Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-4-2024 — The Spying Game

13th April, 2024: The Spying Game.

Argh!   I’m having a morning!

I was going to tell you I’d done a video review of the most recent Star Trek Discovery episode … 

Then tell you that:

• Varada Sethu — Cinti, from the Disney+ series, Andor — has been cast as a new companion: for Dr Who’s second season/15th series.
• Star Trek Strange New Worlds is to have a fourth season.
• Star Trek Lower Decks’ fifth season is to be its last.

Which is definitely sad to hear: Lower Decks is funny!

At any rate: I was going to tell you that … 

Buy YouTube decided to hide my Teaser playlist for today: so I’ve had to make a new one!

Ho … … … Hum!

~≈É≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-10-2016

DAMN!

I hate doing that … !

I forgot to set my alarm, last night: and managed to get up late.

At nine!

I’m just glad I’m not rota’d to to work, today: I’d be REALLY worried!

~≈Ë≈~

A Tune, or two … !

Bless her, a little while back, Debbi mention the amount of new and different music she’d been introduced to, as a result of blogging.

I think I know what she means!

Bless, I’ve just been chatting to Patrice — someone I know through Facebook — about all sorts of things.

As a result … ?

Well, as a result, Frank Zappa’s Valley Girl got a mention.

Patrice, bless her, was surprised!

By the fact it really was possibly the only Zappa tune I’d heard!

And managed to introduce me to this one he did on the US version of Saturday Night Live, a few years ago.

Now I don’t know if it was done in the same studio as this …

But both are great tunes!

»»•««

Oh, just had a dig around on YouTube, by the way.

Exactly how diverse did Zappa get … ?

This is one of his …

As is the Musique Concreté sound-track for this cough-drop commercial … !

And I always thought Terry Pratchett was prolific … !

The Matrix Reloaded: Back Thorough the Looking Glass

Hmm: another night in …

And I swear those crisps will eaten, before the sell by date … !

You can tell we’ve little in the way of money, can’t you?   And that everyone else we know is out, busy or ill …

Anyway, Adrian and I near enough decided, last week, that we’d watch the complete set, and chew themes and sequels over.

And both agreed that middle movies always seem to suffer.

It’s always the way, though, isn’t it?   We felt so so: mostly on the basis that the story arc in a trilogy is, after all, only part way through.

Let’s face it, it has to tie off loose ends from part one, and set up part three.

But here’s the plot, in case you’d like a quick look.

And I’m thinking that’s largely the way movies are made, these days, means the middle film of a threesome is going to suffer.

As far as I’ve understood it, the two Matrix sequels were made back to back – much like the two Back to the Future sequels – and some time after the first entry in the respective franchises.

Which, if I’d understood the received wisdom – it certainly seems the case with Back to the Future: Part Two – that the middle child can be a mess.

Saying that, though, I should point out that – again, as far as I know – the Lord of the Rings trilogy was an exception, there.   If I’ve understood things correctly, Peter Jackson and the rest of the Wingnut Productions crew had all three planned from the start.   I can’t imagine it being any other way, frankly.   But that was influenced by the fact that, although Professor Tolkien would’ve preferred it to be published in one volume, the then currant, post-war, paper rationing meant  that The Lord Of The Rings was published in three parts.   That’s influenced how we see it.

It certainly influenced the films’ producers.

But The Matrix Reloaded does carry on with the whole feel of the first entry in the series.

Guns, babes – however you choose to define ‘babes’ – and buried pop-philosophy, if you want to go looking for it.

There’s whole arguments floating around cyberspace about it, too, ranging from whether it’s waving gnosticism at you, to having a messianic bent.   Even if there’s a Buddhist touch to it!   If I find Jewish, Jain or Rastafarian links, I’ll put them up.

I’m wondering where Errol and Mælcum* have got to, now I really need them.

But Matrix franchise as gnostic gospel is an idea worth chewing over.   The little I know of  gnosticism in it’s various forms, does seem to be on screen.

But I should stress that others know a lot more about it than me.   I can see the basic idea, of an ‘evil’  and materialistic demiurge – demon, god, Architect? – creating an ‘evil world’ thats got humanity trapped, and its logical counterpart, of a non material ‘good’ being trying to help us by teaching us how to overcome this – the Oracle and Neo, possibly — and free ourselves.

I was never sure if I could follow all of the details, completely, though.

Given my upbringing, though, I could spot, and instinctively sympathize with a more overtly Christian view of The Matrix Reloaded: although I’m more of an agnostic view of the world.

Certainly I’ve found myself praying, in times of trouble: but whatever higher power’s up there, I could never say for sure, nor do I believe I’ve a right to dictate to you about it.

Hmmm … I’m turning deep in my old age …

Or into an agnostic equivalent of Richards Dawkins …

Either way, I personally incline more to the messianic view of the film, given who I am today.

