Wednesday 31 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-1-2018: Oh, Mr Lydon!

31st January, 2018.


I have to admit, that picture — the one with a very young John Lydon — looks a bout iffy, I know.

But, frankly?

I’m still learning how to you the web cam to make the Teaser videos.

And, at one point?

Had changed settings on Keynote, so that the various slideshows were exported as smaller movies.

A desperate effect to try and adjust over-all out put size, I should add.

Frankly?

I’d set the things to smaller for the last batch of videos.   But not realised that: and hadn’t re-set it, when I did the batch I made, yesterday.

Embarrassingly!

~≈§≈~

Just as a brief — rhetorical — question?

Entirely rhetorical, I should stress.

Do you ever get earworms?   A song playing it’s way through your head?

Frankly, and despite today’s theme?

I’ve got Gary Numan singing at me.

Oy vey … !


~≈§≈~

Tuesday 30 January 2018

Star Trek Discovery — Episode 13: What’s Past is Prologue

30th January, 2018.


Yes … 

More TV it decidedly is.

OK, OK, I could easily end up heading out.

But not having that much cash?   And living at the bottom of a hill?

There’s nowhere I’m in a rush to go to, especially.

On top of that … ?

Well … 

I was working last night.

Which is nice, certainly: it certainly pays for dinner.

Which I’ve been having a BIT too much of, recently.

At ANY rate, that’s beside the point.

Frankly?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been riveted by the sheer geeky joys of Star Trek: Discovery.

This week’s thirteenth episode, What’s Past is Prologue?

Yep, that’ll keep me going … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th January, 2018.

30th January, 2018.


OK, OK, maybe I didn’t.

Strictly speaking?

It’s not the news ‘saying’ it, either.

It’s the news channel, or a news channel, Buzzfeed, reporting on a leaked government report: showing three models of Britain’s economic growth, post-Brexit.

Growth that slows, in various degrees, depending on the deal we get.

Apart from any bespoke deal we manage to get.

Which obvious.   We can’t guess how a bespoke deal will affect the UK … until it’s done.

Right now?

I’m  thinking … 

Well, lots of things: including the idea that going back to bed is a good idea.

But, frankly?

I voted remain.

I’m no economist, but I had a vague idea we’d be better off as part of a group doing some good ol’ left wing, collective bargaining.

If these models are accurate?

If they turn out to be accurate predictions of our country’s growth outside the Union?

I’m thinking this news reinforces my reasons for voting remain: slow growth means less chances for my nephew, as he grows up.

That’s not something I’m happy with.

~≈§≈~

Monday 29 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th January, 2018

29th January, 2018.


No, really … 

They do know how to sell you a cheap webcam.

Either that … ?

Or I’ve still not quite worked out how to sync the sound to the video … !

I think — as and when I have time — grabbing one of those intro videos, separating the audio and video, then using iMovie to re-sync them?

Would, assuming I have time, help.

~≈§≈~

Saying that?

That’s not really Amazon’s fault: more a feature of my buying choices.

What is their fault … ?

I’m in Damon House, in Rollason Way.

And, as you’d’ve possibly noticed, Amazon deliveries on my street?

Can be iffy, to say the least.

I actually had one, on Friday.

That was supposed to Watson Court, literally, over the road.

I’m blowed if I know why I ended up with it.

The only people I know in Watson Court are in number 4.

That’s for starters.

Whoever the package was for … didn’t actually ask me if I’b be their safe place.

Lastly … ?

The driver left the blessed thing on my door step.

On the doorstep: where anyone wondering into my building could grab it.

Yep, I’ve got the return labels already: having sent the email to Jeff Bezos, already.

But, dear me … !

~≈§≈~

The fact that, in all this?

That I’ve caught the opening episodes* of Mr Robot, series three, is almost incidental.

But that, at least, is looking very good.

~≈§≈~

Mr Robot — Series 3: Episodes 1 and 2 — eps3.0_power-saver-mode.h and eps3.1_undo.gz*

28th January, 2018.

Yeah, I’m right, aren’t I … ?

