Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2025 — Christmas Eve

24th December, 2025: Christmas Eve.

I am officially up early: for a diabetic review.

Way too early!

So early, in fact, that my eyeballs hurt, and there’s utter silence from the street!

Frankly?

That’s actually quite nice.

There’s a certain romance to early mornings.

~≈🌅≈~

I know it’s Christmas: it’s silly season, in other words.

And, as a result of seeing a news piece on the King’s Christmas Message, this year?

I’ve got Roger Miller’s version of “England Swing’s Like a Pendulum Do”, floating around my head.

I can’t help but think one thing.

Whoever wrote the song had only heard of Westminster Abbey, and the Elizabeth Tower … 

~≈🛎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2024 — Christmas Eve

24th December, 2024: Christmas Eve.

Hmmm … 

Radio 4’s Today programme has a guest editor: Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

I’d only vaguely heard of him.

But it turns out he’s wrote the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics.

You have to give him credit, there.

At any rate … ?

One article on the show?

Involved reading out excepts from Noggin the Nog.

Which was fun … !

~≈🧌≈~

Syria’s a mess: but you know that.

What with Ẍ amount of war having happened of the past God knows how long.

News came through, this morning: that protestors are outrage that a Christmas tree has been burnt by Islamists.

For all the new government’s talk of diversity, and tolerance?

I con’t help but wonder if there’s worse to come … 

~≈🎄≈~

Nik Nak's Daily Teaser — 24-12-2023 — On Christmas Eve in the Morning!

24th December, 2023: Christmas Eve.

Right ... I'm hoping your Christmas is going well.

Or well enough that you don't need help!

I am truly grateful to everyone that's put in to the iMac repair fund: it's helped a lot.

And ... ?

There's a distinct possibility I may -- may -- be able to pick it up today.

I hope so.

My only problem?

I'm not too sure what the trains are doing, today.

I need to get to Shenfield and back: so not knowing?

Is inconvenient!

~≈🚆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2022: The Eve of Something.

24th December, 2022: Christmas Eve.

It’s HERE!

It’s Christmas Eve!

And that means Santa’s Coming!

On a less enthusiastic note?

I’m looking forward to getting presents, looking forward to see how my family — Jude in particular — react to what I’ve got them them … 

And eating turkey.

It’s not often I have turkey … 

I get to find out, tomorrow!

~≈🎅🏻≈~

Did I mention I watched a film, last night?

I watched a film, last night.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, so you know.

I’ll have my review up, later: but, as an initial point?

It’s rather good.

~≈🗡️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2021: Christmas Eve

24th December, 2021.

Yes: yesterday sawing me getting my bills paid.

And got the Warm Home Discount I’d put in for in October.

That’s handy.   It — effectively — gives me a couple of months of free electricity: and means I can the money I would’ve spent on that, onto my gas.

But, given that I was in Chelmsford, yesterday, for my Restart meeting … ?

I didn’t shop.

That means heading into town, today, to do shopping.

That’s … well, it’s not necessarily the best time.

~≈🎄≈~

Oh, just in case you didn’t know … ?

I watched a movie, the other night.

No Time to Die: Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond.

It’s a good film: and certainly on a par with Casino Royale, and worth your time.

My question?

How on Earth are the next film’s writers going to dig themselves out of that hole?

~≈🎄≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2020: Christmas Eve

24th December, 2020.

Right … 

It’s that day of the year where I wish you a Happy Christmas Eve.

I hope it goes well for you.

But just as an observation?

If you haven’t bought the presents by now?

It’s a bit late!

~≈🎅🏻≈~

Just as a quite thought?

You remember the Warner Brothers is due to release a number of its big release films, next year: including a version of Dune I’d like to see.

Due to release them both theatrically, and via US-only streaming

According to this piece from Indie Wire, it seems Legendary, one of the films financiers, are negotiating with Warner Brothers: to try and guarantee a cinema only release.

I gather they believe that — by the film’s expected release date of October 2021 — enough social distancing measures will have been removed to allow serious moment to be earned.

Hmmm … 

I … 

I think that’s possibly a good thing.

After all, this version is only the first half of the story: it needs to do well, in order to guarantee the second half being made.

I can’t help but think a joint international release — as opposed to a joint release, just in the US — could be a far better option.

~≈🪱≈~

Just as a quick point?

Thank you to both Debbi and Olga for the video mentions.

