Thursday 31 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-8-2017: Diana

How many bloody stupid* people are there?

No, really?

I work in a call centre in Chelmsford: one that handles emergency calls for social landlord.

Repairs, usually.   If you’re in social housing, and something breaks down, your landlord’s the one to repair it: and we handle the out of hours calls.

We send out engineers when you boiler starts leaking, or something goes wrong with the wiring.

I had one call, last night: JUST towards the end of my shift.

That was a decided unemergency.

The woman who phoned in?

Her emergency was the flooring in the kitchen.

It had air bubbles.

And was making the oven wobble.

I hate sounding rude, patronising or uncaring … but a wobbling oven … ?

Dear gods!

~≈≈~

Wednesday 30 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-8-2017

It’s a god-awful, small, affair … 

To the girl with the mousey hair … 

Yep, you’re right … 

I’ve got up this morning, happily made a pot of tea, cleaned my had the usual medication … 

And realised someone had put an earworm on me.

I really couldn’t tell you if there’s Life on Mars.

Really, I couldn’t.

But I can say there’s a song about it … 


~≈É≈~

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-8-2017


Hmmm … Just when you thought the Rail Replacement Bus situation couldn’t get any worse … ?

An extra layer of bad gets added.

As you’ll possibly know, I work in Chelmsford: and get there by train.

Apart from on bank holiday weekends: win there’s a rail replacement service, as various bits of line maintenance get gone.   As has been done, this weekend.

Sunday was the usual mess: Brentwood to Shenfield by bus, Shenfield to Ingatestone by bus, Ingatestone to Chelmsford by bus.

With the usual delays.

Sunday wasn’t  good: but I got to work, AND got home.

Monday?   Yesterday morning?   There was a blivet in the works.

It turns out that — so late on Sunday night that it was at 12·45, on Monday morning — a man was attacked outside Murphy’s Sports bar — five or so minutes from my front door — and is in a serious condition.

In Queens Hospital, in Romford.

Some of the gossip I heard?   Said he’s in an induced coma.

If true, and if the poor sod doesn’t come out of that?

Someone could be be facing murder charges.

For me?   The immediate result was simply the fact that the police cordon thrown up — to let forensics do their job — meant the the rail replacement buses got re-routed.

Not something I was happy about.

And — considering someone’s Twitter feed got quoted on the Gazette’s website — I have to ask … 


Will Essex Police send and extra car down Warley Hill, at closing time?   At bank holidays?

That could be good …

~≈Ê≈~

Monday 28 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-8-2017

That’s a bugger!

Or, at least, that’s an almost nasty bugger.

I got home, last night.

Cooked myself something to eat.

Chicken kiev, if you’re wanting to know: a cheap one by Birdseye.

And … ?

Sat down happily eat dinner, got myself an early night, not long afterwards.

Getting up this morning … to find I’d not actually turned off my oven, last night … 

There’s — thankfully — no damaged done: beyond to my electricity bill and dignity.

But, boy … I’m going to have to keep an eye open for that!

~≈®≈~

Sunday 27 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-8-2017

Bleugh … 

He says …

It’s a it’s a Sunday morning: and I’ll happily admit, going back to bed has a lot of appeal.

But … ?

Well, work calls … 

~≈Á≈~

Oh, have you been watching Game of Thrones?

I have, on and off.

This year’s seventh, and penultimate, season, is coming to it’s expectedly big climax.

And looking rather good.

Personally, though?

I still think Maisie Williams — Arya Stark — did a better job in series 9 of Dr Who … !


~≈Á≈~

Saturday 26 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2017

Hmmm … 

It’s the start of the bank holiday weekend.

No problems, there, then.

Well … 

I SAY that … 

It’s the weekend of the Notting Hill Carnival: so we’re expecting to get a lot of calls at work, from the relevant local council.

And possibly a few mentioning Grenfell: as the deaths will be marked by Carnival goers.

Or, AND for the Greater London Authority: who we also take calls for.

~≈Ê≈~

But, to be frank … ?

That’s not what’s bothering me.

Oh, no.

Nope … 

It’s the bank holiday weekend.

Which means there’s a rail replacement service,

I hate it, when the trains get replaced by buses.

The trip to and from work, especially given the traffic on these weekends?

Goes … 

Very … 

Slowly …

~≈Ê≈~

Friday 25 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-8-2017: Neptune

Yay … !

My hallway light’s working … !

You may or may not know it, but I had an electrician around, yesterday.