For one thing, if Neo is The One, then Agent Smith is definitely The Other One.   Which possibly puts Laurence Fishburne as a cyberpunk John the Baptist.   Where that puts Carrie-Anne Moss’ character, considering we were watching “The DaVinci Code”, a few weeks ago …

Either way, the next chance I get, The Matrix Revolutions is due for another spin.   And given I’ve seen speculation about various trips into the underworld, floating around, means I’m probably going to have to look up the relevant parts of  The Golden Bough, aren’t I?

Anyway, enjoy the music, folks.

Could never resist the video for “Close (To The Edit)”, it’s very symbolic.

Of people wondering round railway stations, with chainsaws.

*   Alright, I couldn’t resist a “Neuromancer” reference.   This is a cyberpunk we’re talking about, here.

Boo!

I’ve got to confess, I couldn’t resist it!! Was (Not Was) have hard their latest album, Boo, on iTunes for the past couple of months. It’s greatest, in my humble opinion! Stand out tracks, for me, were the very strange “Needletooth”, and the Staxesque “Crazy Water”. And, Graham, I make no apologies for being a fan!!

The nights events

Well, that’s the Christmas shopping and posters done …

Just to confirm to everyone, the Harold’s Xmas Quiz is on the 23rd of December, with the Hutton’s on the 18th — the Thursday before.   I’ve already managed to actually write it, now all I need to do is have a few friends review it for me …

And they know who they are!

But let’s move on to last night’s questions, shall we?

Yes, let’s.

I’ll not bother posting the bonus question, as I did that last night, but here’s the King Harold’s version of this week’s Current Event’s …

Q1) Who has Barack Obama named as his named as his secretary of State, this week?

A1) Hilary Clinton.

Q2) Who have British Airways announced they are in merger talks with?

A2) Qantas

Q3) Which famously troubled popstar appeared on the “X Factor”, over the weekend?

A3) Britney Spears

Q4) One leap-second gets added to our clocks, at the end of this year.   Which metal is used in atomic clocks, to help define that second; – Cæsium, Uranium, or Radium?

A4) Cæsium

Q5) Protestors have blockaded which Thai city’s airport’s, this week?

A5) Bangkok

The Hutton’s version of question two, and Question Five, on the other hand … 

Q2) Which supermarket has announced their sales have gone up, today?

A2) Morrisons

Q5) Salzburg, in Austria, has blocked plans to turn whose old family home into a posh hotel, this week?

A5) The Von Trapps.

Always amazes me the kind of trivia you find on the BBC’s news site, this time of year!!

Next up, the questions, themselves.   I’m rather pleased with the Opening Lines round!   Enjoy!!

ROUND ONE: –  GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Which group of islands includes Porto Santo; – the Canaries, the  Madeiras, or the Azores?

A1) The Madeiras.

Q2) Who had a hit with the original version of “Mad World”?

Q2) Tears for Fears.

Q3) Shaft, Meteor, and Onward are all examples of which vegetable?

A3) Peas

Q4) Which High Street store uses the St. Michael trademark?

A4) Marks & Spenser.

Q5) Back in 1996, who did Bill Clinton beat to win his 2nd term in office?

A5) Bob Dole.

Q6) In geography, the UAE are the United Arab what?

A6) Emirates.

Q7) True or False; – The Isle of Mann produces whisky.

A7) True

Q8) “Albion Market” was ITV’s rival to which London based BBC soap?

A8) “EastEnders.”

Q9) Which word means either a pair of trousers, OR rapid breathing?

A9) Pants.

Q10) A kilogram is just over how many pounds, in imperial weight?

A10) 2 pounds.

ROUND TWO: – OPENING LINES.

Q11) “I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I’m 22, now, but I won’t be for long”

A11) “A New England,” Kirsty McColl, Billy Bragg

Q12) “Finished with my woman cause she couldn't help me with my mind. People think I’m insane because I am frowning all the time”

A12) “Paranoid”, by Black Sabbath

Q13) “You’ve done it all, you’ve broken every code”

A13) “Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)” by Steve Harley

Q14) “Da-na-na Ah! Da-na-na Ah!”

A14) “Get Up and Move”, by MC Harvey

Q15) “All that scratchin’ is making me itch”

A15) “Buffalo Gals”, Malcolm Mclaren

Q16) “What’s wrong with me, why do I feel like this?   I’m going crazy, now”

A16) “Disturbia” by Rihanna

Q17) “When I die & they lay me to rest, gonna go to the place that’s the best”

A17) “Spirit in the Sky”, by Norman Greenbaum, Dr & the Medics, Gareth Gates & the Kumars, oh and We’ve Got A Fuzzbox & We’re Gonna Use it

Q18) “Thursday Night, everythings fine, except you’ve got that look in your eye”

A18) “Foundations” by Kate Nash

Q19) “What were the skies like, when you were young?”

