The Daily Teaser — 26-8-2013: The Voyages of Captain Cook

Am I going mad … ?

No, seriously … ?   Because, if I didn’t know any better, I’d SWEAR a dog was barking, last night … !

Well, I say barking: howling, occasionally.

I have to admit to wondering whether I was imagining things: although I don’t think I was.

And if I wasn’t … ?   

Well, I think I’d like to know what was going on … !

Hmmm … 

Let’s move on, shall we?   BEFORE my diseased imaginings get TOO obvious … 

~≈Œ≈~

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

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

Q1) 26th August saw Captain James Cook set off on his first voyage of exploration.   In which year of the 1760s … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of his ship … ?

Q3) That first voyage was — in part — to observe the transit of which planet … ?

Q4) It was also trying to find the Terra Australis Incognita, or Unknown Southern … what … ?

Q5) As part of this voyage, Cook managed to map which modern island nation … ?

Q6) Which English king commissioned Cook’s first voyage … ?

Q7) Finally … When James Cook landed back in Britain, in 1771, at which Kentish town did he land … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th August, 1609, saw Galileo Galilei demonstrate his first telescope: to lawmakers in which Italian city … ?

A1) Venice.

Q2) More to the point, was it a reflecting, refracting or radio telescope … ?

A2) Refracting.

Q3) Galileo stated the Earth moved around the Sun: famously agreeing with which Polish astronomer?

A3) Nicolaus Copernicus.

Q4) When tried for heresy by the Roman Catholic Church, Galileo is supposed to have — rebelliously — muttered what … ?

A4) “And yet it moves”: or “Eppur si muove”, in Renaissance Italian.

Q5) Finally … the four Galilean moons are named in Galileo Galilei’s honour.  The moons orbit which planet … ?

A5) Jupiter.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this thought from Captain Cook’s journal.

“ … the Southermost Point of land we had in sight which bore from us W₁/₄S I judged to lay in the Latitude of 38°..0’ S° and in the Longitude of 211°..07’ W t from the Meridion of Greenwich. I have named it Point Hicks, because Leuit t Hicks was the first who discover’d this land.”

From James Cook’s journal entry on the discovery of Australia.

And with this crash course about the Captain … 

Enjoy your day.

*        Oooh, Debbi: did I tell you I’ve just had a BBC4 documentary on about flamenco … ?   Amazing piece to watch: although possibly not as amazing as the music, itself.

Boy Wonder: Wonderful Stuff … !

24th August, 2013.

You know, it’s getting late.

Or, at least, it’s getting comparatively late: for me.

I’m tempted to hit the proverbial sack.

Although what the sack’s done to deserve it, I really don’t know.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rater, I wanted to at least get started, writing about he movie I’ve just seen: the Michael Morrissey written and directed, 2010 movie, that is Boy Wonder.

And yes: I THINK the post deserves the title … !

Back in the morning … !

The Daily Teaser — 25-8-2013: Galileo Galilei

You know, I’m not especially religious.   Although I’ve found generic prayer to be psychologically reassuring, at times.

But I’ll also quite happily admit that on Sunday mornings, I’ll be happily glued to Radio 4’s Sunday morning religious programming.

Mostly … ?   Well, mostly because it’s just as fascinating as the rest of the week: only Sunday coloured, if that makes sense … ?

Lovely stuff, today: they’ve just had a piece about charities legal position, if they campaign during elections.   And have followed it up with an interview with the soon to be retired Chief Rabbi, Jonathon Sachs.

Hmmm … 

Let’s get moving on, shall we?   Before we get distracted … 

~≈fl≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers.   Along with Agree Hong Kong’s full name in Chinese was a bit of a mouthful, she also bagged five out of six.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s telescopic Teaser: here it is, along with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) 25th August, 1609, saw Galileo Galilei demonstrate his first telescope: to lawmakers in which Italian city … ?

Q2) More to the point, was it a reflecting, refracting or radio telescope … ?

Q3) Galileo stated the Earth moved around the Sun: famously agreeing with which Polish astronomer?

Q4) When tried for heresy by the Roman Catholic Church, Galileo is supposed to have — rebelliously — muttered what … ?

Q5) Finally … the four Galilean moons are named in Galileo Galilei’s honour.  The moons orbit which planet … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th August, 1456, saw printing completed on the Gutenberg Bible.   How many lines did each page: thirty-two, forty-two or fifty-two … ?

A1) Forty-two.

Q2) What was the name of the Gutenberg Bible’s printer … ?

A2) Johannes Gutenberg: or Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg, in full.

Q3) Famously, this edition of the Bible was printed with movable what … ?

A3) Type.

Q4) In which language was the Gutenberg Bible printed: German, Latin or English … ?