To fix my hallway light.   Or, to be more accurate, replace the fitting in the hallway light.

That’s done!

While he was here?

I’ve got smoke detectors in my flat: ones that — like all of them — have batteries in them: that way, if you get a power cut, the detectors will still work.

They beep, annoyingly, if the battery needs changing.

Mine have been beeping for a while.   A mix of inertia and not being able to get the covers off, meant I hadn’t changed the batteries for a while.

The chap managed to sort out my smoke detectors, as well.

Yes!!!!!!

I’m beep free: and the flat’s unnervingly quiet.

Which kind of makes up for the fact that last night’s film — the Ben Wheatley produced, Gareth Tunley directed, The Ghoulwasn’t one of the best movies I’ve seen …

~≈Ç≈~

Thursday 24 August 2017

The Ghoul: Not For Me … 

You know, I don’t think that I’ve had that much time off, this week.

Or, at least, as much as I did, last week.

But … ?

But I’ve had enough: to do a little writing, a little cleaning up around the place.

Oh, and enough time to stay in, this morning, patiently waiting for an electrician to fix my hallway light.

Or, at least, replace the fitting … and, while he was at it, see to the beeping smoke detectors.

No, literally, beeping.

The batteries needed changing.

At any rate?

At any rate, I had the evening free for a movie.

Right now?

Right now, I’ve just finished watching the Ben Wheatley produced, Gary Tunley directed, The Ghoul.

And, much as I usually like anything with the name ‘Wheatley,’ on it?

I’m not convinced by The Ghoul … 

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-8-2017

Mmmm … 

I’m … 

Thing … 

Wosname … 

Feeling MIXED … 

So you know.

Frankly?

This morning, I’m having to wait in for an electrician: who’s due to replace the light fitting in the hallway.

He’s due to turn up, anytime between now — 8am — and 1 o’clock.

At the end of it?

It means I’ll hopefully have a working light.

But will mean I’m going to be stuck indoors, ’til he’s gone.

I hate that.

I’ll be getting cabin fever!

~≈®≈~

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-8-2017

Why can’t pop bands be pop bands?

Hmm … ?

I have NO idea … !

I DO know that personal faves, the KLF are up to something.

Last night?

Marked twenty-three years since the notorious night they burnt a million pounds on the Isle of Jura.

 People didn’t know why, then.

People still don’t know why, now.

And, after an event, last night, where the band released a new book, last night?


People STILL don’t know why!

Which is handily surprising.

This is the band that, instead of going to the Brits aftershow party in 1992 — where they won Best British Band — left a dead sheep, there.

Then deleted their complete back catalogue.

What the f°ck is going on … ?

How on Earth should I know?



~≈∑≈~

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-8-2017: Do The Richard 3rd.

Hmmm … 

Apparently … ?

President Trump is not going to be withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan.

And, if I’ve understood his announcement, last night … ?

There’s a possibility he’ll adding more.    Or starting a war with Pakistan.

After the whole North Korea thing?

Am I the only one with Gay Bar ear worming through my head?


~≈®≈~

Village of the Damned (1960): 57 is no age at all.

21st August, 2017.

You know … 

I like a movie or two,

Now and again.

And, over the past week or so — with a few evenings free — managed to watch a couple of recentish rentals from iTunes.

If you’re in a movie mood?

I’d suggest Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire is going to be a better bet than the the Scarlett Johansson vehicle, Ghost in the Shell.

Saying that … ?

Saying that, I think I got carried away in the moment, last week.

I hit the rental trail, saw those two titles and rented them …

When what I’d actually wanted to do?

Was dig into my movie collection and drag tonight’s film into my iTunes library.

You’re right … 

I’ve not seen Village of the Damned for a while …

~≈fi≈~

Monday 21 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-8-2017: The Bolt

You know, I THINK I’m with Dr Alfred Lanning.

Just in case you don’t know?

He’s one of the recurring characters in Asimov’s I, Robot short story collection.

And, usually when he’d see someone screaming their heads off about dangerous robot technology — or killer robots — would be the first person muttering about “… that damn Frankenstein complex!”

He’s possibly not read this piece, yet.

I’m mildly conflicted.

The basic idea is that of trying slow down — or outright ban — autonomous weaponry.

Which sounds like a good idea.

Only it’s attached to that headline.

Which makes the BBC look like a panic inducing tabloid!


I think someone should say SOMETHING … !

