Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-6-2025 — Harry Potter (Ten Questions)

26th June, 2025: Harry Potter.

Right … it’s Thursday.

And … ?

I’ve got a couple of t-shirts on the way.

Printed ones, with the covers from the old Traveller games, on them.

I’m not sure I’ve picked the right colour for the shirts.

But?

At least they’re on route: and can (hopefully) be used for the next set of videos.

~≈🚀≈~

The one thing that has disappointed me?

Is NOT finding the 1980 cover of Runequest’s 2nd edition, online.

At least, not finding a large enough, good quality copy.

I’d love to have that on a t-shirt: although I realise the woman on the cover isn’t exactly practically dressed.

That armour’s going to chafe!

~≈👙≈~

There’s plans in the House of Commons.

Or — more accurately — the Government is planning to tighten various benefits: including Universal Credit, and Personal Independence Payment, the two I’m claiming.

I really don’t like the idea: anything that threatens the incomes of I and so many others?

Isn’t a good thing.

So … ?

I’m grateful the Government’s negotiating with its own rebel backbenchers: in order to ease the changes.

We’ll have to see how that vote goes: but … ?

Well played, them!

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th June 2025

25th June, 2025.

Right: I’m up early!

Yes: it’s Wednesday … and I have another hygienists appointment!

Whoopie … dingo … !

~≈¥≈~

I managed to catch some online news, recently: courtesy of the Tech Linked YouTube channel.

It seems that users of Microsoft Windows are having trouble installing Google Chrome.

Installing the browser is being blocked by the parental controls in Windows 11: forcing users to jump through hoops to install the thing.

Now, I’m not a fan of Chrome: I’ve always found it less responsive — on the various Macs I’ve owned — than Firefox or Safari.

I’ve also felt Chrome uses the old Embrace, extend, and extinguish* policy too well for my comfort.

So I’m not impressed by Chrome: but don’t think my dislike means you shouldn’t use it.

It’s your browser, and your choice.

I’m also aware that Google and Microsoft are business rivals.

So … ?

I’m not surprised Microsoft is trying a low blow.

~≈🪟≈~

I have to admit to liking slogan t-shirts.

Or, at least, ones with pictures on them: 2000AD, or Terry Pratchett themed ones, are favourites.

So, for my next one … ?

I’m thinking a Traveller or Runequest one could be good: if I can find a good enough picture!

~≈ᚹ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June 2025.

24th June, 2025.

Right … I really need to sort out my TV license!

I got paid, yesterday: and, of course, tried paying off my bills: including the license.

For some reason, though … ?

The card wasn’t accepted: in neither of the shops I tried.

Why?

I have no idea.

I can pay online: and have ordered a new card.

But it was very frustrating, not to be able to pay it.

~≈📺≈~

Talking of TV?

I managed to catch the first episode of the TV series, Wednesday.

I think I preferred Angelic Huston and Raúl Juliá as Morticia and Gomez: although Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán are very good in the roles.

And Guzmán is closer to the original strip in terms of his looks.

The series also sees Christina Ricci — who played Wednesday in the 1990s movies — in a minor role.

Jenna Ortega as the title character, though?

Is very impressive.

And vaguely reminds me of Jerry Ryan’s portrayal of Seven of Nine*, from Star Trek: Voyager.

They both drop breeze-block one liners into a conversation … and steal all the laughs along the way.

~≈🧛🏽‍♀️≈~

Just as a positive thought … ?

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday: and … ?

Found my weight has gone down by 1.6 kilos: wiping out the 600 gram gains of the previous two weeks.

I’ve not hit my 95 kilos target: but am down to 100kilos.

That’s a good thing!

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd June, 2023.

23rd June, 2025.

Right … It’s early on Monday morning.

And I’ve got a visitor!

Which isn’t something I was expecting first thing on a Monday morning.

Not when I was going to head out early for my weight management class!

~≈🥴≈~

Talking of weight management?

It’s seems GPs can now prescribe Mounjaro as a weight loss jab: as well as for diabetes, and weigh loss.

That’s a good thing: if it leads to lowered prices for people getting it privately.

And doesn’t lead to a shortage!

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-6-2025 — Saint Alban

22nd June, 2025: Saint Alban.

As I write, American planes have flown over Iran, trying to bomb people.

What do I mean, ‘trying’: they have bombed people.

Several sites that Iran has allegedly used to enrich uranium, for atomic bomb manufacture.

Does the US, or Israel, have proof of that … ?

Proof they’d be willing, if not happy, to share?

I doubt it.

I feel this is the Gulf War, all over again: bombings, death and damage … on spurious grounds.

~≈‼️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-6-2025 — El-Pee

21st June, 2025: El Pee.

Right … it’s official: it’s Saturday.

And the longest day of the year.

Frankly?

I think I’m going to go back to bed: I had something of a late night, last night.

