Phone Box Library

Is this the world's smallest public library? There was a time that phone boxes were used for making calls and getting changed if you were Superman, but in the Somerset village of Westbury-sub-Mendip the local phone box has been bought from BT for £1 and converted into the village library! People's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Originally built in 1851 in Hyde Park, what was destroyed by fire today in 1936 in Sydenham?
   
   
2. Actor Robert Guillaume (right) was born today in 1927 and played which character in the US TV comedy "Soap"?
   
   
3. Which British Prime Minister and Nobel Laureate was born today in 1874?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Jacques Chirac; 2. "The Larry Sanders Show"; 3. Red Light/Speed Camera (GATSO)

The Easy Quiz Master is available from Amazon and Lulu.

The Easy Quiz Master

With Christmas only a few weeks away, what better gift for 'the person who has everything' than "The Easy Quiz Master"! This handy book contains enough questions to run one quiz night per week for a whole year and is available from Amazon and Lulu.

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which former French President was born in Paris, today in 1932?
   
   
2. Comedian Garry Shandling (right) was born today in 1949 and played which fictional TV talk show host from 1992 to 1998?
   
   
3. What road safety device was invented by Dutch rally driver Maurice Gatsonides who died today in 1998?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mount Erebus; 2. John Stewart; 3. "The Pilgrim's Progress"

Jimi Hendrix - Best Guitar Riff

This will be no surprise to aficionados of rock music, but Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" has been voted the best guitar riff of all time in a poll by the website Music Radar. The full list can be found here.

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Today in 1979, an Air New Zealand DC-10 crashed into which mountain in Antarctica killing all 257 people on board?
   
   
2. Who was born today in 1962 and presents "The Daily Show" (right) on US TV?
   
   
3. Writer and preacher John Bunyan was born today in 1628 and wrote which Christian allegory?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Shoes; 2. Zero; 3. Guinness Book of Records

Oasis of the Seas

No, it's nothing to do with Noel & Liam Gallagher! It is taller than Nelson's Column, longer than Tower Bridge, contains over 3,000 miles of cabling and can accommodate 6,000 passengers - yes it's the newest addition to Royal Caribbean's fleet, the largest ocean liner in the world, the Oasis of the Seas (below)!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Fashion designer Manolo Blahnik, who was born today in 1942 in the Canary Islands, is most associated with which item of clothing?
   
   
2. Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius (right), who was born today in 1701, set what number as the boiling point of water on his original thermometer scale?
   
   
3. Ross McWhirter, who was assassinated by IRA gunmen today in 1975, was co-founder of which reference book?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Concorde; 2. Charles M Schultz; 3. Georg Von Trapp

Wikipedia Editor Crisis?

In the first three months of 2009 Wikipedia has 'lost' 49,000 of its volunteer editors! Where they have been lost the article doesn't elaborate, nor does it say how many there are left! If Wikipedia is in trouble, then that's a problem for me as most of my 'Today's the Day' information comes from there!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Which airliner made its final flight, to Bristol, today in 2003?
   
   
2. Who was born today in 1922 and created the cartoon strip "Peanuts" (right)?
   
   
3. Who married nun Maria Kutschera in Austria today in 1927?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "The Mousetrap"; 2. Kelly Bundy; 3. New York Yankees

Winter Deaths Highest for 9 Years

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that last winter there were over 36,000 extra deaths, an increase of 49% over the previous year! The largest number of deaths were amongst the over 85's! This is an ongoing scandal, according to Help the Aged, as Britain has more winter deaths than much colder countries such as Sweden and Finland!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Which long-running play opened at the Ambassador's Theatre in London today in 1952?
   
   
2. Actress Christina Applegate (right) was born today in 1971 and played which character in the US TV sitcom "Married...With Children"?
   
   
3. Joe DiMaggio was born today in 1914 and played baseball for which club from 1936 to 1951?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. William Webb Ellis; 2. The Big Yin; 3. Lee Harvey Oswald

Jedward and Jordan Out!

