Developers to roll dice on sale of our property | This is Essex

Developers to roll dice on sale of our property | This is Essex

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m slacking, I really am.

I’m thinking, here, that the job hunting grind is starting to get to me, I really am.

However, I DO know that I meant to flag the above article in the Gazette a couple of weeks ago.

And the resulting natter I had with Councillor Quirk, afterwards.

Mostly … ?

Where I frankly told him I didn’t trust a councillor — however knowledgable he may be about the property market — who was also an estate agent to be in charge of the committee in charge of reviewing whether and what Brentwood Council property should be sold off.

Personally, I wish I could find the actual Tweets.

And apparently … ?

Apparently, he’s blocking me.

I can’t think why.

I can’t make someone THAT nervous or irritated, surely … ?

Or does he not like someone disagreeing with him … ?

The Daily Teaser - 31-1-2012

Oooooooh …

But my word, that first shot of caffeine in the morning’s good, isn’t it … ?

Well …

That first cuppa …

And, in my case, BBC Radio Four.

VERY civilised!

Although at the moment, in between their reports about tuition fees … ?

Is the odd mention of Iran.

Oh …

And the breaking news that Blackie HASN’T been nominated for a Golden Collar.

Apparently, a certain Mr Scorcese is rather upset about that …

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Trevor and Debbi going head to head: with both bagging 6 out of 6, it ALSO saw Trevor quoting four different people — including George Bernard Shaw — and Debbi mentioning she’s very definitely an expresso* fan.

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

Q1) 31st January, 1958, saw the launch of the first US satellite: what was it called … ?

Q2) 8 years earlier, 31st January, 1950, saw which US president announce that the USA was to develop a hydrogen bomb … ?

Q3) January, 31st, 1902, saw the birth of actress, Tallulah Bankhead: who played her in the 1991 musical, Tallulah Who?

Q4) 31st January, 1946, saw Yugoslavia’s Constitution go into force: name any of Yugoslavia’s constituent countries.

Q5) And finally … 31st January, 1990 saw the first branch of which fast food joint open in Moscow?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 30th January, 1790, saw the first boat to be tested as what, in the UK … ?

A1) Lifeboat.

Q2) More to the point, on which English river?

A2) The Tyne.

Q3) 30th January, 1913, saw the House of Lords reject a bill about what: ID cards, that year’s Budget or Irish Home Rule … ?

A3) Irish Home Rule.

Q4) 30th January, 1952, saw peace talks in which war famously stall … ?

A4) The Korean War.

Q5) 30th January, 1862, saw the launch of the first US ironclad ship: what was it called … ?

A5) The USS Monitor.

Q6) And finally … 30th January, 1826, saw the opening of which bridge … ?

A6) The Menai Suspension Bridge. (Or Pont Grog y Borth, if you’re inclined to be Welsh about it … )

Enjoy those, everyone: Ill catch you later …

* I’ve got to admit, Debbi, my favourite mug is a pint sized one — I’m an ex-barman of some 15 years experience, and spotted that from the off! — from my local Starbucks. (Which is a few yards away from Café Nero, Brentwood’s genuine Italian coffee-shop. Which has always struck me as odd: most of the staff are about Italian as I am … )

The Daily Teaser - 30-1-2012

You know, I’m thinking it looks — looks — like the weathermen were right.

While Brentwood’s not actually covered in snow — he says, having a quick look out of my window — it is definitely what I call nippy in my front room.

Nippy …

Bordering on chilly: verging on biting in the kitchen …

Yeah …

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I go off like John Kettley …

‹‹•››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Trevor putting in their answers. With both bagging 5 out of 5, it ALSO saw Trevor quoting at least four different people, and Debbi commenting on this coffee*.

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) 30th January, 1790, saw the first boat to be tested as what, in the UK … ?

Q2) More to the point, on which English river?

Q3) 30th January, 1913, saw the House of Lords reject a bill about what: ID cards, that year’s Budget or Irish Home Rule … ?

Q4) 30th January, 1952, saw peace talks in which war famously stall … ?

Q5) 30th January, 1862, saw the launch of the first US ironclad ship: what was it called … ?

Q6) And finally … 30th January, 1826, saw the opening of which bridge … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th January, 1979, saw Brenda Spencer kill two — and injure 8 — people at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School: what was the name of the Boomtown Rats song this incident inspired … ?

