Emma Jane Odyssey: Day 3

If all goes to plan we should have reached Compton by now. If things haven't gone to plan, then this is the last point at which we can take a shorter route home via Wolverhampton!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Which actress was born today in 1965 and was the first wife of tennis star Andre Agassi?
   
   
2. What is the family name of Prince Rainier of Monaco (right) who was born today in 1923?
   
   
3. In which country was leading international cricket umpire Steve Bucknor born today in 1946?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Steven Gerrard; 2. Rouen; 3. Nigeria

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Emma Jane Odyssey: Day 2

Today we're headed for somewhere near Stourbridge. Hopefully we will be part way down 'The Sixteen' and enjoying a pint or three in the Samson & Lion pub!

Your Sunday questions are:-

1. Which Liverpool and England footballer was born today in 1980?
   
   
2. Joan of Arc (right) was burned at the stake today in 1431 in which city?
   
   
3. In which country was the short-lived Republic of Biafra that declared independence today in 1967?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Mel B (Scary Spice); 2. United Kingdom; 3. Ronald Reagan

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The Holiday Starts Here!

Today we'll be setting off on another canal odyssey on board the narrowboat Emma Jane. The first leg should see us reach Birmingham for an evening of drink, fun and maybe a visit to the Rajdoot...AGAIN...yummy!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. Which of the former Spice Girls was born today in 1975 in Leeds?
   
   
2. In which country was comedian Bob Hope (right) born today in 1903?
   
   
3. John Hinckley Jr. was born today in 1955 and attempted to assassinate which US President?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Neville Chamberlain; 2. Melbourne; 3. Water (Ice)

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Busy US Hurricane Season?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts 14 to 23 named storms. Eight to 14 of these could develop into hurricanes. This year I will follow up on this prediction and report back whether this was close to being accurate! Or maybe a butterfly will flap its wings and make everything better!!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. Who became British Prime Minister today in 1937?
   
   
2. In which Australian city was singer Kylie Minogue (right) born today in 1968?
   
   
3. Today in 2002, NASA announced that the Mars Odyssey spacecraft had detected what just beneath the surface of Mars?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Chrysler Building; 2. Joan Collins; 3. Dashiell Hammett

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Birmingham 55th Best City in the World

Out of 221 cities evaluated for Quality of Living, Birmingham came 55th. Vienna was top of the list and Baghdad was bottom. The list is compiled by Mercer and is a guide for companies as to how employees should be compensated when relocated to different parts of the world. Interestingly, all the cities are ranked versus New York (Rating 100) which comes out 49th. Maybe our new slogan should be - "Come to Birmingham - it's only a bit worse than New York!"!

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. Which Art Deco New York skyscraper was officially opened today in 1930?
   
   
2. Singer Anthony Newley (right) became the second husband of which British actress today in 1963?
   
   
3. Which author, who wrote "The Maltese Falcon", was born today in 1894?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Manchester United; 2. Conservative; 3. World Trade Center (South Tower)

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Victory in a Bottle

A new piece of artwork has been unveiled as the latest to sit atop the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. For the next 18 months a 1:29 scale replica of HMS Victory inside a specially made glass bottle will adorn Trafalgar Square. Turner Prize winning artist Yinka Shonibare has created possibly the world's largest ship-in-a-bottle and it seems a fitting tribute for the celebrations of the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the 50th Anniversary of Nigerian independence!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Which English football club won the Champions League Final today in 1999 and completed 'The Treble'?
   
   
2. Former MP and Government Minister Michael Portillo (right) was born today in 1953 and represented which political party?
   
   
3. George Willig climbed which New York skyscraper today in 1977 in 3½ hours?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Daniel Passarella; 2. Style Council; 3. Helicopter

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Sporting Greats

Today in 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final home runs (three on the day!) and, possibly at the same time, Jesse Owens was breaking three world records (Long Jump, 220 Yards Sprint, 220 Yards Hurdles) and equalling another (100 Yards Sprint) in just 45 minutes! Remarkable that two such iconic feats happened at almost the same instant!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1953 and captained Argentina to victory in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final?
   
