Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-5-2024 — World Bee Day

20th May, 2024: World Bee Day.

It’s officially official!

It’s Monday!

Yay!

Or possibly, ‘Yay’.

My weight management class is today: hopefully, I’ll’ve lost weight.

~≈Ó≈~

I know not everyone has access to the BBC’s iPlayer service: which is a shame.

Over the past weeks?

I’ve caught a series called Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game, a series that offers a potted history of espionage in the 1980s.

It’s very entertaining … and very informative!

~≈Ó≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th May 2024.

19th May, 2024.

Right then: it’s officially Sunday!

Which means … I’m definitely feeling my age!

But … ?

At least I got the reviews of “Boom” done.

I hope everyone likes my work … 

And had as much fun with the episode as I did!

~≈®≈~

Doctor Who — Series 14/Season 1 - Episode 3 — “Boom” — A Review.

18th May, 2024: an announcement.

It’s officially official.

It’s Saturday: and I’ve had lunch.

A bacon sandwich, if you must know.

And a banana.

I wanted to at least make a nod at having five portions of fruit and vegetables!

We’re supposed to eat healthily: except I never manage to.

Unless you count the occasional kebab as a melon.

At ANY rate?

It’s Saturday afternoon.

And?

I’m going to be catching the third episode of Doctor Who’s new series, today.

And will be posting my review of it, by tomorrow, at the latest.

I’ll see you then!

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th May 2024

18th May, 2024.

Right then … it’s Saturday … 

And … ?

Frankly, the next episode of Doctor Who’s on, tonight.

The Steven Moffat penned episode, “Boom”.

I have to confess: that landmine Ncuti Gatwa’s standing on, looks familiar!

~≈💣≈~

Familiar or otherwise?

I’ll be doing a re view of the episode: which will hopefully go live, tomorrow.

My most recent Star Trek Discovery review?

Went live, yesterday.

I hope it does well!

~≈🗺️≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 8 — “Labyrinths” — A Review

*Spoilers*

16th May, 2024: the introduction.

Yes: it’s officially Thursday!

And, frankly?

It’s been quite a day!

I’ve just spent several hours on the phone to Brentwood Council!

Just don’t ask!

At any rate … ?

It’s Thursday: so, once I’ve had dinner?

I’ll be watching “Labyrinths”: the next episode of Star Trek Discovery.

I’ll have it reviewed by tomorrow night!

I’ll see you then!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th May, 2024.

17th May, 2024.

It’s officially Friday.

And … ?

I’ve had mail.

A couple of months ago, I put in for help with my council tax.

And was asked to hand over a couple of months bank statements: and the relevant Universal Credit records.

Which I duly handed in, by April.

The letter I received, yesterday?

Was a request to submit the same information … again!

I spent a lot of time on the phone, yesterday: asking why on Earth I’d been asked to re-submit information the Council already had … 

Only to be told I’d get a phone call, about it, today.

Personally?

I think the fact a lot of these services are split between Brentwood Council, and Basildon Council … ?

Really doesn’t help!

The only bit of good news in all this … ?

Is the fact I’ve had to double check on when my PIP tribunal will happen: it’s 15:00, on 20th June.

I’m expecting the letter soon: a letter that, hopefully, will confirm it’s by phone.

Here’s hoping!

~≈Œ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-5-2024 — Middlesex

16th May, 2024: Middlesex!

It’s officially Thursday!

And yes, we ended up not making a video: but playing silly games.

It’s amazing, the fun you can have on a boys’ night in.

~≈Ω≈~

Apparently?

Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, is to make a speech, today.

In which he’ll announce the party will — in the upcoming election — make six pledges on what he’ll do if Labour win.

It sounds a lot like something Tony Blair did, back in the day.

It’s something that reminded me, then, of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four: and still does, today.

At one point, the book’s main character, has to re-write a newspaper article: one that saw a leader make a ‘categorical pledge’ to not do something … only to break that pledge a few months later.

Personally … ?   And as a result of reading the novel?

I can never hear the words ‘pledge’, or ‘categorical pledge’, from the mouth of a politician … without thinking the pledge will be broken, or ignored, the minute the politician get’s into office.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-5-2024 — Viva Las Vegas

15th May, 2024: Viva Las Vegas.

Right … it’s now Wednesday … 

And frankly, I’ve caught up with my sleep!

Which is definitively nice.

I’ll see if I can get more sleep … after my nephew goes home.

He’s due to spend the evening, today.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th May, 2024.

14th May, 2024.

Arrrghgh!   It’s Tuesday!

And … ?

I posted a review of “The Devil’s Chord”, last night.

I hope you enjoy it: I was up all night, making that!

