The Daily Teaser — 30-4-2016: All Jazzed Up …

Now that … 

Was a long day … 

I have to admit, I was working, yesterday.

From 12 noon, until 9 at night.

And I’m back again, tonight: from 5 until closing time.

I’m (sort of) thankful: as that means I’ve not lost too many hours after falling ill on Wednesday.

Still … ?

I’m thankful the medications helping!

All I need to do now … is remember to have a word about it, when I see my GP.

~≈Â≈~

The Friday — 29-4-2016

Bleugh … 

I think I can safely say a few things.

A cocoa would be good, right now.

As — possibly — would a shower.

Although that’s possibly debatable.

I’ll happily make do with a footpath and a cup of tea: and some Muddy Waters, in the background.

Lordy … 

But you’d assume I’ve been at work all, all day, wouldn’t you … ?

Ahem … !

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-4-2016

Hmmm … 

I’m off back to work, today.

And frankly … ?

Looking forward to it, despite the fact it’s a very long shift.

It’s ALSO kind of sad: as one co-worker’s leaving, today.

One who’d joined up at the same time I did.

Which is mildly mind boggling: as I’ve said, Kelly joined on the same day as me.

Seeing her go is both sad … 

And a spur for me to keep my eyes open.

Either way … ?

I’ll be sorry to see her go: and hope her new job goes well for her.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-4-2016

Hmmm … 

I’ve got to make a confession, I had the day off, yesterday: ill.

With the usual intense stomach cramps.

I think I didn’t actually help myself, by walking to work.

Believe it or not, the walk up Warley Hill occasionally helps.

It didn’t yesterday: My guts didn’t actually calm down, until about four-ish.

After I’d had an emergency appointment with my doctor’s practise nurse, who prescribed a little something for me.

Which turns out to ALSO be handy for Irritable Bowel syndrome!

Ouch!

~≈Â≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’m doing what I usually do, at this time of the morning: listening to Radio 4’s Today programme.

They’s had a piece on, telling us that the BBC is planing to work with Netflix, on a remake of Watership Down.

That’s — apparently — planned to be ‘less disturbing’ than the original.

Hmm … 

I don’t how to feel about that.

The scary bits are part of what made the original so memorable … 

~≈Â≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 2

You know, I have a confession to make.

I WAS due to go to work, today.

But … ?

Frankly, my guts where killing me.

Seriously killing me.

Stupidly — and what I think DIDN’T help — was the fact I walked into work: to ask for time off.

In the thinking that the walk up Warley Hill, to Brentwood High Street, would help relieve the stomach pains.

Nope.

And I have to give credit to my boss, for letting me have the day off.

I was able to book up an emergency appointment — via the UK’s 111 service — with my doctor’s Practise nurse.

And get a prescription for a dose of Buscopan.

Which, as it turns out, is very good at dealing with stomach cramps … and irritable bowel syndrome.

Remind me to have a word with my GP about that, when I see her, next week … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

That took until four o’clock to sort out.

And it was only from about five — when the medication kicked in — that I felt any kind of pain relief.

Which meant a few things.

Granted, I would be getting paid for the loss of a day’s work.   I can live with that, if I can work out WHY my stomach behaves so badly.

And secondly … ?

I was able to catch up with an episode of a favourite TV show.   Episode two, of the third season of House of Cards.

I’ve been meaning to do for a while … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 27-4-2016

Right … 

Once again, I am definitely rushed, today.

So I’m going to head right into this week’s Weekly Teaser.

With as minimal fuss as possible … !

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 27-4-2016

Right … 

I’m off to work, again, today.

On something of a long shift: 12 ’til 8, so you know.

But … ?

Well, I do like to keep my eye on the snooker, if possible: especially when the World Championship’s on, at the Crucible.

Ronnie O’Sullivan — arguably the game’s greatest player — is out: beaten by Barry Hawkins.

And China’s best player, Ding Junhui, is through to the semi-finals.

I hope he gets through — and win — the final.

He’d be China’s first World Champion!