In a shock weekend of 'reality' TV, twins John and Edward Grimes (henceforth known as Jedward) were voted off "The X-Factor" on Sunday evening (which I saw 'live' in the bar of the New Inn in Galgate) and then Katie Price (aka Jordan) walked off "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" after being chosen (for the SEVENTH time in a row!) to do the 'Bush Tucker Trial'! The British public are a wonderful lot - first they try to annoy Simon Cowell by keeping the twins in the contest (and he does change his mind about them!); second they make Jordan do ALL the Bush Tucker Trials because they believe that she is taking the mickey by going back to the jungle for a reported fortune...and they don't like it! Three cheers for the GREAT BRITISH PUBLIC!!!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1806 and is credited with inventing the game of rugby?
   
   
2. What is the nickname of comedian Billy Connolly (right) who was born today in 1942 in Glasgow?
   
   
3. Who was shot and killed in Dallas today in 1963?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Perkin Warbeck; 2. Miley Cyrus; 3. Polonium 210

BlogSurfer

Ever since I began blogging, the quest has been to gain as many readers as possible...and for them to find it interesting and worthwhile revisiting as often as possible. One of the invaluable tools for achieving this is BlogSurfer. I have subscribed to this so I don't have to keep adding my site and this has generated significant traffic to my blog. I'd advise anyone with a blog to have a go and get more readers for your musings!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Who was executed today in 1499 as a pretender to the English throne?
   
   
2. Who was born today in 1992 and starred in the title role of the TV series "Hannah Montana"?
   
   
3. What radioactive substance was used to kill former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko who died today in 2006?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. France; 2. USA; 3. Lyndon B Johnson

Blogiche

Ever since I began blogging, the quest has been to gain as many readers as possible...and for them to find it interesting and worthwhile revisiting as often as possible. One of the invaluable tools for achieving this is Blogiche. I haven't subscribed to this,yet, so I have to keep adding my site, but this has generated significant traffic to my blog. I'd advise anyone with a blog to have a go and get more readers for your musings!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Lebanon gained independence from which country today in 1943?
   
   
2. Film maker and Monty Python member Terry Gilliam (right) was born in which country today in 1940?
   
   
3. Who was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States today in 1963?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Piltdown Man; 2. Jerry Hall; 3. Thomas Edison

AlphaInventions

Ever since I started this blog, the quest has been to gain as many readers as possible...and for them to find it interesting and worthwhile revisiting as often as possible. One of the invaluable tools for achieving this is AlphaInventions. I haven't subscribed to this,yet, so I have to keep adding my site, but this has generated significant traffic to my blog. I'd advise anyone with a blog to have a go and get more readers for your musings!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Authorities at the Natural History Museum announced that what was a hoax today in 1953?
   
   
2. Who married Mick Jagger (right) today in 1990?
   
   
3. Who announced his invention of the phonograph today in 1877?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. General Francisco Franco; 2. Astronomer; 3. Windsor Castle

Nick Cave and the Bad Sex

No, the title isn't a typo! Believe it or not, Nick Cave has been nominated for the 17th annual Bad Sex in Fiction Award presented by the Literary Review magazine for his book "The Death of Bunny Munro". Other nominees include Philip Roth and Paul Theroux, whilst Tom Wolfe, Melvyn Bragg and Sebastian Faulks are all past winners! The award was set up by Auberon Waugh to "draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel, and to discourage it"! It would seem after 17 years there's still plenty of bad sex in the literary novel!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Which Spanish leader died today in 1975?
   
   
2. What was the occupation of Edwin Hubble (right) who was born today in 1889?
   
   
3. Fire ravaged part of which Royal residence today in 1992?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. National Lottery Draw; 2. Gettysburg Address; 3. Christina Aguilera

Flood Warnings for Parts of UK

It looks as though a rain bearing depression will deposit lots of water (up to 8 inches in extreme cases) on parts of Wales, Scotland and North-West England around Cumbria and the Lake District today and Friday. This will lead to some serious flooding it is predicted. Guess where I'm headed for the weekend - yes, the North-West! We won't be in the worst of it (hopefully) in Lancaster...and it's usually dry in the pub (just so long as we can get to it!!) Should be a fun weekend, whatever the weather!

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. What was first held in Britain today in 1994?
   
   
2. Which famous speech was delivered by Abraham Lincoln (right) today in 1863?
   
   
3. Which American pop singer married music marketer today in 2005?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. First Battle of the Somme; 2. Anita Dobson; 3. Alan Shepard

Sunday Night TV Bonanza

It was dubbed 'Super Sunday' and it lived up to expectations by bringing in the highest Sunday evening audience since January 2000 (and the fifth highest since records began in 1992) with 27.2 million viewers in total. The evening started with the latest Doctor Who special "The Waters of Mars" on BBC1 followed by "The X-Factor" then "I'm A Celebrity..." on ITV!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Which infamous World War I battle ended today in 1916 after 4½ months of bloodshed?
   