~≈®≈~

Doctor Who — Series 14/Season 1 - Episode 2 — “The Devil's Chord” — A Review

12th May, 2024: an introduction.

Right … 

It’s now Sunday.

And … ?

I’ve had some sleep.

I was up late, last night, finishing the first of two reviews: of the opening episodes the new series of Doctor Who.

I say new series … as I’m still not sure about calling it series fourteen — it is the fourteenth series of the rebooted version of the show — or the first.

Which is pretty mush what Disney+, who are helping to fund the show, are insisting on.

At any rate?

This weekend saw the airing of the first two episodes of the new series.

You’ve hopefully noticed my reviews of “Space Babies”.

Noticed … and hopefully enjoyed!

With that said?

I’m writing this introduction on Sunday, 12th May, 2024, and will be watching “The Devil’s Chord” tonight, once I’ve had dinner.

I’ll be letting you know what I thought of the episode, late, tomorrow night.

I’ll see you then.

~≈🕰️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-5-2024 — Strontium Dog

13th May, 2024: Strontium Dog.

Yes: it’s Monday … and it’s not a bank holiday!

Basically?

That means I’m up early: to get to my weight management group.

Given last Monday was a bank holiday — which meant that week’s meeting was cancelled — I’m curious to see how I’ve done.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th May, 2024.

12th May, 2024.

La La … Sunday, Sunday … !

If you’ll pardon the paraphrase!

At any rate … ?

I think I need to go back to bed: reviewing “Space Babies” meant a late night!

~≈📺≈~

Doctor Who — Series 14/Season 1 - Episode 1 — “Space Babies” — A Review

11th May, 2024: the introduction.

OK: it’s Saturday afternoon.

And?

There’s two episodes of Dr Who being broadcast on BBC 1, tonight: episodes that are currently available on the BBC’s iPlayer service in the UK.

And on Disney⁺, internationally.

And — as far as I can tell — on several torrent tracking sites as well.

You can’t find those sites with TorBrowser, nor can you use BitTorrent clients like BitTorrent, or Transmission, to find and download them.

That would be naughty.

At any rate?

It’s Saturday afternoon: I’m planing to watch the first episode, “Space Babies”, then post my reviews by tomorrow night.

Then do it all again for episode two — “The Devil’s Chord” — by Tuesday, 14th May.

By the time you read this?

I’ll be knackered!

~≈🕰️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-5-2024 — Eurovision ’24

11th May, 2024: Eurovision.

Right then … it’s Saturday … !

And … ?

In case you’ve not noticed, today is the date for the final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

There’s a couple of points, there.

One … ?

I like the Irish entry: despite thinking Barbie Thug looks like an animated Bratz doll!

Two … ?

I’m not necessarily going to be watching.

I want to concentrate on Doctor Who.

The first two episodes air, tonight: I want to review those!

~≈🤩≈~

Talking of reviews?

I finished my most recent reviews of Star Trek Discovery’s most recent episode.

I hope you enjoy them.

~≈🤩≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 7 — “Erigah” — A Review

*Spoilers*

9th May, 2024: an introduction.

Right, then.

It’s officially Thursday.

And frankly?

I can smell the smell of dinner being done!

Yes: I’ve had my blood tests done!

Yes: I’ve posted this morning’s Teaser.

And yes: I’m wondering where I put a lot of old CDs!

I’m just thankful I had some of the missing music on an old computer*!

~≈🖖≈~

At any rate … ?

I’m burbling: not a good thing when potatoes are involved!

I’m going to get off, eat dinner, then watch “Erigah”, the next episode of Star Trek Discovery’s last series.

I’ll see you in the (metaphorical) morning.

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th May, 2024.

10th May, 2024.

It’s official: it’s Friday.

And … ?

I have to confess: I’m feeling somewhat saddened.

Back in the day, I worked at a local pub, called the Essex Arms.

One that — even to this day — is noted for live music.

When I worked there?

The place had a lot of very good bands play: including the legendary Wilko Johnson.

And the equally legendary Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts: the only band — during my time there — to cause a stage invasion.

That was an evening!

One of the others?   Was Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation.

Nicky, formerly of Samson?   Was one hell of a singer: and had the white blues voice.

I say ‘was’, as I looked him and the band up, last night: after realising I’d not transferred over a couple of his LPs to my new Mac*.

I was devastated to find he’d died of Parkinson’s Disease in August, 2022.

I’m saddened, devastated and lord knows what else: I can only imagine how his family are feeling, even now.

The man was a talent.

~≈🪦≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th May, 2024.

9th May, 2024.

Right … I am up, early … !

No: my weight management classes haven’t switched to Thursdays.

No: I’ve got blood tests at Brentwood’s one hospital.

