The Daily Teaser - 29-2-2012

Hmmm …

You realise it’s the 29th February, don’t you … ?

I do … !

And I know it’s only once every four years, but, Lordy, writing that was fiddly.

Well …

No fiddlier — fiddlyer … ? No, my spellchecker’s objecting — than usual: but with only a quarter of the news, births, deaths, marriages and quotes.

But certainly with an interesting superstition or two, along the way.

Oh …

And the introduction of the Raspberry Pi, today. Which is either a really radical piece of educational kit, or a piece of technology that’s thirty years two late.

Oh, well. At least the BBC World Service is 80, today. Although one has to ask.

How did they work THAT out … ?

Let’s get moving on, shall we …

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi giving us a quick update*, and bagging 6 out of 6: and commenting on the state of Washington DCª’s walls.

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) 29th February is a Leap Day: leap days are needed because the Earth’s orbit is roughly how much longer than the calendar year: half a day, a third of a day or a quarter of a day?

Q2) The Gregorian calendar that sees this happened is designed to keep the vernal equinox near which date: 21st March, 21st June or 21st September?

Q3) 2012 is a leap year: when was the last leap year … ?

Q4) When was the first leap year of the 21st century … ?

Q5) In which year is the LAST leap year of the 21st century … ?

Q6) According to an old British tradition, 29th February is the one date of the year a woman is allowed to do what … ?

Q7) When was the last leap second added to the clocks … ?

Q8) In The Twelve Days of Christmas, how many lords a’leaping are there … ?

Q9) The Summer Olympics are usually held in a leap year: in which European city are they being held, this year … ?

Q10) And FINALLY … What’s the name of the French magazine that’s only published on the 29th February … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th February, 1784, saw a Methodist Church chartered by whom … ?

A1) John Wesley.

Q2) 28th February, 1935, saw Wallace Carothers invent which famously artificial substance … ?

A2) Nylon.

Q3) More to the point, name either of the cities that substance named after … ?

A3) New York and London.

Q4) 28th February, 1959, saw the launch of Discoverer 1: the first satellite to go into what: equatorial orbit, geostationary orbit or polar orbit … ?

A4) Polar orbit.

Q5) 28th February, 1991, saw a ceasefire declared, as war ends in which Middle Eastern country … ?

A5) Iraq: this is the formal end of the 1st Gulf War.

Q6) And finally … 28th February, 1954, saw the first colour TV sets — using the NTSC system — go on sale in the US: what does NTSC stand for … ?

A6) National Television Systems Committee.

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

* I don’t know how you managed it, Debbi, but you managed to put a smile on my face, there. Just with the shear style … ! :D

ª Of course you wouldn’t, Debbi. Absolutely! (Now … where did we put the spray paint and V masks … ?)

World Book Night: Oooh … !

Hmmm …

Just missed him.

Meant to corner the neighbour who quietly emailed me to let me know that one or two of the neighbours had concerns about the fire engines getting through to the area … !

Oh, well …

I’ll catch him later … !

»»·««

At ANY rate, I thought let you briefly know about a couple of things.

Firstly … ?

Well, I’ve probably mentioned I’ve been scanning a lot of old family photos onto Bruce, haven’t I … ?

Well I have: too the point where I’ve actually managed to move my iPhoto library to my external drive.

With help from this link, here.

OK, 7½ gigabytes isn’t much in the way of space, or photos.

But it’s a fair old chunk of Bruce’s hard-drive, thanking you … !

»»·««

Next off … ? Next off is the simple fact that I’ve had the email in that lets me pick where I’m going to collect my World Book Night books from.

Me being me, of course … ?

I’ve picked Brentwood Library.

Here’s hoping I can shift them …

The Daily Teaser - 28-2-2012

Hmmm …

Did I ever tell you I’m a bit like Hal: one of the new character’s in Being Human.

Oh, lord, no, no, I’m not a several hundred’s year old vampire, who’s incredibly picky and fond of a routine.

No.

I’m a very human human being … … … who’s incredibly picky and fond of a routine.

One of those being Radio 4 in the morning.