I had visitors, let’s put it that way!

~≈🥱≈~

You possibly aware that an Assisted Dying bill has been going through Parliament: and that it faced its Third Reading, its final stage, in the UK’s House of Commons, yesterday.

It passed*: and will go to its final stages in the House of Lords in the near future.

And should be law by 2029

Personally?

Whilst I felt struggled with the idea of assisted dying when I first head of it?

It’s something I came to support: especially given how vocal the late Sir Terry Pratchett was about it.

So … ?

I’m glad it’s gone through.

Regardless of how you or I feel about it, the fact the bill approving it has passed this stage means assisted dying will be legally available in due time.

That’s a good thing, I think.

~≈💊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th June 2025

20th June, 2025.

It’s officially official: Brentwood’s going through a warm patch.

So a long sleeved shirt could be a good idea.

And … ?

It’s the last weekend before payday, on Monday.

I’m looking forward to that.

Getting the bills out of the way would be nice … !

~≈£≈~

OK, I’ve got the radio in: listening to Radio Four’s Today programme.

They’re doing a piece on the newly released 28 Years Later.

It’s something I’m looking forward to seeing, as a fan of the 28 Days franchise.

The piece on the Today programme?

Told me this: that the film had been film on iPhones, drones, and extremely portable action cams.

I’m impressed.

Oh, I knew it could be done: there’s plenty of short, professional, video done with the kit.

But it’s the first time I’ve heard of a feature length movie being shot on these devices.

Kudos to the production team that pulled that off!

~≈📱≈~

It’s D-Day, today.

Or, at least, Crunch Day.

The day the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill goes before the House of Commons for another round of voting.

If it’s passed?

It goes to the House of Lords.

If not?

It fails at the last fence.

We’ll have to see how that vote goes …

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th June 2025

19th June, 2025.

I have to admit, I tried watching a film, last night.

The 2024 folk horror, Lord of Misrule: with Tuppence Middleton and Ralph Ineson.

I have to admit, I gave up on the thing after about half an hour.

Despite — or possibly because of — its similarity to The Wicker Man, despite the beautiful setting, it’s something that couldn’t hold my attention.

Granted, having two teenagers bang on my door, at the twenty minute mark — they got the wrong address — didn’t help.

Even given that?

Lord of Misrule didn’t grab me!

That’s a shame: it’s beautifully shot!

~≈🃏≈~

I was rather interested in the technology news, at one point.

Mildly obsessed and evangelical, to be honest.

But still … interested … 

So … ?

Recent obscure news — that Denmark’s Ministry for Digital Affairs is planning to use forms of Linux and LibreOffice instead of Windows and Microsoft Office — caught my attention.

I’m assuming that a lot of that planned shift?

Is going to be based on cost.

The price of the computer you’ve just bought will include a certain amount for a copy of Windows*.

That amount will be far less for most forms of Linux.

MS Office will cost: even if you’re only paying a cheap subscription for the online version, it’ll cost.

Cost too much: especially compared to things like LibreOffice or OpenOffice, which are free.

But the ministry has also made another point: that they’re making the shift as a way to improve digital sovereignty.

Promoting Danish technology solutions to meet Danish technology needs, and reduce the control handed to foreign companies.

I can only hope that whatever UK government bodies — local and national — make the same sort of decisions, at some point.

It’s about time British governments, of whatever stripe, promoted British technology makers!

~≈💾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th June 2025

18th June, 2025.

Right … Wednesday … 

To be frank, I was expecting to be up, early: I’ve a hygienist’s appointment, after all.

And?

And … ?

I’ve got that bloody song banging through my head, again!

Frankly?

I’m blaming Bill Gates … !

~≈💃🏽≈~

The world could be getting worse … 

Right now?

Israel is bombing Iran: to try and disable Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities.

The US president?   Is, apparently, considering helping out: by proving US bombs, and bombers, to reach the underground facilities where Iran is keeping them.

I’m reminded of the phrase ‘WMD’, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and of the Iraq War.

Iraq, apparently, has weapons capable of reaching both British and American territory.

Claims that, as it turned out, were — what’s the phrase? oh, yes — false.

Lies.

Twaddle.

Bollocks.

Hogwash.

Falsehoods.

Untruths.

Just plain trumped-up.

Frankly?

No country is innocent of being armed.

But?

Israel looks guilty of unwarranted attacks.

And the man in the White House, looks guilty of encouraging them.

~≈💣≈~

Talking of the President?

He’s been on social media, overnight: to threaten Iran’s Supreme leader.

And wrote this on Truth Social:

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.   He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”

It’s the sort of empty threat made by wannabe gangsters, plastic gangsters, trying to look hard.

I can only hope the President’s just as plastic.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th June 2025.

17th June, 2025.

Right … 

Going by yesterday’s weight management meeting?

