Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-11-2022 — Gunpowder Treason and Plot.

5th November, 2022.

It’s Saturday … one that’s going to slide past in a reverie of quietness.

Well … until tonight, that is.

It is, after all 5th November: which means there’ll be fireworks.

While I’m writing the next Strange New Worlds review?

I might just open the curtains, and see what I can see.

~≈$≈~

I’m not really a gambler.

I do have the odd flutter on the Lottery, though.

Or Lotto, I should say.

It’s been called that for some time.

But?

I keep half an eye on the news: and, like ANY of us, always notice the news of upcoming big draws.

The few huge Euromillions wins get attention.

The big Spanish draws at Christmas, do, too.

But … ?

The US, being the US … ?

Has a seriously big jackpot in today’s PowerBall

In the shape of a $1.6 billion big prize.

A US billion, rather than a UK billion.

I’ve got one question.

Where on Earth do I get a ticket for that?

I don’t care how many zeros are in that billion dollars, that’s a VERY nice amount!

~≈$≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-11-2020: The Gunpowder Plot

5th November, 2020.

Yes: it’s official.

Dogs bark … when fireworks are let off.

As they did — and were — last night.

Yes: we’re officially in Lockdown, again.

Frankly?   I’m not happy: I’m not sure if I’ll be Jude-sitting, to give you an example.

I’m social bubbled, though: so that’s something.

But … ?

Job hunting’s getting harder.   Having friends around is a no go … 

And non essentials — like libraries — look like they’re shut.

Hey … 

Ho … !

~≈😶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-11-2018: Bonfire Night

5th November, 2018.

Yes, what is that about?

You scratch a given body part … 

And, once that’s done … ?

The itch pops up, again … !

I don’t know what’s going on, there … 

But it’s bloody annoying … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, just as a bit of news?

It seems the BBC, working with Netflix, is working on a new, TV version of Watership Down: and released pictures for it.

AND announced that the former Twelfth Doctor, Peter Capaldi*, has joined the cast.

I can’t help but wonder if he’ll be voicing General Woundwort … 

Or Kehaar, the gull.

The man famous for one of the most foul-mouth characters in political comedy seems an ideal choice for the Richard Adams’ most foul mouthed character!

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-11-2015: Bonfire Night

You know, the news can be a fascinating listen.

Or watch, if you’ve got it on telly.

Obviously, the BBC is covering the recently crash of a Russian jet: in the Sinai region of Egypt.

The fact planes heading for the UK have been grounded whilst a UK team checks on the security of the relevant Egyptian airports is near the top of the headline list.

A little further down the list, though … ?

Is the fact that, seemingly, MI5 have been collecting data about out phone calls for the past decade.

A decade!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t like people having my bank details: unless they absolutely need them.

I really don’t like the fact a government agency has been collecting details of my phone calls.

It’s an invasion of privacy, for starters.

And, given I was taught it’s rude to read over someone’s shoulder?

It’s downright rude.

~≈Ê≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 5-11-2014: Bonfire Night

Right … 

I’m going to type rather fast, today.

I’ve an interview at 12·30, today: and need to get ready.

In Pilgrim’s Hatch, I should add, so quite a walk!

So, without much further ado … ?

~≈∂≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-11-2014: GUNPOWDER … !

Hmmm … 

Did I tell you I had an interview, yesterday … ?

I had an interview, yesterday.

For a local fast food restaurant, so you know.

There’s a certain amount of irony there: in that the suggestion to go to the weight management programme I’m on, came — in part —from my Job Centre advisor: who also found the interview for me.

At ANY rate … !   I had an interview, yesterday.   Which I suspect went well enough.   Saying that … ?

Saying that, I think I won’t get a position from the franchise running the restaurant.

Britain has an age related, statutory minimum wage: a lot of the rest of the interviewees were younger, and therefore cheaper, than me.

Go figure … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Tease — 5-11-2013: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

It’s official: it’s slowly getting cold enough for me to want to turn my heating on.

I think I can safely say I’m not going to bother, though.

Frankly, with my limited funds, it’s a choice involving hot water: hot water and food, or hot water and heating.

I can’t afford both: how about you?

You’ve got to love a big decision!

At ANY rate … ?   Let’s move on … !

