Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th December, 2018

27th December, 2018.

Yep: it’s true.

I had a dream, last night: after watching Invasion of The Bodysnatchers.

It was a weird old thing, too.

I was trapped, on the floor of a lift: a jammed lift.

With something horrible — I got the impression it was female — trying to get through the door.

And very aware that I had to keep really still: otherwise whatever it was would seriously get me.

It was that unnerving … ?

I actually woke up.

And was able to send myself a just about coherent email about it.

At twenty to four in the morning.

Tell me … 

Have you got any idea what the hell THAT was about … ?

~≈§≈~

That’s one quick point.

Over the past few months, many Western governments have decided to stop using Huawei kit in various infrastructure projects.

Western governments … apart from the UK.

I’ve always felt governments should encourage their own IT sectors in various ways: infrastructure, operating systems*, what have you.

The UK’s government has always seemed slow to act on that front.

However?

It turns out that BT is to remove Huawei kit from the telecommunications network it’s building for Britain’s emergency services: and that others have their doubts about using Huawei parts for Britain’s 5g mobile network.

Frankly?

I’m glad to hear it.

Just as long as Huawei isn’t replaced by Ericsson … 

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga†, Badwolf‡ and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with all three scoring five out of five.

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

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

Q1) The original version of Star Wars aired in the UK: on 27th December of 1977.   In a sad co-incidence, which member of Star Wars cast died on 27th December, 2016?

Q2) That cast member is survived by her daughter, Billie Lourd.   From 2017, Billie Lourd is a regular member of the cast of which gruesome US TV show?

Q3) The much missed actress published a semi-autobiographical novel: in 1987.   Called Postcards from the … what?

Q4) Name either of our star’s famous parents.

Q5) Finally … The late star’s last appearance — taken from unused footage in earlier The Last Jedi — will be in the next Star Wars film: a film that, as of the time of writing, unnamed.   Is that film Star Wars eight, nine or ten?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) Frederick 2nd was born on 26th December, 1194.   He was what: Holy Roman Emperor, Kaiser or Shogun?
A1) Holy Roman Emperor.

Q2) 26th December — Boxing Day — sees the residents of where, perform the Gombey?
A2) Bermuda.

Q3) 26th December, 1898, sawMarie and Pierre Curie announced they’d isolated what?
A3) Radium.

Q4) At the traditional Boxing Day Test Match in Melbourne, 26th December, 2018, sees the Australian Cricket Team play whom?
A4) India.

Q5) Finally … 26th December, 1990, saw Ayatollah Khameini of Iran uphold a fatwa issued by his predecessor, Ayatollah Khomeini.   A fatwa against whom?
A5) Salman Rushdie.

Here’s a thought …

“I have to start by telling you that my entire existence can be summed up in one phrase. And that is: If my life wasn't funny it would just be true, and that is unacceptable.”
From our subject’s novel, Wishful Drinking, published in 2008.

And the one piece of music I always associated with them …

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

Have a good day.

*        I know it would run into a government tendency to refuse to spend money unless it has to: but keep thinking the government could be making more use of various forms of linux based operating systems.   I’m thinking, specifically, here, of Ubuntu: as the company that makes it, and hands it out for free to home users, is Britain’s own Canonical Ltd.

†        Yeah, that’s why I posted up that I’d managed to correct things, Olga: you’re not the only person to have pointed that out.   I’m blaming the turkey!

‡        Yep, it was Bermuda, @Badwolf: I overdid the turkey … 

^        Time off, Debbi?   Good for you.   Oh, I got your message about Patreon: it’s worth thinking about, but I’ll have to see what happens.