Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th November 2025

27th November, 2025.

OK … I’ll admit it: I need stamps .

Two of them.

I spent most to last night writing out ones I’m going to be sending to friends and family in the UK … after having sent off three international cards.

Which cost a (comparative) bomb.

At any rate … ?

I have sixteen cards to send … and fourteen stamps.

I wonder how many I’ll need … … … … … …

~≈📩≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th November 2025.

26th November, 2025.

Right: it’s officially Wednesday.

And … ?

It’s going to be a quiet morning in.

Because … ?

I have my annual gas safety check, this morning.

That’s assuming I’ve filled in all the forms, correctly!

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

I have to admit: I notice things on the BBC’s news site.

One that caught my eye, yesterday?

Was this piece: that tells me Justice Secretary, David Lammy, is planning to drop jury trials for all but the most serious offences.

I’m no expert, and very aware the justice system is struggling.

But I’m not sure I like the idea.

After all, the right to a jury trial, a trial before a jury consisting of one’s peers?

Is an ancient one.

And, I believe, a fair one.

Much fairer than being tried by a judicial kangaroo … 

~≈🦘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-11-2025 Saint Catherine Of Alexandria.

25th November, 2025: Saint Catherine Of Alexandria.

It’s officially official: I now have a new CPAP machine, a new Continuous Positive Air Pressure Machine.

View this post on Instagram

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

But, lord, I had to jump through hoops to get it!

I actually got up early, to get to Basildon Hospital, where I was supposed to take the old one.

For what — when I made the appointment — was put to me as a check-up on the machine: an MOT, if you will.

So, once I’d posted yesterday’s Teaser, got myself showered and dressed, I headed out for the nearest bus-stop: as — from what I’d understood — the #9 to Basildon was due to arrive at 9·10am.

Headed out at 8·40am.

Turns out I got to the stop way too early.

As the bus was due to leave at 9·25.

So … ?

As the stop’s near Brentwood station, I thought “I’ll take the train: the website said it’ll be quicker than, and there’ll be toilets, if needed.”

Oh, boy!

So you know?

The Brentwood to Basildon train trip means travelling from Brentwood Station to Romford, changing at Romford Station to get to Upminster, then taking the train from Upminster Station to Basildon.

Then getting a bus from Basildon Station to the hospital!

Needless to say, the relevant platforms are on the other side of each station.

And the toilets at Romford — which I needed both ways! — are on a third.

I missed the first train to Upminster as a result of that.

And had to wait for the next one.

The net result?

Was that I got Basildon Hospital around 11·00 … and got to the clinic about fifteen minutes later.

Those fifteen minutes?

Included a brief stop at the hospital’s Cashier’s Office.

Where, in theory, I could claim the fares back.

Except I couldn’t … as I had no proof I’m on benefits!

Once I was at what’s now called the Sleep and Ventilation clinic?

There was a wait: of about two hours.

You possibly wouldn’t believe how slowly those went: nor how uncomfortable waiting room chairs are!

But … ?

Once that wait was done?

The old machine was traded in for the new one in double quick time: and instructions for maintaining the kit — washing the mask and hoses, use of the humidifying chamber, what have you — I headed home.

Which took a while!

I got home at around the 3·45 mark: and had just enough cash to buy a snack, and feel just a touch … disgruntled.

Partly at the length of time the wait took me at the hospital: although the receptionist, nurse and machine-issuing doctor, were great.

But mostly because of the time the trip took: and the cost.

The cost of the train ticket was far more than I was expecting … but was something I was expecting to be able to claim back from the hospital.

Basildon’s been running a scheme that lets benefit claimants claim a refund for many years.

But it wasn’t until I spoke to the cashier that I realised I needed proof I was on benefits to claim it.

Not realising this?

Or, at least, completely forgetting I’d been told this, the last time I went to Basildon Hospital, under my own steam?

Meant I didn’t have any.

What made me feel even sillier … ?

Was when the cashier asked me if I could access my online benefits journal* … on my phone … 

Which, of course, I didn’t: as I usually do so on my desktop.

The screen’s bigger.

I’m … 

Well … 

Let’s just say that yesterday was a learning experience.

A time consuming, expensive, learning experience … !

~≈💷≈~

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

24th November, 2025.

Yes: you’re right.

Being up this early in the morning is ridiculous!

Many things are.

Man’s inhumanity to man.

Man’s inhumanity to woman.

The way shopping trolley’s move.

Plenty of things are thoroughly ridiculous!

But … ?

