Showing posts with label writer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writer. Show all posts

Thursday, 15 October 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-10-2026 — Mario Puzo

15th October, 2026: Mario Puzo.


Have you heard of a comedian called Russell Brand?

Well, I say comedian, but I’ve never found the man especially funny.

At any rate?

Over the past few years, he’s been accused of various sexual offences: and is now undergoing trial.

But, in-between accusations of impropriety, and the start of the trial?

He’s converted to Christianity: famously getting baptised in the Thames.

I like the line from that Guardian article: 
“Thames Water is no longer responsible for the biggest piece of shit in the river.”
Which struck me as appropriate.

At any rate … did you ever hear the phrase, “on the swerve”?

If I’ve got it right, it means whoever the phrase is applied to, is trying to dodge a bullet, trying to avoid punishment: usually by making themselves look good.

Donating to charity, say.

Making a public apology.

Or converting to a new religion, in a desperate effort to look like a good person.

Rather than a potential rapist, undergoing trial.

Personally?

That’s what I’m thinking Brand’s doing.

He’s doing a public — and false — conversion, in an attempt to avoid trouble.

I’d love to be wrong.

But?

If he’s not swerving it, I’m a duck.

~≈⚖️≈~

Friday, 28 August 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-8-2026 — Sheridan Le Fanu

28th August, 2026: Le Fanu.


Yay!

It’s Friday!

Which means I’m drugs, of course.

Or, at least, I’ve had my weekly dose of Mounjaro: on top of the Levothyroxine, Dapagliflozin, atorvastatin and lord knows what else I’m on!

Remind me to book an appointment with my GP.

At my regular Monday weigh-ins, I’ve my weight will go down in small steps for a week or two … and then go up a lot, for a couple of weeks.

I think an increased dose of Mounjaro — alongside better monitoring of what I eat — could help.

~≈💉≈~

Sunday, 17 May 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2026 — Anyone for Dennis? (Ten questions)

17th May, 2026: Dennis Potter.


It’s officially the case that a man in need of a game controller … has to buy a new one … 

Yes, that’s right, I have a new toy: a new game controller, now happily paired with my AppleTV 4k.

Just so you know?

It’s what’s called a DualSense™ Wireless Controller: and something originally designed for the PlayStation 5.

Which caught may nephew’s eyes: he has one of the consoles, himself, and was able to offer advise on button configurations.

Well played, him!

I also have to say “Well Played, Apple”: as I ordered it from them.

They originally told me the thing would be with me, by Saturday, 16th May.

Although the Royal Mail — the people doing the actual delivery — told me it would be with me by this coming Monday, 18th May.

As it turned out?

It turned up yesterday.

And got connected, pretty much immediately, and saw me playing Sonic the Hedgehog.

Exciting, eh … ?

~≈🦔≈~

Actually, now I’ve mentioned Jude?

Yes: he was here, yesterday.

And yes: he’s posted another video: feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!


~≈⚽️≈~

Just as a last thing … ?

I’ve had today’s edition of Radio Four’s Sunday on, this morning.

It’s a fascinating listen, as ever: and discussing the religious beliefs of various politicians.

Including the three, potential, Labour leader candidates.

Andy Burnham, it seems, is a non-practising Catholic.

Angela Rayner, it seems, is an atheist.

And the third contender, Wes Streeting?

Is a practising Anglican.

Granted: the man would be the first openly gay Prime Minister, if he became PM.

But, to me?

That’s less of an issue for me, than the fact the man is a practising Anglican.

I’d prefer my politicians to be uninfluenced by their faith: to not be openly religious.

~≈🙏≈~

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-1-2025 — Lord Byron.

22nd January, 2025: Lord Byron.


Right: it’s official: my boiler has been repaired.

The loss of pressure that caused the loss of heat and hot water was not caused by the problem I though was causing it.

I though it was a problem with a pressure valve.

Oh, no.

It was a jammed knob.

One that — as it turns out — I could have done myself … if I’d had an adjustable wrench.

At any rate … ?

My boiler’s now working.

About the only issues I have were that fact the repairman turned up at 20:30, after I’d phoned the repair in at 6:30.

And thet fact I’m trying to avoid any sentence with the word ‘twist’ or ‘knob’ in them.

It sounds ever-so-slightly naughty … !

~≈😏≈~

In the wake of Axel Rudakubana, the Southport Killer, being sentenced?

I notice that there’s various points being discussed:
  • The ease he was able to buy knives.
  • The number of times he was referred to the counter-terrorism programme, Prevent.
  • And concerns about him passed to other authorities.
The one thing that caught my eye?

Was that he’d downloaded what’s described as an ‘al-Qaeda terror manual’ known as the ‘DECLARATION OF JIHAD [HOLY WAR] AGAINST THE COUNTRY’S TYRANTS’.

What I’m not surprised about … ?

Is how easy it is to get how of that … 

~≈💣≈~

Sunday, 19 January 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-1-2025 — Who the Hell is Edgar?

19th January, 2025: Who the Hell is Edgar?


Yes, you’re right!