A4) Latin.

Q5) The Gutenberg Bible was an edition used by the Roman Catholic Church: known as what … ?

A5) The Vulgate.

Q6) Finally … In which Germany city was the Gutenberg Bible printed: Munich, Mainz or Berlin … ?

A6) Mainz.

Enjoy those, folks: I’ll leave you with this thought from the man, himself …

“Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols, in which it is written.”

Galileo Galilei.

And with Galileo, by the Indigo Girls … 

Enjoy your Sunday.

*        What get’s me, Debbi, is the sheer number of forms of Chinese: mind-boggling is not the phrase … !

The Daily Teaser — 24th-August-2013: The Gutenberg Bible

Well, there’s a thing.

You’ve heard of the Edinburgh Festival, haven’t you … ?

Of course you have.

It’d be hard not too, actually.

I’ve never actually been: I’ve never been able to afford it, frankly.

So it’s sort of nice that Radio 4 broadcast’s some of its shows from  the Festival is something: including today’s Today programme.   It means I get to soak up the atmosphere, even if it is at one remove.

It’s also about the only time you’ll get James Naughtie grilling a folk singer about Scottish devolution.

Quite something to catch … !

At any rate … ?

Let’s move on … 

~≈◊≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser* saw Debbi putting in her answers: along with letting know Hong Kong’s full name was a bit of a mouthful, she also bagged five 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) 24th August, 1456, saw printing completed on the Gutenberg Bible.   How many lines did each page: thirty-two, forty-two or fifty-two … ?

Q2) What was the name of the Gutenberg Bible’s printer … ?

Q3) Famously, this edition of the Bible was printed with movable what … ?

Q4) In which language was the Gutenberg Bible printed: German, Latin or English … ?

Q5) The Gutenberg Bible was an edition used by the Roman Catholic Church: known as what … ?

Q6) Finally … In which Germany city was the Gutenberg Bible printed: Munich, Mainz or Berlin … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd August, 1839, saw Britain capture the port of Hong Kong: at the start of the First Opium War.   Opium is made from which flower … ?

A1) The Opium Poppy.

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1990s did the UK hand Hong Kong back to China … ?

A2) 1997.

Q3) Who was the last British Governor of Hong Kong … ?

A3) Chris Patten.

Q4) Equally to the point, who was the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong … ?

A4) Tung Chee-Hwa.

Q5) Finally … what’s Hong Kong’s name … ?

A5) 中華人民共和國香港特別行政區: or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, if you’d prefer English …

Enjoy those: I’ll leave you with this thought from Pope Pius 2nd …

“All that has been written to me about that marvellous man seen at Frankfurt is true. I have not seen complete Bibles but only a number of quires of various books of the Bible. The script was very neat and legible, not at all difficult to follow—your grace would be able to read it without effort, and indeed without glasses.”

Pope Pius 2nd.

And with this footage of one of the remaining copies of the Gutenberg Bible, held in Texas … 

*        You’re right, Debbi: I’d hate to try and say it in Mandarin … !

The Friday Question Set — 23-8-2013

Oh, don’t you just hate a good earworm … ?

You know,those songs that — for only HALF a good reason that you can see — suddenly start worming their way through you head … ?

I have to admit, I was just looking in on Facebook, when someone over there — who shall remain nameless — mentioned Justified and Ancient.

I wish they hadn’t.   It’s going to be pestering me for hours … 

~≈$≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, it’s Friday: means it’s time for the Friday Question Set.

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

Online 216

ROUND ONE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Eyes Wide Shut was the last film made by which Stanley?

A1) Stanley Kubrick. 

Q2) What appeared on the Jolly Roger: a Skull and Crossbones, an emoticon or a cassette?

A2) A skull and crossbones.

Q3) What kind of pen was traditionally made with a goosefeather?

A3) A Quill.

Q4) Which south American country shares its name with a nut?

A4) Brazil.

Q5) If you were acting on stage, what would you be said to be treading?

A5) The Boards.

Q6) In Roman mythology, Neptune the god of what…?

A6) The sea.

Q7) What vegetable are vampires said to be repulsed by?

A7) Garlic.

Q8) What nationality is author Salman Rushdie?

A8) British.

Q9) What telephone service was established in July of 1937?

A9) The 999 Emergency Service.

Q10) What is the first prime number above 100?

A10) 101.

ROUND TWO TV DINNERS.

Q11) In which police series did Robbie Coltrane play Fitz?

A11) Cracker .

Q12) In the 1993 tv version of Lady Chatterly’s Lover, who played Mellors the Gardener?

A12) Sean Bean.

Q13) What was the BBC’s version of Jeux Sans Frontières called?

A13) It’s A Knockout.

Q14) What’s Britain’s longest running children’s TV show?