Who’ve just announced — on the Today show — that corporate Arts patronage is going down: something I think is a shame.

I’m not surprised, though.

After all, the show also made a point of mentioning — in near enough the same breath — that the Government’s closed a couple of tax loopholes, to claw a few billion from Barclays Bank.

Go figure.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with agreeing with me that Gary Oldman was robbed*, also bagged 6 out of 6.

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 February, 1784, saw a Methodist Church chartered by whom … ?

Q2) 28th February, 1935, saw Wallace Carothers invent which famously artificial substance … ?

Q3) More to the point, name either of the cities that substance named after … ?

Q4) 28th February, 1959, saw the launch of Discoverer 1: the first satellite to go into what: equatorial orbit, geostationary orbit or polar orbit … ?

Q5) 28th February, 1991, saw a ceasefire declared, as war ends in which Middle Eastern country … ?

Q6) And finally … 28th February, 1954, saw the first colour TV sets — using the NTSC system — go on sale in the US: what does NTSC stand for … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th February, 1900, saw the founding of the British Labour party: who’s the current party leader … ?

A1) Ed Milliband.

Q2) 27th February, 2007, saw which stock market drop by 9%: the Shanghai, the FTSE 100, or the Dow Jones?

A2) The Shanghai.

Q3) 27th February, 1940, saw Martin Kamen and Sam Reuben discover which radioactive isotope … ?

A3) Carbon 14.

Q4) More to the point, that isotope is used for which well known test … ?

A4) Radio Carbon dating.

Q5) 27th February, 1973, saw members of the American Indian Movement occupy which small town?

A5) Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

Q6) 27th February, 1963, saw Antoine Argoud charged over an assassination attempt: on whom … ?

A6) French President, Charles De Gaulle.

Q7) And finally … 27th February, 1844, saw the Dominican Republic gain its independence … from where … ?

A7) Haiti.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later, after we’ve honoured birthday girl, Cindy Wilson of the B-52s, with a tune … !

* Not that I encourage graffiti or property, Debbi, but do you remember hearing that the phrase ‘Clapton is God’ got scrawled on assorted walls, during the sixties? Well, I’ve got to admit, I had a mental image of that phrase — ‘Oldman was robbed’ — airbrushed on the back walls of a pub, somewhere. In tasteful shades of Neon Green, obviously …

The Daily Teaser - 27-2-2012

There we go …

I’m thinking it’s officially official.

I can persuade Jude to go to sleep!

OK, granted, he’d just had some milk, and watched a whole episode of In The Night Garden.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with bagging 5 out of 6, ALSO showing us a clip of the ’67 original version of Casino Royale, AND wishing Gary Oldman well at the Oscars*.

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 February, 1900, saw the founding of the British Labour party: who’s the current party leader … ?

Q2) 27th February, 2007, saw which stock market drop by 9%: the Shanghai, the FTSE 100, or the Dow Jones?

Q3) 27th February, 1940, saw Martin Kamen and Sam Reuben discover which radioactive isotope … ?

Q4) More to the point, that isotope is used for which well known test … ?

Q5) 27th February, 1973, saw members of the American Indian Movement occupy which small town?

Q6) 27th February, 1963, saw Antoine Argoud charged over an assassination attempt: on whom … ?

Q7) And finally … 27th February, 1844, saw the Dominican Republic gain its independence … from where … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th February, 1946, saw the first of many ghost rocket sightings:in which European country … ?

A1) Finland.

Q2) 26th February, 1815, saw who escape from prison?

A2) Napoleon Bonaparte.

Q3) More to the point, where was that prison … ?

A3) Elba.

Q4) 26th February, 747 BCE, was the start of the reign of King Nabonassar … of where … ?

A4) Babylon.

Q5) 26th February, 1829, saw the birth of Jeans designer, Levi Strauss:name either of the European towns that jeans take their name from.

A5) Nîmes, in France and Genoa, in Italy: the two towns were sources for the fabric.

Q6) And finally … 26th February, 1936, saw an attempted military coup take place in which country … ?

A6) Japan.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with a tune from birthday girl — and former TLC member — Chilli.