I am quoting a Eurovision song in the introductory video.

The one today’s teaser takes its title from.

It seem vaguely relevant: although I suspect it would’ve got ma a copyright strike on YouTube!

~≈🐦‍⬛≈~

Oh … whilst we’re on the subject of Edgar … ?

I put an image of him through Apple’s Image Playground app.




Which makes him look vaguely like Kurt Vonnegut.

So it goes … 

~≈🐦‍⬛≈~

There’s supposed to be a ceasefire in Israel.

Supposed to be a ceasefire … 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ckg0znng8x2t

But, functionally … ?   With Israel blaming Hamas, and bombing Gaza, despite its Cabinet approval of the thing?

Is it any wonder I laugh, when I hear the word, ‘ceasefire’?

~≈💣≈~

Monday, 18 November 2024

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-11-2024 — Alan Moore

18th November, 2024: Alan Moore.


Right then … 

It’s Monday: and I’m officially up, early.

I’m off to my weekly weight management class: and hoping two things.

One?

I’ve lost more weight.

Two … ?

I don’t get too wet.

There’s rain happening in Brentwood.

~≈💧≈~

Ask for Angela.

Ask for Angela …

It’s the name — if you didn’t know — of a scheme operated in London pubs: that allows women who feel unsafe to discreetly be moved to a safe space.

Except, of course, that there’s problems with it.

Many venues aren’t implementing it properly: or even training their staff to run it.

That’s a shame.

I know of at least one friend who had her drink spiked: and could have benefited from this.

It’s a good idea: but needs following through …

~≈🙋‍♀️≈~

Thursday, 12 March 2015

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.

~≈®≈~

Friday, 18 July 2014

Rain … 

Why do we write … ?

No … Really … 

Why do we write … ?

That’s a good question, isn’t it?

Why … do … we write?

~≈Œ≈~

Monday, 12 August 2013

The Daily Teaser — 12-8-2013: The Name’s Fleming …

It’s got to be said, I love Radio Four at this time of the morning.

Really.

The Today programme’s usually insightful, the religious programming at this time surprisingly soothing to an agnostic, and the news bulletins have set the basic format for the BBC for years.

And it’s got to be said, Today has just played a blinder, as far as I’m concerned.   They’ve just had the ever garrulous — and ever passionate — comedian and mental health activist, Ruby Wax, on speaking about GPs overprescribing antidepressants.

Fascinating listening, I should add.   And very worth a listen, if you get the chance.

With that in mind … ?

Let’s move on … 

~≈§≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser was another quiet day.

So let’s see who’s up for trying today’s Ian Fleming themed questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 12th August saw the death of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.   What was the name of the first James Bond novel … ?
Q2) Bond is — famously — a member of Britain’s Secret Service: which is also known as what … ?
Q3) Fleming, himself, on the other hand, served with which intelligence operation, during World War 2 … ?
Q4) What was the name of Fleming’s one children’s novel … ?
Q5) Fleming’s Jamaican home has a James Bond movie named after it.   Which James Bond movie … ?
Q6) And finally … What was the last James Bond novel to be published during Fleming’s lifetime … ?
Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 11th August, 1804, saw Francis 2nd named as the first Emperor of where … ?
A1) Austria.
Q2) More to the point, which title did he hold, until 1806 … ?
A2) Holy Roman Emperor.
Q3) Francis 2nd was ALSO the Apostolic King of which ‘H’ … ?
A3) Hungary.
Q4) Which language is the main one, spoken in Francis 2nd’s country … ?
A4) German.
Q5) And finally … In which year did Francis 2nd die … ?
A5) 1835.
Enjoy those: I’ll leave you with Fleming’s own suggested recipe for Bond’s signature tipple† …
“‘A Dry Martini*’, he said. ‘One. In a deep champagne goblet.’ ‘Oui, monsieur.’ ‘Just a moment. Three measures of Gordons, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemonpeel. Got it?’ ‘Certainly, monsieur.’ The barman seemed pleased with the idea.”
From Casino Royale.
And … 

Well, if you’ve done a Teaser about Fleming, what other tune can one use … ? Do-do-DAH-do … 









*        Noel Coward’s martini recipe was ‘filling a glass with gin then waving it in the general direction of Italy’.

†        Fleming dubbed it the ‘Vesper’.

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

R.I.P. Anne McCaffrey, Creator of Pern and The Ship Who Sang



Oh … Now THAT’s another sad one …

Lifelong science fiction fan that I am, I’ve got to admit, I’ve read a certain amount of Anne McCaffrey, in my time.

Mostly her Dragonriders of Pern series, which had both one of the strongest female characters I know I’ve ever seen, Lessa of Bendan Weyr.

So you can imagine my saddest in hearing that Ms McCaffrey had died on Monday, just gone, at the age of 85.

That’s sad.

I know I once met fantasy writer, Storm Constantine who called Ms McCaffrey ‘inspirational’.

I’m also fairly convinced there’s who’d say the same.

All I can do … ?

Is offer my condolences to her family.

AND did up my old copy of Dragonflight …