mc5 - AVMA Take 2

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AVMA Take 2

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Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....

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[Raak] Vegetable Processed? Yes
[Raak] Used by artists? It can be.
[Darren] Contain writing? No.
[Irouleguy] Mineral part wood? No. And neither is the vegatable part.
[Inkspot] Part metal? No. [Rosie] Can be made from natural or artificial substances? Yes. (Some applause.)

[Irouleguy] er, or the vegetable part.

A paintbrush?

Ink?

[Raak] Paintbrush? No.
[Darren] Ink? (Major applause). Very close, but I want something more precise.

Is it used in a domestic environment?

[Chalky] It is not typically used anywhere. (Well, I can think of one place.) But focus on Darren's answer -- he has basically gotten there.

(And yes, it can be used by artists, as I said. But normally you would not think of this as something that was being used.)

Well, it is gone midnight here in Singapore, and I am about to go to bed. And so, since Darren really did get the answer, I think I should pass the baton to him, rather than keep you all waiting until tomorrow. I was surprised how hard it was to answer some of those questions; my apologies if I misled in any way. The exact answer I was looking for was:

An Inkspot.

CdM] Nice one
self] Write out 'Wood is not a mineral' 100 times

Thanks to CdM! (It's the second time I've won one of these on a "ohhh... close enough"!) [Irouleguy] What about petrified wood?

Now we are Abstract.

Is it a human construct?

Is it an action?

Is it part of, or found in, all cultures?

Darren] True...

Is it a belief system?

Is it related to music?

[Rosie] Yes, but not necessarily. But yes.
{Inkspot] Yes.
[Irouleguy] I'm not sure if it's found in all, but certainly many.
[Gusset Login] No.
[Tuj] Indirectly, it can be.

[Rosie] Actually, just make that yes.

Is it a narrative activity?

Is it a physical activity?

[Raak] No.
[Irouleguy] Yes.

Dancing?

[Raak] No.

Is it a sport of some kind?

Is it done with the whole body?

Does it involve more than one person?

Is it something that only humans can do?

sorry - I think you've answered that last one already with your 'human construct' answer.

Is it restricted to adults only?

[CdM] Mostly no, although some people treat it like one.
[Inkspot] No.
[Gusset Login] Yes.
[Chalky] (1) Well, this is the reason for my vagueness about the "human construct." I'm going to say yes and no, depending on how you look at it. (2) No.

[Gusset Login] I need to be a bit more vague again. A better answer is this: normally yes, but sometimes no.

Is it a game?

[Chalky] No.

Whistling?

[Irouleguy] No.

Sex?

[Raak] I was waiting for someone to say this. No, it's not sex.

Waving

[Inkspot] No.

Drowning? (oblig.)

Is the part of the body the head, or part of the head?

Does it involve communication of one form or another?

Is it legal?

[Irouleguy] (1) No. (2) What part of the body?! I never mentioned a part of the body.
[Kim] Yes.
[Gusset Login] Yes.

talking?

[Inkspot] No.

[Irouleguy] (2) I wasn't really fair there, was I? The answer is generally no.

Acting?

[Raak] No.

txtng?

Do you need equipment of some sort to do it?

[Raak] No.
[Chalky] No.
I'll provide a clue if anyone wants one.

Summary

It is...a human construct, an action, found in many (if not all) cultures, a physical activity, involving communication of some sort, legal
It could be...related to music (indirectly), a solo activity
It is not...a narrative activity, dancing, a sport (though some people treat it like one), done with the whole body, a game, whistling, sex, waving, drowning, restricted to humans, talking, acting, txting [sic], done with equipment, generally done with the head

I'm having trouble with the idea that this is a human construct but not restricted to humans. So, yes, a clue might help, but I'll have a couple of guesses as well.
praying?
pointing?

[Irouleguy] No, and no.
Here's a clue: Raak has guessed a number of activities which can be associated with this. Not always, of course, but certainly sometimes. In essence, you're getting towards the right area.

And in response to Irouleguy's doubts, there is at least one type of animal (other than humans) which can do this activity, although I don't think it does it for the same reason!

Performing?

[Chalky] No.

Is this something which would be acceptable if performed in public?

Well, Raak has guessed dancing, sex, and acting...

Yoga?

[Dujon] Depends where you do it, but generally yes.
[Raak] No.
[CdM] What would you hope would go with them?

Smoking ?

Drinking alcohol?

[Chalky] No and no. (You're getting colder.)

Partying?

[Raak] No.

Applauding?

Drinking alcohol?

Oops, didn't notice Chalky just asked that,

Conversation?

[Irouleguy] YES!!!! (Well, actually it was "a ripple of applause" but you're easily close enough.) Just to explain my animal comments above, I don't think I imagined seals clapping in circuses.
[Raak] (1) No. (2) No.

