Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st March 2025.

31st March, 2025.

Right … it’s officially early, on what’s officially Monday morning.

And … ?

I’m up early: again.

Yes: I’m off to my weight management meeting, today.

Desperately hoping I’ve lost weight: last week’s weigh gain was a little too big for my comfort … !

~≈⚖️≈~

At any rate, getting up this early, after the clocks went forward?

Is nice.

As it means waking up in the dark.

There’s something a little romantic about that … 

~≈❤️≈~

That’s a good thing … 

English pharmacies will have a new service: free morning after pills for those who need them.

I think that’s going to be a much needed service: there’s always going to be a need for it, I think.

But … ?

I’m also aware Britain’s had a history of pro-life protestors, blocking abortion clinics.

And wondering if we’ll see them outside the local chemist.

I doubt it.

I doubt we’ll see it.

I seriously doubt it’ll happen.

I hope I’m right … !

~≈⚚≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th March, 2025.

30th March, 2025.

It’s officially official: the clocks have gone forward … !

And I’ve had an extra hour in bed.

At least, I think I have.

I could never work that out!

~≈⌚️≈~

You’ll remember that Friday saw me spending time with my nephew: and having a good time.

Until Deliveroo got involved.

The meal we’d ordered was half an hour late, getting to us an hour after we’d ordered it: rather than the promised twenty to thirty minutes.

Thankfully?

And after figuring out the complaints system … ?

Deliveroo have agreed to refund the money.

It will go through, I’m told, ‘in 5-7 working days, depending on your bank’.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈🪙≈~

Just as a last thought, if you’re following the t-shirt story: about the t-shirt I’ve ordered … ?

They’ve updated me, again.

It’s now in Woodbridge.

In New Jersey* … 

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th March 2025.

29th March, 2025.

Did I mention my nephew, Jude, was over, last night?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

So … ?

Of course he’s added a video: he and his friends wanted to show how to do horrible things to electronic chickens …

At any rate … ?

We had take away — fish, chicken nuggets, chips — from a chip shop in Brentwood High Street, ordered through Deliveroo.

It took an hour to get here: from a chip shop half a mile away.

I was angry, Jude was hungry, and Ruth — my sister, and Jude’s mother — was distinctly underwhelmed.

So, of course, I’ve put in a complaint.

I don’t know if anything positive will happen, as a result, though.

Partly?

Because I’m not sure I’ve used the complaint system, correctly.

But partly?

Because, I suspect, it’s going to take Deliveroo a while to get things moving.

And … ?

Because I suspect Deliveroo are going to blame the chip shop, who are going to blame the delivery driver … who’s going to blame the traffic … !

I’m … 

Well, I’d like the money back.

But suspect it’s going to take a while.

~≈🍟≈~

Oh, did I mention I’ve got a Judge Dredd themed t-shirt on route?

I’ve got a Judge Dredd themed t-shirt on route.

Just so you know.

And … ?

I had the official “Track You Order” email in.

Yes: you’re right.

The t-shirt’s still in a facility in North Carolina.

Heigh-ho … !

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th March 2025.

28th March, 2025.

Hmmm … 

I think I got that right … 

I’ve finished a review, so you know: of the first episode of classic Dr Who story, The Savages.

And … ?

I’ve managed, for the most part, to press all the right buttons.

Bar the slightly faster than it should be theme tune, I’ve got the colour saturation right, and managed to get the green screen fringing reduced.

 And forgot to press the right buttons in this morning’s intro video!

Heigh ho … !

~≈😯≈~

Did I mention have accounts with two different banks?

My main one’s with one bank: a subsidiary one with another.

The main one’s Brentwood branch closes in September: but, from what I’m told, I can use the Brentwood branch of another bank — one owned by the same company — to do day to day things.

Mostly, withdrawing cash.

So that’s ok.

The other bank closed for refurbishment, recently: as it had expanded into the empty shop, next door.

It reopened, yesterday.

I’ll tell you what: I don’t think I’ve seen a queue like that since the original Star Wars opened.

~≈🏦≈~

Doctor Who — The Savages — Episode 1 — A Review

26th March, 2025: Doctor Who — The Savages.

Yes: it’s officially official.

It’s a Wednesday.

And … ?

I seem to have a lot of time on my hands.

But you knew that: if you’ve been following both my blog, and my YouTube channel, for a while.

So … ?

What with one review after another?

I’ve been trying to keep myself busy.

To the point I’ve bought something from Amazon.

Yes: I’ve now own Scream of the Shalka: and will watch that at some point.

But, before I go near that … ?

I’ve also — as you’ve noticed — got a copy of the classic Dr Who story, The Savages: the most recently released re-animated story and the last to feature Peter Purves as Steven Taylor.

Frankly?

I’ve been looking forward to this for a while … 

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-3-2025 — World Theatre Day.

