Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-4-2024 — International Dance Day

29th April, 2024: International Dance Day.

🎵La la🎶 … Monday, Monday … !

Yes: it’s officially Monday.

Which is a cue to start singing, obviously.

But is also a cue to get up early.

Yes: it’s weight management day, again, today.

Hopefully?

Putting sweeteners in my tea will have made a difference.

~≈🫖≈~

There’s rumours.

Of course there’s rumours!

Especially when technology company, Apple, is involved.

Especially when you consider the company’s announced an Apple event for 7th May, this year.

Inevitably?

There’s speculation that new M4 chips will feature: in either new models of iPads, or in new Macs.

That family of chips could well be interesting.

I’m using an M2 Mac mini: and, problems aside, the machine does seem fast.

An M4 could well be a serious improvement.

About my only suggestion?

Is about the internal hard-drive.

Apple currently retails most of their consumer models — the MacBook Air, the iMac and the Mac mini — with 256gb solid state drives.

Which are OK … if you’re doing light work.

But, as far as I’m concerned, are large enough for day to day use.

I can only hope that if Apple does introduce whizzy new chips?   That they increase hard drive size in their baseline models, as well.

~≈🍏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-4-2024 — Health and Safety

28th April, 2024: Health and Safety.

Right then … Sunday … 

It’s Sunday … and you know it … !

Ahem!

You can tell it’s going to be an ever so slightly boring day, can’t you … ?

Ho … hum!

~≈🍄‍🟫≈~

Did you know the UK’s holding local elections, this Thursday?

The UK’s holding local elections on Thursday: for both local councils, and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner*.

It looks like there’s a Green candidate standing in my ward, this time.

Who I’m happy to vote for.

If they hadn’t?   I’d’ve done my usual thing: and spoilt my vote.

Which, to be frank?   Is what I’m going to do in the PFCC vote.

There’s no-one on that ballot I want to vote for.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th April, 2024.

27th April, 2024.

Right … 

It’s Saturday.

It’s April!

And … ?

I’ve got the heating on!

It’s a decidedly chilly morning: and … ?

My feet are freezing.

The perils of diabetes, eh?

~≈🦶≈~

At any rate … ?

I caught “Mirrors”, the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery, on Thursday.

And finished my written, and video, reviews: last night.

Feel free to hit ‘Like’, and ‘Share’: every little helps!

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 5 — “Mirrors” — A Review

25th April, 2024: an introduction.

Right … 

It’s official.

It’s Discovery night!

OK, alright.

It’s Thurday.

Which means … 

Yes: I am going to be watching the next episode of Star Trek Discovery.

Once I’ve had dinner!

I’ve got just one question.

Why on Earth didn’t I but some sliced cheese, when I got the chance?

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-4-2024 — Landing.

26th April, 2024: Landing.

Yay!

It’s officially Friday!

Which means … not a lot, actually.

Bar finishing my reviews of last night’s episode of Star Trek Discovery.

That?

Was an interesting episode.

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th April 2024.

25th April, 2024.

Right … today … ?

Is Thursday.

And … ?

The day after Wednesday.

Yes: Jude has posted more Mikey videos!

Feel free to hit the like button: and give Mikey a carrot.

~≈🐰≈~

At any rate … ?

I managed to juggle the last of my bills: and managed to have enough for a haircut.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

That feels better!

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th April 2024

24th April, 2024.

Right … Wednesday … 

It’s Wednesday: and — for me — both the day after payday … 

And the day after I didn’t have a haircut!

But did get my bills paid.

At the moment … ?

As shaggy as I’m feeling, I’m thinking the haircut will have to wait.

But don’t know for sure.

Heigh … … … …Ho!

~≈💇‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd April 2024.

23rd April, 2024.

It’s officially official: it’s both Tuesday … and payday … 

Hopefully … ?

I’ll have enough cash for a haircut.

But … ?

Am very aware I council tax payments start this month: so may have to wait until next month, when my benefit payments increase.

That’s frustrating: I’m getting shaggy!

~≈®≈~

One possible source of help?

Is that I may — may — be due some money.

I said — in yesterday’s post — that my landlord had been forced to compensate a tenant in Hertfordshire, after setting service charges at too high a rate.

