Showing posts with label Saint Valentine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saint Valentine. Show all posts

Friday, 14 February 2020

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-2-2020: Saint Valentine’s Day …

14th February, 2020.


Right … it’s official.

I’ve started reading a book … in bed.

That’s actually been a habit of mine for a while, to be honest.

The one I’ve started … ?

Actually isn’t a romance: I’m not a romance kind of person … 

No … 


I’m three chapters in: and it’s proving to be interesting stuff.

Even if I am finding Eunice, the AI character, reminiscent of the Dixie Flatline: the personality construct in Neuromancer

Not that I mind.

You have to like consistency, don’t you … ?
“I’m dead, Case. Got enough time in on this Hosaka to figure that one.”
Dixie Flatline, Neuromancer, William Gibson.
~≈†≈~

Thursday, 14 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-2-2019: Saint Valentine’s Day

14th February, 2019.


Righty-ho, then … 

I’ve now officially done … an online assessment test for a potential employer … !

Normally?

Normally, as you’ve possibly already worked out if you’ve watched the introductory video, they’re something I’m really not found …  easy, especially, to do.

Most of them feature some form of personality inventory: which is where I think I fall apart!

Thankfully?

Yesterday’s test, for the Royal Mail … ?

Didn’t feature one.

Whether that means I’ve bagged an interview — with face to face, or on the phone? — is a whole other matter.

Here’s hoping, though …

~≈§≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

It’s Saint Valentine’s Day.

You’d possibly noticed, hadn’t you … ?

Personally?

I’m … always ambiguous about the thing.

Usually, I’ve either been single … or been in the sort of relationship where’s the day’s seen as nice … but mostly, just another day.

What gives me more food for thought … ?

Is the one time I sent a card, I got a … a … 

Let’s call it a bad reaction, and leave it, there, shall we?

At ANY rate … ?

The only thing I am expecting is a Dr Who book.

If you HAVE sent me a card … ?

It’s a bit late!

~≈§≈~

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-2-2018: Saint Valentine’s Day

14th February, 2018.

*Yawn*


No, really, it’s really … 

Early … 

Or, at least, earlier than I’m usually up … 

Frankly?

I’ve got up at six, today: in order to get to work for an eleven o’clock start, and after getting home at eleven.

Yawn?

Possibly doesn’t even start!

~≈†≈~

In technology news?

In technology news, I see that the government of the UK have introduced software to allow websites to flag up videos of an extremist nature: allowing moderators to delete ones that genuinely are a problem.

Which is fair enough, I suppose.

My only real concern?

Is that, while I can see why both government and creators, are keen to keep it both closed source and under wraps, I also think making it open source would be a way to improve the thing.

AND to increase uptake.

After all, I can’t see firms putting government sponsored software one their IT kit … without know how the underlying code works.

~≈†≈~

Sunday, 14 February 2016

The Daily Teaser — 14-2-2016: Saint Valentine’s Day

Oh, that’s a thing … … !

You know I work in a local fast food restaurant?   And that I write for the local newspaper?

It’s not THAT often the two collide.

But a friend at work managed to drag me into a corner to point something out to me, last night.

The Gazette’s running one a Valentine’s day article: one ‘Who’s Caught YOUR Eye’ kind of things, featuring messages from people who’ve spotted someone they like, in Brentwood High Street.

One of them … ?

Is from a woman who bought some food from I worked, and — apparently — got served by me.   And, in her words … ?   “You short changed me but you were cute so I’ll let you off.”

You know … I don’t know whether I’m flattered: I’m possibly old enough to be her dad!

Or old enough to worry about stalkers … !

~≈fi≈~

Saturday, 14 February 2015

The Daily Teaser — 14-2-2015: Saint Valentine’s Day

Oh, now, hang on … it’s Saint Valentine’s Day … 

I think the word here, is ‘Whoopee’.

Said with a heavy amount of irony.   The kind of heavy irony usually used by Bridget Jones, and other stunningly single people.

Mind you … ?   Mind you, if I’m lucky, someone will bang on my door, tonight — once I’m home from work — and insist one making mad, passionate, lingering, love to — or with — me.

Ha!

Meanwhile, back in reality?   I’ll probably be watching a film.

And possibly having a LARGE cocoa!

~≈È≈~

Friday, 14 February 2014

The Daily Teaser — 14-2-2014: Silly Love Songs

You know, I have to admit, I’ve had a few bob from my Aunty, down in Kent.

Bless her!

I’m going to have to send her a quick note to say thank you!

Frankly … ?   It’s enough to get my iPod fixed: AND do some shopping, as well.

Here’s hoping it’s cleared: I’d like to look in Argos, as well.