Really.

Choosing which TV box set to watch next is … tricky.

I mean …


Something of a favourite, but I’ve plenty of time to catch the blessed thing.


Tempting.

Very tempting, in fact.

Both were: as is — possibly — checking out Black Mirror, or the vintage Space: 1999.

The possibility of a movie?   As Bladerunner 2049 seems to be out and about?

Tempting … but pricey, and intimidatingly long, at two hours and forty-nine minutes.

Complaining about Sainsbury’s milk bottles?

Definitely an option.

The handles on the the two and four pint bottles are canted to the left: as the picture will show you.


Which is possibly leaving you saying “Big deal: it’s only going to slightly to pour milk from those bottles, if you’re left handed.   Most of us are right-handed.”

Exactly.

Most of us are.

I’m willing to bet you are.

I’m not.

I’m a left-hander, happy to be so … 

But always annoyed by design — like the design — that ignores ten percent of the planet.


~≈§≈~

But I’m going sideways, here, aren’t I … ?

Yes: because I was telling you about what I was going to watch.

I’m returning to a series whose hero, Elliot, is a hacker with a mission, associative identity disorder†, an alter ego based on his father … 

And a group of friends plotting to hold do C.A.R.

A Computer Aided Revolution.

Yep.

You’re right … 


~≈§≈~

Sunday 28 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th January, 2018

28th January, 2018.


No, really … !

I had that USB hub, a couple of days ago!

OK, it’ll be cheap enough to replace, if I can’t find it.

I’m just wondering where I put the one I had … 

~≈§≈~

On other fronts?

I notice President Trump’s been interviewed: by Piers Morgan.

And stated he’d’ve taken a ‘tougher stance’ on negotiating the Brexit deal.

Personal feelings about Brexit aside — I voted Remain, thank you — I think I’m vaguely offended.

A US President, taking a position — an interfering and very public position — on a sovereign UK matter?   Especially on one that more conservative-leaning* people in the UK — the UK equivalent of some of Trump’s own US base — see Brexit as a matter of the UK’s independence from foreign interference?

Is something I, as a proud Briton, find deeply offensive.

~≈§≈~

Saturday 27 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th January, 2018

27th, January, 2018.


Which is true … 

That I hate early mornings.

Still, needs must, and all that: it is, after all, pay for rent, and dinner.

Right now, though?

I’m grateful I’ve got a teapot.

Lot’s of tea’s always appreciated …

~≈Ê≈~

Oh … 


Apparently, various forms of slime are now the must-have toy: after a spate of slime based videos hit YouTube.

Apparently, and according to that news-piece, it’s an over night success, after a long time.

I should say so.

I can remember selling pots of similar products when I worked in a toy shop.

That was about thirty years ago … 

~≈Ê≈~

Friday 26 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th January, 2018

26th January, 2018.


Yes … 

Surgery … 

I had a GP’s appointment, yesterday: mostly to get the result of  some blood tests.

Those are fine … 

No, let me rephrase that.

The results on the thyroid activity showed I needed to increase the dosage of Levothyroxine, the medication that helps me deal with my under active thyroid.

The others results … ?   For the diabetes and a few other bits?

Were thankfully clear.

However … ?

Well … 

Let’s face facts, as a result discussion that followed?   My GP’s decided to refer me to both a local chest unit, to deal with chest pains … 

And for bariatric surgery, as I’m having serious trouble, losing weight.

Yep … 

Worryingly desperate times, aren’t they … ?

~≈§≈~

Thursday 25 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th January, 2018.

*Yawn*

Yep … 

It’s a Thursday.

It’s a Thursday when I’m up on time: after getting to bed late.

There’s a good reason for that.

Yep.

The Trains … !

Yep: they went askew, yesterday.

Apparently?

There was a defective rail in Ilford … 

Personally?

I just though it was wind … 

~≈§≈~

On other fronts?

On other fronts — and the reason why getting home late was worrying — is simply the fact I have a doctor’s appointment, today.

It’s going to be a routine one: that I, hopefully, get to on time.

