Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-12-2025 — Christmas Day

25th December, 2025: Christmas Day.

It’s Christmas Day.

And … ?

Bar the one car that’s just gone past, my street is as quiet as the grave.

It’s the one day of the year it happens: and quite beautiful.

With that said?

I can only wish you — and the neighbours, if they’re reading this — a very Happy Christmas.

It’s the one bit noise we should make, today.

~≈🎄≈~

Unless the noise is music, of course.

I always think the best Christmas song ever written, is one about two drunk people having a row in the middle of Times Square.

How more Christmasy do you want?

How more Christmasy can you get?

The only way to get more Christmasy … is to have a song by two of the best male singers of their respective generations.

One of whom is in recovery from a serious drug habit: the other*, a major investor in tape recorder technology.

Either of those songs … ?

Is a contender for “Best Xmas Song Ever Recorded”!

~≈🎶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-12-2025 — Christmas Eve

24th December, 2025: Christmas Eve.

I am officially up early: for a diabetic review.

Way too early!

So early, in fact, that my eyeballs hurt, and there’s utter silence from the street!

Frankly?

That’s actually quite nice.

There’s a certain romance to early mornings.

~≈🌅≈~

I know it’s Christmas: it’s silly season, in other words.

And, as a result of seeing a news piece on the King’s Christmas Message, this year?

I’ve got Roger Miller’s version of “England Swing’s Like a Pendulum Do”, floating around my head.

I can’t help but think one thing.

Whoever wrote the song had only heard of Westminster Abbey, and the Elizabeth Tower … 

~≈🛎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-12-2025 — Festivus for the Rest of Us.

23rd December, 2025: Festivus.

You know … there’s an old Catalan tradition …

This time of year, the inevitable Nativity scenes go up: and, in Catalonia?

There’s usually a Caganer: a ‘shitter’, in other words.

I have to confess, I don’t usually do Christmas decor … but having one in the window would certainly surprise people!

In all honesty, though?

I’m not too worried.

The only disappointment is the fact my Mac doesn’t have a Caganer emoji.

Heigh ho … !

~≈🎅🏻≈~

I think I need a haircut … !

No, there’s no ‘think’ about it: I need a haircut.

I just don’t know where’s going to be open in the run up to Christmas: and I’d hate to have to leave it … !

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd December 2025.

22nd December, 2025.

OK: I’ll admit it!

I’ve got an earworm, lurking around again!

Joy Sarney’s “Naughty, Naughty, Naughty”, before you ask.

I wish I knew why: I’ve only ever seen a Punch and Judy show, once!

~≈👊≈~

Hmmm … 

The thought occurs: that it’s almost Christmas, and almost pay day, as well.

And … ?

I’ll be able to sort out my bills when that happens.

And sort out one last roll of wrapping paper.

For the one present that managed to turn up late!

There’s always that one Amazon delivery … !

~≈🎁≈~

Which reminds me … I have my usual diabetic review, on Wednesday: which I think will include my annual foot check.

Yes: I’d’ve got it out of the way.

But … ?

It’s at 10·10 in the morning.

Yes: I’m going to be up early … !

~≈🕓≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2025 — Dalek Day.

21st December, 2025: Dalek Day.

Right … it’s officially Solstice.

Which means it’s the shortest day of the year, and it’s going to start getting dark, early.

Does it mean we have an excuse to start singing?

Not if you have a voice like mine!

Some else can do the job!

~≈🔔≈~

Did I mention yesterday wasn’t the Solstice … ?

Yesterday wasn’t the Solstice.

But did see my nephew pay a visit: and upload a video.

Feel free to hit the like button … !

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th December 2025.

20th December, 2025.

OK … 

I’ve got another earworm, this morning.

It’s my own damn fault: I had a sudden mental image of a reporter, and her camera crew, turning up to report on people who are dancing.

And … ?

Bam: I get DJ Casper turning up … 

Alongside a bunch of line dancing Chicagoans, and a camera crew … 

~≈👯≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’ve finished my review of “The Witch of the Waterfall”, the most recent episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 4 “The Witch of the Waterfall” — A Review

14th December, 2025: “The Witch of the Waterfall”.

An Introduction.

It’s not often I duplicate posts: at least, not often I use the opening of one post as the opening of another.

Except it’s something I did, last week: when writing my introduction to my reviews of the first two episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

And it’s something I’ve repeated with this week’s episodes.

Sue me!

Additionally?

It’s not often I complain about Apple.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m something of a Mac fan: I’m writing this on a 2024 Mac mini, using macOS Tahoe 26.2, and Safari 26.2, to write this post.