Oh … And this clip about Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy …

Oh, and here’s Jude, having a swinging good time …

* He lost it, Debbi: in the general stampede towards ‘The Artist’. Which I’m told is a fantastic film, and is also the first silent movieº to win since 1929. All well and good, but I’m personally thinking Gary Oldmanª — and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy — has been done over like a kipper … !

º There’s been a joke doing the rounds about the film for a while. “I’ve been had, I got a really bad pirate copy of The Artist: black and white, and the sound had gone!”

ª That’s actually the first time I’ve heard Gary Oldman speak. Usually, when I’ve seen him in a film, it’s someone else’s voice doing the talking …

The Daily Teaser — 26-02-2012

Bleaughhhhhhhhhhh … !

I hate that, when that happens … !

I’ve got to admit, I know it’s a Sunday, but there’s time — and it’s oh so mood dependent — when I hate sleeping through my alarm.

I really do!

Oh, well …

I’m ALSO thinking there’s not a LOT of point in me whinging about it.

After all, it’s looking like a lovely day to have a good stroll around town.

And keep my fingers crossed that Gary Oldman bags tonight’s Best Actor Oscar.

It’ll be about time … !

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — telling us some more about Mrs Peel — putting in her answers: and, along with mentioning the Lotus 7*, also bagging 6 out of 6.

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) 26th February, 1946, saw the first of many ghost rocket sightings:in which European country … ?

Q2) 26th February, 1815, saw who escape from prison?

Q3) More to the point, where was that prison … ?

Q4) 26th February, 747 BCE, was the start of the reign of King Nabonassar … of where … ?

Q5) 26th February, 1829, saw the birth of Jeans designer, Levi Strauss:name either of the European towns that jeans take their name from.

Q6) And finally … 26th February, 1936, saw an attempted military coup take place in which country … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th February, 1901, saw the US Steel Corporation formed: which noted US American financier was the man who did this … ?

A1) J. P. Morgan.

Q2) More to the point, what did his first and middle initials stand for … ?

A2) John Pierpont.

Q3) 25th February, 1964, saw Cassius Clay named as Heavyweight champion of the World: what — later — did he famously change his name to … ?

A3) Muhammed Ali.

Q4) 25th February, 1947, saw the formal end of which German state … ?

A4) Prussia.

Q5) 25th February, 191, saw which US state become the first to impose a gasoline tax … ?

A5) Oregon.

Q6) And finally … 25th February, 1570, saw Pope Pius 5th excommunicate whom … ?

A6) Elizabeth 1st.

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

After I’ve left you with Livery Stable Blues, first recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band, today, in 1917º.

* Would you believe it, Debbi, the blessed thing’s still in production. And the scene in Fall Out, the last episode, that sees one delivered to No 6’s door? Turns out the chap driving it was Lotus’ chief engineer … !!!!!! Sorry, sorry, boys and their toys … !

º Now THAT’S Jazz … ! (I mean, 1917 … ? And sounding as fresh, now, as it did then … !)

The Daily Teaser - 25-2-2012

You know, you’ve possibly already worked out I’m a regular BBC Radio 4 listener, haven’t you … ?

Well, I am: the Today programme, I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue*, and Just a Minute in particular.

But right at the moment … ?

I’ll happily admit to having the Today show on in the background: possibly the only show I know of to have a short feature on the moral aspects of neurology, in relation to free will in criminal cases.

Right next to a brief piece about the G20 meeting in Mexico.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

BEFORE I get too distracted, reading up the relevant parts of the BBC’s website … !

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome, but happily admitting she loved the childhood family car — putting in her answers: and, along with admitting her and her husband have nicknamed their Miataºª, Mrs Peel, also bagging 5 out of 6.

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) 25th February, 1901, saw the US Steel Corporation formed: which noted US American financier was the man who did this … ?

Q2) More to the point, what did his first and middle initials stand for … ?

Q3) 25th February, 1964, saw Cassius Clay named as Heavyweight champion of the World: what — later — did he famously change his name to … ?

Q4) 25th February, 1947, saw the formal end of which German state … ?