I’ve an under-active thyroid: so I have blood tests, every so often, to check on it.

Hopefully?   The recent batch of tests won’t show up anything else.

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 24 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-1-2018: There’s Gold In Them There Hills!

24th January, 2018.


Possibly more to say …


Oy … !

As I write?

As I write, I’m very aware that writer, Ursula K. LeGuin, has died.

And very aware that, when we use the phrase, “Standing on the shoulders of giants,” that she was one of the giants.

After all …

Have you read some of the Earthsea stuff.

I know I have.

It was, and is, innovative: a fantasy series that sees a boy wizard being trained, set in an archipelago based on her native Pacific North-west, where the major transport were horse, feet or boats, whose main characters were non-white?   As different from the Eurocentric works of other fantasy authors as you could get!

She did SF, as well: which I know I’ve yet to explore, but certainly keen to.

Phew!

On top of this?

Ye gods … but LeGuin did gob-smackingly gorgeous prose.

I can only hope some of mine turns out like hers …

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 23 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-1-2018: The Royal Exchange


Oooohhhhh, but a cuppa’s a good thing, first thing in the morning … !

Yes, I know me, drinking some tea, possibly isn’t something you want to see, first thing in the morning.

But … ?

Well, I’m blowed if I know what’s happening.

But having a clip of video seems — seems — to have a positive effect on the amount of visitors.

Thanking you if you’re reading as a result!

~≈§≈~

One other thing … ?

I’ve got the radio on, at the mo.

And … ?   Radio Four’s news bulletin has just announced that — despite putting its prices up, at the tail end of last year —Netflix has managed to increase its subscribers.

Good for them.

Frankly?

I think it’s show us the way technology has changed our world.

 Frankly?

Original, award winning, content?   Few, if any adverts?

Streaming is the new aerial, I think.

The fact it’s let me watch a new episode* of Star Trek, broadcast purely online?   When, twenty years ago, it would’ve had to go via a regular channel?

Could not have been broadcast without, in fact?

Possibly makes my point.

~≈§≈~

Monday 22 January 2018

Star Trek Discovery — Episode 12: Vaulting Ambition

22nd January, 2018.


Now read … on … 

Hmmm … 

Which, now I come to think of it?

Seems a very odd thing to say.

No, really.

It’s only in this modern age of ours — of digitally inspired social media, and internet connected fridges — that a body can make a video … 

Encouraging its viewers to read something.


Whilst simultaneously listen to a decades old album, whilst looking it up on the latest app.


Am I the only person thinking there’s an irony, there?

Especially when you consider that the TV show I’ve watched, tonight?

Is another episode of the latest member of a franchise that’s been going … for five decades.

Yes, you’ve watched the intro, haven’t you?

You know perfectly well I’ve tonight’s episode of Star Trek: Discovery.

And, yes: this series is looking good.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd January, 2018

Hmmm … 

I’m mildly nervous, today.

I’ve got … 

Interviews … !

One — late this afternoon — is at the job centre.

Ridiculously, I’ve had to reapply for the Universal Credit I’m on, as a result of the overtime I’ve done.

Now hours are going back to normal … ?

I have to reapply: unlike LAST year, where they just carried monitoring me … !

Ridiculous is possibly putting it mildly …

The other interview … ?

Is at a call centre: that’s very local: literally, three minutes up the road!

Here’s hoping I get something out of it.

It would save a lot of money on transport … 

~≈ß≈~

In other news?

I’ve had something of a revelation … !

I watched Darren Aronovsky film, mother!, last night.

Which is a bit … you know … odd.

Or, at least, odder than I felt appealing.

Hmmm … 

Have you heard of feedback?   You’ve possibly heard some, if you’ve heard some of Jimi Hendrix’s more outré tunes.


It’s happens when you put a audio source, a speaker say, too near a pickup: a microphone or guitar pickup, for example.

You get a lot of electronic shrieking.

Fine, if you’re Jimi Hendrix.

Not if you’re a blogger in Essex.

