Pages

Thursday 28 February 2019

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 6 — Tiempo de magia/Time of magic — A Review

28th February, 2019.


Yes: that intro video’s right … 

Sort of.

It’s been a while since I’ve done all sorts of stuff.

Watched a movie … 

Had a steak … 

Had a romantic meal for two, in a fancy restaurant … !

Fat chance, there, I think … !

At any rate?

Over the past few days, I’ve been making videos for the Daily Teasers … 

And, frankly?

Not catching up with Series 2 of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time is amazingly annoying … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-2-2019: Bugsy.

28th February, 2019.


Yes, I know: that’s a bizarre thing to say … 

But … ?

Every so often, I’ve woken up, first thing in the morning, convinced Tom Baker’s death is just about to get announced on the news.

Weird?   Possibly: after all, the man’s not getting any younger.

But also the man who defined the Doctor as non-human … is also very much alive.

So that notion … ?

Well, weird doesn’t start … !


~≈§≈~

Just as a quick question … ?

Are you in the UK?

You’re possibly aware of the Brexit Situation: even if you aren’t.

Just so you know … ?

I voted Remain, back in 2016: so the ensuing vote to leave?   Wasn’t something I wanted.

For starters, nobody in government seems to agree on what sort of Brexit’s wanted: hard, soft, deal, no deal, Canada plus, Norway style, with or without a backstop, whether we should introduce a delay … 

With roughly a month left — we leave on 29th March — to agree any kind of deal, we’re getting close too a no-deal exit.

Again, STILL not something I want.

There’s been talk — talk — of a no deal exit, at the worst case.

There’s been talk — talk — of a delay.   Possibly, that’s needed.

There’s been talk — talk — of a second referendum.   Certainly the first was flawed.

There’s now an official position from Labour: the parliamentary party who formed the UK’s Official Opposition.

They’re going to support a second referendum.

Good.

I’d LOVE to see one: and hope for a Remain result in it.

But that depends on a couple of things.

Legislation for a second referendum successfully going through Parliament.

And what the question* on a Second referendum actually is.

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th February, 2019.

27th February, 2019.


Well … 

That seemed to go well.

As you may or may not know, I had an interview, yesterday.

For a call Centre job at Romford Magistrate Court, one I was nervous about … and one I really did not want to go to.

Nervous … possibly doesn’t even start … 

However … ?

It seemed to go well enough … but I’ll find out once the vetting’s done … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, remember, many years ago, I wrote about what I then called the Comantra Scam*: where someone phones up — claiming to be from a reputable company — and claims you have an issue with your PC.   They’s also called a Technical Support scam.


Then cons you out of your hard earned cash, by spending it on useless software: or by conning you into handing remote control or you machine … THEN selling you useless software …

Well, I’ve just had another call: from someone claiming to be from the BT Technical Department.

I’m thankful I know about these things.

I’m thankful I’m aware these calls usually seem to happen early in the morning.

I’m thankful I managed to confuse the HELL out of the woman who called me.

Asking her if it had anything to do with my gibbon seemed to confuse the daylights out of her … 

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 26 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February, 2019.

26th February, 2019.


Right … 

Before my mouse runs out of go … ?

Today’s earworm is the Madison Avenue tune, Don’t Call Me Baby.


Why the hell I’ve woken up with Australia’s finest working it’s way through my head, I really don’t know.

But … ?

I usually find the only way to get rid of them, is to pass them on!

~≈§≈~

The OTHER thing … ?

I’ve got another interview, today.

In Romford, wouldn’t you know?

Now … if you ask me if I’m nervous?

I’d have to say yes.

I’d also have to say “I don’t want to go”: but that’s the nerves, again.

Either way … ?

Wish me luck.

~≈§≈~

As another thought … ?

I read this piece on the BBC’s website, yesterday.

About how poorly parked cars in the Essex town of Rowhead had blocked access for emergency vehicles.

Personally?

That street’s got my sympathies.

As I’ve been saying emergency vehicle access down my street is just as bad … for the past decade … 

~≈§≈~

Monday 25 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-2-2019: Gimme Shelter.

