Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th October, 2021.

8th October, 2021

Oh, that’s better!

I’ve now how a hair cut: from a local barbers.

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My head’s looking better, already.

All I have to do now is wait for the itching to stop!

~≈Á≈~

You possibly aware I’m job hunting, at the moment.

And, like everyone else in my shoes?   And many working people in low paid jobs?

I’m getting Universal Credit.   And had, like so many others, been getting the £20 extra given during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been both useful, and appreciated.

And ended on Wednesday.

Despite calls by many to make it permanent.

One voice that’s called for that?

Is footballer and poverty campaigner, Marcus Rashford: in an interview after he received an honorary doctorate* from the University of Manchester.

Given he’s already persuaded the government to make a u-turn?

I hope he can force another.

I don’t think it’ll work: I think this unsympathetic and out-of-touch Tory government will keep the cut.

But it’s nice to see Marcus putting his tuppence happenny’worth in.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2020: The Number Eleven

11th December, 2020

I think I can safely say I’m … not annoyed, as such.

But a little twitted off.

I was due a visit from an engineer: to do a gas safety check on my boiler.

Between 8 And six, so you know.

He didn’t turn up.

What makes it worse … ?

The contractors he worked for confirmed it with an SMS message … … … at ten to six.

Talk about your last minute!

~≈fl≈~

Oh, right now … ?

It’s 8:18 … and I’ve just had a phone call … from someone claiming to be from Amazon.

I did my usual thing: demanding to know where the gibbon I’d ordered had gone, and no, I didn’t have a smart phone, laptop, desktop or tablet.

They rang off.

I can’t think why.

~≈fl≈~

As a thought on the streaming fronts?

Disney have announced they’re going to release some upcoming films on their Disney+ service: in addition to additional Star Wars and Marvel material.

I know many cinema chains won’t like that.

Unfortunately?

And given the ongoing COVID-19 situation?

And, as much as I’d love to see a film in a cinema in town: or elsewhere?

I think we’re going to see more streaming only films.

~≈fl≈~

As a final though, before I move on to the action?

It looks the UK will come out of the current EU trade negotiations with no deal.

At least, that’s what Prime Minister Boris Johnson — the man who claimed to have an oven ready deal — told us yesterday.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised: having felt, over the past few years, that that’s how things could go.

Personally?   I voted Remain: am deeply saddened — and incredibly bloody angry — the country voted Leave.

I don’t know about long term: but if we do get a No Deal deal, we’re going to be seeing short term prices hikes on food, utilities, and many others things.

Hikes I know I — on my money — can’t afford.

Angry?   Yes.

Thank you, leave voters: you’ve ruined our lives, and will be costing us a fortune.

~≈fl≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd February, 2020

2nd February, 2020.

Yes: I have a quiet Sunday ahead, today.

Well, I say quiet … 

Frankly, it all depend on how noisy my washing machine gets!

It does make a racket … 

Which is why I didn’t switch it on, last night: it would’ve interrupted For All Mankind.

And why I’m not planning to clean anything when Dr Who’s on, tonight.

Ahem!

~≈†≈~

About Brexit?

You and I both know that — in 2014 — Scotland had an Independence referendum … one that saw Scotland decide to remain in the UK.

With the EU Referendum, in 2016?

The UK decided to leave: something I believe we are going to regret.

Especially when you consider the Scottish Nationalists — who now form the majority of Westminster MPs — have taken that as a mandate to hold a second Independence referendum.

As the 2016 referenda show a majority of Scots wanted to stay in the EU.

Frankly?

Given the money, I’d love to move to an independent Scotland, that was an EU member.

It’s about the only way I’d be able to remain an EU citizen.

Given that … ?

The fact former EU president, Donald Tusk, has announced he’s sympathetic to a second such referendum?

Sympathetic — with caveats — to Scotland joining the EU?

Given that, I think a second Scottish Independence referendum is a good thing.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-1-2020: Leaving on a Jet Plane

31st January, 2020.

Right … let me put the in print … so to speak …

“The insularity of the English, their refusal to take foreigners seriously, is a folly that has to be paid for heavily from time to time.”
From ‘England, Your England’, The Lion and the Unicorn essay collection, by George Orwell.

