Thursday 31 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st January, 2019.

31st January, 2019.


Yes: I’ve got an eye test, today.

Relatively early, as well: which is why I’m up comparatively early.

Happily?

From what I gather, I qualify for a voucher that covers most of the cost.

Although, if I don’t … ?

I’ve just enough in savings to help pay for new pairs.

I hope I do get the help.

It means I can make my money go further.

~≈§≈~

Talking of money?   Or of earning it, at any rate … ?

I’m job hunting at the moment: as you may or may not know.

I got a call, last night: from British Telecom.

I’d put in for a job with them, a couple of months ago: and had endless trouble trying to log on to their recruitment pages.

So much trouble?

That I ended up emailing my CV, and the application for the specific job, over to BT’s Human Resources department.

They finally actually called at 19:34, last night.

Gave me the basics of the job, agreed I and my CV sounded suitably impressive … 

Then told me I’d need to do an online test: just so they could, you know, dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

And that they’d email over the link: so I could get working on the test as quickly as possible.

I told the chap about the problems I’d had, logging onto their system, originally: and was concerned I’d not be able to do the test, as I was on a Mac, and had issues logging on to their recruitment system.

(That system’s run by an Oracle-owned* company called Taleo: it’s a Software-as-a-Service business that hires out web recruitment services to various companies.)

His reply … ?

Was that I’d need to access the system on a Windows based PC, running Windows 7 or higher.

You can possibly imagine my anger.

I politely told the chap I would withdraw my application: none of my neighbours — or, at least, the ones I know — have PCs: they’re all using Macs or various shades of tablets.

Nor could I get to any of my PC-owning friends, easily.

NOR — as the chap seemed to be concerned to get me doing the test, quickly — would using the library’s computer be an option.

It would hold up the process.

That’s ignoring the fact that — in my original application — I could get as far as the BT’s recruitment’s login page: and have to try and reset my password.     I’d tried that, many times, and re-registering my account.   And NEVER got any emails from BT’s recruitment system to reset my password.

He was saddened … 

But made no mention of how this could be countered, or remedied.

~≈§≈~

As you can possibly imagine?

I’m angry about that.

I’ve lost out on a potential job.

They’ve lost a potential recruit.

Yes: it could well have been remedied, if I’d owned a PC in the first place.

Why should I?

You see, BT — and whoever BT uses to run their recruitment services — could have made resetting a password is easy.

And made sure their recruitment webpages work with whatever browser, on whatever operating system — macOS, Windows, Android, Linux — and whatever device — tablet, desktop, laptop, phone — a potential recruit uses.

Just like their customer facing ones do.

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 30 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-1-2019: The Second Temple

30th December, 2019.


Yes: you’re right.

I’m due a plumber.

Something I actually booked up, last week.

Frankly?

I’m hoping he repair my toilet in good time: and make sure he turns the water back on, when he goes.

I’m getting sick of bucket flushing.

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 29 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-1-2019: The Raven

29th January, 2019.


Right, I’ve officially spoken to Apple Support and put a complaint in.

About — yes, you’ve guessed it — the situation with iMovie.

Remember that, over the past few days?   My copy has been … misbehaving since updates installed last Thursday.

I do have a work-around that gets it functioning for me: today’s intro was made after using it.

I have to hold down Command (⌘) and Option () whilst starting iMovie: which deletes the preferences.

I’m going to have to see how that goes.

I’m not happy about it: and may have to give Apple support another call.

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

Just to make things a little worse for Apple?

It seems using FaceTime on your iPhone … is a security issue.

As there’s a possibility that you can be eavesdropped on, whilst using the feature … or even NOT using the feature … 

As far as I’m concerned … ?

The company’s having a bad week … 

~≈§≈~

Monday 28 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th January 2019

28th January, 2019.


Yes: I’ve got a phone call, later.

From Apple’s usually quite good support services.

Hopefully?   I’ll be able to discuss the situation with iMovie.

It might just turn out to be a short conversation.

As, this morning?

I’ve had a reply on the post I put on on the Apple Community Forums.

That one at the bottom, from Rich … ?

Seems to have helped, for now.

I’m ALSO going to give Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack, a big ‘Thank You,’ as well.

She’s also managed to help, by giving me a few pointers on her own set up: those details will come in handy, when I’m phoned.

Thanking, you, Debbi.

~≈§≈~

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) — A Review

27th January, 2019.



Right … 

It’s a late night for me: as I’ve started writing this at, what … ?

Just coming up to 11:30 … ish.

And, frankly … ?

I’m just about ready to go to bed … 

after I’ve finished my coca.

As the situation with iMovie is getting ridiculous.

