Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2020: The Cherry Orchard

17th January, 2020.

Right … about the boiler situation … 

As you’re possibly aware, I report my boiler as broken at the end of December: and had the repair man turn out, on Wednesday.

He told me that I’d need extensive repair work: so extensive, that a replacement boiler could well be a better option … and that he would be recommended what’s called a DRC survey from a superior.

So that a senior person from his company can issue the relevant approval.

I was going to phone the contractors, yesterday to arrange that: once I got back from the Job Centre.

Except that they managed to phone: at 8:30, yesterday morning.

And arrange the visit for this morning: between eight and one.

The sooner the better, I hope.

The sooner my boiler’s repaired, the better.

~≈¥≈~

Can I make a confession?

I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one who thoroughly enjoy Good Omens, when it was released.

And pleased to know other are, as well: now it’s being aired on BBC2.

However?

I’ve seen stuff go past about The Watch, BBC America’s take on Sir Terry’s work.

I’ve seen news of the various bits of casting, go past.

Seen some of the publicity shots.

Frankly?

BBC America is making a show I’m planning to go nowhere near.

It’s a travesty.

~≈¥≈~

Westworld — Series 1 — Episode 9 and 10: The Well Tempered Clavier and The Bicameral Mind

21st August, 2018.

Right … I’m almost at the end of — get this — a day off.

Frantically realising, whilst wandering, washing up, having dinner with the family — my nephew says there’s a giant eyeball, over there … ! — that stuff’s a going on … 

I’d seen the news, today.

That Microsoft has halted a hacking attack on various Republican Party/conservative groups in the US … 

From Russia.

OK, that’s bad.

But, being honest?   I’d like to know what US cyber spies are doing.

Not that I think they’d tell the likes of me.

But I’m willing to bet that there’s a US Cyber warfare department doing something similar.

Willing to bet the UK government’s resident boffins at GCHQ are involved with the same sort of activities.

And willing to bet Microsoft love the publicity.

At ANY rate … ?

I can remember reading about an open source software project, a few years ago, called ReactOS.

A product designed to be used instead of Windows, and free of charge, but compatible with Windows software.

You could go and install ReactOS on your PC, and use exactly the same Windows apps you’d already got.

Without having to buy separate versions*.

It’s only when my ageing memory caught up, I realised I’d read about ReactOS, a while back.

About how interested Russian politicians were in the thing.

I don’t know for sure … 

But I’m guessing something like ReactOS would give malicious agents a chance to would out how to put a spanner in Microsoft’s works … 

Without have to buy anything from them.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s a day off.

Or, at least, has been one.

And … ?

Yes: I’ve watched more TV.   I have finally caught the last two episodes of Westworld’s first series

Yes: … that WAS rather good … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-6-2018: Russia.

12th June, 2018.

Yes, sorry about that!   I’ve actually managed to find the basic audio filters on iMovie.

Hubba, Hubba!

OK, that’s possibly not much of an achievement.

But it does mean I can tweak any coming Teaser videos: for amazing, and outrageous comedic effect.

Yeah … right … !

~≈§≈~

Night Watch and Wikileaks: Blood, Black Magic and an ongoing new-media story …

You know, it’s not that often I do a double posting.

After all, I generally stick some good advice I once received.

In other words, stick to one subject, per post: it’s makes that post a lot easier to find by search engines.

Well …

That …

And adding relevant tags …

And back-links, front links, what-have-you …

But the one about one subject per post is the main one I had in mind: mostly because I try not to break it, these days …

First off … ?

I’ve got to admit, I saw a couple of articles about WikiLeaks float past.

Firstly … ?

Well, the first one concerns a piece I noticed a couple of days ago, and have been meaning to show you: this one.

Seems that three of WikiLeaks’ supporters on Twitter now will have their details examined in serious detail by a US Court.

The other piece … ?

Is that Bradley Manning, the US marine accused of passing the recent batch of government documents to WikiLeaks has had comments made: by P. J. Crowley, a US State Department spokesman, no less, who’s described Manning’s arrest and confinement as is ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid.”. “None the less Bradley Manning is in the right place”.

Which sounds, frankly, contradictory …

Almost as bad as WikiLeak’s treatment of Private Manning …

»»•««

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I have left this a little late, but I’m also very aware that Kevin D, Movie Night Adrian and I were all at my place, last night.

And watching something of an old friend.

Well …

Me and Kevin, at any rate, any way.

The film in question … ?

Was one I know I’ve watched, before, the 2004 Russian film, Ночной дозор: Nochnoy Dozor, or Night Watch if you’d like it in English.

Now, I’ve written about Night Watch, before now.

So I’ll point you at the my previous post about it, and its sequel, Day Watch: I think they’re good reading.

But I also know the one thing I can add to those, here and now.

Is that Movie Night Adrian, Kevin D and I all agreed on this …

Adrian: Keeper ★★★☆

Paul: Keeper ★★★☆

Kevin: Keeper ★★★☆