The Daily Teaser — 22-2-2014

Oh, bless ’im … !

I have to admit, I was at home, yesterday: and got visited.

By my kid sister, and my nephew, Jude.

Who was definitely impressed by the Apple TV set-top box I’ve got.

Well … 

Not so much the box … 

But definitely by the fact I could use it to connect to YouTube: and show him lots of Cars cartoons!

What CAN I tell you … ?

~≈∏≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and scoring nine out of ten.

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) 22nd February, 1928, saw the birth of game show host, Sir Bruce Forsyth.   Which BBC show did he present, between 1971 and 1977?

Q2) 22nd February, 1959, saw Lee Petty win the first Daytona 500.   The race was originally raced over 200 laps: and how many miles?

Q3) 22nd February, 1979, saw Saint Lucia become independent: of where?

Q4) More to the point, in which sea is Saint Lucia … ?

Q5) 22nd February, 1943, saw members of the White Rose movement executed in Germany.   The White Rose was a resistance movement in which country?

Q6) Finally … 22nd February, 1994, saw the US Department of Justice charge Aldrich Ames with spying.   For which country … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 21st February, 1848, saw the first publication of The Communist Manifesto.   Name either of the writers.

A1) Karl Marx or Friedrich Engels.

Q2) The writers were commissioned to write The Communist Manifesto, by The Communist League.   The Communist League were based in which European city … ?

A2) London.

Q3) In which language was The Communist Manifesto originally written?

A3) German.   An English language translation is available on Project Gutenberg.

Q4) The Manifesto’s writers saw the world engulfed in a class struggle: between workers and those who owned the means of production.   What term did they use for the working classes?

A4) Proletariat.

Q5) What was their term for the richer classes workers were warring against?

A5) The Bourgeois .

Q6) The Communist Manifesto argued for the abolition of what: slavery, inheritance or taxation … ?

A6) Inheritance.

Q7) It also argued for free what: contraception, children’s education or beer?

A7) Education.

Q8) One of the writers wrote a critique of political economy called what … ?

A8) Das Kapital, Kritik der politischen Ökonomie.

Q9) The Communist Manifesto’s other author wrote The Condition of the Working Class In … where … ?

A9) England.

Q10) Finally … The Communist Manifesto ended by encouraging the world’s workers to do what … ?

A10) Unite.

I’ll leave you with this song, from birthday boy, Oliver … 

And this thought from director, Jonathan Demme …

“I don’t think it’s sacrilegious to remake any movie, including a good or even great movie. I think what’s sacrilegious is to make a bad movie, whether it’s a remake or an original.”

Director, Jonathan Demme, born February 22, 1944

Have a good day.

*        JUST as a thought, Debbi: you should have a FaceTime camera built into the top bezel of your iMac: you should also be able to record video podcasts with it, process and edit them with iMovie, then upload it to your blog.   You’ll also be able top record stuff with that new camera, import it into iMovie, and get editing.   (Oh, hitting ⌘ and ‘?’ will open each applications Help page.   Hitting ⌘ and ‘,’ will open the settings/preferences for whatever application your currently using.   And you do know the Apple store you got it from does training courses … ?)

The Friday Question Set — 21-2-2014

OK, OK … !

I know it’s late.

But I’ve an excuse, I’ve been putting the videos together, for the next few day’s teasers.

It does take a while.

I’ve had some entertainment, though: my younger sister, Ruth was over, earlier: along with my nephew, Jude.

Getting to watch lots of Cars cartoons on YouTube, through my new Apple TV was rather fun: and didn’t exactly speed things up … !

At ANY rate, I can now catch up: by posting up this week’s Friday Question set.

Here it is, covered by the usual Creative Commons License*.

Online 240

ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) On a standard UK computer keyboard, what’s the only vowel that isn’t on the top line of letters?

A1) A.

Q2) What’s the worlds most popular Non Alcoholic Drink?

A2) Coffee.

Q3) What letter is given to a car number plate when the age or identity of the vehicle is unknown or if it may have been built from parts?

A3) Q.