I had problems, updating to the new versions, last Thursday: when, after the update ro 26.2, my browser would not stay logged into my usual websites, after switching the thing on in the morning.

Then would sign me out when I switched it off.

As you can imagine?

It was very frustrating.

Contacting various people proved little help: including Apple’s community forums.

So?

I contacted Apple’s Support line.

Where an extremely helpful young person managed to diagnose the issue.

All I had to do, it seems, was make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the cross-site tracking option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term issues may happen as a result.

I hope they’re minimal.

But I’m also aware I had that box checked for several years: with no problems.

Why it’s happened with this update?

I don’t know!

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

My problems aren’t why you’re here.

You’re possibly here out of curiosity, boredom, or a random social media post.

So, if you’re a newcomer to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I’ll have to repeat what I’ve said in earlier posts.

In other words, say “Welcome aboard”, tell you I write the Daily Teaser quiz, and about films and TV shows I’ve watched.

One of those shows?   Is the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

I saw the first episodes, “Homo Aqua”, and “Plastic Apocalypse”, last week, and caught the third episode, “The Deep”, last Sunday.

This post?

Is about the fourth episode, “The Witch of the Waterfall”.

Yes: I’ve started this post, early.

But?

It’s Christmas.

It’s busy!

And the weather is acting up.

Let’s move onto the review, shall we … ?

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-12-2025 — Here We Goa, Again

19th December, 2025: Goa.

OK: you’ve possibly realised this … but I, like many of us, get infected by the occasional earworm.

This morning … ?

It’s Joy Sarney’s only hit, 1977’s “Naughty, Naught, Naughty”.

Why on Earth I’ve woken up with the blessed thing banging around my head … ?

I really don’t know.

Answers on a postcard, please … !

~≈🎵≈~

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

18th December, 2025.

You know, console games are getting popular.

What do I mean, ‘getting popular’?

They’ve been around for a while, after all: and my nephew, Jude, is frequently on his.

And was a regular player of the FIFA range of football games: until licensing changes meant the game stopped being manufactured, and was replaced by EA Sports FC.

My nephew kept playing the ‘new’ game: recording, editing and posting, them to YouTube.

So … ?

He was mildly interested to hear that FIFA — football’s world governing body, and the body that licenses the sport to manufacturers — are, once again, going to license the sport out to manufacturers.

Or, at least, licensed it out to Netflix: so it can only be played if you have a Netflix subscription, on either a smart phone, or on some smart TVs.

It’ll be free to play for Netflix subscribers.

Quite what Jude will make of that, I don’t know.

We’ll have to see …

~≈⚽️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-12-2025 — Ludwig van Beethoven (Ten Questions)

17th December, 2025: Ludwig.

Yes: it’s official.

I’ve finished my review of “The Deep”, the third episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Hopefully, that’ll get a few views: despite the spoiler warning … !

~≈§≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 3 “The Deep” — A Review

*Spoilers* 

13th December, 2025: “The Deep”.

An Introduction.

It’s not often I duplicate posts: at least, not often I use the opening of one post as the opening of another.

Except it’s something I did, last week: when writing my introduction to my reviews of the first two episodes.

It’s not often I complain about Apple, either.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m something of a Mac fan: and writing this on a 2024 Mac mini, using macOS Tahoe 26.2, using Safari 26.2 to write this post.

I had problems, after updating to those versions, Thursday: when, after the update, my browser would not stay logged into my usual websites after a restart.

You can read more details, here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256210549

But, after contacting Apple’s Support line?

It seems all I had to do to correct the issue, was to make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the cross-site tracking option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term problems may happen, as a result.

I can only hope those are minimal.

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Me complaining isn’t why you’re here!

No.

So if you’re a newcomer to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I’ll have to repeat what I’ve said in earlier posts.

Tell you I write the Daily Teaser quiz, about films I’ve seen and TV shows I’m watching.

Whether you’re an old timer, or new to this blog?

I started watching the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, starting with the first episodes, “Homo Aqua”, and “Plastic Apocalypse”, last week.

I’ll be doing the same thing, for episodes three and four, this week: and something very similar for the last episode!

Yes: I’m starting this post early.

But?

It’s Christmas.

And I wanted to have a good bitch!

Let’s get on with the review, shall we … ?

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th December 2025.

16th December, 2025.

That’s always a worry … 

I’m diabetic: which you possibly already knew.

And, as such?

I have a blood sugar testing machine: and the testing strips, and lancets, that go with it.

And the associated sharps bin.

That bin … ?

Is something I have to ask Brentwood Council to dispose of: usually, through a website.

They usually phone me to tell me when the next pickup is, and I have to leave it out, the night before.