I have a hospital appointment: so that the CPAP machine, the Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine, I have can be checked.

It’s going in for an MOT, in other words.

The only downside to getting it checked … ?

Is the fact it has to be done at Basildon Hospital, between 9·45 and 12·15.

Which means a seventy minute bus trip, and getting up early to do so.

At times like this?

I wish I was having a colonoscopy.

At least the hospital organises an ambulance for you!

Heigh … ho!

~≈🚍≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2025.

23rd November, 2025.

I think we can say Jude — my nephew — has posted his latest video!

Yes, hitting the ‘Like’ button would be very welcome: as would subscribing to his channel.

And mine, if you’re that way inclined!

But I’ll tell you what!

Buying dinner was a job and a half!

We couldn’t place an order through Deliveroo: why, I don’t know!

Then we tried ordering pizza from Dominos.

And couldn’t.

It just wasn’t happening!

It was only then, that I got a message from my bank.

They thought I was being defrauded!

I had to press buttons, and phone them, to find out what was happening!

And assure them that that no: I wasn’t being scammed, my card hadn’t been cloned and I was genuinely trying to order dinner!

And any rate … when we went back to the Dominos site … my payment got declined, again!!!!!!!

I was getting annoyed, by this point: and Jude was definitely underwhelmed.

Both of us were hungry … !

This second time, though … ?

Was my fault: I hadn’t fed the card’s expiry date, properly!

Ever had the feeling you’re being got at?

~≈🍕≈~

That said, I can appreciate my bank’s actions, last night.

Part of their job is to protect their customers from fraud, and to prevent crime.

And?

It’s been a while since I’ve ordered food online: and I’d made multiple attempts to order from different, and very unfamiliar, websites.

So I can’t blame them for automatically going into ‘Protect A Punter’ mode!

But, boy, the timing was wonderful!

About the only upsides to the evening?

Jude managed to get that video uploaded.

We managed to set up — and use — fast user switching, so we could switch between accounts*.

And … ?

Pizza never tasted quite so good!

~≈🍕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd November 2025

22nd November, 2025.

It’s officially official … I’ve paid my bills … !

Well … all bar the gas bill: and that I can get done, today.

Strangely, though … ?

I’m grateful it’s rain, out: that I’m going to get wet, heading out to pay the thing.

As, going by the predictions for my area … ?

It’s going to be warmer than it was, yesterday!

~≈☔️≈~

Coins … … … 

I have coins.

Which you’d possibly guessed.

But the weird thing … ?

Is that it’s only now — some years after his coronation, and after notes and coins with the King’s face on them started circulating — that I’ve received Charles 3rd coins in my change.

Yes, I know.

That’s not exactly note-worthy.

But … ?

It struck me as mildly coincidental that I have £1·05 worth of the things.

In other words, cash equivalent to an old English coin called a guinea, worth twenty-one shillings back then … 

And £1·05, now.

The reason it struck me as significant?

Is race horses are usually auctioned in guineas*, even now.

And the King, much like his late mother, is a bit of a one for the gee gees … 

~≈🏇🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-11-2025 — World Television Day

21st November, 2025: World Television Day.

It has to be said: I’m feeling quiet … 

Which is odd for me.

Or possibly not: given recent news.

With that said … ?

Gill Veail — Trevor’s sister — has asked me to thank everyone that’s passed on their condolences, after his recent death.

Thank you: you know who you are.

~≈💐≈~

It’s officially official: I have the sun in my eyes.

Which is what happens on a sunny day, when you buy cheap blinds!

Or, at least, have cheap blinds … on a sunny day.

Either way … ?

I can’t complain too much.

Yes, it’s a cold day … but yes, it’s also payday.

Which means I can do something positive.

Like shop … !

~≈🪙≈~

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

20th November, 2025.

I have to say: I was feeling fairly chipper, for most of yesterday.

I’d found out Disney will be releasing the original, theatrical, cut of Star Wars in 4k: at least they will, going by this article.

The theatrical cut: rather than the updated ones released under George Lucas.

I’d found out that the Geldof-penned “I Don’t Like Mondays” had been released on 13th July, 1979.

Six years, to the day, before the Geldof-organised Live Aid was staged: on 13th July, 1985.

Yes: there’ll be a Teaser about the song.

I think the co-incidence will inspired a question or two.

But I also — towards the end of the day — learnt some sad news: after being contacted by Gill Veail, yesterday.

Gill … ?

Is the sister of Trevor Veail: who, famously, has commented on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar for many years.