Q4) Which North African seaport’s name is Spanish for white house?

A4) CASABLANCA.

Q5) According to the Bible, on what day of creation did God make the sun, the moon and the stars?

A5) The fourth.

Q6) What is the collective name for the 9 handmaidens of Odin?

A6) Valkyries.

Q7) What shoe is another name for a ships load mark?

A7) Plimsoll: as in Plimsoll Line.

Q8) What is the meaning of the word Hypocaust: Annihilation of a town by flood, mass inoculation or underfloor heating.

A8) Underfloor heating.

Q9) Astrologically speaking, two of the fire signs are Leo and Aries. Which is the third?

A9) Sagittarius.

Q10) Who is the longest serving member of the Privy Council?   (Bonus point for naming the year.)

A10) The Duke of Edinburgh: appointed in 1951.

ROUND TWO.   SOUNDS OF THE 70s.

Q11) Trevor Horne, producer of Russian lesbian one hit wonder’s, Tatu’s, started his musical career with which band: the Buggles, Yes or Frankie goes to Hollywood?   (Bonus for their only Number 1.)

A11) The Buggles.   (Video Killed the Radio Star)

Q12) One hit wonders, the Charlie Daniels Band, had a country & western hit with which devilish song?

A12) The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Q13) Gangsters was the debut hit for which Two Tone stars?

A13) The Specials.

Q14) Down In the Tube Station At Midnight, and Going Underground were hits for which Paul Weller fronted band?

A14) The Jam.

Q15) Play the Funky Music was a hit for Wild Cherry Red: but in which year of the 70s?

A15) 1976.

Q16) Here comes the Sun was a hit for Steve Harley & the Cockney Rebel.   But which former Beatle wrote it?

A16) George Harrison.

Q17) Spirit in the Sky was a hit in 1970 for Norman Greenbaum.   But who had an 80s hit with a cover version of it?

A17) Doctor & The Medics.

Q18) Jim Steinman wrote hit album, Bat Out of Hell: for which singer?   (Bonus point for the singer’s real name.)

A18) Meatloaf.   (Marvin Lee Aday.)

Q19) Y.M.C.A and In The Navy were hits for which New York based disco band?

A19) The Village People.

Q20) Smashy & Nicey, as created by Harry Enfield, were obsessed by which Bachman–Turner–Overdrive hit?

A20) You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.

ROUND THREE.   TV DINNERS.

Q21) Who’s the regular comedy partner of Dawn French?

A21) Jennifer Saunders.

Q22) In which decade was the series Tenko set?

A22) The 1940s.

Q23) Who was the main female presenter of That’s Life?

A23) Esther Rantzen.

Q24) Which time travelling detective series has main characters called Sam Tyler, & Gene Hunt?

A24) Life On Mars.

Q25) QI is presented by which member of Fry & Laurie?

A25) Stephen Fry.

Q26) The other member of Fry & Laurie stars in which US medical drama?

A26) House.   (Hugh Laurie)

Q27) Brian Dowling is current the presenter of the main Big Brother show.   Name either presenter of the only current spin off, Big Brother’s Bit On The Side … ?

A27) Rylan Clarke or Emma Willis.

Q28) I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here is filmed in which country?

A28) Australia.

Q29) In a famous American tv public information film, which Hollywood star said “Take it easy, driving … the life you save might be mine”?

A29) James Dean.

Q30) Bach’s Air on a G String was used in the tv adverts for which brand of cigar?

A30) Hamlet.

ROUND FOUR.   SPORTING CHANCES.

Q31) Nigel Mansell was the first British Formula One champion, during the 90s: who was the second?

A31) Damon Hill.

Q32) Barthez, Dugarry and Thuram all played for which World cup winning side?

A32) France.

Q33) Which Nick won the British Open, in 1990 and 1992?

A33) Nick Faldo.

Q34) Which tennis player was stabbed on court?

A34) Monica Seles.

Q35) In 1994, which rugby playing Gavin was made an OBE?

A35) Hastings.

Q36) Which Scottish team were  Scottish Premier Division football championships for all of the 1990s: with the exception of the 1997/98 season?

