Doctor Who Flux — Series 13 — Chapter One: The Halloween Apocalypse — A Review

31st October, 2021.

Right … it HAD to be said, my cunning plan for the evening … ?

Involved watching tonight’s episode of Doctor Who — The Apocalypse of Halloween — then doing a set of notes, then writing a review, and recording the associated video version, tomorrow night.

Hence the introduction video telling you about it!

But … ?

I’ve finished my notes on the episode earlier than I thought I would.

So, with that in mind … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2021: Halloween

31st October, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.

It’s so officially official, the government’s got web pages about it.

Yes: the clocks have gone back, and I’ve had an extra hour’s sleep.

Which is handy.

I saw Dune on Friday: which is fantastic, I should add.

But, boy!   The post and video reviews took a while.

I just hope I get a comment on the video version … !

~≈🏜≈~

Oh, JUST ad a quick thought, as today sees the start of the new series of Dr Who … ?

Bookies, William Hill are offering 9/4 on Lydia West to be cast as the 14th Doctor.

Whether that’s worth your time, I don’t know.

~≈📺≈~

Dune (2021) — A Review

29th October, 2021.

Right … 

It’s getting near to bedtime.

At least … it is: for me.

I have to get up in the morning to writ tomorrow’s Teaser post.

But … ?

I want to make a confession.

I’ve seen a movie, tonight: Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 version of Frank Herbert’s Dune.

Or, at least, the first half of the novel.

I’ve just seen something that’s both true to it’s source material — something Hollywood’s bad at — and absolutely superb.

Really!

Right now?   I’m going to hit the sack … and tell you more in the morning!

~≈🎬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th October 2021

30th October, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.

I’ve managed to see the Denis Villeneuve version of Dune: or Dune Pt One, we should say.

Dune Pt 1

I’ll have my video and written review up, tonight.

But … ?

It’s impressive.

~≈🌶≈~

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

29th October, 2021.

You know, it’s a Friday.

You can tell, can’t you?

Frankly, that means the day is — for me — exercise free, and not involving making videos.

So I’ve plenty of time to watch a film.

Whether I do or I don’t is a whole other thing.

But there’s certainly one I want to see.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Sometimes, coming home with shopping can be interested.

Especially when you can a phone call when you walk through the door with a couple of bags of shopping.

It turns out the manager of the local post office saw my application and wants to interview me on Monday.

At one.

Can someone remind me to put my shirts in the wash … ?

Cheers … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-10-2021: Escoffier.

28th October, 2021.

Right … the UK’s had it’s Autumn Budget, yesterday: the statement from the UK’s Chancellor about government spending.

It’s the usual mixed bag of things.

Those of us who drink … ?   Will welcome the alterations to the various alcohols duties announced.

Many will welcome the money for various public departments.

Many of us receiving Universal Credit will be angry about the removal of the twenty pound uplift handed out during the Pandemic: and were looking for that to have been made permanent.

Just so you know?   Universal Credit features a taper: an amount of money you lose, per pound, for every pound you earn.

The last time I worked, I lost sixty-three pence (63p) for every point in my pay packet.

What Mr Sunak did, yesterday, was reduce the taper by eight pence.

Were I working?   I would now lose fifty-five pence (55p) in every pound.

I’d get to keep more benefit.

That, and the rise in the national living wage are something I welcome: in theory.

It’s great … if you’re claiming both the benefit, and working.

For me and many others, who aren’t working?

It’s useless.

Thanks for nothing, Mr Sunak.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Lovecraft Country — Series 1 Episode 8 — Jig-a-Bobo: A Review

26th October, 2021.

That’s a rather good intro video, don’t you think … ?

It tells you exactly what I’m going to be doing, tomorrow night.

Yep: telling you about the episode of Lovecraft Country I’ve just watched.

Which I think is rather good … 

~≈🐙≈~

I will mention, now, though … ?

That I posted the usual Daily Teaser, this morning: the brain teaser quizzes I run each morning.

I mentioned in this morning’s Teaser, that I was going to install macOS Monterey, at some point in the not too distant future.

Just not today.

I — theoretically — had a busy day.

That day went more rapidly than I expected: so I’ve gone right on ahead and installed the upgraded OS.

