The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 19-3-2014: Martian Chronicles!

Looks like today is LITERALLY going to be one of those rushed days!

I need to get this post finished: as well as having completed the Gazette’s version!

AND write the Gazette’s April Teasers.

And more for here … !

And, bless him, my nephew, Jude — who’s three and VERY bossy! — has decided Mummy’s taken him to lunch with his Uncle Paul … !

Oy Veh!

~≈Ê≈~

With THAT said, let’s get a move on, shall we?

Here’s this week’s questions, covered, as ever, by the Creative Commons License* …

Q1) 19th March saw the Mars Odyssey probe start photographing Mars.   How exactly: by thermal imaging, with a visible light camera or by gamma ray spectrography?

Q2) The imaging started in which year of this century: 2002, 2007 or 2012?

Q3) In which year was the probe launched … ?

Q4) Roughly how long is a Martian year: 676 days, 686 days or 696 days … ?

Q5) What name have scientists given to one Martian day: a day, sol or mon?

Q6) One system used by planetary scientists starts the Martian calendar on 11th April of which year of the 1950s?

Q7) Mars has what’s either the largest or second largest mountain in the solar  system, depending on how it’s measured.   What’s that mountain called … ?

Q8) Mars’ atmosphere is 96% what: nitrogen, oxygen or carbon dioxide … ?

Q9) Mars is also known as what: red planet, white planet or blue planet?

Q10) Finally … name either Martian moon …

Here’s last week’s questions and answers …

Questions.

Q1) 12th March saw the first Coca Cola bottling plant opened: in which US state?

Q2) In which year of the 1890s?

Q3) In which US city was the drink first made?

Q4) It was originally sold as French what cola?

Q5) The original recipe called for thirty pounds of what: sugar, salt or pepper?

Q6) Some US retailers managed to create demand for Coca Cola made with cane sugar.   This version is usually exported from which Central American country … ?

Q7) In which year was Coca Cola declared Kosher … ?

Q8) Two halal alternatives to Coca Cola have been made in Europe: in France and England.   Name either.

Q9) In which year of the 1980s was New Coke introduced … ?

Q10) Finally … In which year of the 1960s, did Coke introduce the “It’s the Real Thing” slogan … ?

Answers.

A1) Mississippi.

A2) 1894.

A3) Atlanta.

A4) French Wine Cola.

A5) Sugar.

A6) Mexico.

A7) 1935.

A8) Qibla-Cola and Mecca-Cola.

A9) 1985.

A10) 1969.

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.

The Daily Teaser — 19-3-2014

I have to admit, while I’ve been putting everything together for this morning’s post, I’ver had a documentary on about World War 1.

The BBC can knock out some very good documentaries: and, given it’s the Centenary of the start of the Great War, they’re putting in some extra effort.

It’s a fascinating watch: looking over what had to be one of humanity’s maddest moments.

It leaves me thinking I should look up some of the literature around the War might an idea.

It also leaves me hoping one thing.

I hope the crisis in Ukraine doesn’t go like that … 

Hmm … 

Let’s get a move on, shall we?

~≈Â≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and scoring 9½* 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) 19th March, 1895, saw Auguste and Louis Lumière film some of their first film footage: of workers leaving the Lumière family factory.   In which French city was that factory?

Q2) 19th March, 1649, saw the House Of Commons vote to abolish the House of Lords.   Which of them is the Upper House of Parliament … ?

Q3) More to the point, bishops from which Church are members of the House of Lords?

Q4) 19th March, 1944, saw forces from Nazi Germany occupy which European country: Hungary, Bulgaria or Romania?

Q5) 19th March, 1918, saw the US Congress approve time-zones for the USA.   How many time-zones does mainland USA cover?

Q6) Finally … 19th March, 1964, saw the British government announce it would be building three new towns in South East, over the next few years.   Name any of the proposed towns.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 18th March, 1314, saw Jacques De Molay, head of the Knights Templar, burned at the stake.   As the leader of the order, what had his title been … ?

