Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th July, 2024.

19th July, 2024.

Right … it’s Friday … and I have a problem … 

I was due to start my new medication, today.

The 2.5mg doses of Mounjaro: in what the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, call a Kwikpen.

It’s like the Ozempic pens I’m used to.

You have a pen filled with so many doses of the drug, you screw on a disposable needle, you inject yourself with the meds … then unscrew the needle, and shove it in a sharps bin.

The Ozempic?

You get the disposable needles with the pens.

The Trulicity I’ve used?

The needles are built into the pens.

The Mounjaro, by contrast?

I’ve opened my first box of the stuff, this morning.

To find it doesn’t come with the needed needles.

I’ve phoned my local pharmacists, obviously.

Apparently?

You need to get the needles prescribed separately … !

I’m going into my surgery, today: to arrange for an emergency prescription.

But, as you can imagine … ?

I’m not bloody happy.

And wish someone had mentioned this!

~≈Ω≈~

I’m not happy.

Obviously.

Neither’s a lot of the planet.

Seemingly, there’s a lot of computer outages going on, today: that many say is being caused by issues with Microsoft products and services.

I’m … 

I’m a long term Mac user: and going to get mildly smug about that.

But also … ?

Mildly sympathetic.

It’s possibly not the time to paraphrase Murphy’s Law:

“If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong, at the worst possible time.”

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-6-2023 — World Bicycle Day.

3rd June, 2023: World Bicycle Day.

Yes: it’s officially official.

I’ve woken up, this morning … with a runny nose.

I’m blowed if I know why.

But I hate it when my nose is dripping!

~≈Ë≈~

Queen Elizabeth 2nd (II) — The Queen is Dead.

8th September, 2022.

I have to confess: I feel … emotional.

I don’t know if I should say distressed.   Or sad, depressed, what have you.

‘Emotional,’ seems to be the best choice of words.

I’m writing this as the BBC News channel tells us that Elizabeth II — the woman who’s been my country’s head of state since well before my birth — died, this afternoon.

My thoughts — as those of most of the country — will be with her family.

I can only imagine what they are feeling.

Personally?   I feel at something of a loss.

The woman was a rock: a sign that the country was here, and stable, because she was alive and well.

And, to quote Terry Pratchett?

She did the job that was in front of her.

For over seventy years.

That job?

Is now her son’s: who, the Prime Minister tells us, will use the name Charles 3rd.

There are changes ahead.

The Queen is dead.

Long live the King.

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-6-2021: World Bicycle Day

3rd June, 2021.

I think we can safely say the Civil Service can move.

Sometimes.

Occasionally.

When needed.

Remember, my Job centre case worker’s been keen for me to do an online course?

One where I’ll need Zoom: which isn’t a problem.

And a copy of Microsoft Office: one that — along side any Windows specific plugins — would be.

I don’t have space on my iMac for ten gigabytes of productivity suite.

So my work coach decided to buy me a laptop.

I was expecting a delay.

Even given it was a budget machine, with not a lot of RAM, and a hard drive that’s smaller than some memory sticks.

It turned up, yesterday.

I’ve got a couple of weeks before the course starts: so I can take my take my time setting things up.

But still … I’m surprised … 

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2021: Ban the Heretic!

26th February, 2021.

Did you read yesterday’s Teaser?

You’ll know I missed an appointment at Brentwood’s community hospital.

For blood tests.

I’ve managed — thanks to a cancellation — to re-book the appointment for today.

At 14:30, if you’re wondering.

I have managed to find out why — in part — I missed the appointment.

I’d written it down as 14:40 … when it was actually at 14:20 … 

Um … … 

~≈😳≈~

By the way, I’ve just quickly posted on a Facebook group I’m in: a couple of member have earned themselves suspensions, after ambiguously worded posts.

I’ve left a comment.

But also add a link to this piece.

Telling us that one group had a chat censored.

The word used is one with many meanings: yes, it’s an unflattering term for gay men.

But, in context?

It’s also a traditional meatball.

Personally?

I think Facebook needs to do a couple of things.

One?   Keep a dictionary around.

Two?   Remember that American English isn’t the only game in town*!

~≈✏️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th July, 2020

19th July, 2020.

Yes: I’ve officially had toast for breakfast.

And a bowl of musli.

Frankly?

I might just just have to swap the musli for porridge: I usually don’t end up feeling so hungry.

~≈†≈~

Oh, JUST so you know … ?

I caught a movie, last night: the 2020 Netflix film that is The Old Guard.

It’s possibly worth watching … but please bear in mind I gave it one star for a reason … !

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-7-2020: Live Aid

13th July, 2020.

Just so you know … ?

I sent off the piece I’ve written for Phoenix FM: last night.

When it goes live?

I don’t know: but as soon as it is, I intend to post a link, here.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-8-2017

Hmmm … 

That’s … 

Entertaining … 

Possibly … 

It seems Australia’s high court has ordered Internet Services Providers in the country to block fifty-nine websites.

