The Daily Teaser — 10-11-2014

Hmmm … 

Didn’t expect to see that.

Did I tell you I’m on Twitter?   I’m on Twitter: if you didn’t know.

Like most of us, there, I try and be polite: and keep my use of bad language to a minimum.   Hard work, sometimes, but I usually manage it.

Which doesn’t mean I’ve not been on the wrong end of it.

I’m a Dr Who fan, as you know: and have a Twitter list about the subject.   Saturday And Sunday?   Was busy, obviously.   And usually?   Usually, most of the people I’ve got on it are polite, and happy to talk: including, I should add, the people who aren’t enjoying the Moffat era of the show.

Some, on the other hand?   Some, like one chap I talked to, yesterday, definitely aren’t interested in being polite.

I’d innocently — and politely, I felt — suggested to one group that, if they were seriously not enjoying the show, then maybe changing channels — or turning off the TV — would be an idea.

And got … well, not a torrent of abuse: but certainly got replies with seriously offensive language.

Now I’ve worked in pubs.   I’ve used, and heard, all sorts of language: especially when kicking people out at closing time, on Fridays and Saturdays.

I’m used to strong opinions.   I’m used to offensive language.

I’m used to hearing offensive language: in a pub, after the user’s had a few, and getting kicked out.   I expect it, in that context.

I might expect to hear that sort of language, in private, from friends who are seriously angry about something.

I don’t expect to get it in a public forum, first thing on a Sunday morning.   Not my local newsagent.   Not in a supermarket, while I’m shopping.

And certainly not on Twitter.

~≈®≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw the ever-polite Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 10th November, 1951, saw the first coast to coast phone call in the US.   One end of the line was in New Jersey.   The other was in which US state?

Q2) 10th November, 1958, saw Harry Winston donate what to the Smithsonian Museum: the original USS Enterprise from Star Trek, the Hope Diamond or a London phone box?

Q3) 10th November, 1960, saw the first run of Lady Chatterly’s Lover sell out in a matter of hours.   Who wrote Lady Chatterly’s Lover?

Q4) Todor Zhivkov was removed from office: on 10th November, 1989.   Which European country was he leader of?

Q5) Finally … 10th November, 1940, saw the birth of Screaming Lord Sutch: at one point, Britain’s longest serving political party leader.   What was the name of the party he lead?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 9th November, 2014 is Remembrance Sunday: the day the UK and other Commonwealth countries mark the end of World War 1.   The UK’s national services are at which London landmark: the Cenotaph, Saint Paul’s Cathedral or Buckingham Palace?

A1) The Cenotaph.

Q2) 9th November, 1494, saw the Medici family expelled from their home city.   Which Italian city are we talking about?

A2) Florence.

Q3) 9th November, 1861, saw the first (documented) game of football take place: in Canada.   Was it American Football, Canadian Football or Association Football?

A3) Canadian Football.   (It was a practice game, so you know.)

Q4) 9th November, 1979, saw a false nuclear attack alarm issued by whom: the USA’s NORAD, the UK’s Joint Chiefs of Staff or Russia’s Ministry of Defense?

A4) NORAD.   (Apparently, an engineer starting off a planned test: without pressing the buttons — or flicking the switches — that alerted the various other stations it was a test.)

Q5) Finally … 9th November, 1985, saw who become the world’s youngest World Champion Chess player: at the age of 22?

A5) Gary Kasparov.

I’ll leave you with this tune … 

And this thought.

“To accuse me of making sensations is the easiest way of attacking me, and in reality leaves the question of sculpture untouched.”

Jacob Epstein 10 November 1880 – 19 August 1959.

Enjoy your day.

*        It’s one hell of an episode, Debbi!   (I personally think it’s one of the best written: certainly, it’s on a par with Genesis of the Daleks and Talons Of Weng-Chiang.)