The Daily Teaser — 30-11-2015: Saint Andrew’s Day

Right … It’s a Monday.

Which means, of course, that I’m looking forward to another new week.

And more to the point?

I’m actually looking forward to a day off.

Tomorrow.

Frankly, I’m planning to put my feet up, after work, today.

Which I’m just hoping will be quiet.

We’ll probably have to see, won’t we?

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-11-2015

Can I ask you a question?

I mean, on TOP of the ones I’m going to ask you, ANYWAY?

Did you see last night’s episode of Dr Who, Heaven Sent … ?

It was absolutely fantastic stuff!

I think that between them, actor, Peter Capaldi, writer Stephen Moffat and director Rachel Talalay, have put together a winner!

Personally, I’ve just got one question: where the hell did they film that?

The interiors looked great.   And as for what effects team did with the EXTERIORS … !

Ahem … !

~≈Â≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 11 — Heaven Sent

You know, I have to admit to having a godawful day at work.

‘Lighting Up Brentwood,’ the day MY town turns on its Christmas lights?

Is usually busy.

Frantically so.

And what’s more … ?

It usually features some truly snotty teenage punters.

Using the term ‘punter,’ very lightly, here.

At ANY rate … ?

At any Rate, Brentwood’s Christmas lights are on, for 2015.

It’s just a shame that — as ever — the lights we have … are … underwhelming … 

But, after work … ?

After work held something of a treat.

You see, it’s a Saturday night.

A Saturday night when I’ve gotten home in time to catch tonight’s episode of Dr Who.

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-11-2015

Hmmm … 

It’s officially Lighting Up Brentwood day.

Yep … 

My home town is going to be turning on its Christmas lights.

I’m working.

And frankly?

I’m expecting work to be busy: I’m doing working from 14:30, until 20:30.   JUST in case you fancy some cheap chicken.

Or if you’d like to raise money.

Yes.   That’s right.   We’re going to be wearing silly Christmas hats or jumpers for charity.

Bah … HUMBUG … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 27-11-2015

Hmmm … 

You DO know it’s what’s known as Black Friday, don’t you?

In other words it’s the day after Thanksgiving: the US holiday.   And a major shopping event.

Personally?   I’ve got no problem with anyone in the US having a long weekend, and taking advantage of shopping deals.   I see it as the US equivalent of the Boxing Day sales, seen — in the past — here in the UK.

I have no problem with that.

What bothers me?

Is that shops in the UK have started to have Black Friday events.

I, personally, object.

As the day is a shopping day the day after a US holiday.

Here in the UK?

Here in the UK, Thanksgiving is not a public holiday.

Why the hell we’re marking the shopping day AFTER a holiday we don’t mark, I don’t know.

Especially after last year, when seriously assaults were reported*?

Ye gods!

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 26-11-15: The Heist.

You know, I’m glad — at the mo — I’ve got the day off.

Frankly … ?

It’s raining.   Heavily.

So I’m possibly staying in.

Which is helpful, actually.

Mostly because I’ve got a blog: as I’m sure you’ve worked out, by now.

The free time means I can get some videos prepped up for the next few days.

It is — to use the old phrase — all good … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 25-11-2015: The Mousetrap

Right, hopefully, those photos show up!

I’ve got to confess to happily — and quickly — having meet Joe Sturdy: up at Café Nero, in case regular reader, Debbi Mack, remembers the place.

Mostly … ?

Well, mostly because there’s a few technical details I wanted to clear up, about the regular posts I do on the Gazette’s site.

Basically, I think the text clippings I do — something of a feature of OS X, ever since I first got a Mac — are causing a knock on problem.

But I ALSO wanted to show him the patch of ground in Saint James Road: one that developers have wanted to build on, ever since I moved in, in 2008.

The pictured ones.

I’ve objected for years: on the grounds that the overspill parking in Brunel House already causes problems getting from Warley Hill, TO Rollason Way.

As I feel the clip shows.

Hopefully … ?   That will get SOME form of attention.   Or cause an uproar, something like that … 

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-11-2015

You know, I keep telling my Mum to get a Mac.

