Monday 31 October 2011

Weight a Minute … !

Hmmm …

Did you ever hear the old urban myth that stopping smoking makes your weight balloon … ?

Yes …

Me too.

I’d always felt that there was a certain lack of foundation to that.

Was I ever wrong, there … !

You seen, I’ve been in to see my doctor, this morning.

And technically … ?

Well …

You’ve heard of the idea of Body Mass Index?

You take your weight and your height, divide them together, and the number you get is a rough guide to whether you’re underweight, about right, overweight, or morbidly obese.

I got …

Well …

Lets put it this way, it didn’t turn out as an especially healthy number.

««·»»

Hmmm …

Now, I’ll happily admit …

I’ve walked away from that with — here’s the cliqué — Dr’s Orders

Mostly to start eating more healthily: which, believe it or not, I’m trying to, and to take 45 minutes of exercise.

A brisk walk’s been suggested.

Gosh, I’m glad I managed to get those anti-inflammatories.

That should make that bit easier … !

The Halloween Teaser - 31-10-2011

No, seriously …

BOO … !

Well …

It is Halloween, after all.

Or, of course, Samhain, if you’re of a slightly more … unorthodox … religious persuasion.

Actually …

I’ve got to admit, the neopagan revival of the past few years — with no disrespect intended those I know who ARE pagan — has always struck me as just a touch odd.

But there we go …

There’s no accounting for how ones Higher Power — whatever one perceives it/him/her to be — moves us, is there … ?

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

««Ω»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers, and — along with groovily bagging 5 out of 5, in a groovily hip* sort of way — managing to give yours truly a mention, hereº.

Lets see how she — and you — do with todays monster of a Teaser, shall we? Here it is, along with the ‘How To’, license and video

Q1) Which British horror actor was known as Mr Murder?

Q2) Which specific card, in a standard park, is also known as the Devil’s Bedposts?

Q3) Elizabeth Short was the victim of a much publicised, unsolved murder in Hollywood, 1947: what was her nickname … ?

Q4) In Greek mythology the Minotaur was half man and half what?

Q5) Where’s the tomb of Henry the 8th?

Q6) In the 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, where did Glinda hail from?

Q7) Radio 4 newsreader, Charlotte Green had an on air fit of the giggles, in 2008: what nickname do actors give this?

Q8) Former FBI agent Mark Felt, died in 2008, at the age of 95: how was he better known?

Q9) What vegetable is traditionally worn round the neck, to fend off a vampire?

Q10) Which member of the Doors claimed to have once dated a witch?

Q11) 31st October, 1517, famously saw Martin Luther nail his 95 Theses to which church door?

Q12) 31st October, 2003, saw Mahathir Mohamad step down as PM of where … ?

Q13) 31st October, 2000, saw the launch of the Soyuz TM-31: where was it going to … ?

Q14) 31st October saw Princess Margaret cancel her wedding to Group Captain Peter Townsend: in which year … ?

Q15) And FINALLY … 31st October, 2003, saw Bethany Hamilton attacked by a what … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 30th October, 1270, saw the end of the 8th Crusade and the lifting of the siege of which North African city … ?
A1) Tunis. (Given Tunisia’s just had its first free elections in years, it seemed an appropriate question.)

Q2) 30th October, 1922, saw Benito Mussolini named as Prime Minister of Italy: in which year was he summarily executed … ?
A2) 1945. (OK, we’ve HAD Tunisia, who want’s to mention Gaddafi … ?)

Q3) 30th October, 1961, saw the USSR receive worldwide condemnation after testing what … ?
A3) A nuclear bomb: in what was, at the time, the world’s largest explosion.

Q4) 30th October, 2000, saw the shutdown of the last Multics mainframe: in which country was this machine … ?
A4) Canada.

Q5) And finally … 30th October, 1984, saw police recover the body of Father Jerzy Popieluszko: which trade union had he famously supported … ?
A5) Solidarity.
Enjoy those, everyone.


Try not to scare TOO many people.

Just … carry on screaming …







* Personally … ? I’m SO hip, I’m getting some anti-inflammatories. I’ve not been able to see my knees for years …

º Yes, I think, you’re right, Debbi: but I still think bendy corpses just sounds … odd … (All that, and neither of us has managed to crack a line about feeling a bit stiff … ! Just saying … !)

Sunday 30 October 2011

The Daily Teaser - 30-10-2011

Hmmm …

Well, that’s seemed to have gone well.

