Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-3-2021: World Backup Day

31st March, 2021.

Yes: it’s WEDNESDAY!

That means exercise!

I had an appointment with a physio-therapist: who’s prescribed a set of five-day-on, two-days-off, exercises.

Rather simple ones, thankfully.

I am — metaphorically — back on the treadmill.

~≈🐶≈~

Not that it make’s much difference … but I’ve been shielding for the past few weeks.

It’s not been that much different to the rest of Lockdown.

However?

It comes to an end, today.

Quite what the implications are?

I don’t know.

But it coincides with a general easing of lockdown.

To be completely honest with you, though?

I’m just looking forward to the non-essential shops re-opening.

I’d like to have a haircut at some point!

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th March, 2021.

30th March, 2021.

Hmmm … 

I THINK I hate the shift from GMT to BST.

I am still feeling tired when I get up in the morning!

Compared to before the clocks changed … when I’d be bouncing around the flat at five in the morning … !

I am officially getting old … 

~≈🕰≈~

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

29th March, 2021.

With Radio Four’s Today programme blithering on in the background — Martha Carney’s doing her Serious Interview thing — and a game of Mini Metro doing its twinkling ambient music thing?

With all that … I have to admit to feeling just ever so slightly tired!

That’s what happens when you do late night blogging about Disney serials … 

The night before you have to do a phone meeting with your Work and Health Programme!

Oy veh … !

~≈⏰≈~

Just as a final thought?

I’ve got Le Guin’s The Lathe of Heaven as my current bedtime reading.   Two chapters in?   And I’m amazed at her prose: again.

I’ve mentioned it because mentioning Billy Bragg to Old Peculiar regular, Edith, always gets me thinking of George Orwell.

I’ve got Down and Out in Paris and London as my next bit of bedtime reading.

~≈📖≈~

The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 8 — Chapter 16 The Rescue — A Review

27th March, 2021.

Yes: I think I’m getting the hang of those revamped introduction videos.

Many moons ago, when I first got an iMac with a built in webcam?

It seemed a good idea to do a video intro: one that got posted to the blog.

Which — a couple of years in? — stopped working.

I still — to this day — do not know why.

So I started posting them to YouTube.

The fact they’re far more publicly accessible, there, means having to alter them.

Which I’m slowly getting the hang of, I think.

At any rate: yes, I’ve had Spaghetti, again: with homemade Bolognese sauce.

Yes: I’ve seen the last episode of The Mandalorian, series two.

Which has a surprise or two.

And yes: The Book of Boba Fett airs in December of 2021.

That’s something to look forward to … !

Now, if you’ll excuse me?    I’ll finish this, tomorrow night.

~≈⭐️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-3-2021: Lady Gaga … !

28th March, 2021.

It’s official: it’s now British Summer Time.

In other words, and if you didn’t know?

The clocks went forward, overnight.

Why?   I still don’t know: despite it happening for most of my life.

If you’ve a good lay explanation of why we give ourselves mild jet lag, every year, I’d love to hear it.

~≈🕰≈~

Have you been watching the situation in Myanmar?

The Army has taken power in a coup that started in February.

Yesterday?   Saw the highest number of killing in the Troubles.

The crackdown’s included the military’s shooting of children.

That’s … 

I’m sorry … but if you start killing children as part of a campaign?

That invalidates any moral or ethical argument you may have had on your side.

~≈⚰️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-3-2021: That First Test Match

27th March, 2021.

Yes: it’s looking like a quiet Saturday: with the possible exception of some shopping.

While it’s not raining … !

~≈🌧≈~

JUST as a thought … ?

You’re possibly aware I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to get hold of Jon Pertwee’s second season as Dr Who.

And I’m ripping it as we speak.

Just so you know?

In both those screens shots?   The smaller of the two pictures is my original DVD rip: the larger, the blu-ray rip.

