Monday, 21 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st April 2025

21st April, 2025.


Did I mention today is a bank holiday in the UK?

Today is a bank holiday in the UK.

Just so you know!

Which means … that I don’t have a weight management meeting, this morning.

That’s disappointing, in one sense.

Chatting to the volunteers is nice, and monitoring my weight, a good thing.

On the upside … ?

On the upside, I can stay in be for an extra hour.

That’s an equally good thing!

~≈⏲≈~

I’ve got Radio Four: as ever.

It’s reassuring to have the news on, I think.

At any rate?

One of the presenters has mentioned there’s a film out about the ZX Spectrum.

Something I had as a youngster*.

As the Today programme hasn’t broadcast its piece, yet?

I can only assume they’re talking about this film.



Which looks well made, interesting … 

And is on Amazon at a reasonable price!


That looks very appealing … !

~≈🌈≈~

Sunday, 20 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-4-2025 — Andy Serkis

20th April, 2025: Andy Serkis.


It’s got to be said: I am officially bloody knackered!

I managed to catch “Lux”, yesterday’s episode of Doctor Who: at about three in the afternoon.

This years sees the episodes turn up on iPlayer at eight in the morning, so you know.

Which I caught early: planning to get my reviews — written and video — done early.


I actually got the video finished and uploaded … at two in the morning.

After something went wrong with DaVinci Resolve: that meant re-starting the whole thing.

I can only hope the thing’s watchable!

~≈💥≈~

Saturday, 19 April 2025

Doctor Who — Series 15/Season 2 - Episode 2 — “Lux” — A Review

18th April, 2025: “Lux”.

Right then … it’s officially Friday.

Or, at least, I’ve started this post about a Doctor Who episode called “Lux” on a Friday, 18th April, 2028.

In the desperate hope that I can get it finished by Saturday 19th April: the day of broadcast.

I’d like to get some feedback on the day … !

At any rate: I’ve yet to see the episode at the time of writing this introduction, and am planning to catch the iPlayer version, rather than the broadcast version.

I’m looking forward to it.

Alan Cumming is playing the villain of the piece: and he’s usually interesting.

So long as his singing’s not too fruity … !


At any rate, by the time you read this … ?

It’ll be Saturday … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April 2025.

19th April, 2025.


It’s Saturday … 

And … ?

I don’t think I’ve persuaded my nephew to have a shower.

But have helped him make more Mikey Memorial videos.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button, folks.




~≈🐰≈~

It’s still Saturday … which means I’ll be watching Dr Who, today.

I’ll have any reviews up, later.

But you can watch last week’s, here: 


~≈📺≈~

Friday, 18 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2024 — HMRC

18th April, 2025: HMRC.


It’s officially Friday … !

Which, right now, means several things.

One … ?

I’ve had my weekly Mounjaro injections: which helps both with my diabetes and my weight.

Two?

There’s been reports that pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, has released a new medication called orforglipron.

It’s a new pill: pill, rather than injection, designed to treat diabetes, and help with weight loss.

Hopefully, when released … ?

It will be both effective: and plentiful!

Shortages of other such medications is notorious.

~≈💊≈~

Have you been following my reviews of classic Dr Who series, The Savages?

I hope so … !

Whether you have or you haven’t, I’ve now seen the final episode.

And thought you’d appreciate both my written, and video, reviews.


Feel free to leave me a comment!

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Thursday, 17 April 2025

Doctor Who — The Savages — Episode 4 — A Review

16th April, 2025: Doctor WhoThe Savages.

Right … 

It’s officially a Wednesday evening.

And … ?

I’ve been bored enough to give my microwave a once over.

One of these days … ?

I’ll defrost my fridge … and possibly mop the kitchen floor.

Possibly … !

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s a Wednesday evening.

And, rather than risk skin cancer in the sunshine?

I’m going to spend the evening in: watching vintage TV.

Or, at least, the last episode of the reanimated, classic, Dr Who story, The Savages.

I’m writing this on the 16th April, 2025: and should have it, and its video equivalent, up and posted by the 17th April.

I will hopefully see you tomorrow … !

~≈👨‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-4-2025 — World Hemophilia Day

17th April, 2025: World Hemophilia Day.


Right … it’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

I get some cash today: as I’ve just received a benefits payment.

That’s a good thing.

I’ve only got so much frozen food, and having something other than sausages* would be nice.

