Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd April 2026.

22nd April, 2026.

It’s officially official: I receive, tomorrow.

Instead of today!

I got my dates mixed up!

At any rate … ?

I’m looking forward to that.

I can do more shopping and bill paying.

~≈£≈~

I can also be quietly saddened.

I’d put in for help from the new crisis loan fund, a few weeks ago … and got the letter with the results, yesterday.

I’ve been refused: apparently, I’m “not in financial shock”.

I can … 

Well, I can do several things … 

But the only effective thing I can do is whinge!

~≈😒≈~

The only other time I do that … ?   Whinge, that is … ?

Is when my building’s communal aerial goes.

And, yes: it’s gone, again!

The last time this happened was in February: the fault got fixed inside of two days.

There’s vulnerable adults in the building, so Clarion, my landlord, prioritised the repair.

This time?   When I phoned in the repair, yesterday?

I was told it could take twenty-eight days.

Twenty-eight days.

You couldn’t make it up.

Without becoming deeply cynical … 

~≈🤨≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-12-2013: The Bermuda Triangle

Well, it’s officially sorted.

My building’s communal aerial problem is now fixed.

It seems the last three flats problems were down to the plates on the walls of each: where the aerial cable from the communal junction box entered the flats.

They were causing electrical shorting.

Personally … ?

I’m glad EVERYONE now has a working signal.

Although it’s taken my landlords quite some time to get it ALL fixed.

I think I can safely say there’s people unhappy about that … 

~≈Â≈~

Let’s move on, though.   Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and, thanking me for the thought, also scored ten out of ten!

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

Here it is, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 5th December saw the first recorded disappearance over the Bermuda Triangle… What was the name of the vanished squad of bombers: Flight 19, Flight 20 or Flight 21 … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1940s was this … ?

Q3) What was the name of the writer who wrote the standard book about the Bermuda Triangle … ?

Q4) More to the point, what was the name of the book … ?

Q5) That same writer wrote ‘The Philadelphia Experiment’, about a vanishing what: tank, battleship or plane … ?

Q6) Back to where we started, now: the northern-most point of the Bermuda Triangle is just off the coast of Bermuda.   Where’s it’s most southerly point: Cuba, Haiti or Puerto Rico … ?

Q7) Equally to the point, the Triangle’s most westerly point is on the coast of which US state … ?

Q8) In which bit of sea is the Bermuda Triangle: the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean … ?

Q9) According to the old Barry Manilow song, The Bermuda Triangle makes people  disappear.   Between 1976 and 1983, which South American country saw many people ‘disappear’ … ?

Q10) And finally … The Bermuda Triangle is off Bermuda.   What’s the name of the equivalent, roughly 100 kilometers south of Tokyo … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 4th December saw the Mary Celeste, found floating adrift.   In which ocean … ?

A1) The Atlantic Ocean.

Q2) To which Straits was she heading, when found … ?

A2) The Straights Of Gibraltar.

Q3) In which year of the 1870s was the Mary Celeste found … ?

A3) 1872.

Q4) Who was the Mary Celeste’s captain: Benjamin Briggs, Nicholas Briggs or Robert Briggs … ?

A4) Captain Benjamin Spooner Briggs.

Q5) What was the name of the ship that found the Mary Celeste: the Opus Dei, the Dei Gratia or the Deo Volante

A5) Dei Gratia.

Q6) According to the most plausible theories of what happened, the ship was abandoned as the crew feared the cargo would explode: that cargo consisted of 1701 barrels of industrial what … ?

A6) Alcohol.

Q7) Who, in a 1884 short story, famously renamed the ship as the Marie Celeste … ?

A7) Sir Arthur  Conan Doyle.

Q8) The first film about the Mary Celeste was released in 1935: and called what … ?

A8) The Mystery Of The Marie Celeste: also known, in the US, as The Phantom Ship.

Q9) Heavy Metal band, Huron released an album called Mary Celeste: in which year?

A9) 2011.

Q10) Finally … there’s a memorial to the Mary Celeste, on Spencer’s Island: off the coast of which Canadian province … ?

A10) Nova Scotia.

I’ll leave you with this thought, from comedian, Stephen Wright …

“The Bermuda Triangle got tired of warm weather. It moved to Alaska. Now Santa Claus is missing.”

Comedian, Stephen Wright.

