Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-1-2020: Leaving on a Jet Plane

31st January, 2020.

Right … let me put the in print … so to speak …

“The insularity of the English, their refusal to take foreigners seriously, is a folly that has to be paid for heavily from time to time.”
From ‘England, Your England’, The Lion and the Unicorn essay collection, by George Orwell.

I have to admit, I’ve been reading Orwell’s The Lion and the Unicorn over the past few days.

That quote?

That quote seemed both apt … … 

And relevant: given what we’re leaving, at eleven o’clock tonight.

We’re leaving the European Union.

And, speaking as a Remain voter?

I think we’re making the biggest mistake of our lives.

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-1-2020: Kiss

30th January, 2020.

I’m up early.

Frankly?

I’ve got that private appointment, today, to get at least on ear syringed.

Frankly?   I’m looking forward to that.

My right ear is … distracting … !

~≈√≈~

I’ve just caught some news.

According to the BBC’s news site, many children sleep with their mobile phones.

Which doesn’t sound too surprising, now I think of it.

I do: the alarm clock comes in handy.

Whether it’s a good idea for a child to?

I don’t know.

I’m just thinking show that article to my nephew, Jude?

Would mean Mummy wouldn’t hear the last of it … !

~≈√≈~

While we’re talking about news?

The BBC were due to switch off their Red Button text service, today.

The service — so you know — is the modern successor to the BBC’s Teletext service: and useful if you’re not on line.

Thankfully … ?

The BBC has suspended the switch off service.

That’s going to be handy … 

~≈√≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-1-2020: We’re Not In Kansas, Anymore …

29th January, 2020.

It’s officially official.

I’ve had some financial help from my family: so that I can get at least one ear syringed, privately.

The ear that — currently — is throbbing like bonkers.

The appointment?

Is tomorrow … 

It’s going to be a very long day … 

~≈†≈~

One sad bit of news, yesterday?

Was simply the death — at the age of 96 — of Nicolas Parsons.

Aged 96.   That’s one hell of a good innings … 

And one hell of a career: some 72 years!

His death … ?   Means Just a Minute will not be the same … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-1-2020: Canada’s Flagging …

28th January, 2020.

It’s official: I have earache!

Mild, at best.

And blameable on the fact I need to get them syringed.

Of course, the problem with that … ?

Simply that my GP’s no longer do it.

I’d have to go private.

Where I’m supposed to get the seventy pounds to pay for it in the one private place in town that does it?

I don’t know!

~≈‡≈~

For All Mankind — Series 1: Episode 4 — Prime Crew — A Review

27th January, 2020.

There’s time I could kick the NHS, as much as I think it’s a wonderful basic thing.

Right now … ?

I’ve got blocked ears: giving me a mild, but distracting, case of earache.

All it would take to solve it … ?

Is a good old fashioned syringing … except, of course, the doctor’s clinics in our area have stopped doing them.

So my only possibly option is to go private … 

Except I haven’t got the cash for it.

Quite what I’m supposed to do, there, I don’t know … 

The important question, though … ?

Did it stop me watching another episode of For All Mankind’s first series?

Nope!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-1-2020: Mozart

27th January, 2020.

I have to say: it’s a Monday.

Apart from any potential laundry?

I have very little to do.

Well … 

Bar stuff for the blog, and my usual jobhunting.

Given the situation with YouTube?

I’m thinking starting an extra torrent, and migrating videos over to it would be a good idea.

Once I can think of a name … 

~≈Ü≈~

Doctor Who — Series 12: Episode 5 — Fugitive of the Judoon — A Review

26th January, 2020.

Yep: it’s a Sunday night.

Yes: I’m at home.

Yes: the new boiler definitely is working.

You’re not near my armpits, trust me.

Which is stuff that’s possibly not relevant.

You see, I’ve been watching TV, tonight.

Episode five, of Doctor Who

’s twelfth series.

I think there’s a few twists.

After all … guess who puts in an appearance?

Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)
Fugitive of the Judoon.

Yes … him … 

~≈‡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-1-2020: World Customs Day.

