Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th December 2024.

18th December, 2024.

Just for once … ?

I’ll give my landlords credit.

Or, at least, their boiler repair team.

The repair man turned up around lunchtime, and was done inside of forty minutes.

Apparently?

What he called the pressure vessel — a balloon-like bag that maintains the water and steam pressure — had failed.

I wasn’t surprised.

It was something that frequently happened to my old Potterton boiler: and for boilers used by my neighbours.

I was surprised about how quickly the chap turned: and how quickly the repair took.

And pleased that the thing’s now working: and keeping my flat warm.

Heigh ho!

~≈⌚️≈~

Something I’ve noticed in the news … ?

Is simply that Elon Musk is in talks with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party: about funding.

I know foreign interference in British politics is common.

As is British interference in foreign politics.

That doesn’t make it right, nor does it make it any less objectionable.

But … ?

I will give Russian, and Chinese, operations credit: for at least trying to keep their activities, discreet!

~≈👹≈~

Let’s get a move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, 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)        18th December, 1787, saw New Jersey become the third US state to do what: join the Union, ratify the constitution or introduce an income tax?

Q2)        Epimetheus was discovered: on 18th December, 1966.   It’s a moon of which planet: Jupiter, Saturn or Uranus?

Q3)        18th December is the UN sponsored Arabic Language Day.   It’s which most widely spoken language: first, second or third?

Q4)        Steven Spielberg was born on 18th December.   Of which year of the 1940s?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Leila Steinberg was born on 18th December, 1961.   She was the original manager for which rapper: Tupac Shakur, 50Cent or Grandmaster Flash?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        17th December is the National Day of Bhutan. The day is held to honour the country’s first modern what: king, prime minister or president?

A1)        King.   (The Bhutanese King’s formal title is ‘Druk Gyalpo’: or Dragon King.)

Q2)        Bhutan’s flag is a yellow and orange rectangle, with a white what: dragon, lion or unicorn?

A2)        Dragon.

Q3)        Some seventy-five per cent of Bhutan’s people practise what: Judaism, Buddhism or Jainism?

A3)        Buddhism.   Jainism?   Jainism… ?   Cue the bass-line!

Q4)        The Bhutanese ‘gho’ is traditionally worn by whom: men or women?

A4)        Men.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Tibetan Thukpa is popular in Bhutan.   It’s a what: rice beer, noodle soup or yak cheese?

A5)        Noodle soup.   (A yak is the male of the species: whilst the female is the dri.   Yak cheese would therefore be impossible … or very odd.)

Here’s a thought …

“I’ve always paid attention to religion … because I grew up in a religious background, but I’ve never felt a part of any of them. I think there’s something to be drawn from most of them — other than goat sacrificing.”

Brad Pitt, born December 18, 1963.

And music …

The next large question set is on the 31st of December.


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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hmmm … an electric shower might be an idea, Olga.   But, to be honest?   When I worked in the emergency-repair call centre, we’d get at least one call about them a week: where the things had blown the fuse board§!

        That, and having electricity anywhere near water?   Always put me off the things!

        I haven’t seen a gas fire in years!   We had one when we lived on Warley Mount: if I had the house to myself on a cold night, the gas fire, a good read, and a pot of tea, were heaven.   A radiator’s not the same!

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        I’ll try my best, Debbi!   You’ll be pleased to hear none of the upcoming answers include the word, ‘ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’.   Even though the sound of it … … … !

        Technically, Debbi … ?   You’re the longest serving commentor on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.   I think you’re due a medal … !

via GIPHY

§        I get the impression, Olga, that putting one in could be an issue, here: you’d have to lay a lot of water piping: and put a lot of wiring in.   I think it might be too expensive for Clarion.   And, as I’ve got a functioning shower …