Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2022 — Bring Out Your Dead.

31st October, 2022.

At some point, last week … ?

I told you that Apple — the company who made my computer — had released a new version of the operating system: and that I had to move my music library to an external hard drive, to make room for the thing.

The installer?   Was a lot smaller than I was expecting.

From the little I’ve read?   That’s because there’s a lot of features that are exclusive to Apple Silicon machine: and not included in the Intel Mac version of the OS.

That’s disappointing: one or two sound interesting.

But that possibly accounts for the size difference between the Monterey installer, and its Ventura equivalent.   (Twelve gigabytes, versus just shy of four for Ventura.)

There’s also the fact that System Settings — the new version of System Preferences — is very different: Preferences was a nice set of icons: System Settings a complicated list.

That’s going to take some getting used to.

The immediate visual upside?

Is the wall paper.

Believe it or not … ?

I find it easy on the eye.

Frankly?

We’re going to have to see how Ventura goes.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-10-2022 — Panic on the Radio.

30th October, 2022.

Yay!

The clocks have gone back: an hour.

Which is welcome, frankly.

It meant I got an extra hour’s sleep, this morning.

It’s welcome … because I was up late: finishing a review of another episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

If you get the chance to watch the episode in question?

Please do: I think it will repay you.

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds — Episode 6 — Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach — A Review

28th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Friday, again.

I like a Friday, I really do.

It means fish and chips: which doesn’t get boring, funnily.

Even if I still can’t tell you why we’re supposed to eat them!

Occasionally?   I’ll iron shirts.

On a Friday … or whenever else I need to do them.

I have no interviews due, granted.

But also had no shirts: I want some at hand.

But I’m digressing.

It’s Friday.

So?

As I’ve been doing for the past few weeks, I’m going to have dinner.

Then?

Watch the next episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds: the pretentious sounding Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach.

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-10-2022 — The United Republic.

29th October, 2022.

Yay!   I have money.

Which doesn’t sound that exciting, now I think of it.

But, just so you know?

I signed up — a couple of years ago — for a set of surveys run by YouGov.com.

You do surveys, and earn points.

And earn cash, once you’ve earned enough points.

I did, yesterday: and now have money in the bank.

Which is handy.

My last batch of spaghetti wasn’t very good: so I think I’m due a chilli … 

~≈🌶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-10-2022 — Gulliver’s Travels.

28th October, 2022.

It’s officially the case: that my nephew was over, last night.

To see his uncle: and make some videos.

One is another of his Depressed FC games.

The other lets his subscribers know he’s got more Prime: the incredibly fashionably drink.

It’s nice, I’ll give him that.

But it’s not something I can afford!

~≈🥤≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th October, 2022.

27th October, 2022.

Yep: it’s officially the case that I woke up with an earworm.

The faux African Zabadak, by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch.

So … ?   I’m trying to shift it out of my head: with another song.

Steeleye Span’s Gaudete didn’t work … so I’ve got Newcleus’ Wikki Wikki song on.

That seemed to work.

~≈Ë≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-10-2022 — Essex Day.

26th October, 2022.

Right … I’ve officially done a thing: in response to other things being done!

You’re wondering what I’m talking about, aren’t you?

Basically?   Apple released the latest version of their macOS operating system — macOS 13 Ventura — on Monday, 24th October.

I’ve not yet updated to it.

Partly?

I wanted to check whether it’s compatible with my machine.

It is: I checked.   Although I suspect Ventura may be the last that works with my model.

We’ll have to see.

There’s also the other thing that stopped me.   Or, delayed me, at least?

The simple fact my main drive was short of space for the installer.

So what I’ve done, so far?

Is move my Music.app library from the main hard drive, to one of my external drives.

That bit went easily.

But lost me all my playlists!

The songs are/were there, but the playlists they were organised into, weren’t!

I’m assuming that’s because the (copied) metadata on the (copied) songs?

Was pointing the playlists at the original versions.

And that the (default) Music.app settings needed changing.

