The Friday Question Set — 30-11-2012

Well, THAT’S a bonus: I’ve just had the plumber down to check on the washing machine … !

It seems that PART of the problem was some pipes I’d not screwed in tightly enough.

And a faulty stopcock, at the other end … !

Alleluia … !

This means two things.

Firstly … ?   I can get stuff clean without flooding the kitchen.

And secondly, I can clean my underwear.

Sheer BLISS, that … !

But let’s get moving onwards, shall we?

After all, it IS Friday.

~~~~~

And, as regular readers will tell you, that means the Friday Question Set.

Here it is, along with the usual Creative Commons License … 

Online 180   

ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What is the name for a scene in a play, with only ONE actor?   

A1) A monologue.

Q2) Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was married to who?   

Q2) Queen Victoria.

Q3) What is usually kept in a bandbox?   

A3) A hat.

Q4) In tennis, how is the score of 40 all known?   

A4) Deuce.

Q5) Singer and gardener Kim Smith is better known how?   

A5) Kim Wilde.

Q6) Which organisation formed its first troop in Glasgow, in 1908: the Boy Scouts, the Boys Brigade or the Salvation Army?   

A6) The Boy Scouts.

Q7) Who was the first British PM to take office four times: William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli or Margaret Thatcher?   

A7) Gladstone.

Q8) What word can go before ‘cup’, ‘scotch’ and ‘fly’?   

A8) Butter.

Q9) Where does a hydrophyte plant live?   

A9) In water.

Q10) Who or what, does the Blue Cross Charity provide aid to?   

A10) Animals.

ROUND TWO.   BODY PARTS.   

Q11) Which is the largest internal organ in the human body?   

A11) The liver.

Q12) What is the clavicle better known as?   

A12) The collarbone.

Q13) In Greek mythology, which beast had a woman’s head and a lion’s body?   

A13) The Sphinx.

Q14) Which English queen said “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a King”?   

A14) Elizabeth 1.

Q15) Which part of the body is technically called the hallux?   

A15) The big toe.

Q16) What is the light-sensitive part of the eye called?   

A16) The retina.

Q17) Which gland produces insulin within the body?   

A17) The pancreas. 

Q18) What are a person’s eye teeth otherwise known as?   

A18) Canines. 

Q19) How much skin does an average male adult human have: 10 square feet, 20 square feet or 30 square feet?   

A19) 30.

Q20) How many pairs of chromosomes are there in a human cell?   

A20) 23.

ROUND THREE.   MILITARY MATTERS.   

Q21) Which army rank is the most senior: Captain, Lieutenant or Major?   

A21) Major

Q22) In which war was the Battle of Marston Moor fought?   

A22) The English Civil War.

Q23) Which naval weapon was invented by Robert Whitehead in 1866?   

A23) The torpedo.

Q24) Which organisation publishes The War Cry?   

A24) The Salvation Army.

Q25) Who replaced Sir John French as commander of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914?   

A25) Douglas Haig.

Q26) In which war did Leo Tolstoy fight?   

A26) The Crimean War.

Q27) William Shakespeare’s play Troilus and Cressida is set against the background of which war?   

A27) The Trojan War.

Q28) With which country did the UK fight the Cod War in the 1960s?   

A28) Iceland.

Q29) Gavrilo Princip, the man who assassinated Franz Ferdinand and triggered World War I, died how: by hanging, cyanide-poisoning or tuberculosis?   

A29) Tuberculosis.

Q30) Which king hid in an oak tree after the Battle of Worcester?   

