Almost Worth Knowing: This Week in Summary

Sorry for the late post today, but I'm feeling a tad under the weather. Also, I notice that I did not address one of my challenges from last week, so I've included that here as well.

On Wednesday, September 24, I asked for the name of the band that sings the song Rio. Answer: Rio is a 1982 single from the great 80's band Duran Duran. The single can be found on the band's second album, also titled Rio. Personally, I prefer the cover by Goldfinger, which came years later. The original song can be found below:

On Tuesday, September 30, I issued two challenges. In my European Music series, I focused on O-Zone and Dan Balan, who is from Romania, and Basshunter, who is from Sweden. For that reason, I asked for those countries capitals. Respectively, the capitals are Bucharest and Stockholm. Katie earns herself one point for the correct answer!

At the same time, I also asked for other uses of the word Bass, or as many uses as possible. Bass was already defined in my post as the fish and the musical term referring to the low frequency sound. Tony earns himself 2 points for also noting the Bass Guitar and the largest, lowest pitched, bowed string instrument, sometimes known as the double bass. Other uses can be found on Wikipedia's Bass Disambiguation page, with references to other instruments that may carry the bass prefix. Bass may also refer to the lowest vocal range for male singers, similar to tenor or baritone, to the lowest note in a chord, to the bass clef, to a number of different places, to Bass Beer, and to the name Bass, which a number of video game characters have.

On Wednesday, October 1, I wrote a blog about the Horse Drawn Carriage Industry in New York City. The comments on that one are fun and worth checking out. Furthermore, I asked for the unabbreviated version of the acronym PETA, the animal rights organization. Jess receives one point for correctly pointing out that PETA stands for "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals." Nice going!

Finally, on Thursday, October 2, I wrote about a topic relating to anime, thus prompting a challenge having to do with my favorite childhood anime, Dragonball. The question was this: When Vegeta and Nappa first engage the Z Fighters, they do not fight them directly. Instead, they plant a bunch of beans in the ground, which sprout a bunch of little green creatures for the Z warriors to fight. These things have rather high power levels (compared to the Z Fighters at the time). What were these creatures called? These creatures, as BAyates so astutely pointed out, are known as Saibamen! Their power levels registered 1200 on the scouters, which was comparable to Raditz's when he first arrived on earth, and more than Krillin, at 1,083, or Gohan, at 981!

Some Saibamen with Nappa in the background

Well, that's this week wrapped up! Hope everyone had a good week, and see you all back here soon!

Final Note: man, the Dragonball movie looks like it's going to suck even worse than Mr. Satan (or Hercule if you wanna call him that)!

On September 20, I addressed the 2 points Katie received for answering "The Who" and "Fiddler on the Roof." That same day, I additionally challenged you readers to name the actor who earned a Tony award nomination for his portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, played the villain in a Hollywood blockbusting superhero movie, had a role in the first Indiana Jones movie, and is announced for the role of arch-villain in another big, upcoming superhero movie. I'm surprised no one decided to answer this. The answer is Alfred Molina, who played Dr. Octopus in Spider-man 2, as well as Tevye in Fiddler in the Roof. He is also set to voice Ares in the upcoming Wonder Woman film.

Curiously, on September 22, I spoke about a drink called the Wonder Woman, amongst other things. My challenge was to respond to the following: Which drink was originally manufactured by Christian monks and is bottled to resemble a Franciscan Friar; Which drink is named after an island in the Southern Caribbean Sea; Which drink references the Hitchhiker's Guide to Galaxy in its title? Jess receives a point for correctly matching the drinks to their respective descriptions in order: Frangelico, Curacao, and the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. Nice job J. Castles!

Finally yesterday, September 26, I issued two challenges: name two songs by Ace of Base not including "The Sign," and tell me what year Eiffel 65's "Blue" was released. Jess Castles, again, came up with the correct answers for one point each. Jess answered the first challenge with "All That She Wants" and "Don't Turn Around." Other songs I remember are "Cruel Summer," "Beautiful Life," and "Dancer in a Daydream." Jess answered the second challenge with the only answer of 1999, the year the music died. Nice job again Jess! 2 points. I look back on the release of Blue with some fond memories.

Another week wrapped up everyone! Back to my Europop, Eurodance, Eurotrance series again tomorrow.

Almost Worth Knowing: Pete Townshend and Tevye

What do Pete Townshend and Tevye have in common? They both sang songs featured in blogs I recently wrote.