And thank Edith: as she gives us a timely reminder … 

~≈🎅🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2019: Eve …

24th December, 2019.

Yep: I’ve learnt a trick!

I’ve been writing this blog for some time: and changed the design, several times.

With the effect that — occasionally — you’ll see posts floating past with  eye-waveringly off-colour lettering.

This one?

Was in a hideous shade of pink.

Until I managed to edit it.

Simply by copying the text into a lightweight text editor … and reimporting it back into Blogger’s editing page.

Result …

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2018: Christmas Eve

24th December, 2018.

You know, right now … ?

I’m out of a job, and spending the little cash I have on important stuff.

Bills, more bills, even more bills … oh, and food, where possible.

The fact my hair needs cutting, so I look good on video … ?

Is way down the list … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, just to follow up on the Great Gatwick Drone Situation.

Apparently, some of the reported sightings were … mistaken … 

On top of that … ?

The couple who were arrested in connection with the sightings?

Have now been released, rather than charged … 

On the up side?

Police have found a damaged drone in the area.

Hmmm … 

I get the feeling something … odd … has happened … 

~≈§≈~

I amongst all this … ?

That fact I’ve been up all night watching a Christmas horror story called A Christmas Horror Story … ?

Is practically incidental … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-17: Christmas Eve

Hmmm … 

It’s Christmas Eve.

And frankly?

I’m mildly excited.

As my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, have decided on an appropriated geeky, early Christmas gift.

Yep: we’re all off to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

No spoilers, now!

~≈☯≈~

Can I — in amongst all the Christmassy joy? — admit to something of a worry?

I noticed that — in the US — a former marine, and convert to an extreme form of Islam, has been arrested: accused of planning an ISIS-inspired plot on Christmas Day.

What worries me?

Is if someone else has had the same idea.

I’ve a nasty turn of mind, sometimes …

~≈☯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2016: All About Eve … Again

Bloody hell … !

That was close!

I managed to leave work, last night: as the news was breaking.

That actress, Carrie Fisher, had suffered a heart attack: on a flight from London to Los Angeles.

She’s apparently stable, at the mo.

Frankly?

I know I breathed a sigh of relief when the news reader said that, last night!

Given the amount of celebrity obituaries published, this year?

I’d rather 2016 didn’t have another one!

~≈Í≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-12-2015: Christmas Eve

Hmmm … 

THAT’S one hell of a thing to happen: on Christmas Eve.

You’ve possibly worked out I’m having a conversation with TV producers, CBS.

I’ve posted a clip from Penny Dreadful, a while back: under what I believe to be correctly used ‘Fair Use’ exceptions to US and UK law.

They’s replied to my recent email.   Asking me to remove the clip from YouTube.

And contradicting their original email, where they offer to unblock the video, if I cancel my appeal.

Hmmm … In amongst going to work, today, buying one last present, wrapping it and doing the tag, in between writing a few Teasers and doing the associated videos, AND pick up a prescription* … ?

I’ve got to deal with CBS.

Hmmm … 

Lovely … !

~≈§≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 24-12-2014 : All About Eve

Right … 

It’s Christmas Eve … and … ?

I’m off to work, today: for a very long shift.

What with cooking some dinner for myself, right now … ?

I’m feeling just a little rushed … !

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-12-2014: Christmas Eve — The Christmas Truce

You know, I think we can definitely say “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” right now.

Or, at least, here in the UK.

Yep.

It’s officially going to be sunny, today.

Although, when I got up, it was raining.

The one thing I can safely say … ?

Is that, if you had money on there being a white Christmas?   I’d say you’ve wasted it … !

Now … 

Let’s get a move on, shall we?

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-12-2013: All About Christmas Eve

You know, in amongst the storms that are affecting southern England’s transport — and taken the life of at least one person — I’ve just noticed a piece of good news.

Or good, from where I’m sitting.

Computer pioneer, Alan Turing, has been officially pardoned by the Queen.

Personally … ?   My first thought was simple: “AT LAST … !”

I’ve always felt that not pardoning the man who shaped the modern world by designing the computer … was on hell of an injustice.

Thankfully, with this news … ?   We can say exactly that: that it was an injustice, and one that has now been corrected.

Now all that’s needed … ?   Is maybe a medal for his war work.

Here’s hoping!