The worry?

Comes from the fact I’m convinced the collectors won’t turn up.

Or if one of the neighbours will complain: there’s one I’m convinced will!

Or that a neighbour’s dog will get into the bin, when it’s being walked.

The collectors got here at 06:39.

The neighbour hasn’t complained.

And, as far as I can tell, no dogs sniffed around my bucket.

That’s three less things to worry about … 

~≈🪣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-12-2025 — The Bill of Rights.

15th December, 2025: the Bill of Rights.

Right … it’s official: it’s Monday.

And?

I’m up late!

I’m usually up early on a Monday: as that’s the usual day for my weight management meetings.

However, it’s off until January 5th: over the Christmas holiday.

I won’t know how my weight’s going for the festivities … but at least I get to sleep in!

~≈🥱≈~

Ever since a recent update, I’ve been having problems with Safari: my default browser.

Due to the updated version logging me out of everything — and I do mean everything! — after I’ve started my Mac, up.

It’s a frustrating thing to have happen: as it adds about half an hour’s work to my morning.

And seemed to be something that the usual solution — clearing caches, history, cookies, or all three! — seemed not to solve.

I didn’t think of re-trying in Safe Mode: although I doubt that would have worked.

But did think of checking on Apple’s Community Support forums.

With not a lot of luck!

Such a lack or luck that I eventually gave in … and contacted Apple’s web-chat based support system.

It turned out that I needed to untick the ‘Prevent cross-site tracking’ options in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

Cross site tracking, so you know, involves a website leaving what’s called a cookie on your system: so that frequently used information can be reloaded, easily, when you re-visit a website.

It allows third parties to track what you’re doing: which can lead to privacy concerns.

But it also allows you to sign into sites more easily, speed up web-browsing and … well, not have a mess when trying to write a blog post!

What sort of badness could come of this?

I don’t know.

But the problem’s solved for now.

~≈!≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th December 2025.

14th December, 2025.

Right … 

I think I know what’s going on.

I updated my operating system, a couple of days ago.

Ever since?

I’ve had issues signing into Blogger.com: and needed to sign into everything, every time I start Safari, after re-starting my machine in the morning.

It’s meant that when I start a post?   I can’t upload photos to it, without having to reset God knows what!

The workaround that I’m using for now … ?

Is simply that I log into the site with Firefox, upload photos, then switch back to Safari.

It’s a right royal pain … 

~≈🦊≈~

About the only thing I can say for certain, though … ?

Is that is the photo uploading problem only happens, only needs the work-around … when I’m adding the first photos!

The next ones, like the ones of the this morning’s gorgeous sunrises?

Aren’t causing issues … !

Why … ?

If I knew that, I possibly wouldn’t have an problem!

~≈📰≈~

14th December, 2025: 10:53

Just as a revision to this post … ?

I’ve contacted Apple’s Support people.

It seems all I had to do to correct the login issue was to make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the ‘Cross-site tracking’ option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term problems may happen, as a result.

Here’s hoping those are minimal.

~≈✔️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2025 — Saint Lucy’s Day

13th December, 2025: Saint Lucy’s Day.

I think I’m having a frustrating morning!

I managed to update my Mac from macOS Tahoe 26·1 to macOS Tahoe 26·2, last night.

When Apple’s own information page tells you an app may “be able to access sensitive payment tokens”, you take it seriously!

Even if you only have half an idea what the phrase means!

It sounds like money’s involved, so I’d rather be safe, than sorry!

Unfortunately?

It’s made uploading photos and video to this blog, fiddly: and meant I’ve hopefully corrected it by adjusting my privacy settings.

But … ?

I’m betting it’s going to happen again, tomorrow!

~≈G≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th December 2025.

12th December, 2025.

I think I can safely say ChatGPT can’t spell!

I put what I was going to use as today’s thumbnail through ChatGPT, and asked it to add a submarine called Boaty McBoatface.

And?

Got a ship called ‘Boaty McDDatface’.

Technology’s amazing.

At least it will be … when it learns how to spell … 

~≈⚓️≈~

It’s officially official: I’ve got reviews finished!

Or, at least, I’ve published my written review of “Plastic Apocalypse” done.

Along side the video version.

Here’s hoping they do well … !

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 2 “Plastic Apocalypse” — A Review

6th December, 2025: “Plastic Apocalypse”.

The Introduction.

As I write, it’s still Saturday night.

And the burger I mentioned, here, is still cooking.

The chief difference that — right now? — the spuds are in the air fryer.

That’s still not grabbing your attention, is it?

