Doctor Who — The Evil of the Daleks: Episode 4 — A Review

31st December, 2021.

Right … 

You can possibly tell I’m a single, unemployed, chap: with little in the way of money.

So … ?   I’m at home for New Year’s Eve.

Not that I’m too worried.

It is, after all, a Friday.

Which means that — once I’ve had dinner? — I’ll be watching Episode Four of Evil of the Daleks: and telling you about it, later tonight!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-12-2021: The Big, Fat Review of 2021.

31st December, 2021.

Right … it’s New Years Eve.

And, frankly?   I’m not necessarily planning anything big.

Beyond wishing you a Happy New Year: and expressing the hope that 2022 is an improvement on 2021.

Oh … 

And mention it’s a Friday: for me, that means another episode of Evil of The Daleks.

~≈Ê≈~

There’s times weird coincidences happen.

Or, at least, ones that seem significant: to me.

Yesterday?   I wrote a teaser for 16th January.

One with a theme: the late Dian Fossey, the primatologist who inspired the film, Gorillas in the Mist, and whose best known study group were the ones met by Sir David Attenborough.

Today?

I’ve got today’s Today programme on in the background.

As ever, for the time of year?   The show’s being run by a series of guest editors.

In what seems to me, like a meaningful coincidence?

Today’s episode is being guest edited by Fossey’s old friend and colleague, Dr Jane Goodall.

You have to love synchronicity, don’t you … ?

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-12-2021: Ra-Ra-Rasputin … !

30th December, 2021.

It’s officially official: I’m getting my feet checked, this afternoon.

I’m diabetic, so you know: which means the NHS will be checking my circulation, every year.

This afternoon’s … ?   Is a couple of months early: and will hopefully clear up a mild concern I have.

Hopefully?

It’ll go well … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th December, 2021.

29th December, 2021.

It’s official: I’ve survived Jude’s Birthday bowling party.

And the meal afterwards: that burger at Frankie and Bennies was a bit bigger than I though it would be.

Fun was, quite literally, had by all.

The aftermath, though … ?

Is quite simple.

My elbow aches: as a result of hefting eight kilo bowling balls around.

My ability to put some back spin into a bowl … ?

Is suffering!

~≈®≈~

I follow the technology news, sometimes.

And can’t help but notice the oddities that crop up, occasionally.

A few days ago?   We found out that Tesla cars had games in the touch screens drivers could use to monitor their car’s performance.

Games that could have been used, whilst the car was moving.

Something that’s now been disabled.

Given we know people have crashed, sending text messages whilst driving?

I’m wondering who enabled games in the first place?!

Tesla’s not the only one.

It seems a bored ten year old managed to find a flaw in Amazon’s Alexa AI assistant.

When she asked it to give her a challenge.

Alexa told her to plug a charger halfway into the socket: and touch it with a penny.

Sensibly?   Amazon have since revised the software.

You have to wonder what happened there … ?

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th December, 2021

28th December, 2021.

Right … 

It’s Tuesday, Blondie’s 11:59 is banging away through my head … 

And I’ve something of a long day ahead of me.

I’ve still got to get a pay-as-you-go swipe card for my nephew.

And we’re celebrating his birthday — on Sunday, just gone — by going bowling.

Oh, and a meal.

It’s going to be comparatively long.

Now, with that said?   And as I’ve included a song from Parallel Lines?

Have a look at the cover: and tell me what that is on Debbie Harry’s left arm.

I’ve only just noticed that bandage: and I’ve had a copy of the albums for years!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th December, 2021.

27th December, 2021.

Yep: it’s official a bank holiday.   At least: today and tomorrow are.

Not that it makes much difference to me, personally … but I know buses won’t necessarily be running.

And some shops won’t be open.

Which could be awkward.

We need to get a Swipe card, to put money on Jude’s new phone … 

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2021: Boxing Day.

26th December, 2021.

Right … it’s officially the case that my nephew, Jude?   Has had his main birthday, already.

Not something I thought was necessarily a good idea: but a new — ish! — phone seems to have gone down well.

And been gratefully received.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

Now all we need to do … ?

Is top the dratted thing up!

~≈☎️≈~

I’ve got to admit, I’ve started reading a book called On the Other Hand: by Howard I Kushner.

It’s about left handedness: something I’m interested in, as I’m left handed, myself.

I’m also fair convinced that left handers face prejudices: I can remember seeing Reggie Yates — in Africa for a TV documentary — being berated by a tribal chief for using his left hand for something.

I’ve also had the odd comment.

Reading the preface to On the Other Hand, though, I read this: “… that toleration of left-handedness serves as a barometer of wider cultural toleration and permissiveness.”

Personally … ?