I realize that this sounds like another lame entry, but its a weekend blog, and I don't wanna waste my good material. Plus, I need to address my recent blogs in any case. On Wednesday, I asked for the band that Pete Townshend was famously the song writer and guitarist of. Katie got the answer correct: The Who. I guess one point to her, but I'll admit that she kinda cheated, since she brought the idea for the challenge to my attention. That's right Katie, I'm exposing you! On Thursday, I asked for the name of the musical in which "Sunrise, Sunset" is a song. Answer? Fiddler on the Roof. Katie also gets a point for this one, but this time, her points are entirely legitimate.

Between Wednesday and Thursday, Katie earned herself an additional 2 points.

If you haven't seen the movie adaptation of the Fiddler on the Roof musical, you should. It's pretty long, but I like it, and according to my sister, it's pretty true to the Broadway production. Interestingly, I discovered in my research that Fiddler on the Roof is actually based on a book, entitled Tevye. This book later became the basis for a film of the same name, made in 1939. There's more; BAyates, you might appreciate this. Tevye was the first Non-English language film to have been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Cool huh. Before I go, here's a challenge about Tevye.

Almost Worth Knowing: Martin Lawrence IS the Dark Knight

With opening day come and gone, I believe that all true fans have already made their way to the local cineplex and seen Dark Knight. Therefore, I feel that it is safe for me to give a full review.

Plot synopsis: In the film, Bruce Wayne (Lawrence), using the alias Jamal Walker, is an everyday slacker with a job at a crummy theme park called Medieval World. His life takes a drastic turn when he finds a medallion that transports him back to England in the year 1328. There, the citizens of England believe him to be a French Moor, from Normandy more specifically, because of his skin color, odd dress, language, and manner. Despite his uncharacteristic behavior, Walker is soon taken in by the reigning King Leo. Walker names himself "Sky Walker" and is soon made head of security. Despite this fortune, Walker eventually realizes that the king is ruthless and evil, and with the help of some new friends, Walker seeks to overthrow the despot and restore the queen to power.

Review: While initially, the film seems to be nothing more than a gimmick and vehicle for Lawrence's gags, I believe that the plot is an interesting take on A Connecticut Yankee At King Arthur's Court. For the lead role, the decision to go with Martin Lawrence over Christian Bale is an interesting one, but the script does seem better suited to Lawrence's particular talents. As a sequel to Batman Begins, perhaps the film does not deliver, but it is still a fun summer romp in its own right. Perhaps this summer WAS big enough for two dark-skinned anti-heroes. The time travel elements were a big surprise when they were introduced, and seeing the Dark Knight stranded without his usual cape and cowl was certainly original. Moreover, Nolan's choice of a black "Black Knight" was worth at least a few chuckles. However, the themes of good and evil, corruption, and the price of justice are not as well and seriously considered as I might have expected. Nonetheless, you should check out the movie if you haven't. Kevin Thomas of the LA Times calls it "A rip-roaring time-travel comedy tailored beautifully to Martin Lawrence's protean talent." I only find it disappointing that movie did not stay more true to the comic.

Challenge: In the actual film, The Dark Knight, mob boss Sal Maroni is played by Eric Roberts. In what other film does Eric Roberts receive top billing, for playing a martial artist who is recruited to represent the USA in a sport karate tournament against Korea? This one might earn you a whole quarter...

Almost Worth Knowing: Vigilantism doesn't pay... it's mostly volunteer.

In honor of The Dark Knight coming out tonight, I decided to do some blogging about vigilantism. Firstly, I'd like to steal a page out of the book of ADYates, over there at De Grypis. Wikipedia says:

The term vigilante are Spanish and Portuguese for "watchman" or "watcher," ultimately from Latin "vigilans"- the present participle of "vigilare" (to watch). Its etymology is closely related to (though its meaning very different from) that of the term vigilance. Note that the term vigilantism is a derivative of vigilante, not of vigilant or vigilance. The term vigilante was introduced into English from the northeast United States. Vigilantism is generally frowned upon by official agencies (who would otherwise encourage vigilance on the part of citizens), especially when it gives way to criminal behavior on the part of the vigilante.

It seems most vigilantes eventually become the very thing that they originally condemned, criminals. However, one group, still active today, seems to have fared a little bit better. The Guardian Angels was founded in 1979. They claim that they aren't vigilantes, but they were originally formed to perform "citizen arrests" in crime filled areas. Over the years, the group has evolved into more of an active safety patrol of sorts, with additional goals of educating the community. Nonetheless, they do teach their patrolling members martial arts. Hmmm, I wish I could make citizens arrests when I was on the safety patrol...

Challenge: Can you name the real life hero who leads a Guardian Angels chapter in Mexico City, but was a former Canadian, is a professional wrestler, a movie star, a former bodyguard for Milli Vanilli, and was previously asked to play hockey for the Ontario Hockey League? I bet even Bruce Wayne couldn't compare with this guy. Please feel free to use the Internets!