27th March, 2025: World Theatre Day.

Right then: it’s Wednesday.

And I might — might — have a haircut.

Please notice I say ‘might’.

On the other hand … ?

I might just spend what little money I have on a takeaway.

On the third hand?

I might just save it for a rainy day.

I just don’t know.

~≈🪙≈~

Just so you know?

I caught the first episode of Classic Dr Who series, The Savages, last night.

It’s looking good, so far: but there’s possibly one or two points to address.

Either way?

I should have my review done, by tonight.

~≈🦉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-3-2025 — The Book of Mormon.

26th March, 2025: The Book of Mormon.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And … ?

The introduction video makes me look a little green.

That filter doesn’t work the way I was expecting it, to.

I was expecting the storm background to show up!

~≈❇️≈~

If you’re out of a job, you’re claiming benefits: especially if you’ve got associated health issues.

I am: if you hadn’t guessed.

So … ?

Anything that affects out minimal income is worrying.

The UK’s current Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is due to make her Spring Statement, today.

And is expected to make further cuts to the welfare bill.

Personally … ?

That’s worrying.

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th March 2025.

25th March, 2025.

Right … 

It’s now, officially, Tuesday.

Which means we can excitedly jump up and down.

If we want to.

Or won’t look strange.

What have you … !

~≈😳≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve got an unboxing video done, if you’re interested.

The contents of that package … ?

Are currently being ripped with my copy of HandBrake.app: and it’s taking around fifteen minutes or so to transcode each episode.

It’s fast, in other words.

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

I am knackered: after a late night posting videos.

I’ve finally finished another review.

And, as enjoyable as watching Close Encounters was … ?

Making the video version of the review with DaVinci Resolve was fiddly.

Yes: there’s a good tonal range of effects and transitions.

And I think I’ve worked out how to reduce the fringing one gets using green screen in the app.

But … ?

Going on what happened, last night, and a few comments I’ve seen online, this version of DaVinci — 19.1.4 — seems a touch buggy.

It managed to lose the media I was working on, last night, and freeze: meaning I had to reset everything.

And it crashed this morning.

Yes: it’s got more options than iMovie.

But iMovie’s far more stable!

~≈✩≈~

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Theatrical cut) — A Review

23rd March, 2025: Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Right … 

It’s not often I watch two films over the course of a weekend.

But?

It’s another quiet night.

And, frankly?

I fancied a film.

Or, at least, another film: having already caught the 2024 version of Nosferatu, in the past few days.

Yes: of course there’s things I’d rather be doing.

But?

I’ll settle for watching a film.

And … ?

Given that I’ve already seen the Director’s Cut?

I felt retreading old ground could be appropriate.

~≈🛸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th March 2025.

24th March, 2025.

Right then … it’s Monday morning.

And, of course, I’m up early.

Mondays are Weight Management day: and I’m hoping I’ve lost some!

~≈⚖️≈~

Just so you know?

Post Nosferatu, I’ve seen another movie!

Hopefully, I’ll have the review up by tomorrow: but … ?

See if you can guess what I watched … !

~≈👽≈~

Hmmm … 

Overnight?

I had a comment on this Teaser post.

One that discussed the idea the US president was a Russian agent: and trying to sell a book about it.

The president’s a lot of things.

Including an idiot.

And possibly an agent for Putin.

But … ?

I felt the commenter was only interested in selling their book: rather than any kind of conversation about the idea.

I pressed ‘Delete’ … 

~≈␡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd March 2025.

23rd March, 2025.

Yes: you’re right.

It’s Sunday morning!

And I’ve got Radio 4’s Sunday programme on.

Which is focusing, at the moment, on online Christian services.

Apparently?

The Methodists have been leading the field, it seems.

~≈⛪︎≈~

At any rate … ?

Did I mention I’ve started using DaVinci Resolve as an alternative video editor?

I’ve started using DaVinci Resolve as an alternative video editor … in case I hadn’t mentioned.

I’m still getting the hang of it: and wondering how to reduce the inevitable fringing I get, compositing green screen elements into a project.

That said … ?

It’s not stopped me using the software to make the introductory video to the post: nor stopped me writing a review of Nosferatu, and turning that into a video.

I hope it’s good!

~≈🧛🏻‍♂️≈~

Nosferatu (2024) — A Review

20th March, 2025: Nosferatu (2024).

It has to be said: I’m in a mood.

For various reasons.

But … ?

With little to do, I’m in a mood to do something I haven’t done for a while.

One … ?

Play with software.

I’ve got hold of a copy of DaVinci Resolve, just recently: and wanted to play with it.

So … ?   Filming a review seems a good idea.

Second?

Watching a movie seemed good, too: even if I get this finished by Saturday, 22nd March.

