The Daily Teaser — 28-2-2014

:ZCfo wjqufiowgdyu … 

He says … !

I have to confess, it is WAY too early in the morning, to be this early in the morning … !

You remember me mentioning that I’d successfully received funding to attend a computer literacy course … ?

The moeny came through, yesterday: which means I now have the cash to get to the course.

At 9·30 in Basildon.

I’m up this early to get the bus.

And have one question … 

Could you pass me a really STRONG cuppa, please … ?

I need CAFFEINE … !!!!!

~≈Î≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with wondering why bad guys in US TV have English accents† and bagging nine out of ten.

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, 1883, saw the first vaudeville theatre open in Boston.   What’s the nearest British equivalent to vaudeville: burlesque or music hall … ?

Q2) In a non leap year, 28th February is the last day of the month.   What’s the last day of February, in a leap year … ?

Q3) 28th February, 2013, saw Pope Benedict 16th’s resignation take effect.   He was the first pope to resign since which year of the 15th Century … ?

Q4) 28th February, 1820, saw the birth of illustrator, Sir John Tenniel.   Best known for his work on the works of Lewis Carroll, which satirical magazine did he draw cartoons for … ?

Q5) Finally … 28th February, 1940, saw the first televised basketball game: broadcast from Madison Square Gardens.   Name either of the teams, playing that game.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th February saw Abraham Lincoln make the speech that bagged him the US presidency.   In which year of the 1860s was this … ?

A1) 1860.

Q2) In which US city was this: Chicago, Seattle or New York … ?

A2) New York.

Q3) When first elected, which US president was he: the 15th, 16th or 17th … ?

A3) 16th.

Q4) In which year was he elected President for the second time … ?

A4) 1864.

Q5) Which US party did Lincoln represent: Democrat or Republican … ?

A5) Republican.

Q6) In which year was his assassination … ?

A6) 1865.

Q7) In which Illinois town is Lincoln buried … ?

A7) Springfield.

Q8) How many Oscar nominations did Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln received … ?

A8) 11.

Q9) More to the point, who plays the President, in that film … ?

A9) Daniel Day-Lewis.

Q10) In which 2012 film is President Lincoln played by Benjamin Walker … ?

A10) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’.

As today sees the birthday of B52’s founder, Cindy Wilson, we have an excuse to sing about musical shellfish … 

And with this thought from Zero Mostel …

“And they always manage to hang you for having an interpretation. Isn’t [the theater] where your imagination should flower? Why must it always be dull as shit?”

Zero Mostel, February 28, 1915 – September 8, 1977

Enjoy your day.

*        Sorry about That, Debbi: but I’m going to have to verify the one it won, if that’s ok … ?   And yes, contacting me is fine: but here’s the comment I left you, on yesterday’s teaser …

Those are USUALLY pretty good, I’m told, the 121 training.

Of course you can discuss it: whether I’ll be much help, I don’t know, although I’ll try.   

But there’s a question or two: when you say ‘didn’t transfer over as well as they should’, what exactly do you mean … ?   I’m ASSUMING you mean you’ve lost some photos in the transfer … ?   (If the photos look like they’ve lost quality, that’s probably down to how OS X renders photos: the better the photo in the first place, the better it’ll look.)

QUITE what could’ve happened there, I’m not too sure.   The last time I transferred photos — from my old G4 to Bruce, the Mini I’ve currently got — I did the transfer myself.   I put all the photos on to a couple of blank DVDs, and, when I set up Bruce, dragged them from the DVDs, into the iPhoto library.

The same with the few songs I had in my iTunes library: I lost one or two in the process: but nothing irreplaceable.

These days, it’s all a bit different.   My iPhoto library is on my external hard drive: all I’d have to do to transfer them over is plug the drive into the new machine.

I haven’t yet: but I could ALSO do the same with my iTunes Library.

The few films and TV show episode I bought through iTunes are stored on Apples iCloud service: I can access them anywhere I choose.

From where I’m sitting, though … ?   I would have — in your shoes — transferred the lot to an external thumb drive, then copied them over onto my new machine.THAT way, any that didn’t copy … ?   I could copy them, again and retry.