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 26-4-2016

Oh, well, that seemed to work … 

I mentioned, yesterday, I was having a problem with my hands: with quite a bit of dry skin.

Thankfully, though?

I managed to pick up a tub of skin cream from my local branch of Boots: a rather strong, medicated one.

It does seem to have worked rather well.

My hands are definitely felling a touch better!

It’s all good!

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-4-2016

Hmmm … 

I think I’m going to have to get a halfway decent moisturiser, I really am!

I’m getting noticeably dry hands.

No, really: I think that — between rough soap, dodgy air conditioning and cold weather — they’re getting as rough as sandpaper.

Painfully so, in fact.   I DO know I’ve managed to dig up some disposable latex gloves for work.

Those will have to do, for now.

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-4-2016

Well, that went OK … !

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’ve volunteered for World Book Night, this year: as I have for the past few.

And have to admit, it went well.

I managed to hand out the sixteen copies I had — of SJ Parrish’s Treachery — fairly rapidly: up and down Brentwood High Street.

Which went VERY well.

I think we can safely say getting a free book is quite something … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

In other events?

In other events, Dr Who has a new companion: in the snap of a character called Bill: played by Pearl Mackie.

Personally?

I’m looking forward to her introduction in 2017.

She looks rather interesting … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 23-4-2016: The Bard Is Back

Well, it’s now officially World Book Night.

Well … 

Literally, the day of it.

And … ?

Well, I am, as ever a volunteer for the scheme: one with copies of SJ Parrish’s Treachery to give away.

Quite how I balance that, with the fact I’m working 3 ’til 10, I really don’t know!

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Friday Question Set — 15-4-2016

It’s Friday … 

Frankly, I’ve near enough just finished work.

Equally as frankly … ?

I’m thoroughly enjoying a very LARGE cocoa, right now: and a copy of 1999, bought in the wake of the death of Prince … 

Well, what ARE you supped to do … ?

Apart from party … ?

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 22-4-2016: Earth Day

Good lord … 

Prince has died … 

I don’t know about you, but I grew up in the 1970s and was a teen during the 1980s.

And, back then?

Back then, you couldn’t move for music released by Michael Jackson, Madonna … 

And Prince … 

I’ve never been a huge music fan.

But Prince?

If he HADN’T released something you liked, you’re possibly less of a music fan than I am.

A catalogue that extensive, was going to have something — quite literally — for everyone.

~≈Â≈~

Personally … ?

I must admit to one thing that’s bothered me, about Prince’s death.

Just one.

He died at the age of 57.

57.

These days?

That’s no age, at all.

Especially when you consider that yesterday was ALSO the Queen’s 90th birthday.

THAT’S what’s bothering me.

57 — like 62, the age at which comedian, Victoria Wood, recently died of cancer — is hardly any age at all.

I know the man recently collapsed.

And have to ask … 

What on Earth killed Prince at the age of 57.

It’s not young.

But Prince has died at 57.

His prime.

What the hell happened?

I want to hear the results of that post-mortem!

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 21-4-2016

Oh, goody!

They’re in!

I don’t know if you knew it, but Saturday is World Book Night: something I’ve been taking part in for a few years, now.

And frankly … ?

Always one who waits for the books to turn up.

I check my emails, daily, in the morning.

Partly to see who’s had a try at the Daily Teaser.

But also to see if there’s anything else that’s turned up.

I’m waiting for a Freedom of Information request I’ve put in to turn up.

But HAVE had the delivery note turn up.

The books I’m handing out on World Book Night have turned up.

All I have to do now, is picked them up.

~≈Ê≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 20-4-2016: UN Chinese Language Day

Bad Egg!

Blimey … !

The shop had no French sticks!

I’m off to work, this afternoon: and start at two.

So, obviously, was planning a biggish, and late, lunch, today.

Preferably?

Preferably, with a ham baguette.

Except my local Nisa’s … ?

Had run out out of French sticks!

Guess I’ll have t have a sandwich, instead.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 20-4-2016

Right … 

I’m officially back at work, today: on a 2pm ’til 8pm shift.

Which is always an odd one, frankly.

Mostly because it’s at an odd time.