A30) Charles II.   The original oak, at Boscobel House, died after tourists removed many of its branches as souvenirs. Its replacement was badly damaged by a storm in 2000, so a new sapling, grown from an acorn from the old tree, was planted by Prince Charles in 2001.

ROUND FOUR.   ROUND THE WORLD.   

Q31) What, in a German town, is the Rathaüs?   

A31) The town hall.

Q32) Motorists in Thailand drive on the left: true or false?   

A32) True

Q33) Of which country is Tallinn the capital?   

A33) Estonia

Q34) To which country does Easter Island belong?   

A34) Chile

Q35) On what island was Freddie Mercury born?   

A35) Zanzibar

Q36) What is the capital of Uruguay?   

A36) Montevideo

Q37) Which city is serviced by the John O’Hare airport?   

A37) Chicago

Q38) Who wanted to know the way to San Jose in 1968?   

A38) Dionne Warwick.

Q39) In which continent do the Berbers live?   

A39) Africa

Q40) In which country may be found the stone-cut city of Petra?   

A40) Jordan.

ROUND FIVE.   TOONS.   

Q41) What was Mickey Mouse’s original name: Mortimer, Mohammed or Michelle?   

A41) Mortimer Mouse.

Q42) Which Disney cartoon character provided a nickname for prime minister Tony Blair?   

A42) Bambi.

Q43) Who provided the voice of Bugs Bunny?   

A43) Mel Blanc.

Q44) Which was the first cartoon character to attract the attention of the censors?   

A44) Betty Boop.

Q45) In which cartoon series did Officer Charlie Dibble appear?   

A45) Top Cat: also known in the UK as Boss Cat.

Q46) Which actor provided the voice for Shere Khan in the Disney version of The Jungle Book?   

A46) George Sanders.

Q47) Who created the cartoon character Charlie Brown?   

A47) Charles M. Schulz.

Q48) With which cartoon character is the catch-phrase ‘Yabba-dabba-doo!’ associated?   

A48) Fred Flintstone.

Q49) Who created Tom and Jerry?   

A49) William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

Q50) What was the name of the cavemen-racers in Wacky Races?    

A50) The Slag Brothers, Rock and Gravel, in  the Boulder-mobile.   Formula One ace Michael Schumacher was nicknamed Dick Dastardly after the character in Wacky Races on account of both his prominent chin and his employment of ruthless tactics on the track against other drivers.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.   

Q51) Which boxing film won the Best Film Oscar, in 1976?   

A51) Rocky.

Q52) Henry the 8th was named Defender of which faith?   

A52) Roman Catholic.

Q53) Which native people prefer to be known as Kooris?   

A53) Australian Aboriginals.

Q54) True or False: Casanova was expelled from school, for alleged homosexuality?   

A54) True.

Q55) What’s the first name of President Barack Obama’s wife?   

A55) Michelle.

Q56) Anita Roddick founded which shop?   

A56) The Body Shop.

Q57) De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam is the official document describing which Roman Catholic ritual?   

A57) The Rite Of Exorcism

.

Q58) Which model became the face of L’Oreal, in 1998?   

A58) Kate Moss.

Q59) Papyrus was an early form of which everyday item?   

A59) Paper.

Q60) How many packs of cards do you need for a game of canasta?   

A60) Two.

Enjoy that lot, folks: comments are, of course, appreciated … !

The Daily Teaser — 30-11-2012: Saint Andrew’s Day

Hmmm … Looks like Leveson’s managed to put the cat amongst the proverbial pigeon,

The report’s suggested the UK’s press be regulated by a watchdog: one that’s supported by statute.

Which is getting official support from both the Opposition, AND the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.

And is notionally opposed by the PM.

This could be interestingly messy … 