JUST so I know, though: what EXACTLY happened with your old machine … ?

The reason I ask is that — if you still have it — I’d still switch it on, work out which photos and songs didn’t make over: then copy them from your old machine to a flash drive, and plug the flash drive into your new Mac.   You should be able to copy them into your iTunes and iPhoto library.   (As an extra thought … ?   Anything you’ve purchased from iTunes should still be available, through iCloud.   Any you originally imported from CD, won’t be, though: you may need to re-import them.)

†        Oh, I think that’s good old fashioned US history, Debbie.   The USA famously fought a war of independence against an incredibly evil, bloated, corrupt, deprived, oppressive empire: the British empire.   I think that’s left its mark.   Anytime the USA needs a baddie in a film‡ or TV show … ?   He’s got an English accent and a red coat … 

‡        Oh, Star Wars is a classic, there, Debbi: the baddies, bar Darth Vader, all have English accents.   And as he was turned bad by the Emperor, he doesn’t count.   (I also think it’s why the US generally prefers coffee to tea: the Boston Tea Party … )

The Daily Teaser — 27-2-2014: Abe Lincoln

Hmmm … 

That’s … mildly annoying … 

You’ve possibly worked out I’ve been following the rebooted The Tomorrow People, haven’t you … ?

It’s rather fun, it has to be said.

Although the series has just introduced a new villain, only known as … THE FOUNDER: which is suitably pretentious.

Oh … The chap’s got an faux English accent … 

OK, I can understand why US tv shows do that: give baddies English accents.

But I always find it mildly irritating.

But let’s move on, shall we?

~≈◊≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging ten out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s Teaser, shall we?

Hear they are, along with the How To, License and video …

Q1) 27th February saw Abraham Lincoln make the speech that bagged him the US presidency.   In which year of the 1860s was this … ?

Q2) In which US city was this: Chicago, Seattle or New York … ?

Q3) When first elected, which US president was he: the 15th, 16th or 17th … ?

Q4) In which year was he elected President for the second time … ?

Q5) Which US party did Lincoln represent: Democrat or Republican … ?

Q6) In which year was his assassination … ?

Q7) In which Illinois town is Lincoln buried … ?

Q8) How many Oscar nominations did Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln received … ?

Q9) More to the point, who plays the President, in that film … ?

Q10) In which 2012 film is President Lincoln played by Benjamin Walker … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th February said Napoleon Bonaparte escape his prison: on which Mediterranean island?

A1) Elba.

Q2) In which year was this … ?

A2) 1815.

Q3) Napoleon was the emperor of whom … ?

A3) The French.   (Rather than of France.   In doing so, Bonaparte was trying to emphasize his introduction of a whole new political system: one different to the regime of the Kings of France.)

Q4) Who gave Napoleon that title: the French National Assembly, the French Senate or the then French president … ?

A4) The French Senate.

Q5) Napoleon was crowned as Emperor: in which French city?

A5) Paris: in Notre Dame, to be exact.

Q6) Napoleon introduced a body of civil law to his country, during his reign, called the Code civil des français.   How is it known in English … ?

A6) The Napoleonic Code.

Q7) Famously — and disastrously — Napoleon tried invading which East European empire, in 1812?

A7) The Empire of Russia.

Q8) At which battle was Napoleon finally defeated, and overthrown?

A8) The Battle of Waterloo.

Q9) Which Anglo-Irish general led the British forces at that battle … ?

A9) Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.   (If you ever hear anyone in the UK talk about the Duke of Wellington, this is, usually, the chap they’re talking about.)

Q10) Finally … Napoleon spent the last years of his life, in prison, on which Atlantic island … ?

A10) Saint Helena.

I’ll leave you with Decatur, which gives Mr Lincoln a mention … 

And this thought …

“What I do say is, that if we would supplant the opinions and policy of our fathers in any case, we should do so upon evidence so conclusive, and argument so clear, that even their great authority, fairly considered and weighed, cannot stand”

Abraham Lincoln.

