Saturday 30 September 2017

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

*Yawn*

I think you can tell I’m tired, can’t you … ?

The yawn at the start of the post is a bit of a clue.

But … ?

Well, frankly, I got home last night: wanting to unwind with a little TV.

Frankly?

I’m hoping to try and catch some episodes of Star Trek: Discovery, the spin off in the franchise.

And everything I’ve read?   Tells me Discovery’s makers have seen the classic Star Trek episode, Balance of Terror as a major influence on their entry in the franchise.

So I watched Balance of Terror, last night.

It’s a fantastic little episode, with the sort of downbeat ending you don’t see in the many others.

It does something else, as well.

I think that, ever since Star Wars, we’re used to the idea of space battles as great big aerial dog fights.


Balace of Terror doesn’t.

Oh, no … !

It’s a tense, nail-biting, cat-and-mouse naval battle: with the Enterprise as a battleship, and it’s opposing Romulan ship as a submarine, diving and surfacing by using its cloaking device.

And all the more watchable for that.


~≈Â≈~

Friday 29 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th September, 2017

Ye, gods, I’m tired … 

I THINK … ?

That that’s down to the guts, again.

I get occasional bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Usually, stress related, but also a lot less manageable, if I don’t eat well: or drink a lot of water.

The reason for the tiredness?   Is that I suffered a stress related bout of it, last night: which made sleeping tricky.

A mix of a late dinner … and nerves from an interview.

Which, looking back?

Seemed to go well.

Although one never knows until one hears.

Which will be by next Friday.

If you can keep your fingers crossed, I’d appreciate it!

~≈Â≈~

Thursday 28 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-9-2017: Confucius Say … 

Hmmm … 

I’m mildly nervous, at the moment.

After all, I’ve an interview, tonight: for a local cab firm.

And thinking it’s a shame I couldn’t afford a haircut, last week.

I’m looking — or at least feeling — a bit shaggy.

I’ve seen myself in the mirror, this morning.

My hair’s even spikier than Keith Flint’s!


~≈Ê≈~

On other fronts?

I do know my mother’s got back from a family trip, to Tyne Cot: the Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium.

Frankly?

I’m hoping to get hold of more of the photos from the various family members who were there.

Some sort of compilation would be nice … 

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-9-2017: Searching for Engines

Ha!

You’ve possibly worked out I’m something of a Mac fan, over the years.

Turning it into the tech fan’s equivalent of football thuggery.

And meant seeing historical footage of former Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates, bigging up the Mac platform something to see.



Not something that would happen, these days, I think.

He’d not even get an iPhone.

Not ON iPhone.

As it turns out, though?

He has bought an Android job.


Which probably tells you what he thinks of Windows phones … !

~≈Ê≈~

On top of all that … ?

I’m happy at work.   No, really.

I’m happy at work.   But HAVE had the occasional issue: where the hours go up and down.

Which is why I’m happy I’ve got tomorrow off.

It meant that, should someone at a local taxi firm suddenly want to interview me for a call centre agent job, they can.

It’s at eight in the evening: tomorrow!

Nervous doesn’t even START!

~≈Ê≈~

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-9-2017: Abbey Road

Hmmm … 

That’s a bit … worrying … 

If you’ve seen the news, you’ve possibly noticed the situation in North Korea.

The build up of — so far — words between the US and North Korea: one that’s involved a lot of nuclear tests, a lot of military build up.

And North Korea’s claim that — effectively — the US has declared war on it: and that it will shot down US bombers, should they come anywhere near.

I know Donald Trump want’s to make America great again.

I hope he doesn’t.

I get the feeling that Kim Jong-un wants to be taken seriously as an international figure, and will follow through on his threat: a threat Trump seems likely to react to.

And possibly call on US NATO allies to help in a potential war.

With the possible repercussions that implies.

Personally?

Right now, I’m hoping this will blow over.

I’m hoping my country won’t get involved in another iffy US war.

