The Daily Teaser — 31-8-2015

Right … It’s official.

The set top box I ordered got here, yesterday: on Sunday, in others words.

All good.

This means I can — in theory — now watch and record some high definition channels.

If it wasn’t for the lack of something.

Yes.

You’re right.

The connecting switch and HDMI cable I ordered … are getting sent separately … 

And will turn up later this week.

Wouldn’t you know it … ?

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 30-8-2015: Heaven, Hell or Houston …

I’ve got to admit, I like muesli.

No, really!

Believe it or not, Sainsburys do a good one: as part of their Basics range.

It’s … 

Quite nice.

I’ll tell you one thing, though.

They should maybe rebrand it as pipe-cleaner.

Mostly because it’s got two very good qualities.   It’s VERY high fibre.

And, BOY, but it makes you move … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-8-2015

Right … 

That’s that officially done … 

I’ve now got a little set-top box on order from Amazon.   One that allows me to watch high definition TV channels on my TV set.

Of course, it’s cost a little more than I expected.

I had to get an extra HDMI cable, obviously: having plenty of extra aerial cables I can use to put it into my system.

And, given my TV only has the one HDMI port … ?   I got an HDMI switcher: something that let’s me plug two or more HDMI devices to my TV.

Which is where I think I’ve had an extra charge: SOMEWHERE along the line, I’ve think I’ve been charged for delivery of something … 

Not that I’m worried: this week, I can afford it … 

~≈Á≈~

The Friday Question Set — 28-8-2015

Right, sorry about this … 

But I’ve bee rather … um … lax, haven’t I … ?

And only now realised I’ve missed the past couple of weeks worth of Friday Question Sets … !

~≈Í≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-8-2015

Hmmm … I could’ve sworn I had my TV’s Record facility set up … !

Not that I’m complaining too much: it’s actually nice to have one that works.

And … ?   If things were seriously needed, I’ve got the back-up DVD recorder available.

It’s just mildly annoying.

And only convinces me I possibly need an extra bit of kit: in order to make sure I’ve got something … 

Hmmm … 

The Shepard’s Crown — much as I want a copy — can wait until next week, I think.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 27-8-2015: The Rainbow Bridge

For me, payday is tomorrow.   And there’s a few things I want to buy.

I have my eyes on a little set-top box that I can ad to my TV: to let me watch high definition TV channels.

There’s a ton of other things, too.

There’s something else, as well: as you can possibly guess.

I’m a long term fan of the late Sir Terry Pratchett: having read his work since the mid-1980s, when I first came across The Colour of Magic.

As you can imagine, his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s Disease was something I found upsetting: especially as it a condition my grandmother suffered with.

His death was equally upsetting.

I’m also VERY aware of something else.

Last night saw the UK release of his last book: The Shepard’s Crown.

Something I’m both looking forward to — it’s a Discworld novel, after all — and dreading ordering.

And reading.

Sir Terry, himself, said — in Going Postal — that someone only died when his name stopped being spoken.

I’m very aware there are moves afoot to make sure of that.

But there’s a reason I’m dreading buying The Shepard’s Crown.

It means I know for certain that an old friend has died … … … 

~≈®≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 26-8-2015: Steamboat Willie

Right … I’m off to work in a minute.

So, I’m feeling a little … rushed, right now!

After all, I STILL have to make a Sandwich, for when I get there!

Oy VEH … !

~≈∂≈~

The Daily Teaser — 26-8-2015

Right … 

I’m officially up.

Up … about … and getting in the mood to go to work.

Which I can’t complain about, too much.

After all, it’s a daytime shift: which means I can get home in time for dinner.

And possibly some entertaining TV.

And a bun.

You can tell I’ve nothing serious planned, can’t you … ?

Well, beyond the bun … 

~≈∑≈~

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Directors Cut): If you’re going to do Spectacle …

25th August, 2015.

You know, I’ve really been neglecting the fact I have an iTunes account.

Really.

And neglecting — with one thing and another — the fact I have a little credit in my account to rent movies with.

Work takes up time: as does writing Teasers, minimal socialising, and whatever ever else.

So … ?

A night off … ?

A night off, with nothing on TV?

A night off, nothing on TV and enough in my account to rent a film … ?

What though?

The Falling didn’t quite grab me, interesting though it looks.

Child 44 … ?   Again, interesting looking, but not grabbing me as completely as I would’ve wanted … 

And, much as I’d KILL to have a watch … ?   Mad Max: Fury Road* hasn’t yet seen release to the on demand market.

Personally … ?

I went retro … and went and rented a film I’d not seen for a while.

