Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2024 — World Food Day

16th October, 2024: World Food Day.

Right … I officially spent time on the phone, yesterday!

Phoning the Universal Credit Review team, to talk over what was happening.

I have to admit, it was a call I found very stressful: as, as it turned out, I needed to feed a specific check number — from my driving license — into the .gov website.

‘Palaver’ is not the word: especially as it took several goes.

I did managed to ask why this was happening: answering that was why I phoned in the first place.

Apparently, it’s a rare — but very routine — procedure.

Hmmm … 

I came away from the experience feeling stressed, angry and very frustrated.

But … ?

Can at least say the agent who took my call — called Anstar — was both patient, calm, thick skinned … and had very good customer handling skills.

That’s very helpful … and very appreciated … 

~≈☎️≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’ve now ordered a sofa.

As soon as it’s here?

I can arrange for the old armchair to be removed, and get assembling.

~≈💺≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

It seems that Liz Kendall, the current Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to introduce a scheme where work coaches — the case workers at the Job Centre — visit clients in psychiatric hospitals.

Apparently, the pilot projects have produced ‘dramatic results’.

I’m not necessarily sure it’s a good idea.

As I’ve met one or two people over the years who would struggle keeping a job: as their conditions meant they had frequent episodes.

They’d be an employee that even the most sympathetic employer would find difficult to accommodate.

I can see the idea’s good: I can see the idea could potentially ease government spending.

But?

I think it’s not necessary practical: especially if a work coach has minimal training … and especially if a patient has frequent crises.

~≈💺≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga† 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)        16th October is World Food Day.   According to whom: the United Nations, European Union or African League?

Q2)        It commemorates the founding of what: the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organisation or the International Fund for Agricultural Development?

Q3)        Woks are used to cook food.   Where are woks from: Italy, China or France?

Q4)        Chip pans are used for what: deep frying, baking or boiling?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Bees pollinate food crops: and produce what ‘H’ as a result?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, was born on 15th October. Of which year of the 1840s?

A1)        1844.

Q2)        He was born in a village called Röcken. In what’s now which country: Austria, Germany or Liechtenstein?

A2)        Germany. (Try spelling ‘Liechtenstein’ on an empty stomach!)

Q3)        In Thus Spoke Zarathustra (zair ra thus tra), Nietzsche said who was dead: God, the Devil or Elvis?

A3)        God.

Q4)        Nietzsche held the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel. Where is Basel: Austria, Germany or Switzerland?

A4)        Switzerland.



Q5)        Finally … ? Some of Nietzsche’s philosophy spoke of Apollo and Dionysius. The pair were gods from Ancient where: Greece, Rome or Egypt?

A5)        Greece.

Here’s a thought …

“Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.”

From the Wikipedia entry about food.

And a song …


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

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum … !

†        I think Columbus’s origins are going to be debated for a long time, Olga.   The mattress got here, just fine: even though I now need a stepladder to get into bed.

        The phone call, on the other hand … !?

        (Oh, talking of which?   I’ve had a call from the ‘Microsoft Technical Department’.   When I asked why they were phoning someone who only had a Mac, she apologised, and put the phone down.   It’s a polite scam call, in other words!)

‡        There’s an old line from a certain Mr McGoohan that’s springs to mind, there, Debbi.   “Like blazes, the first chance I get.”   Sometimes a good quote seems appropriate.