Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th October 2025.

18th October, 2025.

It’s got to be said, I’ve seen silly gonks come and go.

Troll dolls, Cabbage Patch Kids, Furbies, what have you.

The latest … ?

Are the Labubus!

One … ?

I’m grateful my nephew’s not a niece: we’d possibly never hear the last of them.

Two?

Heavyweight tech blogger, Justine Ezarik, is obsessed by the things.

And three?

Tim Cook, the Chief Executive Officer of Apple, has been given a custom Labubu.

What is the world coming to … ??

~≈🪆≈~

You possibly very aware that Britain’s PM, Keir Starmer, has proposed a digital ID scheme for those of us receiving state benefits.

I object: mostly on the grounds of cost.

Others have objected, as well.

There’s more news on a similar theme.

There’s plans to consult on a version of digital IDs: for thirteen to sixteen year-olds.

That also strikes me as potentially bad.

That age groups could well be more vulnerable to all sorts of things: and, again, seems to include no planned, physical, alternative.

Nor any funding.

If a thirteen year old can’t afford a smart phone, who’s going to buy one for them?

It won’t be the Job Centre!

There’s a similar story doing the rounds.

It seems the Government have introduced a digital ID card for military veterans.

The big difference between it, and the one Keir Starmer’s proposing?

One: the digital card runs along side a physical Veterans ID card.

Two: the digital ID is optional.

Were the digital ID Sir Keir is proposing, optional?

Were there a (cheap) physical card one could use instead?

People would be a lot happier.

~≈🪆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-10-2025 — The Great London Beer Flood

17th October, 2025: the Great London Beer Flood.

Gosh, I hope they’re OK … !

I’ve just had a very old friend get in touch with me: as she’s having trouble with her Ubuntu-powered laptop.

She felt I’d be the best person to ask: as I’d been the person to give her the install disk.

Hopefully?

The Google links I found seem to imply the problem comes with when the operating system is updated: it causes an issue with the boot loader, the software on a computer that loads things into memory.

From a quick read of this, this, and this?

My friend should be able to re-install the software from either her back-up, or from the original install media!

Here’s hoping!

~≈🥾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th October 2025

16th October, 2025.

That was a first.

Or, at least, a first … for a while … !

I visited the Job Centre, yesterday: as my next scheduled meeting with my work coach — on 29th October — had been cancelled.

I panicked: anything like that carries the potential of a sanction, and a reduction in benefit.

Phoning the place revealed nothing.

So … ?

I actually went into the office, for the first time in months: to ask what on Earth was going on in person … !

Apparently?

It got cancelled, so it could be reassigned to a new, trainee, case officer.

I’ve little problem with that … but … ?

As I said to the administrator who dealt with me, it would have been reassuring if I — alongside others affected by this — were messaged about it.

That way, we know what’s going on, and have something on the record about it: in case of any issues.

Civil servants, eh?

~≈👔≈~

Oh … 

Hello … !

It seems Apple have released new devices — a MacBook Pro, iPadPro and Apple Vision — powered with their new M5 chip: rather than the older M4, the chip that’s in my machine.

Has anyone got a few grand going begging … ?

Bar the size of the screen, the new MacBook looks good* … 

~≈👔≈~

Oh, did I mention the image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app?

Taking advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT?

The image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app: in a way that took advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT.

Ahem!

I also modified a photo of myself: 

Which makes me look like a startled haddock.

Adding a crown really doesn’t help.

Artificial intelligence is obviously onto something.

I just don’t know what …

~≈🤖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th October 2025.

15th October, 2025.

Hmmm … 

That introduction video took a long time to upload.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

But if you’re wondering about the phrase at the end … ?

You can find the annoying advert that’s earworming its way through my here, right here.

Annoying, isn’t it … ?

~≈🛎️≈~

Just so you know … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over: you don’t want to ask about cat litter trays.

But do want to ask about videos.

Yes: he has released his latest Rocket League video.

Feel free to hit the like button.

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-10-2025 — World Standards Day

14th October, 2025: World Standards Day.

I think we can safely say I’m up early, again.

Yes: I’m going to be helping Mum take a few bits to the tip!

Here’s hoping we can get things done, quickly!

~≈🗑️≈~

Oh … I’ve got the Today programme on: and … ?

They’re planning to interview Tim Curry, as part of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Picture Show.

Yes: that will be nice to hear.

But I’m wondering why it’s happening now.

