Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th October 2025

16th October, 2025.

That was a first.

Or, at least, a first … for a while … !

I visited the Job Centre, yesterday: as my next scheduled meeting with my work coach — on 29th October — had been cancelled.

I panicked: anything like that carries the potential of a sanction, and a reduction in benefit.

Phoning the place revealed nothing.

So … ?

I actually went into the office, for the first time in months: to ask what on Earth was going on in person … !

Apparently?

It got cancelled, so it could be reassigned to a new, trainee, case officer.

I’ve little problem with that … but … ?

As I said to the administrator who dealt with me, it would have been reassuring if I — alongside others affected by this — were messaged about it.

That way, we know what’s going on, and have something on the record about it: in case of any issues.

Civil servants, eh?

~≈👔≈~

Oh … 

Hello … !

It seems Apple have released new devices — a MacBook Pro, iPadPro and Apple Vision — powered with their new M5 chip: rather than the older M4, the chip that’s in my machine.

Has anyone got a few grand going begging … ?

Bar the size of the screen, the new MacBook looks good* … 

~≈👔≈~

Oh, did I mention the image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app?

Taking advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT?

The image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app: in a way that took advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT.

Ahem!

I also modified a photo of myself: 

Which makes me look like a startled haddock.

Adding a crown really doesn’t help.

Artificial intelligence is obviously onto something.

I just don’t know what …

~≈🤖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2021: Oscar Wilde.

16th October 2021.

Did I mention I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days?

I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days.

And, as I managed to mention to Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack, the other day?

I’d spotted Edward Burnham — Professor Kettlewell in Robot — and John Scott Martin — practically every Dalek, ever — in episode five.

I think I’ve managed to out do myself.

When — in episode six — I spotted an obscure actor called Bernard Spear.

The chap in the hat, with the beer: the chap that looks vaguely like Bernie Winters.

The only other time I’ve seen him … ?

As as ‘Man With Carrier Bag,’ in Dalek Invasion Earth: 2150AD.

He’s holding a carrier bag: and falls over when The TARDIS dematerialises.

He cropped up in that, some eight years after making Quatermass and the Pit.

But?

He’s still wearing the same outfit!

I hope he washed it … !

~≈‡≈~

Just as an extra couple of thoughts?

It seems Jodie Whittaker’s filmed her regeneration scene.

But no: she and Mandip Gil don’t know who the 14th Doctor is, either.

Secondly?

The BBC’s released another trailer for the upcoming thirteenth series of Dr Who.

It looks interesting: I just don’t know if the re-designed Sontarans grab me.

~≈‡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-3-2020: World Theatre Day

27th March, 2020.

OK … 

It’s a Friday morning: and I feel rough.

Tired rough: rather than Covid 19 rough!

Benefits of finishing a late night post — and video — about Star Trek Picard.

If you’ve not seen it?   Michelle Hurd, who plays Admiral Picard’s former First officer, Raffi Musiker, is amazing!

~≈¥≈~

Dorian Gray: The Curious Case of The Hideous, Horrifying, THING in the Attic …

Which is a long winded way of putting it, but ultimately … ?

Ultimately, it’s what the 2009 film version of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray — just called Dorian Gray — actually is, I think …

It’s … curious …

I think …

And yet, I’m not too sure it I could put my finger in exactly what makes it so curious.

Because it’s not like — for example — the blood-fest that the Francis Ford Coppola cut of Dracula was, I know that.

It’s more — in tone — like the Kenneth Branagh take on Frankenstein.

And, had Adrian not popped in with Dorian Gray, I’m not sure I’d’ve watched it: not off me own back …

Having said that, Adrian, bless ’im, did make the very valid point that watching the film of the book is sometimes an easier way to follow the plot …

Hmmm …

You can tell it’s late, can’t you, I’m a touch incoherent …

The 2009, Oliver Parker version of Dorian Gray sees the eponymous hero — played by Ben Barnes — come to London as a young man and seduced into the big city’s social whirl by Lord Henry Wotton, played competently by Colin Firth*.

And — whilst being painted by London based artist, Basil Hallward — pledges anything, even his soul, if he were to remain as youthful as his portrait …

•••••

Adrian, is it tempting to use the line, “ … with hilarious results”, here, or is that just me … ?

•••••

Because the results aren’t really that funny: the picture ages and decays, leaving Dorian looking as pristine as the day it was painted.

Despite Dorian’s heavy life style: wine, women, song, sex, drugs, rock and roll, piano recitals, and more of the above, whenever the chance presents itself.

Until, ultimately, he genuinely falls in love and — spurred on by Wotton, himself — decides to destroy the painting, in the midst of the fire triggered, in part, by Wotton’s daughter.

•••••

Now, there’s that word, ultimately, again …

Ultimately, I know this is a film that a couple of friends of mine — Kevin D and Cindy — didn’t take to.

Which left me with mixed feelings.

But, having seen it — and seen it in good company — I think I’m quietly going to disagree, there.

I think this is a film that, whilst slow paced, is worth checking out. There’s an emotional tone here, that I think we’d find hard put to see anywhere else.

Which is what, I think, makes it a rarity amongst horror films.

An adult film that aims to make you look at the bad side of things.

And whether to enjoy it or kill it …

∞∞∞∞∞

Ben Barnes Dorian Gray

Colin Firth Lord Henry Wotton

Rachel Hurd-Wood Sybil Vane

Emilia Fox Lady Victoria Wotton

Rebecca Hall Emily Wotton

Ben Chaplin Basil Hallward

* Competently: but without the devilish glee of George Saunders’ version of the character, in the 1945 version.