Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th April, 2019.

30th April, 2019.

Right … 

Bar picking up some medications?

I’ve got a quiet day, ahead!

And a frustration or two.

Right now?

The interviews offers seem to have dried up, at the moment.

That’s frustrating … 

And gives me the suspicion I’m going to be off work for a while … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th April, 2019.

29th April, 2019.

Yes, it’s true: we’ve found something out!

I think I’ve mentioned this before: but don’t quote me on that!   My memory’s as fallible as anything else, these days … 

At ANY rate … 

I think I’ve mentioned that my nephew, Jude, asked I could install a game called Forza Street on his mother’s computer.

Alongside Fortnite Battle Royale.

We managed to get it installed: only for Ruth and Jude to find later, that the game kept crashing.

~≈§≈~

Which Jude found a little disappointing, to say the least.

But … ?

The least I could do was have a look, last night — Sunday’s is usually the big family dinner night — at Ruth’s computer, to see what could be the issue.

As it turned out … ?

The big problem was simply the respective games’ minimum requirements.

With — at least in the case of Forza Street — the processor speed causing serious issues.

Well … 

At least we know what to look for: and can possibly persuade Jude that having a word with Santa about possibly Xboxes may be an idea.

Frankly, though … ?

For someone more familiar with macOS, than Windows, finding the specifications is a fiddly job*!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-4-2019: The Dark Side of the Moon.

28th April, 2019.

You’ve heard of earworms, haven’t you … ?

Those songs that — for whatever reason — are bouncing around you heard at any given time … ?

Yep: I’ve got a Toyah song banging around … 

And the theme from an old cartoon show … 

That clip?   Goes on the assumption you’re stuck in a Wango Tree … 

At ANY rate … ?

The only thing I could do … ?

Is sit here and play the theme tune to El Ministerio del Tiempo.

That usually helps.

Now … ?

NOW all I have to do is worry about my runny nose† … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th April, 2019

27th April, 2019.

Right … 

I’ll apologise for waving a Green Party poster at you … 

But there was something I wanted to quickly check.

Frankly?

I wanted to just see what sort of green screen effects I could do … without having an actual green screen … 

OK … 

It possibly doesn’t look stunning … 

But at least I can do something … 

~≈§≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I’ll happily confess to being an armchair snooker fan: I try and keep up as much I possibly can … but can’t always sit down to watch a frame as often as I’d like.

This year?

This year, one of the few perks of unemployment … is simply the fact I can catch up with the World Championship.

Ronnie getting knocked out in Round one was a shocker.

Another?

Mark Williams — world number three, and current World champion — ended up in hospital, last night!

With chest pains … !

Bloody hell … 

The older players are picking their times!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th April, 2019.

26th April, 2019.

Right …

I’ve just had to do some jumping about, there.

Mostly … ?

Where the by-now-traditional intro-video, and photo, wouldn’t load in Safari or Firefox.

But would in Google Chrome.

Quite what’s going on there … ?

I don’t know.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’m off to the job centre, today: for my usual fortnightly meeting with my work coach.

Hopefully?

I’ll be able to get him to answer me a question.

Am I ok to turn down a job … if it’s a temp position that’ll only last for three months?

Here’s hoping …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th April, 2019.

25th April, 2019.

Right … I’ve got my regular fortnightly meeting with the Job centre, tomorrow.

At 10:30.   So I’ll be up and about early.

I know I’ve hand to pencil in at least one thing with my adviser.

I’ve had a couple of temp agencies sounding me out about three month temp contracts: doing the sort of work I was doing at my last job.

I’ve turned them down.

Partly because they wouldn’t necessarily cover my costs.

And partly because neither agency could guarantee they postings would last beyond those three months.

I’m going to have to ask my adviser if that’s OK … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-4-2019: The Ego and the Id

24th April, 2019.

Yes: I’ll happily admit to being something of an armchair snooker fan.

One who’s happy to watch the World Championships, if they’re on … 

And one who was happily glued to the First Round match, last night: between Stuart Bingham, and Graeme Dott.

That … ?