The film was originally released in August of 1975: so the celebration’s a little late … !

~≈👨🏻‍🎤≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th October 2025.

13th October, 2025.

Right … it’s Monday … 

I’m up, early, listening to the news, whilst waiting to go to my weight management meeting.

And hearing that hostages and prisoners are being released, and that a ceasefire seems to be holding.

I’m very aware the US president has said eternal peace is happening.

Eternal peace.

I can’t help but thing that’s going to last five minutes … 

~≈🪦≈~

If you’re using Windows 10 as your default operating system, you’re possibly aware Microsoft will stop supporting it in October of this year.

Tomorrow, in fact: Tuesday, 14th October, 2025.

So, if your computer doesn’t support the new version of the OS, you’re looking at having to keep using a soon-to-be-vulnerable machine, or buying a new machine.

Or possibly replacing Windows 10 with a Linux distro.

There’s possibly going to be problems, either way.

And complaints, as well.

After all, if you’ve recently bought a Windows 10 machine, that doesn’t support Windows 11,  and have to junk the machine as a result?

That’s both a problem with e-waste: and with wasted money!

Hey ho!

~≈🪟≈~

I’m also aware of other things.

Back ups.

I’m on Quora, the site that let’s you ask — and answer — questions: in the hope that your knowledge can be useful, and your questions, worth asking.

So … ?

I wasn’t surprised to see the odd questions about backing up a Windows machine, prior to making the transfer to a new machine.

I’ve used Macs for years.

And am very used to the idea of backing things up from my old Mac to an external drive, then using Migration Assistant to transfer from the drive, to the new Mac.

A local hard drive: one sitting on my desk.

On an initial look at the relevant webpage, Microsoft’s Backup app doesn’t seem to work like that.

You can’t use an external drive: by default, you have to use Microsoft’s OneDrive service.

Which, if you need lots of storage, costs.

Per month!

In Microsoft’s defence, a deeper reading of the article about the app, says you can use an external drive with their Backup app.

But that’s my issue: that’s not highlighted.

The default is to backup Microsoft’s subscription storage service: a subscription you pay for, repeatedly.

A subscription fee you pay repeatedly, for an essential service like backups?

Sounds a lot like a racket …

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-10-205 — The Pledge of Allegiance

12th October, 2025: The Pledge of Allegiance.

Right … the new glasses — three pairs of them — have been picked up.

And … ?

The distance and intermediate pair seem to be working well.

I’ve not tried the reading glasses, as yet.

But given the other two pairs seem good?

I’ve no doubt I’ll be finishing Night Watch, soon.

~≈👮🏽‍♂️≈~

I have to admit, it’s rare I get a chance to go to a convention: much as I’d like to.

But?

I’m very aware that trailers and sneak peeks get aired at them.

And very aware a Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four clip has been aired at New York Comic Con.

Which looks interesting: quite what Lieutenant Ortega has been planning with Scotty, I don’t know.

They’ve also announced Starfleet Academy, the Starfleet: Discovery spinoff is going premier on 15th January, 2026.

I think things are going to get busy … 

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th October 2025.

11th October, 2025.

It’s official: I was up early, yesterday, for very little.

I got up early, yesterday: so I could get to town early, pick up my new spectacles, and go home.

That way, if there were any problems with the thing, I’d know sooner, rather than later.

But … 

They were delayed.

Delayed … !

To the point where I’m going back, today, to pick them up.

Ho … … … hum!

~≈🧐≈~

Oh … cat-food adverts … !

YouTube insists on throwing English language cat-food adverts at me.

Despite not having a cat.

The brand in question is a very swish brand that features delicious meaty chunks … in gelée.

Gelée.

Gelée, rather than jelly.

Why they insist on that, I don’t know: but it sounds utterly pretentious.

~≈😾≈~

Peace has broken out in Gaza.

Allegedly.

Dependant on many things.

It’s been heavily influenced by the US President.

Though I’m not sure I trust his motives for coming up with the plans.

Beyond telling you he want’s a Nobel Peace Prize.

Thankfully, this year’s peace prize has gone to Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado.

Personally … ?

I’m grateful it’s gone to one of the US President’s supporters, rather than the man, himself.

I suspect he’d become insufferable as a result … 

~≈🏆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-10-2025 — World Porridge Day

10th October, 2025: World Porridge Day.

Right … it’s Friday: and I’m up early, again.

Yesterday?