~~~~~

But let’s get moving on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with suggesting a few more potential titlesº, ALSO managing to bag — hmm — let’s call it 5½ out of 6*.

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

Q1) 30th November is — famously — Saint Andrews Day, the feast of the patron saint of Scotland.   Ironically, he’s traditionally considered the first bishop of where: Rome, Byzantium or Jerusalem … ?

Q2) Which Roman Catholic cathedral in Scotland claims to have some of the saints’s relics … ?

Q3) As we’re being Scottish, what’s Scotland’s capital city … ?

Q4) Who’s Scotland’s current First Minister … ?

Q5) The Scottish flag — or Cross of Saint Andrew — is also known as what … ?

Q6) And finally … what’s the largest Scottish island …

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th November, 1929, saw Admiral Richard Byrd become the first person to overfly what … ?

A1) The South Pole.

Q2) 43 years later, 29th November, 1972, saw the release of Pong: by which US company … ?

A2) Atari.

Q3) More to the point, that company’s name mean’s what, in English … ?

A3) Attack, or warning.  (It’s from the Japanese game of Go, and roughly equivalent to Check, in Chess.)

Q4) Moving on … 29th November, 1890, saw Japan’s parliament go into force.   What’s the name of the Japanese Parliament … ?

A4) The National Diet, or Kokkai (国会).

Q5) 29th November saw the UN Partition of Palestine: in which year of the 1940s?

A5) 1947.

Q6) And finally … 29th November, 1781, saw the crew of the Zong drown 133 — or 142, depending on who you ask — African slaves.   Why?

A6) For the insurance money.   (The mind boggles.)

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with a line from the Bard of Ayrshire, shall I … ?

“My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here; 
My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer.”   

Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. 25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796

And with some of Scotland’s finest, and the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s finest …

Oh, and let’s throw in some identical twins, shall we?

Talking of twins … 

And lastly … Let’s have some Hibernian funk … 

*        I know, I know, Debbi!   I was always taught the term translated into something along the lines of ‘attack’: very approximately, I should add!   But I’m BLOWED if I can find the reference … !

º        Actually, Debbi … How about The Techno~Innocent’s Guide to Publishing … ?   Gives a bit more positive spin on the title … 

The Daily Teaser — 29-11-2012

You know, I have to admit, the Leveson Report get’s published, today.

Which, just in case you didn’t know, is the report — from one of Britain’s highest judges — into press standards in the UK: after various of the country’s papers were hacking phones, amongst other assorted misdemeanours.

I’m aware that the editor of The Guardian seemed to be against statutory regulation: his point was that murder was basically illegal, but that this didn’t stop people.   Which strikes me as an absurd argument.

After all, having some form of regulation/murder legislation doesn’t mean murder — or press intrusion — stops.   It just means there’s a punishment available if it happens.

Right … rant over.   Let’s get moving on, shall we?

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Trevor and Debbi putting in their answers.   With Trevor bagging 6º out of 6 and Debbi bagging 5, it also saw Trevor mentioning — in one answer — that Tennessee has a town called Brentwood, and Debbi telling us — via THIS post — she’s both prepping up for a speech she has to give, AND thinking of writing a book*.

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

Q1) 29th November, 1929, saw Admiral Richard Byrd become the first person to overfly what … ?

Q2) 43 years later, 29th November, 1972, saw the release of Pong: by which US company … ?

Q3) More to the point, that company’s name mean’s what, in English … ?

Q4) Moving on … 29th November, 1890, saw Japan’s parliament go into force.   What’s the name of the Japanese Parliament … ?

Q5) 29th November saw the UN Partition of Palestine: in which year of the 1940s?

Q6) And finally … 29th November, 1781, saw the crew of the Zong drown 133 — or 142, depending on who you ask — African slaves.   Why?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th November, 1925, saw the initial broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, in the US.   But in which US state … ?

A1) Tennessee.

Q2) More to the point, it was originally broadcast as the WSM … what … ?

A2) Barn Dance.

Q3) Moving on … 28th November, 1987, saw the birth of which former Dr Who girl … ?

A3) Amy Pond, herself, Karten Gillan.

Q4) 28th November, 1660, saw the original founding of the Royal Society.   Its current HQ is in which part of London: St James’, St James’ Park or Piccadilly … ?

A4) St James’.

Q5) 28th November, 1958, saw Gabon, Chad and the Republic of the Congo become autonomous parts of which country’s empire … ?

A5) France’s.

Q6) And finally … 28th November, 1943, saw the Tehran conference of Allied Leaders take place.   Name any of the three leaders, there … 

A6) Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Franklin D Roosevelt.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this song, in memory of the late George Harrison, who died today in 2001 …

And with this thought from C. S. Lewisª …

“The Value of myth is that it takes all the things you know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by the veil of familiarity.”

C. S. Lewis,  29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963

*        Actually, Debbi, how does Indie Goes Bananas sound, as a title … ?   Or The Love Indie … ?   Indie-Anna Wants Me … ?   INDIE: Fully Loaded … ?   I’m not helping, am I … ?

º        Hang on, Trevor, there’s a a Brentwood in Tennessee … ?   We have an excuse to buy stetsons … 

ª        It’s also — with variations — a thought I’ve heard from JRR Tolkien, Terry Pratchett, Gene Roddenberry, Storm Constantine, Julian May†: fill the rest in yourself … !

