Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-7-2025 — Yes, Robin: the Metro!

19th July, 2025: Métro Line 1.

Two things are officially official.

One … ?

I’ve almost finished a review of “Hegemony, Pt 2”, the first episode of the new series of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

That should be up, tonight.

Secondly?

It’s raining, out.

And we’re expecting thunderstorms.

I hope we get those.

Yes, I realise there’s weather warnings for the area.

But … ?

I’ve not seen a good thunderstorm in years.

They’re one of nature’s marvels.

~≈⛈️≈~

It seems the US president has asked for documents relating to sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, to be released.

Including what’s known as a ‘client list’, a list of noted people who Epstein’s said to have arranged liaisons for,

These, apparently, include the President.

If there is such a list?

That should be released.

And the President considering his position.

I have to ask one thing, though.

Wasn’t he supposed to be draining the swamp … ?

~≈🧌≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2024 — France

14th July, 2024: France.

Right … someone’s tried shooting Donald Trump.

And, frankly?

I don’t know if I approve, or not: although, granted, shooting the idiot seems tempting.

And means a possible way for Joe Biden to win the election.

I doubt it, somehow.

Frankly?

Surviving an assassination attempt will be a very good advert* for Trump: it won’t surprise me if he ends up getting a huge sympathy vote as a result of an ‘evil’, Democrat attempt on his life.

No, before you ask, I don’t think the Democrats had anything to do with this attempt.

I do think people will be blaming them, though!

~≈🔫≈~

I do know a couple of things, though.

Firstly?

The chap that attempted to shoot the former President has been named as Thomas Matthew Crooks: and was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

That’s understandable: that is part of their job, after all.

But strikes me as … … possibly unwise.

I would rather the shooter be captured alive: as I’d like to hear his personal explanation of his actions.

As, I’m sure, would the people and courts of the USA.

So that’s one thing.

The other?

Is simply that at least one witness spotted the shooter on the roof of the stadium where the rally was being held.

And told the police about it.

Who were … well … unhelpful!

Frankly, between them, the Secret Service and the shooter?

And however Trump, Biden and the people of the US feel about this?

The incident has handed Donald Trump the election.

~≈🔫≈~

There’s possibly many other things to wave at you.

But … ?

On a personal front, I can happily announce I’ve reached 1, 200 subscribers on YouTube.

Another one hundred subscribers, though?

Would be nice … !

~≈🔫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2023 — Bastille Day

14th July, 2023: Bastille Day.

Right … it’s Friday … 

Which means I know what I’m doing, tonight: watching another episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

And it has to be said: the show’s looking very good.

Hopefully?

Tonight’s episode will carry on the trend.

~≈§≈~

One thing I AM thinking … ?

Is that I have copies of a pair of nuclear war dramas: of both Threads, and The Day After.

Hopefully?

I’ll be able to catch one of them, at some point.

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2022 — Bastille Day.

14th July, 2022.

It’s Thursday, 14th July, 2022.

But you know that: especially if you’ve looked at a calendar.

What you might not know?

Is that it’s predicted to hit a high of 30°C in Brentwood, today.

I’m not looking forward to that.

But?

At least it’s not going to ba as bad as yesterday’s 31°!

~≈†≈~

JUST in case you’re following my TV reviews?

I’ve caught another episode of Stranger Things, the other night: episode three, The Monster and the Superhero.

I think we have another good episode.

Just be warned, there’s spoilers in the review!   Just don’t let that stop you hitting the like button!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2019: Vive la France

14th July, 2019.

It’s a Sunday … 

Obviously!

And frankly?

Well, my emotional state, this morning?

Is not necessarily the best it could be.

I had a CT scan on Thursday

Frankly?

I’m dreading the results.

Which could be serious.

Serious or otherwise, I can only take the attitude that we’re encouraged to take at various Twelve Step groups.

Taking it a day at a time, in other words … 

Lord, but that’s a challenge … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-8-2018: Bastille Day.

14th July, 2018.

Yep: it’s a Saturday, and frankly?

It’s another early Saturday!

Yay!

~≈§≈~

You watch the news, don’t you … ?

I’ve just seen one piece go past.