And with possibly the ONLY song one could play with these questions … 

*        Congratulations, Debbi! Back on form … !   (Oh, remember mentioning the storms … ?   We SHOULD be ok: although there’s going to be higher tides than usual.   I don’t think they’ll affect Brentwood, though, we are a distance from a river …)

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 4-12-2013: The Quartet

It’s STILL official.

The block of flats I live in is STILL waiting for a job to be finished.

Yep: the three flats in the building who still don’t have TV, still don’t have TV.

Mostly where the needed repairs to the building’s communal aerial has still not happened … !

I know I’ve talked to at least one neighbour about it: she’s decidedly unhappy.

However … ?

We’ve been told that the repair team is due, this afternoon.

No sign of them YET, though: here’s hoping … 

~≈Â≈~

At any rate, today’s Wednesday: which means, of course, that it’s the day for the Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser,

Here’s this week’s question set, covered by the usual Creative Commons License* …

Q1)        4th December saw the first and last studio meeting of legends, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.   In which year of the 1950s?

Q2)        The impromptu jam session was held in at Sun Studios: in Memphis.   In which US state is Memphis … ?

Q3)        The four were informally referred to as the what Quartet … ?

Q4)        Which of the Quartet was famed for his rather theatrical piano playing?

Q5)        At the time of writing, in late October, 2013, who is the only Quartet member still alive?

Q6)        All four members of the Quartet recorded a version of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.   Who wrote and recorded the original?

Q7)        What was Elvis’ first UK hit: ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ or ‘Hound Dog’?

Q8)        Johnny Cash’s 1968 live album was recorded where?

Q9)        Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis were the only two quartet members to have UK № 1s in their lifetime.   Elvis had 17.   Jerry had one: What was his only UK № 1?

Q10)        Finally … Perkins, Cash and Lewis recorded their ‘Class of ’55’ album, partly as a nod to Elvis, in 1986.   With who?

Here’s LAST week’s …

Questions.

Q1) 27th November saw the formal announcement of the First Crusade.   In which year of the 11th Century … ?

Q2) By which pope: Urban the First, Second or Third … ?

Q3) The crusade was announced at the Council of where: Nîmes, Clermont or Avignon … ?

Q4) The Crusade was in response to a call for help from Alexios I Komnenos: the Emperor of where … ?

Q5) Emperor Alexios need Western help against whom: the Seljuqs, the Seleucids or the Sassanids … ?

Q6) The Crusaders originally headed for which city: Byzantium, Constantinopolis or Istanbul … ?

Q7) On their way to that city, the assorted members of the Crusader armies attacked and killed many Jews.  In which German area: the Rhineland, Saarland or Lower Saxony?

Q8) The First Crusade eventually ended with the reconquest of which Middle-Eastern city … ?

Q9) Which military order of monks was founded as a result of the First Crusade … ?

Q10) Finally … what name was given to the collected Crusader States in the Middle East?

Answers.

A1) 1095.

A2) Urban 2nd.

A3) Clermont: or Clermont-Ferrand, to give it its full name.

A4) Byzantium.

A5) The Seljuqs: or Seljuq Empire.

A6) How do I say this … ?   All three.   All three names have been used by Istanbul: that’s is the modern name for the city.   Constantinopolis is the Roman Imperial name for it, and the source of the name, Constantinople.   Byzantium is the name it was given during the Crusades.

A7) The Rhineland.

A8) Jerusalem.

A9) The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon: or Knights Templar.

A10) Outremer.

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you later … 

*        Regulars know, but if you’re a newcomer … all the License means is 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 would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 4-12-2013: The Mary Celeste

You know, it’s really nice to have that functioning TV aerial, it REALLY is.

BECAUSE that signal was working … ?   Well, I managed to record last night’s BBC documentary about Niccoló Machiavelli: complete with readings from The Prince, provided by Peter Capaldi.

Fascinating watch, I should add.

One thing that is good to know, though … ?

Is that we’re due to get a visit from the engineers our landlords use, to fix aerials.   HOPEFULLY, that means the last three flats having problems, will have those problems resolved.

WITHOUT the rest of us losing a signal … !

Here’s hoping … !

~≈Ù≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?   Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with letting us know she’s thoroughly enjoyed a clip of Tom Baker*, she ALSO scored six out of six.

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

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

Q1) 4th December saw the Mary Celeste, found floating adrift.   In which ocean … ?

Q2) To which Straits was she heading, when found … ?

Q3) In which year of the 1870s was the Mary Celeste found … ?