A1) I Don’t Like Mondays.

Q2) 29th January, 1996, saw France announce it was halting its nuclear testing: who was the French president that made the announcement … ?

A2) President Jaques Chirac.

Q3) 29th January, 2002, saw President George W. Bush call three countries the ‘Axis of Evil’: name any of those three countries …

A3) Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

Q4) During the Crimean War, 29th January, 1856, saw Queen Victoria institute the Victoria Cross: what two words are on the VC … ?

A4) ‘For Valour’.

Q5) And finally … 29th January, 2005, saw the first commercial flights from mainline China — since 1949 — to which island … ?

A5) Taiwan.

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

After I’ve made a — completely non-ironic — nod to birthday boy, the late Steve Marriottº.

* You can see why tea’s popular over here, can’t you, Debbi … ?

º Don’t quote me, but I think he went for Nescafé instant …

The Daily Teaser - 29-1-2012

*Yawns*

And, yes, I’ve got to admit, I’m still feeling tired.

After all, with nothing else to do, last night … ?

I managed to get some Teaser videos put together.

Which is always fun, but DOES take some time.

Believe it or not, it’s actually the time consuming part of the whole thing: and probably one I’ll try and explain, at some point … !

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

Before I decide to make that now … !

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Karen* — Councillor Chilvers as was — putting in their answers: with Debbi bagging 7 out of 7, and Karen bagging one, it also saw Debbi presenting us with thisº post, and Karen making the official BIG announcement.

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

Q1) 29th January, 1979, saw Brenda Spencer kill two — and injure 8 — people at the Grover Cleveland Elementary School: what was the name of the Boomtown Rats song this incident inspired … ?

Q2) 29th January, 1996, saw France announce it was halting its nuclear testing: who was the French president that made the announcement … ?

Q3) 29th January, 2002, saw President George W. Bush call three countries the ‘Axis of Evil’: name any of those three countries …

Q4) During the Crimean War, 29th January, 1856, saw Queen Victoria institute the Victoria Cross: what two words are on the VC … ?

Q5) And finally … 29th January, 2005, saw the first commercial flights from mainline China — since 1949 — to which island … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th January saw seven astronauts killed in the explosion of which space shuttle?

A1) The Challenger.

Q2) More to the point, in which year was this … ?

A2) 1986.

Q3) Name any of the astronauts who died that day.

A3) Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, Ronald E. McNair, Gregory B. Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe.

Q4) 28th January, 1965, saw which country pick its flag … ?

A4) Canada.

Q5) 28th January, 1958, saw the patenting of the Lego brick: what’s the Lego company’s motto … ?

A5) Det bedste er ikke for godt: roughly translating as ‘Only the best is good enough’.

Q6) 28th January, 1956, saw Elvis Presley’s first appearance on US TV: on which channel … ?

A6) CBS.

Q7) And finally … 28th January, 1821, saw the discovery of Alexander Island: what’s the nearest continent to Alexander Island?

A7) Antarctica.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with a tune, shall I … ?

Oh … SOMEONE’S going to rowboat …

* We’re going to HAVE to see if that iPhone will let you comment directly, Karen … ! By email always looks strange … !

º I’ll be frank, Debbi, I’ve bookmarked that article for later: but as it points out, itself, Apple’s not the only way to have iffy suppliers. Oh … whale blubber hair product … ? Can’t be as bad as SOME things I’ve shoved on me hair: it’d just be rarer than Kopi Luwak‡ coffee!!!!!

‡ Yes, THINK I’ll stick to the blubber …

The Daily Teaser - 28-1-2012

Oh, THAT’S the ticket, that really is …

Did I tell you I made a good cup of tea … ?

I didn’t … ?

Well, I do.

And I’ve got to admit, it comes in handy at this time of the morning.

No, really … !

Let’s face it, some of us run on coffee, first thing in the morning.

Or whatever happens to float your boat.

Personally … ?

Personally, I happen to prefer a cup of really strong tea …

Well …

Tea … and using Disk Utility to wipe an external flash drive …

I’m not that geeky, really: I’ve just got a case of data overload, today …

‹‹†››

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s …

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting her answers: and, along with raising an eternal point of etiquette, ALSO bagging 7 out of 8*.