Mostly on the basis I think it’s a better user experience.

But ALSO because I’ve noticed that OS X — the operating system on a Mac — is a touch more secure.

Yesterday … ?   It turns out there’s a security issue with PCs made by Dell.

Which, curiously, is the brand of laptop my Mum owns.   Grant it’s an older one, that’s POSSIBLY not affected by the issue — the BBC report doesn’t say which version of Windows the problem affects — but it’s probably worth checking out*.

Just to be on the safe side.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-11-2015

You know, I get the — occasionally serious — case of earworms.

You know, a song — or bits of it — that play their way through your head: sometimes for no apparent reason.

Although I’m VERY aware of two things.   Yesterday, when Barry Andrews’ Win The Night Out With A Well Known Paranoiac started unreeling itself through my head, was a Sunday.

Which is when I first heard the thing, many years ago, on Annie Nightingale’s request show.

And I’d ALSO mentioned it — via Facebook — to a co-worker.

Still, it could’ve been worse.   It could’ve been Let’s Evolve, by Sudden Sway.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 23-11-2015

Hmmm … 

Well, the staff meeting went well.

Although, as it turns out?   We had one or two complaints come through about the speed people are getting served.

Not specifically about me: I think our manager would’ve cornered me privately, if there had been.

But about the speed in general.   And having just ONE till open when it’s … you know … busy.

I think I might have a quiet word with the boss, today.

My own experience — and this is very anecdotal, I know — but my own experience tells me people are less likely to complain if they see someone jump on a till … 

~≈¥≈~

The Daily Teaser — 22-11-2015

Right, I think I’ve got a long day.

Actually, no, scrub that, I know I’ve got a long day.

First things first … ?   It’s staff meeting time.

Which is nice.   Usually we end up learning a lot: and whether we’ve done well at the up-sell contest.

On top of THAT … ?

I’m working 12:30 ’til 18:30.

Which I’m thinking will be tiring, but, on the upside … ?   It’ll help pay for Christmas.

Turtles — given a certain relative has a thing about the Ninja Turtles — seem to be the thing … !

~≈†≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 10 — Face The Raven

Oh, my good LORD … !

They’ve killed Clara … !

AHEM!

Paul, stop gibbering: you’re knackered, and over excitable … !

AHEM!

Let me take a deep breath, here.

And briefly remind you I’m a fan of the TV series,  Dr Who.

As you’ve possibly worked out by now.

And, in all that time … ?

The series has only done what it’s done, tonight — killed a companion, on screen — a few times.

Twice before: if you don’t count the death of Amy and Rory.

Tonight?   In Face the Raven?

They killed Clara.

Blimey … !

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-11-2015: World Television Day

You know, I THINK we could be looking at a nasty winter.

Possibly.

As I write, I’ve got the heating on.

Nothing new, there, this time of year.

But I’m ALSO aware was definitely nippy, yesterday: and looking JUST as nippy, today.

Personally … ?

I think wearing a jumper, when I go to work, will be an idea.

Maybe other clothes, too!

~≈Ú≈~

The Daily Teaser — 20-11-2015

You know, I have a puzzle.

Depending on your definition of ‘puzzle,’ of course.

Remember me suing, a few days ago, that I’d picked up some USB memory sticks?

Well, when they got delivered, they came with a free gift … !

See the little rubber fish thing, pictured in the photo … ?

That’s the gift.

One I originally thought was something that could help me thread the lanyards the sticks came with, onto the sticks.

Which didn’t work out, I should add: I needed up using a needle and thread.

At ANY rate … ?

It’s left with a fish thing …

And no clue about what that is … 

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-11-2015: World Toilet Day

Hmmm … 

I rarely get involved in politics, these days.

It’s just why too explosive a subject.

But Radio’s Four’s Today programme has just interviewed David, Lord Blunket, former Labour Home Secretary.

Who’s sounded very dubious, about party leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Who I, personally, think is possibly the only principled party leader, currently in Parliament.

But there you go!

Actually, while we’re on politics?

