Nik Nak’s Daily Thinking — 14-3-2017

I don’t know if you follow the news … but Britain’s a political animal.

One that, right now?

One that’s barking.

If you’ll forgive the pun.

A couple of years ago, now?   Scotland voted against independence: voting to remain a part of the UK.

Last years?

Britain voted to leave the EU.   The arguments about that, ever since, have been … loud.

Noticeably?   Because, while the people of the UK, overall, voted to leave … the majority in Northern Ireland, and Scotland, voted to remain.

I don’t know about Northern Ireland.   But in Scotland, the Scottish Nationalists have a large number of MSPs: as a result of the most recent elections.

In the manifesto for that election?   SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, made a promise to hold a second referendum: if it was felt things had seriously changed for Scotland.

Last years’s Brexit vote?   Was that change.

A change that saw the Scottish First Minister announce, yesterday, that she would be seeking to hold a second independence referendum.

I really can’t say I blame her for doing so.

Were I a Scottish resident, for that second independence vote?   And given that I voted remain?

To hell with the consequences.

I’d be voting for independence.

To leave the UK, so I could remain in the EU.

That’s going to annoy a lot of those who voted to leave the EU.

But yesterday’s announcement was implicit in the Brexit results.

Anyone complaining?

Should maybe have read the SNP manifesto, before the election … 

~≈Â≈~

After all that politics?

We should maybe move on to something lighter.

Or, at least tell you the BBC have released the latest trailer of Dr Who’s tenth season.

And?   I think we can say that’s a Mondasian Cyberman in there.

AND a Ice … something … 

~≈Â≈~

But let’s more on to serious light stuff.

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with Olga scoring seven out of seven, and Debbi scoring six.   (Or possibly the other way around: I really need to double check that Jamie Murray question!)

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

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

Q1) 14th of March is — if using the US date format — Pi Day: as the date would be written how?

Q2) Version 1.0 of the Linux kernel was released: on 14th March, 1994.   What are you most likely to find a version of Linux on: your phone, your washing machine or your heating?

Q3) 14th March saw protests erupt in Tibet.   In which year of this century?

Q4) 14th March is the feast day of Saint Matilda of Ringelheim.   Ringelheim is in which German speaking country: Germany, Austria or Switzerland?

Q5) Finally … 14th March is the Ancient Roman festival of Second Equirria.   Both first and second Equirria were held in honour of which Roman God: Mars, Jove or Apollo?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) Who was elected Pope: on 13th March, 2013?

A1) Pope Francis.

Q2) He was elected by a papal … what?

A2) Conclave.

Q3) Tom King was elected as MP, on 13th March, 1970.   This was the first by-election since who were allowed to voted: women, 18 year-olds or dogs?

A3) 18 years olds.   (You can’t let dogs vote.   That would turn elections into a farce.)

Q4) 13th March, 1996, was the date of the Dunblane School Massacre: when 16 children and a teacher, were killed by a rampaging gunman called Thomas Hamilton.   Which Wimbledon’s Singles champion survived the shooting?

A4) Andy Murray.

Q5) 13th March, 1996, was the date of the Dunblane School Massacre: when 16 children and a teacher, were killed by a rampaging gunman called Thomas Hamilton.   Which Wimbledon’s Mixed Doubles champion survived the shooting?

A5) Andy’s older brother, and fellow Doubles champion, Jamie Murray.

Q6) The price of gold hit $1000 per ounce: on 13th March, 2008.   As of March, 2017, what’s beaten gold’s value: silver, platinum or bitcoin?

A6) Bitcoin.

Q7) Finally … Which American religious leader was born on 13th March, 1911?

A7) L. Ron Hubbard.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“That’s hard to say because the research is mostly something that is happening while I am writing.”

Tad Williams, born 14 March 1957.

Which seems very relevant, after yesterday’s great Murray mix-up.

I’ll also leave you with a Quincy Jones tune … 

Enjoy the day … !   (And is that tune rather good … ?)

*        Yep!   I’ve just double checked, Olga: I should’ve put mixed doubles!   I think I owe and Debbi an apology.   Today’s quote, from Tad Williams seem FAR more relevant!   Like I say, I’ll have to sit down with True Blood.   You have to love a good bit of slide guitar‡ … 

†        Yep, that’s Charo, Debbi: although I have to say, I don’t know that much about her.   I do know I’ve got a funky, jazzy, thing going on.   Oh, sorry about the Jamie Murray questions … Tad Williams is looking wiser by the minute!   (Oh, that’s the BBC America version of the trailer: there’s something Martian in series ten … )

‡        I used to work at a pub called the Essex Arms: back when it had live bands in the back bar.   One or two of the outfits?   Had some great slide players.   Doghouse’s frontman, Kevin, was very good: their version of Son House’s Deathletter always comes to mind …