whoah’ing about, aren’t you … ?

Well, I’ve got to admit, I had a bit of a rollercoaster day, yesterday: emotionally, I’m up and down like a yoyo, what with the job situation.

Of course, it was kind of shocking — but not unexpected — that Steve Jobs resigned as Apple CEO. Which didn’t help.

But if nothing else … ?

If nothing else, last night’s episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day was rather good.

Doing the write-up, afterwards, certainly helped lift my mood, I know that.

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

»»•««

Yesterday’s teaser saw both Mr Strict and Debbi putting their answers: with Debbi bagging 5 out of 5 and Mr S scoring 4, is also saw them both giving us a little extra about Hitchcock film, Marnie.

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 August, 1939, saw the first televised baseball match, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers: in what’s known as a … what … ?

Q2) 26th June, 1962, saw an American mother of four returning home after having which controversial procedure, in Sweden … ?

Q3) 26th August, 1920, saw the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution come into force: what did this grant to women … ?

Q4) 26th August, 1940, saw the birth of voice-over artist, Don LaFontaine: what — in 1964 — was the first film he recorded a trailer for … ?

Q5) And finally … 26th August, 1978, saw who elected to the papacy … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th August, 1938, saw the birth of author, Frederick Forsyth: which of his novels is set during the First Gulf War … ?

A1) The Fist Of God.

Q2) 25th August, 1989, saw NASA’s Voyager 2 probe reach which Neptune: what’s the name of Neptune’s largest moon … ?

Q2) Triton.

Q3) 25th August, 1944, saw the liberation of which French city … ?

A3) Paris.

Q4) 25th August, 1930, saw the birth of actor Sean Connery: in which 1964 Alfred Hitchcock film did he appear … ?

A4) Marnie.

Q5) And finally … 25th August, 1609, saw Galileo Galilei demonstrate what to Venetian lawmakers … ?

A5) His telescope …

And here — covered by the same license as everything else — is the Friday question set for struggling pub quiz-masters …

Online 118

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What was the last war fought on British territory?

A1) The Falklands War.

Q2) Who, or what, is the patron saint of Germany?

Q2) Saint Michæl.

Q3) Who was the second actor to play Doctor Who?

A3) Peter Cushing. (In the two Doctor Who movies, in 1965 &’66)

Q4) Which Boys had a UK No.1, with We’re Going To Ibiza?

A4) The Venga Boys.

Q5) How much do you score, if all three darts land in the Double Top?

A5) 120.

Q6) Terrell Davies is famous for which sport?

A6) American Football.

Q7) How many different vowels are there, in the word ‘relieved’?

A7) Two: i & e.

Q8) How does 6:20pm appear on the 24 hour clock?

A8) 18:20.

Q9) What’s the underground railway system in Paris called?

A9) The Metro.

Q10) What imaginary line goes across the middle of Africa?

A10) The Equator.

ROUND TWO. 21st CENTURY HEADLINES.

Q11) The plane involved in the first supersonic air-crash was heading for an airport in which North American city?

A11) New York.

Q12) Which US tv station originallyaired the US version of The Weakest Link?

A12) NBC.

Q13) Mitch Hallen hit the headlines because he married what: his horse, his TV set or his playstation?

A13) His TV set.

Q14) Nuclear submarine, The Kursk, sank in 2000: to which nation’s navy did it belong?

A14) Russia.

Q15) Ariel Sharon replaced Ehud Barak, in February of 2001. But in which Israeli government position?

A15) Prime Minister.

Q16) Where did Hillary Clinton buy a home, before announcing she’d run for the US Senate?

A16) New York.

Q17) Which girl band charted with a cover of Bangles hit, Eternal Flame?

A17) Atomic Kitten.

Q18) In which Canadian city were the Bollywood Oscars, this year?

A18) Toronto.

Q19) In June of 2006, what post did Kofi Annan hold?

A19) UN General Secretary.