Have a good day …

*        Oh, Debbi, you DO know you’ve a built in webcam, at the top of your machine … ?   It’s what Apple are currently calling a FaceTime camera: you can make free calls to people with camera equipped Macs and iOS devices.   You can Also record yourself.   Open up Quicktime X†: then click the File menu and click on New Movie Recording.   You’ll be able to record a video of yourself!

You can then use iMovie to edit it down.

†        It’s in Applications.

The Death Of Lee Rigby

You know, news has broken of the sentencing of the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby, last year.

Michael Adebolajo, 29 was sentenced to life — with no chance of parole — whilst his fellow accursed, Michael Adebowale, 22, was given a minimum of forty-five years.

In a statement, afterwards, Lee Rigby’s family said “We feel that no other sentence would have been acceptable.”

~≈®≈~

Personally, I’m glad to hear that: both the families reaction and the sentencing.

What didn’t please me … ?

Was the demonstrations by both the British National Party, and the English Defence League.

Both of which called for the restoration of the death sentence and it’s application to the killers.

I hate to sound picky here … … … 

No, wait: I do want to be picky, here: and to throw around an accusation or two.

You see, both the BNP and the EDL are far-right groups of a sort I’ve long felt to be extremely objectionable.

And feel that — what ever other merits or arguments the case may have — they are jumping on the Lee Rigby bandwagon for their own ends.

They are, I believe, as representative of England and Britain in much the same way that Adebolajo and Adebowale are of Islam, or the Afro-Caribbean community.

Not very.

~≈®≈~

I should also add that I watched BBC News reporter Jane Peel giving her report on the sentencing whilst the EDL/BNP thugs stood behind her chanting “JUSTICE FOR LEE”: very ignorant of the statement the family were giving, where they welcomed the sentence.

Handy an ‘unjust’ sentence, if it were the victim’s family were satisfied with.

There’s also the small fact of WHO was demonstrating.

Both the EDL and the BNP are notoriously right-wing.   My personal belief is that — had the killers been of European descent or the victim an Afro-carribean member of  Britain’s armed forces — neither of these groups would have turned out to protest.

They are racist: and using this sentencing to promote their views.

On top of THAT … ?

On top of that, there’s also the calls the protestors were making for the restoration of the death sentence: and its application to the killers.

If I’ve understood the killers actions correctly, on that day, one thing they were bound and determined to do was end up dead.

As martyrs.

I do not see why British justice should give the likes of Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale the heroic deaths they believe such a martyrdom would bring them.

NOR do I see why British justice should give in to the likes of the BNP or EDL — latter day Nazis that they are — in handing out the kind of justice the far right feels all others — apart from those they approve of — deserve.

To do either would turn British courts into a travesty.

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 26-2-2014: Jazzed Up

Oh, now THAT’S something … 

I’ve just worked out the the version of the BBC iPlayer on my iPod — a 4th generation iPod touch — can stream to my new Apple TV.

Happy days!

It means if I miss anything on TV, I can stream stuff from the BBC’s site.

That’s good: and a HELL of a saving on blank DVDs … !

Ahem … !

~≈Á≈~

At any rate, it’s Wednesday: which means that it’s time for the Gazette’s Weekly Teaser.

Here’s this weeks, covered by the usual Creative Commons License*

Q1) 26th February saw the very first Jazz record, recorded: by the ‘Original Dixieland Jass Band’.   Which US city did they come from: New York, New Orleans or North Amityville … ?

Q2) One of the two songs on that single was called ‘Livery Stable … ’ what?

Q3) The flip side was called the ‘Original Dixieland …’ what: one-step, two-step or quick-step?

Q4) The company that recorded the record — the Victor Talking Machine Company — shared its logo, a dog listening to an old record player, with HMV in the UK.   What was the dog called: Nipper, Bonzo or Rosie … ?

Q5) Jazz is supposed to have originated in the area of New Orleans called Storyville.   Storyville was what: the New Orleans’ Docklands, red light area or financial district?

Q6) Which notably large-nosed comedian was one of the Original Dixieland Jass Band’s early fans … ?

Q7) The band also recorded a ragtime piece that’s since become a Jazz standard: and named for which stripy big cat … ?