Mine were £194 a month for last tax year: and £21 a month for this.

So … ?

I gave Clarion, my landlords, a call to highlight this.

And got told they’re ‘putting the process in motion’ for me.

I think I won’t get a thing: or that this year’s charges will go up.

But … ?

At least I’ve raised the issue.

~≈®≈~

Additionally?

I’ve due to have a hearing about my application for PIP, for Personal Independence Payments.

I’ve asked the relevant office when that hearing will be.

And been told — yesterday — that my case is “Ready To List”: and that, once a hearing’s been booked, I’ll be told by post.

The sooner that happens?

The better.

I’m not exactly what you call patient.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd April, 2024.

22nd April, 2024.

Right … Monday mornings … 

Which means an old song is earworming its way through my head … 

But you’d possibly guessed that.

You’ve also possibly guessed I’m off to my weight management class, again.

I hate having to go up that hill.

But … ?

At least it’s exercise.

~≈◊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st April 2024

21st April, 2024.

Right … it’s Sunday morning, again!

Which means … ?

Well, not a lot … bar that fact it’s going to be a quiet day.

I do know I’ve spotted something in the news.

Apparently, a woman in Hertfordshire is a tenant of my landlords: and received a small amount of compensation … after being overcharged on her services charges.

The figures she gave for hers?

Were similar to mine.

I was paying £44 a week, last year.

And now paying a fiver.

Hmmm … 

I don’t think I’d get anything from Clarion, on that front.

Not even so much as information on how to apply.

But … ?

I may as well send them an email: to see what happens.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th April, 2024.

20th April, 2024.

Right … it’s Saturday.

And … ?

I caught a TV show … on Thursday!

Yes: I’ve caught another episode of Star Trek Discovery: and released a review, last night!

Feel free to thoroughly enjoy it!

~≈📺≈~

Talking of TV?

I’ve just seen this piece float across my Facebook feed.

It seems AppleTV+ are to make a version of William Gibson’s Neuromancer: one of my favourite novels.

Hmmm … 

I must admit, I’m nervous about that: and only hope the producers do a version that’s authentic to the original text.

~≈🖥️≈~

Maxwell Azzarello died on Friday.

No, I didn’t know who he was, either.

Not until — on Thursday — he stood outside the New York court where Donald Trump is being tried, threw lots of pamphlets around, covered himself in something flammable … 

And then lit a match.

Apparently, in protest at both President Biden and former President Trump: and at US government attempts to launch “ …an apocalyptic fascist world coup”.

I can’t help the think the man was a bloody idiot!

Or was … unwell … !

Or, at least, extremely misguided.

I sound harsh, I know.

Justifiable, I think.

Setting fire to yourself — especially over something as trivial as a conspiracy theory* — is an unbelievably stupid thing to do.

~≈🔥≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 4 — “Face the Strange” — A Review

18th April, 2024: an announcement.

It’s officially official.

I’ve spent most of this afternoon explaining Dune to one old friend: and Handbrake settings to another.

Heigh ho!

At any rate … ?

I have the evening free: and dinner is cooking.

And, once that’s done?

I’ll be watching “Face the Strange”: the fourth episode of Star Trek Discovery’s last season.

By the time you read this … ?

My review will be published … !

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2024 — Sierra Leone.

19th April, 2024: Sierra Leone.

Yay!

It’s Friday!

Which means that I’ve had another does of Trulicity: the once-a-week injection that’s part of my treatment for diabetes.

Hopefully?

It’s keeping the sugar levels down: I’ll find that out after my next set of blood tests.

~≈Ω≈~

While we’re on the subject of health … ?

The UK has what’s called ‘fit notes’: medical certificates that tell an employer — or the benefits office — that you’re ill.

They usually have to be signed off by your GP.

Apparently?

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is due to announce changes to the certificate: in a speech, tonight.

Part of his plans?

Includes moving responsibility for assessing fitness to work, from GPs to “specialist work and health professionals”.

I have to admit, I don’t like the sound of that.

What, or who, are “specialist work and health professionals”?

They don’t sound like medical doctors.

~≈Ω≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

It seems that Dune Pt 2 is now available to rent or buy from at least two streaming services.

I’ll have to see if I can get a copy: I wouldn’t mind seeing that!

