The Daily Teaser — 7-8-2011

Arrrgh!

That’ll teach me to make sure I put in a blank disc … !

ARRRRRGH … !

You see, BBC 2 had shown Battle Beyond the Stars and Saturn 3, last night.

And … ?

Well, I’ll be frank: my DVD recorder has a very basic electronic programme guide. And when I say basic, I mean basic: it lets me pick something to record.

But doesn’t include a method of reminding me that something I’d like to watch is on.

Apart from recording it …

Of course, last night … ?

I missed the chance of recording those two films …

Because I forgot to put a blank disk in … !

ARRRRRGH … !

Oh, well …

At least if nothing else, I can look forward to the release of Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy. It looks like it could be good.

»»·««

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

Yesterday’s Teaser say Mr Strict putting in his answers, and Kaiju telling us about the state of the US economy: and also saw Mr S bagging 6 out of 6.

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

Q1) 7th August, 1930, saw the last what take place in the northern part of the USA … ?

Q2) 7th August, 1987, saw Lynne Cox become one of the few people to swim across what … ?

Q3) 7th August, 1944, saw the formal dedication of the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator: how was this also known … ?

Q4) 7th August, 1958, saw playwright Arthur Miller clear of Contempt of Congress, after refusing to pass names to which congressional committee?

Q5) More to the point, who was he married to, at the time … ?

Q6) And finally … 7th August, 1981, saw which US newspaper publish its last edition … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 6th August, 1945, saw the world’s first atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima: which OMD song was about this … ?

A1) Enola Gay: named after the USAAF B29 that dropped it.

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the US scientific project that developed that, and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, three days later … ?

Q2) The Manhattan Project.

Q3) Moving on … 6th August, 1964, saw the chopping down of Prometheus, the world’s oldest known tree: what species what it … ?

A3) Bristlecone pine.

Q4) 6th August, 1962, saw Jamaica become independent: in which sea is Jamaica … ?

A4) The Caribbean.

Q5) 6th August, 1910, saw the birth of English film director, Charles Crichton: with which film studio was he associated for many years?

A5) Ealing Studios.

Q6) And finally … 6th August, 1961, saw the USSR launch its second cosmonaut into space: what was his name … ?

A6) Gherman Titov.

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

The Daily Teaser — 6-8-2011

Dear …

Lord …

He says, after seeing the news …

Oh, I don’t think there’s anything specific that’s caught my eye.

Well …

Beyond the fact that the economy is rapidly melting down, again, the M25 — Britain’s own Road To Hell — is closed in sections … And schoolboy, Horatio Chapple died as a result of a polar bear attack in Norway.

It’s alright, though.

Apparently, it’s ALSO the happiest day of the year, today.

Apparently …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

»»—««

Yesterday’s Teaser was a quiet one: with no-one putting in any answers! Lets see who fancy’s having a try at today’s question, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 6th August, 1945, saw the world’s first atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima: which OMD song was about this … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the US scientific project that developed that, and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, three days later … ?

Q3) Moving on … 6th August, 1964, saw the chopping down of Prometheus, the world’s oldest known tree: what species what it … ?

Q4) 6th August, 1962, saw Jamaica become independent: in which sea is Jamaica … ?

Q5) 6th August, 1910, saw the birth of English film director, Charles Crichton: with which film studio was he associated for many years?

Q6) And finally … 6th August, 1961, saw the USSR launch its second cosmonaut into space: what was his name … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 5th August, 1962, saw the death of actress, Marilyn Monroe: under what name was she born … ?

A1) Norma Jeane Mortenson. (But baptized as Norma Jeane Baker.)

Q2) More to the point, in which of her early films did she play Miss Caswell … ?

Q2) All About Eve.

Q3) 5th August, 1861, saw the US Army abolish what: flogging, whipping or strapping … ?

A3) Flogging.

Q4) 5th August, 1983, saw 22 members of the I. R. A. sentenced to a collective total of how many years in gaol: 3000, 4000 or 5000 years?

A4) 4000 years.

Q5) And finally … 5th August, 1906, saw the birth of director, John Huston: what was the name of the first Humphrey Bogart film he directed … ?

A5) The Maltese Falcon.