So, Irouleguy is in the driving seat for the next lap.

WOO-HOO!
Darren] No you didn't imagine that - it was when you said one type of animal that I started to work it out.
Anyway, this is something else completely different - MINERAL

Antimony?

Mainly metallic?

Tuj] Antimony? No
Darren] Mainly metallic? No

Is it a monument?

Is it man-made?

Is it a single thing?

Inkspot] Is it a monument? No
Darren} Is it man-made? No
Raak] Is it a single thing? Um...yes and no. It's a collective noun, like 'the Alps' (but it's not a mountain range).

Is it a geographical feature?

Is it, collectively, larger than the Earth?

Is it an astronomical feature?

ImNotJohn] Is it a geographical feature? No
Darren] Is it, collectively, larger than the Earth? Um...define 'larger'.
Raak] Is it an astronomical feature? Yes *murmurs of approval from the audience*

Is it outside the Solar System?

Is it a consellation of stars?

consellation/constellation

Is it the Oort Cloud?

Darren] Is it outside the Solar System? No
Inkspot] Is it a constellation of stars? No. (I'd consider a constellation mineral/abstract.)
CdM] Is it the Oort Cloud? No - but closer

The asteroids?

Raak] The asteroids? No

The solar wind?

The rings of Saturn?

The Milky Way?

Rings around Uranus?

....and stop sniggering at the back

Raak] The solar wind? No
Darren] The rings of Saturn? YES!! We have a winner! And so the baton passes straight back to Darren.

OK, well, I'm back in the chair, it seems.
This one is MINERAL.

Is it man made?

[Inkspot] Yes.

Is it typically used inside?

Does it use electricity?

Is it mainly used for work, or for enjoyment?

[CdM] Inside the house, you mean? If so, yes.
[Raak] Yes.
[Irouleguy] These days, the latter.

A computer?

[Raak] Yes, but I need you to be more precise.

A computer running Windows?

An Amstrad?

A Macintosh?

[Raak] (1) No.
[Irouleguy] No.
[Raak] (2) No.

Is it a specific make or model of computer?

A BBC?

[Raak] Yes.
[Irouleguy] Close, but not close enough.

BBC Model B?

A BBC Acorn?

BBC Model A (Acorn)

[Raak] No.
[Irouleguy] A BBC Acorn? No such thing. Acorn produced all the BBC computers via a licensing deal.
[Inkspot] No.

Sinclair Spectrum?

[Raak] No (colder).

A Commodore 64?

[Raak] No, equally cold.

Hm, what's on the hot side of a BBC from a C64 or a Spectrum?

Is this type of computer still in current use (other than by retro geeks)?

Is it a BBC 'something'?

[Raak] No.
[Chalky] No.
I did give you a clue before. Remember, the BBC didn't make the BBC Micro - it was made by Acorn. So, what you might be looking for here is another (retro, we've established) computer made by Acorn, of which there were several.

Was this model named after a minute 'object'? - there's two I can think of.

Acorn Atom?

.. the one that was launched in 1980, she says knowledgeably.
Google? Wassat then :-)

Acorn Archimedes

Absolutely fascinated when reading the story about what they did back then

[Dujon] Yes.
[Chalky] No, too early.
[Inkspot] No, too recent.

The clues, together with Inkspot's posting of the history, strongly suggest the Electron.

[Raak] Absolutely so. It is indeed the Acorn Electron. CORRECT! It's Raak's turn.

The next is VEGETABLE

Is it edible?

Is it edible?

Sorry.

Is it commonly found indoors?

Is it a vegetable?

Is it something that has been processed?

[Darren] No.
[Tuj] It can be.
[Chalky] No.
[CdM] Yes.

Is it an item of furniture?

[Darren] No.

A crucifix?

YES

Game to Irouleguy.

Wow, that was quick.

Hell's bells!

I suspect telepathy!

Raak set it on Good Friday - what else could it have been? Do I sense someone else who grew up Catholic? Anyway, our next subject was also a cause of anguish and tension, albeit on a much smaller scale. It's VEGETABLE/MINERAL, ABSTRACT and the colour's a sort of clue.

Anything to do with Ireland?

Desultory Church of Scotland, actually.

Raak] Anything to do with Ireland? A very faint connection, but a misleading one
CoS? Is that like Anglican?

The green eye of the little yellow god?

Anglican? Certainly not, Anglicans are almost Papist idolaters from the point of view of the CoS. On the other hand, it can't really be described as Protestant either. It's full, Sunday best title has the word "Episcopalian" in it somewhere, but I don't have much idea what that means. Just one of the meaningless background elements of childhood.

Raak] The green eye of the little yellow god? No - actually 'clue' may be something of an exaggeration. More of a set of lateral thinking connections, really. The colour's really not the best way to get there.

Is it the title of a book?

Does it have punctuation in it?

Is it a fictional object?