The sign in the lower picture is on the fence surround the un-developed patch of ground: the one I’ve always felt should have no further development — commercial or residential — built on it.

If you, like I would wish to object, feel free to do what I did.   Go to the listed pay on Brentwood Council’s site — http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/index.php?cid=47 — click on ‘View Applications,’ feed in the relevant reference number — 15/01084/FUL — then leave a comment‡: making sure to tick the ‘Send Me an Email’ box, so they send a confirming email.   Then you can forward that to planning@brentwood.gov.uk.

The more the merrier, frankly … !

~≈Â≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 18-11-2015: Jonestown

Right … 

I’m actually moving rather rapidly, at the mo.

I’ve just realised something.

Yes … 

I’ve run out of milk, and need to go and get some … !

Arrrggghhh!!!

~≈Î≈~

The Daily Teaser — 18-11-2015: Steamboat Willie

Right now … ?

Right now, the phrase, “We’ll always have Paris,” springs to mind.

Basically … ?   because, of course, I’ve got out of bed, this morning: and done my usual thing, of turning on my TV set.

Set, as it usually is, to Freeview Channel 130: the BBC news channel.

And, almost immediately … ?   Almost immediately, it showed me that something is kicking off in the Saint Denis area of Paris, linked to the Friday 13th attacks: apparently, police have swooped onto a flat in the area, where a woman has tried to blow herself up.

It’s an on-going situation.

And hopefully … ?   Hopefully, one that’s resolved without loss of life.

At least … more loss of life … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 17-11-2015

Right … 

It’s Tuesday.

And I have a nice long day off.

Frankly … ?

I’m intent on doing what I usually do, with my time off.

Get busy doing things for the blog: videos, Teasers, what have you.

But, beyond that … ?

Well, frankly, I’m thinking I should put my feet up.

I don’t know about you, but, at work, I’m on them all day.

The idea of putting them up — or in a bowl of warm water — definitely appeals … 

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 16-11-2015

Right, that’s THAT done … !

Did mention that the five USB sticks I ordered from Amazon, have turned up?

They turned up: complete with some lanyards to hang from.

Although I had to thread those on, myself.

That was fun.

Especially if, like me, you’re hopeless at putting very small threads through even smaller holes.

Still … 

I managed it.

Mostly by threading on some cotton, and using that as a guide: to pull the lanyard through the hole.

With the net result … ?   That I’ve half a dozen USB sticks on string.

Useful … !

~≈†≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 9 — Sleep No More

You know, I’ve seen good TV, in my time.

And bad TV.

Thankfully … ?   I’ve seen more of the former, than I have of the latter.

Although, frankly, that could well be a product of experience.

The experience, over the years, of learning about what sort of TV I like … 

Well, that experience is useful: if for no other reason than to have a shrewd guess at whether a given box set — House of Cards, say, or Penny Dreadful — will appeal.

I’m thinking last night’s episode of Dr Who — episode nine of the ninth series of the re-booted version of the show — may not be good TV.

But certainly isn’t bad.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 15-11-2015: The Coventry Blitz

Oh, now THAT’S handy … !

The USB sticks I ordered from Amazon, last week, have turned up.

2 gigabyte ones, I should add.   Which I mostly got, with the idea — believe I should say — that you can never have two many USB sticks.

They’re a bit like pens, in that respect.

You can never have too many pens.   You can never find one, when you need one: and, seemingly, when you DON’T need one … ?

You end up tripping over the blessed things!

At ANY rate … ?   I might well just give the sells a good review.

The sticks were delivered ahead of the stated due date: AND came with a set of lanyards.   The little thingies that let you hang the sticks from a wrist/neck/keyring.

It’s just a shame I’ve not yet worked out how to thread the things onto the sticks, as yet!

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-11-2015

Good … lord … 

Overnight, Paris has been attacked by Jihadist terrorist.

In what a BBC reporter has just called the world terrorist attacks in mainland Europe, since the Madrid train attacks in 2004.

Reports vary: saying between 80 and 120 people have died.

That’s … 

Well, there’s possibly a lot I could be saying, here.

Possibly … !