A19) “Little Fluffy Clouds” by The Orb

Q20) “I study nuclear science, I love my classes, gotta crazy teacher who wear’s dark glasses”

A20) “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”, by Timbuk 3

ROUND THREE: –  ON THE BOOZE.

Q21) What drink did Native Americans call ‘Firewater’?

A21) Whiskey

Q22) How many standard wine bottles make up a Nebuchadnezzar?

A22) 20

Q23) Coffee contains which stimulant?

A23) Caffaine

Q24) Which brand of beer is informally known as “... A bottle of dog.”; – Newcastle Brown Ale, Green King IPA, or Tiger lager?

A24) Newcastle Brown Ale

Q25) At the beginning of the film “Casablanca,” what type of wine is Rick drowning his sorrows with?

A25)

Q26) In the original novelof “Silence of the Lambs”, exactly what red wine does Hannibal Lector enjoy with liver?   (It’s only Chianti, in the film version!)

A26) .

Q27) Which tv character’s wine cellar includes a fine Chateau Picard 2267?

A27) . J. Luc Picard

Q28) What were the two handled ceramic vases called that ancient Greeks and Romans used to store wine in?

A28) Amphora(s)

Q29) The name of which wine professional literally means ‘pack animal driver’?

A29) Sommeliar

Q30) Which French town lies at the heart of the claret-growing region; – Bordeaux, Libourne, or Graves?

A30) Bordeaux

ROUND FOUR: –  ROUND THE WORLD.

Q31) Which US state is known as ‘…the Spud State’?

A31) Idaho

Q32) Which famous Russian city was called Tsaritsyn between 1598 and 1925, and Stalingrad, between 1925 and 1961?

A32) Volgograd

Q33) The US state of California borders the Pacific Ocean, the Mexican state of Baja California and three other US States; – name one of them.

A33) Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona

Q34) What is the Largest, and oldest city in Australia?

A34) Sydney.

Q35) True or false: Gustave Eiffel was the Architect of the Eiffel Tower.

A35) False, he was the Engineer who built it. The Architects were Emile Nouguier, Maurice Koechlin and Stephen Sauvestre.

Q36) What is the official name of the Columbus Archipelago?

A36) Galapagos Islands.

Q37) True or False: - The Cyrillic alphabet is used by the Greeks.

A37) False, by Russians.

Q38) The world’s southernmost active volcano stands on Ross Island in the Antarctic; – what is its name?

A38) Mount Erebus.

Q39) Which far eastern city was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles?

A39) Singapore

Q40) The Amazon and it’s tributaries contain what proportion of the worlds river water; – 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 3/4?

A40) 2/3rd.

ROUND FIVE: –  ALL THROUGH HISTORY.

Q41) To what rank did Adolf Hitler rise in World War I?

A41) Corporal

Q42) In which castle was Edward II murdered; – Berkeley, Windsor, or Leeds?

A42) Berkeley Castle.

Q43) Who set up the first printing press in England in 1476?

A43) William Caxton

Q44) Who was the mother of Edward VI’s?

A44) Jane Seymour

Q45) Which European nation was the first country to legalize trade unions?

A45) Britain.

Q46) What was the name of the first talking cartoon?

A46) Steamboat Willie.

Q47) Which beauty pageant was organized by Mecca Ltd to coincide with the 1951 Festival of Britain?

A47) Miss World.

Q48) Who was the last British monarch to die in battle; – Richard the 3rd, Richard the 4th, or Henry the 5th?

A48) Richard III.

Q49) Which was the last battle to be fought on British soil?

A49) Culloden

Q50) How many crossings of the Atlantic had the Titanic completed before she struck an iceberg and sank?

A50) None (Maiden Voyage).

ROUND SIX: – GENERAL KNOWLE IGNORANCE.

Q51) What did Constantinople become known as in March 1930?

A51) Istanbul

Q52) Who left Take That in July 1995?

A52) Robbie Williams

Q53) What is the outer layer of skin called?

A53) Epidermis

Q54) In 1930, which country did Amy Johnson fly to from England?

A54) Australia

Q55) What pork product appears in a Punch and Judy show?

A55) Sausage

Q56) Until 1956, Fred Quimby was the producer of which incredibly violent series of cartoons?

A56) Tom & Jerry

Q57) Which Chelsea fan lost his Putney parliamentary seat, in 1997?

A57) David Mellor.

Q58) What was the name of the oil tanker which deposited 1000’s of tonnes of oil in the Shetlands in 1993?

A58) (MV) Braer.

Q59) Peggy Hookham was the real name of which ballerina?

A59) Margot Fonteyn.

Q60) The ampersand symbol represents which English word?

A60) And.  (It’s the &.)

Oh, and I’ve just managed to get hold of  “Boo”, the latest Was (Not Was) album.   My god, they’re still the funkiest band around!  And if “Crazy Water” isn’t a number one single, the universe is fundamentally flawed!