The Daily Teaser — 26-08-2012

Well, it’s officially a sad day, it really is.

Especially if you heard last night’s news, about the death of astronaut and test pilot, Neil Armstrong.

I think that’s literally the end of an era: and that we’ll very really won’t see anyone like that again.

I hope that’s not the case, I really do.

I hope that both China and India manage to get space programmes going, I really do.

Personally … ?

Personally, I think humanity needs heroes like Neil Armstrong: and the inspiration he (and others) provided.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

☱☲☴☲☱

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with giving Charles Dickens a mention, also bagging 3 out of 5*.

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 August, 1978, saw Cardinal Albino Luciano elected pope: what papal name did he assume … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the David Yallop book about his death … ?

Q3) 26th August, 1975, saw peace-talks break down: peace talks between the government of Rhodesia, and whom … ?

Q4) 26th April, 2011, saw Boeing’s new plane receive its certification: what plane is that … ?

Q5) 26th August, 1676, saw the birth of Britain’s first Prime Minister: what was his name … ?

Q6) More to the point, what’s the Prime Minister’s formal title … ?

Q7) And finally … 26th August, 1938, saw the birth of drummer, Jet Black: with which English band does he play … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th August, 1944, saw the liberation of Paris, during World War 2.   Who led the Free French Forces, during that war … ?

A1) Charles DeGaulle.

Q2) 25th August, 1916, saw the creation of the US National Park Service: what was the first US National Park … ?

A2) Yellowstone National Park.

Q3) 25th August, 1609, saw Galileo Galilei, demonstrate his telescope for the first time.   In which city … ?

A3) Venice.

Q4) 25th August, 1939, saw the UK form a military alliance with which east European country … ?

A4) Poland.

Q5) And finally … 25th August, 2003, saw which city hit by twin car bombs … ?

A5) Bombay: or Mumbai, if you want to be picky …

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with Gloria, performed, of course, by the late Laura Branigan.

And with this quote from Chris Boardman …

“Success on the track in '92 was the springboard for my career as a pro rider.”

Chris Boardman, born 26 August 1968

*        Blimey, bad day, Debbi … ?   Is everything ok … ?

BBC News - US astronaut Neil Armstrong dies, first man on Moon

BBC News - US astronaut Neil Armstrong dies, first man on Moon 

Oh … 

Now THAT’S a tragedy, that really is.

Not the fact that I’ve missed catching a movie, tonight: I can do that at any free moment.

But the reason I thought I’d not.

Quite simply … ?

The fact that news just started to filter in — initially via Stephen Fry on Twitter — of the death of possibly the world’s — certainly the USA’s — most private hero.

Neil Armstrong.

Oh … My … Lord … 

I think in this day and age, there are very few people who could claim to be genuine world shakers.

He and Yuri Gagarin were.

Simply by being the men they were, doing the things they did, they showed us we could go out there.

The world and its people cannot be the same, because of Neil Armstrong.

The rest of us?

Can only be his followers.

RIP
Neil Armstrong
August 5, 1930 - August 25, 2012

The Daily Teaser — 25-08-2012

Well, wouldn’t you know it … ?

I had the engineer in, yesterday, courtesy of my landlords, to look over my boiler.

And have to admit, I’m boiling the kettle for a bath.

My boiler … ?   Is officially a) leaking and b) dangerous to health and c) worth switching off until the supervisor can get here on Tuesday, with the relevant parts, to fix it.

Tuesday … !

Frankly, I’m going to smell wonderful by Tuesday … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Before I start really whinging … !

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, along with telling us that a small US restaurant called Louis’ Lunch* existed, and bagging 6 out of 6.

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 August, 1944, saw the liberation of Paris, during World War 2.   Who led the Free French Forces, during that war … ?

Q2) 25th August, 1916, saw the creation of the US National Park Service: what was the first US National Park … ?

Q3) 25th August, 1609, saw Galileo Galilei, demonstrate his telescope for the first time.   In which city … ?

Q4) 25th August, 1939, saw the UK form a military alliance with which east European country … ?

Q5) And finally … 25th August, 2003, saw which city hit by twin car bombs … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 24th August, 1812, saw a coalition of British, Spanish and Portuguese forces lift the Siege of where … ?

A1) Cádiz.

Q2) More to the point, during which war was this … ?

A2) The Peninsular War.

Q3) 24th August, 1989, saw Columbian drugs barons declare war on whom … ?