With the blu-ray rip being only one hundred and sixty or so megabytes bigger: for the same sort of picture quality.

On top of that?   There’s at least one extra ‘Behind The Sofa’ extra, per series.

As well as a whole extra disc full of extra features.

I’m happy with that.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th March, 2021.

26th March, 2021.

What with one thing and another … ?

Yesterday turned out to be a little busier than I thought.

I’m on a Weight Management programme: and completely forgot that I had my phone meeting!

OK: we did little more than talk about portion control, exercises and how Sainsbury’s Nectar points scheme doesn’t hand out anything for brown rice and wholemeal pasta.

Which means … ?

Today, I’m having a less exciting day.

Well … 

Unless an Amazon scammer phones me … 

~≈Ü≈~

Talking of which?

With the very little spending money I have?

Along side the vouchers I get for taking part in the Office of National Statistics Covid-19 programme meant I could buy a Doctor Who blu-ray: Jon Pertwee’s second series, so you know.

It got delivered, yesterday

It’s currently being ripped, if you’re interested.

What annoyed me, though?

Was that the delivery man didn’t ring my doorbell: just left the package on my doorstep.

I was in: and the TV, quite audibly, on.   You can hear it in the hallway outside my flat*.

So?   I complained.

I can understand the driver leaving the package there, if he go no response to the bell: I can appreciate that.

But not ringing?

When I’m obviously in?

That’s a bit much.

~≈🙍🏽‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th March, 2021.

25th March, 2021.

Right … that’s the call from the physiotherapist out of the way!

I had a call, yesterday: from a physiotherapist.

And, going by that phone call?

I’ve got the very early stages of osteoarthritis.

Which is … um … well … 

Not nice news: I’m only fifty-three, for heavens sake, I can’t go having osteoarthritis!

At ANY rate … ?

I’ve a set of daily exercises to do, which should help.

They’re mildly intimidating, though: I’ve never exactly been Mr Motivator, after all.

However, I think the old advise from Alcoholic Anonymous comes to mind.

“One day at a time … ”

~≈🏃🏻≈~

I don’t know about you … but I’ve always felt Alan Turing — the man whose 1936 paper, On Computable Numbers, invented computers — has had short shift over the years.

Gay at a time it homosexuality was illegal?   He committed suicide in 1954: after being convicted of Gross Indecency.

He was pardoned for that in 2013.

However?   Many feel he should receive some sort of posthumous award for his war work: he was one of many — still unrecognised — who worked at the Bletchley Park cryptanalysis centre that broke German Enigma codes during World War 2.

One of the key workers.

He also worked on early computers at Manchester University.

I still think some sort of gong would be very welcome.

One good thing, though?

Is that the new designs of Britain’s fifty pound note have been released: complete with his image.

It goes into circulation on 23rd July: his birthday.

It’s not perfect.

But it’s a good start.

~≈🖥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-3-2021: World Kabaddi Day

24th March, 2021.

Right … 

Yesterday?   Went well enough: rushed, but well.

Held up, in part, by my phone.

I was queuing up in the post office, getting ready to pay my bills.

And, when I got to the front of the queue?

Had to go to back back, as the calendar app on my phone — the app where I was storing the amount I need to pay — decided to play up.

It turns out it was something to do with the way Android phones connect* to the web: and something I could only remedy by downloading a couple of updates when I got home.

As my phone was refusing to connect in the High Street?   I couldn’t exactly do the update in town!

At any rate … ?

The bills are paid, the updates done … 

And now … ?   I have to rush, as I have a phone appointment with a physio-therapist: between nine and ten!

Heigh-ho!

~≈☏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd March, 2021.

23rd March, 2021.

Right … I think I’m in something of a rush, today.

It’s payday: so I have bills to pay and shopping to do.

But also have the monthly visit from the ONS covid 19 testers turning up at one.

I’d better be quick … !

~≈🏃🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-3-2021: The Shat!

22nd March, 2021.