At ANY rate … ?

Let’s get a move on, shall we?

~≈Ê≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know about how she’s feeling, also bagging four out of five.   She ALSO managed to dig up the name of Nan Winton: who was the BBC’s first female newsreader, and who I’d never heard of!

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s Loved up questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How ToLicense and video

Q1) Which girl band had a 1964 hit with Chapel Of Love: The Supremes, The Dixie Cups or The Ronettes?
Q2) According to the 1967, Aretha Franklin love song, ‘You Make Me Feel Like A … ’ what … ?
Q3) Minnie Riperton had a 1975 hit with which song … ?
Q4) “Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick, and think of you.”   Which love song by Cyndi Lauper opens with those lines … ?
Q5) I Will Always Love You provided Whitney Houston with a huge UK hit, in 1992.   Who wrote it?
Q6) The video for which Shakespeare’s Sister ballad sees the band members pillow fight over a comatose man … ?
Q7) Which Beach Boys’ song is used at the end of Love, Actually, and as the opening theme for the series, Big Love … ?
Q8) Which Kate Bush song sees a wife testing her husband’s loyalty: whilst disguised as either a younger woman, OR a Russian granny?
Q9) Which Elvis song was based on 1861 Civil War era song, Aura Lee … ?
Q10) “Oh yeah life goes on. Long after the thrill of livin’ is gone.”   which John Cougar Mellencamp song are those lines from?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 
Q1) 13th February, 1633, saw Galileo Galilei arrive in Rome: for his heresy trial.   His heresy was that Earth, orbited what … ?
A1) The Sun.
Q2) 56 years later, 13th February, 1689 saw WHO named as co-rulers of England … ?
A2) William 3rd and his wife, Mary 2nd.
Q3) 13th February, 1978, saw Anna Ford named as ITV’s first female newsreader.   Who, three years earlier, was the BBC’s first female newsreader?
A3) Angela Rippon.   (It HAS to be said, Debbi’s actually outdone me, in her answers for this set: in giving her answer as Nan Winton.   I’d never heard of her: it turns out she was the BBC’s first female newsreader, preceding Angela by about a decade.)
Q4) 13th February, 1849, saw Emperor Franz Joseph 1st handed a petition demanding the recognition of which nation: or ethnic group, as we’d now call it?
A4) Romania: also called Vlachs.
Q5) Finally … 13th February, 1955, saw Israel obtain four of the seven Dead Sea Scrolls.   These scrolls are generally considered to be part of the what: the Old Testament, the New Testament or the Apocrypha … ?
A5) The books variously known as the Hebrew Bible, Masoretic Text or Old Testament.   (Although, if I’ve understood things correctly, there’s quite a bit of argument about it.)
Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this tune … 


And this thought.

Now … 

Go buy some roses for someone … 











*        Thanks, Debbi!   That’s a big help: I’d never heard of Nan Winton!   I can add that to my question database!   (Money’s tight: but I DEFINITELY owe you a very big espresso!)

Thursday, 14 February 2013

The Daily Teaser — 14-2-2013: The Saint Valentine’s Day Teaser.

Good LORD … !

And it’s not often I say that, at the start of a Teaser post.

With the Pope handing in his notice at the start of the week, it’s been something of a shock week for news.

Today’s stunner … ?   Is that Olympic/Paralympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius — the Bladerunner, himself — has just shot his girlfriend.

I’ve just been chatting, via Twitter, to Old Peculiar regular, @derestrict: seemingly, South Africa has seriously high crime rates.   What seems to have happened is that Oscar seems to have mistaken her for an intruder, and opened fire.   From what @derestrict tells me, it’s an unfortunately common incident.   (He also tells me the young lady was both a model, and from Port Elizabeth, his hometown.)

It’s a sad event, really: especially when you realise today is the day it is … and possibly her motivation was to surprise her fella on Valentine’s Day.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

Yes … 

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with gently letting us know her and her partner, Rick, had pancakes on Sunday, she also managed to bag 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s themed questions, shall we?