Frankly?

The second of those intro videos was done with a free piece of software I’d found on the App Store, and wanted to try.

The curse of unemployment is simply the fact you have a lot of time on your hands.

No money to do anything — like buy new software — but time on your hands.

Tonight … ?   After having dinner with my family?

I had time on my hands … and a desire to catch up with quite a few things.

Not least, El Ministerio Del Tiempo: The Ministry of Time, if you want that in English

I think I’m getting withdrawal symptoms!

~≈§≈~

Then again … ?

Then again, tomorrow is another day.

That’s when I can start catching up with the second season of El Ministerio Del Tiempo.

Much as I wanted to get started, there?

I do know there’s a few films in my collection I wanted to watch.

The one I ended up with … ?

And had been meaning to see since I’d catch the original 1956 version?

Was the 1978, Donald Sutherland vehicle, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

I think I’ve made the right decision, there … 

~≈§≈~

Sunday 27 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-1-2019: Leningrad.

27th January, 2019.


Tight … I’m up nice and early, today.

Actually, no, scrub that.

I’m actually up at my usual time.

I just got to bed, late, last night: after watching a movie.

King of Thieves, so you know.

I actually got finished writing the review of it … at one in the morning!

Yep: you’re right: I really want to go back to bed.

~≈§≈~

Oh, I have Radio Four on, this morning: as ever.

While I’m not especially religious?

I do find the Sunday morning services rather soothing to hear.

Especially the more old fashioned Anglican ones: today’s is about the Holocaust, as it’s Holocaust Memorial Day.

Something I’ll have to write a set about, one day.

At any rate, something in the news bulletin that caught my eye?   Was a piece about how Action Fraud — the organisation run by City of London police, to let people report fraud — have seen fraud go up, last year.

Somehow?

I’m not surprised … 

~≈§≈~

King of Thieves: A Review

26th January, 2019.


Right … 

as much as I like the current version of iMovie … ?

And Mojave … ?

I think I’m in a bind … 

As it’s taken about ten minutes to render the video in that intro.

I’m not exactly a happy bunny.

After all, that’s a lot of time … when you consider that iMovie had been doing those renders in about half that time.

At most.



This possibly means I need radical action, here.

Switching on my old Mac, and seeing what I can do.

At any rate … ?

That’s something I’ll have to concentrate on, another time.

Whilst I wait for any iMovie or Mojave updates.

~≈§≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, it’s a quiet Saturday night.

And … ?



Well, I’m tempted to do several things … several sweaty things … several sweaty things that, unfortunately, involved either money or company … 

A movie it is, then … !

And, yes: I had just enough cash in my iTunes account to get … 


~≈§≈~

Saturday 26 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-1-2019: Uganda

26th January, 2019.


Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I do like my Apple products.

Really.

I’ve been quite the loyal one for some eighteen or so years.

Right at the moment, though, I have to admit to being one that’s mildly annoyed.

I’ve installed a recent set of updates: serious, security, ones that I discuss here.

The downside to those updates … ?

Simply put?

Is that, since installing those updates, my copy of iMovie is behaving distinctly badly: causing system hangs that only seem to clear up, if I force a restart, switching my machine on and off again.

Frankly?

As someone who relies on that app, I’m not exactly what you call happy.

~≈§≈~

Friday 25 January 2019

Star Trek Discovery — Series 2 Episode 2: New Eden — A Review

25th January, 2019.


Yes: I’ve officially had my lower jaws done.

Jaws?

JAW!

Cleaned, if you must know.

What made things … interesting … ?

Was the fact I thought I’d made the appointment for 11AM.

Turns out I was wrong.

Turns out it was for 2PM: which meant going into Brentwood High Street, twice!

Boy, I was embarrassed.

Still … 

I did managed to get to have a natter with one of the hygienists about the shiny new MacBookPro she was using … 

~≈§≈~

As I was able to let her know I’d got a notification, this morning, via MacWorld: turned out there were some quite serious security updates.

You can find the details, here.

Now, while I’m not sure or all the exact details … I’m fairly sure of something.

For starters, the updates have caused issues.

I know I’ve just rendered the intro for this piece: and had to shut down my Mac, a couple of times.

As rendering it in 1080p slowed iMovie down to a crawl, and made using switching between alternative desktops VERY crappy.

On the other hand … ?

I noticed that a number of the security updates listed on that page?

Were aimed at macOS’s kernel.

The underlying code that forms the operating system’s heart.

One was aimed at the hypervisor.   Which, if I’ve understood it correctly?   Is some of the heavyweight hardware control software that’s part of a modern operating system.