~≈🌭≈~

Have you heard of a planet called ‘K2-18b’?

I suspect that you — like me — haven’t.

I mean, it’s not usually something that gets talked about, day-to-day.

But … ?

Apparently, scientists have found potential signs of life.

Potential: because there’s a lot of debate about it.

But … ?

It would be nice to think there’s life out there: even if it’s only ocean-going microbes!

~≈🦠≈~

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-4-2025 — Orkney

16th April, 2025: Orkney


Did I mention I had a set of blood tests, yesterday?

At Brentwood Hospital?

I had a set of blood tests, yesterday: at Brentwood Hospital.

And … ?

Once they were done, I got as far as Brentwood High Street … before I realised I’d left my glasses at the hospital.

I could kick myself.

Except I’d possibly miss … !

~≈👓≈~

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th April 2025.

15th April, 2025.


Right … 

It’s officially Tuesday: which means that it’s raining!

It also means my nephew was over, last night: still in mourning for a much loved pet rabbit … but in a place where he could to do something about it.

Yep: he’s made a video and uploaded it to YouTube.


Feel free to comment … 

~≈🐰≈~

I’ve been following the news: including the news that the Manchester Arena bomber, Hashem Abedi, has attacked prison officers in HMP Frankland.

According to a letter seen by the BBC?

The families of his victims haver said:

“… [Abedi] should not have access to anything that he can weaponise”.

Seemingly, he’d made improvised knives from baking trays.

I’m sympathetic to the families.

But also very aware prisoners can turn anything into a weapon.

Jam jars, Marmite jars and peanut butter jars, can be put into socks: and used as improvised coshes.

That’s why, I’m told, prisoners are only allowed sachets.

Cut off the bristles of a toothbrush, melt the head with a lighter, and attach razor blades … and you have an improvised knife.

The amount of each a prisoner has are supposed to be monitored.

I’m told spray on deodorant isn’t allowed in prison: that and a lighter gives you a flamethrower.


Then there’s rolled up bedsheets: garrottes and rope.

You can turn toilet roll into string, the same way.

When the families say Abedi shouldn’t have things that can be weaponised, I think they are well meaning … but a little innocent.

Prisons are full of people who can weaponise anything.

~≈🚓≈~

Monday, 14 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th April 2025.

14th April, 2025.


Did I mention Mikey the Rabbit … ?

Mikey was my nephew, Jude’s, pet rabbit: and sadly died on Saturday night/early Sunday morning.

Jude is 14, and owned Mikey for some eleven years.

Like any one that age, utterly heartbroken.

I’m saddened, myself: it’s amazing how close we can get to pets, even at one remove.

Hopefully, though … ?

Jude will recover from this.

But … ?

Mikey will be much missed.

~≈🐰≈~

Sunday, 13 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th April, 2025.

13th April, 2025.


It’s officially official: and … ?

A morning after I’ve had a bad night’s sleep!

Quite why I was up and down, repeatedly heading for the loo, all night?

I really couldn’t say … !

But … ?

I only feel slightly tired.

Heigh … ho!

~≈🥱≈~

At any rate … ?

I managed to catch “The Robot Revolution”, yesterday.

The opening episode of Doctor Who is very watchable: and Varada Sethu plays a very assertive new companion, in the shape of Belinda Chandra.

Something I reiterated in my written and video reviews.


~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

There’s a prisoner called Hashem Abedi: currently in a segregated wing in HMP Frankland.

Who … ?

Is being investigated after assaulting two prison officers with home made weapons … and hot oil.

How on Earth did he get hold of that … ?

From what little I know, the only way he’d get access to hot cooking oil would be if he was allowed to work in the kitchen by the prison officers.

How he was allowed to work in the kitchen, after carrying out a similar attack at HMP Belmarsh … ?

I don’t know.

But someone’s made a mess of something … 

~≈🛢️≈~

Saturday, 12 April 2025

Doctor Who — Series 15/Season 2 - Episode 1 — “The Robot Revolution” — A Review

*Spoilers*

11th April, 2025: “The Robot Revolution”.

Anybody reading this post possibly knows I’m here.

Possibly.

It’s another random post on another random blog: whose owner and writer is mildly frustrated at the amount of time his copy of Safari takes to load up his content.

That’s possibly beside the point.

Regular readers will know two things.

One?

I’m bad tempered.

Two?

I’m a Dr Who fan.

