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

30th April, 2021.

Right … 

First things first: I caught the news, last night.

It seems actor, director, producer and Dr Who star, Noel Clarke?

Has had his membership of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA: and had an award he won, at the recent BAFTA awards.

The allegations?   Are listed in an article on the Guardian’s website: and have been made — anonymously — to the Academy, itself.

The Academy say’s emails have given no evidence.

If proven true?   It’s a terrible shame: as Noel is an authentic film talent.

We’ll have to see.

~≈Ï≈~

Did I mention I’m ripping a box set?   Of the twelfth series of classic Dr Who.

I’m ripping a bo … yeah, you can see where that sentence is heading!

It has to be said: the CGI replacement effects in Revenge of the Cybermen look good.

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

Here’s hoping the rest of the set look as good.

~≈🦿≈~

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

29th April, 2021.

Well, it’s official: Neil Robertson is now out of this years Snooker World Championship.

Which is a shame.

I’m not the first to mention his fab Lockdown hairdo!

~≈🎱≈~

For All Mankind — Series 2 Episode 4 — Pathfinder — A Review

27th April, 2021.

*Spoilers*

Right … it’s a Tuesday night: and frankly?

I’m off to bed, in a bit.

Mostly because I want an early night: and want to read a book.

I’ve been reading The Nomad of the Time Streams, recently, and want to get another chapter, done.

So?

I’m starting my review of the fourth episode of For All Mankind, Pathfinder, now.

And will be finishing it off, tomorrow.

I’ll see you then.

~≈🛰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th April, 2021.

28th April, 2021.

Did I mention I have an iffy knee?

It is — I’m told — a touch of osteoarthritis: so I’ve got a set of exercises to do.

Yes, before you ask: I was mildly sceptical; but these do seem to help, somewhat.

Whether they’ll make any difference to my weight?

We’ll have to see!

~≈🚴‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th April, 2021

27th April, 2021.

Right … I’ve had a haircut!

Yesterday, in case you hadn’t guessed.

And, lord, that feels a lot better!

Frankly?   The place I went to when the recent restrictions ended?

Is somewhere I’m going to be avoiding, next time!

~≈💈≈~

You’ll possibly remember, that I was due a meeting, yesterday: with my caseworker from the Work And Health Programme I’m on.

And was supposed to be having that meeting in a community hall, at some distance from my home.

At least, that’s what I’d been told.

It turns out … that my case worker had pushed the wrong button, at his end: and that our meeting was supposed to be a phone meeting.

That was fun.   Given that I’d put a load of washing on, in my extremely noisy washing machine*: in the expectation of being out of the house.

There are times I could spit!

~≈🧺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-4-2021: Chernobyl.

26th April, 2021.

Right … I’m up stupidly earlier.

Or, at least, comparatively stupidly early … for me.

There’s a reason for that.

If you’ve been read Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar for a while, you’ll realise I’m job hunting.

For some time, now.

You’ll also be aware that I have to report in to the local job centre: by phone, for the past few months.

And that I’ve been signed up to a Work and Health Programme run by the Shaw Trust: that’s also, usually, been a set of phone meetings.

I was expecting my next phone meeting with the Shaw Trust, today.

At least I was … until yesterday, when I got my most recent reminder.

That told me my next meeting, today’s meeting, is a face to face one in the community centre in Knights Way.

At the VERY last minutes: and with no details of whether my bus fare would get refunded.

I’ll be going to the thing: I’d face sanctions if I didn’t.

But I’ll be honest, I’m not happy I’ve been told about a change: at the last minute.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-4-2021: Ella.

25th April, 2021.

Did I mention I went shopping, yesterday?

I went shopping, yesterday.

Just in case you hadn’t noticed.

I managed to pick up enough bits and bobs to make myself a goulash.

Which I manage to have, watching the Higgins-Williams match, last night.

Mark Williams won, by the way: 13-7.

At any rate … ?

Wandering around town … saw me totally forget to get the hair done.

You watch: I’ll be complaining about that for weeks … 

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-4-2021: Barbra

24th April, 2021.

Right … 

I’ve been shopping: and may need to do more.

As I’ve not managed to pick up bits of my goulash recipe.

Although I might just make a beef stew, instead.

There’s slightly less ingredients.

I pick up Nectar points, either way.

Just possibly not a haircut … !

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-4-2021: UN Spanish Language Day

23rd April, 2021.

Yes: it’s payday.

Which means?   Lots of things: as you’d expect.

Mostly?   Mostly, shopping, bill paying and stuff!

But possibly also involving a haircut: if there’s a barber’s with no queue … 

~≈💈≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’d be heading into Romford: to sell off some stuff at the Romford branch of CeX.