26th January, 2020.

Right … 

I think I can say I’ve done a lot of culling: on my YouTube channel.

Before you start accusing me of slaughtering baby seals?

I mean that I’ve managed to delete a hell of a lot videos from my YouTube channel: as I believe those are the one’s causing the issues.

That — unfortunately — also includes a few of the earlier Teaser videos: where copyrighted content’s been involved.

We’re going to have to see if that helps … 

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-2-2020: Burns Night

25th January 2020.

I have to admit, I am seriously annoyed at YouTube.

Really annoyed.

As you may know, I had been accepted onto YouTube’s Partnership programme.

In other words?

I could earn money from advertising revenue.

Until yesterday … when YouTube decided they would take me off the programme.

NOT something I’m happy about, understandably.

The reason they’ve done it … ?   Is that I have to much ‘Reused content.’

Quite what that means … ?

I’m not TOO sure: but apparently ‘ … it may also mean that we’ve identified that large portions of your channel either completely match other content, or are noticeably similar.’

It means — as far as I can tell — that I’ve a lot of culling to do, before I reapply in late February.

~≈Ü≈~

For All Mankind — Series 1: Episode 3 — Nixon’s Women — A Review

24th January, 2020.

I have to admit, I am seriously angry, right at the moment.

Up until yesterday?

I had a monetised YouTube channel.

In other words?

I had a channel that was earning ad revenue.

Until, this morning?

I didn’t … 

YouTube’s decided to demonetise me … 

Apparently?

I have too much reused content.

I’m guessing … that that means the various film and TV show clips … clips that I’m slowly removing from my channel.

But of course, the email I could have used to email YouTube, to ask what videos to take down … ?

Is out of reach.

It’s for Youtube partners, only.

In the meantime … ?   I’m going to have to do a lot of pruning.

~≈†≈~

Whilst I’m doing that … ?

Whilst I’m sorting that lot out … or, at least, as a break from sorting that out … ?

I felt it was time for some TV … 

No: I’m not going to be catching Star Trek: Picard, just yet.

No … I’ve caught the third episode of For All Mankind —, Series 1 … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th January, 2020

24th January, 2020.

Right … finally … !

I now have a boiler that works, doesn’t leak … 

AND has a working thermostat.

With replaceable batteries!

Actually … ?

I’m thankful it’s got batteries

It means there’s something I can check, first: as and when times demand!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd January, 2020.

23rd January, 2020.

OK … I was expecting the electrician out, yesterday.

And was told — when I phoned the office — he’d be with me, today: between eight and five.

Five o’clock would’ve been the point where I’d complain.

Except, of course, the man’s right here: fiddly around with a thermostat and a screwdriver.

One of these … 

Screwdriver

Rather than one of these … 

Screwdriver

Hopefully … ?

He’ll be quick: where the later’s involved or not^ … 

~≈¥≈~

On a sad note … ?

Yesterday saw the announcement of the death of Monty Python star, Terry Jones.

The man who directed Monty Python’s Holy Grail … ?

Gave the world much: and will be much missed.

~≈¥≈~

For All Mankind — Series 1: Episode 2 — He Built the Saturn V — A Review

22nd January, 2020.

It’s got to be said … 

My boiler situation?   Still isn’t completely over.

If you’ve been following my Daily Teasers, recently, you’ll know I’ve had my boiler replaced.

It’s working … 

But I was expecting an electrician out, today: between — so I was told — between eight and one.

I phoned to check … and apparently … ?

He’s actually due out tomorrow.

Either between eight and five: according to the office.

Or between eight and eight-thirty … according to a text message the contractors sent me … !

Ho … hum!

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

With no cash until payday — tomorrow, in other words — I felt that staying om and watching TV would be a good idea.

Given I watched the first episode a couple of days ago?

You’re possibly not surprised I watched more of Series 1 of For All Mankind, are you … ?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd January, 2020.

22nd January, 2020.

Right … 

I’m officially going to be indoors until one.

Hopefully?

At the latest.

My new boiler is now on my wall and working.