Q4) Who was the Mary Celeste’s captain: Benjamin Briggs, Nicholas Briggs or Robert Briggs … ?

Q5) What was the name of the ship that found the Mary Celeste: the Opus Dei, the Dei Gratia or the Deo Volante

Q6) According to the most plausible theories of what happened, the ship was abandoned as the crew feared the cargo would explode: that cargo consisted of 1701 barrels of industrial what … ?

Q7) Who, in a 1884 short story, famously renamed the ship as the Marie Celeste … ?

Q8) The first film about the Mary Celeste was released in 1935: and called what … ?

Q9) Heavy Metal band, Huron released an album called Mary Celeste: in which year?

Q10) Finally … there’s a memorial to the Mary Celeste, on Spencer’s Island: off the coast of which Canadian province … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd December, 1973, saw the Pioneer 10 take the first close up pictures of Jupiter, successfully capturing images of two of Jupiter’s moons.   Name either of those moons.

A1) Europa and Ganymede.

Q2) More to the point, in which year did Pioneer 10 leave the Solar System?

A2) 1983.

Q3) Both Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 carry plaques, all about Humanity.   Who were those plaques intended for … ?

A3) Intelligent extraterrestrials.

Q4) More to the point, who suggested those plaques … ?

A4) Carl Sagan and Eric Burgess.

Q5) True or False: Pioneer 10 took the photo of Earth known as the Pale Blue Dot.

A5) False: the shot was actually taken by the Voyager 1.

Q6) Finally … in which year did we lose radio contact with Pioneer 10?

A6) 2003.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this thought from a previous owner of the Mary Celeste …

“Of all the unlucky vessels I ever heard of, she was the most unlucky.”

Mary Celeste co-owner, David Cartwright.   (He sold her, before the event)

And this song by Eightavenue … 

Enjoy your day … 

*        Going TOTALLY off total, Debbi, have you ever heard of a website called WeTransfer … ?   It let’s you transfer big files … (Just mulling something over, so you know … )

The Arrival: Ho-Hum-Hokum … !

2nd December, 2013.

You know, last month was a bit of a git.

No, really … !

As you’ve possibly know — by hitting the aerial tag at the bottom of the page — the communal aerial in my building: and took a week to get repaired.

The job’s still not finished: there are — to the best of my current knowledge — still three flats with no Sky signal.

What’s more … ?

What’s more, during that week, I seriously caned my broadband allowance: using the BBC’s catch-up service, the BBC iPlayer.   With the net result that I was seriously close to incurring extra charges, for going over that limit.

That close-run thing … ?

Meant I didn’t actually use the little credit I had left on my iTunes account: that would DEFINITELY have put me over the edge.

Until last night, that it.   The limit gets reset, every month.

That reset meant I could happily download a rental movie, without paying any extra.

And, given I fancied watching a film: one not dictated by simply what I had on an external drive, OR was on a catch-up service, or my shelf … ?

Well, I went ahead and rented a flick.

If you hadn’t guessed from the poster, the 1996, David Twohy directed, The Arrival.

And, yes … I think ‘hokum’ is possibly the word … 

~≈Î≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-11-2013: ATARI … !

You know, if you’ve been following me for a few days, now, you’ll be aware of the situation with my building’s communal aerial,

MOST of us now have functioning TVs: with three exceptions.   Who, understandably, aren’t happy.

All of my neighbour’s have mentioned compensation.   I agree with them.

And mentioned it in the complaint email I sent.

Circle South Anglia’s Complaint’s Department turned THAT down.

I’m not best pleased … 

And complained about that, too.   Although whether THAT gets any attention, I really don’t know.

At any rate, let’s get a move on … 

~≈#≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and, along with letting us know she’s going to look on Barnes and Noble’s site for An Adventure in Space And Time, also scored five out of five.

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

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

Q1) 29th November saw Atari release the world’s first commercially successful video game.   What game was it?

Q2) In which year of the 1970s was the game released … ?

Q3) Atari, itself, was based in which US state?

Q4) More to the point, Atari is a Japanese word meaning ‘warning’: and used in which game … ?

Q5) Atari placed their first coin operated video game in a bar called ‘Andy’ … what’s … ?

Q6) The game, itself, is loosely based on which real-world sport: tennis, ping-pong or badminton?

Q7) Finally … what was the name of Atari’s 1976 follow up to its first game … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th November, 1963, saw Cape Canaveral renamed Cape … what … ?

A1) Kennedy.