I’ve an official diabetic review in June: so this test will let my GP have the most recent results.

~≈🧁≈~

All this … ?

The day I had my nephew over!

Videos were made … and fun had.

And, yes, before you ask … Jude has beaten my high score.

Several times!

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th May, 2024.

8th May, 2024.

Yes!

It’s officially Hump Day!

The day that’s officially in the middle of the week!

But you knew that!

At any rate … ?

I’m expecting it to be quiet: apart from my my nephew pops over.

We can possibly expect more vides of Mikey the Rabbit.

~≈Ü≈~

I have to admit, I’m a bit of an Apple fan.

And was very aware of their product event, yesterday.

What caught my attention … ?

Was the new range of iPad Pros: complete with fancy fancy displays, some new software — Final Camera would let users co-ordinate four iOS camera in a multi camera set up — and various other bits and bobs.

These new devices … ?

Now come with the newly released M4 chip.

A system-on-a-chip that Apple tells us is a significant improvement on the M2 that I have in my recent model Mac mini.

About my only concern?

Is that some of Apple’s slides at the event?

Seem to imply the M4 is significantly faster than the M2 at recoding AV1 videos*.

Which — as afar as I know — is a bit of a non-sequitur.

As the M2, and M1, chips can’t deal with the format in hardware!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th May, 2024.

7th May, 2024.

Right … it’s Tuesday!

Which means it’s the day after Bank Holiday Monday!

But you knew that!

But it also means it’s the day after the Kyren Wilson/Jak Jones final: which Wilson won.

That was quite a thing to watch: Wilson won, 18-14.

But Jones?

Put up one hell of a fight: involving two frames that went down to the black.

Like I say, it was one hell of a thing to watch!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th May, 2024.

6th May, 2024,

Right … it’s Bank Holiday Monday … !

And the excitement is almost overwhelming!

I think we can I’m heading for ironic, there!

I’ve very little planned: bar putting some laundry away, and watching the final of the snooker world championship.

It’s the Kyren Wilson vs Jak Jones match: with Wilson leading 11-6, overnight.

The last frame of last night’s second session?

Went down to the black ball.

And, my word … !

That … was real snooker.

~≈🎱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-5-2024 — The Council of Europe

5th May, 2024: The Council of Europe.

It’s official: it’s Sunday!

And … ?

Well, I had something of a late night: after looking after my nephew!

I think I want to go back to bed.

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th May, 2024.

4th May, 2024.

Right … it’s the last Saturday before the start of Doctor Who.

That’s next Saturday, so you know: when BBC 1 airs the first two episodes*.

We’ll have to see how that goes, when it comes to the reviews!

~≈Ø≈~

At any rate …  ?

I’ve finally finished my most recent Star Trek Discovery review: both written and video.

I hope they’re enjoyable.

~≈Ø≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 6 — “Whistlespeak” — A Review

2nd May, 2024.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

You’ve possibly already noticed that, haven’t you … ?

Yes: you have, haven’t you … ?

You’re possibly aware that — here in the UK — it’s local election day.

I went Green in the local Council elections.

And spoilt my vote in the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.

There was literally no-one I felt I could vote for.

At any rate, you don’t want to hear about my politics, do you?

No … you’re here for me to remind you it’s Thursday … and that I’m going to have dinner … 

Then watch “Whistlespeak”, the sixth episode of Star Trek Discovery’s last series.

By the time you read this written review?

Or watch its video equivalent?

It’s going to be Friday.

Hopefully?

I’ll see you then … 

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-5-2024 — Washington.

3rd May, 2024: Washington.

It’s official: it’s Friday!

Which … is possibly not important.

What IS important?

Is the fact I applied for help paying my council tax: a couple of months ago.

Yesterday?

I got a letter from the council: telling what supporting evidence they needed.

I’m going to have to check on if I can email that over!

It’s going to be cheaper than printing the files out at the library!

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-5-2024 — Bend It Like Beckham.

2nd May, 2024: Bend It Like Beckham!

Right … it’s Election Day … !

Whoopee!

It basically means I have a chance to spoil my vote: at least for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

There is no-one on that ballot I want to vote for.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-5-2024 — Staffordshire

1st May, 2024: Staffordshire.

Do you remember, a few weeks ago, that I had space issues on my new Mac?

And had to call Apple as a result?

I had space issues on my new Mac, a few weeks ago and had to call Apple as a result.

But in the process?

Had to remove things from my regular Time Machine back-ups: as this seemed to be part of the problem.

I removed my iMovie and Photos libraries.

That came back to bite my proverbial, last night: as I accidentally deleted a whole pile of photo folders!

Oh, I’ve managed to reconstruct everything.

But?

That’s taught me a lesson!

~≈🎞️≈~