That Sinn Fein’s former leader, Gerry Adams, has had an explosive through at his house: by dissident republicans, apparently.

I know the guy’s got blood on his hands: from his earlier career as the leader of the Provisional IRA.

But … 

Well … 

I think someone wants to upset the applecart.

That doesn’t help Northern Ireland.

~≈§≈~

Oh, one for the fans, by the way?

I’m not a football fan.

But I’m quite possibly going to be taping the half time section of the final, tomorrow.

Frankly?

The trailer for series eleven of Dr Who airs during half time.

I’d like to see that … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2016: Bastille Day

Right … 

Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me, today: catching up with the Teasers — and the appropriate videos — after a week that’s been … busy.

Not least yesterday, I should add.

I had an interview in London.

Which I was worried about, frankly.

The interview was in Southwark, on London Underground’s Jubilee Line.   And — me being me — I got off at Liverpool Street.

Which, as it turns out WASN’T … !

More fool me!

The upshot?   Was it only took twenty minutes to get from Liverpool Street to Southwark: a lot less than Google Maps said it would.

Which means I got to the interview an hour early.

Ho HUM!

At any rate?   The event went well enough.   But I won’t know until I hear back, if I’ve got a second interview.

Here’s hoping!

~≈Ú≈~

The Friday Question Set — 26-6-2015

Bloody HELL … !

It’s turning into Friday.

You’d guessed that.

It’s also turning into one hell of a Friday for France.

As I write?   As I write, there’s been some form of terrorist attack: on an industrial estate in Lyon.

Seemingly, whoever’s done this had tried blowing up several gas canisters at a gas factory.

It’s always tempting — at this stage — to ask why people do this.

But, frankly?

The chap concerned could probably give you tons.

I’m just thankful he was stop!

Vive la France … !

~≈fl≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-7-2013: Bastille Day.

That’s … unamusing … !

I’ll admit, I’m sitting here, in my front room:with Bruce on, and Safari open and doing it’s thing.

With at least two Google Products — Blogspot, itself, and YouTube — seemingly being a touch less responsive than usual.

I’ll be frank, I’m not sure if that’s me, my internet connection, Google, or something else.

But it has taken a while for me to get going, because of it.

Everything’s set up, and ready to go, now.   But that’s mildly frustrating … 

Let’s get a move on, shall we … ?

~≈‡≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and (I’m assuming) Richard, putting in they’re answers: with Debbi bagging nine out of ten, and Richard scoring one, it ALSO saw Debbi asking if I’d been on Pinterest*.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s mildly French questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 14th July is the French national day, Bastille Day and celebrates the original Storming of the Bastille.   In which year was that … ?

Q2) The Bastille famously held political prisoners.   How many did it hold at the time: five, six or seven … ?

Q3) Who was French king at the time?

Q4) The Bastille Day Military Parade — celebrating the day — is held in which French city … ?

Q5) In which year did that Parade start: 1879, 1880 or 1881 … ?

Q6) Name any of the years Jean Michel Jarre has held a Bastille Day concert, in Paris.

Q7) Finally … which Belgian town — and holder of the Légion d’Honneur — celebrates Bastille Day … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) Saturday, 13th July, saw the Live Aid benefit gig performed.   The money earned was use to help the people of which African country … ?

A1) Ethiopia.

Q2) The concert was held in Wembley Stadium in London: and the JFK Stadium in which Pennsylvanian city … ?

A2) Philadelphia.

Q3) Which band opened Live Aid … ?

A3) The Band of The Coldstream Guards.

Q4) Which rock band were first on stage … ?

A4) Status Quo.

Q5) Which rap band performed Jam Master Jay and King Of Rock at the US gig … ?

A5) Run DMC.

Q6) Who was the only member of The Beatles to perform at Wembley … ?

A6) Paul McCartney.

Q7) Who was the only person to appear, on the day, both at Wembley and JFK stadiums … ?

A7) Drummer and Genesis member, Phil Collins.

Q8) Which US rocker famously declined to appear, stating, afterwards, that he “simply did not realise how big the whole thing was going to be” … ?

A8) Bruce Springsteen.   (The TWIT … !)

Q9) Which Cars song had a famously heartbreaking video made for the concert … ?

A9) Drive.