I’m hoping people don’t get killed as a result of an young man trying to show his country’s strength, and an old man’s attempt to make his country look good.

I’m worried those hopes might be pointless.

~≈Ç≈~

Monday 25 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th September, 2017

Hmmm … 

That’s awkward: I’ve lost my Lighting Cable!

Just so you know?

Lighting Cable is Apple’s proprietary charging cable for it’s many devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod, its bluetooth mice and keyboards … 

And the remote for the AppleTV!

OK, I’ve found the cheap spare I picked up a while ago.

But quite where the original is?

Well, I’m blowed if I know!

~≈Â≈~

Sunday 24 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th September, 2017

Ye gods, I’ve just realised something.

My next day off is Thursday!

Means … well … 

Possibly, quite a lot!

I do know it’s going to be a bit of a slog, though.

Especially as I’m doing a 41 week, next week.

Still … 

It pays for Christmas … 

~≈®≈~

Saturday 23 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd September, 2017: Saudi Arabia

Hmmm … I’m up early … 

As today?

I start work at ten.

So I’d like to get out of the door at 8:30 … ish … 

Which is kind of interesting: as I’m getting to hear all sorts of things on Radio 4’s iPM.

All about asexuality.

Which sounds odd, to me, but there you go: but everyone’s different.

~≈Ê≈~

At any rate?

I’m up, early: after having got to bed, early.

Which meant I caught the last two episode of American Horror Story: Coven, early, last night.

Interesting conclusion, there.

Not necessarily the best — we could’ve had a neater conclusion the Marie Laveau and Delphine LaLaurie — but certainly interesting.

And covered in Stevie Nicks tunes … 


~≈Ê≈~

Friday 22 September 2017

American Horror Story — Series 3: Coven — Episodes 12 and 13: Go To Hell & The Seven Wonders.

22nd September, 2017.

You know, you can possibly tell I’ve got an early start in the morning, can’t you?

Possibly.

Frankly?

The fact that, on a Friday night, I’m putting up a blog post I expect to go live well before bedtime.

Hopefully, before midnight.

Tomorrow, you see, I’ve got to start work at ten.

In the morning.

Which means getting up at five.

So … ?

Frankly, that means an early night, from where I’m sitting.

And an early start to a TV box set I’ve been watching.

You got it.

American Horror Story, series three.


~≈Œ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd September, 2017

Hmmm … 

I think I’m going to have to keep an eyeball open, there.

It’s — relatively — early in the morning: and I’ve just had an old friend, Faye, contact me, via Facebook’s Messenger service.

Apparently?

There’s a new series out, called Channel Zero: she caught the first episode of the second series on YouTube, last night.

Considering Faye had recommended Martyrs to me?   Which was something I enjoyed … ?

Well … I may have to have a look around for it … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

Thursday 21 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st September, 2017: There and Back, Again

Hmmm … that’s possibly useful.

It seems Facebook’s announced that you can now  block a certain type of advert on their site.

Specifically?

Alcohol related ones.

That’s appealing: especially for a non-drinker like me.

Granted, I’ve got AdBlock Plus enabled on my desktop: and have had for years.

But only on the desktop.

Frankly?

It’s possibly something to tinker with, on my mobile devices … !

~≈Î≈~

Wednesday 20 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th September, 2017

Hmmm … 

I don’t know if you were aware, but, quite some time ago, news about potential security attacks on computers running the various iterations of OS X — or macOS, as it now is — hit the (Technology) headlines.

Hackers had managed to issue Mac specific malware: by sneaking spiked versions of popular utilities onto the utilities own download pages.

I, and most of the Mac users I know?   Made sure we weren’t infected.   And kept our eyes peeled for other similar attacks.

I think we can say they have.   Between then and now, a major malware attack — aimed at Windows based PCs — took place: spread by spiked version of popular Ukrainian accounting software.

And, only a few days ago?

Another attack on Windows PCs was spread.

By attackers who spiked a version of Piriform’s popular CCleaner utility, and sneaked it onto Piriform’s own site.

