Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-10-2018: World Post Day

9th October, 2018.

Yes: I’m off, again, today.

And, as relaxing as that can be?

It’s not necessarily something I want.

Given the shifts, at the moment?

It’s unpaid holiday.

Yes, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for other employment.

But … 

Well … it’s frustrating.

~≈§≈~

Right now … ?

I’m looking at a news piece on the BBC’s website: that Google are to cancel their Google+ social network.

After a data breach affected it.

Apparently?

Some 500, 00 people had private data exposed.

It’s be a shame to see it go.

It’s a handy way of advertising the blog.

On the other hand … ?

Google’s just dropped the ball.

Even further than you’d think.

It seems they knew about it since March … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2018: World Vegetarian Day

1st October, 2018.

Right … 

It’s official my kid sister, Ruth’s Birthday: so she’s got a hello in the opening video: and have a dozen bunny hops.

Which is nice … 

At any rate, Happy Birthday, Ruth … !

~≈§≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’m at the start of a (possibly) needed week off.

But one that’s not one I asked for.

Frankly?

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for next week’s rota.

Right now … ?

I’m convinced finding a way to leave that lets me preserve any unemployment benefits?   Getting laid off, in my case?

Is the best option.

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

And as a final front … ?

My boiler’s due to be fixed, at some point, today.

Between now and 1pm.

In all honesty, I’m hoping it’ll be a nice simple fix: and a nice simple fix that lasts.

But, equally honestly?

I’ve been working in a call centre that handles emergency repairs for the past couple of years.

And fielded a lot of calls that start “He hasn’t done the job right … !”

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-9-2018: Nevermind

24th September, 2018.

Yep, it’s official, I used to play guitar: badly, at that.

As you can possibly tell, if you watch until the end of the intro video.

Strange, I know: but even given that, I felt I should at least give the thing an airing: considering the days subject.

Yes.

You’d noticed the photo, hadn’t you … ?

~≈§≈~

I’ve got to admit, I’ve noticed something on Facebook.

Someone’s posted to a Dr Who group I’m in: claiming that the start date had been announced.

7PM, on the 7th, seemingly.

I’m not quoting that as definitive, though.

There’s nothing on the BBC website, yet, after all.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2018: One Web Day.

22nd September, 2018.

No, really … 

I’m not happy.

In point of fact, I’m fucking fuming: if you’ll excuse the language.

I’ve seen my rota for the week commencing 1st October.

I have no shifts for that week.

Why … ?

Why?

I have no idea.

The last time I had a One-to-One — the regular meeting we have with our supervisor, to discuss how we’re doing — was in June.

And, from what I could gather, back then … ?

Things were going — as far as I could tell — well.

So, seeing last week’s rota?   Where I was down to two shifts, until a couple of co-workers asked me to cover.

Is something I should maybe have taken as a hint.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-9-2018: Talk Like A Pirate Day

19th September, 2018: ye lubbers!

Yeah, blow doing that for a long time!

He says, eyeballing the Teaser video … … 

At any rate?

It’s Talk Like A Pirate Day.

So if you haven’t recorded a silly video and posted it somewhere … ?

Complete with a certain amount of corpsing?

I’ll be disappointed … 

~≈§≈~

If you’re in the UK, you’ll possibly know that the British Board of Film Classification is the body that gives films a certificate: one that will permit it to play in cinemas across the country.

Something that can be changed by local councils.

And something that’s been done by a few councils: for a film called A Northern Soul.   Most of the councils concerned have given it a milder classification than the BBFC.

All well and good.

I’ll be frank, though.

It’s the first time I’ve heard of it happening in a while.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-9-2018: Jupiter Optimus Maximus

13th September, 2018.

Yeah: I’m at work.

Well … not right now, obviously.

The boss would complain about a member of staff floating around the office in his dressing gown!

No, what I mean is, today’s a work day day.

Yummy … !

~≈§≈~

Saying that … ?

Saying that, we’ve new trainees at work.

I’ve mixed feelings.

As — inevitably — my hours will suffer.

On the other hand … ?

I’m buddying at least one new trainee: who’s nice enough, and seems competent.

And the simple fact I’m helping train a new member of staff?

Is flattering.

Oh, well … 

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-9-2018: How To Do Art In Caves …

12th Sept, 2018.

I have to admit to hearing some sad news: last night, actually, although it’s been repeated, this morning.

Fenella Fielding’s died.

I have to admit, I was never a huge fan.

But Carry On Screaming?   Wouldn’t have worked without her.

Frankly?

Neither would The Prisoner.

Her announcements over the Village loudspeakers?

Were part of what made the setting so atmospheric.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-8-2018: Roy Castle

31st August, 2018.