That was quite a match.

Going into the last session, Bingham was 9-1 ahead, and looking at a near whitewash … 

Until Dotty managed to catch up, over the next few hours: only losing after a missed red.

And after a lot of tippy tapping around.

Old school snooker, in fact.

With Ronnie O’Sullivan out in the first round?

This year’s championship is looking good!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-4-2019: Saint George’s Day.

23rd April, 2019.

Right … 

Did you watch the end of today’s intro video?

Well … ?

Have you yawned … ?

Sorry, I can never resist point out that yawning is — generally — contagious!

At any rate … ?

I had a bit of a late night, last: watching the Jack Nicholson film that is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

It has to be said: sometimes, it’s only when we re-watch these things, we realise quite how powerful they are!

~≈§≈~

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — A Review

22nd April, 2019.

I’m guessing you’re not necessarily a quiz fan: are you?

Or possibly you are: I won’t know, unless you tell me.

Either way?

You may or may not know that I do a daily brain teaser: and have done for a while.

Today’s has a theme.

Jack Nicholson.

Yes: today’s his birthday.

~≈§≈~

The reason I mention that … ?



The reason I mention that … is because I’m not a movie fan.

Rather I see myself as someone who likes watching movies: and have done for a while.

So, when I get the chance?

I watch a film.

Either at home, on the proverbial telly … or — if and when I can afford it — at the movies.

Tonight … ?

With time off … ?

I fancied a film.

And, given who’s birthday it is, today?

Felt the film I’ve seen tonight is the only one I could possibly watch …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-4-2019: Jack Nicholson.

22nd April, 2019.

Yep!

It’s officially official: I’ve finished watching series two of Westworld.

And it has to be said, The Passenger did look rather good.

Although … 

Can I make a confession?

They’ve killed Thandie Newton.

She absolutely made that show!

~≈§≈~

In other news?

We know the Ukraine’s had it’s moments … 

Yesterday was possibly one of them.

The country’s just elected Volodymyr Zelensky as President: a man who’s made a living as both a comedian, and playing a fictional Ukrainian president.

A comedian … 

He really can’t be any worth than any other politician … 

~≈§≈~

And, as a LAST thought … ?

My sister, Ruth, and I tried installing Fortnite — the game — onto her PC, last night.

As Jude had been talking about it!

Frankly?

We couldn’t get it done.

I have to admit, I THINK that’s down to the verification email going astray.

Although I did have a look at downloading it, back at my place, when I got back home.

The bloody thing’s a 45 gigabyte file.

Forty five whole bloody gigabytes.

Blow THAT!

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 10: The Passenger — A Review

*Spoilers*

21st April, 2019.

You know, I think palaver is possibly putting it mildly.

You see, I was at my family’s, earlier: an Easter Sunday dinner, so you know.

And … ?

Well … my nephew asked me if I could install Fortnite on to his mum’s computer.

That … 



Turned into a lot of palaver: as we couldn’t work out how to reset Ruth’s password, so we could install the thing.

Although I’ve managed to work out the first bit, at home: we’d’ve needed to reset the password.

There’s more.


Fortnite’s made by a games company called Epic.

And it seems to work a bit like Steam.

If I’ve got it right, the Steam app — or Epic launcher — is an application that runs miniature apps — the games — with in it.

Very unlike the Mac App Store: the games I can buy there run independently of the Store.

Of, course, wanting to know what Jude was banging on about: and as the game was free?

I thought I’d download it at my end.

Ha!

NOT counting the Epic Launcher?

That was about forty-five gigabytes game files.

From what I could see, and unlike many apps I’ve used on the Mac?

Something I could only put on the main drive: a main drive too small to contain it.

For want of of a politer phrase?

Bugger that for a lark.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st April 2019

21st April, 2019.

Yes, it’s true.

I’ve actually had a scam email!   One that claimed to be from the UK’s TV Licensing body.

And one that looked — at least, at first glance — like the real thing.

Complete with a photo of Dr Who actor, Samuel Anderson: Danny Pink, if you can remember that far back.