Q8) Jazz also has roots in the marches held in New Orleans what: weddings, baptisms or funerals?

Q9) New Orleans was also the birthplace of jazzman, singer and trumpeter, Satchmo: better known, of course, as who … ?

Q10) Finally … which Miles Davis album is considered the best selling Jazz album of all time … ?

Here’s last weeks questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 19th February saw the patenting of the phonograph: by which American inventor … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1870s … ?

Q3) What shape were those early phonographs: cylindrical, spherical or ovoid?

Q4) The original test phonograms were covered in what: wax, tinfoil or Bakelite … ?

Q5) By 1925, disc shaped records — or gramophones — were gaining popularity.   Those gramophones went at how many revolutions per minute: 78, 45 or 33⅓ … ?

Q6) What was the diameter — in inches — of those records: 7”, 10” or 12” … ?

Q7) Early record were made from shellac.   Later ones, from roughly the 1960s onwards, were made from PVC: which stood for poly-vinyl … what … ?

Q8) All these records were analogue, of course.   These days, modern musical recordings are what: digital, analogue or composite … ?

Q9) Which Dire Straits album was the first — on a major label — to sell extremely well, on CD?

Q10) Most modern songs are in the digital format known as ‘MP3’: what does the ‘MP’ stand for … ?

Answers.

A1) Thomas Edison.

A2) 1878.

A3) Cylindrical.

A4) Tinfoil.   (Bakelite, or polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, to give it its technical name, wasn’t developed until 1907.)

A5) 78 rpm.

A6) 10”.   (That, the rotation speed, and the space between the grooves are what generally limited those early recorded songs to roughly three minutes.)

A7) Chloride.

A8) Digital.

A9) Brothers In Arms.

A10) Moving picture.

Enjoy those: I’ll see you later … 

*        Regulars will know already, but for newcomers … all it means is that you’re free to copy, use, alter and build on each of my quizzes: including the Teasers, Gazette Teasers and the Friday Question Sets.   All I ask in return is that you give me an original authors credit on your event’s flyers or posters, or on the night: and, if you republish them, give me an original authors credit AND republish under the same license.   A link back to the site — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 26-2-2014: The Prisoner

Right … 

It’s Wednesday: and I’ve been and got up early.

As you’ve possible worked out, by now, I’m jobhunting: Wednesday is the day I have to sign on.

Both to receive any financial help, and help in finding a job.

Frankly … ?

My new adviser seems both Gung-ho: but reasonably personable.   Which does help.

As does the fact she’s arranged for an ECDL course: hopefully something will come of that.

Here’s hoping!

~≈Â≈~

But let’s get a move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging six out of six.

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

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

Q1) 26th February said Napoleon Bonaparte escape his prison: on which Mediterranean island?

Q2) In which year was this … ?

Q3) Napoleon was the emperor of whom … ?

Q4) Who gave Napoleon that title: the French National Assembly, the French Senate or the then French president … ?

Q5) Napoleon was crowned as Emperor: in which French city?

Q6) Napoleon introduced a body of civil law to his country, during his reign, called the Code civil des français.   How is it known in English … ?

Q7) Famously — and disastrously — Napoleon tried invading which East European empire, in 1812?

Q8) At which battle was Napoleon finally defeated, and overthrown?

Q9) Which Anglo-Irish general led the British forces at that battle … ?

Q10) Finally … Napoleon spent the last years of his life, in prison, on which Atlantic island … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th February saw Samuel Colt receive the official patent for his famed gun.   In which year … ?

A1) 1936.

Q2) What kind of handgun was that first Colt: a revolver, semi-automatic or machine pistol?

A2) Revolver.

Q3) 25th February, 1919, saw Oregon become the first US state to charge a gasoline tax.   How much did it charge: 1 cent per gallon, 1 cent per quart or 1 cent per pint … ?

A3) 1 cent per US gallon.

Q4) 25th February, 1982, saw the European Court of Human Rights rule that UK schools use of what, was a violation of the Human Rights Convention … ?

A4) Corporal Punishment.