I’m very aware that I’ve seen a couple of people — on Facebook, mostly — making some very right-wing — offensively right-wing, I feel — comments.

Offensively right wing … and unhelpful.

To the point where I’ve unfriended at least one person.

Personally … ?

I think blaming an entire group for the actions of a few is the WORST reaction.

And quite probably the best way of feeding resentments that fuel further attacks.

At any rate … ?   I can only, quietly, offer my thoughts to the families of the victims.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-11-2015

You know, this is going to sound … odd.

Possibly.

But I bumped into an old family friend, on Saturday: one I’d not seen for some years.   And didn’t think to ask for contact details.

Now … ?

I can’t get her face out of my head.

Quite what’s happening there, I don’t know.

Well …

I think I know what’s happening: I’m blowed if I’m telling you … !

Either way … ?

It’s been bothering me for a week.

Quite probably?   It’ll bother me for a while.

Well … until something else turns up …

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-11-2015

You know, I have to make a confession.

Yes … it’s true … 

I’m getting mildly addicted to the Today programme on Radio 4!

Which is possibly ageing me, I know.

But … ?

I don’t know about you, but there’s a number of media — TV stations, radio stations, what-have-you — I could be listening to, first thing in the morning.

I don’t know what you think.

But personally … ?

Personally, I find having Radio 4 on to be rather more civilised than a blaring TV news channel.

Well … they get distracting, don’t they … ?

~≈Â≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 11-11-2015: Remember

Right … 

You can’t tell I’m rushed, can you?

Well, possibly you can.

I’m back at work, today: after a brief break.

So I’m feeling a bit … rushed … right now!

~≈¥≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-11-2015: Armistice Day

Right, it’s officially official.

I’m off back to work, today.

I’m … 

In two minds about that, actually.

On the one hand … ?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time off: even though I’ve done nothing more interesting than sat around the house, watching movies.   Oh … and  write the Gazette’s December Teasers.

I’d not mind a bit more, to be frank!

On the OTHER hand … ?

Well, on the OTHER hand, and I don’t know about you: but I’m very slowly developing an expensive Amazon habit.

Which means getting paid.

Plus, on top of all THAT … ?

Well … I’m starting to get a little bored, stuck indoors.

Time to get back into the swing of things … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

Terminator Genisys — Entertaining Hokum …

10th November, 2015.

You know, I’m … not necessarily … a film fan.

Well … 

I would’t necessarily call myself such.

I’m just a guy that likes catching the occasional movie: as and when I’ve got the funds.

Or someone buys me a ticket: pretty much what my two sisters did, recently, in taking their older brother to see SPECTRE, recently.

Occasionally … ?   And as I think I’ve mentioned, before now?

I’ve enough credit in my iTunes account — and enough free time — to rent and watch a movie.

Something I did, tonight.

As you may have guessed … ?   The film I rented, tonight?

Was the recent on-demand release: Terminator Genisys.

And, yes … it’s hokum … 

~≈Ú≈~

The Daily Teaser — 10-11-2015

That’s alarming … 

And making me wonder why on Earth it’s happening … 

Again … 

I’ve got the news on: or, at least, Radio 4’s Today programme, which usual includes a news bulletin.

One of the items … ?

Is a brief piece about Ethiopia.

There’s a drought taking place.

And, according to the UN, it looks like there’s going to be starving people there — for the third time in my life-time — by 2016.

I’m quietly keeping my fingers crossed, in the hope that the various relief agencies can get moving … 

And provide help in time.

Before it turns into 1984 … 

~≈Â≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 - Episodes 9 & 10: And Hell Itself Is My Only Foe & And They Were Enemies …

You know, that’s going to be frustrating.

There’s going to be a bit of a gap, until the airing of series 3!

Arrgghh!

As you might have noticed, I tend to like a good TV series.

For, of course, a given value of ‘good,’ ‘TV’ and ‘series,’ obviously.

And, over the past few weeks?   I’ve been binge watching the box-sets of series one and two of Penny Dreadful.