Is this something to do with grass?

Inkspot] Is it the title of a book? No
Tuj] Does it have punctuation in it? Yes (odd question)
Darren] Is it a fictional object? Yes
Dujon] Is this something to do with grass? No. Really, I'm sorry I ever mentioned the colour.

Is the vegetable part wood?

Would it be found underground?

Irouleguy] Of course an odd question! What else would be expected though? Anyway, could be more useful than the green thing.

Raak] Is the vegetable part wood? Yes
Tuj] Would it be found underground? No
It was a comment, not a criticism, and it probably will be more useful than the green thing.

Is the mineral part metal fixings of some sort?

Raak] Is the mineral part metal fixings of some sort? Yes, but there's other (more important) mineral parts as well.

Is this a tool with a wooden handle and metal business end?

Is it part of the folklore of a particular people?

Is this a weapon?

Is the apostrophe a possessive one?

Raak] Is this a tool with a wooden handle and metal business end? No
Inkspot] Is it part of the folklore of a particular people? No
Dujon] Is this a weapon? No
Tuj] Is the apostrophe a possessive one? Yes

Harry Potter's staff?

Is the mineral a gem stone?

Raak] Harry Potter's staff? No, but thinking along the right lines
Inkspot] Is the mineral a gem stone? No *audience launches into karaoke version of Michelle Shocked's 'Anchorage'*

The Mona Lisa's Smile

Does have connections with Lords of the Ring?

'Cos if it does I'll back out as I know sweet nuffin' about it.

Inkspot] The Mona Lisa's Smile? No
Dujon] Does it have connections with The Lord of the Rings? No

Does the fictional work date from 1950 or later?

Is it from a television series?

Does it have any magical properties?

Raak] Does the fictional work date from 1950 or later? No
Inkspot] Is it from a television series? No
Darren] Does it have any magical properties? No

Do we want a clue?

Is the object man made?

Prospero's staff?

With Inkspot's and Raak's questions immediately above to be answered, the state of the nation seems to be (I hope I've not missed something):

It is not/does not:

The eye of the little yellow god
The title of a book
A tool with wooden handle and metal business end
Have anything to do with grass
Not found underground
Part of fokelore of a particlar people
A weapon
Harry Potter's staff - but the right line of thinking
Contain a gem stone
The Mona Lisa smile
Have connection with Lord of the Rings
From a television series
Have magical properties

It is/does:

Have a very faint connection with Ireland but this would be misleading
Have punctuation in it
Fictional
Wood in the vegetable part
Contain a possessive apostrophe
Have metal fixings of some sort - but there's (more important) mineral parts as well
Pre-date 1950

Inkspot] Is the object man made? Yes
Raak] Prospero's staff? No, but the answer could be said to lie on a point midway between two of Raak's guesses
Dujon] A good summary

Is it somebody's staff?

Darren] Is it somebody's staff? No

Was it supposed to belong to a particular person?

Does it have a knob on the end?

Darren] Was it supposed to belong to a particular person? Not sure what this means. It does belong to a particular person - the form of the answer is {person's name}'s {object}.
Raak] Does it have a knob on the end? I refer the honourable gentleman to my last answer but one.

Is it any sort of ship?

Was the owner a real person?

[Irouleguy] Re: the "particular person" question. That was what I meant.

Is it too heavy for a single person to lift?

Is it something that is worn?

Raak] Is it any sort of ship? No
Darren - Was the owner a real person? No
CdM - Is it too heavy for a single person to lift? Good question - yes
Inkspot - Is it something that is worn? No

Is it something large enough that a human could get inside?

Is it a building?

Darren] Is it something large enough that a human could get inside? No
Raak] Is it a building? No

Is the object made from stone?

is it connected with transport?

Would it help me if I understood your reference to "Anchorage"?

'Cos, like, maybe I'm being dumb, but I know that song pretty well, and yet I have no idea what you were getting at...

Was Shakespeare the author of the fictional work in question?

Inkspot] Is the object made from stone? No
Chalky] Is it connected with transport? No
CdM - Would it help me if I understood your reference to "Anchorage"? No.
Sorry - it was just a joke about being cold. It's the only song I know about Alaska.
CdM - Was Shakespeare the author of the fictional work in question? No

Could a human wrap his/her arms around it?

When you said "Harry Potter's staff" was the "right line of thinking" did you mean something more than that it was of the form {person's name}'s {object}?

Is it time for me to shut up and let someone else ask a question?

19th century?

Is the person's name more than one word?

CdM] Could a human wrap his/her arms around it? Almost certainly not
CdM] When you said "Harry Potter's staff" was the "right line of thinking" did you mean something more than that it was of the form {person's name}'s {object}? No
CdM] Is it time for me to shut up and let someone else ask a question? Not at all - they're good questions and it's not that busy today
Raak] 19th century? Yes
Darren] Is the person's name more than one word? Yes

A clue for Friday afternoon

The person in the answer shares a name with the author of the fictional work.