A36) Rangers.

Q37) Who dominated World Darts, throughout the 90’s?

A37) Phil Taylor.

Q38) Which England soccer manager became known as a turnip?

A38) Graham Taylor.

Q39) Which Sally won Olympic Gold, in the 400 metre hurdles?

A39) Sally Gunnell.

Q40) Which teenage Martina won Wimbledon, the US Open, & the Australian Open, in 1997?

A40) Martina Hingis.

ROUND FIVE.   AT THE 80s MOVIES.

Q41) Which acting knight’s last film appearance was as Tarzan’s grandfather?

A41) Sir Ralph Richardson.

Q42) More to the point, what was the name of the movie?

A42) Greystoke.

Q43) Sir John Gielgud played the Master of Trinity College in which 1981, sporting movie?

A43) Chariots of Fire.

Q44) Complete the film title: Prizzi’s … what?

A44) Prizzi’s Honour.

Q45) In the film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, who played detective Eddie Valiant?

A45) Bob Hoskins.

Q46) Which film actor made his stage debut, in the play, Long Day’s Journey Into Night: Walther Matthau, Jack Lemmon or Tony Curtis?

A46) Jack Lemmon.

Q47) Which famed Swedish director directed the film, Fanny & Alexander?

A47) Ingmar Bergman.

Q48) The director of the film Straw Dog died in 1984.   Who was he?

A48) Sam Peckinpah.

Q49) More to the point, which Welsh actor died in 1984, having released the film, 1984?

A49) Richard Burton.

Q50) Rupert Murdoch bought which Hollywood film studio, during the 80s?

A50) 20th Century Fox.

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) There are two loan words in the English language, from Czech.   One is ‘robot’.   What’s the other?

A51) Pistol.

Q52) Where would you find the Spirit of Ecstacy?

Q52) On the bonnet of a Rolls Royce, it’s the radiator badge.

Q53) Which detective writer’s name is made up of the name of a legendary king of England,  a barbarian and one of the Professionals?

A53) Arthur Conan Doyle.

Q54) The Bigbellied Seahorse has been found to be the most promiscuous species of seahorse.   But it lives off the coast of which country?

A54) Australia.

Q55) Westminster Abbey is dedicated to which saint?

A55) Saint Peter.   (It’s formally called the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster.)

Q56) In the USA, what film is celebrated on the 2nd of February?

A56) Groundhog Day.

Q57) In police terms, what is a SOCO?

A57) Scene of Crime Officer.

Q58) The blue cornflower is the French equivalent to what in England?

A58) Poppy.

Q59) Which castle is on the island of Anglesey?

A59) Beaumaris.


Q60) How many stars are on the European Union flag?

A60) 12.

Enjoy those, folks!

*        Regulars will know 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 — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 21-2-2014: The Manifesto

You know, I’ve just glanced outside: and had a look at my preferred Weather app.

And I’ve got to admit, it actually looks halfway decent.

Surprisingly … !

Which will probably a good thing.

Whilst my part of the UK been reasonably unscathed after the recent floods, parts of the UK — the Somerset Levels spring to mind, here — will no doubt welcome both the sunshine.

Or, if nothing else, the fact that it’s stopped raining.

After all, they’ll need the chance to dry out … !

~≈§≈~

But let’s get moving on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and bagging four 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) 21st February, 1848, saw the first publication of The Communist Manifesto.   Name either of the writers.

Q2) The writers were commissioned to write The Communist Manifesto, by The Communist League.   The Communist League were based in which European city … ?

Q3) In which language was The Communist Manifesto originally written?

Q4) The Manifesto’s writers saw the world engulfed in a class struggle: between workers and those who owned the means of production.   What term did they use for the working classes?

Q5) What was their term for the richer classes workers were warring against?

Q6) The Communist Manifesto argued for the abolition of what: slavery, inheritance or taxation … ?

Q7) It also argued for free what: contraception, children’s education or beer?

Q8) One of the writers wrote a critique of political economy called what … ?