I have to admit, I’ve been reading Orwell’s The Lion and the Unicorn over the past few days.

That quote?

That quote seemed both apt … … 

And relevant: given what we’re leaving, at eleven o’clock tonight.

We’re leaving the European Union.

And, speaking as a Remain voter?

I think we’re making the biggest mistake of our lives.

~≈Ü≈~

The Cured — A Review

4th August, 2019.



Right … 

You can possibly tell I’m having a quiet set of evenings.

You hadn’t?



The simple fact I’m out of work, and seen a lot of movies, recently?

Could possibly be a clue, couldn’t it … ?

Yes, it could … … … … … … …



Hmmm … 



I’m … possibly going sideways, there, aren’t I … ?



At any rate, it’s a quiet Sunday night, and I fancied a movie.



Annabelle was interesting … but left me cold.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse … ?

Great stuff: but just a trifle too long.

I fancied something with a touch of meat: that wasn’t so heavy on the hours.

I think I found it in the shape of The Cured.

Yes, I think I found what I was after … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-3-2019: Leaving

29th March, 2019.

Yes: the guts are still acting up.

I’m … 

Frankly, not happy.

Usually?

The IBS I suffer with usually manages to flare up, rarely, these days.

But this particular incident?

Has been going on since Wednesday.

Frankly?

Glum seems to be the word … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-3-2019: Tamerlane

24th March, 2019.

You really do have to wonder about the human mind, sometimes.

I woke up this morning, yawning my head off, scratching my ankles, muttering about the pain in my lower back … 

And with the Associate’s Helicopter, Helicopter — or, at least, those two words — set to repeat themselves until I hit you with the tune.

If any neuroscientist out there have ANY idea what’s happening … ?

I’d love to know … !

~≈§≈~

Oh, remember the petition … ?

The Revoke Article 50 petition?

The Revoke Article 50 petition, that can’t, technically be debated by Parliament?

Until the closing date in August, and IF it reaches 100, 000 signatures?

That one … ?

It’s at 4.8 million signatures … 

OK, it’s possibly going to get ignored … 

But if it gets to OVER seventeen million signatures … ?

That would be lovely!

~≈§≈~

Just as a quick, final, point … ?

One for fans of The Prisoner?

Have a tune … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th March, 2019.

12th March, 2019.

Yep: it’s true.

I’ve just looked out of my front room window.

Frankly?   The weather’s looking revolting … !

It’s … 

Not exactly what you call nice … !

~≈§≈~

Weather aside?

I have to admit to feeling mildly thoughtful, right now.

It is, after all, the second anniversary of the death of Sir Terry Pratchett.

And … ?

Well, I can’t help but wonder what he’d make of the whole Brexit situation.

Especially since Going Postal and Making Money were inspired by misbehaving big business, and the banking system … 

And especially as today sees Parliament make — Ha! — a meaningful vote on the subject.

We’ll never know.

We can only quietly wonder.

~≈§≈~

Something I’m also aware of?

Is that Sir Terry was interested in computers: how they worked, interacted, and what they let us do.

He’d possibly have been interested in the news Sir Tim Berners-Lee has issued a statement about the state of the World Wide Web … and where he thinks it’s going badly.

And … ?

Well, he’s made several suggestions, including a Contract for the Web: a set of ideals that would guide the Web’s use.

Frankly?

I’ve no idea if that would ever be accepted.

But … ?

In signing it, I think we can tell people it’s a set of ideals worth aiming for.

~≈§≈~

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.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th December, 2018.

6th December, 2018.

Right, it’s definitely Thursday, today!

I’ve just double checked: and I’m decidedly not getting my days mixed up.

So that’s all good!

At any rate, I’ve woken up, this morning, switched on my TV: and immediately changed channels to Radio 4’s Today programme.

But managed to catch a pice on the BBC’s News 24 channel.

Apparently?

The O2 mobile phone network is having issues.

Seemingly?   And at the moment?

You can only access the mobile ’net … if you’ve hooked you’re phone up to a wi-fi router.

As an O2 punter with a shiny new smart phone he want’s to play with?

You can bet I’m a little put out … !

~≈§≈~

On another, and still personal, front?