All I need, now?

Is the visit from the electrician: who’s going to be installing the thermostat.

Here’s hoping he’s early.

~≈§≈~

I’m assuming you have access to at least one streaming service: or, at least, follow the news about them?

Disney+ is one of the bigger ones to launch, recently.

But has done so, in patches.

It launched in November, in the US: and some other countries.

And HAD planned to launch in the UK, on the 31st March.

Well … 

Disney’s decided to launch the UK version of its streaming service a week early: on 24th March.

The speculation is that Disney are doing the early launch: in order to reduce piracy.

Given the easy availability of fully loaded Kodi boxes*?

Given the easy access to torrents trackers like Pirate Bay?   And easy access to bit torrent clients like BitTorrent, µTorrent and Transmission?

I think Disney’s a bit late.

Pirates have already put The Mandalorian online.

Disney could have helped themselves by having a global launch: on one, universal, date …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-1-2020: Albania

21st January, 2020.

You know, when I made that introduction video, I was waiting for an engineer to turn up: to replace my boiler.

I think I can safely say I’m now not waiting for the engineer.

He’s turned up: and, right now, doing the initial drilling, and unscrewing.

I’ll be glad when he’s done.

It’ll be nice to have a hot shower.

Rather than spend hours, boiling water!

~≈†≈~

No, wait, a correction … 

I’ve ALSO got an extra body, here … with the replacement boiler … AND to remove the cupboard the old boiler is in.

I’m betting that — at SOME point — someone’s going to ask for a cup of tea … 

~≈†≈~

At ANY rate … ?

And just as a final point … ?

I managed to catch the first episode of AppleTV+’s For All Mankind, last night.

Frankly?

It’s better than I expected.

~≈†≈~

For All Mankind — Series 1: Episode 1 — Red Moon — A Review

20th January, 2020.

I have to confess, I’ve had a quiet day … 

Really.

I’m jobhunting, at the moment: and, as you might guess?

A lack of cash, and bad weather … means staying in.

And waiting the interminable wait of the man … waiting for his boiler to be fixed.

Don’t.

No, don’t!

It’s a very long story.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’m indoors: and thinking I should be watching something a tough different.

At least … different for me … 

Yes.

Red Moon.

In other words, episode one of the first series of AppleTV+’s For All Mankind.

It seems …  hmmm … 

Let’s do a summary, shall we?

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th January 2020 Teaser

20th January, 2020.

Right … 

Just so everyone knows?

I should — should — be hearing from a certain contractors, today.

About whether my boiler’s going to be replaced or repaired.

Hopefully … 

~≈¥≈~

Scrub hopefully … !

The contractors have just phoned.

They’ll be over to replace the boiler tomorrow, between eight and one.

An electrician will be out, to check the wiring, the day after.

I think the word is yayness!

~≈¥≈~

Doctor Who — Series 12: Episode 4 — Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror — A Review

19th January, 2020.

Right … it’s a Sunday … 

And it’s one that’s been a quiet Sunday.

Bar dinner at my family’s: and quietly trying to work out how to transfer stuff from my sister’s laptop … to her phone.

We’ve both got Huaweis, I should add: running Android.

On my Mac?

The connecting software works perfectly well.

On Ruth’s laptop?

A PC running Windows Ten, version 1903?

The software refuses to connect.

Ho … bloody … hum.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll possibly say it again … 

Somebody really needs a Mac!

~≈Î≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve actually managed to catch some TV tonight.

Given That you’ve worked out I’m a Dr Who fan … ?

I’m not going to ask you what I’ve watched.

You’ve possibly already guessed.

Haven’t you … ?

Yep: I’m watching more of Doctor Who’s twelfth series.

~≈Î≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-1-2020: Timkat

19th January, 2020.

Yep: it’s officially Sunday, and I suspect that it’ll be a quiet one.

Bar having dinner with my family, that is.

Oh … 

And watching Doctor Who, tonight.

I have to say, I’m enjoying it, thus far: although I did have my reservations about last week’s episode.

Either way … ?