A1) Grand Master.

Q2) How many men had preceded him as leader of the Knights Templar?

A2) 22: De Molay was the 23rd.

Q3) Technically, the Knights Templar were what: monks, nuns or farmers?

A3) Monks.   (Cistercians, if you must know … !)

Q4) The Temple the knights were named for, was in which Middle Eastern city … ?

A4) Jerusalem: strictly, it was what was left of the Temple Of Solomon.

Q5) The order’s members belonged to one of three broad classes: knights, sergeants and who else …?

A5) Chaplains.

Q6) What colour cross did the knights wear on their uniforms … ?

A6) Red.

Q7) The knights were also responsible — partly — for the rise of what: hospitals, banking or diplomacy … ?

A7) Banking.

Q8) The Knights were officially dissolved in October, 1307: on which unluckily dated weekday … ?

A8) Friday 13th.

Q9) In which of the Indiana Jones movies is a member of the Knights Templar a key character?

A9) Indiana Jones And the Last Crusade.

Q10) Finally … in which Sir Walter Scott novel does a villainous Templar called Sir Brian feature …?

A10) Ivanhoe.

As a nod to birthday boy and singer, Terry Hall, I’ll leave you with this song … 

And with this thought …

“But what is the greatest evil? If you are going to epitomize evil, what is it? Is it the bomb? The greatest evil that one has to fight constantly, every minute of the day until one dies, is the worse part of oneself.”

Patrick McGoohan, 19 March 1928 – 13 January 2009

Have a good day!

*        Friday the 13th, Debbi: it’s supposed to be one of the origins of the superstition.   Apparently, there’s also arguments that say it goes back to the Roman calendar.

The Daily Teaser — 18-3-2014: A One-Knight-Stand … !

You know, for once I’m actually tempted to open a post, by saying one VERY simple thing.

‘Good Morning … !’

It strikes me I’ve never actually opened a post like that.

After all, the weather looks halfway decent.

I’ve survived getting hit by a car.

And I’ve passed the ECDL course I’ve been sent on.

OK, not much in the scheme of things.

But … ?

Well, I think Good Morning covers it … !

~≈Ê≈~

But let’s get a move on, shall we … ?

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

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) 18th March, 1314, saw Jacques De Molay, head of the Knights Templar, burned at the stake.   As the leader of the order, what had his title been … ?

Q2) How many men had preceded him as leader of the Knights Templar?

Q3) Technically, the Knights Templar were what: monks, nuns or farmers?

Q4) The Temple the knights were named for, was in which Middle Eastern city … ?

Q5) The order’s members belonged to one of three broad classes: knights, sergeants and who else …?

Q6) What colour cross did the knights wear on their uniforms … ?

Q7) The knights were also responsible — partly — for the rise of what: hospitals, banking or diplomacy … ?

Q8) The Knights were officially dissolved in October, 1307: on which unluckily dated weekday … ?

Q9) In which of the Indiana Jones movies is a member of the Knights Templar a key character?

Q10) Finally … in which Sir Walter Scott novel does a villainous Templar called Sir Brian feature …?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 17th March, 2012, saw the death of Pope Shenouda 3rd: of the Coptic Church of Alexandria.   Most of its members live in which North African country: Algeria, Libya or Egypt … ?

A1) Egypt.

Q2) More to the point, which saint is supposed to have founded that church: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?

A2) Mark.

Q3) 17th March is Saint Patrick’s Day.   On which British ruled Leeward Island is it celebrated as a public holiday: Anegada, Anguilla or Montserrat … ?

A3) Monserrat.

Q4) 17th March, 1337, saw Edward of Woodstock — the Black Prince — named as the first Duke of Cornwall.   Who’s the current Duke … ?

A4) Prince Charles, the Prince Of Wales.

Q5) Edward was also the founder of which UK chivalric order: the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Bath or the Order of Merit … ?

A5) The Order of the Garter.

Q6) 17th March, 1950, saw researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, synthesize element 98 of the Periodic Table.   What did they call element 98 … ?

