Friday, 4 November 2011

The Daily Teaser and Friday Question Set — 4-11-2011

Oh, now isn’t that strange … ?

He says … !

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got a documentary on, that I taped, late last night, from BBC 4.

Fascinating stuff, about the history of the symphony.

And, ok, I’ll admit to being a complete musical dunce, when it comes to classical music.

But it’s kinda nice to have a bit of potted history to go with it.

Mozart … ? Got bored easily: and went home early after the first performance, buying a rather plain ice-cream on the way.

And apparently … ? Joseph Haydn was fond of his food.

Seemingly, rabbit with cherries was a big favourite.

Hmmm …

You know, you can TELL I’m supposed to be losing weight: that actually looked rather good …

Lets get moving on, shall we?

Yes, lets … !

BEFORE I get started on Beethoven’s thoughts about Napoléon …

««∆»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mr Strict — with his trousers*, I should add — Alexandrafunfit and Debbi all putting in their answers. It saw Debbi and Mr S bagging 5 out of 6º‚ and Alexandra scoring 4 out of 6: something of a personal bestª, I’m thinking.

Let’s see how they do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, Creative Commons License and video …
Q1) 4th November, 1995, saw the assassination of Israeli PM, Yitzhak Rabin: in which city was he … ?

Q2) More to the point, at what sort of event … ?

Q3) 4th November, 2008, saw who win the US Presidential Elections … ?

Q4) Equally to the point, who was his Republican opponent … ?

Q5) 4th November, 1922, saw Howard Carter discover the entrance to Tut-Ankh-Amun’s tomb: what does the name Tut-Ankh-Amun translate as … ?

Q6) 4th November, 1960, saw Dr Jane Goodall observe chimps doing what: mating, using tools or eating meat … ?

Q7) And finally … 4th november, 1995, saw the death of actor Paul Eddington: in which British comedy series did he play Jerry Leadbetter … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 3rd November, 1783, saw John Austin become the last person to be public hanged at Tyburn Gallows: Tyburn Gallows were on a spot that’s now a junction between Oxford Street … and what road … ?
A1) Edgeware Road, near Marble Arch.

Q2) 3rd November, 2004, saw who win their second term as US president … ?
A2) George W. Bush.

Q3) 3rd November, 1975, saw the Queen formally open the UK’s first oil pipeline: those pipelines reach shore in which country of the UK … ?
A3) Scotland.

Q4) 3rd November, 1957, saw the USSR launch the first animal into space: the dog had the name, Laika, which literally means what … ?
A4) Barker.

Q5) More to the point … what was the name of the probe Laika was on … ?
A5) Sputnik 2.

Q6) And finally … 3rd november, 1985, saw two French secret agents plead guilty to the bombing of which boat … ?
A6) The Rainbow Warrior.
And here — as it’s Friday — is the 60-question-set for struggling pub quiz-masters: covered by the Creative Commons License, as usual.
Online 127.
ROUND ONE. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What games were first held in 776 BC?
A1) The Olympic Games

Q2) Which scientist wrote The God Delusion?
Q2) Richard Dawkins

Q3) Which word is used to distinguish a whole number from a fraction?
A3) Integer.

Q4) Which high military rank was introduced in 1736: Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, or Air Commodore?
A4) Field Marshal.

Q5) The Chinese city of Fushun lies on top of one of the world’s largest example of which natural resource?
A5) Coalfield.

Q6) Which island is separated from New Zealand’s South Island by the Foveaux Strait?
A6) Stewart Island.

Q7) According to a recent survey, by the year 2060, 1 in 4 people are estimated to be what: blind, schizophrenic, or an Elvis impersonator?
A7) An Elvis impersonator.

Q8) Which magazine was founded by Mark Lemon and Ebenezer Landells: Punch, Private Eye or the New Scientist?
A8) Punch.

Q9) In gambling, what are ‘Fulhams’?
A9) Loaded dice.

Q10) In the film Psycho, what was Norman Bates hobby?
A10) Taxidermy. (Stuffing things).



ROUND TWO. CELEBRITY.

Q11) What would you ask Laurence Llewellen Bowen to design: interiors, or exteriors?
A11) Interiors.

Q12) Sarah Brightman was married to which theatre impresario?
A12) Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Q13) Which of Roald Dahl’s relatives is famed in the fashion world?
A13) Sophie Dahl.

Q14) How is Lanfranco Dettori better known?
A14) Frankie Dettori.

Q15) What colour is Charlie Dimmock’s hair?
A15) Red.

Q16) Which Vanessa was in the Celebrity Big Brother house, a few years ago?
A16) Vanessa Feltz.

Q17) Who, along with Judy, left This Morning, in 2001?
A17) Richard.

Q18) What’s the first name of Jamie Oliver’s Wife?
A18) Jules.

Q19) Guy Ritchie married which US superstar, in 2000?
A19) Madonna.

Q20) Which member of the Lawson Family was dubbed the ‘Domestic Goddess’?
A20) Nigella Lawson.