Which, bar a minor problem with iMovie, went well enough.

There even seem to be a couple of improvements to QuickTime I can make use of.

And Apple have reverted a change it made to Safari’s tabs.

Thankfully!

The ones Apple had switched too were … unusable, as far as I could see.

At any rate?   I’ll discuss that in tomorrow’s Teaser.

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-10-2021: The Streets Of Philadelphia

27th October, 2021.

Yes!

I’ve encountered a new thing.

Or, at least, new to me.

I had a dental checkup, yesterday.

As a result … ?

I’ve been given a prescription for six tubes of super-strong toothpaste.

That’s new to me.

~≈🧀≈~

OK: I said, yesterday, that I was going to be upgrading my computer’s operating system.

From macOS 11.6.1 Big Sur, to macOS 12.0.01 Monterey.

At some point in the next few days.

That was my intention, at any rate.

I changed my mind, after getting back from the dentist earlier than expected.

Just to summarise?

Downloading the Monterey installer took about an hour: it’s 12.13gb in size.   Something that would normally be quicker: but yesterday was only the second day of release so there was a lot of traffic on Apple’s servers.

I had to remove several large — but relatively unimportant — items from my machine: because of the thing’s size.

The upgrade process, itself?

Took about an hour and a half.

The new OS … ?

Does seemed to have made some improvements.

It looks like;

• There’s more available space on my main drive as a result.
• Disk Utility seems to be doing some more accurate reporting.
• Accessing my Photos collection from the Media browser seems far more responsive.
• QuickTime* has a couple of extra features that seem useful.
• There’s a funky new wallpaper.
• And a matching screen saver.

Monterey’s Default Wallpaper.

About the only downsides of the process?   Was the size of the installer: but to be fair, Monterey has got Intel and Apple Silicon code in it.

And the fact that my copy of iMovie hung, when opening in the new OS: something that was easily solved — my iMovie library was corrupted, so I had to dump it, and build a new one — but I could’ve done without.

On the whole, though?

I’m fairly pleased with the process And look forward to using Monterey.

~≈🧀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-10-2021: Alfred

26th October, 2021.

Right … 

Regular readers will realise I’m a bit of a Mac fan: and the I’m sitting in front of one as I write.

I’m one who’s very aware the most recent version of the Mac’s operating system, macOS Monterey, got released, yesterday.

I think I’m going to wait a few days, before installing it.

Partly?   Because there’s a few things I want to catch up with, first: including a dentist visit, today, and another episode of Lovecraft County, tonight.

But partly?

Because I’ve got to clear some room on my hard drive.

The installer’s a bit big*.

~≈🧀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-10-2021: I Watched Picasso …

25th October, 2021.

Hmmm … 

OK … 

Granted, there may copyright issues with very amateur attempts at Adam Ant songs … 

But … ?   Today’s tune’s been ear worming its way through my head, ever since I wrote today’s set!

Argh!

~≈♩≈~

I’m assuming you’ve not heard the news?

That eight people have been arrested after two teenagers were killed, early on Sunday morning.

Near enough ten minutes walk from my front door, and about five minutes walk from Brentwood High Street.

Am I surprised?   Shocked?   Angered?   Thinking my town is getting worse?

No.

My thoughts are with the two teens who were killed.

Am I shocked about this?

No.

Not since someone was killed just around the corner from my flat in 2017: near the high street, in 2014?

One murder’s a tragedy.

Two?   Three … ?

Is bad … but not shocking.

These days?

It’s chip wrapping … 

~≈🍟≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2021

24th October, 2021.

Yep: my brain hurts!

Slightly!

I want shopping, yesterday: managing to save some money in the process.

But … ?

I forgot washing up liquid.

I’ve just enough to get some from nearby, though.

I’ve also got just enough to get some butter: possibly.

I’m planning on making a goulash: and felt making a roux would help thicken the stock.

I’m not exactly sure about that.

Especially as it’s the first time I’ve ever made one!

Heigh ho!

~≈🥘≈~

You’ve heard the news, yes?

That director, Joel Souza, has been injured, and cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, killed, on the set of Rust.

Shot: after actor, Alec Baldwin, had been mistakenly handed a fully loaded weapon.