It’s doing my YouTube viewership a favour.

That review for Orphan 55?

Has fifty-seven viewers.

Which is good … for me!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-1-2020: Danny Kaye.

18th January, 2020.

I’ve had news … 

Or, at least, a visit … 

As you possibly know — if you’ve been reading the past days’ worth of Teaser posts — that I’ve had. problems with my boiler.

I’ve no hot water, in other words.

I had the initial engineer’s visit on Wednesday.

With the supervisor’s visit — what’s called a DCR survey — on Friday.

The good news?

Is that the supervisor told me he’s going to be recommending I get a replacement boiler: and should hear by Monday.

Here’s hoping.

~≈†≈~

You’re possibly aware I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one’s who’s not too pleased by BBC America’s upcoming series The Watch series: based on — or inspired by — his work.

Firstly?   I’m not the only one who’s concerned.

At least, going by this article.

From what I can see?   It’s loosely — very loosely — on Nightwatch: possibly Sir Terry’s best Discworld novel.

Let me share a quote from the last page of the book, if I may?

‘There’s a trial, tomorrow,’ said Vimes sharply.
‘Ah, yes. Of course. And it will be a fair one,’ said the Patrician.
‘It better be,’ said Vimes. ‘I want this bastard to hang, after all.’
p.364, Night Watch, Terry Pratchett.

The bastard in question is a character called Carcer, so you know: he’s the villain of the piece.

Now, I always assumed both Sam Vimes and Carcer were/are white: as Sir Terry doesn’t specify their ethnicities.

Given that?

We have a funny, and cynical, line: that shows us the state Sam Vimes mind after a rough story: and makes a funny comment about the state of the police mind.

The series?

Casts a white actor — Richard Dormer — as Sam Vimes.

And a black actor — Sam Adewunmi — as Carcer.

Suddenly?   That ‘I want this bastard to hang’ line looks distinctly nasty.

It makes my favourite writer look racist, it makes BBC America — the BBC division producing the show — look racist … 

And makes BBC America look like they’re selling a racist product to a country which has stopped its white citizens lynching its black citizens … but still has a problem with white police officer shooting black civilians.

I have enough doubts about the show to not want to watch it.

This … ?

Tells the BBC America has made a serious cock-up.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2020: The Cherry Orchard

17th January, 2020.

Right … about the boiler situation … 

As you’re possibly aware, I report my boiler as broken at the end of December: and had the repair man turn out, on Wednesday.

He told me that I’d need extensive repair work: so extensive, that a replacement boiler could well be a better option … and that he would be recommended what’s called a DRC survey from a superior.

So that a senior person from his company can issue the relevant approval.

I was going to phone the contractors, yesterday to arrange that: once I got back from the Job Centre.

Except that they managed to phone: at 8:30, yesterday morning.

And arrange the visit for this morning: between eight and one.

The sooner the better, I hope.

The sooner my boiler’s repaired, the better.

~≈¥≈~

Can I make a confession?

I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one who thoroughly enjoy Good Omens, when it was released.

And pleased to know other are, as well: now it’s being aired on BBC2.

However?

I’ve seen stuff go past about The Watch, BBC America’s take on Sir Terry’s work.

I’ve seen news of the various bits of casting, go past.

Seen some of the publicity shots.

Frankly?

BBC America is making a show I’m planning to go nowhere near.

It’s a travesty.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th January, 2020.

16th January, 2020.

Right … I’m feeling vaguely rushed.

I’ve got a meeting at the Job Centre at nine thirty.

But … ?

But, I hear you ask?

I had an engineer visit, yesterday: to look at my boiler.

His view?

The last set of visits, three months ago?

Made a complete hash of the job.

Which I knew.

I’m boiling the bath water as we speak.

But, in this engineer’s opinion?

As the boiler would have to come off the wall so the element could be replaced, and everything flushed, and god knows what else??

It would be a lot to replace the boiler, as repair it.

Much as happened the last time the thing needed repairing?

I have to phone up the contractors to book a supervisor visit, that will authorise that repair.