It’s officially official: I’ve had an email!

And not just any old email, no!

One reminding me that I’d not paid my Car tax!

I’ve obviously been very lax.

It’s a scam, of course.

How do I know?

The email address it was from — qwspdsqymm@telenet.be — looked seriously fake.   UK Government ones will come from .gov.uk.

And the UK body that you pay the tax too is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, not the spurious ‘Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.’

What’s more?   It’s not a car tax.   It’s Vehicle Excise Duty*.

The website it took me to … ?

Looked like the UK government’s one.

But again, had a spurious address.

The big clue, though?

The one that told me I’d been targeted by a bunch of chancers, sending out mass emails to try tricking people into handing out money … ?

Is simply this.

I don’t have a car to tax.

I don’t drive.

~≈🚘≈~

The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 7 — Chapter 15 The Believer — A Review

20th March, 2021.

Yes … 

This is getting to be something of a habit, by now.

Sitting in from of a screen, I should say.

Right now?   I’m sitting in front of a computer screen: having had a dinner that’s either too big, too small, or just too damn unhealthy for my own good.

An — arguably — home made cheese burger.

Or home cooked, at least.

Eaten whilst watching Star Trek Lower Decks: which I’m not going to write about.

There’s only so much time in the day, after all!

At any rate … ?

I have seen episode 7 of The Mandalorian.

And, with some Dave Brubeck in the background?

Wanted to set up my review of the episode, tonight: and finish it, tomorrow.

It gives me the chance to tell you to take … five … 

~≈V≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-3-2021: International Colour Day

21st March, 2021.

Did I ever mention I usually have my curtains shut, when I’m writing these posts?

I usually have my curtains shut, when I’m writing these posts.

You miss a lot that’s going on … but at least I don’t get people looking through my window, first thing in the morning!

It turns out that the yelling I heard, when I was finalising and posting yesterday’s Teaser?

Was two men getting arrested for carrying offensive weapons.

The things you miss … 

~≈🔪≈~

It’s officially Census Day.

This year?

It’s mostly being done online.

I’ve done mine already: the rules allow you too, so long as you double check, today, to edit and finalise your entry.

I do have one question, though … 

What on Earth do you do: if you have no computer, or smart phone connection to the internet?

What do you do?

It’s not like the library’s open on Sundays … 

~≈🖥≈~

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

20th March, 2021.

It’s official: I’ve done a thing … !

A thing of great significance and joy: that will have implications for ALL HUMANITY!

OK: I’m possibly overcooking the significance, there.

All I’ve done — last night, with my main hard drive started running out of space — was shift my Photos library from my main drive, to my main external drive.

Granted?   It’s a change that I always feel nervous about making.

And granted, that means they won’t be backed up to my Time Machine back up drive*.

But?   Copies of the photos are still stored on iCloud.

And I have more space for photos.

~≈🖱≈~

That’s a thought: Facebook’s just thrown this advert at me.

‘Did you know why that … ?’

‘We have sat down with the person of a popular website …’

You’d think Facebook would provide a proofreader as part of its service!

Whoever wrote the text of that advert, needed one!

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-3-2021: Red Nose Day

19th March, 2021.

Yayness!

I’ve officially had a delivery!

Of two foot of rubber hosing, so you know.

Just so you know, or start thinking I’ve got really odd habits?

I’ve got a CPAP machine: a machine that lets me breath, whilst asleep.

The hose … ?

Is a replacement for the hose that connects the machine to the mask I have to wear.

I fitted the thing, as soon as I got it.

It’s nice to have a good night’s sleep, after all.

~≈🛌≈~

The Dig — A Review.

17th March, 2021.

Right … 

That video intro has gone up, today: telling you, me, and one thousand. one hundred and twenty seven people on YouTube — my followers, in other words — that tonight, I’m going to watch a movie.

And hadn’t made my mind up, about which one.

Léon: The Professional was on offer from Apple.

