Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-12-2017: Review of the Year, 2017

Oh, good grief: bloody Amazon … !

I’ve had a few things on order from them, over the past few weeks.

And, for at least three of the past few weeks?

For at least three of the past few weeks, I’ve been out when Amazon have delivered.

I’ve had standing orders left with Amazon: if I’m not in, they’re supposed to deliver to one of my neighbours.

That’s been in place ever since about 2013: not long after I’ve started using the service.

And, for the last few weeks … ?   They’ve left deliveries, some quite high value … on the doorstep.

Including the one that was delivered yesterday.   It was left there, AGAIN.

Despite my having made sure I filled in the forms at the check out, telling them where to leave them.

And … ? AND … !

AND … despite the fact I’d phoned them, on the day I’d placed my order, to make sure they had the address … !

I am seriously thinking I should start shopping at Ebay.

I’d probably still get similar delivery problems.

But at least I’d get a few Nectar points!

~≈§≈~

There’s something else I wanted to mention.

Something I saw on the BBC’s website was this piece.

Apparently?   Some online gamers were recently feuding in the US.

As part of that feud, some gamers have turned to a prank called ‘swatting.’   In other word, phoning the nearest (famously armed) local US police, telling them there’s a major gun crime going on at their rival’s address, then sitting back and grinning when the SWAT team turns up on the rival’s doorstep.

Except in this case?

The police were given — and turned up at — the wrong address.

And shot dead the innocent owner of the house, when he answered the door.

Personally?

I don’t like the idea of armed police, where-ever they are.

But can’t fault the SWAT team in this case, for doing what they’re trained to do, even though it’s ended in a tragedy: indeed, I think the UK police have armed response units that would’ve reacted the same way, in the same circumstances.

I CAN, however, heavily criticise the idiots who put in that original ‘prank’ — Ha! — call.

It saw an innocent man killed.

That’s not funny.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th December, 2017

Hmmm … 

OK … 

This year’s New Year’s Honours list has been published.   And seeing various people — from actors to former politicians to research scientists — getting various shades of gong.

All good: the fact a lot of people who do volunteer work with various local charities, and a lot of otherwise obscure research scientists.

There’s a lot of public servants — like nurses and teachers — getting various shades of gong.

It’s not just celebrities, politicians and civil servants who’ve impressed their political bosses.

However … 

I think we can say it’s short of a certain something.

I, personally, might have missed it … 

But I couldn’t see anyone who’d been nominated for services to blogging on the complete list.

You can nominate your favourite blogger, at the UK government’s nomination page: over here

*.

And if that’s not a big hint for any of the regulars, I don’t know what is!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-12-2017: The Turbulent Priest

Hmmm … 

I’ve just got up: mostly to get my rear into gear, to head for work, at 9·30.

Lots going on there … 

At ANY rate?

I’ve done my usual thing: turning on my TV so that I could put Radio 4 on.

I caught some news in the process.

An apartment block in New York has gone up in flames.

Granted, it seems to have not been on the same scale as Grenfell Tower.

But that still looks pretty nasty: in the midst of a city that’s one of the biggest on the planet.

My thoughts are in two places.

Firstly?   I’m hoping the authorities in New York can move a little quicker than Kensington and Chelsea: and quickly rehouse the survivors.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th December, 2017.

Bleaugh … 

It’s a Thursday … and a Thursday when I’m up early.

Yeah, you got it.

I’m at work, again.

And at work comparatively early.

I can’t complain too much: it is money, after all.

But, boy, I don’t think five o’clock starts are doing me any favours!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th December 2017

You know, if you’ve not seen Twice Upon a Time, you might want to skip this bit: little bit of a spoiler.

But, as I’m sure many of us know, by now, Rusty the Dalek — who first appeared in Into the Dalek — made a reappearance.

As a way for Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor to investigate Dalek information about the episode’s villains.

Personally?

I was rather pleased about that.

I felt, back when Into the Dalek first aired that Rusty was something of an interesting character: one that could well be re-used.

I think Moffat, in his last episode?   Came up with a very use for the universe’s only ‘good’ Dalek.

As an extreme, and carefully used, information broker.