The Steven Spielberg directed, 1977 release that IS … Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Although it has to be said … ?

The version I got from iTunes is the Directors cut … !

~≈‰≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-8-2015

You know, there’s some odd stuff doing the rounds.

Odd … 

And recycled … 

I’m listening to Radio Four’s Today programme: as per usual.

And they’ve aired a brief piece that isn’t usual.   They’ve had a chap on, called James Willis.

Who’s built a miniature orchestra out of jammed floppy drives.

Now that would probably drive me a little nuts, after a while.   After all, floppies aren’t EXACTLY pleasant things to listen to.

Still, it’s an interesting thing to see.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-8-2015: Sir Richard Attenborough

BLAST … !

I’ve gone and slept through my alarm!

Which, as I’m sure my regular readers will be able to tell you, is something I hate doing!

Personally … ?

Well, personally, I’m just glad today is a day off.

Working could’ve got interesting … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 23-8-2015

You know, dreams are funny things.

I had one, last night.   Well … I probably had several: but one stood out.

Have you heard of poi … ?   They’re small weights made from various things, on the end of strings: and can be swung about in various patterns.

Well, I had a dream, last night.   Where I was threading a lot of ancient Chinese coins — the ones with holes in — onto some narrow sticky tape.

So I could use them as poi.

WHY I was doing this … ?

Well, I’m blowed if I know.

Dreams are like that, sometimes.   At least, mine are.

They’re made up from images from the day — some tape* I saw at work, or images in a game played on FB — put together in a way that makes perfect sense … 

When you’re having the dream.

I don’t know about you … but mine don’t, in the morning … 

~≈Ø≈~

The Daily Teaser — 22-8-2015

Oooooh … that’s better … 

He says, taking that oh, so helpful first sip of a really hot cup of tea.

It’s … I’m tempted to say it’s early, right now.

It — strictly speaking — isn’t.   At least, it’s no earlier than usual.

I’m actually up, early — ish — to write this.

After a late night finish — a 12:30 finish — at work.

I feel mostly OK.   Tired, but mostly OK.

My eyeballs, on the other hand?

Fell like they usually do, in these circumstances.

Like a pair of eyeballs that really could do with that tea … … … … 

~≈8≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-8-2015

You know, I’ve got a documentary on, at the moment.

An episode of Horizon that screened, late last night, about humanity’s exploration of Mars.

Fascinating stuff, I should add.

Obviously, you can’t talk about Mars, without mentioning the possibility of life on Mars.

And the fact there’d once been water, the basis for life as we know it?   That get’s covered as well.

It’s an interesting watch.

After all … ?

My other experience of potential life on Mars … ?   Had been these guys … 

~≈Ï≈~

The Daily Teaser — 20-8-2015: Space Stuff

Right … 

That’s that set up … 

Remember, yesterday, that I told you the second monitor had failed on me?

Awkward, especially once you get used to a dual monitor set up.   Making the slideshows for Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar is something it’s helpful for: I put the question sets on one screen, copying text  the Keynote files on the main screen.

To be frank … ?   I’m grateful I’d managed to squirrel away a spare 4:3 monitor.

And that I had the relevant cables to hook it up to my Mac Pro: it’s a bit fussy, like that.

Hopefully … ?   Hopefully, I’l be able to squirrel away a bit of cash to get a new second monitor.

That way?   I’ll have a spare … 

~≈†≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 19-8-2015: Which Witch … ?

You know, I have got to confess, I am having a while of a time with my new TV.

If, for no other reason than this: it means I can hook up my Apple TV set top box, and get watching some old TV series.

It HAS to be said: retro-classic Sapphire and Steel still looks rather good.

I can only hope any remake — one’s been mooted, recently — is as good.

Here’s hoping.

~≈∑≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-8-2015: I’m Your Venus

Blow … !

If it’s not one thing, it’s another … !

You know I’ve replaced my TV: after my old one gave out?

Last night … ?

I had two monitors hooked up to my Mac.   Which I found very useful.

One of them curled up and died, yesterday.

Seemingly, at any rate.

Personally … ?   I’m not too worried: as my main monitor is still going strong.

Still … you never realise how useful dual monitors can be, until you try it.

I’ll have to see if I’ve still got that spare … !

~≈Ω≈~

The Daily Teaser — 18-8-2015

Right … That’s the new TV settling in … 

Remember I told you that my old TV set had given out?

Seemingly, the transformer had blown.

And frankly … ?   It was going to be as cheap to buy a new TV, as it was to replace the transformer.

But, frankly, I’d need help to do either.

I got that from my family, god bless ’em.