My only observation?

Is that both Apple, and Amazon, are charging a fortune for copies.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th April, 2024.

18th April, 2024.

Right … it’s Thursday!

And … ?

I have to confess, Jude — my nephew — was over, last night: posting another video about Mikey the Rabbit.

You wouldn’t think a bunny’s a Liverpool fan, would you … ?

~≈¥≈~

You know … there’s a few MPs who’ve been suspend, over the past few months.

Another — Tory MP, Mark Menzies — had the whip withdrawn, today: for misuse of campaign funds.

Apparently?

He phoned his former campaign manger — who’s in her seventies — to ask for some five thousand pounds (£5, 000) as “… a matter of life and death.”

And did this … at three-fifteen in the morning!

The abuse of funds comes as the money was paid — from their personal funds — by his office manager.

Then re-paid to the office manager from campaign funds.

There’s other amounts: but that’s the headline one.

Yes: I’m thinking what you’re, possibly, thinking.

Why on EARTH was he in a situation where he needed £5000 … at quarter past three in the morning!?

What had he been doing to need that money?

I hate to say I’m suspicious of, and laughing at, Mark Menzies … but I’m suspicious of, and laughing at, Mark Menzies!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-4-2024 — Malbec World Day.

17th April, 2024: Malbec World Day.

It’s Wednesday!

Yay!

Well … 

Yayish.

It’s hump-day, after all.

Which means we’re traditionally allowed to be grumpy for the day!

~≈🐫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-4-2024 — Megiddo

16th April, 2024: Megiddo.

Right, then!

It’s officially Tuesday.

Which means … ?

It’s the day after Monday.

You don’t need me to tell you that!

But … ?   In case you’re interested … ?

I’ve actually lost weight: according to yesterday’s weight management meeting.

That’s something!

~≈¥≈~

Oh … another thing about today … ?

I’m due a visit from a repair man from my landlord.

A boiler engineer.

Yes: it’s boiler safety check day.

I’m going to be stuck indoors ’til he gets here!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-4-2024 — Leonardo’s Bones.

15th April, 2024: Leonardo’s Bones.

Right … it’s now Monday!

Which means — obviously — I’m up early: as I’m off to my weight management meeting, today.

Hopefully?

And after gaining for the past few weeks?

I’ll’ve lost weight for once!

~≈Ω≈~

Every-so-often?

I’ll watch videos on Youtube: WhoCulture and TrekCulture are favourites: as is Tom Harries/Tharries.

Occasionally?

I’ll watch technology channels: there’s a few on YouTube.

I keep an eye on some of the Mac themed ones, obviously.

One of those is a channel called iJustine: run by a vlogger called Justine Ezarik.

Both her, Marques Brownlee and the LMG-produced Mac Address, hosted by Jonathan Horst*, are quite respected.

At any rate … ?

I managed to catch Justine’s review to the base model M2 Mac mini, yesterday: the same model sitting not far from where I am now sitting.

Here’s the review: 

If I’ve understood Justine correctly?

The model she bought, the one sitting next to me, is capable of editing 8k video.

Given the right software: in her review, Justine uses Apple’s own Final Cut Pro.

I’m mildly impressed.

I did not expect the baseline mini to be that capable!

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th April, 2024.

14th April, 2024.

Yay!   It’s Sunday!

Which, frankly, means it’s going to be quiet.

Which … you’d possibly already guessed.

Heigh ho!

~≈Ü≈~

Oh … I managed to catch the first episode of Criminal Record, last night.

The series is on AppleTV+, so you know: and caught my attention … because Peter Capaldi’s in it.

As it turns out?

The main character is played by an actress called Cush Jumbo.

Who — as it turned out — played Lois Habiba in Torchwood: Children of Earth*: the last time — to my knowledge — she and Capaldi worked together.

I knew I recognised her from somewhere!

~≈Ü≈~

At any rate … ?

The show’s interesting: and vaguely — very vaguely! — reminds me of The Silence of the Lambs.

With nastier sound effects!

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-4-2024 — The Spying Game

13th April, 2024: The Spying Game.

Argh!   I’m having a morning!