   
2. Which actress married Queen guitarist Brian May (right) today in 2000?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1923 and hit the first golf ball on the Moon?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Elizabeth I; 2. "The Departed"; 3. USA & USSR

BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday #34

This week's theme is - Two Random Things About Yourself. Well, where to start? Now here's a thing, I like playing golf (not well, my handicap is 19) and, with friends William and Andrew, jointly own a narrowboat (Emma Jane - below)The thing is, though, I don't know of many people who have both as hobbies (although having said this I'll probably find lots more!) I've played golf with many other people and only ever met one other narrowboat owner. Maybe it's because both take up an awful amount of time and so it's not possible to dedicate enough time to both to satisfy most people or perhaps the competitive edge to golf is at odds with the leisurely, tranquil idyll that is the world of the English waterways. Or just maybe, it's because I don't like too much of anything in particular so I'm happy to split my leisure time and don't get bored of either!!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Who became Queen of England today in 1558?
   
   
2. Martin Scorsese (right) was born today in 1942 and won the Oscar for Best Director for which 2006 film?
   
   
3. Which two countries began the SALT I talks in Helsinki today in 1969?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Paris; 2. "Rocky"; 3. Corey Pavin


Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it! Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
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Ale Taster Required

For some this would be the perfect job; Luton's indoor market is resurrecting the role of ale taster and is looking for suitable volunteer candidates! This job wouldn't be suitable for me as I much prefer Lager to Ale and my taste buds are not the most discerning in the world! But good luck to the lucky winner when the interviews take place!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. In which city are the headquarters of UNESCO that was founded today in 1945?
   
   
2. Actor Burgess Meredith (right) was born today in 1908 and played boxing trainer Mickey Goldmill in which series of films?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1959 and is captain of the US 2010 Ryder Cup team?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Switzerland (Geneva); 2. Abba; 3. The Desert Fox

Water Found on the Moon

The NASA mission last month to crash a rocket and a probe into a lunar crater has revealed significant quantities of water on the moon. At the time, the plume of dust that was generated seemed to be much less than expected, but analysis of the data has shown that there is a good deal of water present!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. In which country did the first meeting of the League of Nations take place today in 1920?
   
   
2. Anna-Frid Lyngstad (right) was born today in 1945 in Norway and was a member of which chart-topping pop group?
   
   
3. What was the nickname of German General Erwin Rommel who was born today in 1891?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Princess Anne; 2. Less Than (72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, 14 seconds); 3. Condoleezza Rice

Pee for a Better Garden!

Apparently, if we urinate onto our compost heaps it will activate the composting process and provide good quality organic material for our gardens...and save on the number of times we flush the toilet! This idea is being pioneered at Wimpole Hall, a National Trust property in Cambridgeshire! If only I'd realised what a pioneer I am in 'Green Gardening'!

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Who married Captain Mark Phillips today in 1973?
   
   
2. Today in 1889, journalist Nellie Bly (right) set off from New York to mimic Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days". Did she complete the journey in more than or less than 80 days?
   
   
3. Which former US Secretary of State was born today in 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Robert Louis Stevenson; 2. Colombia; 3. Sweden

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Yes, it's that time of year again! The latest list of people lined up to spend a few weeks in the Australian rain forest has been announced. It is an interesting list of people (most of whom I've heard of this year!), but I won't be watching for the ninth year in a row! I've never been drawn to this type of 'reality' show, but I do like "Strictly Come Dancing" and "The Apprentice" where there is a 'real' task to be completed!

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Who was born today in 1850 and wrote "Treasure Island"?
   
   
2. Volcano Nevado del Ruiz (right) erupted today in 1985 resulting in the deaths of 23,000 people in which South American country?
   
   
3. Which Scandinavian country voted to join the European Union today in 1994?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Madagascar; 2. Iraq; 3. Nadia Comăneci

Brazilian Blackout

A massive power failure in Brazil led to about 20% of the population without electricity for four hours and also affected Paraguay. This is another example of how our modern civilisation is so dependent on electricity supply and how relatively easily it can be completely disrupted. Initially it was thought to be a fault at the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, but this was ruled out quite quickly as the plant was performing perfectly. It seems likely that a storm affected three power lines and this caused the outage. It is a concern to any major nation that power supplies can be so easily blocked - remember the North-Eastern US power failure in 2003? Or the many others that are listed here. How fragile is our society/civilisation?