I hope Chris Chibnall picks up on that.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2017: The Feast Of Stephen

Well, that’s Christmas done.

For, at least, another year.

At least, that’s the present opening, frayed tempers and smashed plates, done.

Until next year!

In all fairness, it wasn’t as bad as that.

Presents given and received, films watched: and Dr Who seen.

It’s all good.

~≈§≈~

Dr Who Xmas Special 2017: Twice upon A Time — Thanking Mr Moffat

25th December, 2017.

You know … 

You can — sort of — guess I need to be up early, for work, tomorrow.

I’m writing this, for heaven’s sake: rather than doing something more Christmas.

But, to be fair?

I have spent a lot of time with my family, today: with lots of presents given and received.

Of and at least one smashed plate, one dropped glass, and a lot of frayed tempers!

But that’s Christmas for you.

Happy … with grotty bits … 

~≈§≈~

That’s truly Christmas for you.

The extraneous bits of Christmas?

Well, I think I can say the gifts I’d managed to get my family went down well.

And one or two gifts I got given caught my eye.

There’s an iTunes card in there: from Ruth and Jude.

An Amazon Gift card from my mother.

And a copy of the newly remastered Tom Baker era Shada: famously never finished because of a strike.

All gratefully received, I should add.

~≈§≈~



Of course, the really extraneous part of Christmas?

For me as a Dr Who fan is extremely extraneous.

Yep.

You’re right … 

It was Twice upon a Time … 

And Hmmm is a possible response.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-12-2017: Christmas Day

Well it’s officially Christmas day.

Unless, of course, you’re using some version of the Julian Calendar: in which case?

It’s going to be a week or two away.

 Personally?

I’m not going to worry too much about the calendar.

I’m just going to enjoy dinner with my family: and watching Jude open watch ever presents are left!

Oh, and catch tonight’s Dr Who: and yes, I’ve got my timers set.

I’m also going to ask for an opinion.

If you’ve seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi … ?

Wonder over to my review, and let me know what you thought.

I’d appreciate knowing.

Call it a Christmas present for your favourite blogger … 

~≈§≈~

Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Hmmm …

*SPOILERS*

24th December, 2017

You know, I’ve not got that much in terms of time off, over the Christmas period.

I try and socialise, where possible.

But also try and spend time with my family.

Especially around Christmas time.

We visited my aunty, last week, for example.

Today … ?

Today, was all about my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, and my nephew, Jude.

And sweeties: jelly babies and revels and Percy Pigs, sneakily sneaked into the cinema.

Why?

Well, we fancied a movie.

A very specific movie.

You’d guessed by the posters, hadn’t you … ?

That’s right: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-17: Christmas Eve

Hmmm … 

It’s Christmas Eve.

And frankly?

I’m mildly excited.

As my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, have decided on an appropriated geeky, early Christmas gift.

Yep: we’re all off to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

No spoilers, now!

~≈☯≈~

Can I — in amongst all the Christmassy joy? — admit to something of a worry?

I noticed that — in the US — a former marine, and convert to an extreme form of Islam, has been arrested: accused of planning an ISIS-inspired plot on Christmas Day.

What worries me?

Is if someone else has had the same idea.

I’ve a nasty turn of mind, sometimes …

~≈☯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-12-2017: The Transistor

Hmmm … 

It’s the 23rd of December: and, therefore, a couple of days short of Christmas Day, itself.

Quite how I fell about the day … ?

I don’t know.

I think the older I get, the less important it feels.

Apart from the fact I have a nephew.

Jude, bless him?

Is  going to be get MORE Lego than he knows what to do with. 

Depending on how creative he’s feeling … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd December, 2017.

That’s a thought … 

Have you seen this lot … ?

That’s every Teaser I’ve done for the 22nd December.

Notice something?

No themed Teasers!

I’m blowed if I know why I’ve not managed to do a themed set for the day … 

But I haven’t … 

Weird!

~≈Â≈~

How many ill people are there in China?

Because I was at work last night: at a call centre in Chelmsford, that takes calls for (mostly) social landlords.

We ALSO take out of hours calls for the Greater London Authority.