The latter I’ve changed.

All I need to do now — before I upgrade the OS — is to set up my playlist.

Hey, ho!

~≈♩≈~

One last thing, before I move on?

I’m a long time Dr Who fan: so very interested in this brief YouTube video from 15th Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa … 

You can hear the Scottish accent, can’t you?

In the way he says ‘Timelord,’ and ‘TARDIS.’

Karen Gillan pronounces it, much the same way.   And Glaswegian, John Barrowman, does something similar with the word ‘Dalek.’

There’s also this announcement of the new logo.

You have to love retro, don’t you … ?

~≈♩≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th October, 2022.

25th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Tuesday.

And yes: the UK’s got another new Prime Minister.

Britain’s got it’s first British Asian PM, in the shape of Rishi Sunak.

The King will be swearing him in, this afternoon.

I’m caught.

I couldn’t vote for his party with him at the helm: he’s leading the Tories, and I’ve never voted for them.

I don’t intend to start, now.

But … ?

Congratulations, Rishi: that’s one hell of a Diwali present.

(Apparently, he’s a Star Wars fan.)

~≈®≈~

Oh, JUST so you know?

I’ve finished my written and video reviews of The Power of the Doctor.

Feel free to hit the Like button!

~≈®≈~

The Power of the Doctor (Dr Who) — A Review.

23rd October, 2022.

*Spoilers*

It’s a Sunday night: one where I have to be up early, tomorrow.

I’ve a diabetic eye screening, so you know.

But?

19:30, tonight, will see me doing what a lot of Dr Who fans will be doing.

Sitting in front of a TV, watching The Power of the Doctor: Jodie Whittaker’s last outing as the iconic Time Lord.

From the little I know?

She’ll be regenerating into a 14th Doctor, tonight.

This is a guess, here: I’m guessing that ‘new’ Doctor will be David Tennant’s ‘14th’ … 

In the midst of the stürm und drang?https://t.co/XW6Jd2RjDY

I think Jodie Whittaker will regenerate into David Tennant.

And *believe* Tennant’s first lines will be ‘What? What?’ Or something sarky about not being ginger … #PowerOfTheDoctor #DrWho #DoctorWho

— Paul Downie (@Cuddy2977) October 23, 2022

That will set up his appearance in the Anniversary specials, next year.

We … are going to have to see though, aren’t we?

At least, we will … by the time this post goes up, tomorrow.

~≈👩🏽‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2022.

24th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Monday.

And the two meetings I mentioned, yesterday … ?

Consist of a meeting with my Job Centre case worker: at the Job Centre’s office in Brentwood town hall, at 13:40.

And a diabetic eye check at 10:10 … at a rented office in Brentwood town hall.

One of these days, I’ll get the hang of diary management.

~≈¥≈~

Anyone following British politics will know that Liz Truss has handed in her resignation as party leader, and PM: and that there’s a truncated leadership  election going on.

Knows that one of the candidates was Boris Johnson.

Please notice I said was.

Boris has officially decided to pull out of the race.

Thank heavens for that!

~≈¥≈~

Did anyone see The Power of the Doctor, last night?   Jodie Whittaker’s last episode as the Doctor?

My review — written and video — will be up later.

But … ?

We have a fantastic episode, here: one that’s well worth your time.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd October 2022

23rd October, 2022.

Right … 

It’s Sunday.

And I’m vey aware that I almost said Tuesday, there.

I’ve got a couple of meetings, tomorrow: so I’m looking forward to Tuesday!

At any rate … ?

It’s assertively Sunday, 23rd October, 2022.

Which means?

Power of the Doctor, Jodie Whittaker’s last episode as the 13th Doctor, is on tonight.

At 19:30, on BBC 1.

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to it.

~≈★≈~

Oh, JUST as a thought … ?

I’ve posted my review of Spock Amok: the most recent episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Feel free to hit the Like button!

~≈★≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds — Episode 5 — Spock Amok — A Review

21st October, 2022.

Right, than … it’s Friday.

And … ?