Q5) 25th February, 1797, saw Colonel William Tate and his force, surrender: at the end of the last invasion of Britain.   Which small Welsh town had they landed at: Portmerion, Fishguard or Ystradgynlais … ?

A5) Fishguard.   (I, personally, am grateful: as someone who doesn’t speak Welsh, I wouldn’t even know how to START pronouncing ‘Ystradgynlais’)

Q6) Finally … 25th February, 1991, saw which military alliance disbanded … ?

A6) The Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance: or Warsaw Pact.

I’ll leave you with this interpretation of the folk song, Boney Was A Warrior … 

And this thought from Bonaparte himself …

“The word impossible is not French.”
Napoléon Bonaparte.

Enjoy your day.

*        Oh, I know EXACTLY what you mean, Debbi!   That one button mouse on my first Mac was a revelation: and they haven’t stopped since … !

The Daily Teaser — 25-2-2014

Oh, well, that’s sorted, then.

I’m now signed up for the European Computer Driving Licence.

Which is good.

OK, I think I’ve already learnt — or taught myself — some of the basics.   And it means working on a lot of stuff made by Microsoft.

But I’d also like to have the certification.

If for no other reason than to be able to show a prospective employer that I know how to find the ‘On’ button … !

Ahem … !

~≈Ç≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging two out of five.

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 saw Samuel Colt receive the official patent for his famed gun.   In which year … ?

Q2) What kind of handgun was that first Colt: a revolver, semi-automatic or machine pistol?

Q3) 25th February, 1919, saw Oregon become the first US state to charge a gasoline tax.   How much did it charge: 1 cent per gallon, 1 cent per quart or 1 cent per pint … ?

Q4) 25th February, 1982, saw the European Court of Human Rights rule that UK schools use of what, was a violation of the Human Rights Convention … ?

Q5) 25th February, 1797, saw Colonel William Tate and his force, surrender: at the end of the last invasion of Britain.   Which small Welsh town had they landed at: Portmerion, Fishguard or Ystradgynlais … ?

Q6) Finally … 25th February, 1991, saw which military alliance disbanded … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th February, 1848, saw Louis Philippe I abdicate as king of France.   Who replaced him as French head of state?

A1) Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte: also known as Napoleon 3rd.

Q2) 24th February, 1971, saw the UK government announce it was restricting immigration: from migrants from where … ?

A2) The British Commonwealth.

Q3) 24th February, 1582, saw Pope Gregory 13th introduce the Gregory calendar now in use in many parts of the world.   How many days ahead of the Julian calendar is the Gregorian calendar: 12, 13 or 14 … ?

A3) 13.

Q4) 24th February, 2011, saw the last launch of which of the Space Shuttles … ?

A4) The Discovery.

Q5) Finally … 24th February, 2013, saw Archbishop Neophyte elected as Patriarch of which European country … ?

A5) Bulgaria.

I’ll leave you with this tune … 

And this thought …

“I am a big man, and I have a laugh to match my size. The ridiculous thing is that since I played ‘Goldfinger’ in the James Bond film, there are some people who still insist on seeing me as a cold, ruthless villain - a man without laughs.”

Gert Fröbe, 25 February 1913 – 5 September 1988

Have a good day … !

*        Oh, I agree with you, Debbi … !   He says modestly!   (Oh, pointless tip for you, Debbi. You DO know you should be a able drag and drop text from something — a webpage, an email, what-have-you — and drag it straight over to the desktop.   The result will end with ‘.textClipping’.)

The Daily Teaser — 24-2-2014

It’s a Monday: the start of a new week.

And, frankly … ?   Well, frankly, I’ve an appointment, this afternoon, at the local jobcentre.

Quite what for, I’m not sure: hopefully, I’ll find out more, today.

I have to admit to being somewhat nervous about it.

On the up side … ?   On the upside, hopefully, my adviser’s managed to arrange a place on a European Computer Driving License — a basic computer literacy course — for me.

I don’t know how much I can learn from it.

But it would be nice to have a bit of paper to show to employers, that says I know my stuff.

With that said … ?

Let’s get a move on.

~≈∏≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging six out of six.

