Wednesday, 25 September 2013

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 25-9-2013: The US Constitution

Well, it’s official.

Snooker player, Stephen Lee has been given a lifetime ban — and £40, 000 fine — for match fixing.

Which isn’t necessarily something a fan wants to see.

Match fixing, I should add, there.

It’s a shame a such talented player has been involved with it.

Although as a long term fan of a game that’s long had rumours and allegations have floated around for years I have to add, I wonder how much more of it’s going on.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, it’s Wednesday: which means it’s time for the Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser: all about the US Constitution, and covered by the usual Creative Commons License*.

Here’s this week’s questions …
Q1) 25th September, 1789, saw the US government pass the first 12 amendments to the Constitution; how many of these make up what’s known as the Bill of Rights?
Q2) The US Constitution opens with the line, “We, The People …”: of where … ?
Q3) ‘Article the First’ of the amendments was never formally ratified and was supposed to guarantee one representative for, at most, how many people: thirty thousand, forty thousand or fifty thousand … ?
Q4) Another of those twelve amendments was the one that forbade congressional pay raises until the start of the next term of office.  That eventually became which amendment: the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth or twenty-seventh … ?
Q5) The First Amendment forbade the USA from adopting what: a state military, state religion or US navy … ?
Q6) The 3rd Amendment to the Constitution guarantees protection from what … ?
Q7) Which amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury: the fifth, sixth or seventh … ?
Q8) Many US citizens tell you they have a right bear arms: which Amendment guarantees this … ?
Q9) Which Amendment guarantees freedom of speech in the US … ?
Q10) Finally … Which of the Amendments means a US citizen can’t incriminate himself: the Third, Fourth or Fifth … ?
And here’s last weeks questions and answers …
Questions.
Q1) 18th September saw Tiberius confirmed as Roman Emperor.   By which Roman body … ?
Q2) In which year did that body finally collapse: 603, 604 or 605 AD … ?
Q3) Was Tiberius the second, third or fourth Roman Emperor … ?
Q4) Who was his predecessor in the post … ?
Q5) Many Roman Emperors were called ‘Princeps’.   Which meant what:  prince, first or noble  … ?
Q6) The word ‘Emperor’ comes from the Latin word ‘Imperator’, which (roughly) meant what: duke, commander or king … ?
Q7) Another title used by Tiberius was ‘Pontifex Maximus’, or ‘High Priest’.   Who is that title usually applied to, in modern times … ?
Q8) How many legions would Tiberius have inherited from his predecessor: twenty-five, twenty-eight or thirty-one … ?
Q9) More to the point, how many troops were in each legion: 3000, 4000 or 5000 … ?
Q10) Finally … Who was Tiberius’ successor as Emperor … ?
Answers.
A1) The Roman Senate.
A2) 603.
A3) Second.
A4) Augustus.
A5) ‘First’: as in First Citizen, or ‘First amongst equals’: or even ‘First Amongst the Senate’, which would’ve been one of the specific titles Augustus used.
A6) Commander.
A7) The Pope.
A8) Twenty-five. (25).   (Augustus had reorganized the Roman army into twenty-eight legions: three of which he’d promptly lost in the Battle of Teutoberg Forest.)
A9) 5000.
A10) His grand-nephew, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus: also called Little Boots, or, in Latin, Caligula.
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 would be appreciated.

The Daily Teaser — 25-9-2013

It’s another Wednesday.

And, along with the usual signing on — it’s one of those Wednesdays — it’s ALSO the day I’m going to be posting up the usual Gazette Teaser.

I’m looking forward to it.

But I’ll be going to get my copy first.

I just want to see if my letter — after getting a complaint about the 9/11 a fortnight ago — get’s published: and whether I’ve had any other reaction to it.

I like seeing my name in print.

But like a good discussion,

With that said … ?

Let’s get moving on … 

~≈§≈~

As well as seeing Trevor letting us know Dr Lucy Worsley enjoys theatrical cross dressing*, yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi† putting in her answers: and saying ‘Oops’ over yesterday’s (minor) mistake, also bagged five out of five.