In fact, I’ve watched Series two, over the past few days: watching episodes nine and ten — And Hell Itself Is My Only Foe and And They Were Enemies — tonight

I’ve come to one conclusion.

Quite simply this.

Penny Dreadful’s bloody FANTASTIC!

~≈ƒ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-11-2015

Traveller Teaser Poster

Now, I know I’ve mentioned this before: in my write up of Saturday’s episode of Dr Who .

But yesterday was — sort of — long: as myself and my family headed off for my Uncle Brian’s 80th do.

Which was good.   Especially the beef that went with the meal.

Frankly … ?

I don’t know what on EARTH the catering staff did with it, but my WORD, it was good … !

~≈Í≈~

Dr Who Series 9: Episode 8 — The Zygon Inversion

Can I make a mild confession, here … ?

Can I … ?

You’re going to GET one, whether you want to hear it, or not.

Believe it or not, I’ve been At my Uncle Brian’s birthday do.

Which was rather good, it HAD to be said.

Damn good bit of beef, I should add: with some form of pepper -corn coating that only added to the fact that was a damn good slice of beef … !

If you follow me … ?

Possibly … not … … …

At ANY rate … I’ll confess I’m stuffed.

Going back for seconds?   Possibly wasn’t the best idea.

My four year-old nephew, Jude, bit it in his usual tactful way, on the way back home from Kent.

“Uncle Paul’s bottom smells!”

Heigh-ho … !

At any rate, I meant to quickly tell you about something I couldn’t do, last night.

Quite simply … ?

To tell you I’d finally caught last night’s episode of Dr Who.   And throughly enjoyed it.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 8-10-2015

Right … 

THAT seemed to have worked … 

I mentioned, yesterday, that I needed reminding about setting my timers.

Happily, I managed to remember.

And managed to record last night’s episode of Dr Who.

I’m probably not going to catch it, until tonight: and frankly … ?

Well, frankly, I’m looking forward to it.

AFTER my family have gotten back from my Uncle Brian’s birthday do.

What with one thing and another … ?

I’m THINKING I’ve had a busy weekend … !

~≈†≈~

SPECTRE: James Bond Goes Hmmm …

*SPOILERS*

You get earworms, don’t you … ?

You know, a song that plays its way around your head.

THAT’S an earworm.

Right now?

The tune in my head is this one … 

The familiar James Bond them music originally used as the theme for Dr No, back in 1962, and used, in some way, shape or form, ever since.

The reason I’ve got it worming it’s way through my head?

Is because I and my two sisters, Anna and Ruth?

Went to see the latest theatrical James Bond release, SPECTRE.

While I know Anna and Ruth are possibly going to disagree with me?

I think an appreciative — but not necessarily enthusiastic — “Hmm” noise is the best description.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-10-2015: Mars Needs Global Surveying … !

That reminds me: I really need to set up my timers … !

No, really … !

Bless her, one of my kid sister — Jude’s auntie, Anna — has decided she’s going to take me to see a movie, tonight.

And not just ANY movie.

The most recent James Bond flick, SPECTRE.

Which really DOES look rather good.

I’m looking forward to it, frankly.

But … ?

It’s Saturday.   Which means Dr Who’s on.

Yeah … 

I really want to make sure I put my timers on … !

~≈Í≈~

Penny Dreadful — Series 2 — Episodes 7 & 8: Little Scorpion & Memento Mori

You know, I have to admit to a certain amount of pride.

Will you would, wouldn’t you?

If you do a quick Google search for something: and get shown something you’ve gone and posted, earlier.

OK, that’s possibly the way my default browser — Safari — caches pages from Google’s search engine.

But still … it impressed me … 

At any rate, the Google search is sort of incidental to what I was going to do.

Yes … 

I’m going to mention the fact I’ve been At the Penny Dreadfuls, again.

~≈È≈~

The Friday Question Set — 6-10-2015

THAT reminds me … 

I’ve really got to stop shopping at Sainsburys!

I’ve managed to get myself home, today: after shopping.

Put some milk into the fridge … 

Only to get back to it, a bit later … to find the bottle had leaked … 

All over the floor … 

Oy … !

~≈Á≈~