Usually, we get journalists phoning up to get a quote from the Mayor, or various bodies on the Greater London Assembly: we give they details

More rarely, we get the Metropolitan Police phoning up, with pass on details of security issues.

More commonly?   We get people phoning to ask about tickets for the New Year’s fireworks display.   Who get directed to the website.

Every so often, the GLA phone gets real oddities.

Last night, I got one of them.

From a woman in China.   Phoning up at what must have been quite an early time in the morning, Beijing time.

And who asked me, quite politely and in all seriousness, to ask the Royal family to turn off their telescope.

It was making her flat smell.

I manage to persuade her to ring off, and contact her local authorities.  

I’m assuming the poor woman had mental health issues of some sort.

Even so … that was an odd one … 

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2017: Solstice

Hmmm … 

I’ve just noticed something on the BBC’s news site.

Apparently?

According to this piece, GCHQ’s cyber spies have over-achieved, this years: and are now able to do all sorts of hacking stuff.

And have been lauded for it by MPs.

I keep thinking about General Melchett in Blackadder Goes Forth.

And wondering what any of those MPs will be saying about foreign security officers, behaving the same way.

Yes … the General seems to some it up, well … 

~≈§≈~

The (purely optional) Liebster Award, 2017

20th December, 2017.

OK … there’s possibly things I could be doing … 

Possibly relaxing, possibly not.

And possibly better — or worse — than things I’ve done.

No, I’m not talking about some of them.

The good stuff involved one or two other people.

The bad stuff … ?

Just involved me making a twit of myself.

At ANY rate … ?

The possible things … ?

Include watching a movie.

Maybe a TV box set: I still have a handful to start.

Teaser videos are something I’ve enough of, to be going on with.

Until, of course, the thought occurred.

Old friend, and Daily Teaser regular, Debbi Mack, decided I was worth a gong.

OK, the Liebsters are VERY unofficial gongs: for bloggers, by bloggers.

But, hey … 

How could I NOT thank the Old Peculiar’s longest running commenter, by accepting?   And taking part … ?

Hmm … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-12-2017: It’s A Wonderful Life

Hmmm … 

I’ve got today off.

Which is nice, when you think about it.

I have something of a conundrum, though.

What … to do … 

With my evening … 

OK, I’m going to write a Teaser or or two: the 2017 Review needs doing, I know that!

And possibly get some videos done.

And house work … 

I don’t have to worry about wrapping presents, those are done and safely hidden.

Oh, I have to phone my agency: one or two quibbles about when time sheets get handed in.

But what to do with an evening … ?

We’ll have to see … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th December, 2017

Can I make a confession?

Right now, I’ve got last night’s episode I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue on.

And?

And it’s sounding as funny as it ever possibly could be: with a game of Uxbridge English Dictionary on a par with some of the best.

Personally … ?

I don’t think it’s likely, but I’m hoping a for a game of Mornington Crescent.

Here’s hoping.

~≈§≈~

Do you watch the news, at all?

I keep an eye on it: and notice that HMP Liverpool is in trouble, as according to a leaked report, it’s in a condition best described as ‘atrocious.’

Compounded by the gaol’s problems with its healthcare unit.

Frankly?

I think that’s disgusting.

We sentence people to time in gaol.

We should make sure the conditions prisoners are are good: that includes the healthcare provision, inside.

We need to do this?   Because it’s a prison.

Look, we send people to gaol as a punishment.

To me, that means those prisoners walk out alive at the end of their sentence, having done their time.   Falling physically ill as a result of unhealthy conditions or bad healthcare is an extra sentence that has not been handed out by a court.   Falling mentally ill — and potentially being a suicide — as a result of that gaol time, means that prisoner doesn’t complete their sentence is on a par.

Either way?

The state of HMP Liverpool does not serve justice.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th December, 2017

Right … that’s the day off done with.

And Aunty Bella visited.

Bless, she’s not getting any younger: but she still has her mind.

And sense of humour.

The one sad part of the day?

Was that we couldn’t persuade her to spend Christmas at ours.

I’d hopefully, we can persuade cousin Julie and her husband to bring her over at some point.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-12-2017: Gis A Job

Right … 

It’s a Sunday that I’ve got off!

