Saturday 31 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 31-10-2015: Halloween … !

Can I ASK you something … ?

Is it OK to say “Bah, humbug,” about Halloween?

Only the celebration’s today: and, of course, everyone’s going bonkers about it … !

Not, actually, that I mind.

After all, it’s only the past few years that’s seen it go seriously mad.

And it’s not like it’s last year.   Where quite a few companies had a big push … on Black Friday.

Black Friday!   The big sales day, the day after the US holiday of Thanksgiving.

Which struck me as seriously off-key.

After all, Thanksgiving is a US holiday.   It, and any associated sales push?

Aren’t something I’m going to be celebrating!

~≈Ê≈~

Friday 30 October 2015

The Friday Question Set — 30-10-2015

Bleugh … 

Talk about a bad one.

I’ve got to confess to posting this … AFTER I’ve gotten home from work.

So I’m somewhat knackered.   And frustrated: at not being able to close off my till, properly.

Would you believe it?

The damn computer that runs the till I was operating?

Jammed.

Frankly … ?

I’m hoping my till balances: I have no way of checking, until I get back to work, tomorrow … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 30-10-2015

You know, it’s a Friday.

Which means, of course, it’s payday.

And the day I usually start looking at bill-paying and  shopping: mostly, me being me, for myself.

But, given there’s only a few weeks to go … ?

I’m going to have to start looking at Christmas presents.

I know this much.   One relative, my nephew, Jude?

Is quite probably going to get spoiled rotten.

Rockets, cars and Thunderbirds seem to be the thing.

Oh, and Ninja Turtles!

Oh … 

I do know World of Poo might just go down well.

Don’t quote me on that, those … !

~≈§≈~

Thursday 29 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 29-10-2015: The Red Cross

Right … 

Yesterday went well … 

With very little comeback from the day before’s little incident.

I’m glad.

Although concerned, still, about repercussions.

I think, though, it’s time to stop worrying and get moving on.

And START remembering to make sure I’ve got my timer set up.

I missed out on recording last week’s high-definition version of Dr Who: and want to make sure I get it recorded …

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 28 October 2015

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 28-10-2015: Prospero’s Books …

Right … 

I must confess, I’m feeling slightly rushed: after all, I’m back at work, today … !

Frankly … ?

Frankly, I’m expecting a long one.

Last night … ?

Was one of those nights.

Let’s just say it’s a long story, shall we?

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-10-2015

Oy … !

There’s times I like my job … and then there’s times my job serves up a bad evening … !

Last night was one of those.

Frankly, we’re had a seriously snotty customer in: one of the teenagers that can be a trial for anyone in the fast-food industry.

Doesn’t excuse the way I handled it: which was badly, I should add.

Normally, I don’t get that unprofessional.   In fact, I think it’s the first time I’ve lost my temper at a customer for about a decade.

But still … 

Bad nights … !

~≈Á≈~

Tuesday 27 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 27-10-2015

Well, there’s a thing … 

The government’s Tax Credits reforms — the ones I talked about yesterday — have been delayed by the House of Lords.

Which means the Chancellor’s has to rethink his plans for reform.   It also means the House of Lords may have problems.

As, if I’ve understood things correctly, means it’s gone beyond it’s allowed range of actions, in delaying the reforms.

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m not affected by the loss of tax credits.   Although I’m no worse off, as it delays the introduction of the higher, National Living Wage.

Something I’m not expecting to see for a while, anyway.

The other reason I’m looking sideways at this?   Is that I’m not a Conservative voter.   Seeing a government I didn’t want, or vote for, getting a bloody nose?

Is enjoyable.

Still … 

We’ll have to see what happens … 

~≈Á≈~

Monday 26 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 26-10-2015

Hmmm … 

That’s a worry … 

Well … not for me, but still … 

There’s a bill going through the House of Lords, today: that could kill off tax credits for those of us who get them.

It’s causing a huge argument, as it could potentially be killed off by the Lords.