I’m now the proud owner of a cheap Bush, from my local Argos.

It won’t let me record radio stations.   The recordings are in an odd form of .ts transport stream.   But both sound and picture are very good quality.

And frankly … ?

I can’t moan too much: after all, I’d rather have something … !

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 17-8-2015

There are times I’m glad I have a family … !

I mentioned, yesterday, that my TV set had blown.

Or, at least, the transformer in it, had blown.

Thankfully … ?   Mum — along with my two kid sisters — have decided to help out, picking up a cheap TV, from my local Argos.

This one, in fact … 

I’m thankful.

If you live on your own, you don’t realise quite how reassuring a TV, or radio, is — quite how much you rely on it for company — until it’s broken.

My only thought … ?

Right now … ?

Is Phew … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 16-8-2015

Bugger … !

If you’ll excuse the language … !

But I’m a little … um … twitted off, right now.

My TV set’s gone and died … !

I cam in, last night, after finishing work at half past ten.

And pretty much did what I usually did.

Turned on my TV.

It didn’t.

Switch on, that is.

I made sure the batteries in the remote control were correctly in.   The TV didn’t switched on.

I changed the batteries in the remote control.

It still didn’t switch on.

I didn’t check the fuse in the plug: as the little red standby light, the little red light that tells you your TV is on, but not active, was on.   Electricity was getting through to the set.

I — worrying slightly — checked the internet.   Amongst the various weird and wonderful bits suggestions?   Were various opinions.  Including one telling me that the power unit — the transformer that takes electricity from the power cable and passes it on to the TV, itself — had blown: and needing replacing.

Hmmm … Makes sense: as, whenever I unplugged the thing, that self same standby light takes about 30 seconds to switch off.

I get the feeling that replacing it … ?   Would prove expensive.

As would replacing the thing: when you’re on money like mine.

I think I’m going to need help buying a new one.

Lord knows where I’m going to get that … !

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 15-8-2015

You know, the weather’s a weird old thing.

Really!

It’s August.   You’d worked that out, already: anyone using the same calendar as the UK, will have worked that out.

But my point is this.

It’s August.   And I’ve got my heating on.

Mostly because it is — for August — rather chilly.

OK, we’re not talking Arctic.

But we are talking noticeable.

I can only hope the weather improves, over the next few days.

I’d hate to see this get worse, by September … 

~≈®≈~

The Friday Question Set — 14-8-2015

I KNEW there was something I’d forgotten … !

You’re right … !

The Friday Question Set … !

Just in case you didn’t know … ?

I started this blogger as a way of documenting The out quizzes I ran.

AND to recycle the question sets I’d used: as I’d found trying to source freely available question sets hard to do.

The past two weeks … ?

I’ve been busily written the Daily Teasers: AND the sets for my local paper!

So … If you were expecting them … ?

My apologise for failing to post Any!

With that said, let’s get moving on, shall we?

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-8-2015

Well, it’s Friday.

Pay day, in other words.

AND a day off!

Which is nice.

Not that I’ll be doing much more than paying bills, and shopping.

Oh, and possibly re-ordering season 2 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

I ordered that, last week: only to receive — on Wednesday — a copy of the movie.   Boy, I’m glad Amazon do a free returns service!

Oh, and talking of bills … ?   I’m probably going to have to put a few extra quid on my gas meter.

Would you believe I’ve had my heating on, this morning?

I’ve had my heating on, this morning.   It’s August.

And it’s surprisingly nippy!

I can’t help think that — if The jet stream carries on behaving like this — September is going to be interesting … 

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-8-2015: International Left-Handers Day

Well, that’s a bugger … !

If you’ll excuse the language.

You’ve possibly worked out that I’ve been ordering a lot of bits and bobs, recently: through Amazon UK.

Most recently?   A copy of Wells’ The Time Machine, a DVD copy of the BBC’s 1984 version of The Invisible Man … 

And season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Not an order I’d have issues with.

You’d think.

BOY, you’d be wrong.

The Invisible Man and The Time Machine turned up with no problems.

Buffy season 2, was due, yesterday.

What actually turned up … ?

Was Buffy The Vampire Slayer.   The original movie … !

I think what’s happened is that someone at the warehouse grabbed the wrong DVD.

Not that I mind.

Seems Amazon do a free returns.

You can bet I’m using that … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 12-8-2015: The PC

Oh … 

Now, HANG on … 

I ordered season to of the TV series, Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

I’m a little put out.

I’ve actually been SENT Buffy The Vampire Slayer … 

The FILM version.

It’s nice to have.

It’s not what I paid for!

Looks like I’m returning this … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-8-2015

Phew … 

A day off … !

