Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-5-2026 — International Museum Day.

18th May, 2026: International Museum Day.

Right, then: it’s Monday, again.

You knew that: you can see the date as easily as I can.

And, as it’s Monday?

That means I’m off to my weight management meeting, again.

I’m looking forward to that: hoping, I’ll’ve lost weight.

Which, as I was up, last week, would be nice.

The only worrying thing … ?

Is simply this: the weather looks nice, right now.

But it looks a bit changeable, later.

~≈💧≈~

Given the possible leadership election the Labour government’s facing?

I know contender, Wes Streeting, has been criticised for his statements: supporting re-joining the European Union.

I voted Remain in the 2016 referendum: so you know.

But?

I don’t know that I could support rejoining, right now.

Before we left, we’d negotiated things in a way that meant we kept the Pound as our currency.

Granted, we had to co-ordinate monetary policy with the EU and the European Central Bank, but we had a measure of control over what is an internationally recognised reserve currency.

If I’ve understood things correctly, though?

Current EU membership rules mean we’d have to adopt the Euro, should we want to rejoin.

And, presumably, lose a lot more control in the process.

I’ll be honest, if Britain were to reapply to rejoin the EU?

I’d be comfier with a cast iron guarantee that we’d keep the pound.

That’s a guarantee I can’t see a politician — any politician — giving me.

~≈🪙≈~

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 console’s, himself, and was able to offer advise one 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.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-5-2026 — The Nickel

16th May, 2026: the Nickel.

Right … online shopping … 

Isn’t it a thing … ?

It is: I now have a couple of bits due from Amazon, and a new games controller from Apple.

One originally designed for a PlayStation 5, in case you’re interested.

At any rate, I ordered those, yesterday afternoon: after I got back home from Brentwood High Street.

I would have done the ordering in the morning.

Except I had an issue: I’ve needed the relevant bank card for that.

You see, I’d transferred money from bank ‘A’ — where my benefits get paid to — to bank ‘B’, which I use for online shopping.

I don’t need bank B’s card for that, just bank A’s.

Then, of course, I thought “I know, I’ll make sure that’s gone through to Bank B.”

Only to find the bank card I needed wasn’t in my wallet!

I think we can say I was stressed: stressed enough to get my arse in gear, grab my various bits, and head for Bank B’s branch in the High Street.

I hate Warley Hill!

I’m reliably informed it’s not as steep as the streets of San Francisco … but when you’re in a rush, it’s not an easy climb.

So, when I got to the bank … ?

I was out of breath.

But grateful they had my card.

I’d left it there on Monday … !

Argh!!

~≈🏧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-5-206 — Shaffer and Shaffer (Six questions)

15th May, 2026: Shaffer and Shaffer.

Right … it’s PAY DAY!

Which means I can buy chocolate: I’ve been craving it for days.

Why … ?

I have no idea … !

~≈🍫≈~

It seems Kier Starmer, the UK’s Prime Minister, is facing problems: after bad results for Labour at this year’s local elections.

Problems that include leadership contender, Wes Streeting, resigning his ministerial post.

And fellow leadership contender, Andy Burnham, in a position to stand as an MP … and therefore challenge the PM as party leader.

I think any challenge is going to take a while.

If for no other reason than Andy Burnham would have to be elected to Parliament, before he could launch a challenge.

I can’t help but vaguely think a few things.

Think that Wes Streeting seems a little too fat, a little too sleek, too untrustworthy, for my tastes.

By contrast?

Andy Burnham has a huge advantage.

He’s presentable … and has a Scouse accent, a Liverpool accent.

In other words, has an accent that sounds honest.

Burnham’s probably no less a lying ragbag than any other politician.

And, frankly?

He’d have little chance of winning an election, if he stood here in Brentwood: Brentwood’s been a safe Tory seat for years, and one that’s likely to elect a Reform MP at the next General Election.

But if I lived in a left leaning constituency?

I’d be happy to vote Burnham.

Purely because he sounds honest … 

That’s one hell of an asset.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2026 — Zhurong

14th May, 2026: Zhurong.

Right … it’s officially the day before pay-day.

And, frankly?

I’ve woken up, this morning, craving chocolate!

Why?

I have no idea.

But if I knew that, I’d probably be rich!

~≈🍫≈~