A14) Blue Peter.

Q15) Which Prime Minister’s father in law was in ’Til Death do Us Part?

A15) Tony Blair’s. (Cherie’s dad, Tony Booth.)

Q16) Complete the name, Monty Python’s Flying … what?

A16) Circus. 

Q17) In EastEnders, which Jim married Dot?

A17) Jim Branning.

Q18) Which Australian soap is set in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough?

A18) Neighbours.

Q19) Knot’s Landing was a spinoff from which US soap?

A19) Dallas.

Q20) What’s the name of Barbara Windsor’s character, in EastEnders?

A20) Peggy Mitchell.

ROUND THREE AT THE MOVIES.

Q21) Gert Frobe played which James Bond villain, back in 1964: GoldFinger, or Dr No?

A21) Goldfinger.

Q22) Who joined Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci on the poster for Good Fellas?

A22) Ray Liotta.

Q23) Caryn Jones is better known as which Nun impersonating, comedienne?

A23) Whoopi Goldberg.

Q24) Which former Star Wars actress wrote Postcards from the Edge, and Delusions of Grandma?

A24) Carrie Fisher.

Q25) Which Attenborough brother directed Gandhi: Richard or David?

A25) Richard.

Q26) What nationality is Crocodile Dundee?

A26) Australian.

Q27) In the film of the same name, who played Tootsie, Dustin Hoffman or Robert De Niro?

A27) Dustin Hoffman.

Q28) Back in 1989, if Billy Crystal was Harry, who was Sally?

A28) Meg Ryan.

Q29) In the 1981 John Landis movie, where was the American Werewolf?

A29) In London.

Q30) Who directed 3 Men and a Baby, Leonard Nimoy, Chris Pine or William Shatner?

A30) Leonard Nimoy?

ROUND FOUR RECORD BREAKERS.

Q31) Ian Botham first played cricket for which county? 

A31) Somerset.

Q32) Eddie Merckx was record breaker in which sport?

A32) Cycling.

Q33) In 1977, which Nick became the world’s youngest Ryder Cup winner?

A33) Nick Faldo.

Q34) Who set a new transfer record, when he was bought & sold by Blackburn?

A34) Alan Shearer.

Q35) During the 90’s, which Martina became Wimbledon’s youngest ever senior Women’s champ?

A35) Martina Hingis.

Q36) Which side had a record run as Rugby League champs, in the 1990s?

A36) Wigan.

Q37) In which sport was Mark Spitz a record breaker?

A37) Swimming.

Q38) In which event did Fatima Whitbread set a 1986 record?

A38) Javelin.

Q39) Who holds the record for most games as West indian cricket captain?

A39) Clive Lloyd.

Q40) In 1996, who became England’s youngest ever football manager?

A40) Glenn Hoddle.

ROUND FIVE SCIENCE AND NATURE.

Q41) Which famous American politician invented bifocals: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson?

A41) Benjamin Franklin.

Q42) Dipsophobia is a fear of what: drinking, blondes or rollercoasters?

A42) Drinking.

Q43) What’s the opposite of alkali?

A43) Acid.

Q44) How many legs doe a male insect have?

A44) Six; same as a female one.

Q45) What does an entomologist study: insects, cheese or mammals?

A45) Insects.

Q46) Which planet is closest to the sun?

A46) Mercury.

Q47) Which Big theory explains the formation of the universe?

A47) The Big Bang Theory.

Q48) Which Helen became the first British woman in space?

A48) Helen Sharman.

Q49) Alphabetically, what’s the last planet in our solar system?

A49) Venus.

Q50) What did the Soviet Union call its first nuclear powered ship, Lenin, or Stalin?

A50) Lenin.

Round Six General Ignorance.

Q51) How many megabits, in a gigabit?

A51) 1000. 

Q52) Which north African country has the internet domain code, .dz?

A52) Algeria.

Q53) In heraldry, what colour is Vert: green, red or purple?

A53) Green.

Q54) In which European country is Ravenna?

A54) Italy.

Q55) How many pawns are there, at the start of a game of chess? 

A55) 16: 8 black, along with 8 white.

Q56) Name either of Lebanon’s two main languages. (Two points for both.)

A56) French and Arabic.

Q57) Which buccaneer became Governor of Jamaica, in 1674?

A57) Captain Henry Morgan.   (Accept just Captain Morgan.)

Q58) What’s the last word, in the bible?

A58) Amen.

Q59) David Bryant became the first World Champion in which sport?

A59) Bowls.

Q60) What does the M stand for, in MTV? 

A60) Music.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with one of the OTHER hits from THAT band … 

Dosh.

Dosh.

DOSH … 

*        Regulars will know this, 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 would be appreciated.