~≈§≈~

Sunday 20 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-8-2017

Right … 

It’s Back to Work Sunday … 

Well, it’s: it’s been a back to work weekend!

Which is — or was — actually quite nice.

I don’t know about you, but it’s nice to be able to enjoy yourself at work: in the midst of a bunch of friendly co-workers.

It’s just a shame about the snotty punters, yesterday … !

~≈Ê≈~

Saturday 19 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-8-2017

Hmmm … 

That’s … 

Entertaining … 

Possibly … 

It seems Australia’s high court has ordered Internet Services Providers in the country to block fifty-nine websites.

Ones that allow users to access pirated content.

Personally?

I think that’s a good thing.

Very good: content creators will get the appropriate payment.

But … ?

Frankly, that’s not going to stop good ol’ fashioned piracy.

Especially when you consider how easy some forms are*.


~≈Â≈~

Friday 18 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-8-2017

Dear god, two attacks … !

I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news?

But Spain has seen two — not one, two — terrorist attacks.

One in Barcelona, the other in Cambrils: by apparently Jihadist inspired attackers, driving vans at crowds.

I hope the fatalities are at a minimum: although I know thirteen are dead as a result of the Barcalona attack.

And, apparently?

Five of the attackers have been killed in Cambrils.

Though I hope as many of them are caught alive, as possible.

I think the victims, and their families, would appreciate hearing their excuse.

~≈Ê≈~

Something else I noticed in the news?

Was the situation in Charlottesville in the US: where the recent far-right marches left a left wing counter-protestor, dead.

It led to several executives leaving the business councils organised by President Trump: in response his bad handling of the situation.

I’m an Apple fan: one very aware that the company usually doesn’t get itself involved with politics: NOR make public statements about it.

So I’m VERY aware I was surprised that the company’s executive, Tim Cook has announced he feel’s US far right And Neo-Naziism is not a good thing: and that he’s authorised substantial company donations, to a pair of prominent Civil Rights groups, as a result.

Wonders will never start … 

~≈Ê≈~

The fact that, in all this?

The fact that, in all this, I managed to catch Ben Wheatley’s very watchable Free Fire, last night?

Is almost incident.

I will say this about it: it’s a lot more watchable than Ghost in the Shell.

~≈Ê≈~

Thursday 17 August 2017

Free Fire: That’ll Do … !

17th August, 2017

Oh, now: that’s annoying!

One of my neighbours likes a joint or two.

Which I don’t usually complain too much about: as she seems to have stopped using, over the past few months.

But, on Tuesday, and tonight?   When I had my windows open, to catch some air?

In came the familiar and unwelcome smell of cannabis.

Not something I want, when I’m watching a movie, I know that.

The upside to tonight’s situation?

Was that …
  • I could at least send an email to my housing officer …
  • The movie I saw, the Ben Wheatley directed Free Fire, was entertaining … !
~≈fi≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-8-2017: U C These Ds?

Blimey, HBO’s having issues … 

Just in case you didn’t know … ?

HBO is the TV company that airs the incredibly successful series, Game of Thrones.

Not only have they recently been had issues — having several scripts, and episodes, posted anywhere that’ll have them — but they’ve ALSO had next week’s sixth episode posted online.

By someone at HBO, itself.

By mistake.

It never rains, when it can pour … 

~≈≈~

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-8-2017: Strike A Pose

I have to admit, I’m back to work, today.

I’m looking forward to it, frankly.

But … ?

I’m also very aware that I stayed in, last night: watching a movie.

Ghost in the Shell, so you know.

Hmmm … 

It’s got to be said, it’s a great looking thing.

I’m not convinced it’s a good film, though.

It’s  a bit of a mess, frankly.

~≈‰≈~

Ghost in the Shell: Hmmm … 

15th August, 2017

You know, I HAVE to confess to having had the night off, tonight.

You’d possibly worked that out, hadn’t you?

After all, I’ve only been complaining about the way my work hours go up and down like a yoyo, for some time.

This week?   Sees me on very short hours: but next week, sees them going back up.

Leaving me with little money, later … 

But plenty of time, now.

Unoccupied time.

Time I can watch a TV show: although I’ve caught a few of them.

Or maybe go out.   Not enough cash, frankly.

Or … ?

Rent a film: something I’ve been meaning to do for a while.

I’ve a few films sitting on an extra hard drive on my MacPro, waiting to be watched.

But fancied something new.

It didn’t take long to find something I fancied see: mostly because of the whitewashing argument about the film.

Was it worth it, though … ?