I think the worry I and others had — about more malware for Macs — seems to not have happened.

I think that hackers have nicked the idea that was used: sneaking spiked software onto the official sites, in order to spread it.

I think if spiked versions of the big bits of software — Microsoft Office, iTunes, Adobe Acrobat, what have you — there’s going to be hell to pay.

~≈Ê≈~

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th September, 2017: Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Avast, ye lubbers.

Ahoy … !   Yo-ho-ho!

Yes, that’s quite enough of that, for the minute!

I’m actually now — metaphorically — back at work.

Or, at least, back at work, today.

Which is nice.

But has me thinking I should, you know … 

Have booked off more days off!

It would’ve meant more chance to see Coven.

Ho … Hum … !

~≈Ω≈~

Monday 18 September 2017

American Horror Story — Series 3: Coven — Episodes 10 and 11: The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks & Protecting the Coven.

18th September, 2017

You know, this is possibly going To be the last post I’ll write of an evening.

Until … oooh, I don’t know … 

Probably Friday, at the earliest, now I come to think of it.

Frankly?

I’ve had the weekend off.

And today.

Which — if you’re sharp — means you’d work out I’m back At work, tomorrow.

I’m … feeling as ambiguous as one normally does in these situations.

But … ?

I felt I should spend the evening typing, after watching more American Horror Story.

The album in the background?

The Age of Plastic, by the  Buggles.





Although I seriously wish I could find Nicky Moore’s version of Heartbreak Hotel on Spotify!

The episodes, though?

Episodes ten and eleven of American Horror Story’s third series.


~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-9-2017

We have now a rabbit hutch!

I have to admit to being at my family’s, yesterday.

Partly to have dinner.   And partly to help build a new rabbit hutch for my nephew’s rabbits.

Jude helped, of course.

Well … 

He pointed pout the bits me, Grandma and Mummy got wrong … 

With nephews like that … 

~≈Â≈~

American Horror Story — Series 3: Coven — Episodes 7, 8 & 9: The Dead, The Sacred Taking and Head



17th September, 2017.

Bloody hell, it’s — comparatively — late!

Ar least, for starting a blog post, it’s late.

Did you managed read this morning’s Teaser?

If you did, you’d possibly have realised I’ve been over my family’s for dinner.

And … ?

And to help build a new rabbit hutch for Mikey and Donnie, my nephew’s rabbits.

Well … Grandma, Ruth and I built the hutch.

Whilst Jude supervised, obviously.

Which has left me fed, mildly tired …

But still keen to watch more episodes of season three of American Horror Story.

Coven’s wandering a bit, maybe.

But still looking good.

~≈Î≈~

Sunday 17 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-9-2017: Lord of the Flies.

Hmmmm … 

Looks like it’s the last bit of (paid) annual leave, today.

Frankly?

I’m visiting family today.

After all, I’ve not seen my nephew for a while.

Although I don’t know how much chatting we’ll do.

Yep.

Uncle Paul’s been conscripted into building a rabbit hutch … !

~≈Ê≈~

In all this … ?

In all this, I have to admit I’ve caught three more episodes of series three — Coven — of American Horror Story.

In the midst of all this?

The thing’s looking good.

And features some incredible strong female characters.

Series regulars, Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson, doing well as mother and daughter, Fiona and Cordelia: and are joined by Kathy Bates as a 19th century society hostess, and Angela Bassett as a voodoo priestess.

I have to say: Bassett is one of the most sympathetic — and plausible — villains I’ve seen on TV fr a while.

~≈Ê≈~

Saturday 16 September 2017

American Horror Story — Series 3: Coven — Episodes 4, 5 & 6: Fearful Pranks Ensue, Burn, Witch, Burn & The Axman Cometh.

16th September, 2017.

Hmmm … 

Right at the moment?   I can safely say my media streaming box — a fourth generation AppleTV, if you’re asking — is getting some overtime done.

Right at the moment, I’m listening to the latest OMD album, The Punishment of Luxury.