Personally … ?   I don’t actually qualify: I don’t do enough hours.

I’ve friends, though, who’d be affected: so they’d be affected … badly … 

The downside … ?

If I’ve understood what’s been said, correctly, it also affects the minimum wage that we’re on.

Hmmm … 

Worrying … 

~≈®≈~

Sunday 25 October 2015

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 6 — The Woman Who Lived


They say … 

Hmmm … 

That’s something of a classic way to open a story, isn’t it?

They say’ … rapidly followed by whatever it is that’s said …

And a brief explanation of whoever it is that’s doing the saying.

Although, in saying that … ?

I, personally, wasn’t necessarily going to fill in the details of what was being said: or who was saying it.

No, I just wanted to use ‘They say’ as an opening line.

Play fair: when else would I get the chance … ?

~≈Œ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-10-2015

You know, I THINK I’ve got a question.

No, really … !

What the hell is the thing with the clock about?

As you know, many counties will put the clock back an hour in autumn, and ahead one hour in spring.

We have, overnight, gone back an hour.

And … ?

Well, I’ve got the day off: so I’m happy.   The extra hour’s sleep’s always appreciated.

Especially given I finished at half twelve, last night.

Still … ?

I could never see the sense of it: even though I know the reasons … 

~≈Ç≈~

Saturday 24 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 24-10-2015

You know, that’s a vague worry … 

Did I tell you my mother has TalkTalk as her internet service provider … ?

She’s got TalkTalk as her internet service provider.

So the news the company’s been hit by its third hack attack in the space of eight months … ?

That’s … worrying … 

I can only hope she’s changed all her passwords.

Just in case … !

~≈∑≈~

Friday 23 October 2015

The Friday Question Set — 23-10-2015

OK, it’s Friday, again.

Which means two or three things.

First off … ?

I’m rushed, again.

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

You’ve possibly also realised I’m working: and therefore somewhat rushed, as I’m due to head in.

Oh … 

And it’s Pay day: at least, for the people I pay my bills too!

Someone’s going to get money.

It’s certainly not me.

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 23-10-2015: Parliamentary Matters …

Hmmm … 

I think I need … Money … !

Frankly, who doesn’t?

But right at the moment, I’ve had to swap monitors around: given what WAS my main one has been playing up.

It’s now being used as the ‘second’ monitor: and getting turned off at the mains, as that seems to be part of what’s causing issues.

Well … that and cabling!   I put a new VGA cable in, yesterday … And it started playing up about an hour later … 

Hmmm … 

I need money, I think … 

Or Santa … 

~≈Á≈~

Thursday 22 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 22-10-2015: The Supremes A’Go-go

Right … 

That’s my monitor calming down … 

I don’t know if I mentioned it, but, occasionally, my main monitor has spasms: throwing up assorted menus.

I’ve finally figured out it’s usually after a night where I’ve left on my main Mac Pro, overnight: usually doing serious amounts of ripping and video editing.

I’ve GOT it calming down … ?   After unplugging it from the mains, AND changing the VGA cable that connects monitor to computer.

I MIGHT just have to … you know … buy another VGA cable … … … …

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 21 October 2015

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 21-10-2015: The Metre

Ah, well, that’s a result … 

I’ve had a nice relaxing morning, dropping of a belated birthday present.

Believe it or not?

An internal hard-drive — one of these — along with an caddy/enclosure/docking station, that let’s it be used as an external hard drive.

I think we can say it went down well.

I got a free hug.

Although, given the friend concerned is a foot taller than me, and male … ?

Well … 

Armpits … 

All I’m saying … 

~≈Á≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-10-2015

Oh … RIGHT!   That’s what’s happening!

I finally got my delivery in, yesterday: the caddy, and a video box-set.

Series four of Angel, since you ask.

And … ?   I THINK I’ve solved a problem: or figured out why there’s a problem.

Occasionally, I get a lot of flickering: as my main monitor shifts between its different presentation modes.

I’ve NOW worked out it happens … after I leave my computer on, doing an overnight rip … !