   
2. Paul Weller (right) was born today in 1958 and formed which band after the break-up of The Jam?
   
   
3. Igor Sikorsky was born in Russia today in 1889 and is recognised as a pioneer and inventor of which type of aircraft?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Queen Victoria; 2. "The X-Factor"; 3. HMS Hood

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Record Price for Stamp

The Swedish Treskilling Yellow has kept its title as the world's most expensive stamp after changing hands in Geneva. The fee hasn't been disclosed by the buyers. It was expected to sell for £1.3 - £1.7 million which means that the stamp keeps it's world record as the most expensive item by weight!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Which British monarch was born today in 1819?
   
   
2. Dermot O'Leary (right) was born today in 1973 and has been the presenter on which TV show since 2007?
   
   
3. The German battleship Bismarck sunk which British battleship today in 1941 with the loss of all bar three of her crew?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Good Friday Agreement; 2. Alexis; 3. Heinrich Himmler

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Youngest Person Climbs Everest

American Jordan Romero is 13-years old and has become the youngest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest! He even phoned his mum from the summit! My how times have changed in the 57 years since the mountain was first conquered! My only question is - if you have scaled the highest peak in the world by the time you are 13, what else is there left to achieve?

Your Sunday questions are:-

1. What was overwhelmingly accepted in a referendum in Northern Ireland today in 1998?
   
   
2. Joan Collins (right) was born today in 1933 and played which character in the TV series "Dynasty"?
   
   
3. Who was the Head of the Gestapo that committed suicide today in 1945 immediately after his capture?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sri Lanka; 2. Bernie Taupin; 3. Tintin

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A Car Named Zoe

Renault's plan to introduce a new all-electric 'Zero Emissions' car called the Zoe has hit a bit of a snag - Parisian Zoe Renault has hired lawyers to insist that Renault change their mind! Many other Zoes from around France are also reported to be taking action!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. The island of Ceylon changed its name to what today in 1972?
   
   
2. Which lyricist, best known for his collaborations with Elton John (right) was born today in 1950?
   
   
3. Belgian writer and artist Hergé was born today in 1907 and is best remembered for creating which character?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Manchester Ship Canal; 2. Ireland; 3. FIFA

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'Artificial Life' Created

This is momentous news, that artificial life has been created in the USA! It is too early to tell whether this life-form is truly viable, but it is the first step on a journey that will be difficult to predict. No doubt lazy journalists will trot out Frankenstein clichés in the press, but this could be much more dangerous (and potentially much more beneficial)! Will it be a 'two-edged sword' like nuclear power? Only time will tell!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. Which 36-mile long waterway was officially opened by Queen Victoria today in 1894?
   
   
2. Mary Robinson (right) was born today in 1944 and was the first female President of which country?
   
   
3. Which international sport governing body was founded today in 1904 in Paris?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Levi Strauss; 2. Sheffield; 3. Christopher Columbus

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London 2012 Olympic Mascots Unveiled

The mascots for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been revealed; and they are quite something! To my eye they look modern, vibrant and international...not what I would have come up with, but then I'm not the target market! They have been designed initially as animated characters primarily to involve children and to help them learn more about the Games. They are named Wenlock (after the site of the 'Olympic Games' held at Much Wenlock that inspired Pierre de Coubertin) and Mandeville (after Stoke Mandeville where the Paralympics began). Let's hope they are successful and are not forgotten like most other games mascots!

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. Who, together with Jacob Davis, was granted a patent to reinforce clothing with copper rivets today in 1873?
   
   
2. In which English city was singer Joe Cocker (right) born today in 1944?
   
   
3. Which famous Genoese explorer died in Spain today in 1506?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ho Chi Minh; 2. Marilyn Monroe; 3. Ace of Base

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Smallpox Vaccine and HIV

If true, and it looks like it is, it would appear that the smallpox vaccine actually helped to slow down HIV infection! This is remarkable! It just goes to show how complex nature is and how there are consequences after the extinction of a 'species'. Obviously more research is required, but this information does explain the rise in HIV infection in Africa, mirroring the reduction in smallpox vaccinations, over the same period!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Which Vietnamese leader was born today in 1890?
   