I’ve put on another 300 grams!

That was unexpected: I was hoping to have maintained my weight, if not lost.

I have a nasty feeling I’m going to have to do more exercise.

Not something I’m looking forward to: not going up the hills around here.

~≈🧗≈~

Especially as I had plenty of exercise, yesterday: walking to hospital to do another set of diabetic blood tests.

Thankfully?

I remembered to not leave my spectacles, there, this time.

Hopefully?

That’s a good sign: one that hopefully means the results will reach the surgery, this time!

~≈🩸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th June 2025

16th June, 2025.

I’m up early, again!

Yay!

As ever, I’m off to my weight management group.

And, after the weight going up, last week … ?

I’m hoping it’s down, this week!

Ho … … … Hum … !

~≈Ω≈~

That said … ?

I’m going to be getting some exercise, today.

Because … ?

I’ve got diabetic blood test … again.

Hopefully?

They won’t get lost in the system: and I’ll remember to not leave my spectacles there … !

~≈α≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-6-2025 — Internet Explorer

15th July, 2025: Internet Explorer.

It’s Sunday … 

And … ?

Lyse Doucet has just bee commenting on the conflict between Iran and Israel.

It’s says something, doesn’t it?

That the BBC’s international correspondent is commenting on a conflict … on a Sunday morning religious programme … 

~≈😐≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Sunday … and I’m planning on going beck to bed.

Why … ?

I’ve managed to finish a review, late.

I just hope the review makes sense!

~≈🎦≈~

There’s a certain amount of irony doing the rounds.

There’s opposition to the current US president: leading to the No Kings protests.

There were a lot, yesterday: including one encountered by Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Debbi Mack (@debbimacktoo)

Seeing the phrase ‘No Kings’?

Always gets me thinking of a line from some of Sir Terry Pratchett’s odder characters.

“Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! Nae master! We willna’ be fooled again!”

The Wee Free Men, Terry Pratchett.

Which potentially means protestors are supposed to paint themselves blue, and steal cows.

Go look up the Feegles, if you get the chance.

At any rate, the irony I mentioned?

Is simply this.

Many in the US were holding ‘No Kings’ protests … 

When the Charles 3rd, King of the UK … was attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony, to mark his birthday.

Heigh … ho … !

~≈👑≈~

Sinners — A Review.

13th June, 2025: Sinners.

The Introduction.

What with one thing and another … ?

There’s things I’ve not done for some time.

Made mad passionate love, for example.

Climbed a mountainous hill in search of washing powder, as another.

Or even … had a shower.

No, I tell a lie: I had one of those, this morning!

But I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

There’s a few things I haven’t done.

One of those?

Is watch a movie.

The last one I saw was Snow White.

So, having a little time on my hands?

I felt something different could be good.

The trailer that caught my eye?

Was for a film called Sinners.

I’m hoping two things, right now.

One?

That Sinners will hold my attention.

And two?

If it does, I’ll have this review finished by tomorrow night … 

~≈🧛🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th June, 2025

14th June, 2025.

It’s got to be said: I’ve had a late — ish — start!

For various reasons!

So if this post goes up late?

I have an excuse.

Just not one I’m going to admit to … !

~≈🕙≈~

Oh, one thing I DO know … ?

Is that I caught a movie called Sinners, last night.

I’ll have my review up, later.

But, just in case you’re interested?

Here’s the trailer: 

~≈🧛≈~

Ukraine … ?

Is a mess: there’s still a war on, and Russian troops on the ground.

But … ?

Israel and Iran are throwing missiles at each other.

I’m hoping they’ll have enough sense to negotiate some sort of deal.

My personal worry?

Is that they will escalate things.

Israel has nuclear weapons … and Iran is accused of having them.

Frankly?

I’d hate to see those used.

We know what can happen when they are … 

~≈🤯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-6-2025 — Friday the 13th.

13th June, 2025: Friday the 13th.

Hmmm … 

It’s not often I wake up on a Friday, and find out there’s bombs dropping.

Thankfully!

Except, this morning … ?

I’ve woken up to find Israel is bombing Iran.

In order, the Israelis have said, to prevent Iran building a nuclear bomb.

I’m … 

I’m very aware that the US has pulled staff out of Iran, and wonder this:

• How much did the US president know in advance about this?
• Has he given his endorsement to Israel’s actions?
• How is Iran going to respond?

And, as I write?

Drones are going off in Jordan: on the borders of Iran, from what I’ve understood.

Things look hairy, right now.

~≈🤯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-6-2025 — The Philippines

12th June, 2025: The Philippines.

It’s official: it’s Thursday … 

And, on a personal level … ?

I’m expecting piece, quiet, solitude … 

And a certain amount of boredom!

I might just have to do something about that.

I’ve got movies in, and TV shows.