Q2) 28th November, 1925, saw the first broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry, from Nashville, Tennessee: what was the station originally called … ?

A2) WSM Barn Dance.

Q3) 28th November, 1960, saw Mauritania become independent of France.   On which continent is Mauritania?

A3) |Africa.

Q4) 28th November, 1967m, saw horse-racing suspended in the UK: after an outbreak of which disease?

A4) Foot and Mouth.

Q5) Finally … 28th November, 1991, saw South Ossetia declare its independence: from where … ?

A5) Georgia.

I’ll leave you with this thought from the Angry Video Game Nerd …

“You could call this the ‘Wooden Age’ of video games, when everything was made of wood, and two people playing tennis looked like two glow sticks batting a square ball back and forth. Yeah, this is before circles were invented.”

From The Angry Video Game Nerd.

And with this rather fun piece … 

Have a good day.

*        I didn’t realise Barnes and Noble did video content, Debbi … !   I learn something new, everyday!   Oh, have you seen Unearthly Child, out of curiosity?   The cast of An Adventure in Space And Time did a reconstruction of one of its key scenes … 

The Daily Teaser — 27-11-2013: Shakespeare’s Shotgun

Oy … Vey … 

We NOW have a functioning aerial.

Ahem … !

If you’ve been following me for the past few days, you’d’ve probably realised that my building’s communal aerial has been out of action for a week.

Thankfully … ?   Well, thankfully, and after a couple of days hanging around, waiting for a cherry-picker, the aerial’s been fixed.

We can safely say it’s now working: APART from in three flats.

I’m thankful.

But having gone through a week’s blackout … ?

I know I’ve complained to our landlords.   And given the Complaint’s department’s email address to as many of my neighbours as I could find.

Not that I think we’d get some sort of compensation.   But I do think some form of goodwill gesture on Circle Anglia’s part, would ease a lot of tensions.

~≈€≈~

At ANY rate, let’s get a move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and along with asking me about the BBC’s iPlayer, also scoring four out of five.

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

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

Q1) 27th November, 1582, saw the Marriage License issued: for William Shakepeare’s wedding to whom … ?

Q2) More to the point, how old was Will, when his happened … ?

Q3) More to the point, how old was his bride?

Q4) Six months later, Mrs Shakespeare gave birth to her and Will’s eldest daughter: prematurely, at a guess, as shotguns hadn’t been invented.   What was the daughter’s name?

Q5) Finally … in his will, Will willed his second best what to his wife … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 26th November, 2003, saw the last English flight of which supersonic plane … ?

A1) Concorde.

Q2) 26th November, 1944, saw the birth of singer, Jean Terrell: which band was she a member of, between 1970 to 1973 … ?

A2) The Supremes.

Q3) 26th November, 1949, saw India’s Constituent Assembly present what … ?

A3) India’s first Constitution.

Q4) 26th November, 1953, saw the House of Lords vote to allow commercial TV, in the UK.   What’s the name of the UK’s main commercial terrestrial TV channel … ?

A4) ITV.

Q5) Finally … 26th November, 1965, saw the launch of the Diamant-A rocket, from a facility in the Sahara Desert.   Which European country launched the rocket … ?

A5) France.

I’ll leave you with this line, from the man, himself† …

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

Lysander, Act 1, Scene 1, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare.

And with one of his sonnets …

Have a good day.

*        Oh, I think I’ve managed to find a reference to the global version, here, Debbi.   It’s the Global version you need to look up.   (I should warn you, though, Debbi, the Wikipedia entry on the iPlayer doesn’t say anything about whether it’s been approved in the US, yet: it seems a lot of cable companies were complaining about it.)

†        If you watch the Teaser video through to the end, I’ve made a very bad visual pun about the quote of the day: the line is, after all, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream … 

About The Aerial: It’s WORKS … !

You’ll excuse my getting a little vernacular, won’t you?

I hope so.

At … 

F*cking … 

LAST … !

We now have a functioning — partially — aerial.

Thank GODS for that … !

~≈Ô≈~

I’d best try and sum things up, hadn’t I … ?

A few weeks ago, people in the building I live in who use Sky TV’s service, lost their TV signal: as result of damage, it was assumed, of the Saint Jude’s Day Storm on the 28th October, this year.

The Sky signal was lost.

But not the Freeview, free-to-air, signal.

Last Tuesday, we were visited by a contractor — from Rushbrooke Installations, as it turned out — whose’s job it was to check what, if anything, was wrong.

