Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-12-20: The 2020 Review of the Year of Diseased Pariahs!

31st December, 2020.

Can you do me a huge favour?

Please?

Remind me to look up the government’s Cold Weather payment’s, at some point.

I should be eligible, I think.

Frankly?

Any extra help that comes is welcome.

It’s bloody cold!

~≈Ê≈~

Oh, I’m listening to Radio Four’s Today programme, at the mo.

Today’s guest editor, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, has commissioned a number of articles about Ubuntu: the South African belief in showing humanity to others.

Frankly, I’m hoping they mention the operating system* named for it.

But I’m not getting my hopes up!

~≈Ê≈~

Oh … just as a final thought … ?

My Amazon delivery’s here.

One?   I’ve been looking forward to getting those tongs!

Two?   I had to give the delivery driver a password!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2020: Frank Herbert

8th October, 2020

Yep: it’s sorted.

Assertively sorted.

So sorted, a very sorted person would turn around and say “That’s sorted, that is!”

Now … 

“What’s sorted,” I hear you ask?

I wish I knew!

~≈🤪≈~

To be more serious?   The one thing I have managed to sort out, is a refund.

I ordered a copy of the Patrick Troughton, Dr Who story, Fury from the Deep, from a third party seller on Amazon.

Which never turned up.

I have managed to organise a replacement: which is due on Monday.

Hopefully, that’s turn up!

~≈🤪≈~

Oh … I’ve also managed to finish my review of episode three of Watchmen.

If you get the chance, that is seriously worth watching!

~≈🤪≈~

Watchmen — Series 1 Episode 3 — She Was Killed by Space Junk — A Review

6th October, 2020.

Right … 

It has to be said: I watched episode 2 — Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemenship — of Watchmen, last week.

I watch it on Tuesday … and, having had the day I’d had?

Started the review on Tuesday evening.

Then went to bed: and finished the review on Wednesday.

Right at the moment … ?

It’s a Tuesday, I’ve just watched the third episode: and I’m going to do it again: get an early night.

But … ?

To keep myself motivated, I felt it important enough to get started on this write up.

Bed beckons.

But not before I tell you’ve seen the third episode of Watchmen, series one.

~≈🤪≈~

Watchmen — Series 1 Episode 2 — Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship — A Review

29th September, 2020.

Right … 

I have to confess, this is — quite possibly — going to be one of those posts I start tonight: on 29th September, 2020.

But may well finish, tomorrow.

In case you hadn’t guessed?

I got awakened, this morning, at just after 4 o’clock.

To find a drunk sleeping on my doorstep.

You can find out more about it in today’s Daily Teaser: here.

Yes: I ended up phoning the police.

Which is when my mysterious visitor decided to move on.

After swearing at me a lot.

Frankly, after all that … ?

I’m knackered: and going to bed.

But wanted to get started on this review: of what I’ve seen on TV, tonight.

Yes: I’ve seen episode two of Watchmen …

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th September, 2020.

26th September, 2020.

It’s official: I had just enough cash, yesterday, to have a haircut.

Something I’m thankful for, I know that.

I was getting … uncomfortable … let’s uptimes it that way.

And I managed to find the one barbers in town that was open, didn’t have a queue … and could do something straight away.

So that’s nice.

View this post on Instagram

Just had the hair done here …

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977) on Sep 25, 2020 at 4:04am PDT

~≈∑≈~

If you’re in the UK … ?

You’ll have seen news of the killing of police officer, Sgt. Matiu Ratana, yesterday.

By a drug dealer armed with a gun.

These events are incredibly rare: they last time a police officer was shot was in 2012.

I’ve got one question.

How on Earth did the dealer manage to shoot someone … with his arms handcuffed behind his back … ?

Dear god!

~≈∑≈~

I’m just listening to Radio 4’s Today programme, at the moment.

They’ve just had a fascinating — ish — piece about NASA’s latest fund-raising effort.

NASA’s going to let Estée Lauder shoot ads on the International Space Station.

“That’s one small step for man, one giant lap for blusher!”

As Neil Armstrong didn’t say!

In all honesty, though?

I know science — especially big science like the ISS, or CERN — need funds.

Raising cash through make-up ads?

Seems an odd way of doing it!

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th September, 2020.

25th September, 2020.

Yep: I’m going to looking at fish and chips, tonight.

I’ve got them in the freezer — at least, got the fish in the freezer — already.

All that needs … ?

Is home made chips.

~≈ß≈~

One thing I … 

No, scrub that.

Two things I know?

One is that the weather out looks terrible.

I think we can safely say Autumn’s coming.

Another … ?

Is that I’ve got a meeting today: with the Shaw Trust, the guys running the Work and Help Programme I’m on.

It’s not my usual case worker, I should add.

He’s on holiday.

How will it go?

We’ll have to see.

~≈ß≈~

As a third thing?

I’ve managed to picked up the blu-ray version of Fury from the Deep: the latest Patrick Troughton story to receive the reanimation treatment.

I’ll tell you what, I wish I’d managed to preorder the thing!