I’m actually up and about — on a Sunday — after the clock’s have gone back.

Which is kind of nice.

Well …

Niceish, lets put it that way.

It’s nice to be able to look pout of the window and know it’s light at this time of morning, however temporarily.

Hmmm …

Actually, can I make a confession … ?

Usually, I’m not a morning person.

Today, though, I’m actually rather chirpy,

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome — putting in her answers. And, along with bagging 6 out of 6, also managed to comment on Washington’s sudden outbreak of grooviness.

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 October, 1270, saw the end of the 8th Crusade and the lifting of the siege of which North African city … ?

Q2) 30th October, 1922, saw Benito Mussolini named as Prime Minister of Italy: in which year was he summarily executed … ?

Q3) 30th October, 1961, saw the USSR receive worldwide condemnation after testing what … ?

Q4) 30th October, 2000, saw the shutdown of the last Multics mainframe: in which country was this machine … ?

Q5) And finally … 30th October, 1984, saw police recover the body of Father Jerzy Popieluszko: which trade union had he famously supported … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 29th October, 1969, saw the first ever computer-to-computer link-up in the ARPANET, which eventually became the Internet. What was ARPANET a contraction of … ?
A1) Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.

Q2) More to the point, the ARPANET was what: a packet-switching network, a carton-conversion network or parcel-force matrix?
A2) A packet-switching network. (I made the other two up. You can tell, can’t you … ? Although I think a carton-conversion network is a group of Why Don’t You fans … )

Q3) As a final internet question … what’s the name of the software that connects computers on the ’Net … ?
A3) The Internet Protocol Suite: also known as TCP/IP.

Q4) Moving on … 29th October, 2008, saw which team win the World Series baseball championship for the first time in 28 years … ?
A4) The Philadelphia Phillies.

Q5) 29th October, 1964, saw Tanganyika and Zanzibar unite: to form which Republic … ?
A5) Tanzania.

Q6) And finally … 29th October, 2003, saw the (then) leader of Britain’s Conservative party hand in his resignation: what was his name … ?
A6) Iain Duncan Smith.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …

I’ll leave you with interview with the now late Jimmy Saville, after his death, yesterday …


Saturday 29 October 2011

Merlin Episode 5 Series 4: His Father’s Son.

Actually …

Now I come to look at it …

I’m making Hmmm noises, again, aren’t I … ?

I am.

But hopefully in a nice way.

I think …

««•»»

Yes, it’s a Saturday, again.

And … ?

I’ll happily admit I’m literally too skint to be able to take up the Halloween party invites that were flying my way.

Which is definitely a shame: I’ve not seen No-Ideas-Adrian — team captain to the No Ideas, one of the more formidable teams that used to do my old pub quizzes — and Gwen and Stefan for a while!

I think as soon as I get the chance, I’m going to to have to remedy that …

Let’s get moving on, though, shall we … ?

You see, one thing I have managed to do with my time, is catch tonight’s fifth episode of Merlin.


Called His Father’s Son, episode 5 opens with Merlin — in a full suit of chain mail — running for his life from the forces of rival King, Carleon, who’s fought his way deep into Camelot …

Arthur kills Carleon, at Agravaine’s urging.

And has to deal with the fact that that Carleon’s grieving widow* has declared war on Camelot as a result.

And to avoid the inevitable battle that Agravaine and Morgana have seemingly planned long and hard for … ?

Goes to Queen Annis to suggest single combat, to resolve the two sides differences.

««•»»

Now, I’ll happily admit, this is more like it.

Actually, no …

No it isn’t.

His Father’s Son is a very good episode, indeed.

In fact, I’ve got to give Bradley James — King Arthur, himself — ★★★★† for his performance as Arthur, tonight.

Actually, I’ve got to admit, I think that ALSO applies to Colin Morgan and Katie McGrath.

Saying that … ? Saying that, I felt the actually episode could have had a touch more … Hmm … something , although I’ll be honest, and say I don’t know if I can put my finger on what.

I think it’s partly the fact that, having seen Lindsey Duncan in The Waters Of Mars, I’m thinking she could have been much better used.

Which is the sad part about an otherwise wonderful episode, I’m thinking, here …










* Queen Annis: played by Lindsey Duncan, who I’d last seen in The Waters Of Marsª

ª I have to admit, The Waters Of Mars was possibly on of Tennant’s finest appearances as the Tenth Doctor. I’m ALSO thinking the fact Lindsay Duncan is one of only two actors I know of to appear in both series is one of those facts that’ll keep serious fanboys talking for hours. (The other is Colin Morgan, himself. See if you can find the relevant David Tennant episode he’s in …)

Those of you who’ve followed me for a while, will know that it’s not often a film, let alone a performance with-in it, merits 4 stars.