One who — at the time of writing — has been reviewing classic Dr Who series, The Savages, for the past few weeks.


I hope you enjoy my reviews.

I’m going to start reviewing the new series of Doctor Who, tomorrow: when the first episode, “The Robot Revolution”, airs.

I’ve started this post early … ?

As I’ll be baby-sitting — if “baby” is the right term for a fourteen year old! — my nephew, tomorrow day-time.

So … ?   We — or possibly just he — will be making a video and uploading it to his YouTube channel.

Feel free to subscribe: to both his and mine.

By the time that’s done, and he’s headed home?

I’ll sitting in with “The Robot Revolution”

And should be able to let you know what I thought by Sunday, 13th April.

Come back the: and let’s talk about it … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser —  12th April 2025.

12th April, 2025.


Right: it’s officially Saturday.

And I’ve got two things to do, today.

Obviously, looking after my nephew is one thing.

The other?

Is catching “The Robot Revolution”, the opening episode of Doctor Who’s most recent series.

My only big question, on I realise show’s my ignorance?

Is I’m not completely sure how to pronounce the name of Varada Sethu, the actress playing new companion, Belinda Chancdra.

I think it’s va-RAR-da, with the stress on the middle syllable … but believe she pronounces it as va-ra-da, with the stresses, apparently, placed equally.

Or possibly as va-rad-a … !

One day … ?

I’ll get the hang of it!


~≈👸🏾≈~

Friday, 11 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th April 2025 — Six Questions

11th April, 2025.


Right then: it’s officially Friday!

Yay!

We can hop, skip, dance and wave our hands in the air.

If we want to.

Hand waving or not?

I’ve woken up thinking today is Saturday.

Why?

I have no idea … !

~≈👋≈~

Either way … ?

I’ve finished another review: of episode three of The Savages.


Feel free to leave me a comment … !

~≈📺≈~

As a final thought … ?

I’ve been using DaVinci Resolve — the free version, available though the App Store — to edit some of the videos, here.

I have to say, it’s not a bad app.

But … ?

It’s only now I’ve used it for a while, I realise quite how much iMovie does for a user.

It removes the green fringing I get when compositing video, automatically: something I have to do manually in DaVinci, for example.

Comparing the two, DaVinci can layer far more elements together than iMovie can.

But?

DaVinci tends to crash when using multiple, intensive, effects.

And tends to lose clips on external drives when it does so.

Can I recommend it others?

Yes: it’s powerful.

But yes … it’s got quirks.

Enough quirks, on the computer I use, to say that, given the money?

I’d be buying Final Cut Pro, rather than the premium version of DaVinci.

It strikes me Apple’s own pro software would be the far more stable of the two.

~≈👨🏼‍🎨≈~

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Doctor Who — The Savages — Episode 3 — A Review

9th April, 2025: Doctor WhoThe Savages.

The story of the day, so far … ?

Is that I’ve had a meeting with my job centre case worker.

And … ?

May have to do a course as a result.

We’ll have to see how that goes, I think.

At any rate … ?

It’s Wednesday.

So — as regular readers will know — it’s time for me to watch another episode of classic Dr Who serial, The Savages.

Then — from the position of a man getting his retaliation in, first! — telling you what I thought about it.

Just so you know?

You can read earlier reviews, here.

Or watch them, here.

See you tomorrow … !

~≈👨🏼‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th April, 2025.

10th April, 2025.

Yes: it’s officially Thursday … !

And?

I don’t have to go to a meeting: nor am I expecting a visitor.

That’s possibly a good thing.

What may or may not be helpful?

Is the fact my Job Centre case worker feels I should do a course: one aimed at people in their fifties.

That may or may not have an effect, may or may not be affordable, may or may not be in the area.

But … ?

I think it’s busy for both me, and my case worker …

~≈📎≈~

You’re possibly aware I’ve caught a few movies, recently.


And, as a result?

I’ve come to the conclusion that — in the case of movies who’ve had multiple versions* — studios should sell those multiple versions.

I bought versions of Blade Runner, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, with that in mind: they had the original cuts, along side the director’s cut.

Those latter cuts are usually the director’s preferred version, I should add.

At any rate … ?

The elephant in the room … ?

Is Star Wars.

Bar the fan-made, un-official, remakes of the original cuts?

There’s only special edition versions of the original trilogy available.

However?