A3) The Columbian government.

Q4) 24th August, 2006, saw the International Astronomical Union redefine what word … ?

A4) Planet.

Q5) More to the point, this meant that what got redefined as a Dwarf planet … ?

A5) Pluto.

Q6) And finally … 24th August, 1456, saw the printing completed of the Gutenburg Bible: in which German city … ?

A6) Mainz.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this tune from Alexandra Burke, whose birthday it is, today … 

And with this line from a very well known Scotsman … 

“I suppose more than anything else I'd like to be an old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or Picasso. They know that life is not just a popularity contest.”

Sean Connery, born 25 August 1930

*        I think, Debbi, that going by the Wikipedia entry, there’s some form of controversy: or at least, several different claimants to the title of ‘Creator of the ’Burger’.   And personally … ?   I’m wondering if the Philly Steak counts as the world’s first attempt at a cheese burger.   If nothing else, I can say Dickens was one of the first people to mention fish and chips … 

Frost/Nixon: Talking Heads Are Rarely This Good …

23/08/2012 22:58

Do you remember me saying, a while ago, now, that there seemed to be a rule — for certain kinds of horror or thriller movie — that says Keep ’em isolated, it’ll scare ’em senseless … ?

Well, I did.

And I hate to admit it, I think I’ve ALSO come across something else, here, too.

Sometimes … ?

Riveting drama is just two people talking.

At least, Silence of the Lambs famously showed us that.

As did the movie I’ve just caught, tonight: the 2008 film, Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon … 

‹‹·››

24/08/2012 21:53

Based on the play of the same name, Frost/Nixon tells the story of the by now famous series of interviews of disgraced former US president, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) by David Frost (Michael Sheen): including Frost’s efforts to both fund — and sell — the interviews to US networks.

And Nixon’s efforts to throw his interviewer off track: something that’s not always as successful as he wants.

Oh … Just to show you how accurate that was … 

You can tell this is going to end badly, can’t you … ?

‹‹·››

Now, I have to admit, I’ve not seen Michael Sheen in his breakout role — as Tony Blairº in The Deal — but have always been impressed by him in those appearances of of his I have caught*.

Personally, though, I thought the real scene stealer was Frank Langella as Nixon: incredible stuff!

Either way, I am seriously going to suggest you catch this film, even if you — like me — aren’t as au fait with the Watergate Scandal, the original play, or the original interviews as you could be.

You’ll catch a bloody good drama … that boils down to two people talking …

Frost/Nixon★★★★

*        Do I mention The Doctor’s Wife, here … ?   Sheen voiced House … 

º        Although I don’t know if it’s as good as John Culshaw’s … 

The Friday Question Set — 24-08-2012

Hmmm … 

I think … 

Well … 

Thoughts, usually: but the main one, at the moment, is that the engineer to look at my boiler — again! — is due to turn up, today.

And still hasn’t, as yet.

I think I have a wait on my hands.

Let’s move on, shall we?

As it’s Friday, you’re obviously gagging for … 

The Friday Question Set … !

Here it is, covered, as ever, by the Creative Commons License …

Online 165   ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) In which year of the 1970s was free contraception first handed out on the NHS?   A1) 1974.

Q2) According to the proverb, what plays, while the cat’s away?   A2) Mice.

Q3) What did Harry Vardon give his name to: a disease, a sports trophy or a type of apple?   A3) A sports trophy.  (In golf.)

Q4) Which people originally wore moccasins?   A4) American Indians.

Q5) Which European language is the main tongue spoken in Mexico?   A5) Spanish.

Q6) In which year did Hong Kong revert to China?   A6) 1997.

Q7) Who had hits with Catch a Falling Star and Magic Moments/i>?   A7) Perry Como.

Q8) Actor Sean Pertwee’s dad played which TV Scarecrow?   A8) Wurzel Gummidge.  (He was actor Jon Pertwee.)

Q9) The first atomic bomb to be used in combat, was dropped on which Japanese city, Nagasaki or Hiroshima?   A9) Hiroshima.

Q10) What do Americans call a tap?   A10) A faucet.

ROUND TWO.   MOUNTAINS.

Q11) What is the highest mountain in the Alps called?   A11) Mont Blanc.

Q12) In which country are the Sierra Madre mountain ranges?   A12) Mexico.

Q13) High Willhays is the highest point of which moorland: Broadmoor, or Dartmoor?   A13) Dartmoor.