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

That’s still a digression: so let me welcome newcomers to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, and tell them — you — there’s an associated YouTube channel, and that I write the Daily Teaser quiz, and movie and TV reviews.

Again, that isn’t something I need to remind long term readers, about.

But, whether you’re an old timer, or new to this blog?

I’ve started watching the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Starting with the first episode, “Homo Aqua”, on Sunday: and the second episode, “Plastic Apocalypse”, on Tuesday, 9th December, 2025.

I’ll be doing the same thing, for episodes three and four, next week: and something very similar for the last episode!

Yes: I have started reviews of the first two episodes, early: but December is busy … !

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

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

11th December, 2025.

Hmmm … 

Something the Today programme’s been talking is relatively simple.

Is the idea of using what it describes as ‘digital screens’ — laptops, tablets, what have you — for school exams.

I’m in two minds about that.

On the one hand … ?

It could leave students open to accusations of cheating, exam markers open to accusations of interference, give dyslexics even more problems, cost schools and families a fortune in new kit …

And lord knows how many other issues!

On the other hand … ?

I’m left handed.

I’ve always found writing by hand to be uncomfortable at best, painful at worst, and extremely messy.

It left me — ha! — with ink-stained fingers, and messy cuffs.

It was slow, as well.   I’m half convinced I’d’ve done better at school exams, had I been taught to write faster.

By contrast?   I’ve always found typing — whether on a computer, phone, tablet or an old fashioned typewriter — a lot less painful.

And rapid.

So, yes: while I think problems with this need to be addressed, and addressed from the get-go, I can also see one problem for which this is a very good solution.

~≈↖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th December 2025.

10th December, 2025.

Right … it’s Wednesday!

And … ?

I’ve finished my review of “Homo Aqua”, the first episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea, the latest Dr Who spin-off.

Now all I need to do is persuade people to watch it.

The fact that international audiences won’t be able to see the series until January is going to affect the figures, I think.

That’s not something that will affect my nephew’s lates video, I think.

You can watch that, here: 

If you can hit the like button, that would be nice … !

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 1 “Homo Aqua” — A Review

6th December, 2025: “Homo Aqua”.

The Introduction.

Right … it’s officially Saturday night.

And … ?

I’ve got a burger cooking as I write.

And will be plonking potatoes into the air fryer, shortly.

Ever buy Sainsbury’s own brand red skinned potatoes?

They seem to do well in the air fryer: although I could be wrong.

That’s possibly not something that’s grabbing your attention, now is it … ?

No: you’re possibly wondering if they mash well … 

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

That’s a digression … 

Let me make up for it by, instead, assuming you’re new to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, and the associated YouTube channel.

And tell you that I write the Daily Teaser quiz, and do movie and TV reviews.

That’s not something I need to remind long term readers, about.

So to them … ?

I say “Welcome back!”

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

So … ?

Whether you’re an old timer, or new to this blog?

I should stress, again, that I review TV shows.

That I’m writing this introduction to a set of reviews a day early.

And tell you that I’m going to be watching the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

Starting with the first episode, “Homo Aqua”, tomorrow night.

Hopefully?

I’ll have this first review — written and video — done by Tuesday: then have my written and video reviews of the second episode, “Plastic Apocalypse”, done by Thursday, 11th December, 2025.

I’ll be doing the same thing, for episodes three and four, next week: and something very similar for the last episode!

The reason I’m starting a day early … ?

It’s December: and Christmas.

So I’m fitting this posts in-between real life and present wrapping … 

I can only hope the festive period is kind to us.

And the Sea Devils aren’t too scary!

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th December 2025

9th December, 2025.

Finally … !

I have a quiet day where I don’t have to go to a hospital!

Which is possibly a result: it means I can work on this review I’ve got stewing.

Heigh … … … … ho!

~≈⌘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-12-2025 — How To Abolish the Monarchy

8th December, 2025: Abolition.

Right … it’s officially Monday.

And the day of my last weight management meeting.

Or, at least, the last one of 2025.

The meeting’s restart in January.

Either way … ?

I want to find out what’s happening!

~≈𐄷≈~

I caught the first — first — episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea, last night.

And have come away mildly impressed!

But … ?

I’m thinking timing is a thing.

Two episodes were aired on BBC 1, last night: and now available on iPlayer.

The next two … ?

Will be aired on the 14th December, and the last on the 21st.

Which means I’ll be juggling my timings, in getting the reviews written!

At any rate … ?

I’m very aware that Disney+ will be airing the episodes in January.

And that that time difference will prompt people to VPNs, Virtual Private Networks, to access them.

Or just head for torrent tracking sites to access them.

Those episodes are on at least one, already …

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~