Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-1-2021: David Lynch

20th January, 2021.

Hmmm … 

I’m feeling mildly rushed.

Why?

I’ve a phone meeting, today: with my Work and Health case worker, today.

At the last call?   I was told the group running the programme would be organising contact with a nurse for me: to discuss various things.

As far as I can tell, given the phone situation?

They’s not contacted me.

I think I’ll need words … 

~≈📞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-1-2021: Dolly

19th January, 2021.

Right … things occur … on a regular basis.

Frankly?

I had an COVID-19 swab test, done a couple of weeks ago: courtesy of the Office for National Statistics.

They’re doing it to monitor the condition’s spread: and say ‘thank you’ by giving you a twenty-five pound Amazon voucher.

The last one I got … ?

Let me buy a big tub of Marmite.

And, my word, I’m enjoying that on toast!

~≈🥖≈~

You’ve possibly realised I’m jobhunting: and have been for a couple of years, now.

Lord knows what I’m doing wrong, but I’ve found nothing: yet.

Since last April, though?   Since April, 2020, I, like all of us on Universal Credit, have received an extra twenty pounds as week: to help cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

It’s due to end on the 31st March: despite the fact those of us getting it really need the uplift to be extended.

Or made permanent.

So, yesterday?   On what’s called an Opposition Day, the House of Commons had a non-binding vote on the uplift.

As a result of the Government whips insisting that Tory MPs abstain?

The Government lost the vote.

By 278 votes.

OK, it’s non-binding.

But with six Conservative MPs voting against it, despite instructions to abstain?

That’s — hopefully — dropping a hint.

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th January, 2021.

18th January, 2021.

Right … Things are truly occurring … 

Although, I suspect, not to me!

I’m expecting a comparatively quiet day … 

Although, saying that … ?

I’ve just put the phone down on on someone claiming to be from BT Openreach, phoning from 01953 887 975,  telling me there’s a problem with my router.

This … ?   At 8:20 … !

I put the phone down … 

I’ll given them credit for persistence.

But not for interrupting me … 

~≈☎️≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 3 Episode 11 — Su’Kal — A Review

16th January, 2021.

I have to admit, I’m getting the hang of a couple of things.

The first?

Those introduction videos.

Saying that … ?

I may need to do them slightly differently.

Just a straight “I’m having dinner, then I’m going to watch TV,” seems to be … well …

Not quite doing myself justice.

At any rate?

Yes: I’ve had dinner.

Pasta: with home made bolognese sauce: with added spring onions, as I had some begging.

It was certainly fragrant, cooking.

And yes: I’ve seen episode eleven of Star Trek Discovery’s third series.

~≈🖖🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2021: The Greatest.

17th January, 2021.

News … 

News is a funny old thing, sometimes.

Others?   Slightly less hysterical … 

As you may or may not know, people in the UK on Universal Credit in the UK — me, included — have received a twenty pound a week extra payment: introduced last April, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

It’s due to end in April, 2021.

Frankly?   I’m not looking forward to that: it’ll make life a lot harder.

But both the Guardian, and Radio 4’s news service, tell us that there will be a non-binding vote in Parliament, tomorrow: about ending the extra money.

One that’s little more than a protest vote.

Even given that?   I hope it goes against the Government: I’d like to see the Government take note of it.

I’m fairly sure Boris Johnson probably won’t.

At a committee meeting last Wednesday?   He said: “And I think most people in this country want to see a focus on jobs and growth in wages than on welfare, but clearly we have to keep all of these things under review.”

Keeping it reviewed is a good idea, obviously: I completely understand that the Government wants to spend as little as possible.

But?

I’ve heard a lot of Conservative ministers say similar things.

Without acknowledging one simple fact.

The amount I, and others, get as a benefit has little to do with whether an employer offers me a job.

~≈£≈~

There’s something else, as well … 

There’s been talk — talk, mind — that the Government’s having … disagreements … about that uplift.

About whether it should be kept … or replaced.

It seems that — according to a couple of reports I’ve read — Chancellor Rishi Sunak wants to introduce a five hundred pound bonus as a substitute for the uplift.

As a prepaid debit card, in combination with a mobile phone app, if the Guardian is to be believed.

Hmmm … 

There’s a technology issue, there.

How are those of us with no smart phones supposed to access that app?

There’s other issues, I think.

Or questions, at least.

Can I use it to pay for a mobile phone top up?   On my gas or electricity bills?   My rent?   My council tax?

Going by the Guardian article, no.   I could only use it for ‘face to face’ retail transactions … or in hospitality venues.

It’s of limited use, in other words.

I’m not saying a one-off £500 voucher wouldn’t be useful.

I think a £500 one-off cash payment would be preferable: as I could put it towards far more payments.

Either of them?

Are far less use than a permanent twenty pound a week increase in my Universal Credit payment.

~≈£≈~