Give an Hour.



Hmmm …

I do that a lot, you know …

Go Hmmm …

But at any rate, I’ll happily admit that what’s got me going Hmmm … — this time — is the one appeal that’s been launch, this year: partly by the BBC.

Who, I should add, having been mentioning it with a lot less frequency than the fact that the clocks go back, tonight.

But, at any rate, that’s seemingly the heart of it.

The idea is quite simple.

The Give an Hour, though, is really quite simple.

Considering the clocks go back one hour, tonight — it’s the end of British Summertime, just so my non UK readers know — the idea is to use that hour, helping someone you know to ‘get online’.

Either from something as simple as setting up an email account, to looking things up on the ’Net.

It’s a nice idea …

But I’ve got to admit, MOST of the reactions I’ve had, when I mentioned it, today… ?

Seem to be on the lines “Hang on, most of the people that want to BE online, already ARE”.

Which is sort of a good thought … !

»»•««

On top of that … ?

On top of that, I’ll happily admit that I’ve poked my head around the doors of Brentwood Library, today, to see if they were doing anything as part of the campaign.

They weren’t: beyond happily directing people to the website that let’s people volunteer.

Now, that seems a shame.

Given the local library services educational remit … ?

I‘d’ve said that’s an excellent use of time and funds.

The Daily Teaser - 29-10-2011

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve GOT to confess …

I think I’ve just signed up for YouTube’s advert revenue sharing programme.

Although whether that’ll make me anything, I really don’t know!

Tell you what, though … ?

You click on mine … and I’ll click on yours, how does that sound … ?

««•»»

And what’s more … ?

What’s more, I seem to signed up for new social network, Diaspora.

Although Lord KNOWS how that’s going to go.

It’s very nice looking: certainly a lot better presented than Facebook or Google+.

But I’m thinking there doesn’t seem to be any approaching a Share button.

Oh well …

Lets move on, shall we … ?

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Nina putting in their answers: with both promising — or threatening — to behave themselves, it saw Nina bagging 5 out of 8, and Debbi scoring 8.

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) 29th October, 1969, saw the first ever computer-to-computer link-up in the ARPANET, which eventually became the Internet. What was ARPANET a contraction of … ?

Q2) More to the point, the ARPANET was what: a packet-switching network, a carton-conversion network or parcel-force matrix?

Q3) As a final internet question … what’s the name of the software that connects computers on the ’Net … ?

Q4) Moving on … 29th October, 2008, saw which team win the World Series baseball championship for the first time in 28 years … ?

Q5) 29th October, 1964, saw Tanganyika and Zanzibar unite: to form which Republic … ?

Q6) And finally … 29th October, 2003, saw the (then) leader of Britain’s Conservative party hand in his resignation: what was his name … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 28th October, 1971, saw Britain launch it’s first satellite: what was that satellite’s name … ?
A1) Prospero.

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the rocket that satellite was launched on … ?
A2) Black Arrow.

Q3) More to the point, where was this rocket launched from?
A3) The Woomera Test range in Australia.

Q4) 28th October, 2009, saw the Ares I-X launch in a spaceflight programme called what … ?
A4) Constellation.

Q5) Which agency launched the Ares I-X … ?
A5) NASA*.

Q6) Moving on from rockets … 28th October, 1958, saw Cardinal Angelo Roncalli elected as which Pope … ?
A6) John 23rd.

Q7) 28th October, 1928, saw the first formal performances of which country’s National Anthem … ?
A7) Indonesia.

Q8) And finally … 28th October, 1979, saw the first visit of a Chinese leader — Chairman Hua Kuo-Feng, in this case — to Britain: who was British PM at the time … ?
A8) Margaret Thatcher.
Enjoy those, everyone: now, I think I’m going to try and work put exactly WHICH Diaspora pod I’ve joined …


Friday 28 October 2011

The Daily Teaser and Themed Friday Question Set — 28-10-2011

You know, I’ve just had a senior moment, there, whilst staring at me keyboard. Before I managed to actually kick-start my brain and start …

Ummm …

Thingie …

TYPING … !

That’s the word … !

Actually … ?

I think I’m also going to briefly thank Mr Strict, bless him, for linking to a nicely active Billy Joel tune.