(I should add that I know it was Rushbrooke, as the van’s livery stuck in my mind: the acronym on it, and the van who visited, today, were both identical, and spelt out the name of a well known supermarket.)

Whatever the chap did, caused all the residents in the building to lose their TV signals: Freeview, as well as Sky.

I didn’t realise what had happened, at first: the fact a neighbour knocked on my door to tell me she’d lost her TV signal: and ask what had happened to mine.  

It didn’t take long for us to ask around the few other neighbours who were in, to see what had happened to their signal.

And to phone up our landlords, and housing officers, to start complaining.

I’m thankful we did.

Because the repair job was immediately arranged for Thursday 21st.

But couldn’t go ahead.

Because the repair team didn’t have enough scaffolding to reach the roof.

THAT got a collective scream of frustration from people.

However, after phoning our landlords, we were assured that the team would be back on the Monday: with the correct kit: a cherry picker, that the team could use to access the roof.

To be fair, the team got here, at roughly half past nine, yesterday morning.

However … ?

However, they STILL couldn’t get to the aerial: as the person who’s car was blocking access for the cherry picker couldn’t be found … !

What they eventually did was leave a note with for the cars owner, and a message with a neighbour, and the intention of coming back, today, to complete the work.

They did.

I NOW have a TV … with an incoming SIGNAL!

~≈Ó≈~

I’m one of the lucky ones.

I had a quick chat with the head workman who was here,

It seems the ‘normal’ Freeview signal had been lost, as the cable from the UHF (freeview) aerial to the junction box had been damaged by rainwater.

Then the Sky signal was lost, as the satellite dish shifted in the wind.

And meant that — since the storm and until last Tuesday — those of us who had been receiving Freeview had done so, as the Freeview signal had been picked up via the shifted. but otherwise undamaged, Sky dish.

It seems that — for some reason — three flats* had some sort of shorting problem: and they were three flats he and his team couldn’t trace, as the cables were unmarked.

Understandably, those who are still without a signal, won’t be happy.

~≈Ó≈~

Now … 

How am I feeling about this … ?

Frankly, mixed.

I’ll happily confess, I’m happy to find myself with a signal.

I always try and stay in touch with people: both friends and family.

But not working does lead to a certain amount of isolation: and I rely — as I think many do — on a TV set as a form of company.

Being able to hear another human voice is rather reassuring.

On top of that … ?

One or two of my neighbours feel some form of compensation would be a good thing.

I can’t say that I’d phrase it, quite that way,

And I’m very aware that a broken aerial isn’t a life-threatening issue.

I DO think, though, that some show of good will should be shown to us by Circle Anglia.

We do, after all, pay a service charge‡ for communal services like cleaning, repairs, and communal maintenance.

Additionally, I, and everybody else in the building, is paying a TV license.

For the past week, we’ve still had to pay that: because, of course, it’s the TV that the license is due on, not the aerial.

We’ve all wasted that money, owning a TV set we couldn’t use.

On top of that, some of my neighbours have bought portable aerials: so they can at least watch something.

Others, like me, have used catch-up services to watch TV: and I would ALSO assume, have used up quite a lot of broadband allowance.

All in … ?

All in, I don’t know if my neighbours and me are owed compensation.

I do think some form of good will gesture, to cover those costs, would be appreciated.

Cash for preference.

*        I now know that one of those flats is the one above me.

‡        I realise I get benefits: so don’t pay that, while I’m out of work.   Mine’s paid by the government: however, that means you, the taxpayer, can complain to Circle Anglia.

The Daily Teaser — 26-11-2013

The aerial situation really couldn’t get any sillier: it couldn’t, I swear … !

The team that was going to repair the ærial actually turned up, yesterday.

With all the needed kit.

Including the cherry-picker needed to get to get to the ærials themselves, up on the roof of the building.

They couldn’t actually do the work.

No.

They needed to move a car, so they could get the cherry-picker as close as possible to the building.

But couldn’t: because the owner was at work … !

The ærial situation is getting stupid.   I’m also thinking that Circle Anglia’s failure to let us, its service users, know what’s going on is … … 

Well, let’s call it bad, for the moment, and leave it there.

Let’s move on.

~≈◊≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know she was looking forward to the Dr Who special, also bagging four out of five.

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

Q1) 26th November, 2003, saw the last English flight of which supersonic plane … ?