Has?

I should correct myself, there, and say ‘had commented’.

As Gill contacted me, yesterday, to tell me Trevor had died, yesterday evening.

I’m saddened.

~≈🪽≈~

I got to know Trevor, many years ago: when I worked at what’s now the Hutton Junction in Shenfield.

And was one of the first punters I’d served, there.

You could pretty much guarantee Trevor would be in, most lunchtimes, and ordering at least two pints of Courage Best: as he tended to favour bitters.

And managed to catch my attention, as he was impressively knowledge about Dr Who, and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels.

And about various vintage computers: from what I knew, he’d worked on some of the first business mainframes, back in the day.

He was also one of the first people to take part in the quizzes I ran at the Hutton.

And one of the first to comment here, on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

Yes.

Trevor could be a right, royal, pain in the bum, sometimes.

He got barred from the Hutton, at least once

And there’s certainly a few comments, here, that were less than polite: and got firmly deleted.

But generally?

Trevor was a warm, caring human being: which is why I tried to keep in touch with him, in his last days.

He’d had a fall, at home, a few months ago: and had some hard to treat leg ulcers, and cataracts, as a result of diabetes.

I’m also reminded Trevor told me, many years ago, that he’d been diagnosed with some form of autism.

Which possibly added to his struggles.

I couldn’t even tell you if he was able to read those letters, at the end.

But … ?

They were sent: which is possibly the point.

I tried to make sure I kept in touch with someone I saw as a friend.

I’m very aware the world’s a worse place for his loss.

RIP, Trevor.

~≈🪽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-11-2025 — O Milésimo

19th November, 2025: O Milésimo.

Hmmm … 

I was online, yesterday.

Which you’d possibly guessed.

I was online, after posting the day’s Teaser: trying to answer a question on Quora.

When I got this message;

Quite what happened there?

I didn’t know.

But I was getting the same sort of message from X, DownDetector, and a few other sites.

I was getting those messages from those sites in every browser on my computer.

And getting them after restarting my computer, twice, and restarting my router.

What I did find, after checking with the BBC’s news site?

Was that Cloudflare, the infrastructure provider the sites used to connect to the ’net, was having issues.

Something known as a configuration file had stopped working correctly: and was causing problems with Cloudflare’s security checks.

And refusing to connect people as a result.

The panic is now officially over.

Until the next time this happens … … 

~≈🗂️≈~

Just as a thought … ?

You’re probably very aware the opening episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea is due to start airing on the 7th December: at least, start airing in the UK, on 7th December.

The BBC have since announced that an edited version of The Sea Devils — the Dr Who story that introduced the creatures — will also air on the 7th.

Yes, I am going to watch that.

But it’ll probably go on the back burner.

December’s looking busy … 

~≈🗂️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

Can I persuade you an AI-generated, football playing Dalek is something you want … ?

OK, maybe not … 

~≈🗂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th November 2025 (Six Questions)

18th November, 2025: Six Questions.

I’ve noticed a news piece from the BBC’s news site.

One that tells us car thieves are using expensive bits of kit to steal cars.

You’d possibly guessed something like that was happening, hadn’t you?

Me, too.

According to the article?

The devices work by hi-jacking the signal from the car’s electronic keys — at longer ranger than you’d expect — then using it to open the cars doors.

And, apparently?

The things are being sold on the dark web for at least £20, 000.

No: I don’t want one, before you ask.

For starters, I don’t drive: so stealing a car is a bit stupid!

And?

The piece tells us the government is planning to outlaw these things.

Which probably won’t stop sales of the things: just put the price up.

The reason I mention it?

Is a personal belief.

That the devices were originally sold for legal purposes.

To allow mechanics to get you into your car if you lost the key: or for the engineers or sales staff, to set the car up for a new buyer.

I’m guessing it’s only later that a clever criminal has thought “That’s handy, Harry.   Stick it in the oven!”

Am I right … ?

I don’t know.

But if I am, it’s a very good example of an old line of William Gibson’s.

“… the street finds its own uses for things.”

“Burning Chrome”.

~≈🔑≈~

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

17th November, 2025.

It’s official: it’s Monday morning.

And … ?

It’s off to my weight management class I go.

And, given the weather forecast’s told me it’s going to be cold?

I had a look at the weather forecast for today.

I think I’m going to need a jumper … 

~≈🥶≈~

I have to admit, I watch stuff on Youtube.

Granted, there’s only so many talking heads I can watch … but one video caught my eye, last night.

