Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-11-2023 — The Colour of Magic.

24th November, 2023: The Colour of Magic.

Right … it’s now Friday: and a day I’m hoping will not be Thursday!

Sainsbury’s — where I do my usual monthly shopping — has self service tills.

And, occasionally … ?

The staff manning those tills?   Have to check your shopping: to make sure you’ve got everything, and aren’t shop-lifting.

I got checked, with a lot of shopping.

And had to rescan everything: as a result forgetting to scan a box of cornflakes, and the machine not working … !

To cap it all off … ?

I lost the iTunes gift card I bought!

It wasn’t in the taxi, nor any of the bags: and I don’t know if I dropped it in the store until I get a chance to check, later.

And Apple themselves, couldn’t trace it from the receipt I had.

I’m still feeling annoyed and frustrated, this morning!

~≈¥≈~

Troll Bridge — A Review

20th January, 2021.

Right … 

It’s a Wednesday evening, as I start this post.

And?

Frankly, I’m going to go to bed, in a minute: at a time that — twenty years ago — I would have said is a ridiculously early time to go to bed.

But?

The older I get, the more being in bed with a good read is the height of a good time!

So I’m planning to hit the sack with an Arthur Machen story.

But … ?

I felt I should tell you’ve I’ve finally seen the short film version of Terry Pratchett’s Troll Bridge.

And utterly loved it!

~≈🌉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st November, 2018.

1st November, 2018

Yes: it’s taken it’s own sweet time.

But, yes: Terry Pratchett’s Watch series is coming to fruition.

Personally … ?

I’m looking forward to it.

Although I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed it’s being produced by BBC America.

To me, it sounds like the show will hit the States — a market he found difficult to crack— before it hits Sir Terry’s native UK.

But … ?

Who am I to judge?

The interesting thing?

Is finding out who’ll be cast in key roles.

Personally, I think I’m like many of us.

I’ve got my ideas about key characters*: and can only hope the actors chosen match that.

We’ll just have to see.

~≈§≈~

Back in Black

12th February, 2017.

You know, I felt I should maybe write.

Which is a little non-specific, I know.

I could be writing a lot … 

A poem …  a song … a teaser … 

All sorts of things.

But I wanted something known.

~≈⚰≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-3-2016: Sir Terry Pratchett.

You know, it’s not often I write about the day’s Teaser in the intro to a Teaser.

But … ?

Today’s the first anniversary of my favourite writer, Sir Terry Pratchett.

And I have to admit, I’m finding it a little sad: it’s a bit like remembering ones favourite rock star, on the anniversary of his death.

And there’s been a few of them gone, recently!

But, at any rate … ?

I’m working, tonight.

And thinking of a couple of things.

I’m thinking I’ve a spare copy of Raising Steam‡ I should give away … 

And, mentally, sending thoughts to Sir Terry’s surviving family.

~≈∞≈~

Ripples …

OK … 

I was going to write this post, briefly and quickly, on my phone.

As you may or MAY not realise, I‘ve a new phone: a Sony Xperia E1.

It’s a nice little phone: one I’ve downloaded a basic writing app for, as well as the Blogger app.

In the vague expectation of writing something on the proverbial go, for Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

Quite WHAT, I don’t know.   But I’d think of something, no doubt.

But frankly … ?

Well, the version of Android on my phone — Kitkat, apparently — is broadly similar enough to iOS to be reassuring to me.

But different enough to be bloody awkward.

I couldn’t work out how to select ALL the text I’d written, in order to transfer it to the Blogger app, in other words!

~≈ß≈~

Sir Terry Pratchett — 28 April 1948 to 12 March 2015: Oh … Fuck …

Yes … 

I know … 

I don’t USUALLY swear in title of a post, here on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

No, really … 

But I’ve just LITERALLY got home from my mothers.

I’ve been mowing her lawn, today, so you know.

There’s ALSO very few days when a piece of news makes me feel physically sick.

