Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March 2026.

16th March, 2026.

Right, then: it’s officially Monday morning.

And I have to ask: have you seen a vampire film called Sinners?

It’s slow, I think: but well worth watching.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is that Michael B. Jordan has won the Best Actor gong for his performance in it, at last night’s Oscars.

Well done, him!

~≈🧛🏿‍♂️≈~

A while back, I told anyone who was interested, that — as far as I knew — there was no way to install a BitTorrent client onto a Chromebook.

And thus — again, as far as I know — no way to download things via torrent.

Legal things: or illegal ones.

I was wrong.

It turns out some Android clients are available, useable on ChromeOS, and available from the ChromeOS version of Google Play.

It also turns out that a version of TorBrower is available for the platform.

Should you choose to use a Chromebook to download copyrighted material from sites like Pirate Bay?

You could.

It wouldn’t necessarily be entirely legal: but, given how expensive streaming services and movies rentals are?

It would be understandable.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-3-2025 — The Number 75.

16th March, 2025: the Number 75.

Right … it’s officially Sunday morning.

And … ?

Things are in the air: as they usually are.

Personally?

I’m looking forward to Monday morning.

I always tend to feel slightly lost, on Sundays.

I can only assume that’s a hold-over from my childhood: all the shops would shut on Sunday afternoon, and very little else would be open.

Ho-hum!

~≈🏬≈~

At any rate … ?

I know that the government had been planning to freeze some benefits: including Personal Independence Payments, one of the benefits I’m on.

Something I believe has been floated, to fund various defence measures.

At any rate … ?

I’d manage: hundreds wouldn’t.

However … ?

And as this piece from the BBC’s news site tells us?

There’s a rebellion brewing: as many concerned Labour MPs are concerned about it.

And that ministers are thinking of a u-turn: and thinking of not enforcing the charges.

Good for them.

My only other concern from the piece?

Are the usual words.

According to a Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson who says reform “… helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment.”

Going on my own personal experience?

Welfare reforms don’t help you find work.

Companies offering you a job you can do, and can get to, helps you find work.

Companies aren’t exactly doing that.

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March 2024.

 16th March, 2024.

Right then … it’s Saturday … !

And … ?

I’m possibly going to be writing notes for a set of upcoming reviews.

Yes: it’s officially official.

The Radio Times has announced that the new series of Dr Who — the first two episodes of what’s either series 14/season 1, depending on who you ask! — will air on BBC 1 on 11th May, 2024.

With the same two episodes being available from the BBC iPlayer at 12:00 midnight, the same day.

And, internationally, at 7pm EST on Disney⁺, on 10th May: in order to guarantee a simultaneous release.

I have my reviewing work cut out for me!

~≈🫎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2023.

16th March, 2023.

It’s officially official: I’ve got some stuff I need to do in town … that I really could’ve done on Tuesday.

Which was busy: at least, for me!

At any rate?

I’ve got to go into town to pick up some medications: including a new batch of Semaglutide.

And … ?

And pick up some paperwork.

I’m really not in the mood.

Lord knows why.

But … ?

I do know the weather’s looking gruesome, out there.

~≈Â≈~

You’ve possibly realised — if you’ve been reading Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar for a while — that I live in Brentwood: and like the idea of having a cinema in town.

I’ve written a few posts about it, over the years.

Well … 

Brentwood Council have approved plans for development of the Bay Tree Centre: in the middle of Brentwood High Street.

I — notionally — support the idea.

But notice that the plans are, according to the article, for a four screen cinema.

Much as I’d love to see a cinema here in Brentwood?

From the little I understand, a four screen venue won’t be financially viable: it would need to be at least six screens.

I think the plans as presented … are duds.

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-3-2022: The FA Cup

16th March, 2022.

Right … 

I was due a phone call, yesterday: from a representative of the Job Centre, to “discuss my health journey on Universal Credit.”

Job Centre: or Department of Work and Pensions.   I’m not sure which runs the body that’s supposed to call.

Notice I say due.

The call never happened.

Oh, at least, I didn’t get the call while I was in: I did a little shopping, yesterday, and half expected it to come then.

I got home, and was in for the rest of the day.

So the Service Centre’s representative had a long time to make contact.

Just like my Work Coach, my Job Centre case worker: who phoned exactly when she was due to.

The rep?   Didn’t call while I was in.

It was frustrating enough that I phoned the DWP’s enquiry line*, to see what was happening.

At roughly 16:30.

What the Enquiries chap did?

Firstly, was to check my details and ask the inevitable security questions.

Secondly, was confirm my my landline.

Which I repeated a couple of times, so he could be sure of the number.

He was then able to tell me that they’d apparently called: and left a message on my answer phone service.

I’ve got issues, here.

Granted, I may have missed the call, when I went shopping: or they may have phoned when I was on the phone with my work coach or the Enquiries line.   The Enquiries chap also told me they could have dialled the wrong number.

It didn’t occur to me to ask Enquiries when they phoned: which could’ve been useful to know.

But … ?

He told me they left a message.

One problem with that?   I have a pay-as-you-go landline: I only pay for the calls I make, and nothing else.

I don’t pay for the answerphone service: as I can’t afford it.

So?   The Service Department may have left a message: but it’s not one I’m going to receive, or be able to access.

