The Daily Teaser — 1-8-2012

Arrrggghhh … !

I HATE getting up late … !

I really do.   Especially when — as today — I’m expecting someone out to have a look at my boiler.

Yep.

It’s playing up, again … !

Here’s hoping it finally gets fixed: frankly, after this long, I’m starting to get annoyed … !

‹‹·››

But let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Trevor putting in their answers.   With both scoring 6 out of 6, it also saw Debbi* mentioning her other blog.

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) 1st August, 1498, saw explorer, Christopher Columbus become the first European to visit what is now which South American country … ?

Q2) 1st August, 1960, saw the Kingdom of Dahomey declare its independence from which European country … ?

Q3) More to the point, how is Dahomey now known … ?

Q4) 1st August, 1976, saw which F1 driver in a critical condition, after a crash … ?

Q5) And finally … 1st August, 1981 saw MTV makes it’s debut on US TV.   In which year did it make its UK debut … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 31st July, 781 AD, is the earliest recorded date for the eruption of Mount Fuji: in which country is Mount Fuji … ?

A1) Japan

Q2) 31st July, 1991, saw the US and USSR sign the START Treaty: what was START short for … ?

A2) Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

Q3) More to the point, by how much — roughly — did the treaty reduce each countries nuclear arms stockpiles: 25%, 35% or 45% … ?

A3) 35%.

Q4) 31st July, 1956, saw who become the first man to take all ten wickets in a cricket Test match?

A4) Jim Laker.

Q5) 31st July, 1970, saw the last of the official rum ration handed out by the Royal Navy: how was this known … ?

A5) Black Tot Day.

Q6) And finally … 31st July, 2006, saw who hand over power to his brother … ?

A6) Fidel Castro.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with a tune from birthday boy, activist and rapper, Chuck D, shall I … 

Oh … And a quote, too …

“We don't see the people who are doing real things getting enough props. We often see politicians who are everywhere but nowhere at the same goddamn time. You know the kind of person: You see them everywhere on television but nowhere in front of your face.”

Chuck D, born 1st August 1960

*        Oh, I will be, Debbi … !   As SOON as I get my Mail client sorted … !

The Daily Teaser — 31-07-2012

Ohhhh … 

Well, that’s a thing … 

It looks like TeamGB have managed to bag a bronze in the Team Gymnastics.

Bit of a result: I’m told we’ve not managed a medal in the event since 1908.

It’s at THIS point I’ve just had a mental image of Vyvyan — from TheYoung Ones — turning ’round and saying to  his errant body, “You took your time.”

OK, that’s a paraphrase.

But it’s a family blog: and I’m thinking you get my point.

Either way, let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

⌘⌘⌘⌘⌘

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Trevor and Debbi putting in their answers.

With both scoring 6 out of 6, it also saw Trevor* confessing he’d listened to ‘Listen With Mother’ as a youngster, and Debbiª letting us know she’d posted more photos from her and Rick’s UK visit.

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) 31st July, 781 AD, is the earliest recorded date for the eruption of Mount Fuji: in which country is Mount Fuji … ?

Q2) 31st July, 1991, saw the US and USSR sign the START Treaty: what was START short for … ?

Q3) More to the point, by how much — roughly — did the treaty reduce each countries nuclear arms stockpiles: 25%, 35% or 45% … ?

Q4) 31st July, 1956, saw who become the first man to take all ten wickets in a cricket Test match?

Q5) 31st July, 1970, saw the last of the official rum ration handed out by the Royal Navy: how was this known … ?

Q6) And finally … 31st July, 2006, saw who hand over power to his brother … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 30th July, 2006, saw the last episode of the world’s longest running music show broadcast: what was it’s name?

A1) Top of the Pops.

Q2) More to the point, for how many years had it been broadcast … ?

A2) 42.

Q3) 30th July, 1932, saw the debut of Flowers and Trees, the first Disney carton to be shot how: in 3d, Technicolor or wide screen … ?

A3) Technicolor.