25th February, 2019.


Well, I never … 

That’s another set of statistics to add to the list … 

The list, in question?   Being the long list of of Oscar winners for 2019.

Speaking as a former pub quiz-master?

I’m aware there’s going to be more than a few QMs who’ll be frantically adding questions to their sets.

I’ve just added to to my collection ton, myself.

At any rate … ?

It’s nice to know Olivia Colman’s done well.

And nice to see that Rami Malek’s grabbed the Best Actor gong.

Now … 

Does any one know what series four of Mr Robot hits our screen?

~≈§≈~

Sunday 24 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th February, 2019

24th February, 2019.


It’s a Sunday morning … 

It’s a quiet Sunday morning.

Which … ?   Well it usually means I head for my family’s place for Sunday dinner.

Usually, any thing involving my nephew’s bound to get noisy!

~≈§≈~

Saturday 23 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-2-2019: Plutonium

23rd February, 2019.


Right … 

I have to confess, I was going to go shopping, yesterday: as I got paid.

Usually, in these situations?   I take as much as I can, out, from a cash machine: then take out the rest from from my local branch.

Like many others?   My bank — the Halifax — limits how much I can take out at a cash machine.

So that’s how I usually take everything out.

Unfortunately?

My bank’s Brentwood branch?

Was shut: due to a planned closure … 

What made it more frustrating for me?

Was that the people running my bank’s Twitter account … ?

Had no idea why the branch was closed.

Now, I know how difficult it is, for the various back office departments to communicate.

But you’d think that — if a branch is going to have a planned closure — they’d pass the details onto the relevant customer-facing people.

Because you can bet your bum someone’s going to want to know.


~≈§≈~

Friday 22 February 2019

Star Trek Discovery Series 2 Episode 6: The Sounds of Thunder — A Review

22nd February, 2019.


Yes … I’ve got a night off … !

OK …

I haven’t, really … 

I’ve just got another free evening where I’ve nothing better to do, then watch TV.

Oh … 

And possibly complain about my bank.

My main one … ?

Was shut, today.

A planned closure, apparently, and one that got me complaining on Twitter.


Honestly, you’d think whoever manages a bank’s social media account would be told these things.

Just in case any complaining customers happen to … you know … publicly whinge on Twitter!

~≈§≈~

At any rate, that’s not — necessarily — why I’m here.

No.

I like TV shows.

Right now, one particular favourite?   Is the hit Spanish hit that is El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time.

But man does not live by bravas*, alone!

Nope … just as with food, we have to have the occasional change of pace.

Yep … 

It’s Friday … 

It’s another episode of Star Trek: Discovery, Series 2

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-2-2019: Woolworth’s

22nd February, 2019.


Right … It’s officially official.

I’ve got an interview on Tuesday: in Romford.

At, would you believe, Romford Magistrate’s Court.

Thankfully … ?

I have my usual meeting with my work coach, today: at 13:15.

Which means that — if nothing else … ? — I can arrange for the tickets to be paid for.

That’s all good.

~≈§≈~

Thursday 21 February 2019

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 5 — Un virus de otro tiempo/A virus from another time — A Review

21st February, 2019 Teaser.


Is there some sort of term for that … ?

Worrying that you’re starting to looking Harry Potter?

You know … I don’t know that there is …

But … ?

Well, it’s just a sudden thought that … well … 

I’ll shut up, shall I … ?

~≈§≈~

Shut up … and keep burbling … 

About something else, frankly.

As you’re possibly aware … ?

I like TV shows.

Dr Who, Star Trek, what have you … 

And, over the past months?


Now in its second series?

I have to confess, another episode was kind of attractive.

Yes … it was episode five … and yes … it’s a big opening … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st February, 2019.

21st February, 2019.


Right … 

You’ve possibly watch the introductory video, there … 

And wondered what on EARTH I’m talking about … 

Well … 

I had an interview, yesterday: for a call centre job with BT.

One I was quite pleased to get.