This one.

That tells how many people have taken to video piracy in the wake of a splintered streaming market.

How — given streaming services are becoming ever more fractured, and expensive — people are turning to other ways of watching content.

And how, given how streaming sites are removing content, many pirates see themselves are archivists, as a result.

Personally?

I can’t say I was surprised by what the video was telling me: especially the bit that says many pirates see themselves as archivists.

Given that An Unearthly Child, the first Doctor Who story, is still not available on iPlayer?

That there’s few other ways of watching these shows, other than pirate copies?

Are you surprised?

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

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

16th November, 2025.

Right then … I am expecting to have a quiet day, today: happily making videos.

And — possibly — getting some sleep: I was up, late, babysitting my nephew.

Who was interested to that games company, Valve, has introduced its own games console: one that doubles up as a regular PC.

Albeit one running SteamOS, rather than Windows.

We’ll have to see if that catches his attention … 

~≈🚂≈~

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

15th November, 2025.

Right … there’s been an announcement!

The BBC has announced that the first two episodes of The War Between Land and Sea will air in the UK on Sunday, 7th December.

With Russell T. Davies telling us that the remaining three episodes will air over the following two weeks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Russell T Davies (@russelltdavies63)

Going by the publicity I’ve seen, so far … ?

It will air on Disney+, outside the UK: in 2026.

~≈🌊≈~

Now … I have to admit, I’m looking forward to The War Between Land and Sea.

Even though I, like many fans, had issues with the finales of Ncuti’s two series.

Generally?

Russell T. Davies could do very good Whoniverse-theme Spin-offs.

But one thing I have noticed?

Is that this spin-off will air, internationally, in 2026.

I think that difference in dates is going to cause problems.

Is going to cause people to look for the episodes on torrent tracking sites like Pirate Bay.

That’s not something we should be encouraging* … 

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-11-2025 — World Diabetes Day

14th November, 2025: World Diabetes Day.

Bugger!

I had an extremely funny introductory video done for today’s post!

One full of wit, humour, and satirical observations about politics!

But … ?

But I managed to bin it, and empty the bin, before Time Machine managed to back up my system, and save it.

Remind me to no kick myself: I’d miss!

~≈⏰≈~

The BBC’s been covering it all morning.

Seemingly?

Sky TV are to start broadcasting a UK version of the venerable US comedy series, Saturday Night Live: and are assembling the team as we speak.

It may do well … 

But … ?

I think Saturday Live/Friday Night Live— the UK series that made stars out of many UK comics — has been forgotten in all the excitement.

~≈☭≈~

Just so everyone knows?

I’ve got two ten question sets due: on the 5th and 17th, of December.

And have just finished the twelve question review of 2025: due on the 31st December.

Hopefully, you’ll enjoy them!

~≈⌘≈~

As a final thought … ?

You’ll remember I’ve objections to the Government’s proposed Digital ID scheme?

I’ve objections to the Government’s proposed Digital ID scheme: mostly based on cost.

There’s some good news about it: the petition on the UK government’s website has had something of an effect.

The proposal will be discussed in the House of Commons on 8th December, this year.

Hopefully, the whole silly idea will be scrapped.

~≈🆔≈~

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

13th November, 2025.

Yep: I’ve got Radio Four’s Today programme on.

And, yes, the show’s reporting an interesting historical note.

According to an upcoming programme on Channel Four, DNA testing has been what’s left of Adolf Hitler.

Apparently, he had a condition that meant he was more likely to have various neurological conditions.

And an undescended testicle.

If true?

It means we can start singing Colonel Bogey … … 

~≈⚽️≈~

Apple — the computer company — seems to generate rumours.

One of the latest?

Is that it’s supposed to be releasing a low end, budget, MacBook: with an A-series system-on-a-chip.

I wouldn’t expect to be able to afford such a thing: even if it is Apple’s budget option.

But … ?

A body can dream.

After all, it would be nice to own a mobile Mac … and be an improvement on the iPhone sock … 

~≈🍎≈~

As a last thought … ?

There’s a magazine called MacWorld doing the round: it’s been available for many years.

And … ?

One of their infomercial pieces floated across my timeline, a couple of days ago.

Apparently?

You can, with their help, get a dollar-denominated copy of Microsoft Office at just under sixty dollars ($60).

About forty-five pounds (£45), in real money.

Personally?

I’d be turning that down, even if I had the cash.

There’s more than enough free software around, software that opens MS Office files, to make spending the money a stupid move.

~≈❖≈~