Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-2-2018: The Hagia Sophia

23rd February, 2018.

Yes … 

Yesterday was one of those days.

After all, I had to to get at four — as I have, today — to go to work.   

But ended up, convinced my alarm had gone off, at two.

Which meant I ended up in one hell of a state, finishing work early.

Which ALSO meant I posted yesterday’s Teaser answers up a day early: sorry folks!

I don’t think it helps:that I seem to be going down with a touch of flu, and a temperature over the past few days.

Which meant grabbing the window seat, at work yesterday, helped.

The 1º temperatures we had, didn’t half help.

~≈§≈~

Can I add a brief thought, here?

As we know, last week saw seventeen people killed in a school shooting in Florida: sparking yet more discussion of the USA’s gun control laws.

I think for many outside the US?

The easy availability of serious weaponry, weaponry usually reserved for the military, is something shocking: especially when that country allows someone to buy those weapons … to tragic ends.

I’ve always had the impression the US Constitution is one of the world’s finest pieces of legal writing: but the Second Amendment, that allows for that?

Might need revision.

At any rate?

It seems President Trump’s position is that arming teachers would be a good way to defend pupils.   Which some teasers oppose.

One thing I do know?   That I’ve seen on the news?

Is that, like many schools in the US, the school where the shooting took place had an armed deputy onsite: in order to deal with exactly this sort of situation.

He respond to the shooter: didn’t see him, didn’t go into the building, what have you.

Why, I don’t know.

Although I think I, armed or otherwise, would be hesitant to deal with an armed and active shooter.

But?

There was an armed person on site, to deal with this sort of situation, who didn’t.

Which, to me?

Undermines the President’s argument.

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Trevor*, Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: all scoring seven out of seven as I’d — tiredly and stupidly — left the answers on!

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s hopefully harder questions, shall we?

Here they are, minus the answers, but with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 23rd February, 532AD saw building start on the Hagia Sophia church.   Strictly speaking?   It’s which ‘B’?

Q2) Which Byzantine Emperor ordered it built: Justin 1st, Justinian 1st or Justin 2nd?

Q3) It’s in what WAS Constantinople: but is now … ?

Q4) The name, Hagia Sophia, means holy … what?

Q5) Finally … the Hagia Sophia has been a church, and a mosque, and is now a … what?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers, again!

Q1) 22nd February saw the birth of the late lamented Bruce Forsyth.   In which year?

A1) 1928.

Q2) He died in which year of this century?

A2) 2017.

Q3) Between 1972 and 1977 — and 1990 and 1994 — Bruce was the definitive presenter of which game show?

A3) The Generation Game.

Q4) From 1958 to 1964, Bruce had hosted Sunday Night at The London … what?

A4) Palladium.

Q5) He was a guest host on which satirical news quiz?

A5) Have I Got News for You.

Q6) He played a henchman in which Disney film?

A6) Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Q7) Finally … Bruce, along side co-host, Tess Daly, presented which show?

A7) Strictly Come Dancing.

Here’s a quote …

“The church is the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and one of the epoch-making buildings of the world.”

From the 1905 New International Encyclopædia entry about the Hagia Sophia.

And a guide …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a better day than I did, yesterday … 

*      Yeah: but play fair, Trevor, it’s been a while since I’ve done it … and today … 

†        Actually, you’re not far wrong, there, Olga^: the question sets, themselves are written anything up to ten days prior to the post.   It can be a little formulaic: but does make it a little easier.

‡      Well, it’s handy to know I got them right, Debbi^!   Oy!   :D   As for adopting ‘knackered’ … ?   Hmmm … have you though about checking the OED?   Apparently, they’ve a home for orphaned words … Actually, Marina Spirits — Deanna Troi — has another one for you … 

^        Today’s Teaser video is one of the first made on the new iMac.