Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-2-2022: Grand Central

2nd February, 2022.

Yes!   It’s officially official: I have a phone meeting with my Restart scheme meeting, today.

At ten.   So I’m feeling a little rushed: especially as I have to do my knee exercises, today.

I hate feeling rushed … 

But not as much as I hate side planks!

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A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

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Oh … 

Micheal Gove — the Minister for levelling up, the title actually includes the phrase, ‘levelling up!’ — is due to announce more funds for various UK regions: in an attempt to boost employment, and improve circumstances.

I’ve no problem with the idea: and welcome it.

But am sceptical about any funds that are being discussed: I think there’s a certain amount of number juggling and book cooking going on.

My problem — and it’s a minor one — is the term, levelling up.

I know the term from the various pen-and-paper role playing games I’ve played.

Players of these games have in-game characters.   Those characters can earn experience points for their actions: and will go up a level — become more powerful — once they’ve earned enough points.

They level up, in other words.

For me?   The government use of the term is a bad choice.

I hear it, and I don’t think of government help for impoverished regions of the UK.

No.

I think Michael Gove’s* pretending to be a wizard, in a games of Dungeons and Dragons.

That’s not a reassuring thought.

Because it means asking what the Government’s playing at.

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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 three.



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

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

Q1)        Grand Central Station opened on 2nd February.   Of which year: 1911, 1913 or 1915?

Q2)        It’s more correctly called what: Grand Central Station, Grand Central Terminal or Grand Central Stop?

Q3)        The station is the terminal for three rail lines.   The New Haven line, Hudson Line and the what: Harlem Line, Queens Line or Manhattan Line? 

Q4)        The Terminal’s in midtown where: Manhattan, Brooklyn or the Bronx.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Grand Central’s in which US city?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        1st February is the month of February.   How many days are there in February, in a leap year: twenty-nine, thirty or thirty-one?

A1)        Twenty-nine.

Q2)        How many days are there in February: in a non leap year.

A2)        Twenty-eight.

Q3)        The Alpha Centaurids, Beta Leonides and Delta Cancrids, can all occur in February.   What are they: snowstorms, meteor showers or avalanches?

A3)        Meteor showers.   (Unless Beta Leonides is a Greek shipping magnate … ?)

Q4)        The Ancient Romans called February, Februarius.   It comes from a Latin word meaning what: purification, cheese making or icicle?

A4)        Purification.

Q5)        Finally … ?   February’s birth flowers are the violet, iris and what: the Common Primrose, the Rose or the Nasturtium?

A5)        The common primrose.   (The thing was Disraeli’s favourite flower.)

Here’s a thought … 

“I’d rather clean all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue than spend one more minute with you.”

Weird Al Yankovic.

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.

*        The frightening idea … ?   Is of Boris Johnson as a barbarian.   Given they traditionally wear much, that’s not a pleasant thought …

†        Sounds like it’s just as busy at your end, Olga!   Good luck with all that!   Don’t forget to point that literary festival at Debbi, Spanish noir will grab her!

        From what I recall … ?   The Southern states insisted on literacy testing: you couldn’t get away with it, today.   At least, I hope you couldn’t!

        (He’s doing well: the recent video’s clocked six likes and 24 views, in three days.)

‡        Hello, Mum!

^        It’s a tough one to find, I think, Debbi: I don’t know if it’s on Britbox, for example.   It’s not on the iPlayer, even.   (Enjoy the album!)