Lady Windermere's Fan?

Is the fictional work - a film?

Is the fictional work - a play?

Raak] Lady Windermere's Fan? No, but in several respects the closest approach yet.
Chalky] Is the fictional work - a film? Not originally, but it has been filmed.
Chalky] Is the fictional work - a play? No

Was the fictional work originally written in English?

Was the film made before 1950?

Is there more than one filmed version (including cinematic and television versions, if applicable)?

Is it an item of furniture?

Is it anything to do with Oscar Wilde, or in fact Dorian Gray, and am I allowed to ask more than one question at a time?

Tom Brown's Schooldays?

As abstract as you get

buit it's not the title of a book.....*retracts already abstract answer*

CdM] Was the fictional work originally written in English? Yes
Inkspot] Was the film made before 1950? No, for all versions (see below)
Darren] Is there more than one filmed version (including cinematic and television versions, if applicable)? Yes, according to IMBd three (one cinematic, two television). Obligatory trivia - the actor playing the person in the answer in the first TV version was once in Blake's seven, and also has a connection to the colour clue.
Raak] Is it an item of furniture? Yes, though that's not its primary function
ZK] Is it anything to do with Oscar Wilde, or in fact Dorian Gray, and am I allowed to ask more than one question at a time? No, and no, and apparently yes
ZK] Tom Brown's Schooldays? I refer the honourable gentleman to his subsequent answer

Is the entire answer a phrase that is in reasonably common use?

(For example, do you think it would be an acceptable solution in a crossword?)

CDM] Is the entire answer a phrase that is in reasonably common use? No - it'd only really be acceptable in a crossword if the whole crossword was themed around the author.

Is the author Dickens?

Is the person male?

is it a musical instrument?

Regarding the mineral part: (a) is it in part glass? (b) you said there are "metal fixings" but are there also other metal parts?

is it a timepiece of any kind?

Raak] Is the author Dickens? No
Darren] Is the person male? No
ZK]Is it a musical instrument? Yes
CdM] Regarding the mineral part: (a) is it in part glass? (b) you said there are "metal fixings" but are there also other metal parts? (a) No; (b) Yes
ZK] Is it a timepiece of any kind? No

Is it a piano?

I can't think of anyone who has a piano except in Jane Austen novels so I don't know why I'm asking!

Having a guess

Did Jane Fairfax have a piano?

*applauds*

You have definitely got the right person (having checked all the imdb clues). And I am guessing that the piano is right as well.

ZK - YES!!! Congratulations! I'd thought after the last round of answers that someone must get it soon. The colour clue is that everyone thought that the piano was a gift to Jane Fairfax from the Dixons, which leads by association to Dixon of Dock Green, which Ania Marson, who played Jane Fairfax in the first TV version of Emma, appeared in a number of times. I did say it wasn't so much a clue as a lateral association which wouldn't help...
I'll shut up now and hand over the baton to ZK.

thank god for that

I don't know why, but I developed an obsession with this round! I'm glad my brain worked the right way....eventually.....shame on me because I've only read Emma once! I do own that version, though. I think I got it for my 13th birthday. I must say I didn't get any of the Dixon clues. Anyway...

What was the irish connection?

I guess this is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.

A constellation?

[Raak] No. But cool :)

Are the connections to a specific animal?

[Tuj] Yes.

Would this animal have appeared in an animated film and a musical?

[Dujon]Certainly, but I suspect you're barking up the wrong tree.

Toto?

Is the animal human?

[Raak] No.
[Gusset Login] Yes! Yay :)

Are they female?

Are they best known for the animated film/musical?

Sorry, the Irish connection. JF had been with the Dixons in Ireland before she came to Highbury.

Anything to do with Gilbert & Sullivan?

Is it connected with religion?

Anything to do with Walt Disney?

Would you like an extra strong mint?

Female?

What are your major influences?

Is it one human or a group of them?

Could you hold this for a second?

Can I quote you?

Did you threaten to overrule him?

Was the person written about before 1900?

Did you *threaten* to overrule him?

Would you like a cup of tea and a Hob-nob?

Is there any truth to the rumors?

Did you THREATEN to overrule him?

Can I count on your vote?

I say, are you still there?

If not, where are you?

Is your absence some sort of clue?

When do we give up waiting for ZK to come back?

Is "ZK's absence" the answer?

Anyone for a picnic?

Does anyone else have sand in their sandwiches?

Did anyone bring a corkscrew?

Is it anything to do with Thora Hird?

Did they walk with a limp?

Did they walk with a lisp?

Did they float in the air?

Is it "Walking in the Air" sung by Aled Jones?

Is it time to start a new game?

Are they Roman?