I was going to tell you I’d done a video review of the most recent Star Trek Discovery episode … 

Then tell you that:

• Varada Sethu — Cinti, from the Disney+ series, Andor — has been cast as a new companion: for Dr Who’s second season/15th series.
• Star Trek Strange New Worlds is to have a fourth season.
• Star Trek Lower Decks’ fifth season is to be its last.

Which is definitely sad to hear: Lower Decks is funny!

At any rate: I was going to tell you that … 

Buy YouTube decided to hide my Teaser playlist for today: so I’ve had to make a new one!

Ho … … … Hum!

~≈É≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 5 Episode 3 — “Jinaal” — A Review

11th April, 2024: the Introduction.

It’s officially official: it’s still Thursday!

And, frankly?

Dinner is being done.

Chicken, if you must know.

The pie I was looking was … well … 

I couldn’t get the tin open!

Arrrgh!

~≈🖖≈~

At any rate … ?

Dinner’s doing.

And, once it’s done, and eaten?

I’ll be watching “Jinaal” — the third episode of Star Trek Discovery’s last season— and telling you all about it: tomorrow night!

I’ll see you then!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th April, 2024.

12th April, 2024.

Right … Friday … … … 

And … ?

I hate tins!

I had a pie I got from a local food bank, a few days ago: and seriously fancied it for dinner, last night.

Could I get the lid of the tin off?

Could I heck!

I hate right-handed tin openers!

~≈🥫≈~

Oh … and I officially have to head to town, today.

I have a screw, loose.

In the right arm of my glasses: and, as such?

It’s going to need tightening!

Yes: I know what the adverts say.

“You should’ve gone to Specsavers.”

Except, of course, I did!

~≈🧑🏻‍🏫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-4-2024 — William and Mary.

11th April, 2024: William and Mary.

Thursdays!

The yummiest day of the week!

OK, maybe it isn’t.

It IS however, a day when I can look forward to watching the next episode of Star Trek Discovery.

So that’s something to look forward to.

~≈♽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-4-2024 — Room 101.

10th April — Room 101.

Right … it’s Wednesday … 

And, frankly … ?

I’ve just given a local food bank a call: as I’m running out of milk!

Heigh ho!

~≈🥛≈~

Did you hear about a US school shooter called Ethan Crumbley?

He killed four pupils, and injured seven others, in a school shoot in 2021.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, two years later.

His parents?

Have been given lengthy sentences for involuntary manslaughter: after supplying the gun Ethan used.

Or, at least?

For failing to secure the gun their son used in the shooting.

Personally?

I think their gaoling is a good thing.

I know gun rights activists in the US will tell us Americans have a right to bear arms: and that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

But … ?

I feel that the right to bear arms comes with a rider: the responsibility to keep a lethal weapon out of the hands of someone who thinks using them on their school-mates is a good idea.

I’m also wondering something else.

Brenda Spencer was the school shooter who inspired “I Don’t Like Monday.”

If I recall correctly?   Bob Geldof — the man who wrote the song — claimed her parents bought her several guns as gifts, in his autobiography.

If true, would that lead to their prosecution?

I don’t know.

But it’s food for thought.

~≈🥛≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

On of my favourite games — one I’d long thought wouldn’t be re-released  — has been.

Released, that is!

Granted, it’s an Intel version: rather than a Universal or ARM version.

Granted, it’s that: but it works well enough through the Mac’s onboard Rosetta emulator.

Either way …  ?

Fun can be had.

~≈🏍️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th April, 2024.

9th April, 2024.

It’s official: it’s Tuesday.

And I’ll possibly turn the radio off, at some point.

There’s only so much of the Today programme a body can deal with!

At any rate … ?

I — hopefully — will be looking after my nephew, this afternoon.

If I know Jude … ?

There’s a possibility of chicken nuggets: and further adventures of Mikey the rabbit!

~≈🐰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-4-2024 — International Romani Day

8th April, 2024: Internațional Romani Day.

Yay!

It’s Monday morning!

The start of a whole new week: one that lets me hop, skip, jump and generally prance about!

OK, maybe not: not with my knees, at any rate!

Either way?

I’ve finished — and posted — a video review.

And I’m off to my weight management meeting, today.

Hopefully?

I’ll get more sleep at some point!

~≈Ω≈~