They’ve got 2001: A Space Odyssey* on offer as well, which I didn’t notice.

I may have to sit down with it, again … 

I’d also have a copy of Once Were Warriors: the film stars Temuera Morrison as one of two main characters.   I’d fancied seeing it … as I’d seen Temuera crop up in a recent episode of The Mandalorian.

Eventually, though … ?

Well, you’ve possibly guessed what I watched, in the end.

I’ll have more about The Dig, tomorrow …

~≈⛏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-3-2021: Blue Hawaii

18th March, 2021.

It’s officially Thursday, and … ?

It’s officially quiet.

I am definitely looking forward to my shielding stopping on the 31st!

And the easing of lockdown.

It would be nice to ask friends over!

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I caught a movie, last nice: The Dig, with Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes.

I’ll have my review up, tonight: but I think we can say it’s a good film.

~≈📽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-3-2021: Saint Patrick’s Day

17th March, 2021.

It’s officially official: I had a phone call, yesterday!

You’ll possibly remember that I have a CPAP machine: that helps me breathe, over night.

The hose that connects the breathing mask to the machine has broken: so I had to phone up the hospital for a new one.

I got told to wait for a phone call: which would make the necessary arrangements.

I got the call, yesterday.

The hose is on the way.

Thankfully, by recorded delivery: a delivery I have to sign for.

I’m thankful for that: the mail theft around here is still high.

~≈✉️≈~

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

16th March, 2021.

It’s officially the case: that a man without a potato, is a man without food.

Or one type of food, any way.

Or — at least — if he’s out of potatoes: he’s going to have to think about opening a bag of rice.

Or … something … 

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

At any rate, and forgive me if I’ve said it already … ?   But I need a couple of potatoes … !

~≈🥔≈~

Did I mention I’m waiting for a phone call … ?

I’m waiting for a phone call: from the CardioThoracic unit at Basildon Hospital.

I’ve got a CPAP machine from them: a thing that helps me breath while I’m asleep.

It’s very helpful.

But, unfortunately?   The hose that connects the machine to the mask I have to wear?

Has split.

And is currently being held together by sellotape!

Hopefully?   I’ll get a call relatively quickly.

I’d hate to run out of tape!

~≈🛠≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-3-2021: The Number 15

15th March, 2021.

It’s officially the case: there was no birdsong, this morning … 

At least: none that I heard!

That’s a shame: I was getting used to it!

~≈🕊≈~

The Mandalorian — Series 2 Episode 6 — Chapter 14 The Tragedy — A Review

13th March, 2021.

I have to say, Saturday night’s are to be a thing.

No, really.

I’m starting to get used to the idea of watching a streamed TV show on a Saturday night.

It’s about the one upside to not working.

I’ve a regular night that I can schedule for a (cheapish) pleasure.

Blogging about the one I find interesting?

Is something of an added bonus.

At any rate?

I’ve seen another episode of The Mandalorian, series two.

And, of course, will tell you more, on Sunday night!

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-3-2021: Quincy …

14th March, 2021.

I have to say: it’s true.

We had very little birdsong, this morning!

Which is … 

Disappointing.

Still … there’s always tomorrow.

~≈🦉≈~

In the wake of the killing of Sarah Everard?

Protests had been planned.

Or, at least, vigils: many of which had to be cancelled, as the organisers could go ahead: in the light of various Covid restrictions.

The one that did go ahead, in Clapham Common?

Lead to … issues … 

What’ll happen, there, as a result?

I don’t know.

But?

I can only note that the Reclaim the Night marches — in the wake of the Yorkshire Ripper killings — also saw clashes with police.

They also failed to stop killings: like the death of Sarah Everard, like the deaths of the Ripper’s victims*, or those of the Suffolk Strangler.   Which also saw protests.

I can understand the vigil taking place, I really can.

But?

I’m wondering if they’s be taking place if Sarah Everard had been a hooker?