As ZK is away in Rome on a student jolly, would someone like to step into the breech wilth an alternative AVMA?

Inkspot] Me, Raak and Darren have all had recent goes - why don't you do it?

Since Inkspot hasn't stepped up to the challenge, and since I handed one over earlier, here's a new one. It is:

VEGETABLE

Is it made from more than one vegetable?

Well jumped in CdM...on with the game.

Is it normally eaten by humans?

Is it processed?

[Inkspot] Made from more than one vegetable? - No
[Rosie] Normally eaten by humans? - Yes, in part
[Darren] Processed? - No.

A banana?

[Raak] Banana? - No

Is it a fruit?

A pomegranite?

[Irouleguy] Fruit? - No.
[Raak] Pomegranite? - No.

A cereal?

[Chalky] Cereal - No.

Is the 'normally eaten by humans' bit a seed?

(Long shot) - RHUBARB?

[Dujon] seed? - No
[Rosie] Rhubarb? - No.
Clarification: I go back and forth on whether I should say this is "normally" eaten by humans. Perhaps it is most accurate to say that part of this is sometimes eaten by humans, and that this is in no way unusual.

Is it grown on farms?

Is it eaten in all societies?

Is it a root crop?

Is it tobacco?

[Raak] Grown on farms? - No. (Although had you phrased the question differently I might have given a different answer.)
[Irouleguy] Eaten in all societies? - Strictly speaking no. However, to the best of my knowledge, all societies eat something somewhat similar to part of this thing.
[Inkspot] Root crop? - No.
[Chalky] Tobacco? - No.

Is it a liquid?

Is it grown in frames?

Is it a tree/s?

Is the part that is eaten a leaf?

Is the part that is eaten a stalk?

Is it a nut?

[Inkspot] Liquid? - No.
[Irouleguy] Grown in frames? - No.
[INJ] Part that's eaten = leaf? - No.
[INJ] Part that's eaten = stalk? - Part of the part that is eaten is a stalk.
[Raak] Nut? - No.

Is it a fungus? (if so I'll go for porcini/cèpe)

[INJ] Is it a fungus? - Yes.
[INJ] porcini/cepe? - No.

cinnamon?

[all] Cinnamon? - No. *points to last answer but one*

Is the answer the name of a specific mushroom?

Is it a generic mushroom?

[INJ] Name of specific mushroom? - No. (But had you phrased the question differently I might have given a different answer...)
[Raak] Generic mushroom? - No, I don't think so (although I am not exactly sure what you mean by a generic mushroom).

Is it a specific variety of mushroom?

[CdM] That answer hadn't been posted when I typed my question

[CdM] I just meant, is the answer "a mushroom".

A mushroom?

Is the answer the name of a specific fungus?

A toadstool?

[all] Specific variety of mushroom? - No, or at least not exactly, but see my answer to INJ below.
[Raak] A mushroom? - No.
[Raak] A mushroom? - Still no.
[INJ] Specific fungus? - It is a specific variety of fungus. However, it is not sufficient to identify the variety.
[INJ] A toadstool? - No.

Black truffles?

Magic mushrooms?

[Irouleguy] Black truffles? - No.
[Raak] Magic Mushrooms? - No.

Is it a specific fungus rather than a specific bit of a mushroom stalk?

Clumsy question - but having picked my way through your replies ..

Is this a fungus which people eat unknowingly (i.e. if they knew they'd rather not)?

No, I don't suck my toes. ;-)

[Chalky] Specific fungus? - It is a very specific fungus.
[Dujon] - Eat unknowingly? - No.

Yeast?

Does this specific fungus have anything to do with Edible Fungi?

That gigantic white truffle in the news recently that was exhibited for so long that it went off before it could be used?

[Chalky] Yeast? - No.
[Chalky] Edible Fungi? - I don't understand the question. Part of this specific fungus is edible, but that has already been established.
[Raak] Gigantic white truffle? - No, but a ripple of applause from the audience.

[Chalky] Just noticed that I missed a question of yours way back there -- back at a time when every time I tried to post there was another question. :-) Er, anyway, no, it isn't a tree.

Is it any sort of truffle or part thereof?

Not many edible fungi beyond mushrooms, toadstools, and truffles.

Hmmmmmm... I have tried to answer very carefully, but I think I have still ended up being misleading. The edible part is a specific variety of mushroom, but it is not strictly correct to describe the whole as a mushroom. The whole is a specific variety of fungus, but as I said before it is not sufficient to identify the variety.

Is it a mushroom that grows on some other type of fungus?

Would you find the edible part for sale in a supermarket?

[Raak] Continuing my clarification, the answer is a particular fungus, which has as its fruit (spore) an edible mushroom. I would guess that the mushroom is sold in some supermarkets, but I do not think it is commonly found for sale. (By the way, some of my reading has led me to the discovery that fungi are not necessarily classified as either animal or vegetable, but are a class on their own, so we may have to rename the game AVFMA.)