I got an OK price for it, in the end.

Although we had to do a little haggling over the external blu-ray writer I was trying to sell.

CeX’s stock is all second hand, so you know: they buy it in from someone at one price, and then sell it on for another, higher, price.

They sold the specific model I was selling for some eighty-five pounds: but bought it in for some twelve quid.

They sold generic ones for fifty-two quid: and bought those in for thirty.

I settled for the generic price, understandably.

But that price difference?

Seems a little … odd.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd April, 2021.

22nd April, 2021.

Right … 

It’s Thursday … 

And frankly, I’m thinking Facebook hasn’t worked.

Well, no, that’s a little inaccurate.   Facebook works well enough, bar the usual arguments!

I’ve just not managed to shift I have for sale on Facebook Marketplace.   So I’m going to head for the Romford brach of CeX, and see what I can do with them.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🛒≈~

For All Mankind — Series 2 Episode 3 — Rules of Engagement — A Review

20th April, 2021.

Right at the moment … ?

I’m feeling vague Douglas-Adamsy: and prepared to tell you that it’s Tuesday: and that Tuesdays are a point of view.

Or possibly a tinkling symbol … 

Or a habit worth getting into or out of.

Or, maybe — just maybe — a day of the week.

Frankly?

From where I’m sitting, it’s a day of the week.

One where I’ve got into the habit of doing two things.

Watching a TV show

Then starting a blog post about the episode.

And then — ha! — writing about the day afterwards.

At any rate, yes: I’ve seen another episode of For All Mankind, series 2.

Yes: I’ll be talking about it, tomorrow night!

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-4-2021: Charlotte Brontë

21st April, 2021.

Yes: it’s true.

I caught Apple’s Spring Loaded event, last night.

Part of it, anyway, and right at the key juncture: when they announced the introduction of the new iMac.

Which, it has to be said, looks VERY good.

Granted, it’s possibly still got those swap space issues endemic to Big Sur: ones you’ll possibly have seen Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack, complain about, along side myself.

The machines only feature Thunderbolt/USB 3 ports: those of us with older peripherals will need adaptors.

And the new M1 chips aren’t as upgradeable as they could be.

Countering that … ?

The M1 processors are fast, the machines have far better web cams than the ones in my 2017, 21” model.

Oh, and the screen’s bigger.

Personally?

And remember this is me you’re talking to … 

Yes: I want one!

Now … has anyone got a few thousand pounds spare … ?

~≈🖥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-4-2021: Chinatown

20th April, 2021.

Yay!

I’m going to be sat indoors for part of the morning.

At least, until just gone 10:30.

That’s when my Job Centre appointment.

I’m … a touch nervous about it.

I’ve a new case officer: it’s my second meeting with her.

The call, itself?   Is to prepare what’s called a Commitments review: prepare for going over what I have to do to find work.

We’ll have to see how that goes!

~≈👨‍💼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2021: Salyut 1

19th April, 2021.

Did I mention I’ve got things … ?

For sale?

I’ve got things for sale: very specifically, an internal hard-drive and an optical drive.

Both of which are on sale on Facebook market place.

I’ve heard nothing about the blu-ray drive … but had a message about the hard drive.

Here’s hoping it sells.

~≈🖥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2021: If It Please The Court … ?

18th April, 2021.

It’s officially the case: it’s Sunday … 

Which you’ve possibly worked out, by looking at the calendar.

At any rate, I’m expecting a quiet day, today.

Well … with the exception of maybe going for a walk … and waiting for a delivery.

Yes: the most exciting thing I’m expecting, today … ?

Is lightbulbs … !

~≈💡≈~

Just in case you didn’t know … ?

I’ve got a few blu-ray box sets, recently: including the twelfth season of classic Dr Who. 

I have to admit, I enjoyed the extras in the eighth season set: including the Behind the Sofa watch-alongs.

Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton — Tegan and Nyssa, for those in the know — were especially pithy.

At any rate?

The one for Ark in Space?

The Dynamic Duo are joined are by Louise Jameson: Leela!

Which could be fun!

On top of that?

Joining Tom Baker and producer, Phillip Hinchcliffe on the sofa, is a young actress called Sadie Miller.

In case she looks vaguely familiar?

She takes after her mother … 

~≈⏳≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-4-2021: The Number 17.

17th April, 2021.

OK … Lockdown has eased.

And?

I had a haircut on Tuesday.

You can possibly see that: if you’ve been watching the intro videos.

And, frankly?

I think that’s last time I’ll be going there: I’m decidedly unimpressed!

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th April, 2021

16th April, 2021.

It’s Friday.

Which means … well … stuff’s happening.