ROUND THREE. WORLD TOUR.

Q21) Which islands share their name with Richard Branson’s airline?
A21) The Virgin Islands.

Q22) Which country on the eastern border’s of France has a name beginning with S?
A22) Switzerland.

Q23) Dallas is in which US state?
A23) Texas.

Q24) What does the Dead Sea taste of?
A24) Salt.

Q25) Ecuador is on which continent?
A25) South America.

Q26) In which US city is the Empire State Building?
A26) New York.

Q27) Algeria is on the north coast of which continent?
A27) Africa.

Q28) Which city comprises Old Delhi and New Delhi?
A28) Delhi.

Q29) What’s the official language of Russia?
A29) Russian.

Q30) The Lakota are native to which continent?
A30) North America. (They’re otherwise known as the Sioux).



ROUND FOUR. CLASSICAL MUSIC.

Q31) In which London venue do the annual Proms take place?
A31) The Albert Hall.

Q32) What, apart from a piece of music, is a Waltz?
A32) A dance.

Q33) Placido Domingo is famed for which type of music?
A33) Opera.

Q34) What was the first name of opera singer, Ms Callas?
A34) Maria.

Q35) What is the highest female singing voice: contralto, mezzo–soprano or soprano?
A35) Soprano

Q36) How many performers are there in a string quartet?
A36) Four.

Q37) How do you get a noise out of a tambourine?
A37) Hit it.

Q38) What was Tchaikovsky’s first name: Peter, Paul or Mary? (Either in Russian or English)
A38) Peter. (Pyotr. (pee-OT-tree))

Q39) Which of these instuments is the largest; - the violin, the viola or the cello?
A39) The cello.

Q40) In which country is the Sydney Opera House?
A40) Australia.



ROUND FIVE. FOOD AND DRINK.

Q41) What exactly is feta?
A41) Cheese.

Q42) If coffee is drunk without milk or cream, how is it described?
A42) Black. (or Café Noir, if you’re feeling posh.)

Q43) Which Earl gave his name to a mild tea?
A43) Earl Grey.

Q44) Ciabatta bread originated in which European country?
A44) Italy.

Q45) Chardonney is what sort of wine: white, red or rosé?
A45) White.

Q46) The original version of Pernod was the world’s first brand of which liqueur?
A46) Absinthe.

Q47) The shallot is what type of vegetable?
A47) Onion.

Q48) Seville, in Spain, is famed for which citrus fruit?
A48) Oranges.

Q49) What shape is the pasta used to make Lasagne?
A49) Rectangular.

Q50) Passata is púreed what?
A50) Tomatoes.



ROUND SIX. GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) True or False: popion is an old name for Pumpkin.
A51) True.

Q52) What’s the more common name for sycosis: Barber’s Itch, Crabs or astigmatism?
A52) Barber’s Itch.

Q53) People who took place in the Rebecca Riots, between 1839 and 1844, attacked what: Tollgates, Factories or stand-up comedians?
A53) Tollgates.

Q54) Which BBC programme started in 1971, and changes its name, every year? (Bonus point for naming one of the regular presenters.)
A54) Film ’71. (Barry Norman, Jonathon Ross or Claudia Winkleman and Danny Leigh.)

Q55) Which small Antipodean island do Vandemonians come from?
A55) Tasmania.

Q56) On which radio station would you have heard the Ovaltinies?
A56) Radio Luxembourg.

Q57) Who’d use Tiver, in their day to day work: shepherds, potters or plasterers?
A57) Shepherds. It’s use to dye sheep’s wool, while it’s still on the sheep.

Q58) From which Eastern European country does Tokey wine come from?
A58) Hungary.

Q59) What word links an immoral man and a garden implement?
A59) Rake.

Q60) What part of an animal are the lights?
A60) The lungs.
Enjoy those, everyone.












* LONG story … !

º I’ve got to admit, chaps, I had Edgeware Road: the site’s now a small traffic island …

Thursday, 3 November 2011

The Daily Teaser - 3-11-2011

Oooh, but I could strangle a goat, I really could … !

I’ll be frank … ?

My copy of Safari’s been having an off day, again … !

I’ve just had a fruitful hour — HOUR — swearing at it!

If it WASN’T for the fact it’s usually the best browser I have for interacting with the regular sites I visit?

Well.

I’d’ve probably switched to Chrome, a while ago.

»»•««

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I start SERIOUS whining … !

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Mr Strict and Debbi putting in their answers. With Mr S bagging 6 out of 6, and Debbi scoring 5, it ALSO saw both mentioning a post I’d put up about The Midnight Meat Trainª, AND saw yours truly now becoming a Blog Of Note*º … !

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …
Q1) 3rd November, 1783, saw John Austin become the last person to be public hanged at Tyburn Gallows: Tyburn Gallows were on a spot that’s now a junction between Oxford Street … and what road … ?

Q2) 3rd November, 2004, saw who win their second term as US president … ?

