Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th November, 2018

28th November, 2018.

Yes: it’s another Wednesday morning.

And … ?

Yes, it’s possibly going to be jolly.

Or Folly.

Or Holly.

And possibly other things ending in Olly.

At any rate … ?

I’m seriously thinking I want to track down the original Channel Four TV film that created Max Headroom.

It bothers me I’ve never actually seen the thing!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th October, 2018

27th October, 2018.

Yes, it’s true.

It’s early: after all, I’m off to work, today.

And … ?

One way or the other, it’s two early to have an earworm.

Especially if the only way to get rid of it is to play it to you … !

~≈§≈~

A few months ago, Tyler Barriss phoned police in Kansas: telling them he was holding hostages.

And gave the police a false address: a rival Call of Duty player’s.

Barriss is facing charges.

More charges, in fact.

Personally?

I’m British, and think armed police is a hideous idea.

But have never seen their part in this as a bad thing: they were, after all, doing what they were trained to do in an armed hostage situation.

But I’m glad Mr Barriss is being charged.

This sort of prank?

Is not good.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th October, 2018

13th October, 2018.

Right, I have seriously got too post this, as quickly as possible.

It’s a work day: where I’m doing a long shift.

So the one day of the week I didn’t want to do what I actually did.

Forget to put my alarm on!

~≈§≈~

The one thing I DID want to mention … ?

Was the very sad death of games designer, Greg Stafford.

The man will be much missed by his family.

But will missed by the games community.

Creating Chaosium as a company was one thing.

But in helping design RuneQuest, and its background world, Glorantha?

He made something very special: not just your bog-standard Tolkienesque background.

And forced other companies to start releasing games with background.

He leaves one very special legacy.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2018

24th June, 2018.

Yes: it’s a Sunday: one where I’ve actually had something approaching sleep.

Which helps: as it’s a Sunday where I’m up early to get to work for nine.

Fair enough.

But, given the delays on the train, this week?

I’m concerned that today — as the past few Sundays — there’s going to be a bus replacement service … 

As lovely as a bus ride is … ?

I’d rather be on the train.

It is, in these situations?

Quicker … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th May, 2018

25th May, 2018.

Yes: I had a day off, yesterday.

And frankly?

It’s one I spent in Brentwood Theatre, would you believe?   Watching my kid sister, Ruth — Jude’s Mum, in other words — in the chorus of the Brentwood Operatic Society’s production of Spamalot, would you believe?

Rather entertaining, that.

And also positive proof that at least one member of the family knows how to overact with a fish* … !

~≈§≈~

Just as a complete sidestep, here?

Have you been watching Humans, on Channel Four?

It’s a fascinating little series, now on it’s third season: and one I record religiously, to watch back later.

My only complaint?

Is literally that I have to record it.

Rather than watch it on my Apple TV.

In theory?   If I had an iPad, I could download the Channel Four Catchup app, and stream the show over to the Apple TV.

Problem solved.

Except I don’t actually have an iPad.

If the show were on the BBC, ITV or Channel Five, it wouldn’t be an issue: they all have catchup apps for the Apple TV.

A lot of the main UK TV services do.

Except Channel Four.

It’s frustrating, annoying, deeply disappointing … 

And, these days?

Something that puts me off watching Channel Four’s output.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th May, 2018: Nicaea.

20th May, 2018

Quite literally it’s going to be one of this days.

For one thing … ?

For some reason, I couldn’t upload a photo, today.

At least, not at first.

Quite what’s going on there?

I really couldn’t tell you … !

~≈§≈~

Now … did anyone else catch the Royal Wedding, yesterday?

We (sneakily) had it on at work: in the background.

Obviously.

Frankly?   I know there’s been cynical comments about the couple.

But equally as frankly?   If Harry and Meghan weren’t a couple obviously devoted to each other?

I’m a duck!

~≈§≈~

I’m ALSO aware that I managed to miss what sounds like it was the highlight of the day: the sermon given by Bishop Michael Curry.

It sounds like it was quite the thing.

And, one day … ?

I’ll sit down and watch the whole thing!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th April, 2018

27th April, 2018.

Yep … 

It’s official: Tetris on a tablet is … distracting!

Especially when you’re trying to beat someone else score!

It’s … 

Well … 

~≈§≈~

On other fronts … ?

It seems Rick Dickinson has died in the US: whilst having cancer treatment.

That’s sad: for those of us of a certain age.