†        Who famously said words to the effect of “Science fiction will stop be relevant, only when humanity stops using it’s brain!”

The Amazing Spider Man: Well, finally … !

You know, I have to admit, I’m giving Bruce — my aging 2007 era Mac Mini — something of a work-out at the moment.

Partly where I’m writing this post, of course.

And partly where I’ve got an extra Safari window open, watching a documentary I’d missed, last night.

Fascinating stuff about the Dark Ages, I should add.

But that’s not why I actually started this post off.

No.

I ACTUALLY started it to tell you about the movie I rented from iTunes, last night.

And I’m guessing you’ve possibly twigged it’s got a well known New York based character in it … 

Yep … You’ve guessed it, haven’t you … ?

I managed to the 2012 franchise reboot*, The Amazing Spider~Man.

And I actually think that amazing is a fairly good word to attach to the title …

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 28-11-2012

Well … It’s now officially Wednesday … !

I think.

Yes, it’s Wednesday, I’ve just checked my calendar.

And the BBC’s News channel … Has a lot of coverage of Government proposals to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

Whether that’ll do what it’s intended to, I really don’t know … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

~~~~~

After all, you’ve quite probably followed me here from the Brentwood Gazette, and want to see this week’s Gazette Teaser.

So … Without much further ado, here’s this week’s questions …

Q1) 28th November, 1814, saw ‘The Times’ being printing by automatic presses, for the first time.   What powered those presses: electricity, water-wheels or steam … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was ‘The Times’ called, when originally published … ?

Q3) Even more to the point, what was the name of the first London based newspaper … ?

Q4) Dating from 1665, what was the UK’s oldest newspaper: the Oxford Gazette, the Cambridge Journal or the Brighton Recorder … ?

Q5) Fleet Street — home of London”s newspaper industry for many years — was built over the top of which river … ?

Q6) Avvisi were the early Italian newsletters.   Apart from in Rome, in which Italian city state would you have found avvisi: Florence, Venice or Milan … ?

Q7) The word ‘Gazette’ comes to English — through French — from Italian: was it a pen, a purse or a coin … ?

Q8) Getting American, what — by circulation — is the largest US newspaper … ?

Q9) Which former Liberal Democrat MP famously — or possibly foolishly — became political columnist for the ‘Daily Sport’.

Q10) And finally … What’s the UK’s oldest broadsheet newspaper … ?

And here’s last week’s questions and answers: the links are, as ever, on the Gazette’s version of this page.

Questions.

Q1) 21st November is World Hello Day.   It was created to encourage peace, during the Yom Kippur War: which three countries fought the Yom Kippur War … ? 

Q2) How many people is one supposed to say ‘Hello’ to: 10, 20 or 30 … ?

Q3) According to the relevant website, people in how many countries observe World Hello Day: 180, 190 or 200 … ?

Q4) Which veteran rockers released a 1973 album, called ‘Hello’: Kiss, Status Quo or Canned Heat?

Q5) More to the point, what was the only single from that album to chart in the UK … ?

Q6) Willkommen is the German word for ‘welcome’: in which Liza Minelli musical is ‘Willkommen’ the opening song … ?

Q7) More to the point … which character sings the song … ?

Q8) Hello Magazine started in 1988: what’s the name of its Spanish parent magazine … ?

Q9) Who — in 1984 — had a UK No 1 with ‘Hello’ … ?

Q10) Finally … Hello AG is a charter airline operating from which European country … ?

Answers.

A1) Egypt, Syria and Israel.

A2) Ten.

A3) 180.

A4) Status Quo.   (STILL the finest purveyors of 12-bar boogie in the UK … )

A5) Caroline.

A6) Cabaret.   (Where even the girls are beautiful … )

A7) The Emcee.

A8) ¡Hola!.

A9) Lionel Richie.

A10) Switzerland.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with a tune inspired by printer’s … 

And as I’ve mentioned this tune … 

The Daily Teaser — 28-11-2012

OK … 

NOW I’m annoyed … !   Remember I had a new washing machine delivered, yesterday … ?

As far as I can see, the motor that drove the drum ’round had finally blown: in part, I suspect, because of some flooding coming form the bottom of the machine.

So … I took delivery of the new washer, made sure every bit of pipework was correctly plumbed in, as far as I could, and then put in a load to figure out the various controls.

And immediately flooded the kitchen.

Imagine my surprise … 

Thankfully … ?   Thankfully, I’ve managed to give my landlords a call: I’ve got a feeling that the drainage system the machine’s connected to is at fault, which is their job.   Here’s hoping their can do something about it.

Let’s get moving on.