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Herman Goering announced today in 1938 that which island, off the coast of Africa, would be the new Jewish homeland?
   
   
2. Jalal Talabani (right) was born today in 1933 and is the first non-Arab President of which Middle Eastern country?
   
   
3. Which gymnast was born today in Romania and won five Olympic gold medals?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Refrigerator; 2. Old Blood and Guts; 3. Angola

Cadbury to Stay British?

My local chocolate manufacturer Cadbury (I can see the factory from my window and, sometimes, smell chocolate in the air!) is under threat from a hostile takeover from Kraft! If successful, it would mean that after 230 years the firm would become foreign owned and several local MP's have tabled a motion for Cadbury's iconic brands to remain British! Whether they are successful remains to be seen, but if the takeover goes ahead it will just be another in the long line of British icons that have become foreign owned - like HP Sauce, Jaguar, Land Rover, Manchester United to name but a few!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. Today in 1930 a US Patent was awarded to Albert Einstein and a former student for a version of which household appliance?
   
   
2. What was the nickname of World War II General George S Patton (right) who was born today in 1885?
   
   
3. Which African country gained independence from Portugal today in 1975?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Henry Morton Stanley; 2. Monster Raving Loony Party; 3. Stalingrad

BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday #33

This week's theme is Favourite Board Games. No prizes for guessing my favourite - yes it's Trivial Pursuit! I got this as a Christmas present when it first came out in the UK and played it regularly for many years, usually on a Saturday night with friends over several beers/glasses of wine! It was during these sessions I realised that I enjoyed asking questions more than actually answering them! Ultimately this lead on to me on to becoming a quiz master at a couple of local pubs - amazingly, in three weeks time I'll have been doing the quiz at the Bull's Head for NINE years!!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Who reputedly said, "Doctor Livingston, I presume", today in 1871?
   
   
2. Musician and politician Screaming Lord Sutch (right) was born today in 1940 and founded which political party in 1983?
   
   
3. This Russian city was renamed Volgograd today in 1961, what was its previous name?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Gary Kasparov; 2. "Contact"; 3. Edward VII


Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.
See who Tweeted this Post!

New Wheel for Birmingham

After three years the "Brum Eye" is set to return on Broad Street. The new Ferris wheel, at 60 metres high, will be the tallest so far seen in Birmingham! This latest wheel will be operated by World Tourist Attractions as previously!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Who became the youngest World Chess Champion at the age of 22 today in 1985?
   
   
2. Astronomer Carl Sagan (right) was born today in 1934 and wrote which novel that was made into a 1997 film starring Jodie Foster?
   
   
3. Which British monarch was born today in 1841?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Edmund Halley; 2. "Gone with the Wind"; 3. Ronald Reagan

Grumpy Is GOOD!!

No, this isn't about "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"! I've only just discovered this. An Australian study has shown that being grumpy is good for you, mainly by allowing clearer thinking! Bah Humbug!!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which astronomer and comet spotter was born today in 1656?
   
   
2. Author Margaret Mitchell (right) was born today in 1900 and won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for which novel?
   
   
3. Who was elected Governor of California today in 1966?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Franklin D Roosevelt; 2. Poland; 3. Galloping Gertie

Proof That Persistence Pays in the End

Trawling through the BBC News website I came across this story of a Korean woman that has passed her driving test after just 950 attempts! Now that shows remarkable persistence and I don't know whether I'd have carried on after so many failures.

Your Saturday questions are: -

1. Who was the only US President to be elected for a 4th term today in 1944?
   
   
2. In which country was double Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie (right) born today in 1867?
   
   
3. What was the nickname of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (below) that collapsed today in 1940?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Australia; 2. Eagles; 3. Belgian

Brazilian Man Turns Up At Own Funeral

This is a strange story where a man, who had been believed to have died in a car accident, turned up alive and well at his own funeral! Relief for his own family, but grief for someone else's.