Yes … ! I have an official day off.   Which I’m, frankly, intending to enjoy.

Well … 

As much as possible, at any rate.

I’m skint: but intent on a stroll, I think.

After I’ve posted up today’s Teaser, AND the one for the Gazette.

Oh … And waited in for a delivery from Amazon … !

Don’t you just love the phrase, “Hurry up and wait” … ?

~≈€≈~

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night: Serious Art-house …

11th August, 2015.

You know, I do like seeing a film: every-so-often.

No, really: go hit the tag cloud at the bottom of the page, or click this link.

At any rate, I like watching the occasional film.

Not as many as I’d prefer, I think.   I work shifts: so, sometimes, there’s evenings I’m working.   And others when I’m either doing other things.

My point is, I like watching the odd film:  and I’ve not done that as often as I’d like, just recently.

Apart from the odd one or two, here and there.

And yes.

It’s either just me.

Or A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is … odd … 

~≈®≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-8-2015: Robin Williams

You know, it’s early.

At least, it’s early, for me.   Basically … ?

I’m covering a co-worker, who’s off on holiday, and who usually starts at 9.

So, as you can imagine, I’m feeling — loosely — like death warmed over.

What’s more … ?   Like death, warmed over, on an especially nippy morning in August, with near enough completely overcast skies.

Oy, Veh … !

Personally … ?

I’m thinking I’m going to need a LOT of caffeine, to get myself going … !

~≈Ï≈~

The Daily Teaser — 10-8-2015

You know, you’ve possibly been reading me for long enough to know I tend to listen to Radio 4, in the morning.

The Today programme in particular.

Fascinating piece, on today’s edition: about various athletes who are publishing their doping reports, in the wake of doping scandals.

Along with an equally interesting piece about child abuse images being blocked, online.

But frankly … ?

Frankly, I’m looking forward to 18:30, this evening.

Which is when I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue is on.

Personally … ?   I’m of the firm belief that, if you’ve not heard the best comedy show on any media going … ?

You really don’t have a clue … !

~≈Ï≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-8-2015

Hmmm … 

That’s a bit of a worry … 

Did I tell you I got a new phone, a couple of months ago … ?

From Carphone Warehouse, if I recall correctly.

The worrying bit … ?

Is that — as it turns out — the company’s suffered a big data breach, just recently.

And, of course, people are getting the idea of changing their passwords waved at them.

Good move, under the circumstances.

Personally … ?

I’ve just got one worry.

I don’t know if I’m one of the affected people.

And to be honest … ?

I can’t remember if I paid by cash, or card … 

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 8-8-2015: Dr Dirac

Hmmm … 

That was an entertaining evening …

He says, with a a heavy dose of irony.

Did I ever tell you I work at a local fast-food restaurant?

I work at a local … yeah, you get my point.

At any rate, I was working, last night.

Got myself at about ten.

And in bed by about half past eleven.

Could I get to sleep … ?

Good grief, no!   I think bits of me were aching a little bit too much for comfort.

And it was a nippy night, as well.

Definitely nippy!

To the point where shutting my windows, to shut off the cold, was one HELL of an improvement.

This … in early August … !

Oy … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-8-2015: Aussie Rules.

You know, I’ve got Radio Four on, at the moment.

By default?

It’s usually what I have on in the background in the morning.   Frankly, I find it less distracting — and just as entertaining/informative — than having a TV station on.

At this time of day?   I’d be listening to the Today programme: possibly the one place you can guarantee your average politician WILL get a beasting from the finest journalist going.

Today, though … ?   The show’s had a piece on revenge porn: as changes in UK law now make it illegal.

The reason I mention this … ?

Is that they ALSO mention the website a victim has set up.   This one.

http://voic.org.uk.

It’s something I thought I should at least link to.

It strikes me revenge porn is a type of bullying.

And I’m not sure I like that … 

~≈fl≈~

Jodorowsky’s Dune: What … If … ?

6th August, 2015.

You know, it has to be said, I like a film, now and again.

You’d possibly guessed that, hadn’t you?

What you possibly may know know?   Is that there’s a few books I tend to keep around.

I have done for years.

Terry Pratchett’s a favourite: with his death … ?

With his death, literature’s a poorer thing, I think.

William Gibson … ?   Got a few of his books, too: the seminal Neuromancer has been lurking on my shelves, whenever I’ve been able to have a copy.

Julian May … ?   Storm Constantine?   Debbi Mack?

Yep.

J. R. R. Tolkien?   He’s on the shelves, somewhere.

I could possibly do with more Neil Gaiman.   Oh, and H. G. Wells.