One interesting bit of news I noticed?

Was this piece from the Guardian: a piece that tells us the original cut is to be aired by the BFI, the British Film Institute, in the summer.

Hopefully, that will generate a demand for the original cuts.

It would be nice if those were on sale.

~≈★≈~

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-4-2025 — Paul Robeson.

9th April, 2025: Paul Robeson.


Right then … 

Yesterday, I officially had a visit from an occupational therapist: from Essex County Council.

They were very efficient: and, hopefully, will be able to help with the cupboard situation.

And — possibly — help with some deep cleaning.

It was also — on a personal front — something of a pleasure.

Turns out the therapist was a bit of a Mac fan!

~≈🍎≈~

On other fronts?

It’s something of a busy week.

As I have a meeting with my Job centre case worker, today.

Thankfully, by video!

That’s a lot easier on my knees!

~≈🦵≈~

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th April 2025.

8th April, 2025.


Hmmm … 

I was at my weight management group, yesterday.

And … ?

I’m up 700 grams!

Ouch!

Remind me to lay off the potatoes.

~≈🥔≈~

Oh, I’m up early: again!

As an occupational therapist from Essex County Council is due to visit, today: between nine and twelve.

Hopefully?

They will be able to persuade Clarion to do the needed work, quickly.

~≈💪≈~

Clem Burke died, yesterday.

I wouldn’t say the man was a huge influence on my life.

But?

He was the drummer in one of my favourite bands.

The world’s a smaller place, as a result.


~≈🥁≈~

You watch TV, don’t you … ?

I’m assuming you do.

Or, at least, have heard about the smash Netflix hit, Adolescence.

It seems the show’s makers are to remake the bleak 1980s TV film, Threads.


I can only hope they do it well.

The 1984 original was, and is, the most powerful piece of film making I’ve ever seen.



~≈☢️≈~

Monday, 7 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th April, 2025.

7th April, 2025.


It’s Monday morning, again.

The inevitability of the week tumbling around from one day to the next, grinding like a millstone: oppressing all with its mundanity.

Humanity can only rail against the inevitability of time’s passing.

Wait … what?

I’m sorry, I seem to have turned into Mr Doomy!

Heigh-ho … !

~≈🌧️≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Monday: which means that — however doomy I get — I’m up early to head for my weight management group.

Hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost more weight: carrying on last week’s trend would be nice.

~≈𐄷≈~

On other fronts … ?

MakeMKV — the disc copying software I use — has now had a patch issued: to correct the flaw that prevented me, and others, copying and decrypting blurays.

Which, going by the relevant thread on the forum … ?

Was also affecting some Windows machine.

I have to give credit to the team behind the software.

They’ve worked incredibly fast to correct a flaw.

Well done, them!

~≈≈~

Sunday, 6 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April 2025.

6th April, 2025.


Right … 

I’ve had issues, over the past few days, with the blu-ray ripper, MakeMKV.

After it had issues ripping a 4k disc, it then got thrown further off-piste … by an update from Apple!

Not something I was expecting!

But it was something I was expecting to do what it did: generate a lot of discussion on the relevant MakeMKV forum.

However?

An updated version of MakeMKV has been issued: hopefully, it will work.

~≈📀≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday.

Yep: there’s another video done!

 
Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button … !

~≈📀≈~

Saturday, 5 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-4-2025 — First Contact Day.

5th April, 2025: First Contact Day.


It’s officially official: I am not complaining … 

Yet.

As you know, I've — and many others — have had issues with blu-ray copying app, MakeMKV: after Apple issued an iffy update.

The makers have now issued an update.

An update that will hopefully resolve the issues.

Although I am very aware there’s been at least one report on the relevant forum thread: saying they are still having issues.

We will have to see.

~≈👩🏽‍💻≈~

That update tells me a few things,

My more panicky side … ?

Tells me that buying a refurbished Windows laptop as an extra, back-up, machine — ha! — would be helpful.

Something that I could do … except that my less panicky side has told me that a little patience would be cheaper.

What will I do, if this update doesn’t help?

Bar reminding myself patience is a virtue?

I have no idea … !

~≈🃏≈~

One minor thing I know?

Is that — from what I had seen of affordable laptops? — was that eBay did or do plenty of refurbished ones.

At around the £75 mark: about €88, or $96.

That — to me — seems a reasonable price on the money I have.