Q14) In which mountain range would you find Ben Nevis?   A14) The Grampians

Q15) Which European mountain was first climbed by Edward Whymper in 1865?   A15) The Matterhorn.

Q16) Which mountains in south-western Syria were occupied by Israel in 1967?    A16) The Golan Heights.

Q17) Kinder Scout is the highest point of which District?   A17) The Peak District   

Q18) The Great Saint Bernard Pass connects two countries name either.   (Two points for both)   A18) Switzerland and Italy

Q19) Which mountain range begins in the Alps and ends in the Ukraine?   A19) The Carpathians.

Q20) Annapurna is situated in which country?   A20) Nepal.

ROUND THREE.   NURSERY RHYMES.   

Q21) Which nursery rhyme character went to Gloucester?   A21) Doctor Foster.

Q22) What did Georgie Porgie do when the boys came out to play?   A22) He ran away.

Q23) Where was Little Boy Blue?   A23) Under a haystack, fast asleep.

Q24) Which nursery rhyme character lost her pocket?   A24) Lucy Locket.

Q25) What was Jack Sprat’s wife unable to eat?   A25) Lean.

Q26) Who pulled pussy out of the well?   A26) Little Tommy Stout.

Q27) On which day of the week was Solomon Grundy married?   A27) Wednesday.

Q28) Who killed Cock Robin?   A28) The sparrow.

Q29) Which nursery rhyme was supposedly inspired by the plague?   A29) Ring a ring 0’ roses’.

Q30) Where did Mary’s little lamb follow her to?   A30) School.

ROUND FOUR.   SPORTING CHANCES.   

Q31) Which football team has the nickname ‘the Biscuitmen’?   A31) Reading

Q32) What was remarkable about Olympic marathon winner Abebe Bikila?   A32) He ran barefoot

Q33) Who won the Wimbledon singles title on his first and only attempt?      (Bonus point for naming the year of the 1930’s)   A33) Bobby Riggs. (1939)

Q34) In which sports do participants compete for Doggett’s Coat and Badge?   A34) Rowing. (or skulling)

Q35) Who became the youngest world heavyweight champion?   A35) Mike Tyson.

Q36) In which sport is ‘laundry’ a technical term?   A36) Drag-racing (referring to the parachute deployed to reduce speed).

Q37) What number does the bingo call two fat ladies refer to?   A37) 88.

Q38) Which British driver finished third in his very first Formula One race in 2007?   A38) Lewis Hamilton

Q39) Who, in 2006, emulated her mother by winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award?   A39) Zara Phillips.

Q40) What colour is the centre of the target in archery?   A40) Gold.

ROUND FIVE.   ROYALTY.   

Q41) Who completely lost his head on 30 January 1649?   A41) Charles 1.

Q42) Who was the last ruler of Britain who could not speak English?   A42) George 1.

Q43) Who was beheaded at Fotheringay Castle in 1587?   A43) Mary, Queen of Scots.

Q44) By what name did Edward, Prince of Wales become known after his death in 1376?      A44) The Black Prince.

Q45) The wives of Henry IV, William III and George V all shared which first name?   A45) Mary.

Q46) How many times had Wallace Simpson been married before she became involved with Edward 8th?   A46) Twice.

Q47) According to Shakespeare, which English king offered his kingdom for a horse?   A47) Richard 3rd.

Q48) What was Queen Victoria’s first name?   A48) Alexandrina.

Q49) Who was the Sun King?   A49) Louis XIV of France.

Q50) Richard III, Napoleon Bonaparte and Julius Caesar were all born with what?   A50) They were all born with teeth.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.   

Q51) Who wrote The Shining?   A51) Stephen King.

Q52) In which country was Jan Smuts Airport?   A52) South Africa

Q53) Moving clockwise round a standard dartboard, which number is next to the nine?   A53) 12.

Q54) What’s the collective name for a group of Rhinos?   A54) A crash.

Q55) Which sign of the zodiac is represented by a pair of scales?   A55) Libra.

Q56) Which of these metals is the densest, lead, gold or platinum?   A56) Lead.

Q57) Which politician was nicknamed The Incredible Sulk?   A57) Ted Heath.

Q58) Ganymede is a moon of which planet?   A58) Jupiter.

Q59) Which is the only US state to start with the letter G?   A59) Georgia.

Q60) Which large rodent is Canada’s national emblem?   A60) Beaver.

Enjoy that lot: I hope they help …