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

Q1) Saint Valentine of Terni — whose feast is 14th February — was killed during the reign of which Roman Emperor: Aurelius, Hadrian or Commodus … ?
Q2) Saint Valentine of Rome — ALSO celebrated on 14th of February — was apparently murdered on which Roman road: the via Appia, via Cassia or the via Flaminia … ?
Q3) Fitzwilliam Darcy appeared in which novel?
Q4) Which famous novel is set in Wragby Hall?
Q5) Would you make love to an odalisque … ?
Q6) The recent vote in the House of Commons on same sex marriage, saw how many votes in favour … ?
Q7) And finally … which fruit was known as the love apple … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 13th February, 2001, saw a man go on trial in Glasgow: for knowingly infecting a victim with what … ?
A1) HIV/AIDS.
Q2) 13th February, 2012, saw who launch a rocket from French Guiana?
A2) The European Space Agency.
Q3) More to the point, what type of rocket was it … ?
A3) Vega.
Q4) 13th February, 1955, saw the Israeli government obtain four of the seven then known what … ?
A4) Dead Sea Scrolls.
Q5) 13th February, 1971 saw South Vietnamese troops invade which country … ?
A5) Laos.
Q6) And finally … 13th February, 2000, saw the publication of the last ever Peanuts strip: which Peanuts character is a beagle … ?
A6) Snoopy.
I’ll leave you with a few things, today: firstly, a slight warning.   The end slide of today’s Teaser video includes a shot of the bodies from the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.   It’s gruesome: and seemed mildly sardonic, at the timeª.   At least, until today’s news broke!

I’ll also leave you with this quote from Aristotle …
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”
Aristotle.
And with this song from Bob Marley.












*        You know, Debbi, the silly side of me’s tempted to say “Can you whip one up for me, next time?   Ta!”.   Funnily enough … ?   It’s the side of me that’s got the same sense of humour as my nephew, Jude … :D


ª        As did the intro … !

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

The Saint Valentine’s Dat Teaser — 14-2-2012

Bleaugh … !

I know, I know, it’s Saint Valentine’s Day!

We’re supposed to be happily leaping out on some unsuspecting soul, and offering them roses.

Or chocolate.

Or sacrificial goats/turtles/bread-fruit, depending on our cultural preferences.

But frankly … ?

I’m on my second cuppa in the space of 45 minutes.

Anyone tries giving me a ceremonial goat, I THINK I’ll spill me tea on them … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

Before I get seriously cynical … !

‹‹•››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and, looking pretty good for a self confessed dinosaur, bagging 5 out of 5.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s Saint Valentine’s Day teaser, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video
Q1) In which romantic comedy did Meg Ryan famously fake an orgasm?

Q2) Eros was also called Eleutherios, by the Ancient Greeks: but did it mean the Liberator, the Lover or the Horned One?

Q3) Which fruit was known as the love apple?

Q4) Bigamy is being illegally married to two people, but what is digamy?

Q5) A special mass was celebrated to celebrate marriage in 2008, by the catholic Archbishop of Westminster: what’s his name?

Q6) Moving on, 14th February, 1852, saw the founding of the first hospital for sick children in the English speaking world: where is it … ?

Q7) 14th February, 1984, saw Ice dancers Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill win Olympic Gold: after a winning performance to which of Maurice Ravel pieces … ?

Q8) 14th February, 1949, saw the first convening of which country’s Parliament … ?

Q9) 14th February, 1989, saw author Salman Rushdie sentenced to death … by whom … ?

Q10) And finally … 14th February, 1946, saw which British institution nationalized … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 13th February, 1981, saw two miles of streets in Louisville, Kentucky, destroyed by explosions in what … ?
A1) Sewers.

Q2) 13th February, 1967, saw American researchers discover the Madrid Codices, in the National Library of Spain: who wrote those Codices … ?
A2) Leonardo da Vinci.

Q3) 13th February, 1961, saw the discovery of the Coso Artifact: an apparently 500, 000 year old piece of rock that seemed to hold what … ?
A3) A spark-plug.

Q4) 13th February, 2011 saw members of the Umatilla Native American tribe allowed to hunt what, in over a century … ?
A4) Bison.

Q5) And finally … 13th February, 1978, saw Anna Ford make her debut as an ITN newsreader: which BBC show had she — briefly — been a reporter on … ?
A5) Tomorrow’s World.
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with one of the ODDER uses of All You Need Is Love, shall I … ?
Along with the original, of course …

Friday, 10 February 2012

The Saint Valentine’s DayFriday Question Set

Yes, I know, I know …


I know, already … !

But given that I alway’s used to have a mad scramble for questions, back when I was running pub quizzes … ?

I thought I’d best make this week’s Friday question set a Saint Valentine’s themed one.

Just in case…

I’ve just a little disappointed I didn’t think to add any links to this year’s one: I do usually try and make a point of it.

At any rate, without much further ado … ?

Here’s the Friday (Saint Valentine’s) question set: covered, as ever, by the usual Creative Commons’ License
ROUND ONE: GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) How many square yards in an acre?
A1) 4, 840.

Q2) Which TV drama was set in Glenbogle?
Q2) Monarch of the Glen.

Q3) Margaret Thatcher was born in which decade of the 20th century?
A3) The 1920s.