Q2) 26th November, 1944, saw the birth of singer, Jean Terrell: which band was she a member of, between 1970 to 1973 … ?

Q3) 26th November, 1949, saw India’s Constituent Assembly present what … ?

Q4) 26th November, 1953, saw the House of Lords vote to allow commercial TV, in the UK.   What’s the name of the UK’s main commercial terrestrial TV channel … ?

Q5) Finally … 26th November, 1965, saw the launch of the Diamant-A rocket, from a facility in the Sahara Desert.   Which European country launched the rocket … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th November, 1491, saw a siege start, of the last Islamic city in Spain.   Which city was it: Madrid, Granada or Seville … ?

A1) Granada.

Q2) 25th November, 1973, saw President George Papadopoulos deposed in a military coup: in which European country: Greece, Italy or Albania … ?

A2) Greece.

Q3) 25 years later, 25th November, 1998, saw the government of which European country collapse … ?

A3) Turkey.

Q4) Many years earlier, 25th November, 1936, saw two countries sign the ‘Anti-Comintern Pact.’   Name either country.

A4) Germany and Japan.

Q5) Finally … 25th November, 1981, saw Pope John Paul 2nd appoint Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: which was notoriously also known as what … ?

A5) The Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition: and also as just the Inquisition.

I’ll leave you with this thought from Tina Turner …

“I’m self-made. I always wanted to make myself a better person, because I was not educated. But that was my dream - to have class.”

Tina Turner, born November 26, 1939

And this tune.

Enjoy the day!

*        Hmmmm … Any idea if BBC America has it’s own iPlayer service, Debbi … ?   If it does, it should be on there.   (I know the UK iTunes stores is doing a hell of a lot of Fiftieth Anniversary stuff: you might just get lucky, there … !)

The Daily Teaser — 25-11-2013

You know, it’s now OFFICIALLY Monday.

Officially.

Which possibly means that we’re due some good news.

Today’s the day — our landlord’s told us — that the building’s aerial is due to be fixed.

I, personally, hope so.

For starters, there’s only so much the BBC’s web-based catch up can do.   It is, after all, a catch-up service: intended for occasional use, instead of full-time use.

Now, I’m off to the Work Programme I have to attend, today: over in Basildon.

I’m hoping, by the time I get home at around Four o’clock, that I can turn on the TV, and watch some TV.

Hoping … but frankly doubtful.

Right, let’s get a move on, shall we?

~≈†≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know her, and her partner, had recorded The Day Of The Doctor, ALSO scored 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) 25th November, 1491, saw a siege start, of the last Islamic city in Spain.   Which city was it: Madrid, Granada or Seville … ?

Q2) 25th November, 1973, saw President George Papadopoulos deposed in a military coup: in which European country: Greece, Italy or Albania … ?

Q3) 25 years later, 25th November, 1998, saw the government of which European country collapse … ?

Q4) Many years earlier, 25th November, 1936, saw two countries sign the ‘Anti-Comintern Pact.’   Name either country.

Q5) Finally … 25th November, 1981, saw Pope John Paul 2nd appoint Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: which was notoriously also known as what … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th November, 1962, saw the first broadcast of which satirical British TV show … ?

A1) That Was The Week That Was.

Q2) Which recently deceased journalist and media personality was the show’s main presenter … ?

A2) Sir David Frost.

Q3) 24th November, 2012, saw 112 people killed in a fire in a clothes factory: in which Bangladeshi city … ?

A3) Dhaka.

Q4) 24th November, 1932, saw the opening of the FBI’s Crime lab: in Washington DC.   In which US state is it now located … ?

A4) Virginia: in the Marine Base at Quantico, in fact.

Q5) 24th November, 1991, saw the death of singer, Freddie Mercury: with which band did he find international fame … ?

A5) Queen.

Q6) Finally … 24th November, 1874, saw Joseph Glidden’s major patent finally approved.   What was it … ?

A6) Barbed wire.

Enjoy those.

“If St. Aloysius had been as I am, he would have become holy in a different way.”
Pope John 23rd 25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963.

And, in memory of the late singer, Kevin DuBrow, this tune … 

Enjoy your day.

*        It’s a good one, Debbi‡: from some of the fan opinions I’ve seen have seriously complemented Matt Smith.   (Oh, and there’s a surprise visitor, at the end.   SPOILERS!!!!!)

‡        Actually, Debbi, did you manage to catch An Adventure In Space And Time … ?   THAT was quite something: I personally feel David Bradley — who played William Hartnell — deserves a BAFTA nomination, to say the least.