I’ll be brutally frank, I’m looking forward to fish and chips.

It’s Friday: and why we’re supposed to eat them?

I couldn’t tell you.

Just that it’s something I’ve done for some time.

Something else I’ve been doing … ?

Is watching TV.

The past few weeks has seen me watching the first series of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.   Then posting my review, the following night.

I’ll be doing that with the fifth episode of the series: Spock Amok.

Given most Star Trek fans will be able to tell you exactly when the LAST time the word ‘Amok’ turned up in a Star Trek title?

I’m betting I know where it’s (partially) going to be set.

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd October 2022.

22nd October, 2022.

Yes: it’s officially the case … that I’ve started work on this post good and early.

Because I’m up early: obviously.

Basically?

I’ve got to go to Romford.

Not because I’m selling something at their branch of CeX … but because that’s where I’m having my COVID booster.

I know where I’m going, I’ve topped up my Oyster card … 

I’m just hoping it doesn’t rain.

~≈☔️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st October, 2022.

21st October, 2022.

Yes: it’s official.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned.

After the shortest term in office of any UK PM.

I … ?

Was actually watching her speech on TV: and guessed that was what she was going to do, when the BBC news channel told us she was meeting the head of the Conservative 1922 Committee, the backbench committee that organises their leadership elections.

Then the BBC announced Ms Truss would be making a statement.

It didn’t say about what.

But, when the time came?

The reporter told us that she — and her husband — had walked out of the door of №10.

Which is when I thought “She’s resigning.”

I know of few other times that a PM addresses the nation with a spouse.

~≈Ω≈~

I suspect that the meeting between her and Graham Brady, the head of the 19922 committee was interesting.

Under the rules that saw Boris Johnson thrown out?

They had to get so many letters of no confidence.

And normally would have to wait for a year before having another.

Some time in July, 2023, if I’ve got things right.

I suspect that, at the meeting?   Sir Graham would’ve said “Liz, we’ve got the required number of letters.   You can wait until July, cause more problems, and get a lot more.   Or you can walk out of the door, today.”

She did the right thing, and walked.

Sharpish.

~≈Ω≈~

What happens next?

I don’t know.

Nominations for the truncated leadership election have to be in by Monday.

The results will be announced on Friday, 28th October, 2022.   Next Friday.

I think if Boris Johnson’s returned as leader?   He’ll lead the Tories to another election win.

I’m no Tory voter: and couldn’t vote for the Tories if you paid me*.

But?   I think with him back in place, they’d have a significant advantage.

Putting it simply?   The man has more charisma than any of the other party leaders, put together: that’s one hell of an asset.

Either way?

Whoever gets in, needs to call a general election.

A new PM needs the support of the people.   Not just the Conservative party.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-10-2022 — World Osteoporosis Day.

20th October, 2022.

Yep: I’m up, early, again.

For the second time this week.

Only this time?   I’ve actually double checked my dates.

And I definitely have a weight management group call, today!

I’ve got the email, already, thanking you … !

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th October 2022

19th October, 2022.

Arrrggghhh … !

Argh, argh, arghity argh … !

I’m a great big silly old Hector!

There was I, getting up early, yesterday: for a hygienist’s visit … 

And?

And … ?

It turns out I got the date wrong.

It’s on the 18th.

Of November.

Arrrggghhh … !

~≈Ω≈~

Oh, just so you know … ?

My nephew, Jude, was other, yesterday.

And, yes: videos were made.

Just as a point or two?

Yes: that is what he looks like!

And yes … KSI’s Prime drink’s expensive*!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-10-2022 — The BBC.

18th October, 2022.

Right … 

I’m up early.

Because?

I’ve got a hygienist’s appoint, today: one that’s comparatively early.

So, if I sound rushed?

That’s why!

~≈Û≈~

Rushed?

Doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t read the news: nor unaware of things I’ve written.

Including the piece I did for Phoenix FM, about digital poverty.

I’m also aware I’ve taken advantage of the BT Home Basics tariff: the one they make available to those of us on benefits.

