I was perusing last year’s award winning Community News, only to find that the column I wrote right around this time last year could probably be utilized once again—with very few changes. HOWEVER, I’m not going to plunk a rerun into this space.
The reason why I brought that up at all is because I couldn’t help but notice how things have not changed too terribly much since that rant from a year ago. In said rant, I was bloviating wildly, as is my nature, about how everything under the sun (and moon), has become politicized. I had also touched on the fact that many human beings seem to be stuck on a team, politically speaking, which is counterproductive, in my not so humble opinion.
I am not going to continue along with that line of thinking though so it’s time for you to exhale madly. There you go. One of the cats has become airborne so I know that you have indeed breathed a giant sigh of relief.
My YouTube “game show” has returned for a third season so I thought I’d go ahead and provide you with that type of entertainment (?) this time. The reason why I’m blathering on incessantly right now before providing you with some questions, is because many of the questions took the form of visual aids this time.
The gal we were celebrating, “Vesper Martini,” is very much into art. Therefore, I tried to use more visual aids than usual. This was the second year to recognize her birthday too so we focused on her hobbies, etc., a bit more than historical happenings on her day O birth. (Her birthday was August 22, but I’ve been off in order to shove anything that holds still long enough into a hermetically sealed Mason Jar. In other words, it’s canning season here in this shoe box known as home.)
Wow, this is working out in terms of providing fodder for this space prior to beginning the game, but I think it has run its course. Fear not as there will be a few questions related to August 22; it won’t just focus on art. Let us begin.
One: This actress actually died during the lounging break between “seasons.” The role for which she is most famous is that of playing best friend to a certain news producer. She shares a birthday with Vesper but was born in 1940. Extra Credit: what was her character’s LAST name in two shows, one of which was a spin-off?
Two: Which city, here in the Belly O’ the Beast, named their football team after a famous Edgar Allan Poe poem?
Three: On an episode of “The Waltons,” a family member wins a statue that was donated by the Baldwin Sisters. The statue in question causes some hard feelings between two of the characters as it resembles a past love interest. The character who won this prize names it Annabelle Lee and recites the Poe poem quite a bit throughout the episode. Who was this big prize winner? (I always work The Waltons in when at all possible.)
Four: Of these choices, which best describes the type of art by Salvador Dali, so to speak? 1) Surrealism 2) Impressionism 3) Post-impressionism.
Five: Other artists of the time weren’t too tickled with Dali in the beginning due to his fascination with fascism and his slight obsession with this particular historical figure who is also associated with a particular type of mustache, now that I ponder.
Six: According to the book by Neil Sanders (from across the pond), “Now Is The Only Thing That’s Real: A re-examination of the Manson murders, motives and mythos,”
The gun that was used in the Manson murders in 1969 had actually once belonged to this person, whose acting skills came in handy when he attempted to deny his knowledge of the Iran Contra “affair” back in the day.
Seven: After the Manson “situation” unfolded, several people were permitted to enter the house, in which Sharon Tate was killed, to supposedly “tidy up” as to prevent Roman Polanski from being shocked when he arrived home. One person in particular is associated with this line from a movie: “The Truth? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”
Eight: Robert Redford played the lead in the Great Gatsby in 1974. Who wrote the book on which the movie was based?
Nine: This person, known for his unscrupulous behavior in terms of spying on supposed enemies and making sure that resistance groups were infiltrated during his reign of terror, became the assistant director of the FBI on August 22 1921. Other than the above-mentioned qualities, he was a delightful person. SARCASM intended.
Ten: Across The Pond: According to mainstream history, on August 22, 1775, this person proclaimed that the colonies were in open rebellion.
Eleven: On August 22, 1787, Fitch’s completed its tests YEARS ahead of the Fulton variety but Fulton is most associated with it. Of what am I speaking?
Twelve: This person is considered to be one of the greatest visual artists in the history of art and the most important in Dutch history. He died in 1669.
Thirteen: Of these choices, how do these titles relate to Robert Redford? Jaws, JFK, The Boston Strangler and Apocalypse Now. 1) He had cameos in all of them 2) He was considered for roles in all or 3) He stormed off the set after auditioning for all of them.
Fourteen: The ‘Vesper Martini’ was ordered by James Bond in both the book and in the movie. What is it?
Fifteen: Rudyard Kipling was English; of these choices,where was he born? A) Australia B) India or C) London
I think that does it for the week. Generally speaking I fit in about 20 questions from the games when I use them for columns. This was not possible due to the above-mentioned visual aid aspect of the most recent game. Good luck and all that jazz!
THE END (Interstate Crosscheck, “War is a Racket,” by General Smedley Butler, “Where did the Towers go?” by Dr. Judy Wood)
P.S. I have to release Zoe the Manx Kitty from a jar! I told you, anything that holds still long enough can and WILL be canned. (Hey, she’s 19 now and doesn’t move about as swiftly as she once did.)
Answers: One, Valerie Harper extra credit, Morganstern. Two, Baltimore (Baltimore Ravens) This is the only example of a big sports team being named after a work of literature.
Three, Grandpa/Grandpa Walton/Will Geer/ The Grandfather. Four, 1) Surrealism. Five, Adolph Hitler.
Six, Ronald Reagan (visit: neilsandersmindcontrol.com for more info).Seven, Jack Nicholson. Eight, F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Nine, J. Edgar Hoover/Hoover/J. Edgar. Ten, King George III.
Eleven, Steamboat. Twelve, Rembrandt.
Thirteen, 2) Was considered for roles in all. Fourteen, Casino Royale.
Fifteen, B) India A bit more: Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet and novelist. He was born in India, which inspired much of his work. Kipling’s works of fiction include: “The Jungle Book,” “Kim” and many short stories including, “The Man Who Would Be King.”