Yay … !

Says I, vaguely aware I sound like a cheerleader!

At any rate … it’s a Sunday off … that means we get to visit my aunty Bella, down in Kent: which got cancelled, last week, because of the weather.

It ALSO gives me a chance to drop off some presents with Grandma, before a certain young man realises Santa is Grandma shaped!

Here’s hoping it goes well.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th December, 2017

Hmmm … 

I think I’m going to have to — quite actively — avoid something, over the next few days.

Yes, you’re right … 

We, as a family?   Have got tickets for Star Wars: The Last Jedi: and I’m trying to avoid reading any spoilers about the thing.

Pretty tricky … 

It’s all over the ’Net, right now.

Still … 

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-12-2017: International Tea Day

Wha … ?

You know, I’ve seen some strange bits of news, occasionally.

Or, at least, odd.

I don’t think I’ve seen everything: that could be tricky, in one lifetime.

But I’ve seen a few things: that made me either laugh, cry, rage, jump up and down, what have you.

Then … ?

Occasionally, you’ll get the just plain silly.

Like this.

Just so you know?

Engineers at a small ISP have successfully set up an internet connection over six foot of wet string: achieving speeds of some 3.5 megabits per second.

The mind boggles.

At least, mine does.

Mostly where the BBC have turned off the comments on the piece.

Possibly sensible.

The amount of people in rural parts of the UK saying that’s faster than their broadband connection must be big!

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-12-2017: Venus

Good lord … 

It’s true … 

It’s been six months since Grenfell Tower went up in smoke: the Memorial is being held today

That fire saw the deaths of seventy-one people: with the survivors still (mostly) un-rehomed, and traumatised.

Personally?

I can remember seeing Grenfell go up, on the news: and being deeply shocked by it.

After all, there were people in there.

Right now?

I can only hope the service being held help those survivors find some closure.

I suspect it won’t.

I suspect nothing will.

Bar — possibly — an enquiry result that really helps find out what happened.

And the survivors being re-homed in their area: soon‡.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2017: Our Dick

Blast … !

My alarm didn’t go off!

Thankfully, it’s a day off.

And thankfully?

It doesn’t affect my ability to collect any Amazon deliveries that choose to turn up.

But still … 

DAMN … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th December, 2017

Hmmm … 

I’m slightly worried: as we’ve had the coldest night of the year, so far.

It’s worrying … because, of course, we’ve had the coldest night of the year, last night.

Coming home from work?   I almost went over several times: on icy patches of black that had built up, overnight.

NOT reassuring if you have to go to work in the afternoon.

I can only hope the gritters have been out.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December, 2017

You know, I’m just having a look at the BBC’s news pages.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised at some of the items I’m seeing.

Right now?

There’s headlines warning motorists of treacherous conditions.

Which isn’t that surprising.

I’m looking at the weather app on my tablet … which is telling me it’s 1°, out there, and showering heavily.

All that … ?

All that, because of yesterday’s snow … 

Dratted stuff* … 

~≈§≈~

Stranger Things: Series 2 — Episodes 7, 8 & 9: Chapter 7 The Lost Sister, Chapter 8 The Mind Flayer & Chapter 9 The Gate.

10th December, 2017.

Can I make a confession?

Right now?   I don’t have the heating on.

It’s warm enough as it is.   With just a small electric heater on.

I have had the heating on, though: as a result of the snow that’s been falling all day, and covered a lot of the UK.

It’s not that often I do that.

Today?

I’m definitely feeling the cold.

~≈§≈~

At any rate?

I was expecting to head for a relative in Kent, today.

But couldn’t, because of the weather.

That forced me to stay at home: on a day off.

A day that saw me venturing — carefully — out to pick up some more Christmas cards, as a result of that cancelled visit.

And doing some housework, instead: along side writing a couple of Teasers, writing a few cards … 

And catching the last three episodes of Stranger Things, series 2.

~≈§≈~

When It Snows …

10th December, 2017.

OK, we knew it was — possibly — coming.

Yep … 

Brentwood’s got snow!

I should know: I’ve just been out in it.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised things got cancelled … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-12-2017: Mississippi

Hmmm … 

It’s a Sunday that I’ve got off.