I was up early, to go to what they used to call a Job Fair: a chance for employers to meet potential recruits.

I didn’t get much out of it, I think.

But get details of L&Q’s recruitment website: so I could set up an email alert.

So that’s something.

By contrast, I’m up early, today … because I’ve an optician’s appointment.

Yep: I’m picking up new spectacles.

Hopefully, I won’t need to return them at a later dat.

~≈🥸≈~

Peace has broken out in the Middle East.

As Israel’s cabinet approved the peace plan proposed by the US President.

Can I be honest|?

I feel deeply cynical about this.

As the Middle East has seen peace-plan after peace-plan, ceasefire after ceasefire, for way too long.

I fully expect this to last for ten minutes.

I also feel deeply cynical about the US president’s motive.

He’s made it perfectly clear he want’s a Nobel Peace Prize: saying as much at a recent speech at the UN.

As far as I’m concerned?

This means the president wants the prestige of a Nobel peace prize because:

• He’s jealous: President Obama got one, so he wants one, too.
• He wants one to make himself look good: rather than because he thinks peace in the Middle East is a good thing to achieve.

OK: I grant President Obama’s Nobel Prize got awarded in a suspiciously short amount of time.

But Obama wasn’t publicly embarrassing himself, and his country, by begging for it.

The current president?

Is.

Frankly?

I can only hope the Nobel Committee gives the gong to someone — anyone! — else.

~≈🏅≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th October 2025.

9th October, 2025.

Right, then: I am officially up, early.

And heading out for a job fair arranged by my Work Coach, my Job Centre Case worker.

Am I looking forward to it … ?

Nope!

It’s a lot of faff, to be frank.

And a lot of faff that’s not necessarily going to be help: at least, that’s my thinking, going on my experience of these things.

Heigh … ho … !

~≈🧑🏼‍💼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2025 — Solzhenitsyn Gets a Gong

8th October, 2025: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

It’s officially official: it’s now Wednesday!

And … ?

My calendar is clear of any events.

Which is nice.

But … ?

I have a nagging feeling I’m supposed to be doing something.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

If I DID … ?

I’d possibly win a prize … 

~≈🏆≈~

I had a thing float across my timeline: a piece from the Manchester Evening News, that tells us the Government has responded to the Digital ID petition.

Which we knew about.

But … ?

Seeing the article reminded me to at least check the petition, again.

The site tells us that Parliament has to debate the issue: although it hasn’t said when.

Here’s hoping a date gets named, soon!

~≈🌴≈~

I’m no computer expert.

I have some lay knowledge: but am seriously no expert.

Although a piece about Windows 11 has caught my eye.

Microsoft has been encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11, since its release in 2021.

And has cause a lot of discussion.

Partially?   Because the new operating system needs a specific security chip: a chip that older machines — one that could otherwise meet Windows 11’s requirements — don’t have.

But also because you — notionally — have to create a Microsoft account, and have an internet connection.

The MS account is Microsoft’s equivalent to the Apple Account on Macs and iOS devices, and to Google’s online account: but covering a wider range of services, and seemingly, giving users less option to disable things.

The account, until recently, can be circumvented: and a local account*, created.

The article I read, yesterday?

Told me Microsoft have now closed the loopholes.

You can’t, now, create a local account.

You must have an online Microsoft Account, and must have an internet connection.

I’m in two minds about this.

Yes: I can understand the insistence on a permanent, internet connection.

It’s useful, even if it’s just for getting updates for a computer, or installing the odd game.

But I’m also aware that there’s a lot you can do without one: even if it’s just watch videos you’ve — um — borrowed from a friend.

Or filling in offline paperwork that you can then upload, else where.

That connection’s a big convenience, but not mandatory.

But a permanent, online account?

That’s strikes me as bad: leaving a user open to tracking.

It makes the machine less useable for those who aren’t online, indoors.

And … ?

It offers less choice.

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th October 2025.

7th October, 2025.

It’s officially official: I’ve got a double-ended thingie!

To put it more sensibly?

I’ve got a recently acquired, double-ended, USB stick.

One that has a USB-c port at one end, and a USB-a port at the other.

Which was handy, I felt: it meant I could plug the thing into my Mac mini’s USB-c ports, copy something to it, then give the thing to someone who’s laptop only has USB-a ports.

That way … ?   They can copy it their machine, and not have to worry too much about compatibility.

What I’d totally forgotten?

Was that technology moves.