I can only hope the Robert Eggers, 2024, version of Nosferatu is good to watch.

I wasn’t totally convinced by the original.

~≈🧛🏿≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd March 2025.

22nd March, 2025.

Hmmm … 

I don’t often repost random bits of news … but it seems Oleg Gordievsky has died at the age of 86.

You’ve never heard of him, have you … ?

I hadn’t either: until a few years ago.

When anyone mentions Soviet defectors, you can ignore the likes of Baryshnikov, or Comăneci.

They were, respectively, a dancer and a gymnast.

Gordievsky was a defecting KGB officer.

And — going by the information he’s said to have brought with him? — prevented a war.

That’s a bit more impressive than doing a plié … !

~≈🕵🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st March 2025.

21st March, 2025.

I have to admit, it’s pay day: so … ?

I’m going to be off shopping and bill paying, later.

Which will be so much fun, I’ll get over-excited!

Yeah: you can me getting ironic, there, can’t you?

~≈🙃≈~

At any rate … I’ve got a review in progress: as I watched Robert Eggers’ 2024 remake of Nosferatu, last night.

I’ve also got the video version of the review planned.

With a provisional timeline set up in DaVinciResolve.

The same software I’ve used for the intro video at The top of this post.

There’s upsides: the free version is remarkably feature-rich.

Although I’ve yet to work out how to fade audio tracks in and out.

The only other downsides, for me?

Is that there’s some noticeable green fringing in the videos I made with it: more than I’ve seen in their iMovie equivalents.

And DaVinci lacks the quality outputs iMovie has: although it does have presets for various platforms.

We’ll have to see what I can do, there!

~≈🧑‍🎨≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve been reading the collected MACH1 comics: from my misspent, 2000AD reading, youth.

The character is a British equivalent to the Bionic Man.

I’ve got to the episode where the main character’s predecessor, MACH0, is introduced.

And?

When I saw the original image of 0, a thought struck me.

That the image reminded me, vaguely, of the anti-semitic cartoons published by the Nazis, in 1930s Germany.

I can only hope that was accidental!

~≈☹️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-3-2025 — World Frog Day

20th March, 2025: World Frog Day.

Right … 

It’s now Thursday, the Spring equinox and World Frog Day.

The world’s excitement is either off the scale …

Or non-existant.

Either way?

I’ve posted a video, yesterday: of a bit of unboxing.

I’ve also done an experimental version of that video: with the free copy of DaVinci Resolve.

Why DaVinci?

Especially as I’m more familiar with iMovie, and can work quickly with it.

Well … 

Mostly because I fancied a change.

And both the free and paid for version of the app have reputations for being powerful for their size.

My only issues, so far?

Finding out how to use green screen compositing was tricky: some of the buttons were hard to find.

The transitions are good: but need figuring out.

There doesn’t seem to be audio fade-in/fade out options: at least, that I could see.

We’ll have to see what happens.

~≈🧑‍🎨≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th March 2025

19th March, 2025.

Yay!

Wednesdays!

Whoopie!

Ahem!

Yes: it’s Wednesday.

And, frankly, I’m up early.

Yes: I’m off to the hygienist, again!

~≈🦷≈~

It’s also try to say that my nephew, Jude, was over last night.

Yes: there’s another video made.

One that was something of a learning experience for us.

We now know exactly how long it takes to edit and upload  roughly thirty-seven minutes of 4k video to YouTube.

Quite a while!

~≈🎰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March 2025.

18th March, 2025.

Right, then … 

It’s official!

I’ve got an earworm, this morning: the Kalush Orchestra’s hit, “Stefania”.

Why?

Why “Stefania”?

I don’t know.

But I’m not going to be wearing a pink hat, as a result.

~≈🧢≈~

It’s got to be said: I like a computer or two.

And, frankly?

Have had a spare, cheap, laptop I can use: lurking around the flat.

Although that seems to have gone for a Burton.

Why?

Well, I don’t know that, either!

But?

Given I have an unsold monitor going spare?

An extra one could be handy.

I would love to own a Raspberry Pi 500

I’d love to own one.

If for no other reason than to say I’ve got a computer built into a keyboard: and one of Britain’s best selling.

You have to wave the flag, somehow!

~≈⌨️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday.

My weight’s not changed.

Hopefully, I’ll’ve lost something, by next week.

Either way … ?

The meeting had changed room for the day: and is back to normal, next week.

The reason it changed?

Was that there was a charity slipper swap in the usual room.

You took an old pair in: and got a free, new, pair in return.

I’m wearing that new pair.

OK: they’re not perfect.

But I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

~≈🐴≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-3-2025 — Saint Patrick’s Day

17th March, 2025: Saint Patrick’s Day.

Right … words … … … 

There have to be words, right?

That describes things, ideas, what have you.