Especially as I’d applied for a couple of similar roles for BT: and had failed on the online assessments.

This one went differently: I didn’t have to do the online assessment, but went straight to the office in London Road.

To do an interview … and a group assessment.

Personally?

Personally, I think I did well enough: I certainly feel good about how I performed.

But won’t know for sure, until next Friday.

It’d be nice to get the job … 

But we’ll have to see … 

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-2-2019: The Barber of Seville

20th February, 2019.


Yep, it’s officially official.

I’m up early.

And I’m up early, because I’ve got an interview … with BT … 


Which surprised the hell out of me: given the amount of trouble I had applying, the past few times … !

Well, I’d resign in protest … 

Except I haven’t actually got the job … 

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 19 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th February, 2019.

19th February, 2019.


Right … 

What exactly — assuming you’ve watched the intro video, there … ? — do I mean possibly have some news … ?

Well, putting it simply?

I’m going to an assessment day, tomorrow!

For BT.

B … T … 

Frankly, I’m grateful to get the opportunity, I really am.

But, given I’ve done two online assessments for the company, for near enough the same job?

I have to wonder what the hell’s going on over there: after all, this is a third attempt … … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, one other quick thing … ?

A very old friend sent me this link to a price on the Den of Geek site.

It seems Samsung will no longer be making high definition blu-ray players for the US market.

Personally … ?

I can’t say I’m surprised.

With the rise, and rise of video streaming?

Of Netflix, of Amazon Prime, and the ability to rent online?

I feel blu-ray will start to go the way of the Dodo … a lot more quickly … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 4 — El Monasterio del Tiempo/The Monastery of Time — A Review

18th February, 2019


Yes: there’s certainly something else.

For starters?

You can’t half find some silly videos on Facebook.

It always amazes me.

Cats, cute babies … 

Oh, and dancing penguins … !


That’s not the really strange thing, though.

Remember, a while back, I had trouble getting onto BT’s recruitment system.

THEN, once I did … ?

I couldn’t get through their online assessment?

This morning … I can a phone call telling I had a spot at their assessment day: being held on Wednesday.

At nine.

I think I’m going to have to have an early night, tomorrow night …

~≈§≈~

At any rate, having a free night tonight … ?

A night where I didn’t have to get to bed early for an early start?

Mean one thing.

A TV show.

By now?   You can possibly guess two things.

A)  I’ve seen the fourth episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time Series 2.

And B)?   I’ve got a certificate that lets me talk about it for hours.



~≈§≈~

Monday 18 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th February, 2019

18th February, 2019.


Yes: it’s true … 

I might well be jobhunting … but the world goes on, out there.

There’s been ongoing concern about Huawei.

With many counties in the English speaking world banning use of its products.

However?

There’s been another report, today: from the National Cyber Security Centre.

Who say any risks from Huawei’s kit are manageable … 

Personally?

Well … what can I tell you?

I’m no engineer.

But the fact BT, Vodaphone and others have expressed doubts should count for something.

~≈§≈~

Personally … ?

I’ve always felt that keeping an eye on some American companies products — Microsoft, Apple and Google’s operating systems, mostly — would be a good idea.

Most operating systems will be sending various amounts of data back to base: so that they can ‘improve your user experience.’

But there’s long been suspicions there’s more going on … 

So, in that sense … ?

The news that Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee feel Facebook and other social media sites should be more heavily regulated: partly to prevent a repeat of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, AND to stop repeats of Molly Russell’s death.

Is a good thing … 

But seems to ignore that telemetry issue.

And whether any data collected by Microsoft, Apple and Google would be handed to the US government.

To me, it seems mildly hypocritical to heavily monitor Chinese infrastructure companies … but not American ones … 

~≈§≈~

Sunday 17 February 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-2-2019: Madam Butterfly

17th February, 2019.


Yes … I’ve got a cold!

Damn it!

I am … well, in a very definite non-McDonalds way?

I’m not loving it.

I’ve also got an earworm: actually I’ve got a couple of them.