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) 24th February, 1848, saw Louis Philippe I abdicate as king of France.   Who replaced him as French head of state?

Q2) 24th February, 1971, saw the UK government announce it was restricting immigration: from migrants from where … ?

Q3) 24th February, 1582, saw Pope Gregory 13th introduce the Gregory calendar now in use in many parts of the world.   How many days ahead of the Julian calendar is the Gregorian calendar: 12, 13 or 14 … ?

Q4) 24th February, 2011, saw the last launch of which of the Space Shuttles … ?

Q5) Finally … 24th February, 2013, saw Archbishop Neophyte elected as Patriarch of which European country … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd February, 1999, saw Abdullah Öcalan charged with Treason.   By which country’s government … ?

A1) Turkey’s.

Q2) He was also one of the founders of the PKK: how is the PKK known in English … ?

A2) The KWP, or Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

Q3) Moving on … 23rd February, 1987, saw the first sightings of SN1987a, in the Large Magellanic Cloud.   What kind of object IS SN1987a: a black hole, a supernova or a red dwarf?

A3) A supernova.

Q4) 23rd February, 1958, saw Cuban rebels kidnap which Championship driver … ?

A4) Juan Manuel Fangio.

Q5) 23rd February, 1941, saw Professor Glenn T. Seaborg and his team become the first group to synthesize which transuranic heavy metal?

A5) Plutonium.

Q6) Finally … 23rd February, 1927, saw President Calvin Coolidge authorize the US body that regulated what: radio, television or telephones … ?

A6) Radio.

I’ll leave you with the Straylight Run’s† Perfect Ending, as a nod to frontman, John Nolan … 

And this thought …

“A game is a series of interesting choices.”

Sid Meier, born 24th February, 1954.

Have a good day.

*        Oh, I have tried, Debbi, a couple of times: famously, though, Apple are VERY picky … !

†        The band’s name is a nod to William Gibson’s Neuromancer.

The Fantastic Planet: Make of it what you will

22nd February, 2014

You know, I actually had a spare evening.

No, really.

Absolutely no cash money to go and spend.

But I actually had some free time — he says, with no discernible trace of irony — and a few films to catch up on.

A whole external drive full, in fact.

Yes, I know I’ve been renting a fair few, now, from iTunes: the iTunes Genius feature is very helpful at suggesting news ones I may like, and come up trumps a time or two.

On the other hand … ?

On the other hand, I’ve a collection of films on my external drive: digital ones from my now long gone movie collection.   Some of which I’d seen: some of which I hadn’t.

Given that I’ve a new Apple TV — an Apple produced set-top box — I felt it was time to experiment with its streaming abilities.

By copying a film across from my external drive over to iTunes, turning my TV set over to ‘HDMI’ … 

And using the Apple TV’s oh-so-Front-Row-like interface to watch a film.

At ANY rate: I had a film on that external drive that I wanted to watch.   The 1973, René Laloux directed and co-written animation that is The Fantastic Planet.

And it’s … 

Hmmm … 

~≈®≈~

23rd February, 2014.

And yes: I think Hmmm …

Let me see what I can tell you …

Set in an unnamed future, The Fantastic Planet shows us a world occupied by a race called the Traags: a highly advanced, giant humanoid species who keep humans as pets.

And as wildlife in local parks.

It also shows us the bond between Tiva, a Traag child, and Terr, her pet Om*: bringing up and forming a bond with, her pet.

Until one day … ?

One day Terr escapes: after absorbing a lot of Traag knowledge, as Tiva had held him whilst receiving lessons through an advanced headset.

Escapes …

And joins a tribe of wild Oms.

Which is where things start to go badly for the Oms in the park …

~≈®≈~

Now …

‘Hmmm’ …

I have to admit, I saw The Fantastic Planet mentioned in a list of stand out sci-fi films: and don’t I wish I could find that, again?

I’d love to find out where it was on that list!

But where it actually WAS … ?

Well, I was impressed enough with the list — and the films on it — to want to rent them, at some point.

Fantastic Planet was one of them.

Don’t get me wrong: this is an well made film.