~≈Ω≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: and, along with letting me know she’d enjoyed yesterday’s tune, also scored five out of five.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s evil — evish? eved? — questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To,’ video and video … 

Q1) 24th December sees the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast by the BBC.   From which Cambridge College: Christ’s, King’s or Queen’s … ?

Q2) On Christmas Eve, many Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries have a Midnight Mass called Misa de Gallo: or Mass of the … what … ?

Q3) Christmas Eve is on the 24th December: All Hallow’s Eve is on which date … ?

Q4) Eve Harrington is a character in which 1950 film … ?

Q5) More to the point, Evey Hammond turns up in which 2005 film … ?

Q6) Living between 140000 and 200000 years ago, what name is given to humanity’s most ancient common female ancestor … ?

Q7) Finally … in which book of the Bible does Eve appear … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd December, 1986, saw a plane called Voyager land at Edwards Airforce Base, in California.   The plane was the first to make a round-the-world trip without what: launching, refueling or landing … ?

A1) Ground or aerial refueling.

Q2) 23rd December, 1823, saw the debut of the poem, ’Twas The Night Before Christmas.   Name any of the reindeer mentioned in the poem … 

A2) Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen.

Q3) 23rd December, 1972, saw an earthquake hit the Central American city of Managua.   In which country is Managua … ?

A3) Nicaragua.

Q4) 23rd December, 1947, saw Bell Labs demonstrate the first transistor.   What did the transistor replace: the vacuum tube, the silicon chip or the lightbulb?

A4) The vacuum tube: or valve, as it’s known, here in the UK.

Q5) Finally … 23rd December, 1933, saw the birth of the current Emperor of Japan.   What’s his name … ?

A5) Akihito.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart … filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.”

Bess Streeter Aldrich.

And with Martha’s Harbour, by All About Eve … 

*        You can’t go far wrong with Chet Baker, Debbi!   (Oh … about question 2 … ?   I’ll let you have that: but you do know Rudolph wasn’t in A Visit From Saint Nicholas … ?   He first cropped up in 1939.)

The Christmas Eve Teaser — 24-12-2012

*Revised*

You know, it HAS to be said, that TV’s REALLY going downhill.

At least, Christmas TV is, I think.

Which is why I’ve got the last episode of I,  Claudius on.

Which, whatever else we can say … ?   Is still a fantastic piece of work: I still can’t believe it took me several years to realise it has no background music!

But let’s get’s moving on, shall we … ?