Ones that allow users to access pirated content.

Personally?

I think that’s a good thing.

Very good: content creators will get the appropriate payment.

But … ?

Frankly, that’s not going to stop good ol’ fashioned piracy.

Especially when you consider how easy some forms are*.

~≈Â≈~

Beware of the Bunny …

Well, it is a bit vicious …

But, at any rate, I’ve come up with an Easter Sunday round; some Easter Questions, mixed some that are relevant to the date.

Here …

Q1) What name is given to the week leading up to Easter?

Q2) Bill Haley recorded “Rock Around the Clock”, today, in 1954; in which year of the 1970’s was it last a UK hit?

Q3) True or False; - Pascha is both the Latin AND Greek word for Easter?

Q4) Today in 1937, Sir Frank Whittle ground tested the world’s first what?

Q5) Who was the first to speak to Jesus after he had risen from the dead?

Q6) April 12th, 1980 saw the birth of Brian McFadden; which former Atomic Kitten was he married to?

Q7) How many statues are there on Easter Island? 100, 1000 or 10, 000?

Q8) Twin Saints, Cosmas and Damien, were matyred, today; amongst over things, they’re the patron saints of who; confectioners, chicken farmers, or palm tree growers?

Q9) What year was the first ever Faberge jewelled eggs made; – 1885, 1895, or 1905?

Q10) This day in 1606 saw the first use of the Union Jack; who was King of England, at the time?

Hmm.

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) Today sees the screening of “Planet of the Dead”; it’s one of whose last appearances as Doctor Who?

A1) David Tennent.

Q2) April 11th, 1960, saw the birth of which “Top Gear” presenter; Jeremy Clarkson, James May, or Richard ‘The Hamster’ Hammond?

A2) Jeremy Clarkson.

Q3) More to the point, exactly how many national governments have complained about about that presenter?

A3) Two; those of Germany and Malaya.

Q4) Moving rapidly along, today is the feast of Saint Gemma of Lucca; she’s the patron Saint of students, pharmacists, and people suffering from which lung disease?

A4) Tuberculosis.   (I’ll accept TB.)

Q5) Today is occasionally called Easter Saturday; what’s it more properly called?

A5) Holy Saturday.   (Or Bright Saturday.   Easter Saturday was last Saturday).

Q6) Back in 1868, Japan abolished what; the Shogunate, the Emperor’s Court, or slavery?

A6) The Shogunate.

Q7) April 11th saw Albert Einstein publish the Special Theory of Relativity; in 1904,1905, or 1906?

A7) 1905.

Q8) Which US president made his last public speech, today in 1865?

A8) Abraham Lincoln.

Q9) Which unlucky Apollo Mission was launched, today in 1970?

A9) Apollo 13.

Q10) And finally, in 1990, Customs officers found a large gub barrel heading for which Middle Eastern country?

A10) Iraq.

While I’m at it, here’s New Hutton 19; one of the last that I had prepared.

ROUND ONE: –  GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Who was the tallest of Robin Hood’s Men?

A1) Little John

Q2) Sol Campbell joined Arsenal from which club?

Q2) Tottenham Hotspur

Q3) Leningrad,  Fort Sumter, Sarajevo and Massada are all cities that have seen what sort of military action?

A3) Famous sieges

Q4) Katherine Hepburn, Queen Elizabeth I and Winston Churchill were all what?

A4) Were all red heads

Q5) In which English town did Charles and Camilla marry?

A5) Windsor

Q6) Who composed “Peter Grimes”; – Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

A6) Benjamin Britten

Q7) What does PAYE stand for?

A7) Pay As You Earn

Q8) Rudolf Hess was the last prisoner in which jail?

A8) Spandau

Q9) Who wrote the song “White Christmas”; – George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, or Paul Anka ?

A9) Irving Berlin

Q10) Which star sign has the bull as its symbol?

A10) Taurus

ROUND TWO: – FOOD AND DRINK.

Q11) What type of bread contains a slang word for an American coin?

A11) Pumpernickel

Q12) What fruit did Columbus discover on the island of Guadeloupe?

A12)

Q13) A crowned drawing of which big cat appeared on British eggs for the first time in 1957?

A13) The crowned lion

Q14) With over 3,300 employees, which food company is now the largest employer in Brazil?

A14) McDonalds

Q15) What is the main ingredient in a Glamorgan Sausage; – beef, cheese, or wheat?

A15) Cheese

Q16) Which Asian country produces the most bananas?

A16) India

Q17) Chablis is made from which white grape?

A17) Chardonnay.

Q18) Which very British condiment was first sold in 1922 and currently sells more than 28,000, 000 units per year?

A18) Crosse & Blackwell’s Branston Pickle

Q19) The Home Office was urged to end restrictions on migrants from Bangladesh, in 2008; - but in order to end the crisis in which part of the catering industry?

A19) Curry restaurants.