I’v got Helicopter, Helicopter and Breakfast — both from The Associates album, Perhaps — banging through my head: at complete cross-purposes … 

Oy … !


The only upside to those tunes … ?

Is that the late Billy McKenzie’s voice is still fantastic … even though the man himself is long gone.

~≈§≈~

Saturday 16 February 2019

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 3 — Tiempo de hidalgos/Time of hidalgos — A Review

16th February, 2019.


OK, ok … There’s actually three things I wanted to mention, right now.

The first?

While I’ve not upgraded to the Prime version, I do have the Spotify app on my iMac.

But there isn’t a version on my AppleTV.

Which I can cope with, frankly.

It means I can play you the soundtrack album for the film, Small Town Murder Songs.

Which is actually better than the film, I think.




It’s just a shame iTunes doesn’t have a facility to embed playlists: I’d’ve preferred a version from them … 

~≈§≈~

The next thing to mention … ?

Yes: the meagre savings I’ve used … ?

Have been spent on a few things.

DVDs and Blurays: which I wasn’t happy with.

And a whole pile of books: which, for the most part, I’m fine with.

The last of them … ?

The last of them, Dr Who and the Loch Ness Monster, in the original 1976, first edition, came today.

Funny old thing … it’s the book that got me reading.

When I was about eight — my nephew, Jude’s, age — my school ran what it called a book club.

A mail order book catalogue for school age kids, to try and get them reading.

My original copy went, long ago.

So frankly?   I’m glad to have another.

~≈§≈~

And finally … ?

The LAST thing I’m intent on mentioning … ?

Quite simply that I think I’m turning into what’s called a ministérico.

In other words?


Series 2, if you must know.

Episode three, as you’re asking … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-2-2019: Nylon

16th February, 2019.


It’s official: I’m convinced some of the the third part sellers on Amazon … ?

Wouldn’t know their rears from their elbows … !

With the last of my savings, I managed to order a couple of books, and a couple of DVDs.

The books?

So far, have been delivered on time.

The blu-ray I got … ?

Let’s just say I couldn’t access the subtitles, shall we?

The DVD version of Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam, was due last Tuesday … and didn’t turn up.

Me being me?   I kicked up a stink, and demanded a refund.

That’s going through, as we speak.

The actually DVD … ?

Turned up, yesterday … 

You can imagine my reaction …

~≈§≈~

Friday 15 February 2019

Star Trek Discovery Series 2 Episode 5: Saint of Imperfection — A Review

15th February, 2019.


Right … 

I think I’m tempted to boycott the rebooted version of Dune.

Have you seen the introductory video … ?

Let me try to summarise, if you’ve not hit the play button, then.

Jason Momoa — Games of Thrones, Aquaman, what have you — has been cast as Duncan Idaho.

He’ll be good …



Except … ?

As far as I’ve ever been able to tell, Duncan Idaho is supposed to be black: at least, of Afro-Caribbean descent.

So much for Hollywood’s diversity thing … 

~≈§≈~

On other fronts … ?

I had a DVD due in on Tuesday: Tuesday, note!



Der Golem, if you must know.

It didn’t turn up: so I asked for a refund.

That’s in motion … only for the DVD to turn up this morning … 

Am I the only person to think video piracy is a good idea … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At ANY rate, I wasn’t exactly expecting to wurble on about DVDs.

No: the most I was expecting to do was — possibly — bang on about Daleks.

Or possibly Zygons.

And THEN cut to the important bit.

The important bit … ?

Yes: I’ve been and seen the most recent episode of Star Trek: Discovery.

Episode 5, so you know: of Series 2.

You know … ?

I think I’m having issues … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily teaser — 15-2-2019: The Computer Is Your Friend

15th January, 2019.


Yes: it’s true.   The last of my savings have gone.

But … ?


But I’m now the proud owner of The Daleks: a reprint of the first Dr Who novel ever released.

I actually had a copy of the original 1965 edition, back in the day.


That copy’s long since gone … 

Kind of thankfully, actually: it was held together by spit and sellotape … !

Either way?   You can read more about it, here.