It’s a tragedy not seen since the death of Brandon Lee, whilst making The Crow: when US regulations about on-set gun safety were tightened.

It’s a screaming tragedy that could have been avoided: as — from what I can gather — the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun, didn’t check to see if the gun was loaded, when he handed it to Baldwin.   They just yelled ‘cold gun.’

Baldwin, in a rush to finish, had taken the AD’s word for it.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   A film set’s armourer* is supposed to hand out weapons on set: but it seems he — and several cameramen — had worked off the set earlier in the day.   Over safety concerns.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   Actors are trained to do these checks, themselves, when handed a gun.   Arguably, Baldwin could possibly be said to be at fault, as well.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   Practically everyone on set’s supposed by aware of the Health and Safety issues about on-set weaponry: even if they’re not specifically given weaponry training.   Someone could — if they weren’t trained or qualified — asked someone to check a weapon for them.

I have to wonder how on Earth that assistant director — and the chain of people before them — managed to hand a loaded gun to Alec Baldwin.

This should have been an avoidable accident.

Instead of a funeral …

~≈💣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-10-2021: Feeling Hungary.

23rd October, 2021.

Right … 

It’s officially the case that I got everything I needed to do, yesterday, done.

Bills?   Paid.

Interview?   Done: I even managed to ask relevant questions.   Including ones about stools.   The older I get, the more I appreciate being able to sit down on the job.

Pest controller?   Visited: bang on the dot of 8:30.   Seemingly, I’ve been visited by mice, at some point.   And I got some better — presumably more lethal — bait/poison.

I need to get a new key for my rat trap though.

And I need to shop!

~≈Ÿ≈~

Remember me telling you that the UK government had removed the twenty pound (£20) uplift to Universal Credit, the standard unemployment benefit in the UK … ?

That’s going to make life difficult for all of us: I could see that, yesterday, paying my bills.

Now … granted I’ve put in for the Warm Home Discount fuel companies make available to those of us on benefits.   But I have no guarantee of when that will turn up.

But think the Government should have kept the uplift.

One thing I have noticed?

Is that the French Government has announced they will be paying about 38 million French citizens €100, this winter.   That’s about eighty-four pounds (£84), roughly equivalent to the monthly uplift we got during the Pandemic.

Well played, President Macron.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be unveiling this year’s Autumn Budget, next Wednesday.

Will he do something similar?

I very much doubt it, somehow.

~≈Ÿ≈~

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

22nd October, 2021.

Right … 

I’ve officially got a busy day.

It’s payday: so I have to be in town.

I have an interview in the afternoon: in Romford!

I’m expecting a pest controller from my landlord: at some point this morning.

Quite when, I don’t know.

Oh … 

And I have to edit some videos … !

Oy … vey … !

~≈£≈~

I write this at 8:47.

Thankfully, the pest controller’s in, and laying some bait.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st October, 2021.

21st October, 2021.

It’s officially official: I’m going to have a busy day, tomorrow.

It’s payday: so I’ll need to pay my bills.

And I’ve actually got a face to face interview in the afternoon, in Romford.

For a seasonal job at well known card shop.

We’ll have to see how that goes.

~≈Â≈~

Lovecraft Country — Series 1 Episode 7 — I Am: A Review

19th October, 2021.

Right at the moment … ?

I’ve got a baked potato in the oven: ever so slowly crisping up.

And I’ve some of my famous — or possibly notorious — beef stew ready to be popped in the microwave.

I’ll be having dinner at some point in the next half an hour.

Then … ?

I’ll be watching episode 7 of Lovecraft Country: something I’ve been following these past few weeks.

I’ll be taking a set of — ha! — extensive notes, and drafting a post.

One I’ll put up tomorrow night: after I’ve had some sleep.

OK: ten years ago, I’d’ve finished the post on the evening I’d watched the episode.

But?

Getting some sleep in between now and tomorrow gets more appealing, the older I get!

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-10-2021: Danny Boy … !

20th October, 2021.

 

Oh … 

I’ve got Radio 4’s Today programme on in the background.

You’ll Never Walk Alone, by Gerry and the Pacemakers, is now the most played song at funerals.

Frankly?

