Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-9-2021: The Month of September

1st September, 2021.

Yes: it’s the first of September … and officially the first day of meteorological autumn.

Which means … 

Well, not a lot, from where I’m sitting.

It just means that there’s going to be the inevitable slide to a freezing cold meteorological winter: and a ever so slowly declining temperatures.

What makes it REALLY nice … ?

Is that my gas supplier — along side everyone else’s! —  are putting prices up in October.

Wouldn’t you know it?

~≈⛽️≈~

Prices going up … 

And income coming down.

As you know, I’m not working at the moment, and receiving Universal Credit: the standard benefit for unemployed people in the UK.

Which — currently? — includes a twenty pound uplift, introduce in April of last year, to help deal with the COVID 19 crisis.

There’s been calls, over the months, to extend the uplift: call that were partially successful when it was extended to the end of this month.

Yesterday?   I told you that the relevant welfare sections of the UK’s devolved parliaments had called for it to either be extended, again: or to be made permanent.

Today … ?

Today, Work and Pensions Secretary, Therese Coffey, has rejected this.

Saying that “Our ambition is to support two million people move into and progress in work through our comprehensive £33 billion Plan for Jobs.”

I’m … 

Actually, I’m not angry about this.

I’m not surprised about it.

But not angry.

More disappointed.

And curious.

What IS that plan?

And does it have provisions for those of us — like me — who’ve not received a practical job offer in three years.

I serious doubt it.

Given that … ?

I’m going to have to ask Therese Coffey a question or two.

Will she ask the Chancellor to make this permanent?   She’ll make life easier for people claiming Universal Credit.

The other is quite simple.

Ms Coffey, if you’re reading this?   Will you, personally, offer me a job at either your office, or your department?

The way my job hunting’s going, that’s the only way I’ll be ‘moving into work.’

~≈£≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Trevor†, Mum‡, and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with everyone 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)        Today is the 1st of September.   How many days are there in September?

Q2)        September is which month of the year: the ninth, tenth or eleventh?

Q3)        September come from the Latin word, septem.   Septem is the Latin word for which number: seven, eight or nine?

Q4)        If you were born in September, your Zodiac sign is either Virgo, or what: Libra, Scorpio or Sagittarius?

Q5)        Finally … ?   The birthstone for September is Sapphire.   Sapphires are usually what: red, blue, green, brown or purple?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        North Borneo attained self governance: on 31st August, 1963.   After being a colony of where: the UK, France or Germany?

A1)        The UK.   (It’s now called Sabah, and is part of Malaysia.)

Q2)        Trinidad and Tobago became independent, a years earlier: on 31st August, 1962.   It’s in which sea … ?

A2)        The Caribbean.

Q3)        31st August, 161 AD, saw the birth of Emperor Commodus.   Emperor Commodus of where: China, Rome or Persia?

A3)        Rome.

Q4)        Clive Lloyd was born on 31st August, 1944.   He played what for the West Indies: football, cricket or rounders?

A4)        Cricket.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Pádraig Harrington was born on 31st August, 1971.   What does he play: golf, snooker or shinty?

A5)        Golf.

Here’s a thought … 

“Summer has come and passed: The innocent can never last; wake me up when September ends.”

Wake Me Up When September Ends, Billie Joe Armstrong.

And a song …

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

Feel free to share today’s video Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        You know, there’s SO many classic things I’ve never seen, Olga: Sunset Boulevard’s one of them. And possibly Episodes, if you and Debbi are mentioning it! Thankfully? We were rain free, yesterday. It was looking autumnal, though!

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†        Oh, Boom Bang a bang, Trevor? You know it was banned during the Gulf War? And pink’s not a good colour for a redhead … ?

‡        Hello, Mum!

^        I’ve got to admit, I’ve never seen it, Debbi: we’ll have to see if I can fit it in at some point. I’ve STILL got to try and catch up with Lovecraft Country.