And that, for several years, mobile phones have come equipped with what’s called USB OTG, USB on-the-go, capabilities.

In other words?

You can also plug a USB OTG capable stick into a mobile phone — or tablet — with a USB-c port, and copy things to and from the phone.

That’s handy.

~≈☎︎≈~

As a quick, extra thought, there?

My phone is an Oppo A40, running a version of Android.

I have to switch on the OTG capabilities by going into Settings>Accessibility & Convenience>OTG Connection.

One of the volunteers at my weight management group was interested in seeing this work.

They have to go through the file explorer on their Android phone.

But with much the same results: it’s show up in the relevant drop down.

As I’ve not had a chance to see it work on an iPhone?

I couldn’t tell you if it works on them.

I’m assuming it does: especially as I know there’s similar, Lightning port equipped sticks that should work with older iPhones.

And that newer iPhones have USB-c ports.

But, as I say, it’s not something I’ve been able to check for myself.

~≈☎︎≈~

As a final thought … ?

I found out that I’ve put on a couple of hundred grams, since last week’s weigh-in.

But?

Am still under one hundred kilos.

That, and finding out something new?

Was welcome.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th October 2025.

6th October, 2026.

Yes, it’s officially official: I have a cheap USB stick, on that I can wave at passing readers!

These day’s … ?

It’s still handy to have a few of them, around: which is why I’m taking it to my weight management meeting, today.

I’ve been asked for copies of things … 

~≈🥖≈~

There’s talk — inevitably — that more lost episodes of Dr Who have been found.

Or, at least, that lost episodes are in the hands of private collectors: and may be made available to the BBC.

I hope so.

With ninety-seven episodes missing, it would be nice to see complete lost stories found.

Marco Polo, The Mythmakers, and Fury From the Deep would be nice to see.

The third episode of The Web of Fear would be great: the animated replacement is awful.

But … ?

I’d love to see The Daleks’ Master Plan, completed.

Ands The Space Pirates!

Its writer, Robert Holmes?

Was one of TV’s finest.

~≈✍🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-10-2025 — “Love Me Do”

5th October, 2025: “Love Me Do”.

It’s officially official: courtesy of the local barbers, I’ve had a haircut!

I’m thankful!

Frankly, I was getting a little bit shaggy.

~≈💈≈~

I’m not one for dancing: or watching people dance.

Or watching dance competitions.

But I’m very aware that Alex Kingston — best known as Dr Who’s River Song — is taking part in this year’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

And is at the top of the leader board, after last night’s samba.

Well done, her!

~≈💃🏽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-10-2025 — The US Open.

4th October, 2025: the US Open.

Good god, there’s a woman in charge!

Slightly more respectfully?

Bishop Sarah Mullally has been named as the one hundred and sixth Archbishop of Canterbury: the first woman to be appointed to the role.

That’s welcome.

And somewhat unsurprising.

There’s been talk of a female being appointed for many years: but?

The bishop, herself, had some serious leadership roles when she was a nurse.

Much as her predecessor, Justin Welby, was a senior oil executive, and his predecessor, Rowan Williams, was the Archbishop of Wales.

The Church has, again, named someone with high level, organisational skills.

So, to me?

Her being named is no surprise: as she had the needed management skills.

What is also unsurprising?

There’s been complaints about her appointment≤ from more conservative Anglian groups, already.

She also does not support assisted dying: I disagree with her position.

I don’t like the idea, either: but feel it needs to be available, and enshrined in UK law.

She’s going to be installed in March: we’ll have to see happens …

~≈♗≈~

As a quick, other thought … ?

Would you mind hitting the like button on a video?

Or the share button?

Yep: that’s Jude’s newest video … !

~≈🚘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-10-2025 — Speaking in Tongues

3rd October, 2025: Speaking in Tongues.

Yesterday was Yom Kippur: the Jewish Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

The day when Britain’s Jewish community would be praying, fasting and seeking forgiveness for the sins of the past year.

And the day when an attacker killed two people at a Manchester synagogue: something police are calling a terrorist attack.

It’s … 

I’m having to think about wording, here.

You and I may not like the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza.

I know I don’t: I think the actions of Netanyahu’s government border on religiously-motivated genocide.

I disagree with that government’s actions.

That does not give me the right to kill, injure, or maim, people for being Jewish, nor does it give me the right to kill people at prayer.

It gives no-one the right to kill!