Q9) The Communist Manifesto’s other author wrote The Condition of the Working Class In … where … ?

Q10) Finally … The Communist Manifesto ended by encouraging the world’s workers to do what … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 20th February, 1986, saw the USSR launch the Mir Space Station.   What does ‘Mir’ mean in English … ?

A1) Either ‘peace’ or ‘Earth’, depending on the translator.

Q2) 20th February, 1958, saw the UK Government announce it was closing one of the oldest naval dockyards in the UK: which docks … ?

A2) The Sheerness Docks, near Sheppey in Kent.

Q3) 20th February, 1998, saw Tara Lipinski become the youngest winner of a gold medal, at the Nagano Winter Olympics.   In which sport did she win that medal … ?

A3) Ladies figure skating.

Q4) Talking of medals, 20th February, 1978, saw the awarding of the last ever Order Of Victory.   Who received that medal … ?

A4) Former Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev.

Q5) Finally … 20th February, 1993, saw two 10-year-olds charged with the murder of two year old James Bulger, in Liverpool.   Which film was claimed to have influenced the killers?

A5) Child’s Play 3.

I’ll leave you this tune … 

And this thought …

“A specter is haunting Europe—the specter of Communism.” From the opening pages of The Communist Manifesto

Have a good day.

*        Yes, it’s their little set-top box, Debbi: you can read about it, here.   (The rumoured TV set is still delayed, though, Debbi: apparently, many US cable companies are refusing to budge on allowing their content on such a thing.   I think that’s where Steve Job’s death has hurt Apple.   If I’ve understood some of the coverage, correctly, the fact many film and music companies agreed to put their content onto iTunes, was down to his negotiating skills.   At ANY rate: I’ve an older Mac and iPod, that means I can stream video and music to my TV.   As you’re running a newer version of the Mac operating system, you’d be able to use it to stream a lot more.   AND be able to use it to turn your TV into an extra monitor.   You’d also be able to use it in conjunction with the version of iMovie on your machine, to make trailers: at least, if I’ve understood things correctly.)

The Daily Teaser — 20-2-2014

Well, that’s my new toy set up … !

You’ve probably realised, by now, that I’ve managed to treat myself to an Apple TV: the little TV set-top box Apple produce, that let’s me stream stuff from my computer, to my TV set.

And I must admit, that — typical of Apple — that was rather easy.

In addition, I’ve also found out something else.   I can stream stuff from my iPod Touch.   Granted, it’s not the complete Airplay effect I’d get with one running iOS 7: but it’s good enough for me!

It’s ALSO got a very familiar interface: if I’ve understood things correctly, the Apple TV runs a version of iOS: complete with a version of Front Row, which my aging Mac mini comes with.

The one … uh … drawback … or potential drawback, at any rate, is that the thing makes full use of the sound system I’ve got hooked up to the TV.

To the point where I had to do some serious volume adjusting … !

Ahem … !

~≈Œ≈~

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

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

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) 20th February, 1986, saw the USSR launch the Mir Space Station.   What does ‘Mir’ mean in English … ?

Q2) 20th February, 1958, saw the UK Government announce it was closing one of the oldest naval dockyards in the UK: which docks … ?

Q3) 20th February, 1998, saw Tara Lipinski become the youngest winner of a gold medal, at the Nagano Winter Olympics.   In which sport did she win that medal … ?

Q4) Talking of medals, 20th February, 1978, saw the awarding of the last ever Order Of Victory.   Who received that medal … ?

Q5) Finally … 20th February, 1993, saw two 10-year-olds charged with the murder of two year old James Bulger, in Liverpool.   Which film was claimed to have influenced the killers?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 19th February, 1906, saw the Kellogg’s company founded: as the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company.   In which US state is Battle Creek: Michigan, Maryland or Missouri?

A1) Michigan.

Q2) The company was famously founded by W. K. Kellogg: what did the W stand for … ?

A2) Will.

Q3) More to the point, what did the K stand for … ?

A3) Keith.

Q4) Cornflakes — the Kellogg’s Company’s first product — are made from  corn: also known as which ‘m’ … ?