Q10) Finally … Live Aid and Band Aid were organized by Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats, and Midge Ure: of which band was Ure the lead singer … ?

A10) Ultravox.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with this thought about Bastille Day …

“How much the greatest event it is that ever happened in the world! and how much the best!”

Letter to Mr. Fitzpatrick (30 July 1789) on the fall of the Bastille, printed in J. Russell (ed.), Memorials and Correspondence of Charles James Fox.

And with possibly the ONLY tune to play on the day … 

Have a good day … !

*        I’ve got to admit, Debbi, I’ve not actually used it, that much: it’s one of those I’m on … and wondering why.   (Although I know George Takei uses it: some of the stuff he posts through to Facebook, as a result, is hysterical … !)

The Daily Teaser — 06-09-2012

Now, that’s … strange … that really is.

I’ve got Radio 4’s Today programme on in the background: the show — as a few BBC news and current event shows — mentioned the shootings of some British tourists in France.

The strange bit — at least for me — is that I’ve always had the impression that there’s not that much gun crime in France: it’s always struck me as being relatively peaceable, in that sense.

Either way, what’s sad is the fact that it’s members of a family that seem to have shoot: and the two daughters seem to have survived the shooting.

That’s a shame: they’ve been orphaned on what should’ve been a happy family holiday.