And possibly some Dickens, as well, just so people can’t accuse me of being a total philistine.   Although, frankly, there were never enough laser guns in A Christmas Carol, if you want my humble opinion.

You possibly don’t.

And when has anyone ever had a humble opinion?

At ANY rate … ?

You’ve possibly also worked something else.

That I’d also have a copy of Frank Herbert’s Dune sitting on my shelves.

That I’d love it …

Love it and be interested in seeing any given film or TV adaptation doing the rounds.

You’d be right about that.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 6-8-2015

Oh, now … 

THAT was good … 

You’ve possibly realised I’ve been getting through all sorts of TV box sets.

In an attempt to rebuild the collection I lost, when the external drive I had with my media on, got knocked over.

Well … 

I’ve manage to finish binge watching the box set I had, of Blake’s 7.

Just in case you’d not seen it?   Blake’s 7 was something of a hit series from the late 1970s/early 1980s: following the story of a small group of characters, fighting against a Federation that resembled Nazi Germany’s.

And best remembered for both its gloomy tone, its tendency to kill main characters, if needed, AND for the fact the title character, Roj Blake — played by Gareth Thomas — left at the end of series two… 

It’s ALSO remembered for a series climax that — for it’s time — was shocking: in seeing ALL the main characters killed: after Blake was shot by Avon — Paul Darrow — the other main character.

Frankly … ?

I know of nothing else like it, with the possible exceptions of The Prisoner.

You … ?

Make of it what you will … 

~≈Â≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 5-8-2015

That … 

Is unusual … !!

Have I told you I tend to like a TV box set … ?  I didn’t?

I like a TV box set, now and again.

Just recently?

I’ve been happily spending some time with both Penny Dreadful, and with retro classic, Blake’s 7.

The latter of which — at least the penultimate episode of the last season — I’m watching, as I write.

Fascinating little thing called Warlord, I should add.

Although one actress — Bobbie Brown, playing Zeeona — is one I’m blowed I can find a Wikipedia entry for.

Although she does get a mention on IMDb.

Which is odd.

You’d think a hairdo like that would get a mention … !

Bobbie Brown, as Zeeona

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-8-2015

Did I tell you I’ve got a nephew?  Called Jude.

I’ve got a nephew, called Jude.

That’s him, along with his mum, my kid sister, Ruth, in the right-hand photo.

Well, yesterday … ?

Yesterday, we all headed for a place in Romford called Kidspace.

For those of us familiar with them, it’s a bit like Rocky’s Funhouse, or Ashlyn’s, in Ongar.

On a giant scale … !

Well, maybe not giant.

But certainly big.

And … ?

Certainly great fun.

To the point where I’m going to suggest kidnapping a small child, if possible: just to give yourself an excuse to go and visit the place.

The slides?   Are incredible fun … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 4-8-2015

You know, I like a good TV documentary, sometimes.

Well, BBC4 does knock out a good one, sometimes.

And, occasionally, will have them playing in the background as I post up the Teasers.

The reason I mention this … ?   Is simply that I have one on, as I write.

One BBC 4 aired, last night: about the WW2 operation that was Operation Mincemeat.

Just in case you didn’t know?   Mincemeat was an operation jointly organised by MI5, and an officer from the Royal Navy’s intelligence section: to convince the German High command that the Allies were going to invade Greece, rather than the obvious choice, Sicily.

By planting fake papers on a corpse, when making sure the corpse washed up where the Germans would find, or access, them.

The plan worked.

And the Allies went on to win the war.

But I tell you what … 

You couldn’t make it up, could you?   Until you find out that, in 1950, someone wrote a spy novel, called Operation Heartbreak, about a fictional equivalent of the events.

Like I say … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 3-8-2015

Oh, that’s something.

Remember, a few day’s ago, I told you about the plans for the waste ground at the end of Saint James Road: just around the corner from my place.

Something I’ve personally always opposed: as I’ve felt the emergency vehicle access to my street is hard enough as things stand.

Adding any more buildings would make such access much more difficult: certainly during the building, and afterwards, as well.

After all, the increased in parked cars will also add to congestion — and delay — to the area.

Since writing that piece?   I’ve been told by both local councillors — Councillor Karen Chilvers and Councillor William Russell — that the most recent application for that ground … 

Had been turned down!

Now, I’ve also been told — by at least one of them — that permission for any building work is expected to go through on appeal.

But both councillors have told me the signs have gone up extremely prematurely.

What’s to be done about that … ?   I couldn’t tell you.

But I seriously hope that appeal gets turned down.

~≈∑≈~