Let see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 25th September, 1956, saw the formal inauguration of TAT-1: the world’s first submarine, transatlantic what: telegraph cable, internet cable or telephone cable … ?
Q2) More to the point, it connected Scotland … and a town in which country … ?
Q3) 25th September, 2013, is — obviously — a Wednesday: according to the Old Testament, what did God create on Wednesday?
Q4) 25th September, 1951, saw the birth of actor, Mark Hamill.   Which character did he play in the Star Wars movies … ?
Q5) 25th September, 1513 — five hundred years ago, today — saw Vasco Núñez de Balboa become the first European to sight what … ?
Q6) Finally … 25th September, 1950, saw UN forces capture the capital city of South Korea.   What’s that city’s name … ?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 24th September, 1979, saw the launch of the world’s first commercial internet service.   By which company … ?
A1) CompuServe.
Q2) That company is — or was — an ISP.   What does ISP stand for … ?
A2) Internet Service Provider.
Q3) The debut also saw the first commercial what: email, file transfer service or video streaming … ?
A3) Email: it was limited, though: you could only send mail to another CompuServe address.
Q4) In which year of the 1990s did the company open a UK service: 1993, 1994 or 1995 … ?
A4) 1995.
Q5) Finally … that original company is now owned by which well known American company … ?
A5) America Online: or AOL, as it’s better known: its CompuServe subsidiary is now called CompuServe 2000, with CompuServe Classic, the guts of the original company, having closed in 2009.
Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this thought from Ronnie Barker …
“The marvelous thing about a joke with a double meaning is that it can only mean one thing.”
Ronnie Barker, 25 September 1929 – 3 October 2005.
And this tune, as a nod to Cecil Womack, September 25, 1947 – February 1, 2013 


Have a good day … 













*        This isn’t necessarily something one needs to know about TV presenters, Trevor.   Saying that … ?   What DOES one call Adam Hart-Davies bicycling outfit … ?

†        I wouldn’t worry too much, Debbi: one hundred percent, today … !

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

The Daily Teaser — 24-9-2013: The Commercial Internet

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got a documentary on, that I taped, last night: A Very British Murder, a potted history of grisly murder tales.

Interesting stuff, I have to admit.

Although, it has to be said, I hadn’t realised quite how much of a ham the presenter — historian, Dr Lucy Worsley — has turned out to be.

Happily singing along with assorted folk songs and doing a lot of the re-enacting, herself.

Still … it’s rather good.

After all, who doesn’t enjoy a gruesome murder, every-so-often … ?

QUITE … !

~≈î≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with scoring four and a half† out of five, she also let us know she felt there were similarities between the Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings movies.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s rather commercial questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 24th September, 1979, saw the launch of the world’s first commercial internet service.   By which company … ?
Q2) That company is — or was — an ISP.   What does ISP stand for … ?
Q3) The debut also saw the first commercial what: email, file transfer service or video streaming … ?
Q4) In which year of the 1990s did the company open a UK service: 1993, 1994 or 1995 … ?
Q5) Finally … that original company is now owned by which well known American company … ?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 23rd September, 1980, saw Bob Marley play his last live concert.   Which of his hits includes the line “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind” … ?
A1) Redemption Song.
Q2) 23rd September, 2000, saw Sir Steve Redgrave win his fifth Olympic gold medal.   In which sport … ?
A2) Rowing.
Q3) 23rd September, 1909, saw the publication of the first part of The Phantom Of The Opera.   Who played the Phantom, in the classic 1925 silent film version … ?
A3) Lon Chaney, Snr.
Q4) 23rd September, 1932, saw the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz renamed what … ?
A4) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Q5) Finally … 23rd September, 1951, saw news that the UK’s king has had part of his lung removed.   Which King was this … ?
A5) George 6th.
I’ll leave you with this promotional piece …
“CompuServe's basic service costs only $5.00 per hour, billed in minute increments to your charge card.”
From CompuServe’s advertising.
And this … 


Have a good day … 


















*        I thought they were very different films, myself, Debbi: but I’d grown up on Tolkien.   I do know Frank Herbert and David Lynch were expecting issues with the film version of Dune: deserts, and rebels, fighting an evil empire … 

†        Yeah, sorry about that, Debbi: Lon Chaney Snr and Jnr were two different actors … 

Monday, 23 September 2013

The Daily Teaser — 23-9-2013


Another Monday, another week.

Which is possibly a slow way to start a post.    But I have to admit, the nights are starting to draw in: as is autumn.

I don’t know about you, but that always puts me in something of a strange blue mood.

Possibly, because of the light: maybe the air.

Or possibly just the temperature.

I’m blowed if I know.

Still, in the way of things, the fact summer is heading out, means one thing.   That it’ll be back, next year.

Hmmm … 

Let’s move on, shall we?

~≈Ç≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and, along with letting us know she’d not read anything by Tolkien for years, also scored eight out of eight.