Today’s the day both happened.

Today is the day Sir Terry Pratchett — Alzheimer’s sufferer, Assisted Death campaigner, writer, ex-journalist, former publicity man for three nuclear generators, and, frankly, my literary hero — died.

And believe me, writing the word ‘died’ is possibly the most hideous word I can imagine writing.   And the most difficult.

Today, Terry Pratchett died.

And, right now … ?

I, along with many others, feel as if I’ve lost a friend.

~≈®≈~

Terry Pratchett: The Embuggerance …

You know, I’ll possibly have to write this up, later: when I know more.

But I’ve just seen this piece from The Guardian float past.

Terry Pratchett, my favourite author, and a man whose work I’ve followed for some time, has had to pull out of the biggest Discworld convention on the planet.

As a result of the slowly increasing effects of the version of Early Onset Alzheimer’s was diagnosed with.

~≈Í≈~

The Daily Teaser — 28-4-2013: Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

I’ve used the term, before, and I’ll no doubt use it again.

But I’ve had an earworm floating around my head, ever this I woke up.

Actually … ?

I think it’s since just before I woke up.

It’s baffling.

But the fact is, I’ve got Strawberry Switchblade’s Since Yesterday banging around my head, and I’m blowed if I know why … !

Actually … ?

I’m blowed if — after all this time — I know what the song’s about.   That’s the eighties for you … !

Let’s move on, shall we … ?   Yes, let’s … 

}}}·{{{

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi† and Adrence putting in their answers.   With Debbi telling us she’ll be looking at putting her work onto iBooks, and Adrence* telling us he’s got Star Wars playing in his head, it saw Adrence scoring two out of five and Debbi scoring up a full house of five out of five.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   (I REALLY couldn’t resist this one … )

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

Q1) 28th April, 1948, saw the birth of writer, Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE, creator of the Discworld series of books.   In which year of the 1980s was the first Discworld book published … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was it called … ?

Q3) Name either of the two main characters in the first Discworld novel …

Q4) Over the series, both of those characters have owned The Luggage: a notoriously hostile trunk on what … ?

Q5) Who — having appeared in every Discworld novel,ei bar two — is Pratchett’s most frequent recurring Discworld character … ?

Q6) More to the point, what’s the name of that character’s horse … ?

Q7) The Disc’s largest city — Ankh-Morpork — is twinned with which small English town … ?

Q8) Who’s the current Patrician of Ankh-Morpork … ?

Q9) Equally to the point, who is the current commanding officer of Ankh-Morpork City Watch … ?

Q10) And finally … The Disc’s most powerful (living) witch first appeared in Equal Rites: who is she … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 27th April is Freedom Day: a public holiday in which African nation … ?

A1) South Africa.

Q2) More to the point, it commemorates elections held in which year of the 1990s … ?

A2) 1994.

Q3) Those elections were the first in the country to not depend on what: sex, ethnicity or height … ?

A3) Ethnicity, or race.

Q4) Is the country concerned a monarchy, republic or theocracy … ?

A4) A republic.

Q5) And finally … which Star Trek character has a name derived from the Swahili word for ‘Freedom’ … ?

A5) Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, played by both Nichelle Nichols and Zoe Saldana.   (In the original Swahili, the word is ‘Uhuru’)

I’ll leave you with one interpretation of The Hedgehog Song

Whilst pointing you at what’s considered the definitive lyrics. 

I’ll also leave you with this quote from the birthday boy, himself …

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”

Terry Pratchett.

Have a good day … 

*        Adrence, it could be worse: it could be Darth Vader being REALLY silly … 

†        Hmmm … If you’re on the Kindle or Nook stores, Debbi, you should be accessible through the relevant iOS apps, Debbi‡.   (I’ve still not managed to try them, Debbi: I’ve only so much credit, I’m afraid.   I should be able to try for you, as and when.)