A4) Maize.

Q5) Many of those cornflakes are made in the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford Park.   In which English city IS Trafford Park … ?

A5) Manchester.

Q6) Kellogg’s Frosties — or Frosted Flakes, in the US and Canada — are cornflakes coated in what?

A6) Sugar.

Q7) More to the point, which cartoon animal’s on that box of Frosties?

A7) Tony the Tiger.

Q8) Kellogg’s Rice Krispies — or Rice Bubbles, if we’re Down Under — famously go ‘Snap! Crackle!’ … and what … ?

A8) Pop!

Q9) Which of Kellogg’s cereals challenges you to lose six pounds in two weeks … ?

A9) Special K.

Q10) Finally … what’s the name of the rooster on boxes of Kellogg’s Cornflakes … ?

A10) Cornelius.

I’ll leave you with this song … 

And this thought …

“If you are anxious about death, then you don’t have a sense of the oneness of things—you feel that after death, you will be no more.”

Sydney Poitier, born February 20, 1927

Have a good day.

*        Oh, Debbi, did I tell you I’ve got an Apple TV … ?   It’s working nice and well with my Mac, but as you’re running a newer version of the OS … ?   You’ll probably find it HANDY … !

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 19-2-2014

You know, it’s one of those rush day’s, todays.

Well … 

Rushed in the sense there’s a few things I’d like to get done: but find it rather tricky to get meself motivated.

Don’t you just HATE those days … ?

~≈Ú≈~

At ANY rate … 

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

Here’s this week’s, along with the Creative Commons License* …

Q1) 19th February saw the patenting of the phonograph: by which American inventor … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1870s … ?

Q3) What shape were those early phonographs: cylindrical, spherical or ovoid?

Q4) The original test phonograms were covered in what: wax, tinfoil or Bakelite … ?

Q5) By 1925, disc shaped records — or gramophones — were gaining popularity.   Those gramophones went at how many revolutions per minute: 78, 45 or 33⅓ … ?

Q6) What was the diameter — in inches — of those records: 7”, 10” or 12” … ?

Q7) Early record were made from shellac.   Later ones, from roughly the 1960s onwards, were made from PVC: which stood for poly-vinyl … what … ?

Q8) All these records were analogue, of course.   These days, modern musical recordings are what: digital, analogue or composite … ?

Q9) Which Dire Straits album was the first — on a major label — to sell extremely well, on CD?

Q10) Most modern songs are in the digital format known as MP3: what does the MP stand for … ?

Here’s last week’s questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 12th February sees Christian Dior introduce his New Look range.   In which year of the 1940s … ?

Q2) This was at the Dior’s HQ: at 30 Avenue Montaigne.   In which French city is 30 Avenue Montaigne … ?

Q3) The phrase, New Look was coined by the then editor of which fashionable magazine: Cosmopolitan, Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar … ?

Q4) That year also saw the release of Dior’s first perfume.   What was that perfume’s name: Dior Pour Homme, Miss Dior or Opium … ?

Q5) More to the point, which Italian born, French designer, worked on Dior’s perfumes … ?

Q6) In ‘Mrs ’Arris Goes To Paris’, Mrs Harris went to Paris to buy a Dior … what … ?

Q7) Who performed 2010 song, Christian Dior Denim Flow: Snoop Dogg, Kanye West or Jay Z … ?

Q8) John Galliano was head of the House of Dior: from 1996 until which year … ?

Q9) More to the point, he hired which South African actress for Dior’s J’Adore perfumes … ?

Q10) Finally … In which year of the 1950s did Christian Dior die?

Answers.

A1) 1947.

A2) Paris.

A3) Harper’s Bazaar.

A4) Miss Dior.

A5) Pierre Cardin.

A6) Ball-gown.

A7) Kanye West.   (The song was released as of his GOOD Fridays1 promotion.)

A8) 2011.

A9) Charlize Theron.

A10) 1957.

Enjoy those.

*        Regulars will know 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 — and to the Gazette’s, if that’s where you’ve found these — would be appreciated.