Another?   They didn’t leave a parallel message on my online, Job Centre, journal: which is how they let me know they’d be calling†.

That is sometimes the best way for the Job Centre to contact me.

My only course of action?

Was to do what I did.

Tell the Enquiries people I couldn’t and didn’t get the message, make sure they know what my landline number is, and make sure this was logged on the system, and — ha! — flagged up for the Service Centre.

And repeat all this to my Work Coach: so she could do the same, if possible.

And — ye gods! — make sure this was logged in my online, DWP/Job Centre journal.

I guess it’s now wait and see.

~≈☎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2021.

16th March, 2021.

It’s officially the case: that a man without a potato, is a man without food.

Or one type of food, any way.

Or — at least — if he’s out of potatoes: he’s going to have to think about opening a bag of rice.

Or … something … 

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

At any rate, and forgive me if I’ve said it already … ?   But I need a couple of potatoes … !

~≈🥔≈~

Did I mention I’m waiting for a phone call … ?

I’m waiting for a phone call: from the CardioThoracic unit at Basildon Hospital.

I’ve got a CPAP machine from them: a thing that helps me breath while I’m asleep.

It’s very helpful.

But, unfortunately?   The hose that connects the machine to the mask I have to wear?

Has split.

And is currently being held together by sellotape!

Hopefully?   I’ll get a call relatively quickly.

I’d hate to run out of tape!

~≈🛠≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-3-2020: The Number Sixteen

16th March, 2020.

Right, then: I’ve got The Faceless Ones, the reconstructed Dr Who story, on blu-ray.

I’m happy.

And happily ripping it, so that I can watch it later.

Frankly?

It’s the last of the birthday presents to turn up.

And, equally as frankly?   It actually turned up, yesterday.

A day before the formal release.

I’m not complaining.

~≈¥≈~

I will complain — or, at least, make a point — at this stage.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker saw its US release on Friday 13th: a few days early.

US release, I should add.

The UK release?

Is at the end of April.

Personally?

I think that’s not necessarily good.

I think that’s going to encourage people in the UK to download from torrent sharing sites.

But, hey … what do I know … ?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2019.

16th March, 2019.

There is much we could be saying.

Really, there is.

Yesterday’s attack on a pair of mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand … 

Well … I know the word hateful is one that’s getting bandied about.

It’s possibly a clique … 

But it’s possibly also the politest way of describing what went on.

~≈§≈~

I know this much: from what I’ve seen in the news.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has offered her condolences to the families of those lost … 

And announced further gun control measures.

That’s a good thing.

I’m also aware the attacker — I note many outlets are following Mrs Ardern’s lead, and not naming him — has been quickly arrested and charged.

All good … 

I can only hoped he’s given a long time in prison, and has his access to the ’Net, both inside and out, restricted.

Because?

Notorious, the attacker streamed his deeds, live, on Facebook*.

And had posted a manifesto online, where he announced — or, at least, heavily suggested — his plans and targets.

From what we’re told?

He described New Zealand’s Muslim population as ‘invaders.’

The man’s Australian by birth.

That’s one thing.

And describing them as invaders?

I can’t help but wonder what New Zealand’s Māori communities would make of that.

~≈§≈~

As a final point about this … ?

I note the attacker victims include children.

… 

… … 

… … …

I can only reaffirm my own belief when these things happen.

That killing children is the worst crime imaginable … and means the reasons the attacker did this … ?

Are completely invalid.

If an ideology allows the death of children, then that ideology is morally invalid, and deserves to die, itself.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2018.

16th March, 2018.

Yep: it’s official: I’m back at work, today.

AND another episode of The Man in the High Castle, last night.

Which is starting to drift away from the original novel, a touch.

Although, to be honest?   I can’t say I’m complaining too much.

I’m very aware that making sure a film stays true to a text is one thing.

After all, most movies don’t go over about two or three hours in length.   There’s less screen time: so more chance of getting everything in the book on screen.

TV shows, though?   Certainly this TV show?   With twenty episode of an hour each, across two seasons so far?

I think that’s a bit more time than most films of the book*!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-3-2017: Jerry Lewis

I’ve got to admit, I had a day off, yesterday.

Which is always nice to have!

Teaser writing, laundry, nattering, occasionally, with folks … 

Oh … 

And catching another episode of Stranger Things.

I’ve got to admit, that show’s looking rather good.

The cast are great, the writing on a par with the cast … 

And I’m betting that those of us playing ‘Spot the Reference’ will be having a field day.

I mean … the younger members of the cast are straight out of The Goonies, the fact the really young members are all one choppers is an ET reference.

Parents going bonkers, as Winona Rider’s does?   Close Encounters … !

Heck of a lot of Steven Spielberg, there!

And the fact main character, Eleven, has nosebleeds, whenever she uses her psychic powers?

Scanners.

That’s just the ones I’ve noticed … 

See … ?

‘Spot the Reference’ … !

~≈Û≈~

The Daily Teaser — 16-3-2016

Oh … 

Sylvia Anderson’s died … 

I don’t know how much you know about noted UK TV serials.

But, if you DO … ?

You would’ve come across the work of the Andersons, back in the day: things like Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90.

Gerry died in 2012.

Sylvia, co-creator of many of the key serials, and the voice of Lady Penelope?

Died today.

She’ll be missed.

~≈Â≈~