Last night, I realised that feedback … was what was causing the horrible shrieking noise, I’d get: whenever I used my new webcam.

It’s picking up the hum from my computer’s speakers.

I’ve — sort of — solved the problem, though.

By turning down the computer.


Ahem … !

~≈ß≈~

mother!: what the duck?

21st January, 2018.


No, really, I’m a duck … !

Yeah … quack, quack … !

Ahem … !

Just in case you hadn’t realised … ?

That’s me in that introduction.

Fresh off of tonight’s movie action.

~≈§≈~



Let me briefly introduce myself, here, if I can … ?

My name’s Paul: also known — for various reasons — as Nik Nak.

I’m — currently — working in a call centre: but have worked in  pubs, fast food gaffs, toyshops … and ran pub quizzes.

I’ve also blogged about all and sundry: for the past decade.

Including about TV shows I’ve watched.

And movies.   I like the occasional movie.

It’s a movie that I’ve watched, tonight.

The 2017 film, mother!: written and directed by Darren Aronovsky.

Something I’d fancied seeing, as two previous Aronovsky films — π and Black Swan — had mildly impressed me.

And?

Strange … ?


~≈§≈~

mother! is set in a house in an isolated glade: owned by an unnamed poet — only referred to as Him, played by Javier Bardem — that’s been burnt down by a fire.

And being reconstructed by his equally unnamed wife — referred to as mother, and played by Jennifer Lawrence — who’s throughly enjoying the quiet life.

Until one day … ?

Their lives are interrupted by uninvited guests.

A dying, equalling unnamed, doctor — ‘Man’, played by Ed Harris — and his wife, ‘Woman,’ Michelle Pfeiffer.

Which is where …

Things …

Get … 

Disjointed … 

And mother’s life is irreparably changed … 

~≈§≈~

Now … 

Strange … ?

Strange is the word.

Or one word, certainly.

The other one I’d use?

Is ‘dream-like.’

Aronovsky has written and directed mother! so that it comes across with the disjointedness of a waking dream, with jumps from one line to another, Him disappearing from one door to come in at another, and discussions and conversations taking different directions: seemingly at random, and seemingly with no apparent cause.

mother get’s abruptly pregnant, for example: immediately after after a tastefully rough bedroom scene.

Him writing a poem which never, seemingly, leaves the house …  only for his publisher to phone to say how much she liked it.

Leaving mother very confused: as this is seconds after she’s given her opinion of it.

Confusing?

Well made?

The answer’s got to be yes: to both questions.

~≈§≈~

Now … 

You’re possibly saying “Paul, what did you think of mother! … ?”


Oh, that’s a tough one.

Frankly?

That really is tough … 

Right now, I don’t know that I could tell you I liked it.

It is very well made: with — possibly — a lot of depth, meaning, and philosophy there, if you chose to look for it.

But I think it’s a film I found mildly confusing.

Not that I mind confusing, occasionally.   I’m a fan of 1960s version of The Prisoner, which some will tell you is incredibly confusing.

And of Denis Potter’s The Singing Detective: which some will tell you is just as confusing.

Both of which?   Both of which I found straight-forward, compared to mother!: even though both The Prisoner and mother! — in their final scenes — loop back around to their respective starts, after convoluted finales.

Personally?

mother!’s only getting two stars from me.

It’s a well crafted movie: and one that is, with its dreamlike logic, worth watching at least once.

You might take to it.

But, ultimately?

mother! wasn’t for me.
mother!
★★☆☆

Sunday 21 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st January, 2018.

Bleaugh … 

I think I need more sleep!

Or, at least, I needed more sleep, yesterday.

I REALLY managed to lose my temper — twice — dealing with some awkward punters.

Not a good thing: especially if — as a result — your supervisor tells you to get out of the office, to get some fresh wire and calm down!

I think I managed that … 

But, LORD, what a day … !


~≈Â≈~

Saturday 20 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-1-2018: On Islands.

*Yawn*

Again with the yawning!

Again … because I’m up early for work.

In one sense?

In one sense, it’s knackering, it really is.