That’s a bit too much information at this time of the morning.

At any rate … ?

It’s rainy out.

I’m planning on going for a stroll, later: before I have a video meeting with my Job Centre case worker.

Hopefully, the Rain will have stopped, by then!

~≈💧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-10-2021: Oxfordshire Day

19th October, 2021.

Right … 

It has to be said: we have an occasional rat problem in our building.

That near enough everyone has been complaining about.

It finally came to a point when one neighbour sent around a letter: reminding us of who’d been visited by rats, and who to get in touch with at Clarion, out landlords.

Which got practically everyone emailing them, and local journalist Piers Meyler.

According to the email I got from Clarion, last night?

‘We’ve arranged for Abate Pest Management to carryout communal treatment works and they’ll also be accessing multiple properties on their visit.   To ensure Abate can access necessary parts of the building we’ve given then your contact details.   Abate will contact you to arrange necessary appointments within the next 48 hours.’

Hopefully?

We can get the problem sorted.

Although, given many of us feel our previous landlords were a lot better at keeping in touch with residents?

I think none of us were surprised that it’s taken some prodding to get Clarion moving.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th October, 2021.

18th October, 2021. 

It’s a Monday morning.

You’ve possibly noticed, haven’t you?

And frankly, the start of a new week.

Which means … ?

Not much.

My benefit’s gone down: it’s frightening to see by exactly how much.

Wondering how I and others managed, prior to the Pandemic?

Is depressing.

To say the least.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th October, 2021.

17th October, 2021.

It was, quite definitely, a strange night.

Last night, that is: for me.

I have to confess, I … well, I got an OK night’s sleep: the CPAP machine I have certainly helps.

But last night … ?   Saw me up, a couple of times, and staring at the walls.

Why?

I don’t know.

~≈🥱≈~

I mentioned, in yesterday’s Teaser, that I’d seen the Dr Who series thirteen trailer.

Which does look good.

I’m still not necessarily convinced by the new design of Sontaran: the head’s too tall.

I am impressed with the skeleton creatures: the ones that look vaguely like the Cenobites from Hellraiser.

One thing I did notice about publicity shot of whatever those are … ?

Is that it’s the wrong way around: the crystals on the side of the male creatures’s head are on two different sides.

You’d think the BBC would notice these things … 

~≈🤨≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

You’ll possibly have released a new Batman movie — called The Batman — is due out.

It does look a little grimdark, doesn’t it?

But in a good way.

At any rate, it’s out on 4th March, next year.

If anyone wants a birthday present buying hint … 

~≈🦸🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2021: Oscar Wilde.

16th October 2021.

Did I mention I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days?

I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days.

And, as I managed to mention to Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack, the other day?

I’d spotted Edward Burnham — Professor Kettlewell in Robot — and John Scott Martin — practically every Dalek, ever — in episode five.

I think I’ve managed to out do myself.

When — in episode six — I spotted an obscure actor called Bernard Spear.

The chap in the hat, with the beer: the chap that looks vaguely like Bernie Winters.

The only other time I’ve seen him … ?

As as ‘Man With Carrier Bag,’ in Dalek Invasion Earth: 2150AD.

He’s holding a carrier bag: and falls over when The TARDIS dematerialises.

He cropped up in that, some eight years after making Quatermass and the Pit.

But?

He’s still wearing the same outfit!

I hope he washed it … !

~≈‡≈~

Just as an extra couple of thoughts?

It seems Jodie Whittaker’s filmed her regeneration scene.

But no: she and Mandip Gil don’t know who the 14th Doctor is, either.

Secondly?

The BBC’s released another trailer for the upcoming thirteenth series of Dr Who.

It looks interesting: I just don’t know if the re-designed Sontarans grab me.

~≈‡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-10-2021: Global Handwashing Day

15th October, 2021.

Right … ‘handy to know’ … that’s possibly could have been better phrased.

It could have been something that’s interesting to know!

At any rate … ?

Protest group, Insulate Britain had been making idiots of themselves with various radical protests, over the past few weeks.

While I can agree with their point?

I’ve been a commuter who’s had his trip home delayed by various things: so think the protests … are annoying.

Frankly, I’d be doing the kicking, as well.

At any rate … ?