~~~~~

Yesterday’s saw Debbi* — all on her ownsome — putting her answers: along with a few more details about her partners mothers health situation, AND bagged 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions.   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) 28th November, 1925, saw the initial broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, in the US.   But in which US state … ?

Q2) More to the point, it was originally broadcast as the WSM … what … ?

Q3) Moving on … 28th November, 1987, saw the birth of which former Dr Who girl … ?

Q4) 28th November, 1660, saw the original founding of the Royal Society.   Its current HQ is in which part of London: St James’, St James’ Park or Piccadilly … ?

Q5) 28th November, 1958, saw Gabon, Chad and the Republic of the Congo become autonomous parts of which country’s empire … ?

Q6) And finally … 28th November, 1943, saw the Tehran conference of Allied Leaders take place.   Name any of the three leaders, there …

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th November, 1990, saw Britain’s Conservative party — effectively — pick Britain’s new Prime Minister: who was he … ?

A1) John Major.

Q2) Which government post had he held until then … ?

A2) Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Q3) More to the point, who did he replace as PM … ?

A3) Margaret Thatcher.

Q4) More to the point, who’s considered to be the first PM … ?

A4) Sir Robert Walpole.

Q5) Who’s the current British PM … ?

A5) David Cameron, MP.

Q6) And finally … what’s the name of the PM’s official country house … ?

A6) Chequers.

Enjoy those, everyone.

As today sees the birthday of Berry Gordy, I’ll leave you with Jackie Wilson tune, Reet Petite, which was co-written by Gordy, back in the 50s.

And with this quote from the man, himself …

“Without The Miracles, Motown would not be the Motown it is today”

Berry Gordy Jr, born November 28, 1929

*        Oh, that’s an ideal solution, Debbi: something like that would be great.   (Hopefully, any company running that sort of scheme would keep the number of companions to a minimum: familiarity is VERY important from the little I know.)   (Oh, re the scene … ?   Have a look out for Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister on YouTube: it was one of THE comedy series.   To the point where the the Nigel Hawthorne’s character, Sir Humphrey, got used as a nickname for senior civil servants.)

The Daily Teaser — 27-11-2012: Parliamentary Trouble

Well, it’s official.

Today’s the day I take delivery of my new washing machine!

Which is going to make for a fascinating day.

Although — debatably — not as fascinating as Sunday: which is when I disconnected my old one.

Or yesterday: when I suddenly realised I was going to potentially need a fuse.

Just in case … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Let … !

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser both Debbi, AND a welcomed back Trevor putting in their answers: with both scoring 5 out of 6*, it also saw Debbi filling us in on Rick’s motherº.

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

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

Q1) 27th November, 1990, saw Britain’s Conservative party — effectively — pick Britain’s new Prime Minister: who was he … ?

Q2) Which government post had he held until then … ?

Q3) More to the point, who did he replace as PM … ?

Q4) More to the point, who’s considered to be the first PM … ?

Q5) Who’s the current British PM … ?

Q6) And finally … what’s the name of the PM’s official country house … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th November, 1778, saw the first Europeans visit Maui: who led that expedition … ?

A1) Captain James Cook.

Q2) More to the point, in which chain of islands is Maui … ?

A2) The Hawaiian Islands.

Q3) Who served as the main ship’s master, on that voyage … ?

A3) William Bligh.   Yes, THAT William Bligh: “This is mutiny, Mister Christian, MUTINY … !”

Q4) Moving on … 26th November, 1953, saw the House Of Lords vote to allow commercial television in the UK: how is that first resulting station generally known … ?

A4) ITV.