And I’m not getting any younger!

The upside … ?

Is that it means I get the night off.

OK, granted, I’m not going to do anything more that get an early night … 

But hitting the sack does have some appeal, right now … !

~≈§≈~

Friday 19 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th January, 2018.

*Yawns* … 

Frankly?

There’s a reason for that … !

Yes: I’m off to work, early, today.

Frankly?

I think I’m regretting it, already.

Frankly … ?

I want to go back to bed … 

~≈§≈~

Thursday 18 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th January, 2018

Right, that’s that done with!

I’ve now, officially, had my electrical safety check done.

The electrician — with possibly the biggest beard I’ve seen — came in ten: and had finished by about eleven.

And, along with the test?

Installed another new smoke detector, and a new bathroom light: apparently, the one I had?

Wasn’t water proof.

Either way?

That’s that done for another five years …

~≈§≈~

On other fronts?

The past couple of years, I’ve been receiving a certain amount of Universal Credit.

Which is useful, as it helps pay towards the rent.

It’s also variable: if you get more pay in a given month, you get less Universal Credit.

It’s now — as a result of the surge in pay over Christmas — been cancelled.

Which is a bit of a git.

As it means I know have to re-apply, if I want to get the benefit!

Life’s a gas.   Possibly one that smells of rotten eggs …

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 17 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th January, 2018

Hmmm … 

I’ve finally booked that up.

Yep: I’ve got the workmen in, today.

Officially?

I’ve got an electrical safety test, due to be carried out!

At some point between eight and eleven.

Hopefully?

He’ll get here after I’ve had a shower, and finished this post.

~≈Ÿ≈~

In the meantime?

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know I watched a movie, last night: the 2017, Netflix production that is Bright.

Yes, I know the critics gave it some thing of a savaging.

But, frankly?

I found it entertaining, gritty, with a nicely crafted background world: and lots of great fight sequences.

Oh, and kung fu ninja elves.


What more does a body want?

~≈Ÿ≈~

Bright: Surprisingly … 

16th January, 2018.


Which is very true, actually: Sonic the Hedgehog 2* is rather frustrating.

Especially if you’re stuck on one section: desperately trying, with all your might, to get past a bit that’s rapidly filling up with water.   Entirely digital, in-game, water.

Whilst a countdown goes off, threatening music plays … 

Before your little blue avatar drowns.

Digitally, obviously.

 ~≈§≈~

At any rate, and all frustration aside?

All frustration aside, I actually fancied siting in with something to watch.

Granted, I’ve still got a pile of TV box-sets I want to watch.

But I also was more tempted by a film: either rented from iTunes.

Or something from Netflix.

As you might possibly have guessed?

I went with something from Netflix.

And?

I’m thinking Bright is pleasantly surprising.

~≈§≈~

Set in an alternative present, Bright shows us an alternative Los Angeles: where humans, orcs and elves live side by side.

Rather unhappily: elves are in posh gated communities, and orcs, humans, and everyone else … ?

Lives in whatever ghetto they can afford.

Much like the grizzled LAPD officer, Daryl Ward (Will Smith): a man much annoyed … 

After his new partner, rookie Nik Jakoby (Joel Edgerton) manages to get him, Ward, shot.

When Ward goes back on duty, after recovering?

Is when Ward and Jakoby’s problems really starts.

The pair get called to what turns out to be a safe house for an extremist group called the Shield of Light.

One with lots of several dead bodies, two magically cremated bodies, a slowly dying elf assassin, embedded in a wall.

And a live elf girl called Tikka: a lone elf girl who seemingly speaks only Elvish … 

And whose only possessions are the clothes on her back, and a a nuclear weapon that grants wishes.

A wand …

~≈§≈~

Now, “Pleasantly surprising, Paul?”, I hear you ask.

Yes, actually.

I don’t know quote what I was expecting, from Bright.

Something comedic, along the lines of Fresh Prince, or his performance in Independence Day: and something I know Smith is more than capable of.

What I got … ?

Was a cop drama: with a surprising amount of grit, and plausibility.