I also know — courtesy of a news report from the BBC, today — that Nintendo have released their new Switch 2 console for pre-order.

Along side the newly updated version Super Mario Kart.

Which — in the UK, at any rate — they’re offering at £74·99.

To me?

That seems a hell of a lot!

Especially as you can get a refurbished laptop for that money.

You can get the various limited-edition, classic Dr Who boxsets for a lot less.

Even some of the games for my nephew’s PlayStation 5 are less!

I’ll be honest, if that were a movie on blu-ray?

For £75, I’d be expecting all the versions available in 4k, please a shed-load of extras … and a signed photo of Terry Pratchett!*

~≈🃏≈~

Friday, 4 April 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2025 — NATO Day.

4th April, 2025: NATO Day.


Right … it’s Friday … 

And I’m a little anxious.

Frankly?

There’s been no news on the MakeMKV front.

I’m still getting the Fatal Error message: as no known update has been issued.

I’m … 

Well, let’s just say I’m feeling anxious!

~≈📀≈~

On the upside … ?

I’ve finished another review!

Yep: I’ve reviewed episode two of Classic Dr Who series, The Savages: fell free to leave me a comment … !


~≈📺≈~

Thursday, 3 April 2025

Doctor Who — The Savages — Episode 2 — A Review

2nd April, 2025: Doctor WhoThe Savages.

Right then.

It’s officially Wednesday.

In case you didn’t know!

Which means … I am as bored as wosname.

And waiting for a blu-ray to turn up.

It struck me, the other day, that I haven’t seen Aliens — the sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien — in many years.

So I felt it’s something I should correct.

There may be a review: you never know … 

~≈👨🏼‍⚕️≈~

Ah … the things just got here … 

And … ?

I bought the 4k version of Alien, recently.

And … ?

It has to be said for roughly the same price as the 4k Aliens box, Alien just had 2k and 4k versions of the film: with very little in the way of extras, beyond some audio commentaries.

The 4k box set of Aliens?   Includes a whole extra disc-full of extras.

At £19.99 for either?   Aliens seems far better value than Aliens.

~≈👨🏼‍⚕️≈~

At any rate … ?

It is — as I’ve already said! — Wednesday!

So, tonight … ?

I’ll be doing what I promised I’d do.

I’m going to be watching episode two of classic Dr Who story, The Savages.

Then — hopefully — tell you about it, by tomorrow night.

By the time you finish reading this … ?

You’ll know what I think.

~≈👨🏼‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-4-2025 — 2001: A Space Odyssey

3rd April, 2025: 2001: A Space Odyssey.


I’ve got to confess to feeling mightily fecked off!

I had a 4k copy of Aliens turn up, yesterday.

And was looking forward to ripping it: then watching it.

But … ?

Trying to copy it with MakeMKV, seemed to give the app issues: regardless of which optical drive I used.

So … ?

I thought, as dinner was done, I’d eat: and be in a better mood when trying again.

Oh, and while I was at it … ?

I thought, I know: I’ll update my Mac to the latest version of the operating system, and see if that helps.

Which is when it really went pear shaped!

It seems that the current version of macOS — Sequoia 15.4 — is flawed: and has broken MakeMKV.

So badly that the developers behind it are working on emergency updates, to get the app working, again.

I’m fuming: and angry, and annoyed, and very frustrated!

Mostly at Apple!

I’ve public raved about Apple products for year: and they manage to wreck one of the best bits of software going.

I’m also very aware of the irony.

Especially as — going by MakeMKV’s forums — the version on Windows and Linux is working perfectly.

To paragraph a throwaway line in the original The Italian Job?

Get your wheels in line, Apple!


~≈🍏≈~

On other fronts?

The US president has introduced a pile of trade tariffs: in a move he claims will ‘Make America Great, Again.’

I can’t help but think he’s shot America in the foot.

And can’t help but think of one of Margaret Thatcher’s policies: allowing council house tenants to buy their rented homes … 

Which was partially responsible, years later, for a shortage of social housing: as councils didn’t plough the profits from the sales, back into more affordable housing.

I think the president’s started something similar.

~≈🏠≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

The Trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has dropped: making this series look interesting!


I just have one question.

How much did Melissa Navia, Lieutenant Ortegas, to wear that fright wig???????


She and Jess Bush, Nurse Chapel?

It looks like they’re wearing dead tribbles!

~≈💇‍♀️≈~