I’ve noticed recent news.

One piece?   Motorists confronted protestors on the M25.

Understandably, I think: I’ve been equally annoyed, whenever my trip home’s been delayed by people jumping in front of a train.   Sympathetic, yes: but very annoyed.

So seeing that annoyed motorist were confronting protesors, and in ways that could prove dangerous?

Was no surprise.

Then came another piece, yesterday.

That tells us IB have announced they’re suspending protests until 25th October.

Good.

Hopefully, that suspension will give them a chance to find a less corrosive place to protest.

As irritating as Mr Stop Brexit was, at least he was just annoying MPs and TV viewers.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th October, 2021.

14th October, 2021.

Hmmm … 

You’ll remember that I’m job hunting, at the moment: and, like many of us … ?

Claiming Universal Credit: the main unemployment benefit for non-working people.

Like many of us … ?

I benefited from the Uplift to Universal Credit: an extra twenty pounds per week that was introduced during the pandemic.

That got withdrawn, on 6th October.

It hasn’t been reinstated: and frankly, I doubt it ever will be.

However?

The Universal Credit site — the site where I have to keep a job hunting journal, and message my case worker — has now introduced an Uplift Button.

OK, doesn’t do much more that whinge about it: and possibly get budget help.

But it’s something.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Lovecraft Country — Series 1 Episode 6 — Meet Me in Daegu: A Review

12th October, 2021.

I have to admit: I recorded that introduction video, and uploaded it to YouTube, before I had dinner.

And frankly?

I’m hoping it’s pick me up a few readers, and a few viewers!

You included, I hope.

I’ve also just finished my notes: and will turn those into a completed post, on Wednesday.

Have a good night … !

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-10-2021: Mexican Radio

13th October, 2021.

Right … 

I have a plan for the day.

Well … not much of a plan, but none the less: a plan.

I’m going to get some shopping … !

Gosh … you’re excited!

~≈fl≈~

I know I’m possibly not: excited, that is.

It’s just shopping, after all.

One thing I’m — mildly — worried about … ?

Is William Shatner.

The man’s ninety: and due to go into space, today.

I’m just hoping he’s going to survive the take-off!

~≈fl≈~

Oh, just as a final thought … ?

I had an interview, yesterday.

Which you’d possibly realised, if you’d read yesterday’s Teaser.

It went well enough, I think.

Although asking — at the ‘Do you have any questions stage,’ — if they’d like to sponsor my YouTube channel possibly wasn’t wise … !

~≈fl≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-10-2021: Jesus Christ Superstar

12th October, 2021.

Right … the first thing I did this morning … ?

Was … well, I did several things, this morning: clean my teeth, wash my face, what have you!

But one of the things I did … ?

Was make sure that my copy of Microsoft Teams was working: which it apparently is.

I’ve an interview at eleven, today.

Hopefully, one that will go well … 

~≈®≈~

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

11th October 2021.

Hmmm … 

“Have a nice day.”

“Have a nice day … !”

I’ve just uploaded today’s Teaser video to YouTube, and realised I’ve ended it with the phrase, “Have a nice day.”

And with no sense of irony.

As I’m very aware I’m going to have a sad one.

I’m up early, today: to post this, before my Thelma’s funeral … 

Hmmm … 

Have a nice day … 

~≈‡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-10-2021: Ten, Again!

10th October, 2021.

You’ve realised by now that I’ll happily watch a TV show, or two.

And that the ones I should review?   I do.

I’m also a Dr Who fan: which you’d possibly also worked out.

So … ?

This link telling that the first episode of series thirteen — Flux — will air on 31st October, this year?

Was interesting.

Although, frankly?

I’d’ve been happier seeing it on the BBC’s official Dr Who site.

At any rate … ?

We’ll have to see what happens on Halloween … !

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-10-2021: Abraham

9th October, 2021.

Yes: it’s officially official.   SO official that I’m officially announcing it’s official.

Yes: I have to stay indoors.

I’ve got an engineer due to do my gas safety check.

Oh, and my GP’s due to phone: for a medication review.

Granted, I’ve got a knee strengthening set if exercises to do.

But, lord, it would be nice to be able to go for a walk … !

~≈fi≈~