I think I can agree with that.

~≈☎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-12-2021: Christmas Day

25th December, 2021.

Right … 

I am officially wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

And hoping it goes well for you!

Personally … ?

I’m going to have dinner with my family.

I just hope the presents go down well.

~≈🎄≈~

Doctor Who — The Evil of the Daleks: Episode 3 — A Review

24th December, 2021.

Right … 

I’ve got a plateful of fish and chips to eat, tonight.

And?

Once I’m done with them, I’m going to be watching another episode of The Evil of The Daleks!

I have to confess: I like doing binge watching, the old fashioned way: one epidote at a time!

I’ll be right back!

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2021: Christmas Eve

24th December, 2021.

Yes: yesterday sawing me getting my bills paid.

And got the Warm Home Discount I’d put in for in October.

That’s handy.   It — effectively — gives me a couple of months of free electricity: and means I can the money I would’ve spent on that, onto my gas.

But, given that I was in Chelmsford, yesterday, for my Restart meeting … ?

I didn’t shop.

That means heading into town, today, to do shopping.

That’s … well, it’s not necessarily the best time.

~≈🎄≈~

Oh, just in case you didn’t know … ?

I watched a movie, the other night.

No Time to Die: Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond.

It’s a good film: and certainly on a par with Casino Royale, and worth your time.

My question?

How on Earth are the next film’s writers going to dig themselves out of that hole?

~≈🎄≈~

No Time to Die — A Review

22nd December, 2021.

I’ll be frank: I made that introductory video, yesterday.

When, indeed, I’d had homemade spaghetti bolognese.

Although I don’t think anyone who’s genuinely  Italian would know what they’re looking at!

Tonight, on the other hand?

I had fish and chips.   Just to be different.

The intention’s much the same.

Have something to eat, then watch a movie … and then tell you about it: tomorrow night, at the latest.

Now, if you’ll excuse me?

I’m going to take the teabag out of the mug and watch No Time To Die.

~≈M≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-12-2021: Saint Thorlak of Iceland

23rd December 2021.

It’s officially official: I’m in a rush, today.

It’s payday: so I want to get bills out of the way.

But I’ve ALSO got to be in Chelmsford, today, for my first face to face meeting with the Resort scheme: the Work Programme the Job Centre’s put me on.

All that, and do leg exercises … ?

Oy … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd December, 2021

22nd December, 2021.

You know … I was planning on watching a movie, last night.

But never actually got around to it.

I’ll possibly try and catch one, tonight: after all, I’ve been watching to watch No Time To Die for some time.

At ANY rate … ?

I got distracted.

Bless ’em, my Mum and my sister, Ruth — thanking you both, by the way — put a few quid in my bank account.

Which unfortunately got caught up in my bank’s transfer issues: for some reason, money going into and out of Nationwide accounts was delayed.

Why they were delayed, I don’t know: I’ve heard talk the company had shifted their cloud storage from one provider to another.

But it did put an emotional crimp in things.

~≈Ç≈~

At any rate?   Now the system seems to be working, again … ?

I can do a little shopping.

Once I’ve done my exercises … and had another visit from my landlord’s pest controller.

I hope he get’s here good and early, I’d like to get that shopping done.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2021: Ring Out Those Solstice Bell

21st December, 2021.

Right … it’s officially Tuesday: in the quiet week leading up to Christmas.

Yes: I’ve written themed Teasers for those!

At any rate?   

I’ have free time: quite a bit of it, given the circumstances.

So I’ve enough time to catch a film.

We’ll have to see.

~≈fi≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th December, 2021.

20th December, 2021.

Did you notice it’s Monday … ?

You possibly had.

I definitely had!

It’s a Monday: in the week leading up to Christmas Day.

I’ve wrapped most of my presents: bar one.

And, frankly, that’s going to get done, today: along side a few videos.

I’ve ALSO got to admit: I get paid on Thursday.

I’ve got to go to Chelmsford, that day: so I’ve been frantically checking that the places I need to visit on Christmas Eve, will be.

I don’t know about you, but I still need to shop!

Christmas, hey?

~≈§≈~

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s been caught — metaphorically — with his pants down.

He and a group of friends were snapped — last May, in the height of Lockdown — having a drinks do in the back garden of №10.

That’s Boris, bottom right.

№10 says it’s a work meeting.

It’s not like any I’ve been to!

In the interests of balance?

I have to mention Piers Corbyn: brother of former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

He’s been arrested: for what he calls ‘direct action’ … but what the BBC calls Arson.

Against MPs: or their offices, at least.

Can I make a suggestion to Mr Corbyn?   It’s something Mr Johnson may wish to pay attention to.

