The Friday Question Set — 31-10-2014

Blast!

I completely forgot that Halloween, this year,  was a Friday!

Poo!

To coin a phrase!

It used to be I’d make a point of assembling a Halloween quiz, especially: back when I was doing live pub quizzes.

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, if you hit the Halloween tags at the bottom of the post, you should be able to find SOMETHING.

Or you can look me up on Twitter or Facebook and ask me for horror themed questions … !

Either way … ?

Let’s move on … 

~≈fi≈~

The Daily Teaser — 31-10-2014: Be SCARED!

 Hmmm … 

You know I like I documentary, don’t you … ?

I’ve got one on, at the moment, that I recorded last night.   About a WW2 operation called Operation Jericho: all about t raid on Amiens Prison, where a lot of Resistance fighters were being held.

Fascinating stuff, I should add.

And very mysterious, in one sense.

No-one’s sure who ordered the raid … 

~≈†≈~

John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982): Still Looking Good!

29th October, 2014.

You know, I like a movie, occasionally.

You’d worked that out, hadn’t you, over the years: and probably noticed that I like watching films, and then telling you about what I’ve seen.

It’s also got to be said that, when I DO watch a film, I tend not to repeat myself.

Rarely, any way.

I have to confess, I did, tonight.

I’ve fancy catching a film for a couple of days: something gruesome, considering it’s almost Halloween.

But … ?

Well, I’ve had a look at my broadband usage for the month: it’s … OVER my limit.

Not by much, I should add: but certainly enough that any credit I’d had on my last quarterly bill has been eaten!

Which is what happens when you help your family update assorted devices, stream a lot of media from an Apple server — instead of locally! — and let a friend’s daughter watch a LOT of Stampy Cat videos … !

At ANY rate … !

At any rate, I fancied a movie.

And, lord … I’m glad I’d a backed up collection on my external drive.

It means I could watch a film, without going more over my limit than I have.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 30-10-2014: Benito Mussolini

Hmmm … 

Looks like I’ve another letter heading for Brentwood Job Centre … !

You know I’m job-hunting at the moment, don’t you … ?   And that I have to do a job search on their computers, each day?

I sent them a brief — but polite — letter, a couple of weeks ago, asking when they’d be updating these systems.

I’ve not heard anything back: so I’ve written another, asking what’s happening: and mentioning the Heartbleed and Shellshock bugs.   Just to see if that get’s an answer!

Here’s hoping!

~≈Â≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 29-10-2014: ARPANET!

Hmm … That’s a bit odd … 

Did I tell you I’m job hunting at the moment?

And have to go into my local Job Centre, to search for work, online?

Well, I do.

And knew all about the planned digital makeover the government’s planning: a bit before the BBC.

Trouble is … ?

Well, the trouble is, it looks like the new computers — as the current ones I and others use to search for work — aren’t monitored.

Beyond the staff ‘having a chat’ if they see us using something like Facebook.

That’s … odd.

Given that — from the little I know — it’s easy for an IT team to deny access to things like FB, to groups of computers within an office?

Then it’s odd I could use the Job Centre machines to pay Facebook a quick visit, this morning.

Personally?   I think that’s an unfair benefit sanction waiting to happen … !

~≈Á≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-10-2014: Turkey

You know, I’ve got to go shopping, today.

Well, I’ve got to, at SOME point: I’d rather not run out of toilet roll!

At ANY rate … ?   At any rate, I’ve got keep getting — and maintaining — some good habits.

Mostly?

Well, mostly eying up ingredient lists.   I’m not exactly skinny: and on a weight management programme, at the mo.

So checking the ingredients on the back of the packet — the fat and sugar content in particular — comes is generally a good thing to do.

Trust me: you’d be surprised how much fat* batter can add to a piece of chicken!

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-10-2014

You know, I love a scientific documentary.

And, bless ’em, the BBC can knock out a good ’un, occasionally!

The one I managed to tape, after it was on, early this morning … ?

Was all about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

And how it wasn’t necessarily literal fire and brimstone, sent by God to punish a pair of sinful cities.

No: it was an earthquake, or possibly a landslide, made worse by a landslide.   Or possibly an earthquake.

Either way … ?

Either way, the Cities Of The Plains sound like they were digging up a lot of asphalt: apparently, that’s why some were very close to the Dead Sea.

And on top of that … ?

Well … 

It’s a fascinating series.

~≈⨶≈~

The Daily Teaser — 27-10-2014

Oh, but I hate earworms, sometime, I really do … !