A6) Californium.

Q7) Finally … 17th March, 2003, saw MP, Robin Cook, resign his Cabinet position: in protest at Britain’s part in the invasion of which country?

A7) Iraq.

I’ll leave you with this tune from hard rockers, Grave Diggers … 

And this thought from Jacques De Molay …

“For we did not and do not wish the Temple to be placed in any servitude except that which is fitting.”

Jacques De Molay, in a memoranda to Clement 5th, the pope who’s dissolved the order.

Have a good day … !

*        It’s worth the effort, Debbi: it’s great fun.   (And has me thinking “Oh, that’s where Terry Pratchett got the idea for Guards, Guards … !”)

The Daily Teaser — 17-3-2014

Ooops, but I’m up early, again … !

Yep: it’s my last day at the ECDL course in Basildon.

Along with the last couple of bits of paperwork and tests: which I’ll hopefully do well at.

I should do, anyway.

The first test, though … ?

Is on PowerPoint: which I think I’ve officially decided to hate … !

Either way … ?

Wish me luck … !

~≈Â≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting her answers: and scoring four 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) 17th March, 2012, saw the death of Pope Shenouda 3rd: of the Coptic Church of Alexandria.   Most of its members live in which North African country: Algeria, Libya or Egypt … ?

Q2) More to the point, which saint is supposed to have founded that church: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John?

Q3) 17th March is Saint Patrick’s Day.   On which British ruled Leeward Island is it celebrated as a public holiday: Anegada, Anguilla or Montserrat … ?

Q4) 17th March, 1337, saw Edward of Woodstock — the Black Prince — named as the first Duke of Cornwall.   Who’s the current Duke … ?

Q5) Edward was also the founder of which UK chivalric order: the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Bath or the Order of Merit … ?

Q6) 17th March, 1950, saw researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, synthesize element 98 of the Periodic Table.   What did they call element 98 … ?

Q7) Finally … 17th March, 2003, saw MP, Robin Cook, resign his Cabinet position: in protest at Britain’s part in the invasion of which country?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 16th March, 1244, saw over 200 members of the Cathar heresy killed: at the end of the Siege of Montségur.   By troops loyal to which Church … ?

A1) The Roman Catholic Church.

Q2) The besieged Château de Montségur was in what’s now which European country … ?

A2) France.

Q3) 16th March, 1872, saw Wanderers F. C. win the first ever F. A. final: held at what’s now which Cricket ground … ?

A3) The Oval.

Q4) 16th March, 1935, saw Adolf Hitler order Germany to re-arm: in direct defiance of which post World War 1 treaty … ?

A4) The Treaty Of Versailles.

Q5) 16th March, 597BC, saw the Babylonians capture which Middle Eastern city … ?

A5) Jerusalem.

Q6) Finally … 16th March, 1521, saw the Philippines reached: by which Portuguese explorer … ?

A6) Ferdinand Magellan.

I’ll leave you with this song from Altered Images … 

And this thought …

“The only critic is a full house.”

Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev 17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993.

Enjoy your day!

*        Are BBC America showing the BBC version of The Musketeers, Debbi … ?   I don’t know if it’s any way close to the original books: but it’s fantastic fun … !   (Shame Peter Capaldi won’t be returning as Cardinal Richelieu, though:  apparently, he’s bagged a bit of a big job … )

Europa Report: Punching Above Its Weight …

15th March, 2014.

You know, I think I can say I’ve had something of a horrible day, today.

Believe it or not … ?   I was actually hit by a car, as I was crossing the road.

Needless to say, it was largely my fault: frankly, I should’ve been looking where I was going.

And, in fairness to the driver, he immediately got out to make sure I was ok.

I think I’ll be ok: bar some aches and pains, I seem to be ok.

If anything changes, you’ll possibly be the first to notice … !

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I’m well enough to have actually rented a movie, tonight: the 2013, Sebastián Cordero indie flick that is Europa Report.

One I think we can say shows us a director coming from out of no-where …