Which was something I’ve highlighted in the article.

So?

This piece from the BBC’s site caught my eye.

It tells us the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has criticised the industry: for not promoting the social tariffs it requires companies to have.

Given I found no companies — bar BT — with these tariffs?   Tariffs they could sell to those of us in need?

The fact they’re not promoting ones they have — if they have any, at all? — isn’t surprising.

The more things change?   The more they stay the same …

~≈Û≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th October 2022.

17th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Monday.

And you’d think mentioning Monday Monday in the introduction would trigger a nice pleasant earworm.

From the Mamas and the Papas.

Nope!

I got Mama Cass’ Dream a Little Dream of Me!

Why?   I don’t know, but it’s a good tune!

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2022 — World Food Day.

16th October, 2022.

It’s official: I woke up this morning with an earworm.

Yes: Dutch girl band, Luv’, were dancing around my head: Trojan Horse was literally being a aural trojan house.

Thankfully, it’s now faded.

But I’m willing to bet something else will turn up, later.

~≈Â≈~

At any rate … ?

I had an adventure, yesterday.

Sort of.

You’ll possibly be aware that I — like so many others — are eligible for a £650 top up our benefits.   And for £400 worth of help with our electricity bills.

That £400 is automatically credited to our bills for those of us paying by direct debit.

For those of us on smart, pay-as-you-go meters?   It’s automatically added to our meters.

For those — like me —on dumb , pay-as-you-go meters?

We get vouchers: ones we can ‘spend’ in pretty much the usual way.

Head for a shop with a PayPoint machine, hand over our card/key, and the voucher, and the shop assistant tops the card.

My first voucher?

Turned up, yesterday.

So, as I was heading into town, anyway … ?

I took it with me.

Figuring I could cash it in at one of the two shops with Paypoint terminals.

The first one … ?

The assistant happily admitted he had no clue how to put the thing through: but a colleague who did would be on shift later in the day, if I’d like to come back … ?

The second?   At the other end of the High Street?

Had no idea, either: as his terminal wasn’t showing him what to do!

I sighed, told him not to worry, and went to pick up my medications.

And — on the way back home? — popped into my local Nisa’s, the only other place in the area with a PayPoint terminal.

It turns out they’d had a few people top up with there: and were able to do the transaction in a matter of minutes.

I’m feeling the irony.

I went all the way to the High Street to spend that voucher.

And indeed up cashing it in, around the corner … !

~≈Â≈~

Oh, JUST so you know?

I’ve finally caught up with Memento Mori, the fourth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

It’s rather good!

~≈Â≈~

Star Trek Strange New Worlds — Episode 4 — Memento Mori — A Review

14th October, 2022.

Right at the moment?

The news is on in the background: and Liz Truss — calling her Prime Minister seems wrong, given how she’s doing — is droning on in a repeat of the shortest PM’s Press Conference I’ve ever seen.

That repeat?   Will soon be over.

That means I can have something else on.

I’m looking forward to that.

After catching Hellraiser, last week?

I’m going to be watching another episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds, tonight.

Memento Mori, the fourth episode.

I’ll have my written and video reviews up, tomorrow night: I’ll see you then.

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th October, 2022.

15th October, 2022.

Yep: it’s Saturday.

And … ?   It’s another quiet day: with a nicely healthy walk to the High Street.

I’m picking up some diabetes medication.

Gosh … the excitement … !

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th October, 2022.

14th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s finally Friday.

Which means … I have to pick up some medications: and put in for some more.

It’s a chore: but one with an (minor) upside.

I get to have a healthy walk.

~≈Í≈~

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it already: but I watch the news.

In amongst the looming financial crisis?

Was this piece: which tells us how a group of scientists have grown brain cells in a lab, taught them how to play Pong, and saw the cells improve at the game.

It’s interesting to read, I know that.

From what I could gather?

Many are saying this could lead to all sorts of discoveries into the science of the brain.

Which would be good: a successful treatment — if not a cure — for Alzheimer’s would be good.