   
2. Who sang "Happy Birthday" to President Kennedy (right) today in 1962?
   
   
3. Singer songwriter Jenny Berggren was born today in 1972 in Sweden and is a member of which pop group?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nicholas II; 2. Yes; 3. Detonate an Atom Bomb

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From Crisps to Vodka

It's Top Sites Tuesday #60 at BlogDumps and this week's theme is Two Thoughts on a Tuesday. This week I'm going to use someone else's two thoughts, stand back and merely gaze in admiration! I was taken by this story about how a British produced Vodka had won the Gold Medal as the Best Vodka at the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition beating 249 rivals, from all the major vodka producing nations, to the prize! Chase Vodka is made from potatoes on a farm in Herefordshire where they can only make 1,000 bottles per month. This farm was also the origin for Tyrrell's Crisps (Potato Chips if you're outside Britain) which were also the brainchild of William Chase. Now that's one really clever man - to have one very successful business idea is great, but to sell off your first idea, start again and be successful again is pure genius! So, let's all raise a glass of vodka in one hand and a packet of upmarket crisps in the other - we salute you William Chase, England's first potato genius!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. Who was the last Tsar of Russia that was born today in 1868?
   
   
2. Rick Wakeman (right) was born today in 1949 and was the keyboardist with which prog rock band in the 1970's?
   
   
3. With the project name Smiling Buddha, India became the sixth nation to do what today in 1974?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Dennis Hopper; 2. Kentucky Derby; 3.California

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England World Champions!

I'm hoping to write the same title in about two months time, but for the first time ever, England has won a world title in men's cricket! At the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies, England beat the 'old enemy' Australia by 7 wickets with three overs to spare in the final. Before this result, England were the only Top 8 team in world cricket not to have won a major title! In 1979, 1987 and 1992 England lost in the final of the Cricket World Cup (50 Overs per side) and also in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004 (also 50 Overs), so this result is long overdue! Well done to 'our boys' and let's hope the football team can do the same in South Africa!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Who was born today in 1936 and Co-wrote, directed and co-starred in the 1969 film "Easy Rider"?
   
   
2. Which horse race was first run today in 1875 with Aristides (right) being the winner?
   
   
3. In which US State is Monterey that held its first Folk Festival today in 1963?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Japanese; 2. FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth; 3.Football (Soccer)

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Miliband for PM?

The election is over, we have a new government, so now it's time for the election of new leaders in the losing parties! This time there was only one major loser - the Labour Party. For the first time in British history (I think!) two brothers are competing for the position - Ed and David Miliband! Unless someone else stands it looks likely that our next Prime Minister will be a Miliband, but which brand of Miliband is best? Frankly, I'm not that bothered!

Your Sunday questions are:-

1. What nationality is Junko Tabei who became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest today in 1975?
   
   
2. Actor David Boreanaz (right) was born today in 1969 and plays which character in the TV series "Bones"?
   
   
3. In which sport do teams play for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the first final of which was held today in 1914?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. United Kingdom; 2. Pussycat Dolls; 3. James Mason

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Shakespeare's "Henry VIII"

"Henry VIII" is not performed very often, but a new version is being staged at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. The play is believed to be jinxed after the original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 when the thatched roof caught alight after the firing of a cannon in the play! Another reason it isn't performed more often is that no-one is quite sure whether it is a History, a Romance or a Tragedy. And if that wasn't enough, there's speculation that some of it was written by John Fletcher and those scenes are not as good as the other parts of the play. Before I read this piece I had no idea why "Henry VIII" was so seldom seen - another day, another piece of knowledge gained!

Your Saturday questions are:-

1. Which country tested its first Hydrogen Bomb over Malden Island today in 1957?
   
   
2. Jessica Sutta (right) was born today in 1982 and from 2002 to 2010 was a member of which pop group?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1909 in Huddersfield and won a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1954 film "A Star is Born"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Edward Jenner; 2. "The Aviator"; 3. Warsaw

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Queen Bees in the Post!