I don’t know if I’m completely convinced,  just yet.   I still think English Electric was the better overall album: standing along side Dazzle Ships and Architecture and Morality as some of their better work.

Still … ?   Robot Man and Precision and Decay are good.

If you can find them, give them a listen!



~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-8-2017

Oh, that’s sad.

I think anyone my age?

Will have seen the original Alien, many years ago.

The thing was a huge.

A small part of that success?

Was actor, Harry Dean Stanton: his portrayal of the laconic Brett, helped make the film.

Sadly?

Harry Dean Stanton died, last night.

After a sixty year career that included AlienParis, TexasPretty in PinkRepo Man and Cool Hand Luke.   And the recent revival of Twin Peaks.

He’ll be missed.

~≈Ç≈~

What makes it even more relevant?

And sadder?

Is that I managed to spend my first Friday off for a while, watching a film.


You can possibly work out which film, can’t you … ?

I have to admit, Alien Covenant is better than Prometheus.

And not a horror.

There’s possibly a lot about stealing fire from the gods, possibly a lot about assuming we’re god’s chosen people.

But more probably?

More probably makes the the point we make our own devils.

They’re in us … 

~≈Ç≈~

Alien: Covenant — Not a Horror … !

15th September, 2017.

You’ve possibly worked something out, haven’t you?

Possibly … 

You’re possibly sitting there, thinking “Paul’s possibly going to go out, isn’t he?”

You’d be wrong.

Frankly?   I’ve been traipsing up and down Brentwood High Street, today: shopping and bill paying.

And thinking “My leg’s killing me!”

Lord knows what I’ve done to it, but there we go: that’s the perils of age, and too many puddings.

At any rate?

I’ve had the night off: and a desire to bleb out in front of the TV screen.

Believe it or not, with a movie for once: just to make a change from the recent run of American Horror Story.

The movie in question … ?   Is Ridley Scott’s own Alien Covenant.

And yes: I don’t think it’s a horror … 

I’m still trying to work out what to it, but horror?

Horror isn’t the word.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Set in 2104, some years after Prometheus, Alien Covenant show us the colony ship of the same name.

The ship’s got some two thousand colonist in suspended animation, a sleeping crew of fifteen and one awake android called Walter (Michael Fassbender).

The crew are awakened in a hurry: as Walter needs them to help him deal with a neutrino burst that’s damaged the ship.

It’s only once that’s done?   That the crew — led by the inexperienced Captain Oram (Billy Crudup) — receive what sound’s like a distress signal.

The apparent paradise planet it’s coming from?

Second Officer Daniels (Katherine Waterston) feels going anywhere near it is unwise.

The crew?

Find David, the only survivor of the Prometheus, is the only intelligent being on the planet.

David?   Hasn’t exactly been unchanged by events … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

Now … 

Good … ?

And ‘Not a horror’ … ?

Yes … 

I think we can say Alien Covenant is acceptable.

Maybe not Scott’s recent best: I still think that’s a title that would go to The Martian.

But it’s as visually stunning as only a Ridley Scott film can be, is well written, beautifully acted — Fassbender, in the dual role of Walter and David, shines — and, while it’s got one heck of a telegraphed twist ending?

Is plotted well: and has a lot less holes than Prometheus.

I will say this, though: long term fans of the Alien might well go to see Alien Covenant expecting
to see a grim, blood splattered, body horror type of film.

Certainly, there’s gore in there: this is, after all, an Alien film, so a certain amount of blood drenched mayhem is obligatory.

No Alien Covenant isn’t horror.

It’s a very grim, blood soaked, science fiction film.

One that says coming up with something helpful can have un-intended consequences.

That when we steal fire from the gods, our fingers can get burnt.

Don’t see Alien Covenant if you want horror.

Do see Alien Covenant if you want some depth.

I think you’ll find something
Alien Covenant
★★☆☆

Friday 15 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-9-2017

Right … it’s official … 

I’m on holiday … !