If you don’t want to be arrested for this sort of thing, don’t do it on camera.

Or, to quote an old saying?

If you don’t want the time, don’t do the crime.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th December, 2021.

19th December, 2021.

Right … 

Presents have been officially wrapped.

Which is possibly a cue for a song.

Possibly, I should add!

Bar wrapping someone’s birthday present?

It’s a chore done for another year.

~≈fl≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-12-2021: New Jersey

18th December, 2021.

It has to be said, I had my regular weight loss clinic, yesterday.

Which is — as ever — one hell of a long walk.

I know some of the houses on route are lovely to look at: but ever so, it’s quite a stroll.

Happily?   I’ve lost half a kilo: just over a pound, in other words.

That’s good.

~≈Ç≈~

The other bit of news?

I’m diabetic: I’m sure I’ve mentioned.

And — according to the call from my GP’s practise nurse, yesterday? — my blood sugar level’s gone done: from whatever it was, to seventy.

It’s still not at the fifty-three they feel it needs to be, though: so they’re doubling the amount of Forxiga I’m on.

You have to love a medication that cause gangrene!

~≈Ç≈~

Just as a last point?

I’ve been watching classic Dr Who series, The Evil of the Daleks, over the past couple of Fridays: and caught episode two, last night.

The animation work is amazing.

Compared to their look in The Power of the Daleks?

The detailing is amazing!

~≈Ç≈~

Doctor Who — The Evil of the Daleks: Episode 2 — A Review

17th December, 2021.

 

Hm … 

Right now, I’m hoping that intro makes sense … 

In context.

It’s 18:35, on Friday, 17th December, 2021: and … ?

I’m just about ready to have dinner: whilst the BBC News channel’s sports results are on.

For those of us of a certain age?

That’s practically retro.

At any rate?

I’m going to have fish and chips.   Then watch episode two of Evil of the Daleks.

Then I’ll let you know what I thought of the episode: either late tonight, to tomorrow evening: the 18th.

I’ll be back in a bit.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-12-2021: The Saturnalia

17th December, 2021.

Yes: today’s a Friday … and I’m off to weigh loss meeting, this afternoon.

I’m always nervous about these things: have I or haven’t I, lost any weight?

I hope it’s the latter.

Walking all that way has to count for something … !

~≈¥≈~

In amongst all the news?   Including by-election wins, Omicron going everywhere, and LOTS of other stuff?

I noticed there’d been a house fire in Sutton: in which four children died.

The cause is now ‘under investigation.’

I hope so.

I’d like to know what’s killed four children under five.

And if I do … ?   

I’d imagine the parents would, too!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th December, 2021.

16th December, 2021.

Yes: I was busy, yesterday!

A meeting with my landlord, a job centre meeting, and a flu jab.

That didn’t take long.

Once I found the part of the surgery where it was happening!

One unexpected, but welcome, visitor?

Was my landlord’s pest controller.

He was able to lay more bait: but advised he would be getting in tough with Clarion, themselves: a few kitchen units are going to need replacing, before anyone can block the holes the rats are getting through.

That … ?

Is going to be a big job.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th December, 2021.

15th December, 2021.

Right: I’m vaguely rushed.

I’ve got my exercises to do, my landlady — or, at least, my landlord’s estate officer — popping in at ten thirty.

I’ve got a phone meeting with my Job Centre case worker at twelve.

And my ’flu jab at five to three.

Vaguely might not cover it.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-12-2021: Would You Like To Fly … ?

14th December, 2021.

Hmmm … 

I think I have a rat problem.   An on-going rat problem.

At least, going by the half eaten apples I’ve found.

To the point I’ve had to contact me landlord, about it.   Again.

As far as I can tell, no-one else in the building is having a problem, this time around: which normally means Clarion would refuse to do anything.

They take the view that if a pest is only affecting my flat, it’s something I have to deal with.

If it’s something affect the communal areas?   They’ll send out a pest controller.

I’ve managed to persuade them the worker they sent out, last time, hadn’t blocked the holes the rats were getting in through.

Hopefully, that shouldn’t take two many visits.

~≈Ê≈~

You notice I say ‘only affecting my flat’ … ?

Under Clarion’s own rules, if the rat is just in my flat, it’s something I’d have to deal with, myself.

Knowing that?   I emailed Essex Country Council, to see if they could send anyone out.

They told me to check with Brentwood Council.

Something it seems at least one neighbour had already tried.

It turns out Brentwood Council no longer have a pest control unit.

What you’re supposed to do if you’re on a low income, and can’t afford a professional rat catcher, or afford the fine for having pests on your property?

Brentwood Council doesn’t say.

Any suggestions … ?   Would be welcome.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2021: Saint Lucia

13th December, 2021.