‡        Just so you know, Debbie, Apple takes a thirty percent cut of anything sold through the App Store: which is basically what the iBookstore is, it’s the book retailing arm of the Store.   (Yes, I know that’s what some consider a touch excessive: but it’s worked well for Apple.   It’s ALSO why Microsoft haven’t put a paid version of MS Office on the Mac App Store: they’d rather NOT hand over a slice of that one to anyone else … !)

Tooth Fairy Palace: Somebody Hide the Hogfather!

Oh, now THAT'S just strange.

Or coincidental.

BBC News - The thought-provoking 'tooth fairy palace'

If you’ll excuse the (partial) pun.

But I’ve got to admit to having a very strange experience, this morning.

You’ll probably remember me saying that, just recently, I’m listening more and more to BBC Radio 4. Rather than have the television on, in the morning.

Just in case you haven't ... ?

I’m listening more and more to BBC Radio 4. Rather than have the television on, in the morning.

So you know ...

At any rate, one piece that got my attention, and frankly, emailing the Today programme.

Was THAT piece, about how artist, Gina Czarnecki, has created a large resin sculpture: with the intention of glueing donated children's teeth to it.

Yes, strange, I know.

But what I couldn’t resist emailing the programme about ... ? Was if Ms Czarnecki was - or is, I should say - a Terry Pratchett fan.

Because I’m very aware it’s - kinda of - a plot point in Hogfather, the one Christmas themed Discworld novel.

Basically ... ?

Basically, an assassin has been hired to kill the Hogfather, the Discworld equivalent of Father Christmas.

And does so by hijacking the home of the Discworld’s tooth-fairy.

And using millions of children’s teeth — tapping an old magical idea*, there — to stop them believing in the Hogfatherª.

I heard that piece of news ... ?

Well.

You can sort of see why I emailed.

But I swear: I’ll have a heart attack if John Humphries reads my email out!

* An old one that say if you have something of someone’s — a lock of hair, a tooth, some nail clippings — you can control them.

ª As a result of the assassin’s activities, the Hogfather is — temporarily — killed. It means spare belief is sloshing about. And that the only other person capable of being all over the Discworld at once has to stand in

I Shall Wear Midnight: Pterry’s most recent …

You know, you can tell we’ve just got past that time of year, can’t you … ?

Decorations are coming down, plastic Christmas trees are being put back in the attic, shedding tinsel’s being placed gently and reverentially in the bin …

And the interesting crimbo pressies are being oggled …

Yes, I know I’m being a touch self centred, there, maybe.

But there you go …

|«•»|

At any rate, I mentioned, a day or two ago, I’d been given the latest Terry Pratchett hardback, I Shall Wear Midnight, for Christmas, and how impressed I was with it.

Having actually finished it … ?

I’m still impressed …

I Shall Wear Midnight — the fourth of the Tiffany Aching novels — sees Tiffany going about her day to day work as the only witch in the area she lives: one facing a slowly building climate of suspicion she’s never experienced, until now.

As the novel progresses, she — and we — find that the fear of witches is being caused by an entity called The Cunning Man: an Omnian witch-finder who’d died over a millennium before, after falling in lust with a witch he was due to burn.

An entity who’s found that the one thing he really wants to do …

Is still to persecute witches …

⋘•⋙

Now, I said, earlier, that I was impressed … ?

Yes, I did, and I am.

Now, I’ll be honest, I’ve not actually re-read Unseen Academicals, the last Discworld novel: mostly were I felt that Pterry’s condition was seriously starting to show.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with I Shall Wear Midnight.

It is — by turns — frightening, laugh-out-loud funny, romantic …

And uplifting, as only Terry Pratchett can be.

Granted, it may not be his best work.

I think that honour goes to 2008’s Nation.

But I Shall Wear Midnight … ?

Definitely tells me Terry Pratchett is still fighting that demon …

The Mail …

OK, ok, that’s kind of an odd title, I know.