Hmmm … 

~≈Ê≈~

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-8-2017

Now, I wonder who that was … ?

I had the night off, last night.

Which is nice: I managed to catch the last two episodes of season 1 of The Man in the High Castle.

Which is quite the series, I think I can say.

At any rate?

At about nine?   Just when I was starting to watch episode 10?

The phone went off: which I initially ignored.

It kept ringing … 

I kept ignoring it: after all, I’ve had too many missed calls from people selling me solar panels!

When I finally decided to head over to the phone, to pick it up and SEE who it was?

They rang off.

After making sure they phoned me, from their withheld phoned number.

I get the feeling they’re shy, whoever they were … 

~≈Â≈~

The Man in the High Castle — Series 1 — Episodes 9 and 10: Kindness and A Way Out


14th August, 2017.

Oh, I hate that when that happens …

You get a phone call … from a withheld number!

And right in the middle of things!

I’m JUST wondering if it was work: calling me in to say I’d misread my rota.

Or possibly regular contributor, Debbi Mack: who I know’s been meaning to try and call for a while.

Blowed if I know!

They withheld their number!

Don’t you just hate that … ?

There’s a couple of upsides, though.

Firstly?

If it wasn’t Debbi or work, it could WELL have some bloody idiot in a call centre, somewhere.

Trying to sell me a boiler.   Or help me with a PPI claim.   Or tell you their records show my PC is working slowly.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that me and the several Macs I’ve had AREN’T going to fall for that one!

The other upside … ?

Was that it didn’t spoil my evening.

Not with the last two episodes of series one of The Man in the High Castle involved it didn’t … 

~≈£≈~

Monday 14 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-8-2017

You know, there are time … when I wonder if the World Wide Web is joking.

Seriously.

I was wondering about, yesterday morning: whilst typing up the Left Hander’s Day post.

And searched for biblical quotes about left handedness: thinking something about the people of Beth-thingy smiting their enemies in Jeroba-do-dah, using their left hands, would look suitably impressive.

I found this page: advising people to stop being left handed on pain of being sent to hell.

http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=49703

I’m seriously damned … 

… if I know whether whoever posted the bloody thing is joking.

I’m left handed myself.

I’d imagine that most women, anyone gay, anyone of an Afro-Carribean background, spotting something like that?

Wouldn’t be sure, either.

And, like me?

Would be feeling vaguely offended: serious or otherwise.

~≈‰≈~

Sunday 13 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2017: International Left Hander’s Day

Argh … 

Possibly … 

Right now?

It’s ten to six in the morning.

Yes: you’ve guessed it.

It’s International Left Handers Day.

I start work at ten.

And I’d rather be back in bed.

Oh, well … 

At least I’ve found out — listening to the radio, today — that Moeen Ali — the Beard to be Feared, himself? — is a left-handed batsman.

OK: I’m no cricket fan, but that’s a result!

Now … 

Before I move on?

Can I ask any of the south paws out there to switch a family member’s computer mouse to left handed use?

Let’s introduce a little left handed anarchy … 


~≈Ê≈~

Saturday 12 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-8-2017

Ye GODS!

I’m going to have to sign up for Instagram … !

I’ve been on lie for a few years now: and think I’m getting some attention from people.

At least, for my YouTube channel.

This one, in particular, has had a lot of views.


Don’t ask about the Mandela Effect!   It’s starting to annoy me!

At ANY rate … ?

I’m thinking I should join Instagram.

JUST so I can find bloody idiots leaving comment on the Teaser videos, asking me to follow them on Instagram … 

AND TELL THEM TO BLOODY WELL STOP!!!!!!!

Honestly, Comment Spam!

~≈‰≈~

Friday 11 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-8-2017

Hmmm … 

You’d never have thought it … 

I’ve actually watched more TV.

I had the day off, yesterday: and have a few more coming, next week.

Which has got me sitting there, having a good think about the job.

Who knows what I’ll need up doing … but I need to do something about those hours.

~≈Á≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I managed to catch more TV, last night.

You’ve got it.

I’ve been watching more of The Man in The High Castle.

It’s quite something to watch.

~≈Á≈~

The Man in the High Castle — Series 1 — Episodes 7 and 8: Truth and The End of the World.

10th August, 2017.

You know … 

I think I can have to much of a good thing.

Or possibly not enough.

Hmmm … 

I’ll possibly have to re-read that sentence, later, and see if it makes sense … 

At ANY rate … ?

I have a short week, next week: some 25 hours.