Quite how to deal with that?   I’m not sure: bar monitoring how long the computer’s on, for.

~≈É≈~

There’s something else, before I move on to the Teaser, itself.   Remember, back when I was unemployed, I told you I was placed on the government’s Work Program.   It was designed to help the long term unemployed back into work.    It was also something I felt was an expensive waste of time: as — from the anecdotal stories I help, and my own experience — told me it was ineffective.

AND a waste of money.

As I felt I got more effective help from my local Job Centre.

It looks like I was right.   This report, that the BBC has talked about?   Tells me I’m right: the thing was a waste of time.

Isn’t vindication nice … ?

~≈É≈~

Tuesday 20 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 20-10-2015

Hmmm … 

That’s … 

Well, not annoying, per sè.

Just awkward.

I’ve had a couple of things on order, now: from Amazon.   A hard-drive caddy and the fourth series of Angel.

Which Amazon told me would be delivered, yesterday.

I wasn’t too worried, as a friendly neighbour had agreed to take them in.

They turned up, alright … 

But when I was working, and my neighbour was picking up her children from work.

Oh, it’s OK, they’re going to be trying again, today.

But my first thought: when I got home from work and found the little card from Amazon’s delivery driver in my letterbox?

“Wouldn’t you know it … ?”

~≈Ç≈~

Monday 19 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 19-10-2015

Now that was nice … 

You may or may not remember, but I mentioned, yesterday, that I was off to a staff meeting.

Which was rather good.

Something else that was good … ?

Was popping into the pub, afterwards.

No, don’t go looking like that: I don’t actually drink!

I had a halfway decent cup of tea.   Before you get that look on your face … !

At ANY rate … ?   I and some of my co-workers ended up in a local pub, having a civilised — ish — breakfast.   Although you wouldn’t want to hear SOME of the discussions!

It has to be said … that was rather pleasant … !

~≈¥≈~

Sunday 18 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 18-10-2015

It’s got to be said … I’m feeling both vaguely rushed … and rather tired.

In a good way, obviously … !

But that’s kind of my own fault.

I would stay up comparatively late on a night when I’ve got to be up for a staff meeting.

But … ?

Well, at least I got it to see this week’s episode of Dr Who, live.

Quite an episode, that.

Maisie Williams stole the show … 

~≈É≈~

Saturday 17 October 2015

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 5 — The Girl Who Died

From L to R, Jenna Coleman, Peter Capaldi
 and Maisie Williams as Clare, the Dr and Ashildr

*Spoilers*

You know, I’m a Dr Who fan.

You’ve possibly noticed, haven’t you … ?

After all, I’ve made no secret of the fact, over the years.

I’ve ALSO made no secret of the fact the term ‘Whovian’ is something I find personally annoying: but that’s me.

I’m a Dr Who fan.   Rather than something that sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

But I’m digressing, here.

I’m a Dr Who fan.   One who’s been watching the original from about the age of five — since Anna, the eldest of my two sisters, was born — until it was cancelled.

And the rebooted since it started in 2005.

I’m also a fan who’s aware both versions of the show has had it’s ups and downs.

And one thinking that tonight’s episode — The Girl Who Died*, the fifth episode of series nine,  Peter Capaldi’s second series in the role, and one of two appearances of Game of Thrones star, Maisie Williams — is a bloody cracker of an episode.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 17-10-2015

THAT’S a thought … 

Did I tell you I — occasionally — shop Amazon?

You’d possibly worked that out: especially given I’ve managed to pick up Mongrels, a little while ago.


At ANY rate … ?   You’ve worked out I, generally, like buying stuff from them.

I have to admit, I’ve bought an hard-drive enclosure from them.

In case you DIDN’T know, that’s a little widget that let’s you use an internal hard-drive, as if it were an external hard-drive.

Given I’ve an branch of CeX near me, that dosed second hand internal drives, at some very reasonable prices?

It’s a handy investment.

~≈Â≈~

Friday 16 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 16-10-2015





Well, that was exciting!