Frankly, I’m planning on doing more job hunting: and more things for Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

Equally as frankly?   I’m planning on a little shopping.

I’m out of tomatoes: and need a loaf.

And possibly some pasta!

I’ve a couple more pots of spaghetti sauce to use up.

~≈🍝≈~

I do know I was in Romford, yesterday: selling on some blu-rays and DVDs, to their branch of CeX.

Brentwood’s closure makes doing that a bit more of a trip!

At ANY rate?   I’ve sold off some discs that I’d built up over lock down: having made back ups, first.

I’ve still got a couple of bits to sell: an internal hard drive, and a blu-ray burner.

CeX usually tests hardware, before it buys it from you.   Which would’ve taken a bit too long for my comfort.

I might just grab a photo of the things, and put them on Facebook Marketplace: or Gumtree.

We’ll have to see.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-4-2021: Hillsborough

15th April, 2021.

Hmmm … 

I had an interview, yesterday … one I think hasn’t gone well: frankly, I made a point of mentioning I’d been shielding, and in a COVID vulnerable group … and asked about start dates.

Mentioning that I was hoping to start in June, after I’d had my second jab: which is understandable.

The company were after an immediate start.

Hmmm … 

I think I may have shot myself in the foot, there.

There’s upsides.

I’ve learnt a little about how to use Zoom.

And they’ve asked me to get back in touch in June: assuming I’m still free.

So that’s something … 

~≈Ü≈~

For All Mankind — Series 2 Episode 2 — The Bleeding Edge — A Review

13th April, 2021.

This is a hell of a time to worry about it … but does anyone know if I’ve got a clean shirt?

No, forget I asked!

Right at the moment?   It’s a Tuesday night: a Tuesday night where I’ve seen another episode of For All Mankind.

A Tuesday where I’ve started this post: aware I’m going to finish it, tomorrow night.

I need an early night: as I have a doctor’s appointment, first thing in the morning.

An, at Two in the afternoon … ?

I’ve an interview: via Zoom.

Which will possibly go well … assuming my clean shirts still fit!

~≈👔≈~

14th April, 2021.

JUST so you know … ?   The shirt fit: although I don’t know if the interview went well … 

Let’s just say — for now — there’s mismatching start dates.

At any rate … ?

Let me tell you about last night’s TV show … 

~≈🚀≈~

Episode 2 — The Bleeding Edge — opens in the immediate aftermath of episode one: and shows us Molly Cobb (Sonya Walger) being checked over by Jamestown’s medics, and being debriefed by station commander, Ellen Wilson (Jodi Balfour).

And lying: about exactly how much radiation she took in the storm.

Ellen … ?   Wants to make sure, though: moving her return to Earth a day forward, and taking Molly — and Wubbo, the crewman Molly rescued — home with her.

Back on Earth … ?

Back on Earth, the Cold War is warming up.

With Ellen turning in a final report from the Moon, to a concerned Margo, Ed and General Bradford (Wrenn Schmidt, Joel Kinnaman, John Marshall Jones.)

Ellen makes no secret of her ambition to see her bosses launch a Mars mission: nor of Jamestown’s need for more plutonium.

Margo’s got problems of her own: with her boss, Thomas Paine (Dan Donohue), wanting to have a big happy handshake in space … and potentially handing the Soviet Union a lot more technology than she’s capable of handing over.

Just General Bradford is reluctant to hand her plutonium.

Later, at the Outpost?

We see Ed meeting with Gordo, and Danielle (Michael Dorman and Krys Marshall.)

Danielle … ?   After the death of her husband, Danielle has realised there’s nothing holding her back.

She wants to go back to Jamestown.

Ed’s happy … 

Gordo … ?

Has a crisis … 

~≈🚀≈~

What did I make of this episode?

I have to say, For All Mankind is … 

Something I’m always impressed by is world-building.

World-building: the ability of fiction to build not just convincing characters, but a convincing setting.

Terry Pratchett did it, I think.

Several fantasy games have.

Watchmen certainly did.

So does For All Mankind.

I can even point to one phrase in this episode that some it up for me.

When Ed, Gordo and Danielle meet?

There’s that one magic phrase that gets used: that shows us these three have a history, together.

“Hi, Bob.”

If you didn’t know, it refers to episode seven* of For All Mankind’s first series: when the three were trapped on Jamestown.

It’s those little things that keep me hooked: as well as the big ones … 

The personal issues, as well as the big picture.

Frankly?   I’m going to watching episode 3, on Tuesday.

I want to see more of those little things … 

*        That latter goes to my video review of the episode.

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th April, 2021

14th April, 2021.

Right … I’m officially in a rush.

I’ve a job interview — via Zoom — this afternoon.

And a doctor’s appointment — by phone — this morning.