~≈‡≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know she’s had a dose of acupuncture, also bagged ten out of ten.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To,’ License and video … 

Q1) 5th November saw Guy Fawkes arrested as he was attempting to blow up which House of Parliament … ?

Q2) Fawkes was famously part of the Gunpowder Plot.   Gunpowder being a mixture of sulphur, charcoal and what: potassium fulminate, potassium hydroxide or potassium nitrate?

Q3) Gunpowder is used to fire guns: and fireworks.   What’s the usual English name of the vertical, revolving, wheel-shaped firework?

Q4) The firework known as a Bengal Fire are usually what colour: red, blue or white … ?

Q5) Gunpowder was invented in 9th century … where … ?

Q6) Fawkes and his fellow plotters were trying to overthrow which English king … ?

Q7) Who lead the Gunpowder Plot … ?

Q8) Finally … who, on Bonfire Night, does an old song encourage us to ‘poke in the eye’ … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 4th November saw Barack Obama elected as the first African-American president of where … ?

A1) The USA.

Q2) In which year was this: 2004, 2008 or 2012?

A2) 2008.

Q3) Is he the 43rd, 44th or 45th President … ?

A3) 44th.

Q4) Who was his immediate predecessor in the office?

A4) George W. Bush.

Q5) Which of President Obama’s predecessors was the first Roman Catholic to hold the office … ?

A5) John F. Kennedy.

Q6) Which political party does President Obama represent … ?

A6) The Democrats.

Q7) What’s the name of the opposing party … ?

A7) The Republicans.

Q8) Who was the first person to hold this post: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams or George Washington … ?

A8) George Washington.

Q9) As President, Mr Obama is also Commander in Chief of what … ?

A9) US Armed Forces.

Q10) Finally … President Obama represented which State, in his country’s Senate … ?

A10) Illinois.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Remember, Remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.   I know of no reason, why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot.”

Traditional rhyme.

And with some music for you to let fireworks off to … 

Have a good day … !

*        There’s an upside to that, Debbi†: you can, with the help of three chaps from Texas, always sing about it … !

†        Actually, Debbi, TOTALLY off the subject: did you know India’s launching an unmanned mission to Mars, today … ?   Heck of a way to celebrate Fireworks Night … !   (Oh, and I loved the Concerned About The Internet Post, the other day: nicely put!)

The Daily Teaser — 5-11-2012: Boom Bang A Bang

Well, it’s officially official … !

Today is Bonfire Night, here in the UK.

And, while I haven’t managed to do a completely themed set of questions for it — I think I’m going to need a LONG run up for that … ! — I have managed a couple of relevant questions for it.

And, while I know there’s been a lot of fireworks over the weekend — and probably more, given the US elections tomorrow* — I am, of course, going to urge two things.

Enjoy yourselves if you’re going to — or holding — an event.

And please, remember to keep your pets indoors!

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Let’s … !

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and along with getting 5 out of 5, also managed how her husband had been taught by nunsº.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, complete with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) In the UK, 5th November is Bonfire night: commemorating the Gunpowder plot against James 1st.   How was James 1st known in Scotland … ?

Q2) More to the point, during the 17th century, Bonfire Night was a focus for anti-what sentiment: anti-Islam, anti-Catholic or anti-matter … ?

Q3) Equally to the point, Bonfire Night celebrations were heightened at the start of the Glorious Revolution: when who landed in the UK on 5th November, 1688 … ?

Q4) Moving on … 5th November 1935, saw the debut of the Parker Brothers version of which game … ?

Q5) 5th November, 1999, saw a Federal Judge in New York declare whom to be a monopoly … ?

Q6) And finally … 5th November, 2006, saw the execution of which former Iraqi president … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 4th November, 1922, saw Howard Carter uncover the entrance to Tut-Ankh-Amun’s tomb: in which valley was that tomb … ?

A1) The Valley of the Kings.

Q2) What was the first Egyptian Dynasty to be buried there: the 18th, 19th, 20th or 21st … ?

A2) The 18th.

Q3) More to the point, who sponsored Carter’s expedition … ?

A3) George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon.

Q4) King Tut-Ankh-Amun was a member of the 18th Dynasty.   Who was the first member of that dynasty: Ahmose 1st, Hatshepsut or Akhenaten … ?

A4) Ahmose 1st.