It is — if I’ve understood the Wikipedia entry correctly — controls a lot of a computer’s hardware.

On top of that … !

On top of that, Apple’s page thanked workers from Google’s Project Zero a lot of help on the kernel updates.

Project Zero are the Google researchers who find zero-day exploits: previously unknown security flaws.

And that, therefore, need treating rather urgently.

Frankly?



I’m grateful: that means my machine’s better protected.

I’m just going to have to wait for Apple to update iMovie, and Mojave.

I’m grateful for the protection.

But would like the rendering speed back.

~≈§≈~

Now, I have to admit: that’s NOT why I started this post.

Yes, you guessed it: it’s Friday.

And yes: right at the mo, that means it’s time for the new episode of … 

second series … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-1-2019: The First Winter Olympics

25th January, 2019.


Yep: I’m officially off to Brentwood High Street, today.

I’ve got … a dental hygienist appointment!

My dentists makes appointment’s with the students ones for free, as I’m on universal credit!

All good.

I just hope it doesn’t take long … !

~≈§≈~

Thursday 24 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-1-2019: Hadrian

25th January, 2019.


Yes: I had my benefits, yesterday, and managed to at least pay my rent.

After taking out as much as I could from the nearest cash machine.

I couldn’t take out enough to go shopping, yesterday: as I reached my withdrawal limit.

And couldn’t take out any more cash from my branch … as they were shut due to “unforeseen circumstances” … 

At any rate … ?

It’s something I can remedy, today: simply by heading back to town.

On a day that — looking out of my front room window — that looks objectively quite nice for The time of year … 


But certainly — according to the BBC’s Weather app — looks like it could be … sub zero … 


The word yummy springs to mind, here: although, as Trevor^ pointed out in a comment on yesterday’s set?

“At least the sidewalks were clear” … 

The pavements?

Are equally clear, today.

~≈§≈~

I know you’re possibly not a one who follow the technology news … but I do … 

With Brexit looming ever nearer?   Anything that affects opinion gets looked at.

Including newspapers.

One piece of news I saw, yesterday?

Was that a new browser extension has been released: one that tells you if a given news site is unbiased, and/or accurate.

That extension is one that that famously pro-Brexit paper, the Daily Mail has fallen foul of.


The twist in this tale?

Is that the extension in question has — in one mobile browser — gone from being an optional add-on … 

To being built in.

The browser?   Is the mobile version of Microsoft’s own Edge browser.

I’m told Edge has a comparatively small market share.

Both on mobile devices, and the desktop.

I think, thought, that the Mail will really start complaining … 

When Edge’s market share goes up … 

And Microsoft realises a desktop version … 

~≈§≈~

Licence to Kill: a Review

23rd January, 2019.


There are times I’m glad I’m out of work … 

There’s times … I’m frankly not.

Frankly, money his possibly the tightest bits: although that’s always the way, I think.

Debts and payments expand as the income we receive, does.

If that makes sense?

What I’m trying to say … ?

Is simply that there’s pros and cons to being out of work.

The downside?

A lack of cash: and some extremely tight budgeting.

The upside?

Simply that I have time on my hand: and a large collection of media to watch.

Last night?   I was in a mode for some Bond… 

Actually, no: I was in the mode for some of Timothy Dalton’s Bond, as I’d not seen his second outing in the role for many years.

Last night?   I got myself good and befuddled: mixing up titles, to see The Living Daylights … !

Tonight … ?

I managed to remedy that, and watch … License To Kill … !

Hmmm … I think we’re looking at a very different film.

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 23 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-1-2019: Django Unchained.

23rd January, 2019.


Yes: we officially have no snow, today.

At least here in Brentwood.

Frankly?

Given the projected temperature, today?


I’m actually grateful.

I get paid, today, so I’m off shopping.

Frankly?

I’m glad it’s not snowing …

~≈§≈~

Either way … ?

Either way, I have to confess to feeling a little tired.

It’s my own damn fault: managing to stay up late, watching the wrong movie.

I got The Living Daylights mixed up with License to Kill.

It’s still a fun little action-adventure film, with a Bond who looks entirely the part.

Well … it does show its age, in some respects.

What grabbed my attention was the scene where Bond … slaps Moneypenny’s rear.

You couldn’t do THAT, today … !


~≈§≈~

The Living Daylights: A Review.

22nd January, 2019.


Yes: I was definitely feeling grotty, this morning.

Frankly?   Too much cooking oil, last night … ?



All day, now I think of it.

Triggered my IBS.

I really should I’m not a seventeen year old — with a seventeen year old’s cast iron stomach — any more!

Thankfully … ?