Q20) How many teaspoons are there in a standard tablespoon; – two, three, or four?

A20) Three

ROUND THREE: –  ROUND THE WORLD.

Q21) Danair is based in which European country?

A21) Denmark.

Q22) The Straits of Gibraltar connect the Atlantic with which sea?

A22) The Mediterranean.

Q23) Tallinn is the capital of which former Soviet republic?

A23) Estonia.

Q24) On which European island were the Mafia founded?

A24) Sicily.

Q25) Makeyevka is a city in which former Soviet republic?

A25) The Ukraine.

Q26) In France, the names of individual motorways begin with which vowel?

A26) A

Q27) Which sea’s name means “Middle of the Earth”?

A27) The Mediterranean.

Q28) Which river runs through Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna; – the Danube, the Rhine, or the Tiber?

A28) The Danube.

Q29) Which sea is Europe’s lowest point below Sea level?

A29) The Caspian Sea.

Q30) Which is further south, Corsica, or Sardinia?

A30) Sardinia.

ROUND FOUR: –  ALL THROUGH HISTORY.

Q31) Which philosopher founded a famous academy in Athens, in 387 BC?

A31) Plato.

Q32) In which 20th century war was Napalm first used as a weapon?

A32) World War 2.

Q33) Who became Conservative party leader, in 1965?

A33) Edward Heath.

Q34) What was Malcolm Campbell’s record breaking car called?

A34) Bluebird.

Q35) What name was given to the alliance of fascist powers during World War 2; the Axis, the Axle, or the Alliance?

A35) The Axis.

Q36) Which British warship of 1906 gave its name to a whole class of warships; – the HMS Dreadnought, the HMS Vanguard, or the HMS Superb?

A36) The HMS Dreadnought.

Q37) Sir Joshua Reynolds was the first president of which Royal institution, founded in 1768?

A37) The Royal Academy (of Arts)

Q38) Queen Alexandra was the wife of which King; –Edward the 6th,7th, or 8th?

A38) Edward the Seventh

Q39) Which US general promised to return to the Phillipines, in 1942; – General George Patton, General Douglas McArthur, or General Norman Schwarzkopf?

A39) General Douglas McArthur.

Q40) How many Prime Ministers have served under the Queen?

A40) Eleven.   Winston Churchill 1951-55, Sir Anthony Eden 1955-57, Harold Macmillan 1957-63, Sir Alec Home 1963-64, Harold Wilson 1964-70 and 1974-76, Edward Heath 1970-74, James Callaghan 1976-79, Margaret Thatcher 1979-90, John  Major 1990-97, Tony Blair 1997- 2007, Gordon Brown - 2007 to the present

ROUND FIVE: –  MUSIC AND LIGHTS

Q41) Two major rock stars died on July the 3rd, one in 1969, one in1971; - name either.

A41) Brian Jones(1969), and Jim Morrison(1971)

Q42) S Club 7’s 2nd number 1 went straight in at the top; - what was its title?

A42) “Never Had a Dream Come True.”

Q43) “We Will Rock You” was a recentish hit for the remaining members of Queen, and which boyband?

A43) Five.

Q44) Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne.   Who’s the missing member of the Travelling Wilberries?

A44) Bob Dylan.

Q45) During his lifetime, how many UK number 1’s did Roy Orbison have?

A45) Three.

Q46) During the 90’s, how many number 1’s did Madonna have?

A46) Two

Q47) Kylie Minogue, & Johnny Nash both had a No. 1 hit with two different songs, with the same title; - what was the title?

A47) “Tears On My Pillow.”

Q48) Gareth Gates had a UK No 1 hit, with “Unchained Melody”; - but was he the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th act to do so?

A48) 4th.

Q49) What Queen song was the 1st to be a UK number 1 on two different occasions?

A49) “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Q50) John Lennon’s 2nd No. 1 was a month after his 1st; - what was it called?

A50) “Woman”

ROUND SIX: – GENERAL KNOWLE IGNORANCE.

Q51) What do schizophrenics not do a lot of; – yawning, blinking, or gulping?

A51) Yawning

Q52) What natural disaster devastated the American Midwest in August 1993; – floods, hurricanes, or droughts?

A52) Floods

Q53) At which London Club did the race around the world in 80 days begin?

A53) Reform Club

Q54) What was the first English car registration number, issued to Lord Russell in 1903?

A54) A1

Q55) What word is used in international radio communications to denote the letter 'H'?

A55) Hotel

Q56) To which plant family does the tulip belong; - the lily, rose, or orchid?

A56) Lily

Q57) Which King of Cyprus fell in love with a statue?

A57) Pygmalion

Q58) What is the more common name for potassium nitrate; – saltpetre, quicklime, or chalk?

A58) Saltpetre

Q59) Where would a cockney wear his daisies?

A59) On his feet (daisy roots = boots)

Q60) Who was Ronald Reagan’s vice-president?

A60) George Bush, Snr

Enjoy!   Andd Happy Easter.