An earworm, so you know, is a tune — or one of the catchier parts of it, like the chorus — that starts working its way around you head.

Personally … ?

I usually get one playing around my brain, when I get up.

Which is not a good time to have a Bombalurina tune going around you head.

~≈fi≈~

The Daily Teaser — 26-10-2014

Right … 

We’re now on Greenwich Mean Time … !

Which is kind of a sideways thing to mention.

But, at ANY rate … ?   Well, at ANY rate, I’ve almost finished working on the family laptop.

It’s a shame I couldn’t get this procedure to work.

But I’m not worried too much: as I think I’ve freed up enough space.

Still, it’s something I’d not’ve minded having no issues with.

~≈Ê≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 10 — In The Forest Of The Night

The Doctor and Clara (Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman)
 watching the world go by

25th October, 2014.

You know, I’m starting to think I’m impressed … 

No, wait, scrub that bit out: I know I’m impressed … !

Possibly even VERY impressed.   Although I’ll have to say, that MAY be overstating it.

But maybe not … 

You know, you can tell it’s Saturday night, can’t you?

And you can tell I’ve just come away from tonight’s episode of Dr Who, can’t you … ?

Yeah … 

I thought you might … 

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-10-2014

 Right … 

The clocks go back, tonight.

Now, I know we’ve been doing it for years: the twice yearly movement of the clocks, backwards and forwards.

But I, personally, could never put my finger on why it happens.

Oh, we’ve been told it’s to help farmers.   Or hinder them.   Or that — like pub opening hours — it’s a leftover from World War 1.

Who knows.

Either way … ?

Well, either way, it happens.

I’m personally just glad near enough every clock I have, changes automatically!

~≈Í≈~

The Friday Question Set — 24-10-2014

Right … 

That’s December’s Teaser’s done.

Oh, lord, not the Daily Teaser’s!

I’m not THAT far ahead of myself!

I have, however, managed to get this December’s done: for my local paper.

I can’t wait to see how well they do.

~≈‰≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-10-2014: The United Nations

Blimey, but it’s Friday.

No, really … !

And I’m STILL working on the family laptop … !

Basically, I’ve now got the back-ups software set up: CrashPlan in case you’re interested.    I should be able to find instructions my mother and sister would understand.

All I have to do now, is shift various iTunes libraries: and we’re laughing!

Oy, Vey!

~≈Ú≈~

The Daily Teaser — 23-10-2014: Uncivil Affairs

Right … 

That’s THAT done … !

You’ve possibly noticed I try and do stuff to keep myself occupied, don’t you … ?

The project for the past couple of days?

Has been to do stuff with the family laptop.

I’ve FINALLY managed to get some back up software installed — the free version of CrashPlan, which I’m told is relatively easy to use, for end-users — and I’m now looking at transferring my Mum and my older sister, Anna’s, stuff over to the external drive.

Once THAT’S done … ?   Well, once that’s done, we get done to the fun stuff, syncing up iPods, iPads and iPhones.

A big brother’s job is neither done … !

~≈Á≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 22-10-2014: The Supremes

Oh, thank heavens for that!

That’s PMQ’s over and done with for another week … !

I don’t know about you, but I’m STILL out of work. It’s been quite some time, now.

So … ?

Well, one upshot of this is the fact I tend to keep the TV tuned to the BBC News Channel.

With the inevitable result that, Wednesday lunchtime … ?

I get get hit in the face by Cameron and company, at Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Boy, I’m glad I‘ve got one of those Apple TVs.

Mean’s I can put something less noisy on.

Like the noisy bits of V for Vendetta … 

~≈√≈~

The Daily Teaser — 22-10-14: Wombatty … !

Right … that’s THAT sorted out … !

You’ve possibly noticed I’m doing a few things to the family laptop, hadn’t you … ?

So far, I’ve managed top do some basic defragging — which has freed up some space, I can tell you! — and got rid of some excess software: including an Amazon toolbar that was flashing up some worrying messages.

Of course, the next bit’s going to be fun.   Setting up the external drive so that Mum and Ann — the older of my two sister — have lots of extra shelf space.

I get the feeling it’s going to take some time.

The things not getting any younger, after all!

And on top of that … ?

I want to set up SOME form of back-up programme.

How they’ve managed without one of them, I really don’t know!

~≈fi≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-10-2014

Do you remember that yesterday, I said was giving the family laptop a going over?   Mostly where I was going to shift stuff off the machine, and on to an external drive.

One thing I thought was a problem was a message that cropped up: with a message about potential malicious software.