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

»»·««

6/8/11. 8:18am

Just as a QUICK thought … ! Thought I’d best mention that Kaiju, bless him, has managed to put his answers in, a touch on the late side … ! With a score of six out of six … !

The Daily Teaser and Friday Question Set: 5-8-11

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, it’s nice to be able to watch a film — or, at least, have one playing in the background — while you’re writing.

OK, granted, I’ve seen Aliens v Predators before.

And, granted, it may not be the best movie in existence.

But … ?

Well …

I don’t know about you — and I know Kevin D was always a bit sniffy about it — but I always thought it was a hell of a lot of fun … !

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

»»»·«««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Kaiju putting in his answers: and, along with digging up the writer of the words of Qaumī Tarāna, also managed to match my opinion of Saint Sithney*.

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

Q1) 5th August, 1962, saw the death of actress, Marilyn Monroe: under what name was she born … ?

Q2) More to the point, in which of her early films did she play Miss Caswell … ?

Q3) 5th August, 1861, saw the US Army abolish what: flogging, whipping or strapping … ?

Q4) 5th August, 1983, saw 22 members of the I. R. A. sentenced to a collective total of how many years in gaol: 3000, 4000 or 5000 years?

Q5) And finally … 5th August, 1906, saw the birth of director, John Huston: what was the name of the first Humphrey Bogart film he directed … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 4th August, 1954, saw Pakistan finally decide on its National anthem: what’s the name of it?

A1) Qaumī Tarāna: or قومی ترانہ, if you’d prefer it in Urdu.

Q2) 4th August, 2007, saw the launch of NASA’s Phœnix mission: to which planet was the Phœnix heading … ?

Q2) Mars.

Q3) 4th August, 1958, saw the first publication of Billboard magazine’s Hot 100: what Ricky Nelson song was the first № 1 … ?

A3) Poor Little Fool.

Q4) 4th August is — famously or otherwise — the feast day of Saint Sithney, patron saint of mad dogs: in which English county is the small town named after him … ?

A4) Cornwall.

Q5) And finally … 4th August, 1704, saw a joint English and Dutch fleet capture what … ?

A5) Gibraltar.

And here, covered by the same License as usual, is the 60-question-set for struggling pub quiz masters …

Online 115: Copied from Hutton 178.

ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Who played James Bond, in Thunderball?

A1) Sean Connery.

Q2) Which tv show is based on its producer’s experiences at the hands of the Gestapo?

Q2) Mastermind.

Q3) How many pairs of ribs does an adult human normally have?

A3) 12.

Q4) In which century was artist Paul Cèzanne born: the 18th, the 19th, or the 20th?

A4) The 19th.

Q5) What would you do with a wonton?

A5) Eat it. (It’s Chinese food.)

Q6) In Morse code, what letter is represented by three dashes?

A6) The letter O

Q7) Which Tory politician sailed a yacht called The Morning Cloud?

A7) Edward Heath.

Q8) Which side were premiership runners up, from 1999 to 2001?

A8) Arsenal.

Q9) In which Dickens novel does the character of Kit Hubble appear?

A9) The Old Curiosity Shop.

Q10) In the original cartoons. what colour is Scooby Doo’s collar?

A10) Blue.

ROUND TWO. TRANSPORT.

Q11) Which motorway runs from London to Leeds?

A11) The M1

Q12) Do more countries drive on the left or right?

A12) Right.

Q13) In which English county is Stansted Airport?

A13) Essex.

Q14) The first production line car was the Model T: which car company made it?

A14) Ford.

Q15) What did the Montgolfier brothers fly, in 1783?

A15) A hot air balloon.

Q16) Talking of brothers, what was the surname of aviation pioneers, Orville and Wilbur?

A16) Wright.

Q17) What is the full name of the QE2?

A17) Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.

Q18) Which European country do Renault cars come from?

A18) France.

Q19) Who produced the Silver Ghost?

A19) Rolls Royce.

Q20) Over which ocean did Alcock & Brown fly, in 1919?

A20) The Atlantic.

ROUND THREE. AT THE 60S MOVIES.

Q21) On which side of New York was the musical about rival gangs?

A21) The west side.

Q22) Who starred as Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the name?