Your Friday questions are: -

1. Which country voted to keep the British Monarch as Head of State today in 1999?
   
   
2. Singer songwriter Glenn Frey (right) was born today in 1948 and is a founder member of which rock band?
   
   
3. What nationality was Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, who was born today in 1814?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. George W Bush; 2. Robin Gibb; 3. Ike Turner

X-Ray Machine Top Invention

In a survey of 50,000 people carried out by the Science Museum in London, the invention of the X-Ray Machine came out on top of the pile ahead of the discoveries of Penicillin and DNA Helix.

Your Thursday questions are: -

1. Who married a Texas librarian today in 1977?
   
   
2. Which member of the Bee Gees (right) survived a train crash that killed 49 people today in 1967?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1931 - Ike or Tina Turner?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Tutankhamun; 2. Major Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan; 3. Yitzhak Rabin

Mass Extinction Underway

A major international survey of global biodiversity has shown that about ONE THIRD of all known species on Earth are under threat of extinction! On initial analysis it looks bad and maybe we should do something about it...or maybe we're the cause. BUT, this wouldn't be the first major extinction event in Earth's history! No, the fossil record is littered with mass extinctions - 65 million years ago the dinosaurs were wiped out (along with 75% of all species); 250 million years ago 95% of all marine species and 70% of land based species disappeared; 450 million years ago was the second largest mass extinction. What have these events got in common? Firstly, man wasn't around, so wasn't responsible. Secondly, life bounced back after each event as strong as ever - in fact we probably wouldn't be here if the dinosaurs hadn't died out! So, I say, let nature take it's course, there's nothing we can do to stop it - where's King Canute when you need him?

Your Wednesday questions are: -

1. The tomb of which Pharaoh was discovered by Howard Carter today in 1922?
   
   
2. Actress Loretta Swit (right) was born today in 1937 and played which character in the TV series "M*A*S*H"?
   
   
3. Name the Israeli Prime Minister who was assassinated today in 1995?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Adidas; 2. Venus and Mercury; 3. Swedish

Top Sites Tuesday #32 - Thought for the Day

Nothing profound from me today, but I was taken by this report that backs up what I'd always suspected, namely that people who illegally download music spend more in buying official releases than those people who don't! Eight out of ten people surveyed who illegally download, here in the UK, also buy the official releases and, typically spend an extra £30! This is only to be expected as true fans want the 'proper stuff' when available as this is usually better quality. Which just goes to show - piracy ISN'T killing music!!

Your Tuesday questions are: -

1. Adolf Dassler was born today in 1900 in Germany and founded which sportswear manufacturer?
   
   
2. Space probe Mariner 10 (right) was launched today in 1973 on a mission to fly by which planets?
   
   
3. What nationality is Dolph Lundgren who was born today in 1957 and played Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nelly; 2. Spruce Goose; 3. Marie Antoinette


Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!
The purpose of this Meme is to encourage
Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!
Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.
View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.
See who Tweeted this Post!

Safer and More Efficient Operations

Every now and then I come across a news story that truly amazes me...and this is one such story. I'm not amazed at the actual content, rather I'm amazed that this sort of planning and procedural work for streamlining, and making operations safer as well, (called Productive Theatre) wasn't implemented years ago! Getting airline pilots and car plant workers in hospitals to provide the templates and protocols for ensuring that all equipment is in the right place at the right time (and the patient as well!) seems to be common sense and I'm gobsmacked that it hasn't been done sooner! (I'm also curious to see whether we in Britain are leading the field or whether, as usual, the rest of the world has been doing this for years)!

Your Monday questions are: -

1. Which rap singer was born Cornell Haynes Jr. today in 1974?
   
   
2. What was the nickname of the largest fixed wing plane ever built (right) that took its maiden, and only, flight today in 1947?
   
   
3. Which French Queen was born today in 1755 and reputedly said the phrase, "Let them eat cake"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Lisbon; 2. 9; 3. Spencer Perceval

71-Year Old Fathers Twins

Hot on the heels of the 112-year old Somali man marrying a 17-year old comes this story of a 71-year old man fathering twins with his 25-year old wife! Again I offer no other comment - it's still a funny old world!!

Your Sunday questions are: -

1. Which European capital city was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami that killed over 60,000 people today in 1755?
   
   
2. Gary Player (right) was born today in 1935 in Johannesburg and has won how many Major Golf titles?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1762 and became the first British Prime Minister to be assassinated in 1812?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Devon Loch; 2. "Ice Ice Baby"; 3. Michael Collins