My bush caught fire … !

I don’t know if you’ve ever been to my place, but I live in a ground floor-flat: with shrubbery directly outside my window.

I’ve got three flats above mine, so you know.

Yesterday … ?

Yesterday, I notice a mild smell of burning: and initially put it down to needing to clean my oven!

It wasn’t the oven.   A few minutes after I notice the burning smell, one of my neighbours knocked on my door, looking rather worried.   To tell me the shrubbery outside my window was on fire.

I managed to put the fire: with the help of at least three buckets of water.

AND managed to call the fire brigade, to make bloody SURE people who put fires out professionally had a look.   I wanted to make sure I’d put the bush out.

What happened?

Going by the position of the smoke* — right against the wall under my window — what I THINK happened is someone in the flats above mine has dropped a cigarette off the side/back of their balcony, without putting it out, first: we’ve had it happen before.    It’s something the previous residents of the flat above mine have done.

Like I say … ?   I THINK I owe one neighbour a big thank you.   Thanking you, Hayley!

As the fire men said, when they got here?

It could’ve been a LOT worse … !

~≈Ê≈~

Thursday 15 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 15-10-2015

Blimey … !

I’ve got … TIME OFF!

Ok, ok, I’ve only got today off: it’s not that exciting.

And it’s not as if I’ve got anything planned for the day.   Well … 

Beyond doing some work for the blog: prepping up videos, teasers and tomorrow’s Friday Question Set.

Oh … and possibly having a nap … 

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 14 October 2015

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 14-10-2015: Winnie The Pooh

Right, rush, rush rush … !

As, once again, I’m off to work in a tick.

I’m not complaining: I do like working on Wednesday: I’m usually working with a good bunch.

But it DOES make for a rush posting up … 

The Weekly Teaser … !

~≈fi≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-10-2015: The Battle of Hastings

Did I tell you I like doing a online shopping?

It’s really incredibly convenient.

Just recently … ?   I managed to pick up the now cancelled BBC 3 series, Mongrels: something I’d watched, originally, when it was on in 2010/11.

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m glad it’s out on DVD.

The fact it got cancelled is one hell of a shame.   Mongrels was rude: but also one of the funniest things I’ve seen!


~≈Ÿ≈~

Tuesday 13 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 13-10-2015

Hmmm … 

I don’t know if you knew it, but I’ve at least one neighbour who uses cannabis.

Not something I object too: in theory.

What I do object to is the fact whoever’s using it, is making my flat smell as a result.

I’ve been reporting this: as I object to that.

I did, last night, in fact, phoning the 101 non-emergency police line.

I ALSO got told something else: that phoning the local neighbourhood policing team could be useful.

So I phoned them, too.

Going by the recorded message I got?   I couldn’t leave a message: as their answer phone service was having problems.

But I could, as an alternative … ?   Phone 101 … 

Oy veh … 

~≈Á≈~

Monday 12 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 12-10-2015: UN International Spanish Language Day

You know, I finally have a day off … !

Which is always nice.

Not that I’m actually planning to DO much.

Mostly Teaser writing, video making, looking in on a friend or two … 

And frankly?   And in all probability I’ll be listening to Just a Minute.

Just in case you don’t know, the show’s been going for a good few decades: and has a very simple idea, behind it.

Contestants have to talk on a given subject, for a minute … 

Without hesitating, repetition or deviation from the subject.

Easy, you say … ?

I doubt it … !


~≈Ÿ≈~

Sunday 11 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 11-10-2015

Can I mention sausages, at this point … ?

No, really.

Basically … ?   I went shopping, yesterday: and managed to treat myself to a pack of sausages.

Gourmet sausages: made by a company called ‘The Giggly Pig’.

Although WHY the pig’s laughing is something I couldn’t tell you.

At ANY rate … ?   At any rate, the company show up on a fairly regular basis: at the street market held Friday’s, in Brentwood High Street.

And they HAD to be there, cooking off sample sausages, just as I was going past: with a bit of spare money.

