Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-9-2019: WW2 — The Anniversary

3rd September, 2019.

Now that’s a sad thing to see.

Terrance Dicks,  the former Dr Who writer, and script editor, has died at the age of eighty-four.

Having had a long career in TV: writing for many serials.

He also did something else, too.

He novelised many Dr Who episodes for Target Books, back in the day.

And got a lot of people my age, reading.

I know: I was one of them.

The first book I bought was Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster: his print version of Terror of the Zygons.

What CAN I tell you?

Except that Dicks will be much missed.

RIP, Terrance.

~≈§≈~

Oh, I think I’ve solved a mystery.

Or, at least, had it solved for me.

If you recall, I mentioned in yesterday’s Teaser, that there were a lot of police cars on my street: and a police forensic’s van.

It turns out the Gazette’s found out what’s happening.

It seems that — after a concern for welfare report — a man has been found dead in his flat.

That’s another sad thing to here.

I’m just wondering who that was.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-9-2019: Ultimate Surrender.

2nd September, 2019.

OK, OK … 

Today’s introduction video is just a touch … um … odd … !

But I couldn’t resist using the clockwork teeth I picked up a while ago: in a chromakeyed bit of footage.

Just to see how it looked.

~≈§≈~

Can I make a mild confession?

We had a drug raid in my street: a couple of months ago, now.

One that made national headlines.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is that we had three police cars parked on our street, yesterday: and a forensics van.

What the hell they were for … ?

Well … 

I bet you, me and the neighbours, would love to know.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-9-2018: World War 2, Again.

1st September, 2018.

It’s got to be said … 

“Hello!”

Which is possibly the most pointless thing to say!

At any rate, it’s Saturday.

And, of course, I’m up early: to make sure I can get to work on time.

Oy … Vey!

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 3-9-2015: The Day We Entered The War …

*Contains upsetting images*

Oh, crikey … 

I’ve got Radio 4 on: as per usual.

And, as it was playing, was going to tell you about how work went, yesterday: we had an inspection, and I came off rather well.

But one news item caught my ear.   It seems 12 Syrian refugees have drowned on the coast of Greece: apparently trying to get to Canada.

One was a little boy of three.

The little boy in the picture: who’d been with his family.   Apparently, his older brother, who was five, and his mother, also died.

His father survived.

I’m usually very cynical.

But that … 

Well … 

I can only offer my sympathies to the boy’s father.

A man trying his damnedest to get out of hell, and to somewhere safe … 

Only to lose the most precious things he has.

That’s not how life should go …

Either way … ?   That photo should encourage European governments to help those fleeing Syria as a result of its Civil War: AND the actions os Islamic State.

But my other thought?

Is “Who is showing this photo to the likes of Islamic State, and others fighting in the region.”

I think photographic evidence of what the fighting is doing won’t — won’t — stop it.

I can only hope it will make someone think … 

~≈ß≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 4-6-2014: Dunkirk

Hmmm … 

Well, that’s officially official, then.

I’ve now got a placement at a local charity shop, courtesy of the Work Placement Scheme.

For four weeks.

How much help this will be, I don’t know.

But … ?

Well, if it does some good, that’s helpful.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 1-9-2013: WW2

Oh, thank God for that … !

I’m thinking, right now, that the Syria Situation is one that’s very serious.

Incredibly so.

I, personally, feel that any kind of military action in Syria’s civil war would be unwise.

And certainly premature, without evidence — strong evidence — of who launched that chemical weapons attack on the 21st August being presented to the UN.

So President Obama’s announcement, yesterday, that he’d be seeking Congress’ approval for any military on the part of the US, was one I welcomed.

Welcomed … and breathed a sigh of relief on hearing.

Thank god for that, he's taking to congress, FIRST! #Barack #Obama #PresidentObama #Syria
— Paul Downie (@Cuddy2977) August 31, 2013

The US Congress reconvenes on the 9th of this month.   Hopefully, their deliberations will include presenting the strong US evidence President Obama and Secretary Kerry say the US has, before UN.