Too late to be a daytime shift, and too early to be a nighttime one.

Or — and with thanks to Terry Pratchett for introducing me to the phrase — it’s too long for Dick, and too short for Richard.

Oy, veh … !

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-4-2016: The Simpsons

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got last night’s episode of Gotham on: and Bruce Wayne has tracked down Matches Malone, the man who killed his parents.

As I write … ?

Bruce is facing Matches, with a gun … 

And Matches … ?

Really isn’t going to be in the rest of the series!

Frankly … ?

Whilst I’ve not been doing the same sort of write ups of it I have for other series?

It really IS worth catching: especially with quality scenes like that!

~≈®≈~

The Daily Teaser — 18-4-2016

Hmmm … 

Come the 23rd June?

Come the 23rd June, there’s going to be an EU referendum in the UK.

Personally?

I am still not sure which way to vote: even now, as the date grows nearer.

But … ?

The news has come in, today, that the Treasury has said Britain’s economy would contract by some six per cent.

Now I couldn’t tell you.

But — and despite what Chancellor George Osbourne has said in the interview he’s giving to Radio Four’s Today programme — I can’t help think that is is the Government coming down on the side of the Remain campaign.

Potentially breaking the Electoral Commission rules on the referendum in the process.

Pros and cons aside, I think this is — much like the government-issued leaflet, issued just before the start of the referendum campaign — somewhat unfair to the Leave campaign.

And I’m tempted to vote leave as a result.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 17-4-2016

Ye GODS, but I love a weekend like this … !

I was working, yesterday: and I’m working, today.

No problem there.

Except, of course, I finished at half twelve.   And today … ?

I start at twelve.

For someone who likes eating up in the morning … ?

For someone who likes to get up in the morning, that does mean a lot of things.

Frankly?

Having lots of caffeine around … !

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 16-4-2016

Hmmm … 

I THINKING I’m going to need to get creative … 

I follow all sorts of things — and people — on Twitter.

Including one or two websites.

One of which — a charity that also publishes a quarterly magazine that’s published in a well known clothes shop — recently asked for volunteer contributors.

Guess who volunteered.

?

Hopefully?

I can motivate myself to come up with something for them.

It’d be … 

Well, I think it would be all sorts of good.

~≈†≈~

The Friday Question Set — 15-4-2016

Drat … !

I forgot last week’s Question Set … !

Argh!

As you possibly know … ?

I started this blog to … well … 

Hand out free quizzes.

As I found there weren’t enough online, at the time!

At ANY Rate, I forgot to post one, last week: despite trying To make an effort NOT to.

What CAN I tell you?

Perils of working shifts, I’m afraid!

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 15-4-2016

I’d like to know what happened there … 

I don’t know how much of the news you follow, here in the UK.

But something I saw, late last night?   Was the news that a three-year-child was kidnapped by two teenaged girls: in Newcastle.

The child was found after about an hour.

Personally?   I can’t be the only person who automatically though we — potentially — were looking at another Jamie Bulger: the two year old kidnapped and murdered by two ten year olds.

I think yesterday’s kidnapping could have gone the same way.   I couldn’t tell you for sure … but the fact my first thought was of the Bulger case will show you the way I was thinking.

There’s possibly a lot I — or any of us — could say about what the two girls did.

We could be throwing around the word ‘evil.’

Something I think would be a simplistic way of describing their actions.

But personally?

I have questions.

Not least of which?

Why did they do it?

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 14-4-2016: The Grapes of Wrath

Oh, THAT’S a bit better … 

I managed to get sleep, last night.

Which is something I’m thankful for, frankly.

Although it does mean I can remember having a (short) dream.

Where I was talking to a young woman, with a faceful of red make-up — like a red version of this — about the bus.

Apparently, we’d missed it.

She said.

In mime!

I usually find I have half an idea what a dream’s trying to tell me.

Except when it involves red-faced, female mime artists … 

~≈Â≈~

Oh … and just as a small piece of news?

I’ve just had a look at my various social media news feeds …

To find actor Gareth Thomas — who I remember as Blake, in Blake’s 7, and Children of the Stones — has died.