But you hadn’t worked out that I’d be writing another email to the Brentwood Gazette, at some point, didn’t you … ?

Didn’t you … ?

Well, if you hadn’t guessed by now … !

At any rate, the one I’ve sent them was the result of a story I’d seen in this week’s edition: that a local bakers is due to close down.

Which is disappointing: even more so, as I know the owner.

Here’s what I’d said …

Dear Sir,

I’ve got to admit, I read you article in this week’s Gazette, about the close of the Coates family bakery, with a certain amount of sadness.

After all, I’ve known the current owner for many years, both socially /and/ as a customer, for many years and know how well the shop has served the area.

So it’s saddening to know it’s going.

In part at its going.

In part, I say.

Because, as the Gazette have highlighted over the past few months, the Warley Hill area has suffered in not being renovated to the same extent as Brentwood High Street.

Losing one of the last bakers in town can’t help.

And what makes things worse for all of us who live in the area is that — for whatever reason — Brentwood Council has never managed to beatify the Warley Hill area in quite the same way as it has the High Street.

And with cuts from both them and central government on the way … ?

I can’t see any improvement for the area — or council tax breaks for small businesses in the area — coming soon.

Yours,

Paul Downie.

Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

Hopefully, that’ll get published: especially as they’ve had a running story about the state of the Warley hill shopping area for some time.

‹‹‹•›››

Actually, talking of mail, I’ve got to admit that I’ve already said ’Thank You’ to an old friend who sent me some, just recently: including a copy of Sky’s TV version of Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal.

Which was absolutely fantastic fun!

Just to summarise, it’s a story that sees Richard Coyle as Moist von Lipwig, Ankh-Morpork’s most wanted con-man, given a reprieve by Ankh-Morpork’s ruler — the always ambiguous Lord Havelock Vetinari, wonderfully played by Charles Dance— on one condition.

That von Lipwig revives the ageing Ankh-Morpork Post Office.

Or walks out of the door.

Which is not the pleasant option it sounds … !

‹‹‹•›››

Either way, though … ?

Terry Pratchett’s novel of Going Postal is a riveting good read.

Sky’s adaptation of it is equally as much fun!

And well worth checking out!

‹‹‹•›››

Footing the Ball …

You know, I’ve got to admit, there’s a couple of things I got for Christmas, that I haven’t told you about.

At least, not yet …

I think I’m going to remedy that, now, in telling you about something my Mum picked up for me.

Terry Pratchett’s latest Discworld book, Unseen Academicals.

And I’m …

Well …

Actually, I’ve got to be honest, I’m scrabbling for words, here.

I’m fairly sure I don’t necessarily want to use the phrase, “mixed feelings,” here, but don’t necessarily want to overuse it.

But it is true that that’s kinda the phrase I’m looking for, maybe.

After all, if you’ve been reading my words for a while, you’ll know how I’m something of a fan of Terry Pratchett, so getting Unseen Academicals for Christmas was both a treat, and something I’ve been mildly dreading.

Mildly might even be to mild a word, but let’s stick with that, shall we?

You might be wondering why.

But Terry’s been a favourite author of mine for a very long time, so when the news broke, a while back, that he’d been diagnosed with a form of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s was genuinely devastating: especially as it had — effectively — killed my paternal grandmother, years before she actually died.

So getting this book …

Phew …

Was …

Was …

Hmm …

Something to take slowly …

Which I must confess I did.

The plot sees the Faculty of Unseen University — when confronted by the realisation that they may be about to run out of money for food, unless they honour the terms of a rather BIG bequest — having to face the fact that they’re going to have to do the unthinkable.

Play football …

Added and abetted by by some of the actual ‘below-stairs’ staff of the University: including Glenda and her pies, Juliet — who, during the story, find out she may be the Disc’s greatest living fashion model —, Trevor — tin can kicker, and son of Ankh Morpork’s greatest footballer — and the mysterious Mr Nutt.