I’ve long felt killing in the name of a cause is a bad way of promoting it, is tantamount to invalidating it.

That’s what the killer did, yesterday.

In taking the lives of at least two people, he has not promoted cause of the people of Gaza.

He’s killed it: as certainly as he’s killed Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, his victims.

~≈✡️≈~

A few days ago … ?

I told you of the government’s proposed digital ID: and of how there was a petition against it.

I object: largely on the grounds of cost.

But also as I feel that making it mandatory — as Sir Keir Starmer was proposing — is a bad move.

And a waste of effort: as most of us who are hunting, already have valid ID.

At any rate, if you’re in the UK, I’d appreciate you signing that petition.

Every little helps, and all that!

But I should add a few things.

The web site tells us enough signatures have been gathered: and that the petition must be debated in Parliament.

And tells us that the government has responded.

By telling us:

“We will introduce a digital ID within this Parliament to help tackle illegal migration, make accessing government services easier, and enable wider efficiencies.   We will consult on details soon.”

They also tell us:

“… there are too many people who are excluded, like the 1 in 10 UK adults who don’t have a physical photo ID, so can struggle to prove who they are and access the products and services they are entitled to.”

And that: 

“It will not be compulsory to obtain a digital ID but it will be mandatory for some applications.”

There’s possibly a ton of things, there.

The one in ten adults the response tells us “don’t have a physical photo ID”?

Do they have smart phones?

That’s the point that my objections hinged on: if you don’t have/can’t afford a smart phone, you can’t have this ID.

An ID that the response tells us isn’t compulsory to have … but whose use is mandatory.

Either the government has no idea what it’s saying.

Or its use of double speak is improving.

Or … ?

It’s all mouth and trousers.

~≈⏫≈~

In the midst of all that … ?

I’m actually up, early: and was hoping to get out early.

I’ve an optician’s appointment, today!

Heigh ho!

~≈🤓≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd October 2025.

2nd October, 2025.

Right … 

It’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

It’s going to be a quiet day with little to do.

Bar picking up some bits from the pharmacists.

Test strips for the blood sugar monitor I’ve got.

With Christmas coming up … ?

I’m reminded of something my Aunty Bella used to do, at this time of year.

She use to collect empty pots: empty film roll pots, the ones you’d keep still camera film, in … and fill them with pound coins she could give away as Christmas gifts.

She’s usually wrap them in Christmas paper: so the pots would resemble crackers.

The things would usually only have £10 or so in them: depending on what coins she put in.

But they were handy amounts of cash, amounts that could, if nothing else, be used to do some light shopping.

They were stocking fillers, in other words.

What struck me, the last time I was in the chemists?

Was that the pots that held the test strips were a similar size to the film roll pots.

And that Christmas is closer than we imagine.

Thank you, Aunty Bella … 

~≈Î≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2025 — International Day of the Older Persons

1st October, 2025: the International Day of the Older Persons.

Right, then: it’s officially official.

It’s Wednesday!

But you knew that: you can see the calendar as well as I can!

That’s possibly beside the point.

It’s Wednesday, 1st October, which means it’s the national day of China.

We might have to eat pancake rolls.

It’s also my sister, Ruth’s, birthday.

Hopefully, Jude’s got his mother a card … !

And lastly … ?

I’ve got a meeting with my Job Centre case worker.

Hopefully, that will be productive: and possibly sort out an issue or two.

~≈🫆≈~

I have to admit, I’ve turned the radio — or, at least, the TV that’s playing Radio 4 — off.

It’s party conference season: so the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, was on.

Banging on about ‘British values’: one of the most meaningless phrases in the political handbook.

After all, he’s accused the Reform party of having racist policies: then, today, used the phrase ‘British values’ … 

Which could easily, and historically, remind us British values includes beating up brown people: and selling opium to the Chinese!

Politicians can do lots of good for the UK.

But political language … ?

When George Orwell wrote “Politics and the English Language”, when he invented the word, “duckspeak”, he had a point.

~≈🦆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-9-2025 — Thunderbirds. (Ten Questions)

30th September, 2025: Thunderbirds.

It’s official: I’ve lost weight!

I was at my weekly weight management class — meeting? group? — yesterday: I go every Monday, so you know.

And … ?

I’ve lost one hundred grams.

About three ounces, if you want it in Imperial.

OK: that’s not as much as last week’s loss.

But … ?

It’s nice to know there’s an ongoing trend!

~≈⚖️≈~