Oh, and it is highly unlikely that you or I would find the edible part for sale in a supermarket, but Dan or Dunx might.

[CdM] If you went down the AVFMA road, you'd have to add a couple of others to the list, too.

Does it grow in a mutually beneficial arrangement with conifers?

[flerdle] Mutually beneficial relationship with conifers? - Definitely not.

(But despite that, the audience applauds, somewhat confusedly.)

Would this be ingested as a medication rather than a food?

[Dujon] Medicine rather than food? - No.

[CdM] Many of your answers seemed to be pointing to the fruit of Tricholoma magnivelare, but that's obviously not right. Sorry.

[flerdle] Tm? - No, but in some ways you are getting very close.

Shiitake mushrooms?

[Irouleguy] Shiitake mushrooms? - No.

Mycelium?

I'm thinking it can't be the cultivation of mushrooms on hardwood logs because you would've given a hint when I asked about trees some time ago - I still think this is some form of parasitic mushroom.

Chanterelle mushroom?

The Honey mushroom? [ Armillaria mellea]

Forgive the multiposts - I've only a few free minutes today - and I've been googling. S'amazing what you learn ....

[Chalky] Mycelium? - No, but the audience applauds the parasitic mushroom comment.
Chanterelle? - No.
Honey mushroom? Major applause from audience. The mushroom is indeed a honey mushroom (the fungus is actually Armillaria ostoyae, but to be honest I haven't quite figured out the differences among the different armillarias). However, as I said before, identifying the variety of fungus is not sufficient to answer the question. For clues, see some of my responses to Raak's recent questions.

Are we looking for a specific Armillaria ostoyae, ie. a single organism which exists somewhere on the planet?

[Darren] Specific Ao? - Yes. (The audience is getting very excited, and a couple of individuals have been escorted from the room.)

The Giant one found in Oregon in 2000?

"Officially known as Armillaria ostoyae, or the honey mushroom, the fungus is 3.5 miles across and takes up 1,665 football fields. The small mushrooms visible above ground are only the tip of the iceberg. Experts estimate that the giant mushroom is at least 2,400 years old, but could be 7,200 years old."

That was a quote, btw - I was in a rush

Did you know that Mushrooms have over 36,000 sexes! Unlike us mere mortals who have only the 2 [and a bit, arguably]. No wonder they proliferate.

[Chalky] Yes! I mean, come on people, it's only one of the biggest and oldest living things in the world...
*hands the button, sorry, baton, to Chalky*

yippee

Why thenk you, Mr CdM. What a splendid subject for AVFMA-ing!
That was a steep learning curve for me - not being a mushroom eater. There's something about the thought of all that grubby foraging which quite turns my stomach. They smell gorgeous and I'll happily cook them for other people - just can't eat them. Pity.

Anyway, enough of this self-disclosure. It's high time we had ...

ABSTRACT ANIMAL

Is it a fictional human?

K9?

[GL] that was 2 questions - but ..
Fictional - No
Human - er .. Yes
[Raak] K9 - Not this time [one day, one of your early guesses will be correct] :-)

Are there religious connotations?

Female?

Dead?

It was 1 question, although I admit a simple "no" would have confused us. Thank you

Is it a characteristic, in the broadest sense, of humans?

Related to religion?

A particular human?

Is it connected to faith in anyway?

Lucy?

on the basis of your 'er' in the response to human?

Linus? Charlie Brown?

Oh. That Lucy...

sorrysorry - been busy

[Darren] Are there religious connotations? - No
[Inkspot] Female? - Yes - but then again NO :-)
[GL] Dead? - No
[Rosie] Is it a characteristic, in the broadest sense, of humans? - I don't think so [if I understand your question correctly]
[Raak] Related to religion? - No
[Irouleguy] A particular human? - Yes
[all] Is it connected to faith in anyway? - Can't answer such a broad sweep question - surely everything's connected to some sort of faith, even if it's faith in ones own judgement?
[INJ] Lucy? - nah [ignore my 'er' - 'it' IS human ]
[CdM] Linus / Charlie Brown? - nah / nah [I thought he meant the one in the sky with Diamonds ..]

Is it (the particular human) an adult?

Hello flerdle :-)
[flerdle] Is it (the particular human) an adult? - Yes, mostly.

Do people dress up as this person?

Dame Edna Everage?

[Chalky, re: hello] Huh? *worries*

Is this person of a particular gender?

Is is a description? ie "fat cat"

Lilt

Lily Savage?

Sorry - ignore the first one

hidden a gender?