Q4) Who plays Rugby Union at Welford Road?
A4) Leicester.

Q5) In the Bible, which book follows Exodus?
A5) Leviticus.

Q6) Who wrote the novel, The Runaway Jury?
A6) John Grisham.

Q7) In which South American country is the city of Sao Paulo?
A7) Brazil.

Q8) Joe & Annie Sugden appeared in which soap?
A8) Emmerdale.

Q9) On a standard UK Monopoly board, what colour is Park Lane?
A9) Dark Blue.

Q10) Who directed the 2005 movie, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?
A10) Tim Burton.



ROUND TWO: SILLY LOVE SONGS.

Q11) Who sang the syrupy 1980s hit Nothing’s Gonna Change My love For You?
A11) Glen Madeiros.

Q12) How old was Frankie Lyman when he sang his 1956 number one Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
A12) 13.

Q13) In which film was Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing famously featured?
A13) Armageddon.

Q14) Who had the Love of a Lifetime, in 1999?
A14) The Honeyz.

Q15) In which year did She Loves You, by The Beatles reach number one in the UK charts?
A15) 1963.

Q16) What was Barry White’s only UK number one single?
A16) You’re My First, My Last, My Everything.

Q17) Which former Ramsay Street regular released Confide In Me, in 1994?
A17) Kylie Minogue.

Q18) “I went to the doctor, and guess what he told me”: name the huge hit song.
A18) Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor.

Q19) How old was Marti Pellow when Love Is All Around, was a hit for The Troggs?
A19) One year old.

Q20) One for the love rats - Who was Torn Between Two Lovers, in 1977?
A20) Mary McGregor.



ROUND THREE: SLUSHY MOVIES.

Q21) In the Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn romantic comedy, Bringing up Baby, what type of creature was Baby?
A21) A leopard.

Q22) Which romantic melodrama begins and ends in the fictional railway station of Milford Junction?
A22) Brief Encounter.

Q23) Which of these Richard Curtis-written romantic comedies did he also direct, Four Weddings & a Funeral, Notting Hill or Love Actually?
A23) Love Actually: the other two were Mike Newell and Roger Michell, respectively.

Q24) Real world lovers, Jennifer Lopez, & Ben Affleck starred in what’s reputed to be the world’s worst movie: what’s it called?
A24) Gigli.

Q25) In which romantic WW2 film did Ben Affleck co-star with Kate Beckinsale?
A25) Pearl Harbour.

Q26) Name either of the 2 lead stars in Notting Hill.
A26) Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts. (2 points for both.)


Q27) In which romantic comedy did Meg Ryan famously fake an orgasm?
A27) When Harry Met Sally.


Q28) Name the 2 main character's in Grease.
A28) Danny and Sandy.


Q29) What's the only British film to advertise itself as a Romantic Zombie Comedy?
A29) Sean of the Dead.


Q30) In which film does Peter Cushing come back from the dead, on Valentines Day?
A30) Tales From The Crypt.



ROUND FOUR: LOVE ON THE BOX.

Q31) What was the name of the boat, in The Love Boat: The Atlantic Princess, The Pacific Princess or the Sargasso Princess?
A31) The Pacific Princess.

Q32) Which comedy series, running from 1989 to 1994, starred Anton Rodgers as a solidtor who falls for a much younger woman, played first by Eve Matheson and subsequently by Lesley Dunlop?
A32) May to December.

Q33) Which 2005 drama showed Peter O’Toole, and David Tennant playing the same character, at different ages?
A33) Casanova.

Q34) In which year of the 1970s was Love Thy Neighbour first broadcast in the UK?
A34) 1972.

Q35) In Emmerdale who did Kathy Tate marry in 1996, in an ill fated and short lived marriage which went up in flames?
A35) Dave Glover.

Q36) Which Casualty charge nurse married Dr Baz Hayes in 1998?
A36) Charlie Fairhead.

Q37) Which sitcom features Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus, both desperately seeking love, and miserably failing, and often chasing the same man?
A37) Gimme Gimme Gimme.

Q38) Jan Francis and Paul Nicholas played characters in a will-they wont-they relationship in which television show?
A38) Just Good Friends.

Q39) Which American sit-dram follows the love lives of several members of West Hollywood’s lesbian community?
A39) The L Word.

Q40) Who played the lead role in Lovejoy?
A40) Ian McShane.



ROUND FIVE: BODICE RIPPERS

Q41) In Great Expectations, which old crone’s room was left untouched for decades after she was jilted at the altar?
A41) Miss Havisham.

Q42) Who wrote The Glass Virgin?
A42) Catherine Cookson.