Well, ok, annual leave.

Just for this weekend: I’m back at work on Monday.

And, to be honest?   I’m not going to be doing much more than house, and TV watching.

With possibly a bit of gaming, as well.

Either way … ?

I’ve got some much needed time off ahead of me.

That’s something I’m thankful for.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Thursday 14 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-9-2017

It’s official: it’s Thursday.

Which you’d possibly already noticed.

For me, thought?

I’m looking forward to finishing work, tonight.

More so than usual.

“Why?” I hear you ask … 

Simple.

I’ve got this weekend off.

Granted, I’m not going to be doing much that’s different … 

But, boy, I’m looking forward to it!

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 13 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-9-2017: Priestley Writ

Oh, now, that’s a pain … !

Or was a pain.

Or, at least could’ve been more of a pain … or less … 

You’re wondering what I’m on about, aren’t you?

Frankly?

My router went down, last night: flashing up the by-now-familiar sequence of purple, orange and green flashing lights.

With a certain amount of resigned annoyance?   That was something the got me phoning my Internet Service Provider, BT, to see what was going on.

The router … ?

Is now up and running, again, after a reset.

But, apparently?

There’s some sort of issue with the cabinet that distributes the signal to local homes: which, at least, they’ve told me will get seen to, by tomorrow.

Wouldn’t you know it.

~≈‰≈~

In OTHER news … ?

I note that Apple have released their new iPhone X: with the X, much like the X in OS X, standing for 10.

Frankly?   It looks rather good, I have to say.

And, yes, before you ask … 

I want one!

Although, to be honest?

The new Apple TV’s much more affordable: AND plays that suspicious pile of 4k videos I have.

If anyone wants to buy me something for Christmas … 

~≈‰≈~

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-9-2017

Arrrghghghgh … !

I’m up late … 

Arrrghghghgh … !

I hate getting up late.

Especially when it’s me own fault!

Yep … 

I turned the wrong alarm on!!

~≈Ÿ≈~

Monday 11 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-9-2017

Well, thank heavens that’s over.

The weekend, that is … !

I don’t mind working weekends, I really don’t.

Indeed, I’ve worked weekends for most of my employed, adult, life.

But … ?

I went to bed, early, last night: quite thankful that I’d be getting one heck of a lot of sleep.

Mildly thankful for small pleasures.

~≈Ç≈~

Sunday 10 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-9-2017

Ooooh … 

But that’s better … 

It’s a Sunday morning … and one where I’m doing my usual eleven ’til five shift.

So, of course, today … ?

I’ve got up at six: and will be getting home at six.

My points?
  • I’ll probably am going to need a lot of caffeine, by the time I get home.
  • I’ve got to iron some shirts, later!
Yep: it’s a fun Sunday evening, ahead!

~≈®≈~

Saturday 9 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-9-2017

Ye Gods, I’m tired.

Tired … 

And mildly headachy.

Which will pass, I think.

I can, though, explain — or possibly blame — how I’m feeling.

It’s the trains, of all things!

Last night’s trip home — and thus the time I got to bed — was delayed.

By over-running freight-trains.

I wouldn’t mind so much … 

Except, of course, that I’m working, today.

Which means some sort of functional comes in handy, when you’re working …

Personally?

I’m looking forward to next weekend.

I’ve actually got the weekend off!

~≈Î≈~

Friday 8 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-9-2017

That’s a thought … 

I’ve got the radio on: or, at least, Radio 4 is on, on my digital TV.

The Today programme, so you know.

Of course, they’ve had a brief item on Le Carré’s latest work, A Legacy of Spies: the most recent, and possibly the last, to feature Le Carré’s most famous character.

Smiley … 

They made a rather good point.

That Bond?   Is not a spy: he’s really a hired gun, an assassin.

Smiley, on the other, is something Britain is rather good at.

Being not a spy … but a wizard … 

I’m not sure if they have a thought, there, or not: but the fact the character’s an old fashioned sort of spy, a wizard in the sense that his powers come from knowing that one extra fact?