A22) Elizabeth Taylor

Q23) In the hit Peter O’Toole film, which country was Lawrence associated?

A23) Arabia

Q24) What role did Warren Beatty play, opposite Faye Dunaway’s Bonnie.

A24) Clyde

Q25) In the 1969 film, what type of Cowboy was John Voight?

A25) Midnight.

Q26) Who played The Graduate in the film of the same name?

A26) Dustin Hoffman.

Q27) Who played Dr Who, in the two 1960s Doctor Who movies?

A27) Peter Cushing

Q28) Who won an Oscar, as Professor Higgins, in My Fair Lady?

A28) Rex Harrison.

Q29) Which Lionel Bart musical was based on a novel by Charles Dickens?

A29) Oliver.

Q30) Who played Rosemary, in Rosemary’s Baby?

A30) Mia Farrow.

ROUND FOUR. SITCOMS.

Q31) What is the first name of Mrs Bucket (Bouquet), in Keeping Up Appearances?

A31) Hyacinth.

Q32) Who played Patsy, in Absolutely Fabulous?

A32) Joanna Lumley.

Q33) What was the name of Gordon Kaye’s character, in ’Allo, ’Allo?

A33) René.

Q34) In which sitcom does Victor Meldrew appear?

A34) One Foot In the Grave.

Q35) In Only Fool’s And Horses, what’s Del Boy & Rodney’s surname?

A35) Trotter.

Q36) Was Ally McBeal a lawyer, an advertising executive, or a doctor?

A36) A lawyer.

Q37) Jerry & Margo’s neighbours, Tom & Barbara, led what kind of life?

A37) The good Life.

Q38) What was the profession of Steptoe & Son?

A38) Rag & Bone men.

Q39) According to the title of the 90’s sitcom, how many Children did Bill & Ben Porter have?

A39) 2·4 Children.

Q40) Which of Nora Batty’s rather wrinkly clothes was Compo fascinated by, in Last Of The Summer Wine?

A40) Her stockings.

ROUND FIVE. WORLD TOUR.

Q41) Which European country has the internet suffix, .at?

A41) Austria

Q42) Which wind blows from the Sahara Desert, to southern Italy, the Sirocco, the Savanah or the Saveloy?

A42) The Sirocco.

Q43) Which Canadian island has Victoria as its capital?

A43) Vancouver

Q44) Which country has Eastern, Central, Pacific, & Mountain time zones?

A44) The USA.

Q45) In which ocean are the Maldives?

A45) The Indian Ocean.

Q46) Which US state is known as the Lone Star State?

A46) Texas.

Q47) Cotopaxi, the world’s highest volcano, is in which South American country?

A47) Ecuador.

Q48) What is the USA’s oldest educational establishment?

A48) Harvard.

Q49) How do the Argentineans refer to the Falkland Islands?

A49) Las Malvinas.

Q50) Which far Eastern country has the world’s most neighbouring countries?

A50) China.

ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Gavrilo Princip was the man who started World War One, by shooting who?

A51) Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Q52) Which monarchs sat on the Peacock Throne?

A52) The Shahs of Iran.

Q53) In the early 19th century, George Shillibeer brought what to London: a bus service, a sewer system or street lighting?

A53) A bus service.

Q54) Which Greek philosopher was the first to claim the world was a sphere?

A54) Pythagoras.

Q55) Who was the first woman to fly the Atlantic, single handedly?

A55) Amelia Earhart.

Q56) Who famously once came third in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest?

A56) Charlie Chaplin.

Q57) Which bird can, according to urban myth, fly the fastest?

A57) The homing Pigeon.

Q58) During the 18th century, Kitty Fisher was London’s highest paid what, prostitute, actress or dancer?

A58) Prostitute.

Q59) The Great Smoo is Scotland’s largest what, cave, mountain or tree?

A59) Cave.

Q60) If you are triskedecaphobic, what are you scared of?

A60) The number 13.

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

* You’re right, Kaiju … He does … !

The Daily Teaser — 4-8-2011

You know, I’ve got to admit, I woke up this morning …

Hmmm …

You know, that’s usually the cue for a song, hasn’t it … ? That ‘I Woke Up This Morning’ usually gets a mention in so many faux blues tunes, it’s almost a knee jerk reaction — for me, anyway — to start making something up.