And plenty of samples to try.

I ended up buying half a dozen of the hickory smoked ones: and had three of those for dinner, yesterday.

It has to be said: those sausages are expensive.

But my word, they’re worth the money, if you have it to spare … 

~≈Â≈~

Saturday 10 October 2015

Doctor Who Series 9: Episode 4 — Before The Flood.

Did I ever mention I’m like a lot of people, my age?

In that my choice of entertainment is … fairly typical?

I tend — like others, my age — to go for a film or a TV show: rather than, say a video game.

Which is fine, I should add, if that’s What you choose to do.

At ANY rate … ?

I like watching films and movies: to some of the alternatives.

And … ?   And I like Dr Who.

I’ve been watching it for years.

Frankly … ?   With a certain amount of enjoyment.

Especially the past few weeks … 

~≈fi≈~

The Daily Teaser — 10-10-2015


Right …

I THINK I owe co-worker, Kelly, a bit of a “Thank You”: as I’d cheekily asked her to remind me to mark up some internal hard drives.

Or, at least, mark up the sleds the hard-drives are in.

Thanking YOU, Kelly!

The REASON I asked about that … ?

Well, I’ll be honest, I’m thinking I should replace the internal drive I store my TV series on: with a larger capacity one.

I’m slowly — for a given value of slowly — running out of space, on there.

Most of the time, I don’t need to know which drive is in which bay: as you can possibly work out from the screen-shot, all I need is for the operating system to tell me which one is which.

Obviously, it’s a different story if I’m replacing one.

That’s when knowing what’s what, comes in useful … !

~≈Ó≈~

Friday 9 October 2015

The Friday Question Set — 9-10-2015

Did I mention it’s Friday … ?

Did I ALSO mention it’s Payday, for me?

Did I ALSO happen to mention that I’m working, today?

OK, I’ve a while before I start.

But I’m feeling a little … well … 

Rushed … !

To paraphrase regular Old Peculiar commentor, Debbi Mack: “Too much stuff, not enough time … !”

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-10-2015: The Music Of The Night … 

Wouldn’t you know it … ?

The OTHER cable turned up … !

You’ve possibly worked out I’m not exactly Mr Patient: and have a bad habit of ordering extra bits and bobs if whatever I’ve ordered from Amazon doesn’t turn up in good time.

I recently ordered a monitor: along with two lots of DVI cables, as the first didn’t turn up as promptly as I’d like.

Well, the second has turned up: yesterday, in fact.

Oy veh … !

One of these days, I swear, I’m going to learn … !

If NOTHING else, to keep an eyeball open on whether a vendor is Amazon, itself, or a third party seller.

~≈Ê≈~

Thursday 8 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 8-10-2015: In California.

Hmmm … 

Remember me saying I had a job interview, on Monday … ?

I think I can safely say I haven’t bagged it.

Especially as the manager who interviewed me told me they’d be in touch by Tuesday, if they were going to hire me.

I think they were after someone who could start immediately: as well As do the four days of training, needed.

I’m disappointed, obviously.

There’s upsides, though.

I’m feeling rather pleased to have been interviewed: whatever the outcome, it’s done my confidence a favour.

And it’s garnered me a helpful or two thought, from folks at work, on how to deal with another.

All good … !

~≈Ï≈~

Wednesday 7 October 2015

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 7-10-2015: Lucky Seven

Hmmm … 

Here’s hoping those get pushed through … 

Sorry, JUST had to get in touch with the Brentwood Gazette: just to make sure their push the version of this week’s quiz, live.

Hopefully?

Those links will go live, soon.

At any rate … ?

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-10-2015

OK, now I’m pleased … !

Remember me telling you I’d ordered a new (ish) monitor from Amazon?

But was waiting for the relevant cable to turn up.

It finally got here, yesterday.

Which meant I could finally set up the new monitor.   (It’s the one on the left.)

It HAS to be said, the picture quality … ?   Is really rather impressive.