Q4) 30th July, 1871, saw the boiler of the Staten Island ferry explode: that ferry operates between Staten Island, and which other New York borough … ?

A4) Manhattan.

Q5) 30th July, 1729, saw the founding of the US city of Baltimore.   The city’s named after the Irish town of Baltimore: which is in which Irish county … ?

A5) County Cork.

Q6) And finally … 30th July, 762 AD, saw the founding of the city of Baghdad: on which river is Baghdad located … ?

A6) The Tigris.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you a tune from Fatboy Slim†, as it’s his birthday.

*        Think I caught the tail end of the brand as a kid, Trevor … 

ª        I’ve got that page bookmarked for later, Debbi!

†        Fatboy’s a Dune fan: If you walk without rhythm … 

The Daily Teaser — 30-07-2012

Hmmm … 

Well, we seem to have got off to a start.

An Olympic one, that is: with Rebecca Adlington and Lizzie Armitstead bagging medals in their respective sports over the weekend.

OK, we’re only 16th in the medal table, so far.

But look at it this way: i) The only way is up.   And ii) Our Girls seem to be doing well in their heats in the beach volleyball.

Which I had half an eye, on, yesterday, because of it’s sportsmanship.

And not because its players were attractive young women in bikinis.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before you hand me an old fashioned look … 

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Trevor* putting their answers: with both bagging 7 out of 7, it also saw Trevor confessing he’d listening to the BBC’s Light Programme when he was a youngster, and Debbiº telling us exposure’s a good thing.

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) 30th July, 2006, saw the last episode of the world’s longest running music show broadcast: what was it’s name?   

Q2) More to the point, for how many years had it been broadcast … ?   

Q3) 30th July, 1932, saw the debut of Flowers and Trees, the first Disney carton to be shot how: in 3d, Technicolor or wide screen … ?   

Q4) 30th July, 1871, saw the boiler of the Staten Island ferry explode: that ferry operates between Staten Island, and which other New York borough … ?   

Q5) 30th July, 1729, saw the founding of the US city of Baltimore.   The city’s named after the Irish town of Baltimore: which is in which Irish county … ?   

Q6) And finally … 30th July, 762 AD, saw the founding of the city of Baghdad: on which river is Baghdad located … ?  

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 29th July, 1958, saw the legislation that created NASA signed into law: by which US President … ?   

A1) Dwight D Eisenhower.

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the first American that NASA put into space … ?   

A2) Alan Shepard: who was sent up in a Project Mercury rocket.

Q3) Even MORE to the point, NASA’s contributed to the International Space Station: what’s the name of the US module … ?   

A3) Freedom.

Q4) Moving on … 29th July, 1945, saw the launch of the BBC Light Programme: was that a radio or TV station … ?   

A4) A radio station.

Q5) More to the point, how is that station now known … ?   

A5) BBC Radio 2.

Q6) 29th July, 1958, saw the founding of the International Atomic Energy Agency: who’s its current Director General?   

A6) Yukiya Amano.

Q7) And finally … 29th July, 1985, saw Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer: what’s the name of their eldest child … ?   

A7) Prince William: also known as the Duke of Cambridge.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’m going to seen when we in the Beach Volleyball, again.

And leave you with a tune from Kate Bush, who’s birthday it is.   (And, funnily, who doesn’t play Beach Volley, despite the outfit … )

Oh, and before I forget, there’s also a quote from a certain Mr Fishburne …

“I've played a lot of bad guys, 'cause that was the only work I could get. People saw my face and went ‘Oooh.’”

Laurence Fishburne  born July 30th, 1961

*        Oh, Trevor, don’t know if it dates back QUITE that far, but you do know Radio 4 Extra’s been repeating Round the Horne … ?   Always worth catching, that … 

º        All About the cookies, you say, Debbi … ?   Now THERE’S a phrase … ! :D

Never Let Me Go: Love, Death … And Clones …

You know, I have to be honest, it’s not THAT often I watch a chick flick, I really don’t.

