Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-12-2021: Illinois

3rd December, 2021.

It’s official: I was on the phone, yesterday.

Quite a lot: for me, anyway.

As it sounds like the chap next is moving out.

He’d moved in a few years ago, with his girlfriend: the pair had a child, together.

A one bedroom flat isn’t necessarily the best place to have a kid, but there you go.

At any rate: he had a few mental health issues.

Issues that may — may — have contributed to the pair splitting up: I couldn’t say for sure.

At any rate: she moved in with her parents, about a year ago.

With him retaining control of the flat, but temporary moving to his parents: as he was finding life on his own difficult.

He or his parents would look occasionally, to pick up the post.

A few months ago … ?   As I wasn’t sure what was happening, I made what’s called a Concern for Welfare call to the local police, and to our landlords: as he’d not been seen for a while.

He was upright and breathing, thankfully.

What concerned me other the past few days … ?

Was that Robert Heath — my landlord’s boiler-repair/gas safety contractors — had left a note to say they’d tried gaining access to do the mandatory gas safety check.

Then left a second note: complete with a big ‘URGENT’ sticker.

Knowing how gas safety checks work, I knew a third visit would involve a visit from a engineer allowed to force entry: gas safety checks are seriously important.

I made another welfare check with the local police: who told me asking the landlord, and the NHS, would be the better option.

So I phoned the NHS on the usually 111 non-emergency number, and our landlords: through their 0300 number.

Which took a while!

The NHS told me there was little they could do: as the various bits of privacy legislation meant They couldn’t get hold of his phone number from our landlords.

Out landlords, however?   Did phone: to tell me they’d contacted him and made sure he was OK.

Some thirty minutes after his parents had popped ’round: to pick up his post, and some other bits and bobs.

In the brief conversations I had with them?

I found out that he was OK, let them know about the gas check … and learnt he was planning to end his tenancy, on health grounds.

He’s better off with his parents, basically.

I’ve asked them to pass him my regards.

I can only hope life treats him well: and that a new tenant is in quickly.

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum† and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with Olga and Debbi scoring five out of five, and Mum on four.

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

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

Q1)        Illinois was admitted to the USA.   On 3rd December, when: 1820, 1821 or 1822?

Q2)        It was which star to do so: the 20th, 21st or 22nd?

Q3)        What’s Illinois’s capital: Chicago, Joliet or Springfield?

Q4)        What’s Illinois’s largest city by population: Chicago, Joliet or Springfield?

Q5)        Big Bill Broonzy, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters worked in Chicago, Ill.   They all played Chicago … what: jazz, blues or rock?

Q6)        Three Presidents were living in Illinois, when they were elected.   Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and who else?

Q7)        The small city of Nauvoo is in Illinois.   It was found by whom: the Latter Day Saints, the Plymouth Brethren or the Branch Davidians?

Q8)        Shawnee Hills and the Upper Mississippi River Valley are AVAs — American Viticultural Areas — in Illinois: at least, in part.   They’re areas known for making what: beer, wine or rum?

Q9)        The Peoria Riverman are from Illinois.   They play what: American Football, Ice Hockey or Baseball?

Q10)        Finally … ?   Illinois has a coastline on which Great Lake: Michigan, Superior or Huron?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        The United Arab Emirates was formed: on 2nd December, 1971. The UAE is on the coast of what: the Iberian Peninsular, the Arabian Peninsula or the Bruce Peninsular?

A1)        The Arabian Peninsular.

Q2)        It’s made up of how many Emirates: five, six or seven?

A2)        Seven.

Q3)        Name one of those Emirates.

A3)        Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Umm al Quwain, Ajman, Dubai or Fujairah. (Ras al-Khaimah joined a few months after the others.)

Q4)        The UAE has an elected what: president, monarch or Ayatollah?

A4)        President. (Saying that … ? The UAE’s President is elected by the country’s Federal Supreme Council, and is one of the Sheikhs, or monarchs, or the seven Emirates.)

Q5)        Finally … ? The UAE’s currency is the what: Dollar, Pound or Dirham?

A5)        The UAE Dirham.

Here’s a thought …

“Going to Chicago was like going out of the world.”

Muddy Waters.

And a song …

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

The quizmaster’s decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Ooooh … It’s a bit like the film and stage versions of The Rocky Horror Show, or Grease, then, Olga.   There’s differences, there, too.   In the stage version of Rocky, Rocky can talk.   Or swear, at least!

        Hopefully, the results will be quick!   Ans she my blood sugar’s down: I’m on way too much Forxiga!   (I do NOT like the idea of Fournier Gangrene!)

        Phew!   That’s why I phoned 111, yesterday: the neighbours.

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        I hope the fingers are OK, Debbi!   Yeah … the Nice’s version’s been around for a bit.   The performance where they burnt the US flag caused a stink.

        Oh, did you ever hear a Simon and Garfunkel tune called America?   There’s a pair that know about harmonies!