OK, GRANTED, I’m not jigging around my front room.

But I REALLY don’t want to put you in the position of imagining me dancing: not at THIS time of the morning … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Nina putting in their answers: with both having a brief “It’s good to be Back” natter, it ALSO saw both scoring 6 out of 6, AND mentioning Amsterdam*.

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

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, Creative Commons License and video

Q1) 28th October, 1971, saw Britain launch it’s first satellite: what was that satellite’s name … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the rocket that satellite was launched on … ?

Q3) More to the point, where was this rocket launched from?

Q4) 28th October, 2009, saw the Ares I-X launch in a spaceflight programme called what … ?

Q5) Which agency launched the Ares I-X … ?

Q6) Moving on from rockets … 28th October, 1958, saw Cardinal Angelo Roncalli elected as which Pope … ?

Q7) 28th October, 1928, saw the first formal performances of which country’s National Anthem … ?

Q8) And finally … 28th October, 1979, saw the first visit of a Chinese leader — Chairman Hua Kuo-Feng, in this case — to Britain: who was British PM at the time … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers
Q1) 27th October, 1275, saw the first recorded mention of which Dutch city … ?
A1) Amsterdam.

Q2) More to the point, which river terminates in the heart of that city … ?
A2) The Amstel.

Q3) 27th October, 1977, saw Liberal leader, Jeremy Thorpe, deny he‘d been involved in a plot to kill whom … ?
A3) Former male model Norman Scott.

Q4) 27th October, 1986, saw the British government deregulate what … ?
A4) Britain’s financial markets.

Q5) 27th October, 1971, saw the Democratic Republic of the Congo change it’s name to what … ?
A5) Zaire.

Q6) And finally … 27th October, 1961, saw the first launch of an Apollo rocket: from where … ?
A6) Cape Canaveral.
And here’s today’s themedº Friday question set, for struggling pub quiz-masters: covered, as usual, by the Creative Commons License
ROUND ONE: GENERAL HALLOWEENERY.

Q1) Who’s the most often seen ghost, in the Tower of London?

Q2) What vegetable, in Scotland, is a Jack O’Lantern traditionally made from?
Q2) A Turnip.

Q3) In the tale of Hansel and Gretel, what’s the Witches’ house made of?

Q4) Back in Victorian London, which notorious criminal was nicknamed ‘Leather Apron’?

Q5) What name’s given to a group of witches, a Sabbat, or a Coven, or a Circle?
A5) Coven.

Q6) True or false; – October 31st is the feast of Saint Columba.
A6) False, it’s actually the feast of Saint Bega.

Q7) What is the full name for which the term Halloween is short for?

Q8) The traditional game of apple bobbing at Halloween originates from rites performed at the festival on the same day for an ancient apple Goddess. Is this Goddess, Celtic, Roman, or Egyptian?
A8) Roman.

Q9) What is the literal translation of the German term Poltergeist?

Q10) Under old English law, how was a convicted witch executed?
A10) Hanging. (Witches were burned at the stake in Scotland.)



ROUND TWO: GRUESOME MOVIES.

Q11) The third entry in which horror franchise, had a record US opening, in 2011?

Q12) Halle Berry was the first black woman to win an Oscar: for which movie … ?


Q14) In which 1990 horror film would you find the character Annie Wilkes?
A14) Misery.

Q15) What monster movie was a huge hit, in February, 2008?


Q17) In which series of horror films would you find the Lament Configuration? (Bonus point for telling us what it is.)
A17) The Hellraiser series. (It’s the puzzle box used to summon the demons)

Q18) In which year did Max Schreck play a bushy browed vampire in Friedrich Murnau’s Nosferatu?
A18) 1922.

Q19) Which Italian director was responsible for the films Suspiria, Tenebrea and Inferno?

Q20) Which year saw the release of the original RKO version of King Kong?
A20) 1933.



ROUND THREE: ONE FOR THE GOTHS …

Q21) Black Sabbath’s first album was released in the UK, on Friday the 13th: in which year of the ’70’s?
A21) 1970.

Q22) Which 80’s band released a song called Halloween?
A22) Japan.

Q23) Which Ricky Gervais movie shares its name with a song by the Specials?

Q24) Name this Song; “Oh Eh, Oh Ah Ah, Ting Tang, Walla, Walla Bing Bang”
A24) Witch Doctor. The Cartoons

Q25) Scary Monsters, Fashion, and Ashes to Ashes, are all hits from which 80’s David Bowie album?