[Raak] Do people dress up as this person? - there ARE lookalikes, yes
flerdle - Dame Edna - No
[flerdle] The hello? Don't see you playin' this game very often, that's all. Sorry I worried you]
Darren - Particular gender? - Of course, yes
[Inkspot] No - nothing along those lines
[Irouléguy] Lily Savage - No

hmmm - crossdressing trannies - don't go down that path. If I was vague on the gender issue, there might be a good reason. It may help to think laterally. Don't worry about the Abstract part just yet either.

Mrs. Merton?

Is this a role (rather than the specific person who happens to fill it at any time)?

Dr Who's assistant?

[Chalky] I hadn't really even looked in here before. I suspect I'm not going to be that good at it, and may disappear at any time.

[Raak] No
[Raak again] NO - definitely real, living, breathing, active, etc.
[flerdle] No [OK - but your input certainly helped me get the last one :-)]

[Raak] re: your 2nd question above - The Abstract element could be described as a 'role' but it may be simpler to just guess the animal bit first - and the astract nature will follow quite naturally [I hope].

Does this person hold any kind of official position?

Are they associated with any particular country?

Do they have long hair?

[Rosie] Official position? - depends what you mean by 'official'. Er .. Yes.
[flerdle] Are they associated with any particular country? - At last! They are associated with two countries.
[flerdle] Long hair - Some and some :-)

Both European countries?

[Raak] Yes - they live in both.

Is the title of the role hereditary?

[Inkspot] No

Ask general questions about the people - forget the 'role' for now.

Are they pop stars?

Are they popular?

European countries?

sorry for delay - been watching The 100 Top Albums on C4 ...

[Raak] Pop Stars? Well - not really, but ... she was a pop star.
[Irouléguy] Popular? Oh yes, and quite recently - however, their star may be waning ...
[Tuj] European countries? - Done that one already. Have a quick read back :-)

Is Billie Piper a part of this?

Are the countries England and Spain?

The Beckhams?

Darn; pipped by time zones :-)

[Raak] No
[Dujon] Yes
[CdM] YES - they are the people *applause*

Now for the Abstract bit :-)

The appearance of Posh and Becks in the Simpsons?

Not that I actually know if they have appeared there.

They've launched a fashion label?

Is that the one called 'Thick & Thin'?

[Raak, Irouleguy, INJ] It's all those things ... in one word, then add that one word to their name and that's the answer ..

Posh and Becks dolls?

The Posh and Becks brand?

INJ] *grin*

The Beckham Phenomenon?

The all-singing-dancing-football-playing-and-generally-being-annoying-Posh&Becks show?

Beckhamania?

AHA!

[Raak] It's not the dolls specifically, so I can eliminate that one.

As for the other replies - you are all correct so I have to be fair and give it to the person who mentioned the word 'Brand' [mainly because I had in mind the phrase The Beckham Brand when I began].
Well done Irouléguy for getting there just before flerdle [with whom I agree wholeheartedly on the annoyance factor]
Commiseration thingies to INJ for also being correct.

*hands over to Irouléguy*

Something of a lurker's victory there, but I'm not complaining. Our next topic is ABSTRACT, and the colour is an association rather than a clue. it's also hopefully got a far lower annoyance factor.

Weather forecasts? :-)

Is it an emotion?

flerdle] Weather forecasts? :-) No - I like it though
Gusset Login] Is it an emotion? No - but there is a connection

Does it primarily exist in fiction?

Is it generally regarded as positive?

Is it associated primarily with humans?

Raak] - Does it primarily exist in fiction? Yes, though that may not be as helpful as it sounds
Darren] Is it generally regarded as positive? As previously
ImNotJohn] Is it associated primarily with humans? As previously

Is it a belief?

Raak] Is it a belief? No - but again there's a connection.
Apologies in advance for tomorrow - I'm working out of the office most of the day, and I won't get a chance to log on until early evening.

Is it a proverb?

Is it something religious?

Is it defined by it's absence?

Kim] Is it a proverb? No
Raak] Is it something religious? No
Gusset Login] Is it defined by it's absence? No

It is living (albeit in an abstract sense)?

Raak] Is it living (albeit in an abstract sense)? The question's not really applicable

Is it a pattern?

Is it a human concept?

Raak] Is it a pattern? Yes, of sorts, but that really doesn't help
Gusset Login] Is it a human concept? Necessarily, as it's an abstraction.

Can it be perceived by the senses?

Darren] Can it be perceived by the senses? Yes - only one of them though.

Is it perceived by hearing?

There are absracts that are more than human concepts (eg gravity)

Braille?

The sound of one hand clapping in the forest when no-one is there to hear it?

Gusset Login] Is it perceived by hearing? YES! *low murmur of appreciation from the audience*
There are abstracts that are more than human concepts (eg gravity) Conceded - I hadn't thought of it like that
Darren] Braille? No
Raak] The sound of one hand clapping in the forest when no-one is there to hear it? No.

Is it a piece of music?

Is it a sound of Nature?