Believe it or not, I stayed up late, last night.

Which is a bit daft, the day before I have a long weekend at work.

On the other hand?

I manage to get to see Fiddler on the Roof, last night.

Now, that … ?

Is a fantastic little film: tunes you can hum — TRADITION! — a story with relevance to all of us, not just one ethnic group, and acting the like of who I’ve not seen in some time.

Go see it.

Me raving about isn’t quite the same.

~≈§≈~

Oh, by the way … 

I’ve just watched this piece on the BBC’s news website: that explained how some medical devices so that they could do serious damage to a pacemaker.

That’s a little worrying.

And gets me thinking that William Gibson’s cyberpunk future — hackers using software as a killing machines — is nearer than we think!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-8-2018: Jean-Michel Jarre

24th August, 2018.

I’m definitely feeling a bit dicky this morning, I really am.

The usual trouble: the innards are playing up, again.

To the point where I might just have to phone in ill: I’d rather not be too far away from a toilet … 

The shame of it … ?

Is simply that last night — eating the dinner I think caused the flare up … ? — went well enough that I caught a movie.

Split, so you know.

That was rather good … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-8-2018: Madras

22nd August, 2018.

You know, that’s an interesting bit of news.

If you’re a film fan, that is!

A few months back, Eon Productions announced they were hiring Danny Boyle to direct the next James Bond film.

All well and good.

Today … ?

He’s stepped down.

Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25. pic.twitter.com/0Thl116eAd

— James Bond (@007) August 21, 2018

Creative differences, apparently.

Hmmm … 

I replacing him … is going to be tricky … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, while we’re at it, there was something else I noticed.

Both Facebook and Twitter have announced they’ve deleted various dubious Iranian or Russian backed accounts that were spreading misinformation in the run-up to the US mid-term elections.

Much like Microsoft, who announced they’ve prevented Russian hacking.   Something I mentioned in  last night’s post about Westworld.

That’s a very good series, by the way.

I think they’ll have saved money on the cast for season two, incidentally.

At ANY rate?

I think we’re looking at three technology companies who are acting as informal security guards for America’s democracy.

All well and good: and possibly showing us the three are behaving better that the US president.

But I’d love to know what the US government is doing.   I can’t see it not planting false accounts on the Russian, Iranian or Chinese equivalent of Facebook.

What concerns me, though?

Is what is the UK doing about similar things happening in the UK.

Well?

Mrs May, what is your government doing about foreign interference in UK democracy?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-8-2018: Caesar Augustus

19th August, 2018.

Yes, I’ve got another early start!

I hate early starts.

But then … ?

I also hate not having money: or a job.

Frankly, though?

I still want to go back to bed!

Mostly to sleep.

But also because I’m reading Moorcock’s Behold the Man.

I love being a mass of contradictions.

~≈§≈~

At any rate?

And in the awareness I’m not going to see anything about it, this early of a Sunday morning … ?

But it’s still frustrating to not have a formal airdate for the first episode of Dr Who’s eleventh series.

Aaarrrghghghgh … 

Is putting it mildly … 

Especially when the BBC’s made another big announcement about Strictly … 

Oy veh … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-8-2018: Mae West

17th August, 2018.

What do you say when a musical legend dies?

Honestly … ?

I don’t think I’ve ever been able to come up with something, when the likes of Bowie or Prince, died.

Now … ?

Aretha’s joined them in passing.

All I can do … ?   Is post an Aretha Franklin playlist.

The fact she — from wherever she is now — can still make the hair on back of my arms stand on end?

Is all the memorial I can offer.

~≈§≈~

There’s legends: authentic giants who’ve had an impact on the world, emotionally, financially, militarily or otherwise.

Whatever: they’ve made genuine changes to the world.

Aretha was one of them.

The reason I mention it?

Is that I’ve just looked at the cast list for this year’s versions of Celebrity Big Brother, and Strictly Come Dancing.

Of the twenty or so ‘celebrities’ doing the shows?

I’ve only heard of three of them.

We marked the birthday of Madonna, yesterday: possibly one of the savviest people in the music business, and one who will — I believe — be the academic case study on how to be a successful musician.

I’ve been watching Westworld: which shows us acting giants, Anthony Hopkins and Thandie Newton, showing us exactly what they can do.

Today’s Teaser is about the Hollywood legend, Mae West.

We lost a queen, yesterday, in the shape of Aretha.

And all the BBC and Channel Five have to offer as a sop?

Wannabies … 

Please feel free to comment … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2018: International Left Hander’s Day

13th August, 2018.

Right, I have to admit to having a bad day, yesterday: after an all-out screaming match with one of the supervisors.

We’ll have to see what happens when I get to work, tonight.

