Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-2-2025 — Puyi.

7th February, 2025: Puyi.

It’s officially, official: and I’ve had the email about it.

My bank’s going to close.

I’ve a couple of accounts: one of which, my main one, is with the Halifax.

It’s the one my benefits go into.

Unfortunately?   And as a result of the increasing amount of banking being done online?

The Brentwood branch is due to close on 10th September.

Personally?

I’m not especially happy about that.

At times, dealing with a human cashier is easier than dealing with a bank’s chatbot: especially if you want to withdraw, or transfer, an unusual amount of money.

And I’m reasonably tech-savvy.

How less tech literate people would cope, I don’t know.

Thankfully, my bank has emailed me: to tell me that, as they share owners, my local branch of Lloyds will be handling Halifax customers needs.

Including cash withdrawals.

But … ?

I would’ve been comfier, had the Halifax’s Brentwood branch had stayed open.

~≈💷≈~

Oh … just as thought … ?

I’ve made myself a chilli con carne.

Which is less exciting than you’d think.

But … ?

I’m rather pleased I’ve found out about stuff called arrowroot.

You can mix it with half a pint of water, boil it, and use it to thicken stock: which worked rather well with last night’s batch cooked dinner.

Using this has worked a lot better than my attempts at a roux!

~≈⬆️≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with Olga and Debbi scoring five out of five and Mum on four.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s [insert number here] questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        7th February saw the birth of Puyi.   In which year: 1905, 1906 or 1907?

Q2)        Puyi was the last Emperor of where: China, Japan or Thailand?

Q3)        Puyi was the last Emperor of which dynasty: the Southern Ming, Later Jin or Qing?

Q4)        Puyi was the puppet ruler of Manchuria.   On behalf of whom: Japan, Communist China or Thailand?

Q5)        Finally … ?   What was the name of the 1987, Bernardo Bertolucci, film about Puyi’s life?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        6th February is Ronald Reagan Day.   Where: California, Nevada or Oregon?

A1)        California.

Q2)        6th February, 2023, saw the death of swimmer, Greta Andersen.   She was born in which Nordic nation?

A2)        Denmark.

Q3)        The Permanent Court of Arbitration was founded on 6th February, 1900.   It’s in which city of the Netherlands?

A3)        The Hague.

Q4)        Helsinki was bombed on 6th February, 1944.   By who: Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, or the UK?

A4)        Soviet Russia.

Q5)        Finally … ?   6th February is Waitangi Day.   Where: Australia, New Zealand or Vanuatu?

A5)        New Zealand.

Here’s a thought … 

“I now feel very ashamed of my testimony, as I withheld some of what I knew to protect myself from being punished by my country.”

From From Emperor to Citizen, Puyi’s biography.

And a documentary …

The next ten question set is on 19th February: it’s about EastEnders.


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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        I know exactly what you mean, Olga: finding time for everything can be a pain!

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        Actually, Debbi, it was Inverlair Lodge: the Cooler?   It’s supposed to be the place where Hess was imprisoned, after he tried defecting …