But might just end up thumb twiddling … 

~≈🤔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-6-2025: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Ten questions.)

11th June, 2025: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Right … it’s now Wednesday!

And the fact Wednesdays used to be called Hump Day on Twitter?

Is possibly irrelevant … !

The fact today’s themed question set is about the film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, probably is.

I can still remember seeing for the first time: on an extremely dodgy VHS that fell off the back of a van.

I may just have to rewatch it, at some point.

The quality of that copy definitely left me wondering what all the fuss was about … 

~≈👽≈~

The US president’s actions in sending in the Marines to LA, and authorising the use of rubber bullets leaving me with an earworm … I’m also aware there’s trouble at the proverbial mill.

Or, at least, trouble in Northern Ireland.

There’s riots happening in Ballymena: baton rounds are being fired at rioters using fireworks, cobbles and petrol bombs*.

After what we’re told is an alleged sexual assault.

Growing up in the 1970s and ’80s?

This sort of thing always reminds me of the Troubles.

~≈💣≈~

Did you ever see a show called The Prisoner: an 1960s series about a spy who resigns his high security job, only to find himself trapped in a mysterious village from which there’s no escape … ?

To this day, it’s still worth watching, I think.

It turns out Inverlair Lodge, one of the places that inspired the series, is now up for sale.

Has anyone got £1, 300, 000 … ?

~≈6️⃣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-6-2025 — Frances Ethel Gumm

10th June, 2025: Frances Ethel Gumm.

Death … comes to us all … 

There’s possibly a lot of directions I could go with that statement.

But I’ll go with the sad route.

Yesterday?

Saw the death of writer, Frederick Forsyth.

I was never a fan of his politics: he was a little too high Tory for my tastes.

But the few books of his I read?

Were well constructed: The Fourth Protocol has been on my bookshelves for many years.

~≈📖≈~

The other death … ?

Was that of influential musician, Sly Stone.

Again, I was never a huge fan.

But?

I suspect the was a Family Stone tune for everyone: something he would’ve written.

The man will be missed.

~≈🎹≈~

The fact, in all this, that the US President has sent the Marines into Los Angeles?

Is less relevant: although it reinforces my personal belief that the current US president is a twerp.

It’s less relevant to my day than the fact I’m expecting a phone, early: a call from a lung-checking NHS service.

Hopefully?

I won’t need a hospital appointment, as a result.

~≈🫁≈~

As a last point?

It’s the time of year when Apple holds its World Wide Developers Conference: and makes a slew of announcements.

This year?

They’ve made several announcements, already.

Including an announcement that the next versions of their main operating systems will be macOS/iOS/iPhoneOS/tvOS/watchOS 26: a unified numbering system, in other words.

These will feature a new interface design language.

With lots of glass-like, transparent, elements.

That … ?

Will feature in the upcoming version on macOS — macOS 26 Tahoe — when it’s released later this year.

That version … ?

As well as the new interface, Tahoe will be the last to support Intel Macs.

I can only hope two things.

One?

That Tahoe’s replacement, a replacement that will only support Apple Silicon and presumably remove a lot of Intel code, will use less hard drive space as a result.

Two?

That the whizzy new interface design is readable.

Or, at least, can be turned off in Settings!

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-6-2025 — The Wise Little Hen

9th June, 2025: The Wise Little Hen.

Right: I’m now awake … !

Early, as always.

It’s Monday: so I’m off to my regular weight management group.

Hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost some weight.

I’ve been plateauing on the same weight for the past three weeks, so I’d like to have lost some!

~≈⚖️≈~

I think Jude — my nephew — has a hidden talent or two.

We had the inevitable family dinner, last night.

So, Jude being Jude, he brought his laptop: to give himself something to do.

It seems he’s got a musical bent: as he was experimented with a music creation site — it’s called BeepBox — while he was there.

And?

And … ?

He managed to come up with this lot.

I’m mildly impressed … !

~≈🎵≈~

Just as a last thoughts … ?

I had a word, last night: from Gill, the sister of long time reader, Trevor.

He’s currently in hospital at the moment: with a Serious urinary tract infection.

Here’s hoping that can be treated, quickly!

~≈🏥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th June, 2025.

8th June, 2025.

I think … I’ve had an evening.

Ot night, at any rate.

Quite why, I don’t know: but I had a mild case of the trots.

I think avoiding that brand of chicken Kyiv could an idea … !

~≈💩≈~

Hopefully that will clear up.

But there’s a weird co-incidence,

I heard a piece of news on BBC Radio 4’s news bulletin, this morning.

Apparently, scientists have developed a new method of improving gut health.

By feeding people pills made from human faeces.

Human poo, in other words.

I’m tempted to say they’re welcome to mine.

But that would be bad taste.

Instead … ?

I’ll wonder how popular that move’s going to be … ?

~≈💩≈~