No, seriously, I don’t.

But I had the night to myself, last night.

And had a copy of Never Let Me Go going spare: arguably something of a chick flick.

But arguably, quite good: whatever gender it’s aimed at.

☱☲☴☲☱

Set in an alternative Earth, Never Let Me Go is narrated by Carey Mulligan as Kathy H: a carer reliving memories of her childhood at a very unusual private school, in Hailsham, Surrey.

One that — as a teacher tells Kathy and her classmates, Tommy and Ruth — is in existence to bring up clones as organ donors, doomed to die — or complete — at a young age, after roughly three to four organ donations.

The film follows Kathy growing up: as her, Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) move from the school, and move to cottages maintained by their creators.

Growing up … 

Growing up, and forming relationships that come, eventually, to tragic ends … 

☴☲☱☲☴

Now, I called this a chick flick, didn’t I … ?

That’s possibly doing Never Let Me Go a disservice, given the term can be a touch derogatory.

However, Never Let Me Go is definitely told from a very different angle from most science fiction films, dealing with the character’s emotions rather than hard-core problem-solving and alien-zapping.

And it’s all the better — chick flick or otherwise —for that …

Never Let Me Go
★★☆☆

The Daily Teaser — 29-07-2012

Hmmm … 

Well, I have to admit, I spent most of last night not watching the Olympics.

To be frank … ?

I’ve a movie or two I wanted to catch up with, so I took the chance to watch: I’ll try and tell you about the one I did catch, later.

But I was saddened to hear we’ve not bagged a medal, as yet.

Still … 

I think we’ve got two weeks: and as I recall, we did rather well at the Paralympics, in Beijing.

Here’s hoping … 

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s teaser saw both Debbi and Trevor putting in their answers: with both bagging 6 out of 6, it also saw Trevor* admitting to being very pleased about the opening ceremony, and Debbiª being impressed the Pistol’s got a look in.

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) 29th July, 1958, saw the legislation that created NASA signed into law: by which US President … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the first American that NASA put into space … ?

Q3) Even MORE to the point, NASA’s contributed to the International Space Station: what’s the name of the US module … ?

Q4) Moving on … 29th July, 1945, saw the launch of the BBC Light Programme: was that a radio or TV station … ?

Q5) More to the point, how is that station now known … ?

Q6) 29th July, 1958, saw the founding of the International Atomic Energy Agency: who’s its current Director General?

Q7) And finally … 29th July, 1985, saw Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer: what’s the name of their eldest child … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th July, 2005, saw the Provisional IRA announce it was ending its armed campaign: what does IRA stand for … ?

A1) Irish Republican Army

Q2) 28th July, 1993, saw which principality join the UN: Andorra, Liechtenstein or Monaco … ?

A2) Andorra

Q3) 28th July, 1965, saw President Johnson commit 50, 000 US troops to the conflict in which nation … ?

A3) Vietnam

Q4) 28th July, 2001, saw Ian Thorpe become the first swimmer to win how many Gold medals at a World Championships?

A4) 6.

Q5) And finally … 28th July, 1914, saw the Austro-Hungarian Empire declare was on which small country … ?

A5) Serbia

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

Once I’ve left you with a tune from Rush, as it’s frontman and bassist’s, Geddy Lee’s, birthday, today … 

Oh, and a very brief line from writer, Harry Mulish …

“I’m afraid love is just a word.”

Harry Mulisch  29 July 1927 – 30 October 2010

Oh … And as this tune was ALSO featured at the Opening Ceremony … 

*        Got to admit, Trevor, I’m not a sports fan — which I think you’d worked out by now — but that ceremony WAS rather good, wasn’t it?

ª        Well … They didn’t actually performs, Debbi: but they did get played in on the soundtrack†.

†        I’m ALSO thinking that’s possibly done a few bands a LOT of good.   I know there’s arguments about the royalties bands are or aren’t getting: but the exposure of getting played at one of the world’s biggest sporting events is worth a fortune.