Honey Bees are dying the world over and no-one is quite sure why. As they are responsible for pollinating many of the crops we rely on for our food this is a potential disaster for the human race! Here in the Midlands, beekeepers are to use healthy queen bees posted from the Isle of Man to replace diseased queens in their hives in an attempt to eradicate the problem! We all have to hope that this is successful and also leads to a permanent solution...or we could all be going hungry in the not-too-distant future!

Your Friday questions are:-

1. Who administered the first Smallpox vaccination today in 1796?
   
   
2. Cate Blanchett (right) was born today in 1969 and won an Oscar for her role as Katherine Hepburn in which 2004 film?
   
   
3. In which city did eight Communist Bloc countries sign a self-defence treaty today in 1955?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Virgin Mary; 2. "La Bamba"; 3. Robert Pattinson

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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The Future's Bright; The Future's Orange...and Blue!

Well, I got what I wished for...the first coalition government in Britain since the Second World War. Britain has a new double act that probably won't have Ant & Dec worried, but Dave & Nick (or maybe the more formal Cameron & Clegg) do show some promise as performers if the politics doesn't work out! We will now have to wait and see whether this alliance can actually work as well as I think it can (and should) or whether it all falls apart disastrously as many others expect!

Your Thursday questions are:-

1. Who appeared in a vision to three children at Fatima in Portugal today in 1917?
   
   
2. Which 1987 film tells the life story of singer Ritchie Valens (right) who was born today in 1941?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1986 and is best known for playing Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" series of films?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Martin Sheen; 2. 'The Lady with the Lamp'; 3. George VI

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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Good for Birmingham; Bad for Cheltenham

Following the Kraft Foods takeover of Cadbury's, the first casualties are revealed...and it is good news for Bournville! Kraft have announced that they are to close their headquarters in Cheltenham and move them to Birmingham. So, that's about 500 jobs that will be lost in Cheltenham, but it will secure (and maybe add) jobs here in Birmingham. Unfortunately, that's the way of business, but some measure of relief for my neighbourhood!

Your Wednesday questions are:-

1. Who is the father of Emilio Estevez who was born today in 1962?
   
   
2. What was the nickname of Florence Nightingale (right) who was born today in 1820?
   
   
3. Who was crowned King at Westminster Abbey today in 1937?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "Neighbours"; 2. The Animals; 3. John Parrott

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday #59

This week's theme at BlogDumps is "What did you do to relax this weekend?" Well, for me, this weekend was much like many others (it wasn't Mother's Day here in the UK!). Saturday evening was spent eating pizza and drinking too much red wine with friends Julie, Martin and Tim...discussing the current political situation here in Britain (still not resolved!) amongst (many) other things (too much vino to remember what!!). So, it was a fairly late rise on Sunday with just enough time to cook my breakfast (delicious, despite the fact that I'd bought Smoked Bacon by mistake) before heading off for my weekly round of golf with Dave (this week at Ingon Manor in the lovely Warwickshire countryside). This week I managed to win, after almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory! All-in-all a very pleasant time!

Your Tuesday questions are:-

1. Actress and singer Holly Valance was born today in 1983 and played 'Flick' Scully in which Aussie soap opera?
   
   
2. Eric Burdon (right) was born today in 1941 and was the front man of which 60's band?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1964 and was the 1991 World Professional Snooker Champion?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Rudolf Hess; 2. Canada; 3. Barbara Taylor Bradford

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

is available NOW from Amazon and Lulu.

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!

Hummus Wars!

Lebanon has taken a decisive lead in it's 'war' with Israel over who can create the largest serving of hummus! In 2008, Israeli chefs came up with a huge vat of hummus to coincide with Israeli independence day. In 2009, Lebanese chefs managed to make a cool two tonnes of the stuff - and in so doing, not just set a new world record, but claimed the invention of hummus for all Lebanese. In January Israel upped the record to four tonnes, but now the Lebanese have made a massive TEN TONNES of hummus!

Your Monday questions are:-

1. Who parachuted into Scotland on a peace mission today in 1941?
   
   
2. In which country was supermodel Linda Evangelista (right) born today in 1965?
   
   
3. Who was born today in 1933 and wrote the best-selling novel "A Woman of Substance"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Crown Jewels; 2. J M Barrie; 3. "Uptown Girl"

My book "The Easy Quiz Master"

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