Looking at that intro … ?

I have to admit: I think everyone with a copy of iMovie is possibly doing that Max Headroom stutter thing!

Ahem!

At any rate: I’ve got a phone meeting, today.

With my (new) caseworker from the Restart scheme.

Thankfully, it’s a phone meeting: I really can’t afford the trip to Chelmsford.

~≈Ç≈~

Saying that … ?

I think job hunting’s going to get interesting.

As the government’s COVID-19 guidelines has been updated: to remind us that we’re supposed to be working from home, where possible.

Does that mean we’re looking at another lockdown … ?

I don’t know.

If we ARE, I’d be happy about it … if the Government re-introduced the £20 uplift!

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th December, 2021

12th December, 2021.

Right: it’s Sunday.

So an officially quiet day.

One that’s possibly going to involve me having a word with the neighbours.

I think we have a rat issue.   Again!

~≈Ÿ≈~

It sounds like Boris Johnson’s in trouble.

Stories about Downing Street Christmas parties, last year — violating the COVID-19 restricts forbade it  — have had another twist.

A photo’s been released: of Boris, and a couple of aides — sitting remarkably near each other —whilst attending a virtual quiz.

There is talk — according to the most recent BBC news bulletin — that some backbenchers are going to attempt a vote-of-no-confidence in the PM.

That’s a tricky one: the Government’s got a big enough majority to make that chancy.

But … ?

If you’re in charge got an administration seen as hypocritical, or that its own rules don’t apply to it?

Well … 

Expect what happens.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2021: The Children’s Fund

11th December, 2021.

How the hell does a living human brain manage that … ?

Wake up in the morning, convinced — utterly — today’s Sunday … 

And only realising it’s Saturday when the Today programme — rather than the Sunday Service — started, I realised what was going on.

Like I say … how does a human brain do that … ?

~≈🧠≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’d had a minor issue: with my clock not announcing the time.

And how it was seemingly — seemingly — solved by resetting the PRAM.

Oh no, it hasn’t!

Back to Apple it is: we’ll have to see if the proposed reinstall works.

~≈🖥≈~

As a final thought … ?

I’ve had a copy of the blu-ray version of The Evil of the Daleks sitting around for a while: and managed to catch the first episode, last night.

You’d be welcome to leave me a comment: either on the post, or on the video.

Thanking you!

~≈📺≈~

Doctor Who — The Evil of the Daleks: Episode 1 — A Review

10th December, 2021.

Right … 

I’m going to do this post in two chunks: I’m starting it, now, so that I’ve got a link I can add to the video introduction that you’ve — hopefully — just watched.

One I can also add to the video version of the review: later tonight, or tomorrow.

Either way?

I’m going to turn off the music I’m playing — the 12” version of Propanga’s Dr Mabuse — then grab a cup of tea … 

And watch Episode 1 of The Evil of the Daleks.

Back, soon!

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-12-2021 — The Abdication

10th December, 2021.

Hmmm … 

That seemed to have helped.

I’ve had issues with the clock on my Mac.

Usually?   And for the past few years?

I’ve had the clock set to announce the time at regular intervals.

Something it stopped doing … after I installed Monterey, the most recent version of macOS.

So I called Apple Support.

Twice.

Which didn’t help.

The third time … ?

They suggested an old trick.

Resetting what’s call the PRAM, (perimeter RAM) or NVRAM, non-volatile RAM: a section of RAM that stores long term settings, roughly equivalent to the CMOS part of a PC’s motherboard.

Something I’d forgotten about, as the last time I’d used it was on a twenty-something G4 Powermac: and something I find fiddly, with my hands.

You have to press P, R, ⌘ and ⌥, on startup, so you know.

At any rate?

That seems to have solved the issue.

For now.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-12-2021: The Mother of All Demos

9th December, 2021.

Right … I’ve had a quick — ha! — look outside: and the weather seems OK.

Given it’s December!

So that means I can head to town, and pick up some needed paperwork.

Paper that should help with the Job Centre assessment I’m due to have … when they finally give me a date … 

~≈♩≈~

In sad news for music fans … ?

Today saw the sad announcement that Robbie Shakespeare — producer, bassist, and one half of Sly and Robbie, the best rhythm section on the planet, and possibly one of the world’s most influential musicians — died yesterday: after kidney surgery.

Someone that influential?   Is going to be missed.

~≈♩≈~

I’ve ALSO got to confess that yesterday’s interview didn’t go well.

The job itself sounded like something I could do.

But unfortunately?

The travel distance was seriously out of my travel distance: there were no buses, which meant an hours walk from Chelmsford Station.

Blow that!

~≈♩≈~