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 January saw seven astronauts killed in the explosion of which space shuttle?

Q2) More to the point, in which year was this … ?

Q3) Name any of the astronauts who died that day.

Q4) 28th January, 1965, saw which country pick its flag … ?

Q5) 28th January, 1958, saw the patenting of the Lego brick: what’s the Lego company’s motto … ?

Q6) 28th January, 1956, saw Elvis Presley’s first appearance on US TV: on which channel … ?

Q7) And finally … 28th January, 1821, saw the discovery of Alexander Island: what’s the nearest continent to Alexander Island?

And here’s yesterday’s Holocaust Memorial Day themed questions.

Q1) 27th January, 2012 is both the UK and International Holocaust Memorial Day: this is in memory of the liberation of which camp … ?

A1) Auschwitz concentration camp.

Q2) In which country was that camp … ?

A2) Poland.

Q3) Which country’s troops liberated that camp … ?

A3) The Soviet Union’s.

Q4) In which year was Holocaust Memorial Day — in the UK — first held … ?

A4) 2001.*

Q5) Which country first celebrated International Holocaust Memorial Day, in 1996?

A5) Germany.

Q6) Moving on, 27th January, 1967, saw the USA, USSR and UK sign which treaty … ?

A6) The Outer Space Treaty: or Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, if you’re feeling picky …

Q7) 27th January, 1995, saw which football player banned, after attacking a fan… ?

A7) Eric Cantona. (Strange guy, Cantona … )

Q8) And finally … 27th January, 1993, saw Akebono Tarō become the first foreign born person to attain whichJapanese sports highest rank … ?

A8) Sumo wrestling.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with Amon Tobin’s Stoney, shall I? It’s only been floating around my head all morning …

* I personally prefer after the whale explosion, Debbi: bits of flying blubber make for a great alternative to mustard. Although picking them out of one’s hair can a pain … … …

The Friday Question Set — 27-01-2012

I think the phrase an old friend of mine would use here is Yayness.

Mostly … ?

Mostly because it’s the FOURTH week that I’ve posted up the Friday Question Set in its own post …

AND there’s another poster involved.

It still amazes me how Keynote manages … !

At ANY rate … ?

At ANY rate, there’s today’s set: along with the usual Creative Commons License …

Online 137: Copied From Hutton 200

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) If your birthday was on May the 30th, what would your star-sign be?

A1) Gemini.

Q2) Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi are the longest serving members of which British rock band?

Q2) Status Quo.

Q3) Port Stanley is the capital of which Islands?

A3) The Falklands.

Q4) Reference Point won the Derby in which year of the 1980s?

A4) 1987.

Q5) ‘K’ is the chemical symbol for which metal?

A5) Potassium.

Q6) What sort of creature is a Yak: an ox, a pig or a lizard?

A6) An Ox.

Q7) What’s the other name for an Eggplant?

A7) An Aubergine.

Q8) According to urban myth, the word Tobacco is derived from which European language?

A8) Spanish.

Q9) Which county shares the longest border with Essex?

A9) Suffolk.

Q10) What do the initials YMCA stand for?

A10) Young Men’s Christian Association.

ROUND TWO. TV DINNERS.

Q11) Mark Hamill — better known as Luke Skywalker, in Star Wars — had his first TV appearance in which American sitcom?

A11) The Cosby Show.

Q12) What would Linda Barker design on TV: interiors or exteriors?

A12) Interiors.

Q13) Peter Amory has played which member of the Tate family, in Emmerdale, since 1989?

A13) Chris Tate.

Q14) Lynda Bellingham found fame, advertising which brand of gravy?

A14) Oxo.

Q15) Which role was played by Catherine Zeta Jones, in The Darling Buds of May?

A15) Mariette.

Q16) The Offer was the pilot episode of which scrapped 60s sitcom?

A16) Steptoe & Son.

Q17) On This Morning Denise Robertson does what: cook, review the soaps or act as agony aunt?

A17) Act as agony Aunt.

Q18) Which comedian created the comedy character, Alan Partridge?

A18) Steve Coogan.

Q19) Who presents ITV’s The South Bank Show: Jeremy Paxman, Jeremy Speke, Melvin Bragg or Billy Bragg?

A19) Melvin Bragg.