Bit of a worry on a Windows Machine, obviously.

It turns out it’s a bossier than expected Amazon toolbar.

Hmmm … 

I don’t know about you, but I’m none too sure I like the idea of extra toolbars: especially given this experience.

I think I’d rather have warnings about genuine malicious software.

Rather than invasively badly written ones.

~≈Á≈~

The Daily Teaser — 20-10-14

Ooh, but I volunteer for stuff, don’t I … ?

In between job-hunting, weight-management group and posting on here … ?

I’m helping my family do basic stuff to the family laptop.

Mostly by trying to get stuff off the internal hard-drive: and on to a newly bought external hard drive.

Something I know I already recommend to people.

Mostly so they have some back up.

Oh … And extra storage space.  

You can never have too much shelf space.   Especially when your internal drive’s full!

~≈È≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-10-2014

You know, you can tell it’s getting both later in the year, and (theoretically) nearer winter, can’t you … ?

Or, at least, you can if you’re in the UK.

Granted, the weather is unseasonably warm.

But I’ve got up, this morning: and it’s getting darker of a morning.

Darker … 

And a touch moodier, somehow.

I actually like the time of year, to be honest with you.

Although it HAS to be said: it’s murder on my electricity bills!

~≈fl≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 9 — Flatline: Nice!

18th October, 2014.

You know, I’m something of a science fiction fan.

In a light and frothy kind of way.

At any rate, it’s something I’ve enjoyed, over the years.

Especially Dr Who: I grew up on the series, and haven’t stopped watching it in all that time.

At times the show — both the original version, and in its new iteration — has had both its good points: and it’s bad points.

And … ?

And, like any long running science fiction show, there’s times the show concentrates on different things.

Story arcs stores, character driven episodes, what have you … 

Then, occasionally, Dr Who does something interesting.   Like Star Trek and others before it, it does a show with a premise … 

Based on science fiction. 

Yes, I know that sounds daft: emphasising that a science fiction show occasionally has science fiction elements.

But … ?

Hmmm … Let me see if I can’t explain the episode.   Once I’ve done that, I’ll see if I can’t tell You what I mean … 

~≈‡≈~

The Daily Teaser — 18-10-2014

Hmm … 

Did I tell you I had an interview, last night?

I had an interview, last night.

Just so you know.

And I’m none too sure I bagged it.

Oh, the actual interview itself, went well enough.

But the hour long process included one of those multiple choice questions: one of the ones based on the Minnesota Multiphasic personality inventory tests.

I have to admit, I never do well at those things: Lord knows why.

Here’s hoping I get through that: it would be nice to have through one of the things … !

~≈‡≈~

The Friday Question Set — 17-10-2014

Rush, rush, rush, rush RUSH … !

I don’t know about you: but I’m job hunting at the moment.

It’s got ups and downs.

On the upside?   My time’s my own.

On the downside?   I’m skint!

So when I need things, BOY, do I have to look for cheap!

Just occasionally, though … ?

I get an interview lined up.

I’ve got one tonight, actually.   Wish me luck.

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 17-10-2014

Hmm … 

Well, that’s an upside, for now.

I’ve managed to come up with a work around for my second hand Mac Pro problem.

At the mo … ?   Simply making sure the cable that connects it is unplugged when I switch it on.

This seems to keep the monitor’s habit of showing it’s OSD menu to a minimum, even if it doesn’t eliminate it completely.

Hopefully … ?   Hopefully, this will last until Christmas: my family’s offered to get hold of the relevant type of video card for me.

Now … 

Does anyone have £399.   It’s very low spec, but Apple have just lowered the price on the new version of their upgraded Mac Mini … 

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 16-10-2014

Argh … !   It’s STILL happening!

Right at the moment, you’d think my monitor was having issues.

The on-screen menu — that lets you tweak features — intermittently shows up: without my having pressed any buttons.

Now I thought, yesterday, that it could be an issue with the monitor.    Having checked the monitor by plugging it into my old Mac Mini: the monitor seems to not have the same issue.

As far as I can tell, having posted about it on a couple of sites?  It sounds like the graphics card is having issues!

Sounds like a like for like replacement is money I haven’t got.

Oy Veh!

~≈Ú≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 15-10-2014

Right … That’s my daily Job search, done.

I don’t know if you realise it, but I’m not working, at the moment.

Which makes any problems one has with — say — a computer monitor, fridge or oven, look a lot fiddly to resolve.

As I don’t have the cash to replace anything like that.