~≈§≈~

Thursday 14 February 2019

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 2 — El tiempo en sus manos/The time on his hands — A Review

14th February, 2019.


Right, OK: I’ll admit it, and confirm what my introductory post has said.

I have — with the minimal savings I had — managed to buy a book.

I’ve bought a few, over the past few weeks.

And own a lot more in my own personal library.

Right now though?

I’m just personally glad to own a copy of The Daleks: the novelisation of the first Dr Who story to feature the creatures.


Whilst the version I have is a reprint?   The original was published in 1964: and was the first Dr Who series to be released as a novel.

It’s ALSO somewhat different from the televised version: as Unearthly Child wasn’t novelised until the 1980s, it’s introduces us to Ian and Barbara in a different way: they meet for the first time, just outside a police box … on a fog shrouded common.

~≈§≈~

As you may or may not know … ?

I’ve actually read it, before.

Many years ago, I actually managed to pick up an original, 1965 paper back edition of the book: when it still went under the title of Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks.


Would you believe it, I’d found it at a scout jumble sale.

That original?   Was barely held together by sticky tape, was definitely not what you call mint … 

and is long since gone.

So … ?   Frankly, buying this edition is — to a certain extent — reliving my childhood.

But also interesting in another sense.

It’s me, having a lot at my favourite TV pho’s history: as an adult, rather than a slightly geeky teen.

Frankly?

I’m just wondering whether to put it at the top of my ‘To Read’ pile, or at the bottom.

We’ll see.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

Dr Who is not all I wanted to tell you about, tonight.

Not by a long shot.

Oh, no.

As you’ve possibly realised, I tend to like a TV series, now and again.

There’s a few I’ve kept an eye open for.


There’s others.

Of course there are.

Including the Spanish language series, El Ministerio del Tiempo: The Ministry of Time, to give it it’s English name.

I have to say, I started watching Series 2, last night.

Which, it has to be said, was a fantastic piece of work: one that demanded a second episode be JUST as good.

~≈§≈~

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 13 February 2019

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 1 — Tiempo de leyenda/Time of Legend.

13th February, 2019.


Time … 

Time being the operative, word, there.

As you know … ?

As you know, I’m jobhunting: so, occasionally?

You end up doing all sorts of things.

I’m very aware that this patch of unemployment?   Has left me wiping my surfaces more than I’m used to.   Wiping surfaces, and sweeping the floor.

I’d vacuum my carpet, as well.

If I could work out what’s wrong with my Hoover.

Hmmm … 

Now I think about it, I might just have to … you know … empty the bag.

At some point!

~≈§≈~

OK, the point that seems to be rapidly escaping from me … ?

Is simply this.

That I have time on my hands.

Time that I’ve tried to use productively.

I haven’t always done so, successfully.

Today, though?   Feels good: in that I’ve managed to do an online assessment for a potential employer, in Chelmsford.

I’ll admit: my confidence in my ability to do these things is not especially high.

We’ll have to see what happens, I think.

Wandering back to my point … ?

Today, I’ve had time to catch up with something that’s been sitting in my media collection, unwatched, until I found time.

Time, being the word.

Yes: I’ve spent this evening watching episode one of the second series of … 



~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th February, 2019

13th February, 2019.


Yep: I’ve been reading quite a bit, just recently.

Frankly?

I think the new spectacles are helping, there.

Right at the moment?

The proverbial book at bed time is Eric Idle’s autobiography.

He’s funny: he IS a Python, after all.

But boy … Eric Idle can’t half name drop … 

~≈§≈~

Oh … just as an afterthought … ?

I’ve actually lined up an interview on the 26th: at Romford Magistrates Court.

That’s the first in a couple of weeks, I know that.

I think there’s a phone assessment, first, though: but we’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

I actually had enough saved up to order a very cheap DVD copy of Der Golem from Amazon.

Which didn’t turn up when it was due: on Monday just gone.

And the third party seller who sold it to me?

Hasn’t got back to me.

You can bet there’s a Jeffmail going off … 

At some point … !

~≈§≈~