There’s absolutely no ghosting, static, what-have-you.

The fact it’s ALSO got built in speakers, and a USB hub?   Is practically incidental.

The fact my — admittedly cheap — new shoes turned up?

Is ALSO incidental.

But very practical: especially as my old shoes were leaking.

It means, given recent weather … that I’m going to have dry feet, walking to work …

Handy … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

Tuesday 6 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 6-10-2015

You know, I really can tell I got a late night, last night.

I finally managed to catch the very entertaining Mad Max: Fury Road, so you know.

Well worth watching, I think: Charlize Theron steals the show.

At any rate?

I’m yawning.

Which means at least two very strong cups of tea. At least.

Secondly?   I’m not only yawning, but have — inexplicably — an earworm going through my head.

Why on EARTH the Ketchup’s banging away, there, I really couldn’t tell you.

QUITE what Old Peculiar regulars, Olga and Debbi, will make of that, I don’t know … !


~≈fl≈~

Mad Max: Fury Road: A Review … !


5th October, 2015.

Now, it has to be said, I like a film or two, now and again.

Who doesn’t?

After all, I think part of what makes us all human is a desire to tell — and listen to — stories.

All the way back from when — as cavemen/women/persons — we sat around a fire, telling each other of gods and monsters.

All the way to now: when an account with Netflix, Sky or iTunes has replaced the communal fire.

And gods, monsters, myths and legends have been replaced with other things.

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m the same: I like a tale or two.

As, I suspect, do you.

We like stories.

TV.   Books.   Hell, poetic epics!

Oh … and as I think I’m trying to say … movies.

I’ve been looking forward to one for a while, now.

The fourth member of the Mad Max franchise.

The George Miller directed, 2015, film that is … 


And, yes: I think ‘Nice’ may be under-selling it … 

~≈fi≈~

Monday 5 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 5-10-2015: The Name’s Bond … 

Right … 

Did you see where I put my iron … ?

More to the point, did you see where I put my posh trousers?

I think I’m going to need both, frankly … !

“OK,” I hear you ask.

“Why DOES Paul want me to find his trousers?”

Well … 

I’ve got an interview, today: at my local post office.

Which, of course means, I’ll be needing my posh shoes and trousers.   And need an iron, so I can iron a shirt.

Oh … 

And will possibly need to print out a copy of my CV and references.   I just hope the printers at the library are working, today.

I think I’m going to need them … 

~≈Ê≈~

Sunday 4 October 2015

Doctor Who Series 9: Episode 3 — Under The Lake

You know, I work … 

I thoroughly enjoy working: AND the money it gets me.

It pays for dinner, after all.

But, of course, this comes with downsides.

One of those … ?

Being the fact I’ve only just caught up with Under the Lake: last night’s third episode of this years series — Series nine, so you know — of Dr Who.

And … ?

Yes, I’m impressed.

This series is looking old school good … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 4-10-2015

No … !

No!!!

Really, I mean “No … !”

Don’t you DARE say a word about last night’s episode of Dr Who.

I Haven’t SEEN It Yet … !

Much as I actually like my job, there’s times when it can be a git.

No, really!

I work shifts.   Which includes having worked, last night.   Which generally went well, even though we seemed to get few customers.

I’m blaming the rugby, there.

At ANY rate … ?   That means I’ve not yet seen last night’s episode of Dr Who.

I’d rather not catch spoilers … !


~≈Ÿ≈~

Saturday 3 October 2015

The Daily Teaser — 3-10-2015

Ooooo … By HECK … 

I need a caffeine fix, after a night like that … !

You’ve possibly worked out I work in a local restaurant, haven’t you … ?

I do.

And, usually, the shift pattern’s fairly fair: alternating weeks with looks of days, to weeks with lots of nights.

I finished at 22.30, last night: and, LORDY, it took a while to get to sleep.

This morning … ?   I think this morning’s going to involve quite a lot of strong tea.   And possibly a tune … 


Just to get into some form of gear … !

~≈†≈~