Thankfully, I managed to stay in, all day: I really didn’t want to go too far away from the toilet.

Equally, thankfully?

I had an old friend over, picking up some backed up files … 

Who turned up with some really good home made bread.

That made for some great old-fashioned doorstop toast, with Marmite … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve been in, all day.

Thinking I’ve movies in storage I’d like to see.

And thinking … that I’d never actually seen Timothy Dalton’s second outing as James Bond.

The menacingly named Licence To Kill.

What did I end up doing?


Fancy a mix up, any one … ?

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 22 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-1-2019: LeGuin, again …

22nd January, 2019.


Yep: I really think I overdid the cooking oil, last night.

And am definitely feeling the results.

For those of you who don’t know?

I get infrequent doses of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.   That occasionally kicks of if I get stressed … or eat too much fatty food.

I’ll end up with stomach cramps … 

And sat on the loo for quite some time … 

~≈§≈~

Of course, what doesn’t help … ?

Is my toilet … 

Frankly?   The flush went west on Sunday.

So, of course I’ve reported it on Monday, when the office opened: and been bucket flushing ever since.

The plumber who’ll fix it … ?

Get’s here on the 30th of January.

That’s the soonest the office could get him down to me.

Oy … vey … !

~≈§≈~

Monday 21 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-1-2019: The Dáil Éireann

21sy January, 2019.


Yes, we’re officially going to be invaded by an eight year: you have officially been warned!


The bit that tickled me last night?

Is that Ruth — my sister, and Jude’s mother — told me last night that Jude likes the idea of being a YouTuber.

Good for him.

But it shows you how big presenters on the platform have gotten.

PewDiePieStampyCat and Zoella, included.

Given that … ?

I think the pair of us are going to have to have a word with Mummy.

iMovie is a handy video editing tool, easy for an eight year to use, and Mac only.

And he’s never going to be able to afford it on his own … !

~≈§≈~

Sunday 20 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th January, 2019.

20th January, 2019.


Right … it’s a definite: I saw the Claude Rains/Jame Whale version of The Invisible Man, last night.

It’s quite something to watch: especially when Griffin, the Invisible Man himself?

Unwraps the bandages.

The phrase ‘skull-like’ springs to mind.


And, from what I can tell?

The bit’s of the film where Rains, as the central character, unwraps the bandages from his head are done with a very early version of Colour separation overlay.

The same thing that powers the animation you’ll see at the start of today’s intro video.

One day … ?

I’ll get the hang of it!

~≈§≈~

There’s one sad bit of news I caught, last night.

No, nothing to do with Brexit, OR Prince Phillip.

Actually?   It was a car bomb … outside a courthouse in what’s variously called Derry, or Londonderry.

No one was killed or injured, but neither has any group claimed responsibility.

But, having grown up in England during the Troubles?

I’d hate to see those Troubles restarted.

Especially if those who’ve done this, have done this in response to the Brexit negotiations, with all the talk of a Backstop*.

Here’s hoping.

~≈§≈~

Saturday 19 January 2019

The Invisible Man (1933): The Review.

19th January, 2019.


Yes!

After having to send the application form in, three damn times?



I’ve got my provisional driving license in.

The first time — with money, adoption papers, postal order, and God knows what else — so I could get the thing to use as ID.

Learning to drive, later, would be a good thing: when I’ve got the money.

But as ID now, it’s a good thing to have.

The second time I sent it in?   Was after the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sent it back … because I’d forgotten to sign the application … !

Signature done, form, ID, posted sent back … 

Only to land in my post box, again … 

Asking for details of addresses that I’d sent in the previous two times … 

Despite the fact I’d sent them in the previous two times … 

If you’ve ever seen Gilliam’s Brazil, or read/played West End Games’ Paranoia?

You can possibly imagine the fun … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, that, and other bits and bobs, is now safely parked in my wallet.

And can be safely forgotten about: until such time as I need it.

Hopefully?



Hopefully, I’ll get some thing turning up: soon.

Although, frankly, since having the interviews over the past couple of weeks … 

If you could keep your fingers crossed for me … ?

Thanks!

~≈§≈~

Either way … ?



I am a man with a … 

Well, I would say ‘mission’ … except I’ve no idea what that mission would be, if I had one.

Let’s say, then, that I’m a man with time on his hands … 

And a collection of videos sitting around, asking to be watched.



And the occasional desire to see the odd movie.

Tonight’s film … ?

The James Whale directed, 1933 version of … 




~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th January, 2019.

19th January, 2019.


Why … why … oh why … do I have early morning earworms?

I really couldn’t tell you … 

But as soon as I mention, think, speak, type, or breathe gently on, the word video?