Q5) 25th February, 191, saw which US state become the first to impose a gasoline tax … ?

Q6) And finally … 25th February, 1570, saw Pope Pius 5th excommunicate whom … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th February, 1955, saw the birth of Steve Jobs: what did he and Steve Wozniak sell, before selling computers, through Apple?

A1) Blue

Boxes: devices that allowed people to make free phone calls.

Q2) 24th February, 1582, saw Pope Gregory 13th announce what: Gregorian chant, the Gregorian calendar, or the first cheque-book … ?

A2) The Gregorian calendar.

Q3) 24th February, 2008, saw which Caribbean leader retire … ?

A3) Fidel Castro.

Q4) More to the point, as leader of where … ?

A4) Cuba.

Q5) 24th February, 1971, saw the UK restrict immigration to the UK from where … ?

A5) The Commonwealth.

Q6) And finally … 24th February, 2011, saw the last launch of which of the Space Shuttles … ?

A6) The Space Shuttle Discovery.

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

After I’ve left you with Aneka’s Japanese Boy: just because I’m feeling VERY cheesy … !

* And of you’ve not been able to keep up with a game of Cheddar Gorge, you really don’t have a clue!

º I’ve got to admit, Debbi, that looks like it’s in vroooooooom territory. Or, at least, should be. Or, at least, ‘vroooooooom’ is the noise the designers had in mind …

ª I have to admit, I never have managed to learn to drive: but there’s a couple of cars I alway’s fancied …

The Friday Question Set — 24-02-2012

Who, me … ?

Completely forget the Friday Question Set?

Good LORD, no … !

But if nothing else, the least I could do is put a photo up of my nephew, Jude.

Who I’m thinking has FINALLY perfected his recipe for strawberry yoghurt.

»»·««

Yes, quite …

Let’s move on and post up today’s question set, shall we … ?

Here it is: covered by the usual Creative Commons License.

Online 140.

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Which biblical figure had a coat of many colours?

A1) Joseph.

Q2) With which Irish band does The Edge play guitar?

Q2) U2.

Q3) Who, in 1942, promised to return to the Philippines?

A3) General Douglas McArthur.

Q4) According to the old proverb, what is the road to hell paved with?

A4) Good intentions.

Q5) Who wrote the plays, The Chairs and The Bald Prima Donna: Eugene Ionesco, Seamus Heaney or Harold Pinter?

A5) Eugene Ionesco

Q6) What kind of garment is a montero?

A6) A cap.

Q7) Which English constituency did Margaret Thatcher represent?

A7) Finchley.

Q8) What does the word ‘pope’ mean?

A8) Father.

Q9) Who’s won golf’s World Matchplay Championship a record six times, since 1993?

A9) Ernie Els.

Q10) What does either of the initials P & O stand for, in the name of the Ferry company? (Two points for both.)

A10) Peninsular and Oriental.

ROUND TWO. I SEE DEAD PEOPLE.

Q11) Suffragette Emily Davidson threw herself under the king’s horse, during which year’s Derby: 1913, 1915 or 1917?

A11) 1913.

Q12) In which river did Virginia Wolf drown herself, in 1941: the Ouse, the Thames or the Cam?

A12) The Ouse.

Q13) Drummer John Bonham famously died of alcohol poisoning. Which band was he the drummer for?

A13) Led Zeppelin.

Q14) Singer, Otis Redding died how, at the age of 25? (Bonus point for naming the year.)

A14) In a plane crash. (1967.)

Q15) Which fashion designer died in a shooting incident outside his home, in 1997?

A15) Gianni Versace.

Q16) Which composer was shot by US military policemen, outside his home: Gershwin, Webern or Debussy?

A16) Anton von Webern.

Q17) Which wild west hero’s last words were “That picture’s crooked”?

A17) Jesse James.

Q18) Who was film star Carole Lombard married, when she died in a plane crash in 1946?

A18) Clark Gable.

Q19) Olaf Palme was PM of which European country, when he was assassinated, in 1946?

A19) Olaf Palme.

Q20) What film was Oliver Reed making, when he died?

A20) Gladiator.

ROUND THREE. COMPUTERS.