Amazon, itself, was charging £27·99, but have run out: so the third party sellers on the site are charging a fortune!

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd September, 2020.

23rd September, 2020.

Yes: I’ve had a late night.

Or, at least, comparatively late: compared to late nights I had when I was a teenager.

Isn’t is always the way?

At any rate … ?

I was up, watching Watchmen.

I have to say, I was impressed with Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and The Mandalorian.

Watchman?

Is a step or two above both.

~≈⇪≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2020: François Duvalier

22nd September, 2020. 

Right: I’ve now had the first face to face Job Centre meeting for quite some time.

It seemed to go well enough.

It’s

And I was able to get my gripes about the laptop situation off my chest.

Granted, I don’t think there’s much he could do about it.

Indeed, he said as much, himself: the programme’s arranged at a national level, so any local complaints really don’t register.

Something I though would be the case.

It — if I’ve understood how it works, correctly — works like the Work Programme I was on, many years ago.

Both get/got paid to take us on from the Job Centre.   Both get/got their expenses covered by the Government.   Both get/got a bonus if they find us a job.

And, right now?   I’m convinced I’m going to come out of the other end of the Shaw Trust’s Health and Work Programme … 

As jobless as I went into it, and its predecessor.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-9-2020: 21 Seconds to Go.

21st September, 2020. 

Right … It’s officially the case I have a meeting with my Job Centre case worker, today.

And not over the phone, for once: in person, at the Job Centre.

I’m … 

Well, I’m not looking forward to the walk up Warley Hill.

As Old Peculiar Regular, Debbi Mack will tell you, it’s not steep, compared to San Francisco, but it’s steep enough for me.

The upside … ?

Is that I get out of the house … and quietly have a word about the Shaw Trust.

I’m still not exactly pleased about the laptop situation … 

~≈fi≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-9-2020: Greta Garbo.

18th September, 2020.

Right: it’s official.

Those of us who use Blogger as our main blogging platform have now been permanently switched to the new Blogger interface.

Without having been given a specific date for that to happen: just a generic advisor.

I’m … 

Well, I’m not happy.   Although I’ll give Google credit for tidying up some aspects.

I’ll adjust … 

But it’s a definite pain.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-9-2020: The National Football League

17th September, 2020.

Yep: I managed to finish watching Des, last night.

And … ?

I think I’ve just seen one hell of a series.

Last night’s episode covered the trial.

Actually, I remember the trial!

As I recall, the newspaper coverage of the psychiatric elements of the trial were quite something.

From what I remember, there were arguments about whether Nilsen had Borderline Personality Disorder, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder, what either of them were … and whether they actually existed.

Yes: I can see why David Tennant’s getting the plaudits he is.

He’s done his usually fantastic job.

That’s … 

Actually unsurprising: it’s David Tennant.

We expect the man to do a fantastic job: which he has, in his take on the serial killer.

Like I say, it’s unsurprising.

The actor who does get my praise is Daniel Mays.

I first saw him in Outcasts, many year ago.

And didn’t necessarily come away impressed with him, or it.

The things I’ve seen him in, since, though?

Have been definitely better choices.

Des?

Was an utter winner, in that sense.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-9-2020: Di Lauro

16th September, 2020

Right … I’m officially baby sitting my nephew, this afternoon.

Which will be fun and games!

Or, at least, see a hell of a lot of videos by Jelly, being watched.

It should be an interesting afternoon.

~≈§≈~

I can’t help but notice — the UK’s Justice Secretary is getting interviewed on Radio 4’s Today programme as we speak — that the Government’s announced it will be toughening prison sentences.

Violent offenders will have to serve more of their sentence.

Younger offenders will be given longer sentences.

What have you.

From where I’m sitting?

That means more offenders in prison … alongside no announcements about building more prisons.

What am I not surprised?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-9-2020: Rather Corse

15th September, 2020.

It’s got to be said, I had an early late night, last night.

I was up … watching TV: and didn’t do a review.

I saw the first episode of the ITV miniseries, Des, last night.

I didn’t review it: in part, because crime series aren’t usually something I’d usually cover for the blog.

And partly?   Because — knowing me — I’d actually finish the review, and get to bed, by two in the morning!

Saying that … ?

The actually episode itself?   The episode covers Nilsen’s original arrest: after human remains were found in the drains of his flat*.

It’s beautifully done, with the main cast — David Tennant as Nilsen, Daniel Mays as DCI Peter Jay and Jason Watkins as Nilsen’s biographer, Brian Masters† — being absolutely riveting.

I have to say, the last few things I’ve Daniel Mays in, he’s impressed me.

I first saw him in Outcasts, many years ago: which was god awful.

He has, thankfully, picked up better scripts: choosing ones where he can play the everyman, and play the part very well.

In doing so … ?   Managed to get himself cast, up against an on-form David Tennant:  playing a sympathetically creepy killer.

And up against Jason Watkins, playing a killer obsessed Masters.

All of this in a script that’s taking its stylistic cues from Chernobyl.

