Only Connect …

Did I ever tell you, I had a quiz show get in touch with me, a long time ago … ?

Literally …

I had an email from the producers of the BBC 4 quiz show, Only Connect, inviting me — and anyone else — to take part.

Or, at least forward it on to people.

I’m blowed if I can remember, now, but — as I recall — one of those people I forwarded it to … ?

Was Dr Paul.

Who did rather well …

At any rate … ?

The producers of the show have been in touch, again, looking for more contestants, for Series Five.

So, while I might not be able to do it — indeed, haven’t made my mind up about trying — I thought I’d pass on the relevant details to you.

With that in mind, I’ve posted up a copy of the flyer they sent me.

And tell you to email the production company, here …

By mid-January of 2011.

Good luck …

The Daily Teaser …

You know, I’ve got admit, I’ve quietly got a classic Dr Who story — The Planet of Evil — playing in the background.

Fascinating stuff …

Especially the look and feel: don’t forget, this is not long after Genesis of the Daleks.

Those mid-70’s era episodes did have their rather gothic charms … !

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Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I give you the complete run down …

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Yesterday’s Teaser was relatively quiet: but did see Trevor putting both his answers — and scoring 6 out of 6 — and quoting Sci-Fi writer, Spider Robinson. Lets see how he — and you — do with today’s questions. Here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License …

Q1) 25th November, 1867, saw who patent dynamite … ?


Q2) 25th November, 1881, saw the birth of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli: who was he better known, as Pope?

Q3) 25th November, 1974, saw the death of which former UN Secretary General … ?

Q4) 25th November, 1843, saw the birth of industrialist, Henry Ware Elliot: which famed American poet was his youngest son … ?

Q5) And finally … 25th November, 1914, saw the birth of baseball player, Joe DiMaggio: with which team did he spend his 13-year career … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th November, 1859, saw the publication of Charles Darwin’s On The Origin Of Species: what’s the book’ full title … ?


A1) On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

Q2) 24th November, 1989, saw the resignation of entire communist government of which country?

A2) Czechoslovakia.

Q3) 24th November, 1966, saw which US city experience its smoggiest day … ?

A3) New York.

Q4) 24th November, 1957, saw the birth of US actress, Denise Crosby: which character did she play in Star Trek: The Next Generation?

A4) Security Chief Tasha Yar.

Q5) More to the point, which American crooner’s granddaughter is she … ?

A5) Bing Crosby.

Q6) And finally … 24th November, 1980, saw the death of US actor, George Raft: in which 1959 comedy did he play ‘Spats’ Columbo … ?

A6) Some Like It Hot.

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

Vaguely Devilish …

Actually, following on … !

And, oh boy, and don’t I ever do that … !

Following on form the recent post I had up about the Pacino/Reeves film, The Devil’s Advocate, I’ve got to admit that something I forgot to mention when I put that post up, was the fact I had my copy of iTunes quietly playing in the background.

The playlist I choose to have on … ?

Was mostly a lot of 1980s electro-pop.

What tickled me at the time was the first two songs in the list.

Ones that — at the time — seemed rather appropriate, given the film I’d just seen.

In no particular order, they were the 1984 Propaganda song, Dr Mabuse and the 1983 Heaven 17 tune, Temptation.

And what I meant to do at the time … ?

Was put up a link — if nothing else — to the videos on YouTube.

You’ll have to accept my humble apologies.

And attempts to rectify the fault …

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The Gazette, The Station, and Feeling Conned …

You know, it’s been a while since I’ve written to the Gazette.

And been published, at any rate.

But …

Remember me writing about the petition signing event — rather quiet event, I should add — at Brentwood Station, a while back … ?

My word, but that’s generated some comment: elsewhere, if not here …

And I’ve a confession to make …

I couldn’t resist putting in my tuppence ha’penny worth … !

Well, you wouldn’t, would you … ?

So here’s what I wrote to the Gazette, this time.

Dear Editor,

Can I make an admission, here, and admit that I feel vaguely conned … ?

By the Brentwood and Ongar Conservatives … ?

I was at their petition signing day, after being invited along by the owner of Vegas and I’ve got to admit, I believe that a lot of signatures were gathered by yours truly.

On the day itself … ?

I could well be wrong, here, but it seemed to me that — on the day — the only people actually collecting signatures for the petition were myself and Billy.

The three members of the local Conservatives — along with Councillor McKinley, herself — seemed more interested in handing out flyers advertising their own meetings.

And when I raised the idea of maybe asking ward councillors from other parties along, to at least give the impression of cross-party support … ?

I was politely and graciously fobbed off.

Now, all questions aside of who’s stealing credit from who, or whether the much-needed lifts can be installed at the station — something I doubt, given the station’s layout — I feel vaguely conned.

Now, I’ve often said I can’t stand the coalition government: mostly on the basis of Conservative involvement in it.

This … ?

Only reinforces my personal belief that voting Conservative … is voting for nasty pieces of work.

Now, I don’t know if that’ll make it into next week’s Gazette — lord knows they’ve devoted enough to it — but I hope so.

I think I may have a point.

Even if it’s a heavily disguised one about politicians jumping on bandwagons …

The Daily Teaser …

Hmmm …

That’s taking its time …

I’ve got to admit, I’m currently uploading the video for today’s Teaser to YouTube.

And, my word, it’s taking a while to process.

Saying that … ?

It is a little bigger than it had been: I’ve noticed that the audio doesn’t quite carry over, using just Keynote, along.

So I exported it to my copy of iMovie …

Lets move on, shall we? Before I get to technical …

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Yesterday’s Teaser saw Trevor putting in his answers and bagging 6 out of 6: it also saw him quoting the late, great, Roald Dahl. Lets see how he — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License …

Q1) 24th November, 1859, saw the publication of Charles Darwin’s On The Origin Of Species: what’s the book’ full title … ?


Q2) 24th November, 1989, saw the resignation of entire communist government of which country?

Q3) 24th November, 1966, saw which US city experience its smoggiest day … ?

Q4) 24th November, 1957, saw the birth of US actress, Denise Crosby: which character did she play in Star Trek: The Next Generation?

Q5) More to the point, which American crooner’s granddaughter is she … ?

Q6) And finally … 24th November, 1980, saw the death of US actor, George Raft: in which 1959 comedy did he play ‘Spats’ Columbo … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd, 1963, saw the BBC air the first episode of Dr Who: what was the name of that first episode … ?


A1) An Unearthly Child

Q2) 23rd November, 1976, saw the death of noted French author, André Malraux. As well as writing, he was also a French government minister: what was the first government post he was appointed to … ?

A2) Minister of Information.

Q3) More to the point, who appointed Malraux to that post … ?

A3) President Charles de Gaulle.

Q4) While we’re on a literary theme: 23rd November, 1990, saw the death of which children’s writer … ?

A4) Roald Dahl.

Q5) In the US, 23rd November is the earliest date that Black Friday can fall: Black Friday marks the start of what … ?

A5) The Christmas shopping rush.

Q6) And finally … 23rd November, 1993, saw Rachel Whiteread win the Turner Prize for Modern art: and the K Foundation art award for what … ?

A6) Worst Modern Artist.

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