Q20) John Craven was the original presenter of which children’s news show?

A20) Newsround.

ROUND THREE. THE NATURAL WORLD.

Q21) The dove is a member of which bird family?

A21) The pigeon family.

Q22) What is the largest land mammal?

A22) The elephant.

Q23) What sort of feet do antelopes have?

A23) Hooves.

Q24) A caribou is a type of what: reindeer or lizard?

A24) Reindeer.

Q25) What is a rhododendron?

A25) A plant.

Q26) What is a Scots pine?

A26) A tree.

Q27) What is a Lynx?

A27) A cat.

Q28) What do herbivores eat: plants, meat or both?

A28) Plants.

Q29) Where is a horse’s muzzle?

A29) It’s head: it’s its nose

Q30) How many nostrils does a dog have?

A30) Two.

ROUND FOUR. I SEE DEAD PEOPLE.

Q31) Kim Philby found notoriety as a what?

A31) A spy.

Q32) Which lord sat in the House of Commons as Quintin Hogg?

A32) Lord Hailsham.

Q33) Which famous American author died in 2007?

A33) Sidney Sheldon.

Q34) Marlene Dietrich was born in which country?

A34) Germany.

Q35) The late Douglas Adams wrote about The Hitch-hikers Guide to … where?

A35) The Galaxy.

Q36) What did Sir Paul McCartney’s first wife die of?

A36) Breast cancer

Q37) What form of fiction did Roald Dahl first write, war stories, children’s stories or spy fiction?

A37) War stories.

Q38) The late classical instrumentalist, Jacqueline du Pré played which musical instrument?

A38) Cello.

Q39) Which assassinated former US president was the first Catholic to hold the office?

A39) John F. Kennedy.

Q40) Who was the first member of the Monty Python team to die?

A40) Graham Chapman.

ROUND FIVE. AT THE MOVIES.

Q41) Who’s the main character in the Angelina Jolie film, Tomb Raider?

A41) Lara Croft

Q42) What sort of farm features in Chicken Run?

A42) An egg farm.

Q43) In that same film, which Absolutely Fabulous star provided the voice of Ginger? (We want the name of the actress, not her character)

A43) Julia Sawalha.

Q44) Which thriller film starred Hugh Jackman as a hacker, and John Travolta as a counter terrorist officer?

A44) Swordfish.

Q45) In Meet the Parents which animals is Robert DeNiro’s character fond of?

A45) Cats.

Q46) Who provided the voice of Shrek?

A46) Michael Myers.

Q47) In the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, what is the profession of John Hurt’s character?

A47) Doctor.

Q48) Which English actor played Erin Brockovitch boss, in the Julia Roberts film of the same name?

A48) Albert Finney

Q49) Which Michael Douglas film was all about the drugs trade?

A49) Traffic.

Q50) On which continent is the Leonardo DiCaprio film, Blood Diamond set?

A50) Africa.

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Rosemarie Ford, and Anthea Turner have both assisted which presenter of The Generation Game?

A51) Bruce Forsyth

Q52) What’s the US equivalent of the Footsie 100 Index?

A52) The Dow Jones Index.

Q53) What’s the worlds largest Gulf?

A53) The Gulf of Mexico.

Q54) In pre-decimal British currency, how many pennies were there to a guinea: 252, 302 or 352?

A54) 252.

Q55) There are two main ingredients in pasta: name either. (Two points for both.)

A55) Flour and water.

Q56) The lethally poisonous drug, Digitalis, is derived from which common wild flower?

A56) Foxglove.

Q57) Which Jazz musician was known as the King of Ragtime?

A57) Scott Joplin.

Q58) In which ocean does the island of Madagascar lie?

A58) The Indian Ocean.

Q59) If a squares area is 256 centimeters, how long are each of its sides?

A59) 16 cm.

Q60) In which English county is the Forest of Dean?

A60) Gloucestershire.

Enjoy that, folks: I hope it helps … !

The Daily Teaser - 27-1-2012

Can I make a confession, here … ?

Can I … ?

I’m following veteran Star Trek actor and gay activist, George Takei, on Facebook.

And I HAVE to ask …

Why the HELL is the guy note a stand-up comedian … ?

He’s been posting up photos like the Gran Hermano* one for a while, now: and definitely putting a smile on people’s faces … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

‹‹·››

Yes, let’s … !