Q5) And finally … who was the first person to die, apparently, of King Tut-Ankh-Amun famous Curse … ?

A5) It’s him again: George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this line from J. B. S. Haldane … 

“Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.”   

J. B. S. Haldane, 5 November 1892 – 1 December 1964

Who shares his birthday with Roy Rogers … 

Oh, and as it IS Fireworks Night … 

*         Normally, I try not to comment on other countries election: or politics in general.   But I caught a bit of Mitt Romney’s speech in …where-ever it was, yesterday: his wife, Anne spoke.   One of the things she said … ?   Was “He Turned Around The Olympics”.   Hello, USA … ?   No, he bloody DIDN’T!   The UK managed to pull off what’s agreed to be a superb event, thoroughly enjoyed by visiting tourists, sports fans and athletes, without any help from the USA.   And with Mr Romney — famously — turning up in the UK for ten minutes, saying — publicly — that my country wouldn’t be able to cope with the Olympics, and then flying off.   I think I found that vaguely insulting: and I really hope the man doesn’t get elected.

º        Ah … !   I had wondered, there, Debbi!   Would you mind passing my regards on … ?   (And it strikes the Church could possibly do itself a few favours, if it maybe overhauled a few things.)

The Bonfire Night Teaser — 5-11-11

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve GOT to confess, two themed quizzes in the space of a week … ?

Is DEFINITELY unusual, I know.

But given it’s Bonfire Night — or, Guy Fawkes Night, as it’s occasionally known — and that I’ve never actually tried one … ?

I’m hoping people don’t mind me waving a few themed questions about.

Lets get moving on, shall we?

Before I start telling you about the new elements being added to the periodic table^.

««•»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome, bless her, before she heads off to bit of a do — putting in her answers and bagging 7 out of 7ª.

Lets see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and videoº …

Q1) 5th November is the traditional date of Bonfire Night in the UK: which plot does this commemorate?

Q2) More to the point, in which year — of the 17th Century — was this … ?

Q3) Who was king of England, at the time … ?

Q4) Guy Fawkes, the man famously arrested in the parliamentary cellars with matches and a lot of barrels of gunpowder, gave his name as what, when arrested … ?

Q5) What was the name of the Englishman who lead the plot … ?

Q6) What actor plays V, the hero of V for Vendetta, who disguises himself in a Guy Fawkes mask?

Q7) Which group of left-wing activists made wearing those masks whilst protesting, popular … ?

Q8) What’s the real name of right wing blogger, Guido Fawkes … ?

Q9) And finally … in which Australian state is there a Guy Fawkes River … ?

And here’s YESTERDAY’S questions and answers …

Q1) 4th November, 1995, saw the assassination of Israeli PM, Yitzhak Rabin: in which city was he … ?

A1) Tel Aviv.

Q2) More to the point, at what sort of event … ?

A2) A peace rally.

Q3) 4th November, 2008, saw who win the US Presidential Elections … ?

A3) Barack Obama.

Q4) Equally to the point, who was his Republican opponent … ?

A4) Senator John McCain.

Q5) 4th November, 1922, saw Howard Carter discover the entrance to Tut-Ankh-Amun’s tomb: what does the name Tut-Ankh-Amun translate as … ?

A5) Living Image of Amun.

Q6) 4th November, 1960, saw Dr Jane Goodall observe chimps doing what: mating, using tools or eating meat … ?

A6) Using tools: the chimps concerned were stripping twigs of their bark, and using them to fish — effectively — for termites.

Q7) And finally … 4th november, 1995, saw the death of actor Paul Eddington: in which British comedy series did he play Jerry Leadbetter … ?

A7) The Good Life.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

After I’ve left you with a celebratory fireworks night …

And, of course, V’s introductory speech from V For Vendetta: and a rather novel version, at that …

^ Just so you know, Debbi, there’s been three new elements — of the highly radioactive, blink and you’ll miss ’em, variety — added to the periodic table. I just hope Radio 4 gets THAT added to the website, at some point …

ª Oh, Debbi … You DO know Paul Eddington famously played the (fictional) British PM, Jim Hacker in Yes, Prime Minister? Oh … And crops up in Arrival, as Cobb … ?

º I’ve GOT to admit, I’m seriously pleased with today’s video: it’s a gem. Mind you, I would say that, wouldn’t I … ?