As you’re possibly aware, I’m job hunting, at the moment.

Something that’s cropped up a few times?

Is simply this: some jobs will ask you for ID.

Photographic ID: a birth certificate, and a recent pay slip, aren’t enough.

As, usually, and very specifically, either a passport or a recent provisional/full driver’s license are the only ones acceptable.

I’ve neither.

It’s lost me a couple of possible interviews.

I have managed to chase the issue up, though, at my regular job centre meeting.

It seems I can apply for a provisional drivers license… and the Job Centre will cover the cost, as it’s deemed helpful to getting a job!

At the moment?

I’m grateful!

~≈§≈~

I mentioned, a few days ago, that many Western countries were making a point of not using Huawei products in their telecommunications networks: New Zealand being the most recent.

One item I noticed, today?

Was that BT have decided — because of those security concerns — to not use Huawei kit in their 5g infrastructure.

And to try and remove it from other parts of their system.

All to the good, I think.

Except … ?

I’m wondering what our government’s doing or thinking on this front.

Well … apart from worrying about Brexit!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-7-2018: Mo’ Money

16th July, 2018.

Yes: I’m right, aren’t I … ?

There’s interesting stuff doing the rounds.

For starters?

I’ve — as ever — got Radio 4’s Today programme on: and John Humphrys is giving a Russian hell.

Or getting hell from Sasha Baron Cohen.

One of the two.

At any rate, they’ve just had former Education Secretary, Justine Greening, on.

Whose calling for a three option, second Brexit referendum.

A three option Brexit, please note.

I HATE agreeing or endorsing anything said, done or even breathed on, by a Tory.

It’s on a par with asking Hilary Clinton to vote Republican.

But?   I’ve been thinking for months that we need a second referendum: one with exactly her suggestions.

The Government’s making a complete hash of it.

Her options?

• The soft Brexit proposed by Theresa May’s Chequers document.
• A Hard Brexit: leaving the EU with no deal.
• Staying in the EU.

Personally?

I don’t see it happening.

Mores the pity.

But I know I’d be happy to vote for staying in the EU.

~≈§≈~

Before I move on … ?

I actually manage to catch … the series 11 teaser trailer*.

Although whether it’s a trailer or not is generating discussion on Twitter.

At ANY rate?

I’m pleased to have seen it: it looks good.

But notice that, beyond the ‘Coming This Fall’ text on the US version?

There’s no actually airdate.

That’s disappointing … 

~≈§≈~

In amongst all this?

I managed to catch a film, last night.

One called The Endless.

Quite what to make of it?   I’m sure I couldn’t say.

But it’s an interesting film.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-3-2017: The Big B

Hmm … 

Well … 

It starts here.

Just in case you hadn’t realised?

Today is the day that Britain’s kickstarts the process to leave the EU.

Theresa May signed the letter, last night: and it’s due to get handed out by the British Ambassador to the EU, at midday.

Personally … ?

I felt we really needed that referendum, last year: to get the damn thing done with.

I voted Remain.

But realised, on the day, that we were out.

Personally?

I never thought we’d see the day Britain would be leaving.   Never thought today — the day we trigger that leaving process — would come.

Never thought the world could change in this particular way.

Oh, I expected it.    

I just never thought it would happen.

~≈fi≈~

Brexit

Did I tell you that, back in  July, I voted in the referendum?

I did.

I voted Remain,  so you know: because I honestly believe staying in the EU to be the best decision.

I think the world knows what the overall result was, though.

My country voted to leave the EU.

What you may not know?

Is the campaigners have challenged the British government's position that to trigger the process of leaving is purely a government decision.

The High Court has ruled in the campaigners favour, today.

Effectively?

The Government must put triggering Article 50 - the process for leaving - to a parliamentary vote.

~≈%≈~

There's possibly a lot to say, there.

One quote I caught on the news?

Was from a campaigner who said this was about ‘ …process, not politics.’

My polite response, there?

Is an old term, similar to ‘bullocks.’

Of  course it's about politics.

Any time people disagree, it’s about politics.

My own personal view, though?

Is that Theresa May’s government could’ve moved much faster on leaving the Union.

As much as I’d rather we stayed …