I’m not sure what I’m more nervous about: the appointment, the interview … or using Zoom for the first time!

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-4-2021: Samuel Beckett

13th April, 2021.

It’s got to be said: lockdown has eased … slightly … 

Or, at least, slightly enough for me to visit a barbers.

A new place in Brentwood High Street.

I’m not totally stunned with my trim: although, to be fair, it was comparatively cheap.

At least for around here!

~≈💈≈~

Oh … I’ve got the new external drive set up: it’s being backed up to as we speak.

And yes: it’s going to take another five hours, as I’m using it to back up both my main drive: and my external storage drive.

It’s going to take that long, as it’s a few thousand gigabytes … 

~≈📀≈~

Drat … !

I forgot something.

I’ve managed to pick up two copies — one for keeps, one to play — of Rhianna Pratchett’s Crystal of Storms: one in a series of the revived Fighting Fantasy gamebooks.

I played some of the originals, back in the day.   So, given one of the game industry’s finest has done one? Given whose daughter she is?

Spending a little cash seemed wise.

I just wish I’d bought a pencil … 

~≈🎲≈~

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

12th April, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially the case I am knackered.

But?

That’s what happened when you are up late, finishing of a written and video review of Once Were Warriors.

Which, many years after I first saw it?

Is still a fantastic film.

~≈📽≈~

Stewing, you ask … ?

Well, yes.

I’ve got a new external hard drive to use: as my back up drive.

So the stewing that’s happening at the moment?

Is me, wiping an external drive as securely as possible.

~≈👨🏻‍💻≈~

Just as a pair of final thought … ?

We’re due to see non-essentials shops re-open, today.

Hopefully?

I’ll be able to find an open barbers.

I really need a haircut.

Which may help the hair: but not the earworm!

Argh!

~≈💈≈~

Once Were Warriors — A Review.

10th April, 2021.

Right … 

I’m officially going to bed, in a while.

But … ?   Needed to make sure I’ve got my initial thoughts on paper.

Or screen, at least.

Or — ha! — website.

Just in case you didn’t know?   I’ve been blogging a while.

And I treat Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar — the blog you’re reading now — as a mix of online diary, and way of entertaining people: as I’m sure my regulars will tell you.

I also occasionally write about TV shows I’ve watched, and movies I’ve seen

Right now, I’m writing this on Saturday, 10th April: after having made my mind up, about what film to watch.

You’ve possibly guessed already.

I’ve sat down with the 1994, Lee Tamahori directed, film, Once Were Warriors: after seeing one of it’s stars in season two of The Mandalorian.

I’ll tell you more, tomorrow … 

~≈🎥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th April, 2021.

11th April, 2021.

It’s got to said, I’m grateful I had just enough money, yesterday, for a cab.

Frankly?   I’d done into town, earlier in the day, and picked up some shopping: and, when I got back home … ?

Realised I’d forgotten to pick up my diabetes medication.

I’m grateful I had enough cash for a cab: as I had an Amazon delivery that afternoon.

Doubly grateful.

Going up Warley Hill in a hurry is not exactly my idea of fun*!

~≈💊≈~

It’s Sunday morning: and, of course, I’ve got Radio Four on.

I wouldn’t call myself especially religious: but the more Anglican Sunday services can be quite soothing, first thing in the morning.

I have heard the news, though.

You’ll possibly know about the riots in various parts of Belfast.

Teenagers, mostly, encouraged by loyalists paramilitaries angry at a Brexit deal that leaves the region using trade rules that leave it with a better connection to the republic, than the UK.

According to today’s news?

It seems special forces troops are being sent in to the area, undercover, to help both police and MI5.

Given the very little I know of Northern Irish history?

I’ve a distinct feeling that’s a bad idea … 

~≈💀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-4-2021: Max von Sydow.

10th April, 2021.

Hmmm … 

The Duke of Edinburgh — husband to the Queen for some 73 years — died, yesterday morning.

I’m … 

You know, I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I’m not especially Royalist: although I feel the system — as it currently stands — works well.

Nonetheless?   Even given there’s rumours he could be difficult, and a number of affairs, and that his relationship with Charles, in particular, were difficult at times?

It’s sad to hear of his death.

There’s not that many people who served in World War 2, who still survive.

Plus, of course, he’d been key in supporting the Queen in her job as head of state.

Personally?   Even if I’m aware of his bad point, I’m aware of some of his good points.

And, at the last, can only offer my condolences.

~≈∏≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I’ve managed to treat myself to a one-hundred sided dice.

Or die, if you’re feeling punctuated.

I know for a fact I managed to confuse the postman.

He thought it was a snooker ball!

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~≈%≈~