Yes, there’s humour: any film that features an odd couple — and quite an odd couple — will have it’s comedic elements.

But?

I’ve read near enough everything the late, Sit Terry Pratcheet wrote, during his life.

Something I remember him saying, in more than a Few of the novels, was that the Discworld was a ‘world, and mirror of worlds.’

Yes, everything was back-to-front.

But, yes: that helps us to see the real-world better.

Bright is another such mirror.

Yes, it’s tells us there’s heroes.

But, yes: it also tells us there’s reasons we need heroes.

It tells us people are people, whatever we happen to look like.

And that sometimes?

All the magic we need is a friend, whoever they are.

Yes, Bright is grittily dark.

Yes, it’s back-to-front.

But, yes and surprisingly, despite reminding us of our worlds corruption, graft and racism?

It’s very watchable … !
Bright
★★★☆








*        It, and the original Sonic the Hedgehog, are both available on the fourth — and later — generations of Apple TV.

Tuesday 16 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th January, 2018

Blast … !

I’m up late!

I hate being up late!

OK, granted, it’s another day off: which will probably see me watching more TV*.

But still … 

I hate being up late!

~≈§≈~

Monday 15 January 2018

Star Trek: Discovery — Episode 11: The Wolf Inside

15th January, 2018.


Down that way … ?!


Ha … !


Or possibly even hmmm … 

Did I tell you I recently managed to pick up a cheap webcam, recently?

I’ve figured out that the mic works … occasionally, it seems.

But at least enough to record some video of yours truly, actually asking quiz questions: rather than relying on slideshows.

Trust me, it’s not especially clever, or pretty.

But is starting to … you know … give me a taste for the camera.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At ANY rate, me wittering on about a new found taste for vlogging superstardom is sort of beside the point.

The actual point?

Is that both the video — and the cheesy video self portrait — is to tell you I’ve seen The Wolf Inside, this week’s episode of Star Trek: Discovery.

And, yes, the series is still looking rather good.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th January, 2018

Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I’ve been following the news, recently.

And taken a certain amount of interest in the case of John Warboys, the Taxi Rapist.

He’s been approved for release by the Parole Board: something that’s triggered arguments, and a review.

Something that’s proven controversial: as the man was convicted for several quite quite serious rapes and sexual assaults, often involving drug gin his victim, first.

I’m very aware of those crimes’ gravity: and agree he should have stayed inside for longer.

However, his release has been approved: by an independent parole organisation.

I’m ALSO aware that there’s other women who wish to see him tried for assaulting them.   And heartily encourage to do so.

Personally?

I feel he has served his time on the cases.

However, popular opinion tells us he should be inside.

I’m not to to disagree, there.

I am instead, going to say this.

There are many women who has they wish to see him charged for raping them: and have good evidence to back this up.

Good.

He’s served his time.

However, as more women accuse him of raping them?

Get the evidence together, get — this will be the hard bit — twelve unbiased jurors … 

And put him on trial.

~≈§≈~

Just as a quick thing?

Just as a quick point, I’ve recently picked up a webcam: whose microphone works well enough … 

Depending on which USB port the thing’s plugged into!

Saying that?

I’ve actually recorded myself reading out the questions.

When you consider I’ve never used iMovie to string video clips together: JUST editing down the .mov files — the slideshows you’d’ve already seen if you’ve followed me for a while — down to a manageable size.

And add audio … 

Yes … 

I think “Yoicks” is possibly the phrase, here!

~≈§≈~

Sunday 14 January 2018

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th January, 2018

Right … 

I’ve officially managed to wangle a work on a Sunday.

Which is unusual: given that they drop in hours that started last year?

Started around this time.

Frankly?

Getting the extra day, helps.

I’ll have to see what happens.

~≈É≈~

I’m also — it has to be said — looking forward to this week’s Star Trek: Discovery.

The show’s come up with one hell of a twist: in setting a couple of episodes in the franchise’s Mirror universe.

The second is this week.

Here’s hoping it’s good!


~≈É≈~