Friday, July 27, 2012
7
WHEN it comes to social events, there’s nothing I like more than a good quiz.
FEAR NOT, IT’S ONLY A FUN QUIZ
OK, call me a decrepit old bore, but there’s something exhilarating about trying to remember the name of Muffin the Mule’s sidekick or the first dog in space. No, Mrs Barker, it wasn’t the yapping Yorkie my cat Greyham whacked the other day because he didn’t Laika. (Note to self: Grow up). For the past four years, the Wednesday quiz at Ricardo’s in El Raso has been my big night out. Quizmaster Colin Fear (gosh, that name scares me) calls it a ‘fun quiz’ - and it is. Or rather it was because this week Colin pulled the plug on it all. No more picture and music rounds, alphabet quiz , cryptic section. No more Fear, either. And but for this article, it would all have ended with little or no recognition for the man who made it all possible. Colin, a retired engineer later, Colin has had enough. never again will from Cheltenham, had never And organised a quiz in his life Ricardo’s quizzers hear his until the idea was mooted by jolly, laidback catchphrase. Never again will the words friends Sue and Phill Smirk in ‘It’s only a fun quiz’ take the 2008. And amid the Fears and tension out of a moment of the Smirks, a new dynasty dispute. Colin has simply had was born... Two hundred quizzes and enough of putting 150 or 100 disputes with know-alls more questions together
each week in return for free drinks for himself and wife Sue. Over four years, that’s the best part of 30,000 useless bits of trivia – not to mention his legendary weekly trysts with 100 imaginary holidaymakers for the Family Fortunes section. I felt I had to jot down a few words because guys like Colin receive little recognition for all their hard work. Just try compiling a quiz yourself and you’ll realise what I mean about not being appreciated. We’re going to miss you big time, big man. Personally, I’m looking to let my brain cells (both of them) loose on a new challenge. My quiz credentials
No bridge over troubled water BACK in April, I wrote a biting piece about the ‘R Soul’ who complained to the police about the live folk music at Ricardo’s bar in El Raso – and effectively had the gentle weekly singalong closed down. I made no comment as to the identity of the ‘villain’ but merely echoed the opprobrium of the entire community towards the person or persons responsible. I had no idea who made the call to the police (or perhaps persuaded a Spanishspeaking neighbour to do it). And to be honest, I would rather have just tried to forget it. Unfortunately, however, the whole sad saga was thrust into my face again this week as I relaxed with my family in our community swimming pool. There was no logical reason
Th Courier, April 27
for the tirade of abuse suddenly thrown at me by a neighbour who I always thought was a friend. Yet, bizarrely, he accused me of ‘hiding behind’ this newspaper over the ‘R Soul’ saga - and he did it in such an aggressive manner that I feared for my safety. I still have no idea what my crime is supposed to be...but the whole episode has thrown up a host of new questions in my mind as to what actually happened on that ‘Night of the Noise That Wasn’t’. I have never written a word implicating this person or his associates with the Ricardo’s incident - but his totally unacceptable behaviour has reopened a can of worms. If he had a grouse about my April article, the place to air it was in the Letters to the Editor column at the time. Not to let his poison fester for three months and then - fuelled by imaginary ‘facts’ - to blow up like an over-inflated lilo in a public bathing area. If he wants to behave like an adult, then I am not a vindictive person and my door is open to him. But if he still wishes to behave like the Devil incarnate, then he can go to hell.
are impeccable - including a degree in General Knowledge awarded for knowing the army rank of Charles De Gaulle and George Armstrong Custer (Note to self: Grow up). With a bit of luck, I might get an offer from someone looking to supplement (I won’t say strengthen) a quiz team within easy reach of El Raso. My strong subjects are sport, geography and pot luck - i.e the art of avoiding arrest for dabbling with hashish, marijuana and weed. (Note to self: Grow up). Oh, and I am now ready to tackle every question without Fear. But I doubt I’ll ever grow up.
IT’S ONLY A FUN PHOTO! Colin on his final night at Ricardo’s