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) 23rd September, 1980, saw Bob Marley play his last live concert.   Which of his hits includes the line “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind” … ?
Q2) 23rd September, 2000, saw Sir Steve Redgrave win his fifth Olympic gold medal.   In which sport … ?
Q3) 23rd September, 1909, saw the publication of the first part of The Phantom Of The Opera.   Who played the Phantom, in the classic 1925 silent film version … ?
Q4) 23rd September, 1932, saw the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz renamed what … ?
Q5) Finally … 23rd September, 1951, saw news that the UK’s king has had part of his lung removed.   Which King was this … ?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) In J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth, 22nd September sees the birthdays of Frodo and Bilbo.   What’s their family name … ?
A1) Baggins.
Q2) More to the point, what was the name of the family home … ?
A2) Bag End.
Q3) In The Fellowship of the Rings, Frodo is a member of the group that has to destroy what … ?
A3) The One Ring.
Q4) Name any of the other eight members of that group. 
A4) Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee, Meriadoc ‘Merry’ Brandybuck, Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took, Aragorn, also called Strider, Legolas the Elf, Gimli the Dwarf, and Boromir of Gondor and Gandalf.
Q5) The object in question — when ‘found‘ by Bilbo — had been dropped by whom … ?
A5) Gollum.
Q6) Bilbo famously found it, on an adventure with Gandalf and thirteen dwarves.   Name one of those dwarves.
A6) Right, deep breath … Thorin Oakenshield, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Dwalin, Fili, Gloin, Kili, Nori, Oin and Ori.
Q7) J. R. R. Tolkien famously created the stories about Bilbo, Frodo and Middle Earth.   Who directed the recent film versions … ?
A7) Peter Jackson.
Q8) Finally … where exactly on Middle Earth do Bilbo and Frodo live … ?
A8) The Shire.
Enjoy those.   I’ll leave you with this thought from the late John Coltrane …
“If a man was a Christian, he could know the truth and he could not. The truth itself does not have any name on it. And each man has to find it for himself, I think.”
John Coltrane, September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967.
And this tune.


And, as I forgot mention this song about pottery, yesterday … ?   Here … 


Have a good day.















*        Me, neither, Debbi: although I have seen the movies … !   (Actually, I’ll have to sit down with The Silmarillion, again, at some point.   It can be quite a chore: but can also be read in small chunks … )

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Thirst: The Return Of The South Korean 99p Special

22nd September, 2013.

Hmmm … 

You know, there’s times I think you can if I’seriously serious about a film that I’ve rented: and this is something I know I’ve mentioned, before.

Quite simply … ?

You can tell how really enthusiastic about about, depending on when I start a post about it.

Started and finished on the night I’ve seen the thing?

Add an extra star.

Started on the night and finished the morning after?

Take the score as read.

Started and finished the day/night after … ?

Draw your own conclusions.

~≈Â≈~

At ANY rate … ?

I meant to tell you about the South Korea, horror film I caught last night: the 2009, Park Chan-Wook directed horror film that is Thirst.

A film that caught my eye as iTunes had the rental version priced — as of yesterday — at a very reasonable 99p: something that caught my eye, as the last 99p rental I’d paid for — the 2010 film, Boy Wonder — had proven to be a sleeping giant of a film.

Something I don’t know if I can say about Thirst.

Set in the modern day, the film follows Sang-hyun, (Song Kang-ho) a Catholic priest and hospital chaplain whose life is turned upside-down, after he dies as the result of volunteering as a medical guinea-pig.

Dies … and brought back to life after receiving a blood transfusion that turns out to be carrying something more serious than the virus he’d volunteered to test.

It’s not long after his return to the normal world that he realises a thing or two.

That he’s started to get a craving for human blood: a craving that’s easily satisfied, raiding the hospital blood-bank, and longterm coma patients.

Kang-ho priding himself on never having killed, to feed.

It’s not until he’s confronted by the fact he loves his best friend’s wife — and easily breaks his priestly vow of celibacy with her — that things start to go seriously wrong.

Hmmm … am I making this sound a touch better than I thought I would, or is that me … ?

~≈Â≈~

Possibly … 

At any rate, I have to admit to having mixed feelings about Thirst: I think the nights starting to draw in starting to have an effect … !

Personally, though … ?

Personally, I think I’d have to  place Thirst somewhere below a couple of other films I’ve seen recently: I felt both Boy Wonder and Shutter did the work — and got my attention — a lot more rapidly than Thirst: although it’s a film that does entertain.

Keep that in mind, digging your pound out of its box.
Thirst
★★☆☆