But ONE of the consequences of being out of work … ?

Is I have to do a daily job search: at my local job centre.   It’s relatively local: so no real hardship.

And it’s got to the point it’s actually enjoyable: I can do something positive to find work: and not be distracted by too many home comforts.

All good, eh … ?

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 15-10-2014

Hmmm … Odd … 

My monitor seems to be having issues … 

Just within the past couple of days, the on-screen display menu — the thing that lets you tweak the settings independently of the computer, itself — keeps popping up.

Seemingly at random.

Quite what’s happening there, I really don’t know: none of the buttons seem stuck, everything else seems to be working … 

And I have no idea what’s causing it!

At ANY rate … ?

If you’ve got half a clue about this … ?   I’d love to hear it!

~≈ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-10-2014: The Teaser At Pooh Corner …

Oh, my lord, I think it’s Tuesday … 

No, scrub that: I KNOW it’s Tuesday.

Which means it’s a day near an interview I’ve got, on Friday.

I have to admit to a certain amount of nervousness about it.

I don’t I’d be human is I wasn’t nervous.

But … ?

We, to be perfectly frank, I’m not sure I want it: it’s night work, however local, and I’d hate to get my days and nights turned around.

And frankly … ?

Frankly, I’m not sure I’ll get it: the amount of interviews, recently, where I haven’t bagged the job, is both par for the course … 

And lowers ones expectations … 

~≈‡≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-10-2014: GMT

Yoicks … !

I’m up late!   Where I forgot to put my alarm on … !

I’d better get a move on, hadn’t I … ?

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-10-2014

You know, I’ve said it for years, now: Radio 4’s a gift.

No, really.

I don’t know if there’s anything else quite like it outside the UK: but it’s mix of news, comedy, analysis, documentaries and whatever else you can find on the station.

And … ?

And very soothing, first thing on a Sunday morning.   Granted I’m agnostic, at best: whilst occasionally having found prayer useful.

But I find its religious programming’s worth a listen.

Strange … but true.

~≈Ó≈~

Dr Who Series Eight: Episode 8 — Mummy On The Orient Express

11th October, 2014.

Oh, now HANG on … !

I think I’ve just seen Peter Capaldi’s first episode as the Twelfth Doctor!

Hubba … hubba … HUBBA … !

Ahem … !

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

To the point of burbling enthusiastically … !

I better start telling you why, hadn’t I … ?

~≈‡≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-10-2014

Right … 

I think we can certainly say it’s a Saturday!

Which means I personally, will be looking forward to tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

It has to be said: it’s looking rather good.

I’ve just got the one question: who pine Earth is Foxes?

And can I get her version of Don’t Stop Me Now on iTunes?

I have no idea!

But I’ll probably end up having a look … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

Wake Wood: Return Of The Indie Brit Flick

9th October, 2014.

You know, I don’t get much cash: I really don’t.

You’ve possibly realised that, haven’t you?   After all, I’ve made secret of the fact I'm job-hunting at the moment: and receiving benefits.

Frankly … ?

Well, frankly, life is survivable.

That doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that resources are scarce.   And that the little cash I do get … ?

Gets juggled.

Frequently.

Something I AM glad of … ?   Is that I occasionally have enough cash to — once in a blue moon — buy an iTunes gift card.

That iTunes store credit — with the kit I’ve got — can be turned into all sorts things: games, songs … 

Movies rentals … 

It’s movie rentals I’m meaning to tell you, about, to be frank.

You see, being very aware there’s little on TV I’d any interest in watching, tonight, and having some iTunes credit, meant one thing to me.

Renting a movie.

It has to be said, there was only one film that caught my eye.

The 2011, David Keating directed horror flick that is Wake Wood.

It’s not a stunner, Wake Wood.

It’s interesting, though … 

~≈◊≈~

The Friday Question Set — 10-10-2014

You know, it has to be said, I feel vaguely tired … 

No, really.

I might just have me  quick snooze, at some point.

On the OTHER hand … ?

On the other hand, I might just save that for later.

I may have little to do, bar clean my flat: but I do like to do a few things …

~≈°≈~

The Daily Teaser — 10-10-2014: World Mental Health Day

Hello … 

That’s upset the apple cart … 

I don’t know if you watch UK politics, at all.

But the right-leaning — extremely right leaning — UK Independence Party have been gaining popularity over the past few years: especially with their anti-European chance.