Raak] Is it a piece of music? YES! *scattered applause from the audience*
Rosie] Is it a sound of Nature? No

Was it written since 1900?

The Internationale?

Is it a song?

Raak] Was it written since 1900? Yes
CdM] The Internationale? No - I did say the red was more of an association than a clue.
CdM] Is it a song? Yes

Was it a number one hit in either the US or the UK?

Is it sung by Kate Bush?

CdM] Was it a number one hit in either the US or the UK? Yes, in both (though not in the same year - a useful trivia nugget for quizzes)
Raak] Is it sung by Kate Bush? No!

The Beatles?

Raak] The Beatles? YES! audience screams, waves scarves, takes flash photos, etc

Is the red an association with the uniforms they wore on the cover of the Sergeant Pepper album?

Strawberry fields?

Raak] Is the red an association with the uniforms they wore on the cover of the Sergeant Pepper album? No
Rosie] Strawberry fields? No

Penny Lane?

Has it got the word "Sun" in the title?

Back in the USSR?

Raak] Penny Lane? No
Kim] Has it got the word "Sun" in the title? No - that was never a number one, was it?
ImNotJohn] Back in the USSR? No

Can't Buy Me Love?

Free as a Bird?

Darren] Can't Buy Me Love? No
Gusset Login - Free as a Bird? No

I want to hold your hand?

She Loves You?

Too slow - I agree with Flerdle.

Funny, because I actually agree with Raak :-) My guess was no 1 for too long in the UK to be technically correct...

ps sorry I haven't been around much this time, this week's been "interesting".

[Flerdle]I reckon you're right 'cos it's the only one that was a Uk & US No1 in different years (63 &64).

[INJ] Which one of my statements? :-D
Have a look here and turn to the next year... Very good site, btw, but can't get to the front page right now.

it looks completely dead now. Oh well.

I dunno, you take your eye off it for a minute...
And the winner is RAAK! (I did think the different years was a bit of a give-away). The red association is simply that it's on the red album. Over to you, Raak.

Well, that was a fluke, never heard of a red album, didn't look at the web sites, and I doubt I could name more than half a dozen Beatles songs.

The next item is a definitely concrete MINERAL (and no, the answer isn't "concrete").

A half-brick?

Manufactured?

[Tuj] No.
[Rosie] Yes.

A specific object?

Is it bigger than a phone box?

[I] Yes.
[GL] Yes.

A building?

The TARDIS?

[Kim] No.
[I] No (but murmurs from the audience).

Is it a planet?

[GL] No. (The audience goes back to sleep.)

The 'Heart of Gold'?

[I] No.

Some form of transport?

[Rosie] No.

Does it have moving parts?

[flerdle] No.

Does it really exist?

[Darren] Yes.

Is it an object associated with a TV series?

Is there more than one of it?

[GL] Hmm...briefly.
[Darren] No.

Can someone get inside it?

[flerdle] (Laughter from the audience.) Well...there's certainly room.

10 Downing Street?

[I} No.

Is it in Britain?

[Tuj] Yes.

The Milleniun Stadium?

Wow, this one's rattling along. So: Stonehenge?

[R,D] No, no.

Is it bigger than a shipping container?

Is it in London?

Is it taller than it is wide?

[INJ] No, Yes.
[Kim] No.

Is it a permanent feature (i.e. not just in place for a predefined short period)?

[INJ] Yes.

The Millennium Dome?

Is the mineral liquid?

or metal?

or stone?

[I] No.
[INJ] No, YES!, no.

Summary:
It is: a single, existing, permanent, manufactured metal object in the U.K., bigger than a phone box and smaller than a shipping container, big enough to get inside (laughter), at least as wide as tall, um er briefly associated with a TV series, and without moving parts.
It is not: a form of transport, or any of the specific things mentioned so far.

And it's in London.

And has no moving parts.

Is the metal bronze?

Is it a statue?

Is it that "A Conversation with Oscar Wilde" thing near Trafalgar Square?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/224663.stm for those who've never seen it.

Big Ben?

Surprisingly (to me) wider than it is tall

[INJ] So, Big Ben's smaller than a shipping container these days, is it? ;)

Actually I'd guess the bell Big Ben probably is. I was getting confused with the clocktower (as so many others do). My vote's with your guess now.

INJ, Darren] Dammit! I was thinking of the clocktower as well. But without moving parts? If it's a physical bell, surely it has a clapper?

A ocean container is either 20 or 40 foot long by 8'0" wide and 8'0" tall whereas Big Ben is 9'0" diameter, 7'6" high.

Big Ben is the bell, which is fixed at the top (although it can obviously resonate). It is struck by a hammer on the outside, which (arguably) is not part of the bell. However, Raak is about to come along and say 'No' and put paid to all this speculation.

Yes, no, no, YES!! It is Big Ben (the bell). Over to you, INJ.

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