Q20) In which European country were three British plane-spotters jailed for spying, in 2003?

A20) Greece.

ROUND THREE. NAME THAT TUNE. (The quiz master read’s out each line: point for the song, point for the band, two points for both.)

Q21) “There goes my love, rocket red.”

A21) Love Missile F1-11, Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

Q22) “In world war two, the average age of the combat soldier was 26.”

A22) 19, by Paul Hardcastle.

Q23) “Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you’re beautiful.”

A23) She Blinded Me With Science, Thomas Dolby.

Q24) “Where did you come from, where did you go.”

A24) Cotton-eyed Joe, The Rednex.

Q25) “Don't be shocked by the tone of my voice.”

A25) Weapon of Choice, by Fatboy Slim.

Q26) “She keeps a Moet & Chandon, in a pretty cabinet.”

A26) Killer Queen, by Queen.

Q27) “We’re happy here.”

A27) Happy House, by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Q28) “Some feel the heat and decide that they can’t go on.”

A28) Some Like It Hot, The Power Station.

Q29) “I am an anti-Christ, I am an anarchist”

A29) Anarchy in the UK, the Sex Pistol.

Q30) “My name’s Johnny, and it might be a sin”

A30) The Devil Went Down To Georgia, the Charlie Daniels Band.

ROUND FOUR. ROUND THE WORLD.

Q31) In which Swiss mountain range is the Jungfrau?

A31) The Swiss Alps.

Q32) Which is the next largest island in the world, after Australia?

A32) Greenland.

Q33) Which Somerset resort is Above — or ON — the sea … ?

A33) Weston–Super–Mare: Super Mare being the Latin phrase for On Sea.

Q34) On which continent is the Kariba Dam?

A34) Africa.

Q35) Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario are collectively known as what?

A35) The Great Lakes.

Q36) If the southern limit of the Tropics is the Tropic of Capricorn, what’s the northern limit?

A36) The Tropic of Cancer.

Q37) Which island is to the immediate south of Australia?

A37) Tasmania.

Q38) Saigon was in the southern part of which country?

A38) Vietnam.

Q39) If you were in Benidorm, which country would you be in?

A39) Spain.

Q40) Which London palace has a maze?

A40) Hampton Court Palace.

ROUND FIVE. FOOD AND DRINK.

Q41) Which garden herb is usually made into a sauce that’s a traditional accompaniment to roast lamb?

A41) Mint

Q42) In which country did the word ‘Biscuit’ originate?

A42) France

Q43) What is traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday?

A43) Pancakes.

Q44) What’s another name for French Fries?

A44) Chips. (Accept Julienne Potatoes, if any one spots it!)

Q45) What vegetable can be Desirée, King Edward or Maris Piper?

A45) The potato.

Q46) What cheese is made backwards?

A46) Edam.

Q47) What sugary substance do Bees make?

A47) Honey.

Q48) What colour is picalilli?

A48) Yellow.

Q49) Tomatin is the site of Scotland’s largest what?

A49) Whiskey distillery.

Q50) The cookery book, Feast featured two large cooking pots on its cover. Who was its author?

A50) Nigella Lawson.

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) What kind of chart is circular in shape?

A51) A pie chart.

Q52) In which north of England county was The Full Monty set?

A52) (South) Yorkshire.

Q53) The Inuit live around which Ocean?

A53) The Arctic Ocean.

Q54) Aleksey Leonov was the first man to do what in space?

A54) Walk.

Q55) What is the introductory page of a website called?

A55) Its home page.

Q56) Excluding the border’s, how many colours appear on the playing area of a Backgammon board?

A56) Three

Q57) In which ocean is the US state of Hawaii?

A57) The Pacific.

Q58) Which Jennifer provided a voice-over part, for the film, Antz?

A58) Jennifer Lopez.

Q59) What’s used to propel a punt?

A59) A pole.

Q60) How did Steve Thoburn hit the headlines, this century?

A60) Refused to use metric measures.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …