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

31st May, 2019.

Yes … 

It’s official.

I was at my stepdad’s funeral, yesterday.

It has to be said, it went well enough, sad though it was.

It has to be said, about the only up side?

Was seeing that side of the family, again.

It’s been … some time.

~≈§≈~

In a desperate attempt at levity … ?

I have to admit I saw this picture of Judge Death float past on my Facebook timeline.

Volunteering to be a candidate in the Tory party leadership race.

The one thing that makes it funnier?

Is that yet another candidate has put his name forward … 

Oh, and there’s now two candidates for the Lib Dem.

I’m get the feeling that — should 2000AD revive the character — Dave the Orangutan will be a frontrunner for that.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th May, 2019

30th May, 2019

It has to be said, I’ve got a long day ahead of me.

Towards the end of the afternoon … ?

I’ve the usual meeting with my work coach: at the local Job Centre.

And … ?

This morning, I have my step father’s funeral.

That’s … 

Well, let’s put it this way, it’s not necessarily something I’m looking forward too … 

~≈§≈~

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

29th May, 2019.

It’s got to be said … I’m going to be in all morning.

Because I’m waiting in … for a plumber!

Over the past few days?   I’ve had the odd bit of back surging from my kitchen sink: water — quite definitely dirty water — coming up the plug hole.

The plumber’s due between eight and one.

Yep, I’m in all morning.

And yes: caring fever’s going to be the phrase … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-5-2019: Fleming!

28th May, 2019.

Yes, it’s true. 

Occasionally?

I read a book, or two.

And have to confess that my bedtime reading, at the moment … ?

Is Ward Moore’s1953  Bring the Jubilee.

I’m about four chapters into the alternative history novel.

And frankly?   It’s rather good.

To the point where I’m hearing the main character, Hodge Backmaker, talk.

At least, I’m hearing him talk, while I’m reading it: in what sounds like a late nineteenth century southern US citizen.

If I’m hearing the characters talk*?

That’s writing … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-5-2019: Canonical

27th May, 2019.

Right … 

I see that that the European election results for England and Wales are in.

And that the Brexit party have done well off the back of them.

Not something I wanted to see: but not unexpected.

I’m ALSO very aware both the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens, have done well.

With both the Conservatives,  and Labour … losing significant amounts of seats.

Personally … ?

Right now, I feel a general election would be a good thing.

Although I realise a hard-line group like the Brexit party will do well, right now.

But, right now?   The deadlock in Parliament has to be broken.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-5-2019: Our George.

26th May, 2019.

Did I ever mention I had a couple of … extra accounts?

Extra social media accounts, that is: that would’ve been used, originally, to help promoted Nik Nak’a Old Peculiar.

And that I’d not actually used for several years.

After my step-father’s recent death?

I had to admit to having concerns that his social media hadn’t been closed.   Something I’m still concerned about, but that isn’t necessarily for me to handle.

It DID get me thinking, though.

I’d closed my old — and long since abandoned — Hotmail account many years ago.   After someone had managed to highjack it, and start sending out spam.

So I figured that doing the same with the extra Gmail account was a good idea.

But that first?   I should delete the extra Twitter and Facebook accounts.

It did take a while.

Especially as I had to log into my old MacPro tower to get the relevant passwords!

Still … 

Frankly … ?

Job done … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th May, 2019

25th May, 2019.

Yes: yesterday was a slow news day.

Or, at least, a news day dominated by just the one thing: the resignation of Theresa May.

There’s possibly a lot to say, there.

Personally?   I actually feel sympathetic.

Granted, she made the mistake of calling the snap General Election in 2017: with a smaller majority than in 2015.

But a mostly Remain MP landed up trying to push through Brexit.

And it really wasn’t the Parliament for it.

Equally as personally?

I’m thinking the same I did when Gordon Brown took over as PM.   When John Major did.

Theresa May’s successor should call an election.

That will:

Hopefully break the deadlock in Parliament.

And means we get a Prime Minister we voted for.

Rather than someone who’s been put in place by a clique.

Either way … ?

I’m glad I kept those Green Party posters.

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 4—Tiempo de ilustrados/Time of the Enlightened — A Review.

24th May, 2019

Yes: Theresa May, Britain’s PM, has officially announced that’s she’s going to be stepping down from the post: and that her resignation goes into effect from the 7th June.

To an extent?

I feel sorry for her.   After all, she repeatedly tried to get a Brexit deal through that she felt would work for the UK.

Only to see it repeatedly thrown out by a House of Commons set against her.

Frankly?

I’m sympathetic.



Not that I’d be voting Tory because of it.

Not that I actually ever voted Tory.

But I am sympathetic, none the less.

My only question?

Will her successor call a general election when he or she gets into office?

I’d rather my Prime Minister be elected by the people of the UK: rather than a small group of MPs.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I have an excuse.

No, wait, not an excuse: an opt out … !

Yes: I can watch something that’s been sitting around in the collection for a while.

You’re right: another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time’s third series.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th May, 2019.

24th May, 2019.

Yes: it’s true.

Yesterday was Thursday.

Which, by now, means simply that I get a visit from my nephew, Jude.

Who’s … 

Well, definitely on school holiday.

And definitely feeling confident enough to want to grab my chair and announce he’d like to learn how to use iMovie, to edit a video … 

At least with help … 

We MAY have to let Mummy know he need’s a Mac … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-5-2019: World Turtle Day

23rd May, 2019.

Right … 

As you’ll possibly be aware?

I’m unemployed, at the moment.   And have to report to my local Job Centre, every couple of weeks.

I managed to miss the last one.

And got my self sanctioned as a result.

Understandably, I’ve been kicking myself for missing the thing: especially given that the financial penalties are quite severe.

Thankfully?

You’re allowed what’s called a Mandatory Reconsideration: an appeal, in other words.

That I managed to do, yesterday.

Hopefully?

Even if I don’t get the sanction cancelled, I’ll hopefully get the penalty reduced.

~≈§≈~

Tech fan that I am?   I’ve been keeping an eye on Huawei’s troubles, just recently.

Famously, the Chinese firm’s infrastructure section is having issues.

Many countries have security concerns about its links to the Chinese government.

The US has recently banned US companies and government departments from using Huawei’s products: which lead Google to cut ties with Huawei.

Yesterday?   Yesterday, ARM — the chip company that makes chips for most of the world’s smart phones and tablets — announced that — as they have to use some US technology in their chips — they were to stop selling to the Chinese giant.

That’s … significant: as Huawei will have to find other chips for their phone.

Today … ?

Panasonic seems to be making similar declarations on its Western websites … but not necessarily on its Chinese ones.

I’m greeting the feeling Huawei … is having bigger problems than it was expecting … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 3—Tiempo de hechizos/Time of witchcraft — A Review.

22nd May, 2019.

Right … 

It’s eh CHEE sos … !

eh CHEE sos … !

I … hope … !

I know what you’re doing, right now.

You’re looking at this and thinking to yourself, “Paul … ?   What ARE you gabbling on about?!”

I’m trying to work out the exact pronunciation of the word hechizos: the Spanish word for — depending on who you ask — witchcraft, or spells.

I’m not working at the moment: I’m catching up with a lot of box sets, as a result.

Including current favourite, El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time.

Series three, if you must know.

Yes: I watched another episode, tonight.

And, given my Spanish is non-existent?

I’m convinced that I sound like I’m sneezing, trying to pronounce the title … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — Convicted

22nd May, 2019.

Phone-calls …

Phone-calls, phone-calls, phone-calls … 

Phone-calls!

I have to admit, I missed an appointment with my work coach, last week: missing an alarm, would you believe!

In my defence?

The minute I realised I’d missed it, I phoned the relevant body, and immediately rearranged it for as early as possible.

I have still, unfortunately, got myself sanctioned: and have an upcoming financial penalty.

Not something I want, obviously.

Hence my phone calls, later, today.

I’m going to ask for what’s called a Mandatory Reconsideration: an appeal, in other words.

After all, it’s the only one I’ve missed in the past few years: which might help.

It’s going to cause financial hardship: which I don’t think will make a good impression.

The fact I managed to re-arrange the meeting, as soon as possible?   May be one point that goes in my favour.

~≈§≈~

As one quick piece of extra news?

You’ve worked out I’m a fan of some TV shows.

I’ve been glued to El Ministerio del Tiempo for a while: indeed, was watching an episode, last night.

It looks like Lola’s back!

Ahem … !

The other time travel show I’ve been watching: for much of my life?

Is Dr Who.

There’s been an announcement about the upcoming twelfth series.

It looks like the Judoon are back … … … … … 

With some interestingly entertaining hairdos … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 2 —Tiempo de espías/A Time of Spies — A Review.

21st May, 2019.

There are times unemployment’s a drag.

Seriously.

You are time rich … but cash poor.

And, if you miss an appointment with your work coach, like I did, you risk getting sanctioned.

Having you benefits withdrawn as punishment, on a temporary basis.

Yes, I missed an appointment: and, effectively, I’m getting docked a chunk of money.

Quite a bit, if I’ve understood things correctly.

There’s nothing I can do about that, right now.

But I will — in the morning — ask for what’s called a mandatory reconsideration.



An appeal, in other words.

In my defence?

I arranged the appointment as soon as I realised what had happened.

It’s the first time I’ve missed an appointment.

And, not least, the penalty will mean I have to take out a hardship loan.

We’ll have to see what happens.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?



At any rate, it’s a quiet night.

A quiet night usually means watching a film … or a documentary … 

Or a TV show.

Given that — last night — I started watching the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time?

You can possibly guess what I’ve watched, tonight, can’t you … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st May, 2019.

21st May, 2019.

Yes, it’s true: I’ve finally started watching series three of El Ministerio del Tiempo.

Which is looking as good as ever: and had Alfred Hitcock in it.

I never knew the San 

Although the sad bit is … ?

They’ve killed off Julián … !

That’s a terrible shame: the Rodolfo Sanchez character’s been the show’s emotional core for the past two years.

Still, if he ’s ever needed … ?

Wibbley wobbley, timey wimey … 

~≈§≈~

Did I tell you I was in Basildon, yesterday?   At Basildon Hospital?

Nothing too serious, as yet: I just have a scan or two to arrange.

At any rate, on the bus back?

I flicked through the various news channels on. my phone.

And couldn’t help notice a few stories going past.

With the date coming — next year — that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7, the government  of South Korea are looking at not using Windows 10: but using a version of Linux.

On the grounds of cost.

Good for them: I’ve often felt something like this would be good for people — it gets them familiar with the alternatives to Windows — good for government, if it keeps costs down.   And — on that same basis — good for you and me as tax payers.

Whether they’ll do it, I don’t know: I certainly hope so.

What gets me?

Is that, before becoming Chancellor, George Osborne made a big fuss about getting more open source software into Westminster.

We’ve heard nothing since.

So I’m assuming the Tory government he was part of, never followed through.

Which is mildly disgusting: especially with the amount of cuts most Conservative governments like to do.

But … ?

Well, I know Brexit is chewing up more time than any one could have foreseen.

But given that deadline, in 2020?   Now would be a good time to start a panic …

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 1 —Con el tiempo en los talones/With Time on his Heels — A Review.

20th May, 2019.



There are several things I like doing.

Really.

A good read’s always a favourite.

A movie, if I’m in the mood.

Music’s usually good.

As Into Battle with the Art of Noise, plays in the background.

And, every-so-often?

A TV show.

TV shows … 

I have to admit, there’s one I’ve been raving bout for months, whose third series I’ve been meaning to sit in with, for a while.

You’re right … 

I’ve been meaning to catch up with the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time

for quite a while …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-5-2019: World Bee Day.

20th May , 2019.

Surprising news … 

I’ve got Radio Four’s Today programme on: and they’ve just broken the news.

Google have suspended Huawei’s use of Google’s Android operating system: the OS that powers most of the world’s smart phones, and tablets.

After the US government blacklisted the Chinese company’s products.

Unless things change?   Current models will be relatively untouched: still receiving updates until — it seems — Google releases the next version of the Android.   Which is when Google’s services on Huawei smartphones stop.

Hmmm … 

Guess which small time blogger’s got a Huawei phone … ?

Understandably?

I’m mildly concerned: I’m in no position to replace my phone, should I need to … 

~≈§≈~

Aquaman — A Review

14th May, 2019.

Yes: I think I’m right.

It’s a Sunday night: and frankly?

Frankly it’s been one of those Sunday nights where I could’ve been staring at four walls, doing nothing … 

Or trying some of the sillier games on Facebook.

Don’t ask.

Really, don’t ask: 2048 Hexagon Elimination is just a bit too addictive … !

Ahem … 

!

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

One where I fancied a film.

Yes: I’ve finally given up and watched the James Wan film that is … 

Aquaman … 

~≈§≈~

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

19th May, 2019.

Yes: it’s official: I have a kid sister who’s in Brentwood Operatic Society’s production of the Madness  musical, Our House.

Which I thought was fun.

Jude, on the other hand?

Only liked the bits with Mummy in them.

Oh, and preferred the BOS version of Spamalot.

There’s no pleasing some people!

~≈§≈~

Oh … 

You can possibly tell I voted Remain, in the 2016 Referendum, can’t you?

I’m not a Leaver, let’s put it that way.

So finding crowds outside the Sugar Hut — the Brentwood High Street venue that’s home to The Only Way Is Essex —, a couple of days, ago?

I had to struggle to get through.

From what I could gather from the journalists?

It was a Brexit Party meeting: complete with party Leader, Nigel Farage.

At a recent Edinburgh meeting, police had asked the local McDonalds to STOP selling ice cream and milkshakes: after various politicians had ended up with a faceful of milkshake.

Personally?

I just wish I’d had the cash.

There’s a Burger King a few doors from the Sugar Hut … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-5-2019: International Museum Day.

18th May, 2019.

I am officially … tired: after something of a late night.

Yep: I was up, last night, watching a movie: the Nicolas Cage vehicle that was Mandy.

That’s … definitely a film worth watching.

Although, to be honest?

I gave it two stars for a reason.

The filters used to show you the characters were having a bad LSD ex[erience Were a little overwhelming,  as far as I was concerned.

~≈§≈~

All that … ?

All that, and I’m due to see a show, tonight … 

My kid sister, Ruth?

Is in an amateur version of Our House.

Quite what that’s going to be like, I don’t know!

~≈§≈~

Mandy — A Review

17th May, 2019.

Yes: it’s true.

It’s been a while since I’ve actually gone and sat down with a lot of things.

Cheese, for example.

Not that I’m a BIG fan.

Or a Big Mac.

The nearest McDonald’s is a few miles away.

Something I’d imagine my GP is grateful for.

OR sat down with a good read.

Saying that?   I’ve got Ward Moore’s Bring the Jubilee sitting in my ‘To Be Read’ pile.

“So, Paul,” I hear you ask, “What ELSE haven’t you sat down to do?”

Lots.

But tonight … ?

Tonight, I sat down with a film: one recommended to me, by an old friend.

The 2018, Panos Cosmatos Nicolas Cage movie, Mandy.

Hmmmm … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2019: The Dam Busters

17th May, 2019.

Yes: my nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

And yes: we had pizza, again.

Right now … ?

I’m thinking I have to find a way to persuade my nephew, Jude, that smaller pizzas are a good idea.

I think both of us were stuffed, last night*.

~≈§≈~

Oh … 

I’m up early, today.

Because … ?

I actually forgot to go to my regular Work coach meeting!

I forgot to set up the reminder, basically!

I’ve rearranged it for this morning.

Remind me to get my rear in gear, please.

The DWP can get nasty about payments.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-5-2019: Liberace

16th May, 2019.

There’s a couple of things, this morning.

One?

I’m now having to break into the longlife milk: as I’ve run out of the regular sort.

Not nice, but it’ll do for now.

Two … ?

I actually had a clean out of some of my cupboards, yesterday.

It’s amazing the amount of crap you build up.

Crap … with pre-war sell by dates!

At any rate … ?

I’m wondering this.

Where did all those cups and saucers come?

And why on Earth do I have a plate with a cheesy 1970s cow on it … ?

A Cheesy Cow Plate

~≈§≈~

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media — A Review

15th May, 2019.

Life is … odd, sometimes.

Really.

I’ve …

No, that’s possibly not the direction to go in, now is it … ?

Life … ?   Is what it is: odd, or otherwise.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I had my nephew over, last week.

As a result … ?

SOMEONE mentioned to Grandma that Uncle’s Paul’s flat’s a bit mucky.

Which meant — if nothing else — making an effort to tidy the place seemed in order.

I’ve done the wall mounted cupboards.



Emptied them out, cleaned any surfaces that need cleaning, got rid of anything with a pre-war* sell-by date, what have you.

Jude possibly won’t be impressed, either way.



At least, not until Antman and the Wasp turns up with pizza.

I, on the other hand?

I’ve got a vague sense of achievement out of the job: plus more room in my cupboards.

And a conundrum or two.

Where did all the teacups — with matching saucers — come from?

And … 

Where the hell did I get the plate with the cheesy 70s style cow from … ?

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

The job situation is … 

Well, still ongoing.

Jude’s not here, until tomorrow.

Teasers — and the associated videos — done: up until the end of the month.

Frankly?



Believe it or not?   I fancied a documentary.

Given I’ve always taken an interest in technology, and that an old friend that suggested it?

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media seemed a good thing … 

~≈§≈~

Nik NAk’s Daily Teaser — 15th May, 2019

15th May, 2019

Oh, wait, hang on, a minute.

I’ve got a decided earworm.

Yes: I have a song playing through my head.

The B-52 tune, Roam.

Why?

I wish I knew.

All I CAN tell you, is that it’s not not my favourite B-52 song: that’s Song for a Future Generation* … !

Or possibly Rock Lobster.

The incredibly menacing sounding Rock Lobster, or even more menacing Planet Claire … 

So why on EARTH I’ve got Roam floating around?

I really couldn’t tell you!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2019: Skylab

14th May, 2019.

It’s officially official: I managed to miss last night’s episode of Just a Minute.

Which is easy to remedy: as I’ve got last night’s episode, playing on BBC sounds.

It’s amazing how the difference between gaffer tape, sticky-back plastic, and Richard Branson can get turned into a running gag.

Ahem!

~≈§≈~

Oh, and leaflets … !

I think, as I get older … ?

I get hacked off by political leaflets.

Given we’ve just had local elections, given we’ve got European elections coming up at the end of the month?

There’s a few doing the rounds.

Frankly?

All I can do is ask the various local parties to not drop them at my address … !

~≈§≈~

Oh, one final quick point … ?

Do you use WhatsApp?

Personally, I don’t: there’s not many of my friends what do, so there’s little incentive to.

If you DO though?

You may wish to do the recent updates.

Apparently?

There’s a serious piece of spyware doing the rounds, that installs itself on a phone through WhatsApp’s call feature … 

Whether you answer the call or not … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th May, 2019

13th May, 2019.

Yes, it’s true.

It’s a quiet day, today: where I’ll be thumb twiddling and tidying up … 

Oh, and making videos.

Talking of which … ?   If you watch the Intro Video, you’ll hear Jude, my nephew, leaving us all a comment.

I’ll have to have a word with Ruth: to see if that’s OK … 

~≈§≈~

Hmmm … 

The BBC’s news pages remind us that Sweden dropped rape charges against Julian Assange, a few years ago.

But is now considering reviving the charges.

I think the merits of the case are … not for me to speculate on.

Although, when Assange originally hid in the Ecuadorian Embassy, I felt he had a certain amount of justification.

At the time, the UK wouldn’t extradite someone to the US, if they would face a death sentence — as Assange did for the various documents he had publicised on Wikileaks — but Sweden would.

That’s something I still feel is possibly the case: although ten years is a long time, a time that can change a lot.  I still think the US associated extradition case?   Is in retaliation for the Wikileaks’ publication of US documents.

Rather than the interests of justice.

Either way?

I’m aware of one thing.

Assange has gone on the record as saying he “does not consent” too being extradited to the US.

Does not consent.

My personally thinking?   Reaction … ?   What have you?

Is Tough.

If you’ve done anything that looks like a crime, facing a court case isn’t a choice: it’s something you have to do.

Consent — about facing court — doesn’t enter into it.

~≈§≈~