But, for the life of me, it’s also one I felt little emotional involvement with, despite having an unwatched copy in my collection for so long.

The length of time that it had remained unwatched should maybe have told me what my subconscious was trying to tell me: that it wasn’t a film I’d find to my taste.

Please bear that in mind if you decide to rent or buy it.

Being beautifully drawn does not mean it’s going to appeal to everyone.

Fantastic Planet
☆☆☆☆

*        The name the Traags give to both wild and domesticated humans.

The Daily Teaser — 23-2-2014

You know, that’s a thought … 

Did you know Radio Four had done a radio version of The Exorcist … ?

They some have: and I only realised it, yesterday, when they were due to broadcast episode two of their adaptation.

What’s prompted the mention of it … ?

Is quite simply the fact I’m thinking I should look it up on iPlayer.

JUST to make sure there’s no subliminal imagery going on … 

~≈†≈~

Moving on , yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with meeting Geniuses*’, she also scored six out of six.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s teaser, shall we?

Here it is, covered by the How To, license and video … 

Q1) 23rd February, 1999, saw Abdullah Öcalan charged with Treason.   By which country’s government … ?

Q2) He was also one of the founders of the PKK: how is the PKK known in English … ?

Q3) Moving on … 23rd February, 1987, saw the first sightings of SN1987a, in the Large Magellanic Cloud.   What kind of object IS SN1987a: a black hole, a supernova or a red dwarf?

Q4) 23rd February, 1958, saw Cuban rebels kidnap which Championship driver … ?

Q5) 23rd February, 1941, saw Professor Glenn T. Seaborg and his team become the first group to synthesize which transuranic heavy metal?

Q6) Finally … 23rd February, 1927, saw President Calvin Coolidge authorize the US body that regulated what: radio, television or telephones … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers, complete with reference links …

Q1) 22nd February, 1928, saw the birth of game show host, Sir Bruce Forsyth.   Which BBC show did he present, between 1971 and 1977?

A1) The Generation Game.

Q2) 22nd February, 1959, saw Lee Petty win the first Daytona 500.   The race was originally raced over 200 laps: and how many miles?

A2) 500: hence the name.

Q3) 22nd February, 1979, saw Saint Lucia become independent: of where?

A3) The UK.

Q4) More to the point, in which sea is Saint Lucia … ?

A4) The Caribbean.

Q5) 22nd February, 1943, saw members of the White Rose movement executed in Germany.   The White Rose was a resistance movement in which country?

A5) Germany.

Q6) Finally … 22nd February, 1994, saw the US Department of Justice charge Aldrich Ames with spying.   For which country … ?

A6) The USSR: what’s now Russia.

I’ll leave you Pulling Punches, by David Sylvian … 

And with this thought from the man who drove the plane that dropped the bomb …

“I’m proud that I was able to start with nothing, plan it, and have it work as perfectly as it did… I sleep clearly every night.”

Paul Tibbets February 23, 1915 – November 1, 2007.

Enjoy your Sunday … !

*        Yeah, people keep mentioning that, Debbi: I wish I had the spare cash to make use of them!   (Actually … I just wish I had the technical know how to get the t-shirt: you only get one of them, if you’re working at one of the stores!)

The Brunel House Development: Rearing It’s Head, Again

You know, I’m happily happy.

Well … 

Content, let’s put it that way.

Hmmm … 

Which is possibly the strangest way of putting.

But let’s put it this way: life could be a lot better.   But could be a lot worse.

Either way … ?

Either way, life is quiet at the moment.

Especially when you consider the fact that Rollason Way, and the collection of street’s that it’s on, are quiet.

Especially when you consider the fact that — when I moved in, some seven years ago, now — Rollason Way, itself, was still being built.   My end of the street had been finished: the other hadn’t.

In fact, Adlington House was only finished within the last year.

The area’s taken it’s time.

But it’s now built.

 There’s still one point of contention: and it’s one that’s been a contentious point for a while.

As you’ll know if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that Brentwood Council gave planning permission to developers, Taylor Wimpey, to build a mixed, six storey, development.   One that’s been a mixture of retail, office, and residential, as various shades of development have gone through Brentwood Council’s planning application process.