Q21) In computer Jargon, what exactly does wysiwyg stand for?

A21) What You See Is What You Get.

Q22) On a standard computer keyboard, what’s the only vowel not on the top row of letters?

A22) ‘A’.

Q23) CGI stands for Computer Generated … what?

A23) Image.

Q24) Which symbol is variously known as the little snail, the monkey tail, or elephant’s trunk?

A24) The At symbol. (The @ symbol.)

Q25) Which company makes the iMac?

A25) Apple.

Q26) The Internet chatroom abbreviation KISS stands for ‘Keep It …’ what?

A26) ‘Simple, Stupid.’

Q27) Which early computer pioneer is credited with designing the earliest form of computer, in 1837?

A27) Charles Babbage.

Q28) Getting an FAQ from someone means they’ve sent you a document that lists what sort of questions?

A28) Frequently Asked.

Q29) A CPU is a Central Processing … what?

A29) Unit.

Q30) The internet chatroom abbreviation ‘ROFL’ is short for ‘Rolling On The Floor…’ what: Laughing, Licking or Lagging?

A30) ‘Laughing’.

ROUND FOUR. SPORTING CHANCES.

Q31) Olga Korbut represented which country?

A31) The Soviet Union. (Accept Russia.)

Q32) Which Manchester won the European Cup, in 1968?

A32) Manchester United.

Q33) How many times did Red rum win the Derby?

A33) None. (He did win the Grand National 3 times, though.)

Q34) Which icy event is the world’s fastest non–motorised sport?

A34) Ice Hockey.

Q35) In the University Boat Race, who do Oxford compete against?

A35) Cambridge.

Q36) What sport is played at Lord’s?

A36) Cricket.

Q37) Frankie Dettori won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1992, and 1993, on which horse?

A37) Drum Taps.

Q38) Who won the first Formula 1 World Championship, at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix?

A38) Nelson Piquet.

Q39) The Thomas Keller medal is one of the highest awards in which water sport?

A39) Rowing.

Q40) Which renowned football manager was boss at both Grimsby & Workington?

A40) Bill Shankly.

ROUND FIVE. AT THE MOVIES.

Q41) Which cartoon Rabbit was Framed in 1988?

A41) Roger.

Q42) Which US pop superstar starred in Moonwalker?

A42) Michael Jackson.

Q43) Which film told the story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics?

A43) Chariots of Fire.

Q44) What is Australian adventurer Mick Dundee’s nickname?

A44) Crocodile.

Q45) Which adventurer Indiana was played by Harrison Ford?

A45) Jones.

Q46) Which Indian leader was played by Ben Kingsley?

A46) Gandhi.

Q47) Which composer did Tom Hulse play in Amadeus?

A47) Mozart.

Q48) What sort of Busters were Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Bill Murrey?

A48) Ghost.

Q49) What was the Fish Called in the 1988 movie?

A49) Wanda.

Q50) Which Naked film was the first in the series with Leslie Nielsen?

A50) Naked Gun.

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) What is the Thursday before Easter called?

A51) Maundy Thursday

Q52) What was Malcolm Campbell’s record breaking car called?

A52) Bluebird.

Q53) Which rock group had a hit with ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’?

A53) Oasis.

Q54) In which part of North America is the film The Shipping News set? (Bonus point for naming the country.)

A54) Newfoundland. (Canada)

Q55) What name was given to the alliance of fascist powers during World War 2?

A55) The Axis.

Q56) On which pacific island did Robert Louis Stevenson spend his final years?

A56) Samoa.

Q57) George Ruth was better known as which baseball player?

A57) ‘Babe’ Ruth.

Q58) Which British warship of 1906 gave its name to a whole class of warships?

A58) The HMS Dreadnaught.

Q59) In which Bill Murray film did the central character find himself living the same day, over and over, again?

A59) Groundhog Day.

Q60) Which European city is served by the port of Piræus?

A60) Athens.

Enjoy that lot.

I’ll leave you with a couple of videos: first off, today’s Teaser video: you can put your answers in, here …

And here’s a tune from George Thorogood and the Destroyers …