That’s sad!

~≈Â≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 13-4-2016: Tiger Tiger

Right … 

I’m going to be a man of few words, today: as I’m off to work in a second.

I’ve got SOMETHING of an early start, today: and want to make a packed lunch for when I get there.

Ahem!

With that said … ?

Let’s get a move on … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-4-2016

Ye gods, I’m tired!

I’ve got an early start, today.

So, of course, I’m up early: to try and squeeze out both today’s Teaser, and this week’s Weekly Teaser for the Gazette.

And, wouldn’t you know it … ?

I couldn’t sleep a wink, last night!

Isn’t that ALWAYS the way … ?

~≈Ÿ≈~

On the upside?

On the upside, this morning I’ve noticed — whilst uploading today’s Teaser video to YouTube — that there’s a new Penny Dreadful trailer up and running.

Personally?

I’m looking forward to it airing on 3rd May: the series is turning into something of a favourite.

I just hope I get time to catch it.

~≈Ÿ≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-4-2016: The First Spaceman

Wouldn’t you just know it … ?

I’ve had a payment card for my council tax on order: for some time, now.

And — understandably, I think — been a little concerned, as it hadn’t actually turned up.

So … ?

So, yesterday morning, I went to Brentwood Council: to see if they could tell me anything.

About the only thing they could offer?

Was the information it would be here, “at some point, this week.”

Disappointing, but something I had to be happy with.

So — mildly disappointed, but at least with SOME sort of info — I went shopping.

And headed home.

Put my shopping away … 

And checked my post.

Only to find the card had been delivered whilst I was out.

Wouldn’t you know it?

Great: I go to the Town Hall to complain about my missing council Tax payment card … to find it’s been delivered by the time I get home …

— Paul Downie (@Cuddy2977) April 11, 2016

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-4-2016

Right … 

I think I need to pay Brentwood Council a visit, today.

And putting it off isn’t necessarily going to help.

Remember, a couple of days ago, I mentioned that Council hadn’t sent me a payment card for my council tax?

It’s still not here.

I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking going in to the Town Hall to ask what’s going on would be useful …

~≈Ç≈~

That’s the other thing to do.   Can I ask you a favour?

I’m thinking that I like my job.

No, really.

But I’m getting itchy feet: and thinking I’d rather be looking for a change of job: before I end up retiring!

Can you just … you know … give me a poke, every so often?

Ta!

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 10-4-2016

Oh, well, that’s something … 

Normally … ?

I’d’ve had the day off, today.

Except that — with the local McDonald’s closing down — we’ve had something of a busy weekend at work.

Busier, I should say.

That, and the fact we’ve got a few staff on holiday?

Mean’s I’ve been able to pick up some of the hours I lost, phoning in ill on Wednesday.

That’s good, as far as I’m concerned.

But it does mean getting over to Mum’s for dinner is going to be fun!

~≈fl≈~

The Daily Teaser — 9-4-2016

You know, I got home, last night.

Did my usual thing of going to bed … 

And did my equally usual thing of waking up, this morning.

And found out that that the Reverand Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is a bastard.

No, literally.   It turns out that his reverence had a family best described as confused. His mother had an affair with a chap she worked with: who turned out to be the last Private Secretary to Winston Churchill.

~≈†≈~

Oh, something else I’ve found out … ?

Or seen?

Is the new trailer for Rogue One, the Star Wars spin-off movie due out in December of this year?

Stars Felicity Jones as main character, Jyn Erso.

Who turns out to have been playing Emma Grundy in The Archers for many years.

Amazing what you find out, listening to Radio Four.

~≈†≈~

The Daily Teaser — 8-4-2016: Language is a Virus …

Hmmm … 

Once again, it’s a Friday.

You’ve possibly noticed.

Once again, it’s a Friday: and once again, it’s payday.

And … ?   Once again, the Payment card I’ve ordered — that allows me to pay my Council Tax, in cash, at a PayPoint outlet — still hasn’t arrived.

Understandably, I’m not happy.