Q43) Which prolific romantic novelist was Princess Diana’s step Grandmother?
A43) Dame Barbara Cartland.

Q44) Which author had Britain’s longest Who’s Who entry?
A44) Dame Barbara Cartland.

Q45) Which book was famously described as being ‘not being something you’d let your wife or servants read?’
A45) Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

Q46) Who left an unfinished novel called Sanditon?
A46) Jane Austen

Q47) Which Emily wrote Wuthering Heights?”
A47) Emily Brontë.

Q48) “Love Discourse,” is the English translation of what Sanskrit phrase?
A48) Kama Sutra.

Q49) Which romantic publisher saw it’s 100th birthday, in 2008?
A49) Mills and Boon.

Q50) Who wrote the play When We Are Married: JB Priestly, Harold Pinter or Seamus Heaney?
A50) J. B. Priestley



ROUND SIX: GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) What is usually found in a golf courses bunker?
A51) Sand.

Q52) Who wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit?
A52) Beatrix Potter.

Q53) The Muslim Holy Book is called The Qu’ran: what is ‘Qu’ran’ the Arabic word for?
A53) Recite.

Q54) ‘Wifmon’ is the Medieval Anglo-Saxon word for what, Man, Woman, or child?
A54) Woman.

Q55) Blondie got their 1st Gold disc in which English speaking country?
A55) Australia.

Q56) Winchester is the county town of which English county?
A56) Hampshire.

Q57) What’s the name of the French National Anthem?
A57) La Marseillaise.

Q58) In The Canyons Of Your Mind, was a hit for which 60s band?
A58) The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

Q59) Who was the first Doctor Who, to record an episode of the show outside the UK?
A59) Tom Baker.

Q60) Who was older, Charles 1st, or Oliver Cromwell?
A60) Oliver Cromwell.
Have fun with that lot …

Sunday, 14 February 2010

The Saint Valentine’s Day Teaser


Morning, everyone!

Yes, I know it’s a touch late, today, but Allison and I were up late.

Watching a movie, before you ask!

Let’s leave that there, shall we?

Yes, let’s … !

Yesterday’s Teaser was actually quite quiet, but did see Trevor get both 5 out of 5, and — and — put in his very first Quote for the day!

Which I think mean’s Trevor get’s serious amounts of applause!

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s Valentine’s Day set, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License


Q1) 14th February famously saw the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. This saw member’s of Al Capone’s Mafia kill seven member’s of Bugs Moran’s North Side Gang: but in which US city?

Q2) More to the point, in which year of the 1920s?

Q3) Just as a relevant question, in which year — AD — did Saint Valentine of Rome die?

Q4) Who said “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”?

Q5) Saint Valentine’s Day is also — in the Roman Catholic Church — the feast day of Saint Cyril and Methodius: they are the patron Saints of where … ?

Q6) Famed ascetic and celibate, Mallanaga Vātsyāyana, was the Indian scholar behind which book?

Q7) Elizabeth Taylor famously married Richard Taylor, twice: but on which film’s set did they met?

Q8) 14th February, 1849, saw James Knox Polk become the first US President to be what?

Q9) 14th February, 1876, saw two people patent the telephone. Name both of them.

Q10) 14th February, 1835, saw the formation of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles: which Church was this the original governing body of?

Q11) 14th February, 1984, saw Jane Torville and Christopher Dean ice-dance to Olympic gold, at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics: Which piece of music were they dancing to?

Q12) 14th February, 1946, saw the unveiling of the world’s first general purpose electronic computer: what was it called?

Q13) 14th February, 1989, saw the death of which noted expert on Caribbean birds?
Q14) 14th February, 1924, saw the founding of IBM: what does IBM stand for?

Q15) And finally … today in 1945, saw planes from the RAF and USAF begin the firebombing of which German city?

And here’s yesterday’s questions, along with the answers …

Q1) 13th February, 1633, saw who arrive in Rome, to face heresy charges, before the Inquisition?
A1) Astronomer, Galileo Galilei. (♩Be-EL-zebub, has a devil put aside for me, for me, For MEEEEEE!!♩)

Q2) 91 years earlier, 13th February, 1542, saw the execution of Henry 8th fifth wife, on charges of Treason and Adultery: who was she?
A2) Catherine Howard.

Q3) More to the point, how was she executed?
A3) By beheading.

Q4) 13th February, 1692, saw the Glencoe Massacre take place: during this, members of which Scottish clan were killed?
A4) The MacDonalds.

Q5) And finally … 13th February, 2000, saw the last of the original run of which cartoon strip published?
A5) The Peanuts strip.

Enjoy those.   Have a good day, folks.