Here’s hoping that shows us a way of helping the people of Syria, whilst reducing risks to our soldiers.

~≈Ù≈~

Moving on … 

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi*, AND a returning Mr Strict putting in their answers.   With Debbi telling us she like the video of Alan Shepard playing golf on the moon,  and Mr S showing us exactly where the Diana Memorial Fountain is, yesterday saw both scoring six out of six.

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

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

Q1) 1st September saw the start of World War 2: in which year of the 1930s … ?

Q2) More the the point, when Nazi Germany invaded where … ?

Q3) The day also saw Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, sign the orders allowing his government euthanize the mentally  handicapped: and who else … ?

Q4) 1st September of that year also saw which famously neutral European country mobilize its army … ?

Q5) The day also saw Nazi Germany institute the last version of which German medal … ?

Q6) Finally … name any of the three main Axis powers …

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 31st August, 1997, saw the death of Diana: in a car crash in which French city … ?

A1) Paris.

Q2) Who was she dating — and with — at the time of her death … ?

A2) Harrods heir, Dodi Fayed.

Q3) What was her title, after her divorce from Prince Charles … ?

A3) Princess of Wales.

Q4) Diana’s funeral was held in which church … ?

A4) Westminster Abbey.

Q5) In which London park would you find the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain … ?

A5) Hyde Park.

Q6) Finally … where is Diana buried … ?

A6) Althorp, the Spencer family home.

Enjoy those.

I’ll leave you with this comment, from a VERY well known Parliamentarian …

“Many people, no doubt, honestly believe that they are only giving away the interests of Czechoslovakia, whereas I fear we shall find that we have deeply compromised, and perhaps fatally endangered, the safety and even the independence of Great Britain and France.”

Sir Winston Churchill, speaking in Parliament, in 1938†.

And with this medley … 

*        I think he bagged a birdie on that first crater, Debbi: but don’t quote me … ! :D

†        That quotation takes on a whole new meaning, in the light of the Syrian Situation … 

Below: Blood. Guts and Seawater … !

You know … 

I REALLY have too much time on my hands, I really do … !

So much so, that I actually managed to catch another film, last nick.

Last NICK … ?

Night, I meant.

You’d never know I’m capable of rational spelling, would you … ?

At ANY rate … ?

At ANY rate, I managed to catch another film, last night.   And felt I should tell you about it … 

☱☲☴☲☱

Remember — a day or two ago — that I said that there seemed to be a rule in certain types of horror/whodunnit … ?   Along the lines of “Scare them by isolating them” … ?

Well, I did.  And while I’m no learnéd critic, to me it seems the done thing to mention I’ve spotted it in action, again, in last night’s film: the 2002, David Twohy directed film, Below.

Set in 1943, Below follows the crew of the US sub, USS Tiger Shark, not long after they rescue the three surviving members of a ship that’s been sunk by an attacking German submarine.

Those survivors find themselves stuck on a boat* that seems cursed: having lost its captain, having an inexperienced junior officer on board … and a superstitious crew suffering more so than usual from the pressures of underwater work.

That’s before crew and unexpected passengers start hearing things, including a record player in the now very dead captain’s cabin.

Playing Benny Goodman, in case you’re wondering … 

☴☲☱☲☴

Now, bar the swingin’ tune, was Below any good … ?

Hmmm … 

Bit of a tough one, that.   I’ve got to be honest, I don’t think I’ll be putting it on my Christmas of ‘Most Wanted Movies’.

Frankly, I think that — if you’re asking me about horror films with a WW2/WW1 feel — that Outpost and Deathwatch are going to come further up the list: if you’ve seen either of those, Outpost in particular, Below won’t necessarily be a stunner.

On the other hand … ?

On the other hand, Below is an enjoyable 105 minutes worth of movie: and not to be totally ignored, if you’ve nothing else demanding you time.

Personally … ?

Here’s some stars …

Below
★☆☆☆

*        It’s a boat, not a ship: submariners are picky about it, I’m told …