The only reason I (eventually) twigged it was a scam?

Well, obviously, I double checked the email address.   The scammer’s did use the correct one: donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk

Obviously, they didn’t start the email with ‘Dear Paul’: or any other greeting, now I think of it.

The bit that clued me up … ?

Was simply the fact they told me my direct debit had failed: and they needed my bank details to reset it.

It took me a second or two to remember … that I don’t pay by Direct debit … I use a swipe card … !

Phew!

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 9: Vanishing Point — A Review

20th April, 2019.

OK, I’ll admit it.

I’m something of a Snooker fan.

Someone who tries to watch it where possible.   But doesn’t necessarily always get the chance.

Frankly?

I managed to catch some of the Robertson-Georgiou match, today: in the first round of this year’s World Championship.

Fascinating watch … but, given it’s 9-0 to Neil Robertson?   I think Australia’s finest has an advantage.

~≈§≈~

Saying that … ?

Saying that, you’ve possibly worked out that I have a large set of TV shows cued up: ready and waiting to be watched.

Including the current favourite, Westworld, series two.

It’s … 

It’s holding my attention, let’s put it that way … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th April, 2019

20th April, 2019.

Yep: I’ve actually seen the last episode of Star Trek Discovery’s second season.

The episode’s called Such Sweet Sorrow (Pt 2), and was the second of two episodes.

And?

And was quite a climax.   Amazingly big battles, incredible effects, nice emotional touches … 

Oh, and death, destruction and disappearances … 

About the only thing that could spoil it … ?

Was a serious lack of hot cross buns … 

~≈§≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 2 Episode 14: Such Sweet Sorrow (Pt 2) — A Review

*Spoilers*



19th April, 2019

Yes: I’m officially too skint to afford hot cross buns.

Which is a shame: the odd one?

Is occasionally nice.

The most I can can do, this Good Friday?

Is be grateful I can’t afford the blessed things.

I don’t think my weight could take the pace.

~≈§≈~

Actually, that’s something else I think I should mention … 



My GP has had me taking medication to deal with an underachieve thyroid: for quite some time.

AND had made sure I was on something that helped what we thought was Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

That could’ve have been a mistake.

As — after the last set of thyroid function tests — included tests on my levels of Vitamin D.

Turns out I’ve a Vitamin D deficiency.

And the medications she’s given me for that … ?



Ain’t half helped!

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I have time on my hands … 

Time on my hands, and nothing to do … 

Except catch up with something.

Yep.

However good today actually is, it is still a Friday, which means the last episode of … Star Trek: Discovery, Series two.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April, 2019

19th April, 2019.

Right … 

I’ve actually calmed down: after what was a rather bad day, yesterday.

The interview … 

Well, I could tell you it went extremely well, and I’m looking forward to bagging the job.

Except that the interview failed to go off.

Failed?

Yes, failed.

Because?

Because the Job Centre hadn’t put enough money into my account to pay for the ticket.   And weren’t able to able to top it up intake for me to the interview.

They’d put in £11·10: a figure that — as far as both I and my job centre advisor could see — was correct.

Only to be told — when I got to the station — that the actual price was fourteen pounds.

The Job Centre couldn’t top my account up in time.

The interview couldn’t be rearranged: as they had no other available slots.

Personally?

I’m bloody annoyed.

Partly at the Job Centre: for not being able to issue the cash in time.

Annoying … but, as my adviser pointed out, they’re reliant on the banks to get the cash in time: and the days of petty cash being held at the office are long since gone.

But partly at the websites selling train tickets: and advising on prices.

The correct price is there.

But placed where a casual search — at least ones by me, and my adviser — wouldn’t easily see it.

That website design?

Has, effectively, cost me a job.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 8: Kiksuya — A Review

18th April, 2019.

Yes: that’s right.

My language in tonight’s intro, isn’t exactly what you’d call polite.

But I think I have an excuse.

I was due to go to an interview, today.

I had the money for the ticket — £11·10 courtesy of the Job Centre — in my account, was ready to go, got to the station … 

Only to be told the ACTUAL price was fourteen quid.



£14.

I didn’t have enough.

The Job Centre were as surprised as I was.

As both I, and my advisor — who’d arranged for the fare money — had check online for the price.

Several times.

£11·10.

Quite definitely, £11·10.

Quite why the price difference?

I don’t know.

I was angry, to put it mildly.

I got even angrier … 

Finding out that the Job Centre couldn’t guarantee being able to put the difference into my account, in time for me to still go to the interview.

Nor did they have any petty cash to use: they haven’t done for several years.

Knowing this — angry about it, but left with no other option — I phoned the recruiter, to see if I could re-arrange the interview.

Nope.

They had no free slots left.

With no money to get to the interview, and no dates left to rebook for?

For what could well have been a very good position indeed?

I had to cancel.

The recruiters have said they will contact me, again, if another — or, indeed the same — position becomes available.

Although I can’t see them doing that: I can’t imagine what they’re thinking of an interview who doesn’t turn up.

The Job Centre have been apologetic: as much as they try and resolve these things quickly, they can only go as fast as the banks will let them.

Frankly?

Well … 

I’ll apologise for the language.

But my GODS, this has left me fuming … 

~≈§≈~

Fuming and swearing aside?

Fuming and swearing aside, I am still job hunting … and determined to learn to at least double check on ticket prices.

Job hunting … 

And watching TV.

Thankful that I had something to watch.

Yep: I can at least say I’ve caught another episode of Westworld series two.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2019: The Republic

18th April, 2019

Yep: I’m nervous.

I’ve got an interview, today.

For a social landlord in Pitsea, would you believe?   Doing the same sort of job that I was doing in Chelmsford: at a slightly better salary.

It’s one I dearly want.

I’m hoping two things.

Firstly?

That the trip — to get to Pitsea, I have to go towards London — doesn’t get held up by climate protestors.

Secondly?

That I get the job … 

Here’s hoping … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th April, 2019

17th April, 2019

Hmmm … 

As you’re possibly aware?

I’ve got an interview, tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to it.

The one small blivet?

Usually, I can claim for train fares: which I applied for on Monday.

I know it usually takes three days to clear … 

But it’s still not there.

I’m … a little worried … 

~≈§≈~

Oh … 

Do I look tired in that intro video?

Usually, I don’t stay up too late.

I did last night: getting to bed at half past one.

I think I have good reason.

I finally managed to catch The Macra Terror.

I don’t think I’ve written the definitive review.

But I THINK I’ve written what — for me — is a well done piece.

Let me know … !

~≈§≈~

Dr Who — Season 4, Serial 7: The Macra Terror — A Review

16th April, 2019.

Yeah, I’m right, aren’t I … ?

I really do need to work on my phrasing for those intro videos.

“Crabs,” may well be an accurate description of what I’ve just seen tonight … 

But does sound just a little … you know … camp … !

Oy … !

~≈§≈~

But let me at least tell you exactly why we’re talking about crabs at this time of night.

You see … I’m something of a fan of Dr Who: and have been for a while.

So … ?



With a little cash to spare from the recent sale of a tablet, I had just enough cash to treat myself: to the 3 disc version of the ‘lost’ Patrick Troughton story, The Macra Terror.

Yes: I know I’ve been watching series two of Westworld, just recently.

But vintage Dr Who?   Is something I fell I had to watch … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-4-2019: Spike!

16th April, 2019.

Yep: my nephew, Jude, and I … ?

Didn’t get to see a film, last night.

Nope.

But we DID manage to get to go to the local branch of Burger King^.

Jude definitely enjoyed himself: he definitely likes the nuggets.

And had fun with a paper hat!

AND had a question or two for me.

Can I film games on my computer, then add bits, then upload them to a website.

Like this … 

Apparently?

Apparently, a lot of his friends at school are doing it.

Oh, and at least one relative’s doing something similar.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-4-2019: The Big M.

15th April, 2019.

It’s official: I’m going to be looking after my nephew, this afternoon.

I think the pair of us are looking forward to it: he’s just video phoned me to say so.

Bless!

Either way … ?

It should be fun … so long as we can find stuff to do.

~≈§≈~

Oh, while you’re there … ?

I’ve just seen this piece flat past past on the Today programme.

Seemingly?

The TSB bank has announced that it will refund any of its customers who’ve been victims of online fraud.

Frankly?

I like it.

It’s going to cost them a fortune, I think.

AND they’ll need to be their eyes open for those trying to milk the system.

But … ?

It’ll be wonderful for customers.

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 7: Les Écorchés — A Review

14th April, 2019

Yep: that intro video’s accurate.

I’m going to be baby — ha! — sitting my nephew, Jude, tomorrow.

Which should be fun.

So long as we can figure out what to do.

It might just involve persuading Mummy that buying a micro SD card: so a Certain Nephew can … ah … borrow age-acceptable movie content from his uncle and plonk it on his tablet.

Which possibly makes up for this afternoon: the family trip to see Shazam didn’t exactly go to plan: as Jude found it a little bit too scary.

I can sort of see his point: people crumbling to dust isn’t exactly reassuring to an eight year old!

~≈§≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, we’ll have to see what we can do about that, shan’t we?

The rest of the evening I’ve had to myself.

Which … ?

Frankly gives me another night to see more of Westworld series two.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th April, 2019.

14th April, 2019.

Yep: today’s Teaser is going to be slightly video heavy.

You see, I want to Sainsbury’s, yesterday: just to pick some bits up.

And couldn’t help notice that there’s now security cameras on them.

Built into handy monitors, so you can see what you’re doing.

I got mildly annoyed: annoyed enough to make a video, and posted it to YouTube.

Oh, and emailed them, as well.

I can understand they’re doing they’re utmost to make sure their stock’s secure … 

But see that as deeply invasive of my privacy.

I’ll let you know if I hear anything back … 

~≈§≈~

Westworld — Series 2 — Episode 6 Phase Space: A Review

13th April, 2019.

OK … now I come to look at the intro video … ?



It does seem just a little bit camp.

But at least I can say two things.

One … ?   I’m getting better at tweaking the audio on these things.

The only shame?

Is that I can’t copy the audio from a given iMovie project, put it into — say — Audacity, add some weird effects … 


And re-import it back.

One for the forums, maybe.

Two … ?

It’s Raining Men’s a fantastic song!

~≈§≈~

Moving on … ?

I have to admit, I was in Sainbury’s today.

And … 

Here … 

Basically?   Their self-service tills now have cameras attached.

Frankly?

I can understand a certain amount of CCTV.

But these seem a little too intrusive.

~≈§≈~

Oh, and finally … ?

Finally, I’ve managed to catch one more episode of Westworld, series two.

It’s OK: I’ve got an excuse!

~≈§≈~

Episode 6 — Phase Space — opens with Bernard and Dolores (Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood) having one of their usual conversations: with a twist.

Dolores seems to be the one in charge.

Maeve’s group?   Maeve’s (Thandiwe Newton) group are determined to return to the main Westworld park.

Maeve is still desperate to find her daughter … but not expecting any twists … 

William (Ed Harris) and his daughter, Emily (Katja Herbers) are reconciled … only for Emily to find her fathers has abandoned her … 

The episode closes … with Bernard and Elsie (Shannon Woodward) at the Cradle: the server farm that contains ALL of the host backup and core data.

And is haunted by Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins).

Things … are going to get messy … 

~≈§≈~

Now … am I still enjoying Westworld?

Yes, I am, thanking you.

Although this episode seemed a little weaker than earlier entries in the series, it has shown us that the going ons at the park are more complicated than we think.

And?

Hmmm … 

I’ve not read any of the series two overviews available.

I’d rather NOT walk into a stream of spoilers.

But, right now?

I’m guessing Peter Abernathy — Dolores’ father — contains not the intellectual property of the park … 

But the memory patterns of a senior Delos corporation executive: and that at least one other — Ford — himself.

All of it manufactured to make the company the only group in this universe that can grant immortality.

We’ll have to see … 

But, boy … I’m curious … !