There’s possibly a shorter one the week after.

As we have a bunch of new trainees coming on-stream.

I’m understandably, concerned: concerned enough to think making discreet enquiries at the job centre would be an idea.

But … ?

Well … 

I’ not sure if I could tell you exactly how, what or where my thoughts are going.

All I could tell you … ?

All I could tell you is that tonight is/was a night off, for me.

And, as I have done for the past few weeks?

Catch some TV.

In this case … ?

More of the formidable The Man in the High Castle.

~≈‽≈~

Thursday 10 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-8-2017: Candid Camera

Blimey … 

It’s a Day Off … !

Frankly, that’s something I’m thankful for.

Something I’m not thankful for … ?

Is the amount of hours, next week.

That upside for the amount of days off, next week?

Is I get plenty of time to catch up on things.

Frankly, I’d like to see more of The Man in the High Castle and American Horror Story.

The down side for that?

Is, frankly, less cash.

Hmmm … 

I know I’ve had at least one regular commentor suggest writing a trivia quiz book.

I’m thinking I might just have time.

~≈Ê≈~

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-8-2017: The Second Bomb

What … ?

Wait, wait, wait, hang on … 

What … ?

The BBC’s done what … ?

They’ve cancelled Count Arthur Strong … ?

Good GODS … !

I hate to sound whiney, here, but they’ve cancelled the Count Arthur Strong show!

OK, not wasn’t big, it wasn’t necessarily clever … 

But the show was light, funny …

And had a gentleness of touch that is had to find elsewhere.

It is, much like the cancelling of The Fades, a bit of a bombshell.


~≈Ê≈~

Tuesday 8 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-8-2017

Hmmm … 

It’s a Tuesday.

It’s a Tuesday … 

And I’m mildly kicking myself for not recording this week’s episode of Just a Minute.

Thankfully?

Thankfully, I’ve got the website open … 

And the episode playing in the background.

You wouldn’t think ‘grandfather clock’ would cause so much argument.

~≈≈~

Monday 7 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-8-2017

Phew … 

That’s that long weekend over with!

I really will have to try and book some time off!

Either way?

Right at the moment, I have the morning off: as I’m heading into work, tonight.

All good: as my optician has finally got the parts in?

It means I can get my spectacles fixed!

To quote birthday boy, Stan Freberg?

Sh-boom, Sh-boom … !

~≈Ê≈~

Sunday 6 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-8-2017

Bleugh … !

I like my job … 

Really.

But Sundays … ?

Are a bit of a bugger!

As, in order to get in on time?

I was up at five.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Don’t eat the yellow snow”?

Yeah … 

That’s what my eyeballs feel like … 


~≈É≈~

Saturday 5 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-8-2017

Right, here we go … 

I’ve got a long weekend ahead!

Officially?

I’m on a 12-10, today, and a 10-5, tomorrow.

You can bet what-ever body-part you have spare?

That I’m not going to a lot of sleep!

~≈Á≈~

Hmmm … 

I tend to take an interest in technology news.

But am very aware that security researcher, Marcus Hutchins, has been arrested: on charges of making and distributing malicious software.

Whilst at the Def Con security conference.

Apparently, he’s admitted that he’s created software capable of stealing bank account details.

~≈Á≈~

There’s possibly a lot to say, there.

From the little I know?   From the little I know, most cyber-security researchers spend time in some very strange places: in order to find out how malicious hackers work.

And that they ALSO write malicious software: they kind of have to, to understand how it works, and used.

Personally?

I’m thinking the USA has made one heck of a mistake,

Especially as Hutchins is the man who single-handedly stopped the WannCry ransomware.

Go figure!

~≈Á≈~

Friday 4 August 2017

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-8-2017

Oh, blast … 

It’s not my week … 

Sort of … 

I have to admit to having had the day off, yesterday.

Did the usual sort of thing for a day off: made videos, did the laundry, fended off work asking me to go in on my day off.

Not that I’m saying no to free money, but no-one else is going to do the washing-up!

At ANY rate … I had the day off.

Made the decision to watch two more episodes of The Man in the High Castle*.

And, just as I was going to start watching the second episode of two?

The bulb in the hallway went.

That’s not the problem,

The problem?   Is that none of the replacement bulbs I have — with bog-standard bayonet fittings — will fit the hallway light fitting with an apparently bog standard bayonet fitting.

BOY, I’m glad my landlord has an online repair form I can fill in … 

~≈Å≈~