It’s been one of those weeks … 

Beyond telling you I managed to catch an episode of Westworld, last night?

I think I’m going to leave that there … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-3-2018: Shogun

24th March, 2018.

Have a lot at the date, there, would you … ?

2018, right?

That’s the year, yeah?

Well … 

Yeah … WH Smiths, the stationers and newsagent — at least the Brentwood branch — seem on the ball.

I was there, yesterday: as the Brentwood branch is home to Brentwood’s main post office, where I pay most of my bills.

I couldn’t help but notice the huge display of security software: as it was by the main door … 

I ALSO couldn’t help but notice the stickers on those boxes … the one that says ‘2017 Ready.’ 

2017.

I hate to sound picky, but the impression I’ve always had is that — with security software in particular — having the most recent version is important: it’ll catch more nasties, that way.

Selling something that seems to be last year’s model … ?

Seems a little off the ball … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-3-2018: Let’s Pretend

23rd March, 2018.

No, it’s true: that particular one, Boson X?

Is just a little bit distracting!

No, really.

If you’re not a casual gamer … ?   It’s not going to grab you.

If you DO like the genre?

A game where you have to run and jump could be just the thing.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-3-2018: Saint Patrick’s Day

17th March, 2018.

Yep, it’s official: we officially not being snowed on.

Yet.

Frankly?

I’m surprised about the cold snap: and slightly cynical.

And hoping this doesn’t affect my trip to work.

~≈§≈~

In other news?

In other news, my Amazon package finally turned up.

What’s more?

It finally turned up … when I was to receive it … !

I think I’ve had a refund, as well.   Frankly?   I’m pleasantly surprised.

Now all I have to do, is set the thing up.

~≈§≈~

And finally, in still MORE news …

This chap’s what they call a biohacker: someone who likes the idea of implanting bits of tech into his body.

In his case?   Implanting a chip from an Opal card — the Australian equivalent to London’s Oyster card — into his arm, so he can get around, without forgetting it.

Nice idea, I think.

Except he’s been sued by the relevant transport authorities for not carrying a ticket: despite the fact the thing in his wrist is still accessible to card readers.

Granted, it’s not going to be something everyone’s going to want to do … but still strikes me as a good idea.

Once the ticket inspectors get their heads around it …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-3-2018: Maine Lining

15th March, 2018.

It’s true: I’ve made a major — or minor — screw up.

I’m due to have a CT scan, today: to check on the blood vessels going into my heart.

Me being the silly twit I am?   And the the kind of man who — like most of us — leaves things right until the last bloody minute?

Including reading the letter that tells me what I need to do, before I have the scan?

Yesterday?   Right at the last minute?   Just before going to work?

I re-read the letter … and realised I should have had a blood test, last week, to make sure my kidney function was ok enough to have the scan!

Whether that means the test can go ahead … ?

I’m blowed if I know.

I’m going to have to make a phone call …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-3-2018: I’m a Barbie Girl.

9th March, 2018.

Hmmm … 

Right now … ?

I’m feeling just a bit … bleugh … 

But there you go.

~≈§≈~

Also right now … ?

Also right now?   I’ve got the first episode of the sixth series of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy on in the background.

Quite what’s going on, I’m not sure: but the word battery seems to be important.   Oh, and Random Dent’s married a gerbil.

And the voice of the Guide, this week?   Is played by Professor Stephen Hawking … 

It’s a bit … 

Silly … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2018: The ZX81

5th March, 2018.

That’s mildly annoying.

Yes, in case you’re asking, I had a great day: and owe everyone who came, and everyone who wished me well a BIG thank you.

But … ?

I took a few photos: I think everyone would.

And then, when I got home?

Pressed a wrong button, somewhere on my new phone … and deleted the lot in trying to upload them to Facebook!

Arghhh … !

The fact I’ve managed to get Pac the Man X working, and, in the shape of Mini Metro, have a digital train set?

Is kind of beside the point.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-3-2018: the Big 5-0

4th March, 2018.

Yay … !

It’s officially my 50th birthday.

Quite how I feel about it, I don’t know.

Hmmm … 

Just recently?

I haver to admit, just recently, I’m getting intimations of mortality.   Bits of me are aching somewhat more than than they did, ten years ago.   And, of course, I’m very aware that I have less time on this Earth than — say — my seven year old nephew, Jude.

Just to top it off?   Time seems to go faster than it did.

Morbid, huh … ?

On the upside … ?

The upside … ?

I’m starting to get a few messages in via Facebook and Twitter.   Friends are contacting me.   The gang at work managed to decorate my desk.   And least one major present has already rolled in.

Intimations of mortality, yes … 

Here and now?

Here and now, though, I’m happy to be alive … 

~≈§≈~