Last night, though … ?   Last night* saw them win their first by-election: when their man, Douglas Carswell, was elected as Clacton MP, and the party’s first seat.   They also came in a VERY close second in the by election in Manchester’s Heywood and Middleton seat: reducing Labour’s majority to some six hundred or so.

Personally … ?   Personally, I don’t know if I could ever vote Ukip.   They’re a touch too right leaning for my comfort: and I can’t see myself benefitting under a Ukip-lead government.

But, frankly, even I will admit the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage has a lot of charisma.    Ukip also seems to genuinely offer change at Westminster.   And the party’s very existence has raised the many in the UK want to talk about.

“Let’s leave the EU.”   Or, at least, have a Scottish style in-out referendum about it.

Personally, I think that’s a much needed referendum.   We — the people of Britain — should have our say about it.

Ukip look like the only party offering to put that referendum into place.

~≈ß≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-10-2014: John Lennon

You’ve gotta love a nephew, haven’t you … ?

Bless him, Jude — my (almost) four year old nephew — has finally worked out he likes Batman!

Well, you kind of HAVE to at his age, don’t you … ?

But I have to admit, when my sister, Anna — Jude’s aunty — sent me this photo, it put a smile on my face.

 Definitely.

Weeeeell … 

That sort of sheer cheeky usually does.

~≈®≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 8-10-2014

You know, it’s got to be said, I’ve just got back from my mom’s place: over in Pilgrim’s Hatch, so you know.

And … ?

Well, I’ve got to confess to having automatically put the BBC News channel on.

Caught the dregs of Nick Clegg’s speech at this year’s Liberal Democrat conference.

I THINK I’m with comedian Al Murray, here: I don’t think I’ll be comfortable voting Liberal Democrat, again.

“@Linda_Marric: Who in their right mind would vote libdem ever again?” Not me ha ha ha
— Al Murray (@almurray) October 8, 2014

Certainly not at the 2015 election.

After all, I’m aware that both Nick Clegg and David Cameron have said — especially early on — the the Coalition Cabinet was collegiate: and made decisions collectively.

That’s means that the Lib Dems have been (partly) responsible for whatever growth there may have been in the economy since their were elected.   But ALSO responsible for the Work Programme introduced by this government: something that, however well meaning it was … 

Was less use to me, than a chocolate teapot.

Thanks for nothing, Mr Clegg*.

≈~·~≈

The Daily Teaser — 8-10-2014: Filthy Euro Lucre!

Phew … !

The Job Centre found my stick … !

Which is possibly a phrase and a half, I know.

But I have to admit to being a touch worried, yesterday: I’d left a USB memory stick — one I use for regularly used documents — there, yesterday.

Worrying, obviously: I’d not want some of that stuff to fall into the wrong hands.

Thankfully, though, it had been found, and handed in.

Boy, was I glad … !

And very grateful to whoever did that.

It’s nice to have a little faith in people, restored.

~≈Æ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-10-2014

Now, that’s a worry … !

Have you got one of those little USB memory sticks?

Useful little gadgets, those things: I’ve got several.

Actually … ?   I’ve got several … minus one.

It looks like I’ve left one at the Job Centre: complete with the info and data I use regularly use there.

Frankly … ?   Frankly, I’d be kicking myself: except I have a nasty feeling I’d miss.

After all, there’s a lot of stuff on there I’d rather people didn’t get their hands on.

Hopefully?

Well, hopefully, the staff at the Job Centre have found it, kept it and can hand it back to me.

Would you mind keeping your fingers crossed for me, please … ?

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 6-10-2014

You know, I like a documentary or two.

No, really … !

Bless ’em, BBC 2 just started one, last night: about the world’s sacred rivers.   At least, the big ones!

Last night’s was all about the Nile, to give you an example.

OK, it’s doesn’t really do justice to all of the history of the cultures — ancient and modern — along the banks of the river.

But it’ll do as a brief introduction.

~≈Â≈~

Dr Who — Episode 7: Kill The Moon

*Spoilers!*

4th October, 2014.

Right at the moment … ?

Right at the moment, I’m still watching Kill The Moon.

Late on Saturday night, quite some time after it’s been initially screened.

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I’ve had a very nice meal, tonight: family and friend’s have celebrating my kid sister’s birthday at a local — and rather nice — Turkish restaurant, this evening.

So … ?

Right at the moment, it’s — comparatively — late: I’m going to sit down in the morning, watch Kill The Moon, again.

And let you know, then what I think.

Right at the moment … ?

I think I may have seen a cop-out ending.   But VERY impressed the episode’s overall tone.

Back in the morning, folks … 

~≈fl≈~