It could also lead to a lot of help for other neurological conditions.

And … ?   Some of the people the BBC News Channel talked to felt it could be extremely helpful in computer science: revealing new ways to build processors.

Personally, though?

I immediately thought of William Gibson’s Sprawl trilogy.

The second novel, Count Zero, features a computer scientist who’s invented a new form of biological computer processors: built from human cancer cells.

Additionally?   A mental image kept cropping up.

Of zombies running around, and yelling ‘Braaaaaaains.’

It struck me lab-grown brain cells would be a humane way of feeding them.

Ummm … 

~≈Í≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-10-2022 — The White House.

13th October, 2022.

Yes!   I went shopping, yesterday.

Buying milk, bread, and stuff for a spaghetti sauce.

And … ?

I forgot onions.

And chopped tomatoes, now I think of it: although I’ve a can of those, somewhere.

I’d kick myself.

Except I’d possibly miss.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th October, 2022.

12th October, 2022.

Right … it’s now Wednesday: and I’ve had the meeting in Chelmsford.

Which went well enough.

I’ve now got … a day off.

Or, at least, as much of a day off as you get, when you’re out of work!

I’ve just got enough enough to go shopping.

And?   Frankly?

Thinking spaghetti would make a nice change from chilli!

Bit also thinking I like my chilli!

Conundrums, hey?

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th October, 2022.

11th October, 2022.

Right … it’s Tuesday.

Which means it’s the day after Monday: obviously!

Which also means that I’m due in Chelmsford, today: for a meeting with my Restart case worker.

Hopefully?

She’ll have something, job wise, that’ll work out better than the recent one.

That?

Was for an outsourcing company called Capita: one that wanted to hire me for a home working job handling customer calls for Tescos.

This, after the same outsourcing company rejected me for their job, handling calls for PlusNet.

I’d not successfully got through their checks and vetting procedure.

If I take the Capita/Tescos gig?   I’d stand a very good chance of being taken on … and then sacked after finishing the training, for failing the same checks.

Something I managed to explain to my Job Centre case worker, yesterday.   I expected problems, there: but he was surprising sympathetic.

Especially as I pointed out my Restart worker had had told me Capita were ‘… crying out for people.’

The look on his face was a picture: as both he and I knew the phrase ‘crying out for people,’ translates as ‘this company has a stupidly high staff turnover.’

We’ll just have to see what happens.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-10-2022 — Jose Chung’s From Outer Space

10th October, 2022.

Yep: it’s Monday.

And … ?

I’ve a phone call from a physiotherapist this morning — at 8:50, in case the Teaser’s delayed — and a meeting with my job centre case worker, this afternoon … and I’ve got my nephew, Jude, over, after that.

So … ?

Busy … ?

Yes: and possibly noisy … !

~≈®≈~

As I write?

As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying over the Ukraine: trying to kill people.

Literally.

The bombing started around six AM, UK time: and is felt to be in response to the bombing of the bombing of a bridge from Russia to the Crimea.

I can only hope those bombings haven’t killed President Zelenskyy.

That would be one hell of a blow to Ukraine.

~≈®≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

You’ll remember I’ve recently seen the 2022 version of Hellraiser.

Last night, something struck me as being deep … but could just me reading to much into the text.

At one point?   Riley, the main character, turns around to Pinhead/The Priest, and refuses to have anything more to do with events: says “I’ve done enough.”

To which the Priest replies “Enough is a myth.”

Riley’s a recovering addict, and been through a twelve step programme … and would be very familiar with the old saying read out at meetings: “One’s too many, two’s never enough.”

Something reiterated in many of AA’s publications.

Was that deliberate?   I don’t know.

But, lord … it struck me as subtle.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th October, 2022.

9th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s officially Sunday.

And, frankly?

I’m expecting it to be quiet.

Here’s hoping!

At any rate … ?

I’ve finish my written and video reviews of Hellraiser.

And I’ll tell you what: the box looks amazing … 

~≈Ω≈~