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

~~~~~

Yesterday’s teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with giving me some very good advice, also bagging 5 out of 5.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 6th September, 1968, saw Swaziland become independent: from which colonial power … ?

Q2) More to the point, which star of Withnail and I was born in Swaziland … ?

Q3) 6th September is a national holiday in Pakistan, in memory of those killed in its war with India: in which year was that war… ?

Q4) 6th September, 1972, saw nine athletes from Israel killed: those athletes had been killed during the Summer Olympics in which German city … ?

Q5) 6th September, 1522, saw the only surviving ship from Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the world arrive home: what was that ship’s name … ?

Q6) And finally … 6th September, 1991, saw a well known Russian city change its name back to Saint Petersburg: what was its name between 1924 and 1991?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 5th September, 1960 saw Muhammed Ali — Cassius Clay, as he was then — win an Olympic boxing Gold medal.   Who played Ali in the 2001 film of the same name … ?

A1) Will Smith.

Q2) 5th September, 1941, saw Nazi Germany occupy all of which Baltic state … ?

A2) Estonia.

Q3) 5th September, 1959, saw Britain’s first trunk call made from a call box: from which English city … ?

A3) Bristol.

Q4) 5th September, 1927, saw the release of Trolley Troubles: which cartoon rabbit did this feature … ?

A4) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Q5) And finally … 5th September, 1836, saw Sam Houston elected as President of Texas.   In which year did Texas join the USA?

A5) 1845.

Enjoy those, everyone.

As it’s Roger Waters’ birthday, today … ?   I’ll leave you with Brain Damage … 

And a quote from the Marquis de Lafayette …

“I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I reflect, and out of all of this I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can.”

Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette  6 September 1757 – 20 May 1834

*        Yeah, that’s what I though you might suggest, Debbi.   Hmmm … There might just be something coming through in a week or so’s time that I can follow up.   And yes, I think Karen is: although I think she’s planning to do that through Apple’s iBookª scheme.

ª        DAMN … !   It’s only for Mac OS X 10•7•2 and up!   Bugger … !

The Bastille Day Teaser: 14-7-11

Well, here we go …

Today is the day that we can officially hug a Frenchman and get away with it.

No, seriously … !

Of course, whether you’d WANT to is a whole other matter, of course, but it is Bastille Day, today.

So I won’t be telling anyone, if you do.

No, really …

Ok, ok …

If you don’t particularly want to … ?

Have a croissant, instead.

It’ll make a change from the Jammie Dodgers that me and the rest of the #Teaser gang are talking about on Twitter …

Lets get moving on, shall we … ?

Shall we … ?

To coin a term … ?

Oui, laisse!

Hoping the Google translation widget’s got ‘yes, lets’ right … !

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — all on her ownsome! — putting in her answers: along with bagging 6 out of 6, she also managed to cover the last launch of the Atlantis: something I know I’m going to have to cover, at some point.

Lets see how she — and you — do with today’s themed Teaser, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 14th July is Bastille Day, in France. One French name for the day is La Fête Nationale: what does La Fête Nationale translate into English as … ?

Q2) The Bastille itself was earlier known — during the Hundred Years War — as what … ?

Q3) Who was the first French king to send prisoners to the Bastille … ?

Q4) The French President traditionally pardons prisoners on Bastille Day, under Article 17 of the French Constitution: who’s the current President of France?

Q5) As a quirk of French history, the President of France is also the world’s only elected monarch: he’s Co-Prince of where … ?

Q6) And finally … for roughly the past 15 years, Bastille Day has been celebrated in which small South African town … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 13th July, 1944, saw the birth saw the birth of Professor Ernö Rubik, inventor of the Rubik’s Cube: the medical condition, Rubik’s Thumb, named after him, and it, is a version of which condition … ?

A1) Repetitive Strain Injury: which covers a whole host of both terms, and conditions. Just not EULA’s …

Q2) 13th July, 1955, saw the hanging of Ruth Ellis, for the killing of her then lover: in which prison … ?

Q2) HMP Holloway.

Q3) 13th July, 1863, saw riots in New York protesting against what … ?

A3) The Draft: conscription, in other words.

Q4) 13th July, 1919, saw the completion of the first return journey by airship, across the Atlantic: by which British airship … ?

A4) The R34.

Q5) More to the point, in which English county did it land … ?

A5) Norfolk. (Back in the day, I saw a huge number of pub quiz teams called something along the lines of Norfolk and Chance. Gosh, it was so funny … )

Q6) And finally … 13th July, 100BC, saw the birth of Julius Cæsar: what was his first name … ?

A6) Gaius.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later … !

From Paris With Love: Boom Bang a Bang … With cheese …

Well, there’s a thing …

I think we’ve actually managed to generate a Blogger label that mentions Movie Night Adrian.

Or at least, mentions Movie Night Adrian’s hat.

The one he’s oh-so-politely indicating in the photo … ?

Yes, that hat …

Which is relevant, of course, because the pair of us were both at my place, tonight, with a copy of the Pierre Morel directed, Luc Besson/Adi Hasak co-written film, From Paris With Love.

Well …

The fact Adrian was over was relevant.

Not necessarily the hat.

The hat’s not relevant.

Seriously …

Forget about the hat …

… … …

I’m in burble territory, aren’t I … ?

I can just see Kevin D, Trevor, Kaiju and @MamaAlfy giving me meaningful looks …

At any rate …

Tonight saw both Movie Night Adrian and I at something of a loose end, with only a copy of From Paris, With Love as entertainment.

There certainly wasn’t anything on TV, I know that much.

And I’ve got to admit, From Paris, With Love is definitely entertaining.

It sees Jonathan Rhys Meyers as James Reese, an aide to the US ambassador to France, doing the occasional … ah … side-job for one of the shadier sections of the Central Intelligence Agency.

And getting a last minute job at an awkward moment; not long after his girlfriend, Caroline*, played by Kasia Smutniak, proposes, he get’s a call from his CIA handler, to fish one of their senior operatives — Charlie Wax, flamboyantly played by John Travolta — out of a French Customs office.

Which is where it starts to get … hairy …

‹‹‹~›››

Now, I’ve got to admit, this is one very over-the-top little action adventure film.

And one that makes no bones about being a touch OTT, or a touch … ahhh … light hearted, when it comes to things like realism or the consequences of its lead characters actions.

Were that much running around and shooting thing’s to happen in real-world Paris, I suspect at least one gendarme — in a very French, very stylish, romantic, deeply philosophical mannerº — would start to ask snotty questions.

Especially about things like jurisdiction, gun licenses and (possibly) evidence.

But, aside from all that … ?

I’ve got no problem in recommending From Paris With Love to you.

Just make sure you leave your disbelief — and any lingering questions about the HATª — in the bucket provided by your local DVD rental store.

* Pronounced ca-ro-LEAN, rather than ca-ro-LINE, as in English.

º And possibly involving a baguette or a packet of Gitanes. Maybe a Gallic shrug, somewhere …

ª No, let’s just leave the hat, right there, shall we … ? Goody Gum Drops … !