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with the pair of us gently teasing Trevor, ALSO saw her congratulating Matt Smith and Karen Gillanº AND 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) 27th January, 2012 is both the UK and International Holocaust Memorial Day: this is in memory of the liberation of which camp … ?

Q2) In which country was that camp … ?

Q3) Which country’s troops liberated that camp … ?

Q4) In which year was Holocaust Memorial Day — in the UK — first held … ?

Q5) Which country first celebrated International Holocaust Memorial Day, in 1996?

Q6) Moving on, 27th January, 1967, saw the USA, USSR and UK sign which treaty … ?

Q7) 27th January, 1995, saw which football player banned, after attacking a fan… ?

Q8) And finally … 27th January, 1993, saw Akebono Tarō become the first foreign born person to attain whichJapanese sports highest rank … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th January, 2004, saw what explode in a small town, in Taiwan‡ … ?

A1) A dead beached whale.

Q2) 26th January, 1950, saw India become a Republic, and swear in it’s first President: what was his name … ?

A2) Rajendra Prasad.

Q3) 26th January, 1808, was the date of the Rum Rebellion, the only successful — though short-lived — armed takeover of which government … ?

A3) The Australian government.

Q4) 26th January, 1982, saw UK unemployment reach 3 million, for the first time since when: the 1920s, 1930s or 1940s … ?

A4) The 1930s.

Q5) And finally … 26th January 1861, saw which US state secede, during the US Civil War … ?

A5) Louisiana.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later

* Trust me, it’s not THAT hard to translate … ! :D

º I don’t know if BBC America will show We’ll Take Manhattan, Debbi, but it’s interesting to see Karen Gillan play someone other than Amy. And very odd to hear her using something other than her native Scots accent …

‡ What made me laugh wasn’t the amount of locals who turned up to watch the whale being taken off for autopsy — and go Boom on the way. No. It was the fact about half a dozen or so hotdog sellers that turned up …

Taylor Wimpey: What Are They Doing, Now … ?

OK …

I’ve GOT to say, I’m serious.

What the heck are Taylor Wimpey up to, now … ?

Well, building things, obviously.

Oh …

And annoying people, as well, I should add!

I’ve got to admit, there’s a couple of reasons I say that.

For starters … ?

For starters, I’ve had a leaflet from them, through my door, today.

Explaining how their NEW proposed plans for the patch of ground in Saint James Road is both mixed use — rather than the offices that they had permission for — and — get THIS — slightly smaller than the originally planned offices*.

They’ve ALSO put up a larger version on the fence surrounding the ground.

Which ALSO happens to emphasise the fact that the new plans included both 24 residential units.

And — AND — a crèche!

Wow: a REAL crèche … !

Can I be frank, here … ?

I think there’s a lot of children in the area that I know of.

I’ll happily pull frowns at any of them who manage to kick their footballs against my front window.

Providing a crèche, though … ?

Is a nice idea …

If it wasn’t for the fact that — to my knowledge — there’s about 20 to 30 kids in the are: but only three — at a guess — are of crèche age. (Say 4 years old and under, I’d’ve thought.)

»»·««

On top of THAT … ?

On top of that, this week’s Brentwood Gazette has a letter on the subject: and not from me, for once!

Here …

“I noticed an article about the proposed development at St. James Road (Gazette, Jan 11th.)

I personally think that creating offices is a waste of time and money. There are enough empty offices in Brentwood as it is. It would be pointless to build more.

Opposite the proposed site isa great example: the building next to the Premier Inn carpark was transformed into modern-loooking offices. It has been empty, ever since.

I strongly believe that if the proposed site was made into a multi-storey car park, it would relieve the local parking issues — by giving residents permits — and generate money through parking for London commuters and local shops, such as hairdressers. People complain enough as it is about problems with finding somewhere to park. It will only get worse, when the William Hunter Way carpark disappears, and the new shops and cinema are built.”

Now, I have to admit, I’ve not actually met Ms Jones.

But she is talking a certain amount of sense: although I personally think a small public park — as the local kids aren’t really of crèche age — would be in order, rather than a residents carpark.

But I’m glad to see someone else is talking a modicum of sense.

* Of course it’s slightly smaller: they’ve seemingly removed the elevator shaft …