Q5) 26th November, 1977, saw part of that commercial network highjacked by someone calling themselves what: Vrillon, Gillon or Ashteron … ?

A5) Actually, all three: at least, going by the Wikipedia entry.

Q6) And finally … 26th November, 1998, saw Tony Blair become the first  British PM, to address the parliament of the Republic of Ireland: what’s that parliament’s name … in Irish … ?

A6) The Tithe an Oireachtas.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this quote from the (fictional) Sir Jim Hacker …

“The three articles of Civil Service faith: it takes longer to do things quickly, it’s more expensive to do them cheaply and it’s more democratic to do them in secret.”

Paul Eddingtonª as (fictional) former PM, Sir Jim Hacker, in Yes, Prime Minister.

And here’s the Yes, Prime Minister theme tune.

Along with an entertaining thought about the press … 

*        Going by the Wikipedia entry, guys, all three names got used: although Vrillon is the generally accepted one …

º        Hmmm … Debbi, I don’t know if it’s of any help, but has Rick thought of also asking about some form of monitoring service … ?   Strikes me THAT’S going to be useful, at some point … ?

ª        He crops up as Cobb, in The Prisoner, Debbi: just in case the name’s ringin a bell or two.

The Daily Teaser — 26-11-2013

Oh, now that’s a shame … 

But also not entirely unexpected.   It seems that Merlin is coming to an end, at the conclusion of the current series.

Like I say, that’s a shame.   The cast, crew and writers have been entertaining people for the past five: and — to my way of thinking — done VERY well at it.

I can only hope the last episodes of the series make as much of a bang as the last episode of Blakes’ 7.

That any budget spent on the series by the BBC is spent on a series that’s equally as goodª.

And that cast and crew are equally as successful in the future.

Now, with that said … ?   Let’s get moving on.

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with telling us one of her more recent posts is covers and extends an earlier one,  also bagging a debatable — very debatable — 6 out of 7*.

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 November, 1778, saw the first Europeans visit Maui: who led that expedition … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which chain of islands is Maui … ?

Q3) Who served as the main ship’s master, on that voyage … ?

Q4) Moving on … 26th November, 1953, saw the House Of Lords vote to allow commercial television in the UK: how is that first resulting station generally known … ?

Q5) 26th November, 1977, saw part of that commercial network highjacked by someone calling themselves what: Vrillon, Gillon or Ashteron … ?

Q6) And finally … 26th November, 1998, saw Tony Blair become the first  British PM, to address the parliament of the Republic of Ireland: what’s that parliament’s name … in Irish … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th November, 571 BC, saw Servius Tullius celebrate his victory over the Etruscans.   Where was Tullius king of: Rome, Egypt or China … ?

A1) Ancient Rome..

Q2) 25th November, 1998, saw the government of which country collapse … ?

A2) Turkey.

Q3) 25th November, 1975, saw Suriname gain independence: from where … ?

A3) The Netherlands.

Q4) More to the point, how was Suriname — semi-officially — referred to, until 1954 … ?

A4) Dutch Guiana.

Q5) 25th November, 1963, saw President Kennedy laid to rest, in Washington: which President represented France, at that funeral … ?

A5) Charles De Gaulle.

Q6) And finally … 25th November, 1947, saw the blacklisting of the original Hollywood Ten: what were they blacklisted for … ?

A6) Communists.

Enjoy those, everyone.

As it’s Brotherhood of Man singer Martin Lee’s birthday, I’ll leave you with their big hit.

With this quote from AA co-founder, Bill W …

“There is however, a vast amount of fun about it all.  I suppose some would be shocked at our seeming worldliness and levity.  But just underneath there is deadly seriousness.”William Griffith Wilson, also known as Bill W.

Oh … 

As the Rolling Stones have started their 50th anniversary tour, I’ll leave you with this take on Start Me Upº … 

*        You know, I THINK I owe you an apology about that, Debbi: I really could’ve phrased that last question differently/better … !   Oh, almost forgot, did Rick find any of the information handy … ?   I know’s he’s mentioned he’ll be looking up Aricept … 

º        Trust me, it’s VERY silly … !

ª        And one that’s hopefully another science fiction or fantasy series: although I realise that the BBC may chose NOT to do so.