An Adventure In Space And Time: Wow!

22nd November, 2013: An Adventure in Time and Space.

I don’t ask much of life, I really don’t.

The occasional night out is nice: along with the occasional film.

Possibly even a concert.

All depending on the money situation, of course.

On the very limited budget I have … ?

I’ll happily rent a movie or two from iTunes.

And happily watch tv, if I think there’s something worth watching.

That’s been difficult, over the space of the past week.

Given that the communal aerial for the block of flats I live in has been damaged: and won’t be repaired until Monday at the earliest.

I’m fuming: as are my neighbours.

What makes things frustrating — for me — is the fact that I finds myself forced to use the BBC iPlayer’s ‘Live’ service to watch the few things I do want to watch: including tomorrow’s fiftieth anniversary Dr Who special, The Day Of The Doctor.

The service is good, especially with downloaded content: but it’s live streaming, even on the faster broadband my ISP provides, isn’t perfect.

So, I’m understandably not a completely happy bunny.

Far from it, in fact.

However … ?

However, I did manage to catch the Mark Gatiss penned commemoration of the show’s early days, An Adventure In Space And Time.

And, my LORD, was that good … !

~≈Ï≈~

Starring David Bradley as Wiiliam Hartnell, the docu-drama shows us Sydney Newman — Brian Cox — appointing Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine) to be the new producer of an outré teatime TV show.

Over what turns out to be something of a trying three years:  with sexist designers, patronising bosses, an increasingly exhausting crew … 

And a leading man who’s, initially, very sceptical … !

~≈Ï≈~

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m very biased, here.

I’m a fan, watching a fan made drama — Mark Gatiss, as Moffat, Tennant, Gaiman, Davies et al are all fanbois — about our favourite show.

But … ?

Well, frankly, I’m thinking that was also a wonderfully made piece of work: with excellent performances from it’s cast, including its two central actors, Bradley and Raine, as Hartnell and Lambert.

Equally as frankly … ?   If this were a movie IN were writing about … ?

It’s would certainly deserve four stars.

An Adventure In Space And Time.★★★★

The Friday Question Set — 22-11-2013

Hmmm … 

Hmmm … !

You know, I still — STILL — have no functioning aerial: along with everyone else in the building.

This is despite the fact we’ve all been told it would be seen fixed, yesterday.

Personally … ?

Personally, I don’t think I’ve iPlayered this much TV, ever … !

Saying that, however good the service, it’s no substitute for a working aerial.

Still … 

Onwards and upwards.

Well … when the bloody thing gets fixed!

~≈◊≈~

At ANY rate, that’s not why you’re here.

Not really … !

After all, today’s a Friday: which means it’s time for the Friday Question Set, covered by the usual Creative Commons License* …

Online 229
ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What was Paul Young’s only UK No. 1, in 1983?
A1) Wherever I Lay My Hat.

Q2) How many players are on a cricket field, in total, during normal play?
Q2) 13.

Q3) What fruit comes from the Rose?
A3) The Rosehip.

Q4) What gas is present in fizzy drinks, either alcoholic, or non?
A4) Carbon Dioxide.

Q5) Which of Shakespeare’s character’s delivers the famous “To be or not be…” monologue? (Extra point for the rest of the line.)
A5) Hamlet. (“…that is the question.”)   (THAT is going to confuse the HELL out of someone … !)

Q6) The Harlem Globetrotters are famous in which sport?
A6) Basketball.

Q7) Who’s older, Richard Branson or William Hague?
A7) Richard Branson.

Q8) Stamp duty is usually paid on the sale of what?
A8) A house.

Q9) Where is the Ceremony of the Keys usually held, each night?
A9) The Tower of London.

Q10) Who wears a Chasuble.
A10) A priest.

ROUND TWO. FOOD AND DRINK.

Q11) Rennet is used in the making of cheese. But from what part of the cow is it usually made; – the stomach, the hooves, or the horns?
A11) The Stomach.

Q12) What sort of drink is Volvic?
A12) Mineral water.

Q13) What’s the other name for Thiamin?
A13) Vitamin B1.

Q14) What sort of nut goes into Pesto: pine nuts, peanuts or almonds?
A14) Pine nuts.

Q15) Wormwood goes into which notoriously powerful drink, absinthe, or tequila?
A15) Absinthe.

Q16) In which famous restaurant did the French chef Escoffier begin his career?
A16) The Moulin Rouge.