Frankly?   I’ll be watching episode two … 

~≈Ù≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th September, 2020.

14th September, 2020.

It’s official: it’s Monday morning … 

And I still have 21 Second To Go banging around my head!

Frankly?

The only song that’s earwormed me for longer … ?

Is Jessica Lange’s version of The Name Game.

Come back Lana Banana, all is forgiven … !

~≈†≈~

I mentioned a couple of days ago, that a bag of human remains had been found in a river.

In the believe it may — may — be linked to a possibly serial killer.

So far?   And as far as I know?

No other bodies have been found.

On the other hand?

According to the most recent piece of news I’ve seen?

No one’s been able to identify the remains … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th September, 2020.

13th September, 2020.

It’s official: I’ve got up with another earworm.

Yep!

21 Seconds, by the So Solid Crew.

Which, it has to be said, is still a bloody good tune.

I have to admit, though: I’ve got this bad habit — following the silly nicknames given to the Spice Girls — of giving various band members as a silly nicknames.

I’ve been thinking of the Bangles as Happy Bangle, Sad Bangle, Pouty Bangle and Wiggly Bangle for years, for example.

Wiggly Bangle

Sad Bangle

Pouty Bangle

Happy Bangle

With the end result?

Megaman’s now officially Hat Solid … 

Um … 

Hat Solid

~≈¥≈~

As a final quick though?

I’m looking for to pay day.

I can just about afford a copy of Fury From the Deep, the missing Patrick Troughton Dr Who story to be re-animated.

It get’s released, tomorrow: so I’ll have a bit of a wait.

The sooner I get it, the happier I’ll be.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th September, 2020.

12th September, 2020.

Right: I’ve finally finished the first season of The Mandalorian: having caught the last episode, last night.

It’s got to be said, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

What’s more?

There’s a potential new villain … 

Does that cutting tool look familiar … ?

Hmmm … 

~≈Ì≈~

I have to admit, I got tinkering, when I was writing the review of that episode.

I’ve been tinkering with the new Blogger interface: and not found it totally to my liking.

There’s no way of embedding YouTube videos into a post: in what’s called Compose mode.

As it turns out … ?

You can insert embed code in what’s called HTML mode.

Which looks like this: 

And is very intimidating, if you’re not used to it.

Last night’s Mandalorian post looks OK, but took a lot of jumping about.

Which means I’m going to take a bit of time, using the new interface for the Teasers.

~≈Ì≈~

The Mandalorian — Series 1 Chapter 8 — Redemption — A Review

11th September, 2020.

OK … 

I can safely say two things, at the moment.

I’ve had dinner.

Fish and chips, if you must know.

And, right now?   I’m telling you that: through the medium of my blog.

Obviously.

The mild difference?

Is that I’m experimenting with the new Blogger interface.

At the moment, there’ll be a time when I won’t be able to use the legacy version.

So?

Frankly, getting slowly used to the new version — when I don’t have to use it — seems fair enough.

Right now, though?

I have understandable concerns.

I suspect that I won’t be able to use the prepared html links I usually use, nor YouTube embed code.

I have’ve over the past few weeks, I know that.

In that sense?

There’s little change from there.

There is, however, one page that tells me I can use the embed code … if I switch between HTML, and COMPOSE mode: the pen icon in the top left hand corner in this photo.

HTML mode looks like this … 

If you’re not used to it … ?

That can be very confusing!

However?

That isn’t necessarily want I wanted to tell you.

You’d possibly guessed.

No, I wanted to tell you about what I’ve just seen on TV.

Yes: the last episode in series one of  The Mandalorian.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th September, 2020.

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-9-2020: The X Files.

10th September, 2020.

Right, it’a officially the case: I have an official eye check-up, today*.

I’m diabetes, if you didn’t know: which means I have to have my eyes checked on a regular basis.

Diabetes can turn you blind, if you’re not careful.

Frankly?   I’m not looking forward to it.

But, considering how important it is?

Well, needs much, an’ all that.

~≈†≈~

You’re possibly aware I’ve written a couple of pieces for the local radio station’s website.

I’ve now written a third.

You can find that, here.

Let me know if it makes sense, folks!

~≈†≈~

Just as a final thought?

The trailer for Dune, part one, is now out.

And makes the film look halfway decent.

I think I’d like to see this at the cinema: it looks impressive …

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-9-2020: The Boxer Rebellion

7th September, 2020.

Right … 

I’ve officially finished the last bit of laundry.

And … ?

I’ve reached the conclusion that regular Old Peculiar reader, Nina, has a good point.

Boiling washing you teatowels, occasionally, helps.

Long story, before you ask.

All I need now?

Is a separate pot to wash them in.

If anyone’s got £30 going spare, I’d appreciate hearing about it!

So would Amazon!

~≈¥≈~

At any rate: if you’ve seen today’s video introduction?

I’ve got — or had — a song playing around my head, all morning.

And, post Mandalorian?

It’s got a Baby Yoda remix … 

Hey ho!

~≈¥≈~