Complete with a ripped off, Willie-Dixon-style, da-dah-da-DAH bass-line, just to tell you it’s a blues tune.

But at ANY rate … ?

What I was going to tell you that I’ve woken up with a tune going through my head.

In this case … ?

Well, for some reason, I’ve had Amy Winehouse’s Rehab floating across my mind.

And beyond the fact that she’s recently died … ?

I really couldn’t tell you why …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Kaiju — old friend to the Teasers that he is — stepping into the breach, and bagging 6 out o6: and along with that, giving us some eye boggling details of both MKULTRA, and the weather both in Dallas and Santa Clara. (Sounds … toasty, to say the least … )

But lets see how he — and you — do with todays questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 4th August, 1954, saw Pakistan finally decide on its National anthem: what’s the name of it?

Q2) 4th August, 2007, saw the launch of NASA’s Phœnix mission: to which planet was the Phœnix heading … ?

Q3) 4th August, 1958, saw the first publication of Billboard magazine’s Hot 100: what Ricky Nelson song was the first № 1 … ?

Q4) 4th August is — famously or otherwise — the feast day of Saint Sithney, patron saint of mad dogs: in which English county is the small town named after him … ?

Q5) And finally … 4th August, 1704, saw a joint English and Dutch fleet capture what … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd August, 1960, saw which African country become independent … ?

A1) Niger.

Q2) More to the point from which European country … ?

Q2) France.

Q3) 3rd August, 1492, saw Christopher Columbus start his famed voyage to discover an Atlantic route to the East Indies: from which Spanish town?

A3) Palos de la Frontera.

Q4) That same day — 3rd August, 1492 — saw the King and Queen of Spain, formally expel which part of the population?

A4) The Jews.

Q5) 3rd August saw a weather station in Leicestershire record Britain’s highest temperature: in which year … ?

A5) 1990.

Q6) And finally … 3rd August, 1977, saw the US Senate begin it’s hearing into which CIA project?

A6) The MK-ULTRA project.

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

Copyrght, Hargreaves … And stuff …

Oh, well, now …

It looks — LOOKS — like I can honestly turn around and say “Well, FINALLY” with both a certain amount of force.

And a certain amount of relief, as well.

Because, after a certain amount of consideration, Business Secretary, Vince Cable has announced the government’s response to the Hargreaves Report on Intellectual Property and Growth.

And it’s favourable.

»»·««

Just so you know, the report was published some time ago, and deals with the state of UK copyright law in the modern age: and, in part, how to deal with one or two of the anomalies of UK copyright law.

The bit of it that’s always struck me and many others as stupid, here … ?

Is the simple fact that in the UK, one cannot do what’s become known as format shifting.

In other words … ?

We can’t, legally, copy a CD or DVD we own from the original optical media, to our hard drive, and then to an iPod, MP3 player, flash drive*, external back up drive, home theatre computer … or the earlier models of Apple TV streaming device.

Ridiculous, really, isn’t it … ?

But, at ANY rate … ?

As you’ll have probably figured out, I’ve always thought that that was — speaking frankly — bloody stupid.

The law, in this sort of case, is not only an ass, but a bloody slow one, at that.

It’ll still be slow.

But if you’ve been watching the news, today, you’ll know that Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced the the coalition government will — in possibly the only good move I think they’ll make — be accepting those conclusions.

He also announced that the government will be dropping the web-site blocking aspects of the Digital Economy Act, that passed into law, just before the general election.

Mostly because of the legal moves afoot to force ISPs to block them: something I believe to be very dodgy ground. After all, it’s turning the people who provide you and me with access to the ’Net into policemen. And policemen I’d rather not have stomping around MY hard-drive, just on principle, thanking you … !

But, at ANY rate … ?

At any rate, this hopefully means that, now Mr Cable’s announced this … ?

It means we can all heave a collective sigh of relief.

Because we’re now no longer being made criminals, unintentionally.

»»·««

* I mention that as many modern models of DVD and Blu-Ray player/recorders, PVR and television set have USB ports on them, and happily play any correctly encoded video file on a USB flash drive.