If it hasn’t arrived by Monday, though?

I can put into Brentwood Council to start asking pointed questions.

~≈fl≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-4-2016

Well, that’s THAT done … 

I mentioned — in yesterday’s posts — that I’d taken the day off ill: with the usual bad stomach.

And have to admit, I’ve made a doctors appointment, as a result.

I don’t know how you feel, but someone has to do something about my health.

That someone … ?

Is me … 

~≈Ê≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 1

You know, I’ve had very little to do, today: bar sit indoors.

I was due to go to work: but took the day off ill, as my stomach was playing up.

On the up side … ?

I’ve managed to offer a little helpful advice to an old friend: one trying to figure out whether to buy a desktop computer, tablet or laptop.

Hopefully, that helps.

I’ve also managed to make an appointment to see my GP.

I think someone’s got to do something with my health, and the only person who can get the ball rolling, there … ?

Is me … 

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve ALSO managed to do something I’ve lnot done for a while, now: despite having it on an internal drive for a while.

Yes: started to try and catch up wit the third series … of House of Cards.

Only with episode one, though … 

~≈†≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 6-4-2016: At Waterloo,

Oh, now, I hate having to do that.

Phone in ill, to work.

Right at the moment?

My guts are seriously acting up.

Which is WHY I’ve phoned in ill.

It’s not something I like doing: however bad I feel, I hate letting the side down.

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 6-4-2016

Bleugh … !

I hate early(ish) starts at work.

Basically, it means I’m up an hour early than usual, so I can get four posts done*: and then get to work on time.

Frankly … ?   Starry eyed, I’m not!

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-4-2016

Hmmm … 

I’m something of a fan of the series, Gotham: although it’s not one I’ve written about.

Something that annoyed me with the first series, here in the UK?

Was the fact that the air dates Channel Five selected for it matched its US air dates, very closely.

And included a mid-season break: something that’s common with US TV stations, but not here in the UK.

That break was something I found incredibly irritating.

And, if events are anything to go by, something other fans have found annoying, to the point of saying so.

Leading to Channel 5 delaying broadcast for a few weeks, in order to air Gotham series 2 in open complete block.

Well done C5!

Well … 

ALMOST Well Done.

Last night, Gotham took a one week holiday.

So Channel 5 could show a Neighbours special.

Thanks for that … … … … … … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 4-4-2016

Blimey … 

I think I’ve started something.

Bless ’im, my nephew was over, yesterday: which was nice.

I’ve managed to get him interested in Sonic The Hedgehog, on the Apple TV.

Which will possibly get me in trouble: he managed to turn around and say “Mummy, can we get one of these?   I’m getting really good at this!”

~≈Â≈~

Actually, while we’re ON the subject of technology … ?

My local Sainsburys … ?   Now has a record department.

Well, it’s got a stand with a lot of albums on.

Old fashioned, vinyl, LPs.

I’m … 

Well, I’m not sure WHAT to think.

But … ?

Well, frankly, it’s as if CDs never got invented!

And frankly … ?

£18•99 for a copy of Hunky Dory, when it’s on iTunes for £8•99, is a bit much!

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 3-4-2016

You know, there’s TIMES … when my job is a pain in the orifice!

No, really!

Actually … ?

That’s possibly pushing it.

But I finish, last night, at twelve thirty: and got to bed at half one.

And — obviously — got up way too early!

I think I’m paying for that.

Or, at least, my eyeballs are.

Comparing the way they feel to red-hot curried ice cubes is possibly the nearest way of putting it!

~≈Ù≈~

The Daily Teaser — 2-4-2016

That’s a thought … Did I tell you I’ve got a fourth generation Apple TV?

I didn’t … ?

I do.

 And I have to admit, the fact you can get the odd game for it … ?

Is rather good.

Especially when you consider Sega have recently released Sonic The Hedgehog for the device.

That, and the fact the hard to find — up until now — Sulk, by the Associates, has finally been released on iTunes?

Has made my weekend.

Now … 

Has someone got an Apple TV compatible game controller going begging?

I THINK I’m going to need one …

~≈fl≈~