Much as I did in November.

Hey ho … !

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-1-2020: Happy Days

15th January, 2020.

Remember, in late October, I had issues with my boiler?

The hot water was coming out tepid, at worst, and warm at best.

I booked up a repair for early November.

I had a total of three visits from two engineers.

With a final visit from an engineer on 6th November.

An engineer prepared to do extensive repair work: but only, eventually, replacing a sensor.

That lasted until late December: then the hot water issue repeated itself.

I reported it — again — and have a repair booked for this afternoon.

Meanwhile, back in the real world?

My hot water finally gave up the ghost on Sunday.

Which means:

• I’m boiling water on the stove, so I can have a bath.
• I spent a lot of time, yesterday, phoning the boiler people to let them know the engineer would need the parts he didn’t install, last time.

In the immortal words of John Lydon?

“Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?”

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th January, 2020.

14th January, 2020.

It’s official.

I’ve been to Chelmsford and come back still attached to my arms, legs, skin, head and … well, mostly everything … 

I’ve had an interview, in other words.

Whether I’ll be successful, I don’t know.

But … ?

It seemed to go well.

~≈†≈~

Remember me mentioning that Microsoft are ending support for Windows Seven, today?

I happened to post about it on Facebook: in a Terry Pratchett fan group I’m in.

That mildly amazed me.

Mostly with the amount of responses.

Especially the ones mentioning they were using a version of Ubuntu.

Which I’ve not used in years.

Frankly?   This is where unemployment hurts: it’d be nice to have a cheap laptop around, so I could have a go on the system … 

~≈†≈~

And, just as a final thought … ?

I’ve got Taco’s version of Puttin’ on the Ritz ear worming its way through my head.

Arrrggghhh!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-1-2020: Unlucky for Some.

13th January, 2020.

Right … 

I’m due to have an interview, today.

And?   And, you say … ?

Well, in theory — and as ever in these circumstances — I’m relying on the Job Centre to pay for my train ticket.

I’m a little concerned, having just checked my bank account.

I’ve got a penny.

Rather than the train fare I was expecting.

Understandably?

I’m going to be checking agin, later.

Equally understandably?

I’m just a little concerned.

~≈¥≈~

Oh, JUST as a thought … ?

Microsoft will be ending support for Windows 7, tomorrow.

I know it’s possibly strange.   But can I leave you with a thought, if you’re using it?

You’ll need to replace it: as the ageing OS won’t be getting security updates from tomorrow.

I’d like to make a suggestion, if I may?

I’m going to suggest that — instead of spending money on a new PC, or a Windows 10 license — you back up your machine, copy you important files to a USB stick.

And plonk a version of Linux on there*.

Just to see what a different operating system looks like.

You can always return to Windows, later: if you don’t like what you see.

~≈¥≈~

Dr Who — Series 12: Episode 3 — Orphan 55 — A Review

12th January, 2020.

Yes: I’ve officially spent time with my family, tonight.

And, frankly?

Spent a lot of my time with my nephew, Jude.

Watching Shaun the Sheep, in case you were wondering.

Which is … 

More fun than it sounds, to be honest.

Especially when the spider kept popping up in the bath.

At any rate … ?   And back at home?

Back at home, it’s time for the weekly ritual that is the latest episode of Doctor Who.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-1-2020: All in the Family.

12th January, 2020

Hmmm … 

I’ve got an interview, tomorrow.

And — on Friday just gone — went to the Job Centre to arrange for ticket money.

I got told it would be in my account, by close of play on Friday.

It’s still not there, this morning.

I’m … 

I’ll be honest, I’ll be having another look, tomorrow morning.

And raising merry hell if it’s not there … 

~≈†≈~

Just as a thought … ?

I managed to catch a film, last night: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children!

Which isn’t too bad: although it could’ve been better.

But … ?

Frankly, I’m thinking I should explore a few more films and TV shows: assuming I’m in the right mood.

Frankly?

Messiah looks interesting.   As does The Mandalorian and For All Mankind.

We’ll haver to see.

~≈†≈~