Certainly made sense to me.

And matches very well wit Alec Guinness’s other well known role: of a wizard with a magic sword* … 


~≈Ê≈~

Thursday 7 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-9-2017: The Blitz

Oh, now I hate that … !

I like the odd punt, every so often.

A couple of quid on the Thunderball, if you must know.

I try and keep an eye on it.

After all, I know I have my issues with the demon drink: so keeping an eye open on other potentially addictive behaviours is sensible.

But … ?

A couple of quid on a dream … ?

Or, at least, on the hopes of huge amounts of money?

That I can live with.

Although I suspect that, like Mavis Wanczyck, the winner of the biggest lottery prize in US history, I’d rather have a big pot of cash.

Couldn’t we all just?

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 6 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-9-2017

Handy!

I’ve just had next week’s rota in.

As I’ve actually got next weekend — the 15th to the 17th — off!

The first one I’ve had for a while.

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to it.

OK, granted, I won’t be doing much more than usual.

And I’m working a lot of nights between now and than.

But still … 

It’s a weekend off … 

~≈∑≈~

Tuesday 5 September 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-9-2017

It’s official.

And sad.

Remember I told you my trip to work was partially held up, last week: as the police were investigating an attack that had happened, on Warley Hill.

Literally five minutes from my from door.

It’s not what you want to see: especially when you consider it could easily have been worse.

It turns out … that things have got worse.

It turns the victim died of his injuries, on Saturday night: Saturday the 2nd of September, Keanu Reeves ’ birthday, if you must know.

Yes, I know: the gall of linking the two is a bit much.

But I mention to give myself a reminder of what I’d been doing … 

On the day a man died, yards from my front door.


Frankly?

Well … I wrote several things in a post last night: I’d watched the opening episodes of series three of American Horror Show, Coven.

But this thought stays with me.

That the phrase, ‘murder on the streets,’is one we use lightly.

Right up until the moment a murder happens on our streets.

~≈Ÿ≈~

American Horror Story — Series 3: Coven — Episodes 1, 2 & 3: Bitchcraft, Boy Parts & The Replacements.

4th September, 2017

It’s September 4th.

Or 4th of September, if you’re that-away inclined.

It’s a Monday.

And my day off: the last one I’m due, this week, at least.

So I’ve enough hours to be going on with, to be frank.

I do know that, this time last week?   Was a bank holiday Monday.   And getting to was tricky.

The trains?   Had been replaced by a bus service.

That bus service was delayed: as part of Warley Hill had been blocked off.

Someone had been attacked: and seriously injured in a late night brawl.

Sadly?   That person has since died of his injuries.

Right now?

My thoughts are going to his family.

My thoughts are calling the two young men who attacked him, last week, a pair of idiots: for getting drunk enough — unintentionally, no doubt — to kill.

Their bank holiday weekend has turned them into killers.

Frankly?   We throw the phrase ‘murder on the streets,’ around with such ease.

And then?

Something happens on our street.

~≈§≈~

Hmmm … 

That’s not quite what I intended to tell you about.

Well … 

Actually, yes, I did: but what I wanted to tell you?

Was that the chap had got out of hospital, alive, well … and relatively hole.

Instead, I can’t.

Personally?   All I can say is that I’ve picked up an impression over the years.

That many of the men and woman in UK prisons of murder, are there for near enough the same reasons.

They’ve gone out for the evening … had maybe one beer too many … got into an argument … 

And found themselves, in the morning, in a police cell: being told they’d inflicted life changing, or life threatening, injuries on someone.

Any one of us could be the victim: or the killer.

Murder on the streets, eh?

~≈§≈~

At any rate?

Most of my day has been spent feeling thoughtful about that unnamed victim, and his death.

In between that, and basic house work?

I really wanted to catch some TV: to occupy my thoughts with something lighter.

Series three of American Horror Story.

For a given value of light, obviously.

~≈§≈~