Q3) 3rd November, 1975, saw the Queen formally open the UK’s first oil pipeline: those pipelines reach shore in which country of the UK … ?

Q4) 3rd November, 1957, saw the USSR launch the first animal into space: the dog had the name, Laika, which literally means what … ?

Q5) More to the point … what was the name of the probe Laika was on … ?

Q6) And finally … 3rd november, 1985, saw two French secret agents plead guilty to the bombing of which boat … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 2nd November, 1959, saw the first opening of the M1, in Britain: name the cities at either the beginning or end of the M1’s route.
A1) London and Leeds.

Q2) 2nd November, 1930, saw Haile Salassie crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia: what name and title did he use as Crown Prince … ?
A2) Ras Tafari Makonnen. (With Ras — or ‘head‘ — being roughly equivalent to a duke.)

Q3) 2nd November, 1913, saw the birth of Burt Lancaster: in which 1986 film did he appear opposite Kirk Douglas … ?
A3) Tough Guys.

Q4) More to the point … The Red Chilli Peppers included which otherwise never released song on that film … ?

Q5) 2nd November, 1936, saw who announce the Rome-Berlin Axis … ?
A5) Benito Mussolini.

Q6) And finally … How many days — in a non-leap year — are left until the end of the year … ?
A6) Fifty-nine. (59)
Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with a Cocteau Twins number that’s been floating a round my head, for a decade or two …














* I’ll try and get that emailed over, as soon as, Debbi!

º Oh, Debbi … Remember mentioning a certain Mr Barry … ? Check the soundtrack to todays Teaser video out: you DO know it’s the anniversary of his birth … ?

ª OK, Derek, granted the ending’s a touch obvious … but that’s half the fun, surely … ?

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

The Midnight Meat Train: Blood, Guts and Seriously Disturbing Bits … !

I’ve GOT to admit, I had a quiet night in, last night.

Well …

Quietish … bar the ‘Eww, GROSS’ comments I managed to come out with …

You see, there really was not a lot on TV, last night.

Let me rephrase that: there was plenty.

But nothing that was actually reaching out to me and saying “Hello, I’m worth your time: please watch me and enjoy my company” …

He says, trying DESPERATELY to not sound like he talks to his TV set …

But that simple lack of anything on TV I felt was worth watching … ?

Had me rooting through my film collection, to see what I had sitting around saying ‘Watch Me’.

Thankfully … ?

I THINK I found something …

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser - 2-11-2011

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve happily got Radio 4 on, at the moment.

I’ll admit it: the Today programme’s quite a bit let distracting than the BBC’s own News channel.

Well …

I say a bit …

Actually … ?

FAR less distracting.

Although, at the mo … ?

There’s quite a bit more about Eurozone economics: it seems Germany’s managed to find quite a back down the back of the proverbial sofa … !

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets … !

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Mr Strict putting in their answers, with BOTH bagging 6 out of 6. Although I’ll be frank … ? There’s a HUGE difference between the British usage of the phrase ‘Central America’ — which include my answer, Mexico, as part of Central America — and the US and South African definition, which don’t!

(Actually, technically, this means Mr Strict has now OFFICIALLY been promoted, much like Debbi and Kaiju, to OFFICIAL Teaser Big Beast* status … !)

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) 2nd November, 1959, saw the first opening of the M1, in Britain: name the cities at either the beginning or end of the M1’s route.

Q2) 2nd November, 1930, saw Haile Salassie crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia: what name and title did he use as Crown Prince … ?

Q3) 2nd November, 1913, saw the birth of Burt Lancaster: in which 1986 film did he appear opposite Kirk Douglas … ?

Q4) More to the point … The Red Chilli Peppers included which otherwise never released song on that film … ?

Q5) 2nd November, 1936, saw who announce the Rome-Berlin Axis … ?

Q6) And finally … How many days — in a non-leap year — are left until the end of the year … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 1st November is noted for being The Day Of the Dead: what’s the Spanish name for the holiday … ?
A1) Día de los Muertos.

Q2) More to the point, in which central American country is The Day Of the Dead mostly celebrated … ?
A2) Mexico: or Guatemala, depending on who you are … !

Q3) 1st November, 1884, saw the founding of the Gælic Athletic Association: what’s its name … in Irish Gælic … ?

Q4) 1st November, 1963, saw the opening of the Arecibo Observatory: in which Jodie Forster film did it make an appearance … ?
A4) Contact.

Q5) 1st November, 1928, saw which country replace its Arabic alphabet … ?
A5) Turkey.

Q6) And finally … 1st November, 1990, saw who hand in his resignation to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher … ?
A6) Deputy PM, Sir Geoffrey Howe. (Who handed in his resignation over the various government squabbles over the EU … Sounds familiar …)
Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with the tune that’s been playing ’round my head ALL morning …







* Me finding out stuff like this is much in the Teaser’s ORIGINAL Big Beast tradition of Trevor, himself. He’s on my FB friend list, Debbi, feel free to have a look …