Up pops the Franco-Canadian one hit wonders, Trans-X … 


It is still the case, I think … that the backing singer looks bored out of her hair do!


~≈§≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I notice that the German Interior ministry — its equivalent to the Home Office — has announced it’s to review various contractor requirements: requirements that would make sure Huawei would not be involved in building Germany’s telecom’s infrastructure.

All to the good: and it follows one from various other countries and companies.

But … ?

My concern is near enough what I’ve always thought.

We’re concerned about Huawei spying on us.

Are we concerned enough about Microsoft, Apple, Google … ?

~≈§≈~

Friday 18 January 2019

Star Trek Discovery — Series 2 Episode 1: Brother — A Review

18th January, 2019.


Yes … it’s A Friday night … 

Yes: I’m unemployed.

And yes … that means not going out, frankly!

What can I tell you?

Apart from the fact I managed to keep myself occupied.

With some good old fashioned TV.

Well … 

New fashioned … 

OK … 

I’ve managed To catch the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery’s second season.

Brother?

Is quite a big opening.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-1-2019: X-Ray Specs

18th January, 2019.


Yes: it’s depressingly the case.

I’ve had three interviews in the past fortnight.

And got word, last night, that the remaining company … didn’t want me.

It’s the usual excuse: they’d found other, more suitable, candidates.

It’s depressing.

~≈Ü≈~

Thursday 17 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2019: Popeye

17th January, 2019.


Yeah … that’s mildly depressing.   And was a lot more depressing, last night.

The interview I went for, yesterday?

I didn’t get: the employers emailed me, last night, with the bad news.

That was both depressing — I think my view of the film I saw, last night, was affected — and unwanted.

I also heard from the job I was interviewed for, last week: in London.

I didn’t get that, either: but I was half expecting that: as the work force seemed to be such a young crowd.

This morning sees me feeling a touch better — a good night sleeps helps — and keen to get jobhunting, again.

And wondering whether I’ve bagged the job I was interviewed for, on Tuesday.

We will just have to see.

~≈§≈~

The Nun: A Review.

16th January, 2019.


Yes: it’s officially depressing … 

I went all the way to Southend … and came back without a job.

And got the email this afternoon, to confirm it.

Granted: I think I was maybe under qualified for the role.

But … still … 

It’s depressing to get knocked back after going all that way … ?

Is … 


Yeah: you fill the words in.

~≈§≈~

To top that off … ?



To top that off, I also got turned down by the job in London: the one I went for, last week?

Although that was less of a blow: I got there a few minutes, late — which never impresses — AND the rest of the people working there seemed terribly young.

So I wasn’t so emotional about that.

All I have to do, now … ?



Is keep hunting, and wait to see what the interview I had yesterday, says … 

~≈§≈~



At any rate … ?

At any rate, I really wanted something to do, tonight.

If nothing else … ?



If nothing else, catching something on the box seemed the thing: although not much broadcast TV appealed.

The movie collection … ?

Had a few bits I’d not caught … 

iTunes, on the other hand?

My iTunes account had a few quid: saved up for when I had been working.



I could, at least, rent a movie.

I did.

The 2018, The Conjuring franchise entry, The Nun.

Was it money well spent … ?

Hmmm … 

~≈§≈~

Wednesday 16 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th January 2019

16th January, 2019.


Right … I am mildly rushed: I have another interview, today!

In Southend, of all places.   At the other end of the railway from London Liverpool Street.

In Southend College, of all places!

Wish me luck for it: I think I may need it.

The halls of academia look attractive, even if I’m just doing the paperwork.

~≈§≈~

Tuesday 15 January 2019

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-1-2019: At The Office

15th January, 2019.


Yes, it’s true … I’ve an interview … !

I’m sorry, that was vaguely poetic, wasn’t it … ?

At any rate: I’ve an interview in Romford, today.

And, what makes it worse … ?   Or at least, frantic … ?

I’ve another one tomorrow: in Southend!

Romford I can happily navigate.

Southend?   Well, it’s been a good decade!

Topping that off … ?

Topping that off, I’ve missed a call from a company called Tiger — at least I think that’s what the woman said the company’s called — who sound like they want to talk to me, as well.

Nice to know I’m in demand.

~≈§≈~

Oh … 

Just as a quick thought … 

Today sees the House of Commons making the famous Meaningful Vote on the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan.

A vote the PM stands a good chance of losing.

The results?

There’s talk of a vote of no confidence that will trigger a general election: with all that implies.

OR a second referendum.

I think if either happens, the country will be in more trouble than it thinks.

We’ll have to see …

~≈§≈~