Dickinson’s the man that designed the ZX80, ZX81, and ZX Spectrum.

As such?

He’s part of the reason Britain spawned a generation of coders.

He’ll be missed.

~≈§≈~

That’s before we get to another piece of news.

President Trump is due to visit rhe UK in July of this year.

Can I take this chance to encourage chuck eggs at the silly idiot?

Or, at least, rotten tomatoes.

I’d rather he didn’t turn up, but if he MUST, I’d rather we dropped a hint … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2018

19th April, 2018.

I’m very aware that regular reader, Olga, has already read this post.

And that her fellow regular, Debbi — along with her partner, Rick — will have seen the junction near me: and be aware of how narrow the road is.

It always bears mentioning, though.

For as long as I’ve lived on Rollason Way, I’ve been concerned about emergency vehicle access to my street.

I’m convinced the mix of the narrowness of the streets, and the amount of cars parked on it will delay fire engines, in particular.

And contribute to someone’s death.

Yesterday?

Someone made that worse … 

We have a building going up in Saint James Road.   Extra flats that will add more cars to the on street parking: along with the greater congestion.

Well … 

The workmen building that building?

Have narrowed the road, temporarily, in order to carry on the site.

Personally … ?

I couldn’t walk on that bit of pavement, before the cones went up: because of the number of parked cars.

I — temporarily — can’t walk on that pavement, because of the building site’s blocking of it.

I think a Vogon constructor fleet would be welcome: so long as it just demolished that site.

Because, frankly?

This will decrease emergency vehicle access.

That is good … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th April, 2018

17th April, 2018,

For some time … ?

I’ve had a basic belief.

That computer security — at a national level — is a bit … 

Nationalistic.   Incorrectly applied nationalistic.

Just to give you an idea pf what I mean … ?

The BBC ran this piece, yesterday: telling us that an arm of GCHQ — Government Communications Headquarters — have declared Chinese company, ZTE, is a security threat.

The company is one of China’s biggest, makes both phone handsets, terminals … and the infrastructure networks that carry signals from them, to the rest of the network.

The fear is … ?

That ZTE’s building of a lot of networks gives them unparalleled access to sensitive UK information. And that they can pass this, easily, to the Chinese government.

Personally?

I don’t it doubt for a minute.

I also know Russia is having a finger pointed at it, recently: with awareness that it’s carryout out various shades of cyberwarface.

Personally … ?

I’m very aware many servers will be using a mix of Linux-based or Microsoft server software,  various shades of cloud storage — storage not controlled in-house — and operating systems from US companies.   

All this?   All this, and many of us will be using computers, and mobile devices, running US software.

Apart from Facebook?   Or companies like Cambridge Analytica?

Who’s got access to that?

Given this piece, I’m aware — and unsurprised — that Britain is carrying out cyber attacks on Islamic State.

I believe that we may be right to complaint about shady Chinese or Russian cyber-activity.

I also feel that we’re vulnerable to US cyber-espionage.

Through the phones, tablets, laptops and desktops we use everyday.

Ignoring that?

Is stupid.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th April, 2018

9th April, 2018.

Yep: I’ve officially got some thing of a big day ahead of me.

And, wouldn’t you know it?

My innards are playing up!

They should — hopefully — be able to persuade them to calm down: in order to get on with my day.

Right now?

Right now, I’ve an appointment, today: at Basildon Hospital.

For a CT scan, to make sure of my arterial function.   The veins and arteries going into and out of my heart.

I’m … 

Nervous: I’ve never actually had this sort of scan, although I’ve seen something of what happens on TV.

Here’s hoping it goes well.   I may just take a book.

~≈§≈~

The Third Man — A Review

31st March, 2018.

Yes … 

As I open the text of this post?

With just the word, ‘yes,’ accompanied but those three little dots that tell you there’s a significant … … pause.

Well, you have to get little Pinteresque, once you’ve turned fifty.

At any rate: I’ve had some time off ill, with what boils down to a trapped facial nerve.

Makes eating cornflakes fun.

At any rate?

Tonights marks a Saturday night where I’m not getting an early night … AND have had some time off.

AND finished a box set: The Man in the High Castle’s second season, if you’re interested.

And … ?

“And?” I hear you say?



And I sat down with a movie: so you know.

Something I’ve been meaning to watch for a while: the Carol Reed film that is … 

The Third Man …

~≈§≈~