Something I know I’ve written about, before, spoken out against … 

And still feel that Brentwood Council has completely us down about.

~≈®≈~

Now, the last time I wrote about the Brunel House part of Saint James Road … ?

The last time I wrote about this, Taylor Wimpey had been granted extended permission to a six storey building, consisting of office, residential and retail units.

Which is the source of my mixed feelings at this precise moment.

You see, I went into town, yesterday.

To see a notice up on the fence around the area next to Brunel House that Taylor Wimpey had sought permission to build on.

There was a notice up: Ref: 14/00017/FUL

One that stated they were seeking permission to extend vary or change the condition 10 of the plans filed under 05/00989/FUL.

In other words, Taylor Wimpey want another three years to build this block.

My feelings … ?

Are a mixture of anger at the fact the residents of the area are to go through this farce: again.

And resignation.

Having objected to the plans, before now, and seen permission granted, frankly, I fully expect to see it granted again: with objections to the building ignored.

As they have been, all along.

~≈®≈~

Which of course, brings me to my next point.

You see, I went out, yesterday, to head to town to get some milk and a loaf of bread.

Which is when I noticed the sign up about Taylor Wimpey’s renewed planning application.

I have to admit, it was the first time I can remember seeing it.

Now that could be a simple mistake on my part.

But one or two other people I’ve spoken too, also saw it there, yesterday: and have also quietly said they couldn’t remember noticing it there, before yesterday, either.

Now, I saw the notice when I went to town, around 11ish.

The thing wasn’t there when I came back, some time between 12 and 1 o’clock, yesterday afternoon.

Whether it had been removed or been blown away in yesterday’s strong wind, I couldn’t tell you: although the side of me that thinks badly of the whole Brunel House development, thinks that someone had taken the notice down.

It had been pinned to the fence with four heavy duty tacks, after all.

On top of THAT, the sign — as you can hopefully make out in the photos I took — gives the closing date for objections to the plan as the 21st February, 2014.

In other words, the sign I saw, yesterday, about Taylor Wimpey’s plans for that patch of ground … 

Gave us residents until yesterday to object to Taylor Wimpey’s plans.

Personally … ?

This is one of the few times I AM glad I’m out of a job.

I immediately wrote an email to object to the plans and sent it to Brentwood Council’s Planning Office.

Here’s the text of that email.

“Dear Sir,

I’m writing to object to plans posted in Saint James Road, next to Brunel House — for a an extension to plans to put up a mixed retail and residential unit, Ref 14/00017/FUL — and wish to object.

This particular plan is an extension to an earlier one — 05/00989/FUL — to which I also objected.

My objections are identical to the ones I have already raised, on previous applications.

Firstly, traffic congestion.

As officers will note from the attached photos, the Saint James Road/Chase Road/Rollason Way area already has many cars parked both on and off street.

I believe that, although the plans include a certain amount of parking for both the residential and office uses, there will be an amount of overflow.   Made worse, given the reduction in buses since the last time the plans were up for renewal.

I also still feel that that the congestion — as it stands — will impede emergency vehicle access.   In exactly the same way that delivery vehicles are already seriously impeded, which I see from my window every day of the week.

Something I’ve already written about several times, on my blog.   I should ALSO add I’ve had at least one conversation with a representative of Essex County Fire Services — back in 2010 — that the heavy parking in the area would could prove to be trouble.

With all this in mind ... ?

With all this in mind, I wish to register my objections to Taylor Wimpey, and their agents, having Condition 10 of their plans varied, extended or changed.

Yours,

Paul Downie,”

You can also read it on Google Docs.

~≈®≈~

Now, I know it’s possibly not going to do much good.

But I’d ask you, if you’re a fellow resident, to contact Brentwood Council’s planning office, yourself: writing both to object to the plans, AND to complaint about how you and I weren’t informed about it a lot earlier.

Now … 

Here’s hoping we can put a stop to this.

Although personally … ?

I feel we may be out of luck.

Brentwood Council obviously wants Taylor Wimpey to build this, AND over the objections of its voters.