Q17) What do the Chinese call ‘Lively Fellows’?
A17) Chop Sticks.

Q18) What is a Blue Vinney?
A18) A cheese. (Not a footballing hard-man.)

Q19) Morel & Oyster are edible types of what?
A19) Mushrooms.

Q20) Which fruit can be cantaloupe, water, or honeydew?
A20) A melon.

ROUND THREE. COMMUNICATIONS BREAKDOWN.

Q21) ‘COMMUNICATION’ comes from a Latin word that means ‘to’ … what: share, talk or listen?
A21) Share.

Q22) In which Russian City is the TASS newsagency based?
A22) Moscow.

Q23) What’s another name for the Timeline service?
A23) The Speaking Clock.

Q24) dB is the symbol for what well know measure of volume?
A24) Decibels.

Q25) How many bits are there, in a byte?
A25) 8.

Q26) Which Russian word means ‘speaking aloud’?
A26) Glasnost.

Q27) How does one address a female mayor?
A27) Madam Mayor.

Q28) What does the V stand for, in DVD stand for?
A28) Either Video, or Versatile!

Q29) What A–road links London with East Anglia?
A29) The A12.

Q30) What type of device was the first to be programmed by punch cards?
A30) The Loom. (The Jacquard Loom, in point of fact.) 

ROUND FOUR. TV DINNERS.

Q31) I Could Be So Good For You was the theme tune to which TV show?
A31) Minder.

Q32) Caroline Ahearne was the star of Mrs Merton, and which other comedy show?
A32) The Royale Family.

Q33) What’s the name of the BBC’s online catch-up service?
A33) iPlayer.

Q34) Complete the following line from The Two Ronnies: “It’s goodnight from me…”
A34) “…and it’s Goodnight from him.”

Q35) Lynda LaPlante created, and Helen Mirrim played, which TV detective?
A35) Jane Tennyson.

Q36) Barnacle Bill is the theme tune to which long–running children’s TV show?
A36) Blue Peter.

Q37) Which former Monty Python star tried copying Phineas Fogg, for a TV travel documentary?
A37) Michael Palin. (In Around The World In 80 Days.)

Q38) Which gameshow did Jim Bowen present?
A38) Bullseye.

Q39) Which James bond actor found fame in the 60s TV version of The Saint?
A39) Roger Moore.

Q40) Which TV detective worked for Radio West?
A40) Eddie Shoestring.

ROUND FIVE. MILLENNIUM HEADLINES.

Q41) Which Scottish MP took part in Celebrity Big Brother?
A41) George Galloway.

Q42) In 2004, which Aussie Shane took 500 wickets?
A42) Shane Warne.

Q43) What mammal was washed up in the Thames, in 2006?
A43) A whale.

Q44) Who stood down as Liberal Democrat leader?
A44) Charles Kennedy.

Q45) Was 2006 Golden Globe winner, “Brokeback Mountain”, a documentary, or a Western?
A45) A western.

Q46) One of the host’s of Channel Four’s show, Countdown, died in 2005: who was he?
A46) Richard Whitely.

Q47) Who became England’s youngest footballer, in 2003?
A47) Wayne Rooney.

Q48) Which tennis playing Greg was cleared of using the banned substance, Nandralone, in 2004?
A48) Greg Rusedski.

Q49) Which Ruth succeeded Charles Clarke, as the Governments Education Secretary?
A49) Ruth Kelly.

Q50) Who did David Cameron beat, to become Tory party leader?
A50) David Davies.

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Is BST ahead of, or behind, GMT?
A51) Ahead.

Q52) What’s notable about the staff & patients of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital?
A52) They’re all women.

Q53) How many valves does a Bugle have?
A53) None.

Q54) What part of the human anatomy shares its name with a punctuation mark?
A54) The Colon.

Q55) How long must a person be dead for, before qualifying for a Blue Plaque?
A55) 20 years.

Q56) Which US state is also known as the Gopher State, Minnesota, New Jersey, or New Mexico?
A56) Minnesota.

Q57) The Ngultrum is the unit of Currency in which Himalayan country?
A57) Bhutan.

Q58) The USA declared war on which country, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour?
A58) Japan.

Q59) Who’s the father of actress Jamie Lee Curtis?
A59) Tony Curtis.

Q60) Chris Cairns is associated with which sport?
A60) Cricket.

Enjoy those: I’ll catch you later …