Q26) George A. Romero classic Return of the Living Dead includes music from which gothically inclined punk band?

Q27) Which former Crystal Maze presenter wrote and appeared in The Rocky Horror Show?

Q28) Which Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic has been covered by both Nina Simone, and Marilyn Manson?

Q29) Which New York based rap band had a debut album, called Niggamortis?

Q30) John Landis used the song Bad Moon Rising in his film An American Werewolf in London. Which band recorded it?



ROUND FOUR: I SEE DEAD PEOPLE … !

Q31) In which river did Virginia Wolf drown herself, in 1941, the Ouse, the Thames, or the Cam?
A31) The Ouse.

Q32) Which wild west hero‘s last words were ‘That picture’s crooked’?

Q33) Sufragette Emily Davidson threw herself under the king’s horse, during which year’s Derby; – 1913, 1915, or 1917?
A33) 1913.

Q34) Influential director Ingmar Bergmar died in 2007: which European country was he from?
A34) Sweden.

Q35) Which famed stage magician, and escapologist, was exhumed for further medical examination, again, in 2007?

Q36) Company CEO, Steve Jobs died in 2011: which computer company did he both co-found, and lead?
A36) Apple.

Q37) Natascha Richardson died in 2009; – in which Chekov play did she make her West End début?

Q38) What was the name given to the murder of some 50,000 French Protestants on 24 August 1572?

Q39) Which noted American actor died of a drug overdose, on October 31st, 1993?

Q40) Comedy actor Brian Wilde died in 2008: name either of the two comedy serials he appeared in.
A40) Porridge, as Mister Barraclough, and Last of the Summer Wine, as Foggy.



ROUND FIVE: SCARY MONSTERS.

Q41) How did the mythological monster called the basilisk kill its victims?
A41) Its stare: it would use it to turn it’s victims into stone.

Q42) What does the word ‘boggart’ refer to?
A42) A kind of evil fairy.

Q43) In Celtic mythology the wailing of which supernatural being is an omen of death?
A43) Banshee.

Q44) According to voodoo belief, by what name are the living dead known?
A44) Zombies.

Q45) According to South American myth, the Chupacabra is a type of vampire that attacks what; - goats, sheep, or cows?
A45) Goats.

Q46) The Rakshasa and the Naga are creatures from which country?
A46) India.

Q47) True or False; - Serbian Romany have myths of Vampire Watermelons.
A47) True. (And pumpkins, as well.)

Q48) The demonic looking Oni appear in myths and legends from which far eastern country?
A48) Japan.

Q49) Vourdalak is the Russian word for which monster: the werewolf, the vampire, or the zombie?
A49) The Werewolf.

Q50) What’s the Japanese word for ‘Monster’?
A50) Kaiju: although, strictly, it translates as ‘strange beast’ …



ROUND SIX: WE ARE THE HALLOWEENIES …

Q51) Which Belgian noble woman was sentenced to death for bathing in the blood of servant girls she had murdered in order to keep her young?

Q52) Who said there was “something of the night”, about Tory politician Michael Howard?

Q53) What rite is used in a number of religions for the expulsion of evil spirits?
A53) Exorcism.

Q54) According to an ancient superstition, albatrosses are the reincarnated souls’ of drowned what: sailors, soldiers or spies?
A54) Sailors.

Q55) Who was England’s Witchfinder General?

Q56) In which English county did the Pendle Witches terrify their neighbours?

Q57) Transylvania, the home of Dracula, is in which East European country?
A57) Romania.

Q58) What is the name of the ghost ship, doomed to sail the seven seas forever?
A58) The Flying Dutchman.

Q59) What was Joe Ahearn’s six-part 1998 vampire TV series, with more than a nod to the X-Files, starring Jack Davenport and Susannah Harker?

Q60) Who wrote the 1972 fantasy novel, The Halloween Tree?
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with You May Be Right, as Mr S left it with us …












* Wouldn’t mind going , meself, frankly, if only to see where the BBC filmed Arc Of Infinity

º You didn’t know that I used to run pub-quizzes … ? I used to run pub quizzes. Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar was — in part — started as a way of advertising them. AND handing out free quiz questions to other quiz-masters, just starting out on the job. Something I know I always found difficult. On top of that, I also made the Halloween quiz something of a trade mark, as the first themed quiz I did was Halloweenª. As that’s coming up on Monday …

ª Actually, best behaviour, Debbi, Nina: you never know WHAT I’ll be posting …