Who’s — seemingly — got a lot more going for him, than a talent for dribbling candles.

All this co-incides with the re-discovery of the city’s ancient rules of football, and Lord Vetinari’s attempts to tame the modern version of the game.

•••••

Now, normally, I’d be telling you how much I’ve enjoyed this.

Which I have.

But I’m also very aware — very aware — of the condition he has.

And reading Unseen Academicals, I was very aware of the trouble that writing has been giving him. There are times, Unseen Academicals reads a look like one of his earlier Discworld novels. And possibly one were he was still learning to be the writer we’ve come to know and love, today.

There’s also moments where he seemed — to me — to be genuinely struggling with his condition.

Choices of words, times when established characters seem out of kilter, times when the plot seems to be drifting a touch …

And there’s times when he’s still on form.

Especially when the gang from UU are concerned.

•••••

It just seems a shame to me, that I feel I can tell Alzheimer’s seems to be starting to affect him.

Saying that, however, I do know that that may well simply be the fact that he’s finding it difficult to to actually concentrate on the physical aspect of writing this entry in the Discworld series: he has, from what I can gather, been forced to rely on some fairly extensive dictation software to get the book done: and I think that’s possibly showing.

•••••

And I think that’s why I’m feeling a touch confused about Unseen Academicals.

The scars from the demon’s fangs are starting to show.

But I’m also very aware that he’s still fighting it …

⌘⌘⌘

An Interview …

Well, that was good to see!

The BBC’s Breakfast show had an interview with Sir Terry Pratchett, this morning, which I managed to completely miss! Mostly because I was in the shower.

And managed to record the wrong channel!

D’oh!

How the heck did I manage that?

I’m blowed if I know!

No, hang on, yes I do!!

I managed to record the BBC News channel, instead of the Breakfast News on BBC 1; they don’t always show the same thing at the same time!!

Bugger!

So I’m gonna happily thank Gwen and her partner, Stefan, who managed to dig up the relevant link on the BBC’s site for me, bless ’em!

Which was a fascinating one to watch; inevitably, he and the presenters had to give the particular variant of Alzheimer’s — Posterior Cortical Atrophy — that he suffers from, a mention. And it doesn’t sound especially pleasant, but does sound like he has more time than I thought he might have; at least he’s managed to find some helpful dictation software.

•••••

But the point of the interview was the release of something I’m looking forward to getting my hands on, his latest Discworld novel, “Unseen Academicals”.

Which is — believe it or not — all about football.

Now this I’ve got to read!!

After all, whilst I’m not a fan of the game, something Sir Terry said, this morning caught my attention; that “Unseen Academicals” wasn’t so much about the game of football, as the sociology of football.

Strange to think I’d be reading anything about the blessed game, but he does have a point.

To my way of thinking, any really enjoyable read boils down to people; things they do, things that happen to them, and, ultimately, their relationships with each other.

And his point was that he tried to write about — as I’ve already said — the sociology of football. People’s relationships, both with the game, and the rest of their tribe of supporters.

Which caught me.

Back when the new version of “Doctor Who” started, I was working as a barman at the Hutton, when the new managers — Pete and Chris — asked if I could think of any ideas to bring people in.

My idea was to see if I couldn’t get a dozen or so of my friends down, to watch that opening episode.

Pete and Chris both gave me what’s known in the trade as a ‘Funny Look’.

Well …

More one of mild disbelief, mixed with trying to keep straight faces!!

But what I said to them both, at the time, was simple.

“How is it different from half a dozen Accrington Stanley fans turning up for the away game?”

Which I’m thinking it isn’t.

Apart from being a bit geekier …

Let’s face it, I’m thinking that humanity is more tribal than we generally think; whether we divide ourselves along ethnic, religious, political, or national lines — or even something as trivial as TV shows, or sport — I think we like the comfort of knowing others who think like us.

And that’s as reassuring, as much as it’s divisive.