And, given that these seem to have no effect?

Whether there’s any point to them?

I don’t know.

~≈🪧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th March, 2021

13th March, 2021.

Yay … !

I’m rising the Brentwood Centre, today.

Because — wait for it — I’m getting the COVID-19 jabs, today.

Or, at least, the first of them.

Hopefully?   I won’t get too many side effects.

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th March, 2021.

12th March, 2021.

I know, I know … !

We have birdsong!

It’s got to be said, that’s still a lovely thing to hear.

One of these days?

I’ll have to ask my landlords if I can put a bird box up.

I used to live in what was Brentwood’s maternity hospital: now a set of council run bedsits near Shenfield Common.

And there was a gap in the roof, above my main window, that birds would nest in.

I’m blowed if I could tell you what kind of birds: beyond saying ‘small ones!’

But I miss the singing, in the mornings.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-3-2021: Harold!

11th March, 2021.

Hmmm … 

One upside of the whole Covid lockdown?

Is the fact that — in the quiet you get when there’s little travel, little in the way of traffic noise — you can hear birdsong.

OK: most birdsong is male birds say “STAY OFF MY BUSH,” as loudly as possible.

Or yelling “I’M SEXY: LET’S REPRODUCE,” as seductively as possible.

Today … ?

There’s none of that.

Not with the wind that’s going on … !

~≈🕊≈~

If you’ve been following Nik Nik’s Old Peculiar for the past few days?   You’ll’ve noticed I — like many of us — have been following the disappearance of Sarah Everard*.

Yesterday?   The policeman who was arrested for her kidnap has been re-arrested: on murder charges.

Yesterday?   Human remains were found: ones being linked to the case.

My sympathies are with the family.

My memory goes back to the Yorkshire Ripper.   And looks at the recent interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

And asks if Sarah Everard had been black, or a prostitute working in the area?

Would there be this level of press interest?

My cynical side says “No.”

~≈📰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th March, 2021

10th March, 2021.

Right … I’ve got Radio Four playing in the background: the interview, on Sunday night, seems to be causing a stir.

Understandable.

I suspect the thing will be running and running and running … 

At any rate?

That’s not necessarily what’s caught my news eye.

The thing that did?

If you recall, a young woman called Sarah Everard disappeared, last Wednesday: somewhere in the Clapham Common area.

I was thinking the case would turn into a protracted one.

But the police have moved rapidly.

Overnight, a man has been arrested in connection with her disappearance: a woman on charges of assisting an offender.

The man is a service officer in the Metropolitan Police: in a move police describe as a “serious and significant development.”

Police have also described the development as “shocking and deeply disturbing.”

Frankly?

I can’t see how.

A police officer is just as capable of wrong doing as anyone else … 

~≈fl≈~

Wrong Turn (2021) — A Review

8th March, 2021.

Right … 

This is possibly getting to be a habit.

Watching something: then starting a post, that’s going to be finished later.

Yes: I’ve seen a movie, tonight.

Yes: I’m going to finish this post, tomorrow night.

And yes: I finally made up my mind: to watch the 2021 version of Wrong Turn.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th March, 2021.

9th March, 2021.

It’s got to be said, I’ve got last night’s episode of Just a Minute on in the background: and Gyles Brandreth just got challenged — twice — by Zoe Lyons.

Nish Kumar’s doing well as chair, I should add: but I’m still missing Nicolas Parsons!

At any rate, I’m going sideways … 

In amongst the birdsong … ?

I had some news, yesterday.

Yes: I’ve been sent the link to book up the COVID 19 vaccine: at a local sports centre.

On Saturday.

Heigh ho!

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-3-2021: The Fight of the Century

8th March, 2021.

Yes: there’s birdsong in the background.

Spring is slowly springing: although you wouldn’t necessarily think so by the temperature!

Here’s hoping it warms up over the next few days!

~≈§≈~