And … ?

I’m off to Kent, today: to see my Aunty Bella.

Something I know I’m looking forward, to.

It has been a while!

~≈§≈~

On other fronts?

I’ve had another delivery from Amazon.

I have to give them credit for speed, certainly.

But they left it on my doorstep.

I — like many — have arrangements with Amazon: if I’m not in, they’re supposed to leave the package with a specific, named, neighbour.

They didn’t: again.

Which got me complaining.

Again!

I know it’s easy for even an experienced web user make a mistake: and wipe details from a web form.

Something I’ve confirmed I’ve not done.

I know it’s easy for a large organisation to lose basic information, on its way from a to b.

I work for a large organisation that does that, at least once a week.

Even so?

That’s the second time, in the space of a week, that’s happened: and something that also happened, last year.

Not quite what you’d expect, from the world’s biggest shop.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th December, 2017

Bloody hell … !

I’ve just done a batch of Christmas cards: for the folks at work.

And realised this … 

a) I’ve still not finished them … 

b) I’ve almost got through a box, already!

Ye gods … !

I also know something else, as well.

I’ve got to get another box: and very much suspect the 18 first class stamps I’ve picked up already won’t be enough!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-12-2017: Kid’s Stuff

Bleugh … 

There’s just the one thing I hate about working evenings: much as I like my job.

Basically … ?

It means being knackered, first thing in the morning.

Not that I mind: I’m working, meeting people, and doing some good.

But … ?

Boy, I’m glad I’ve got a teapot … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th December, 2017

Phew … 

I managed to salvage my hat.

Or, at least, have it salvaged for me by a workmate.

Who I’m truly thankful to.

He’s saved me a few quid on Amazon.

~≈§≈~

Oh, talking of Amazon … 

One thing I noticed, yesterday?

Is that, apparently, Amazon and Google are having something of a corporate snit: with Google’s streaming devices not on the world’s online shop, and Google talking YouTube off Amazon’s Fire devices.

Personally?

I’m just glad Youtube, Netflix and Amazon Prime are all available through my AppleTV.

Given I can stream anything in my iTunes library to and from the think, ruling out the need for a Chromecast-like ability of local streaming?

It keeps the number of devices down.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th December, 2017

Oh, well, that’s that done with.

We had a power cut, yesterday afternoon.

One that only affected me, the flat next door, and one of the flats upstairs.

Which finally got sorted out, at half past five.

Something to do with the phases involved.

Apparently … !

At any rate … ?

I’m glad it’s now sorted.

But, lordy, it did hold up the day … 

~≈§≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, today, I’m back at work for the next few days.

 But ALSO have to get to hospital: for some blood tests at 11:40.

Hopefully?

Hopefully, those will go nicely and quickly.

I’d hate to be late for work.

~≈§≈~

Stranger Things: Series 2 — Episodes 4, 5 & 6: Chapter 4 Will the Wise, Chapter 3 Dig Dug & Chapter 5 The Spy.

5th December, 2017

Oh, I hate that when that happens.

Power cuts, that is.

The electricity for me, the chap next doors, and a woman on the top floor?

Went off at two, this afternoon.

And didn’t get restored until about 5:30.

Thankfully, with very little damage done: beyond the inconvenience.

Damage, low … 

Laundry … ?

Practically non-existent … !

~≈§≈~

However?

It seems the electricity is back on.

Something to do with the phase involved with the power distribution in the cupboard in our building: rather than at the nearest substation.

If nothing else?

That let’s me do some laundry, make some videos … and catch a little TV.

Yes … 

You’re right: series 2 of Stranger Things … 

~≈§≈~

Power

Would you believe it?

I've had powercut!

Right now, today is a day off.

One I expected to be making video slide-shows for the blog, and possibly ironing.

Except that, at about 2 o'clock?

The electricity went.

At a local substation, I should add: rather than running out of money on the meter.

Ok, I've phoned the relevant bodies.

My neighbour's phoned the relevant bodies.

The electrician from our landlord's phoned the relevant bodies.

Right now?

IT'S sorted ...

But I'm not a happy bunny!