The one I’ve got in mind is the word, ‘earworm’.

It’s the word used to describe a song — or a snatch of one — playing in your head.

I don’t have one: well, bar the usual Tammy Wynette/KLF tune, blasting through my head.

But I did wake up, this morning: with the word ‘Terpsichore’ — terp-SI-co-ry, if I’ve got the pronunciation, right — banging through my head.

Why … ?

I have no idea.

Beyond catching a clip from the film, Xanadu, yesterday.

Olivia Newton-John plays a version of the figure: which — I think! — is what put the word in my head.

My point, in the midst of all this rambling?

Is this: ‘earworm’ is the word for a song that’s stuck in your head.

What on Earth is the word for a word that’s stuck in your head … ?

I’m blowed if I know.

~≈😶≈~

All that … ?

Is, possibly, besides the point.

It’s Monday.

And, as ever, I’m up early.

It’s officially weight management day.

So?

It has to be said: it’s not in its usual room at Merrymeades, today: it’s upstairs.

Apparently, there’s a slipper swop in the usual room.

I might have to take my ratty old pair along: to see what happens!

~≈👣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-3-2025 — The Number 75.

16th March, 2025: the Number 75.

Right … it’s officially Sunday morning.

And … ?

Things are in the air: as they usually are.

Personally?

I’m looking forward to Monday morning.

I always tend to feel slightly lost, on Sundays.

I can only assume that’s a hold-over from my childhood: all the shops would shut on Sunday afternoon, and very little else would be open.

Ho-hum!

~≈🏬≈~

At any rate … ?

I know that the government had been planning to freeze some benefits: including Personal Independence Payments, one of the benefits I’m on.

Something I believe has been floated, to fund various defence measures.

At any rate … ?

I’d manage: hundreds wouldn’t.

However … ?

And as this piece from the BBC’s news site tells us?

There’s a rebellion brewing: as many concerned Labour MPs are concerned about it.

And that ministers are thinking of a u-turn: and thinking of not enforcing the charges.

Good for them.

My only other concern from the piece?

Are the usual words.

According to a Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson who says reform “… helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment.”

Going on my own personal experience?

Welfare reforms don’t help you find work.

Companies offering you a job you can do, and can get to, helps you find work.

Companies aren’t exactly doing that.

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-3-2025 — David Cronenberg

15th March, 2025: David Cronenberg.

I have to say, I had a nice day, yesterday: company, light shopping, what have you.

This morning … ?

I’ve woken up to two things going off.

One?

I had to retune the TV.

Occasionally, it loses the BBC channels, and needs to be manually re-tuned.

That got me swearing.

On top of that … ?

The boiler pressure dropped to zero: which meant not heating or hot water.

Thankfully, the engineer who fixed the boiler the last time this happened had shown me what to do.

So I could correct that, as well.

But … ?

I can’t help but think the over night temperature had something to do with the boiler pressure.

And I did a lot of cursing, this morning.

~≈🥶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-3-2025 — My Name Is Michael Caine

14th March, 2025: Michael Caine.

Yay!

It’s Friday … !

Which means we can do our best impression of a bunch of happy munchkins.

On a more serious note … ?

I’m very aware of the UK’s National Health Service.

I, like most of the country, rely on the service to stay healthy: and have family working in a local surgery.

So … ?

Yesterday’s announcement from the Prime Minister, that he was going to abolish NHS England — the arm’s-length body that runs the English branch off the NHS — and take the organisation back under central government control.

It’s a cost cutting measure, I think.

But?

A slightly worrying one.

This could affect the healthcare of many.

And directly affect my family.

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th March 2025.

13th March, 2025.

Yes: that’s right … !

It’s Thursday!

And I suspect that — on a personal front — it’s going to be a quiet one.

Unlike I do something drastic: like, I don’t know, make goulash!

Or spaghetti!

Or dinner … !

We’ll have to see what happens, there.

~≈¥≈~

A little while back, MP, Mike Amesbury, was prosecuted for assault.

Famously, he was suspended from his party, and had an on-again, off-again, sentence.

Personally?   I’d’ve been happier if he’s done his ten week sentence: why should an MP, an MP who’s supposed to know better, not do time?

When his sentence was revised on appeal, it looked to me as if he were being let off because he was an MP.

At any rate … ?

He’s now announced he’s to stand down as an MP.

Good.

If you’re an MP, you’re supposed to serve your constituents … not assault people.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th March 2025.

12th March, 2025.

Right … I’m up early … again!

Yep: I’m back to the hygienist, today.

And have a video conference with my Job Centre case worker: an hour and a half, later.

Which means I only have to go up and down Warley Hill, once …

Ho hum!

~≈🪥≈~

Just as a thought … ?

#GNUTerryPratchett.

If you know, you know …

~≈💀≈~