Yes, let’s.

~~~~~

Yesterday’s saw both Kaiju and Debbi putting in their answers: with both Kaiju and Debbi scoring 7 out of 855*, it also saw Debbi mentioning her Second Amendment post, and Kaiju asking whether yesterday’s second question was a trickº one.

But let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) Christmas Eve is a four act opera by whom: Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov or Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky … ?   

Q2) 24th December, 1914, saw the start of the World War 1 Christmas Truce.   Near which Belgian town … ?   

Q3) More to the point, what was the name of the pope who’d called for peace, in the run-up to Christmas, that year … ?   

Q4) In which year did Pope Benedict 16th perform the Christmas Eve Thought For the Day … ?   

Q5) Equally to the point, what’s Benedict 16th’s Twitter name … ?   

Q6) Moving on … During World War 2, 24th December, 1943, saw which US general named as Supreme Allied Commander … ?   

Q7) And finally … 24th December, 1166, saw the birth of which English king … ?  

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd December, 1823, saw the debut of the poem, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.   What’s the poem’s name … ?

A1) A Visit From Saint Nicholas.

Q2) More to the point … how many reindeer are mentioned in the poem … ?

A2) 8.   (Any one of a dozen variations of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen … )

Q3) 23rd December, 1975, saw US President, Gerald Ford, sign the Metric Conversion Act into US law.   When did Britain’s Board Of Trade agree to a British metrication program: 1964, 1965 or 1966 … ?

A3) 1965.

Q4) More to the point, what’s the basic metric unit of mass … ?

A4) The kilogram.

Q5) 23rd December, 1936, saw the first flight of which bomber … ?

A5) The Vickers Wellington.

Q6) And finally … 23rd December, 2007, saw which country abolish its monarchy … ?

A6) Nepal.

I’ll leave you with this quote from birthday girl, Ava Gardner …

“The ­problems were never in bed. The ­problems would start on the way to the bidet.”Ava Gardner December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990

And with a suitably Christmas tune from Motorhead: considering it’s frontman, Lemmy’s birthday … 

*        I’m definitely looking forward to it, Debbi!   Oh … Did you find the comment on yesterday’s post … ?

º        Trick question, Kaiju … ?   Line 16 in the Wikipedia text … :D

The Christmas Eve Teaser — 24-11-2011

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, I’m having another looking at the poster for today.

I’m not too worried about the rights issue as I’m going to acknowledge the owner, by a chap called Genzoman, over here.

No, that’s not the issue.

No, I’m a touch worried if it’s not too … you know … AHEM … !

Just AHEM, if you follow me … ?

And on top of that … ? I’m also wondering if people are going to get the joke: I mean, she’s starkers — bar a VERY strategic piece of festive holly — and accompanied by a snake and a lot of apples …

No … ?

Never mind …

Let’s get a moving on, shall we … ?

««·»»

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — al on her ownsome — putting her answers: AND bagging 6 out of 6!

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions. Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 24th December usually sees the BBC broadcast Nine Lessons and Carols: from which Cambridge college … ?

Q2) 24th December, 1968, saw astronauts read a passage from Genesis on their orbit of what … ?

Q3) More to the point, which chapter of Genesis … ?

Q4) 24th December saw the famous World War One Christmas Truce: in which year of the war, was this … ?

Q5) Many Church of Scotland churches hold a what on the night of Christmas Eve and New Years Eve … ?

Q6) 24th December, 1979, saw the launch of Europe’s first rocket, the Ariane 1: how many satellites did the Ariane 1 put in orbit, in its working life … ?

Q7) And finally … 24th December, 1924, saw which East European country become a republic … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd December, 1823, saw the publication of A Visit from Saint Nicholas: what’s it’s opening line … ?

A1) “'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house”.

Q2) 23rd December, 1992, saw what leaked to a British tabloid … ?

A2) The Queen’s Christmas Speech.

Q3) More to the point, to which newspaper … ?

A3) The Sun.

Q4) 23rd December, 1938, saw the discovery of the Cœlacanth, off the coast of South Africa. The Living fossil is a type of what: lungfish, lutefish or squid … ?

A4) Lungfish.

Q5) 23rd December, 2005, saw Chad declare war on which other African country … ?

A5) Sudan.

Q6) And FINALLY … 23rd December, 1940, saw the birth of guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen: with which band did he find fame, back in the 1960s?

A6) Jefferson Airplane.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with a nod to the late songwriter, Harry Warren, with a rendition of one of his better known tunes …

And let’s have something seasonal, shall we … ?

Christmas Eve

You know, I’ve got to admit, you can tell it’s Christmas, can’t you … ?

Can’t you … ?

Well, it is.

If it’s not, where you are, I’m assuming that you’re not in a country that celebrates Christmas.

Or, at least, not necessarily one that celebrating it yet.

After all, it’s not — for those of us on the Gregorian calendar — yet …

Hang on, am I making sense … ?

I bloody well hope so …

At any rate …

At any rate, Tootles Sarah, her husband, Kevin, along with Movie Night Adrian and I, all headed out to celebrate the season.

And I think we all had a good time.

The shock news in all of this … ?

Is that Adrian’s thinking — thinking, I should stress — about starting up a blog, himself.

Which should be interesting to read.

«•»

But I do know I think there’s one thing I know I said to everyone, tonight.

And I think that I — along with Kevin D, Tootles, Adrian, and hopefully Trevor and Kaiju, as well, although I’ll leave them all to say so themselves — would want to say something to you, just in case I miss you in the morning.

That is … ?

Quite simple.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Have a good one, folks.

I hope that, however you perceive your Higher Power, he grants you the blessings you need.

Rather than the ones you want.

It’s A Wonderful Life: Whenever a Bell rings …

24th December, 2009

You know, what with one thing and another, I’ve not managed to organise a Movie Night for a while.

I really haven’t …

But, as it’s Christmas, I managed to persuade Adrian, Allison and Kevin to catch something a touch Christmassy.

Actually, I’ll be frank, I think we managed to catch the film that, since it was made back in 1946, has been regarded as possibly the Christmas movie.

The Frank Capra directed, James Stewart movie, It’s A Wonderful Life.

Tonight was the first time I’d seen it.

And, having seen it, I can understand why many consider it such a good film.

~≈§≈~