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!

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-9-2025 — The Prisoner (Ten Questions)

29th September, 2025: The Prisoner.

It’s Monday morning.

And, of course, I’m up early: to get to my weight management meeting.

Hopefully?

I will have lost some weight.

I was under one hundred kilos, last week: so it would be nice if I’ve lost more, this week.

Here’s hoping.

~≈⚖️≈~

Something I know … ?

Is that one of my X followers is always happy to tell me what the weather’s like in her part of the world: including when she’s got fog.

I’m mildly jealous, as we’ve not had fog, here, for a couple of years.

Until this morning, that is.

I know it’s chilly out … but I always think the fog makes my street look romantic … !

~≈🌫️≈~

It seems that the people of Switzerland have had a referendum on digital ID.

And … ?

Narrowly voted in favour of their government’s proposed scheme.

Well done, them.

They’ve voted for a digital ID scheme that’s voluntary: unlike the scheme proposed by Sir Keir Starmer.

If someone could point out that a voluntary ID scheme seems popular, that could be a big hint for the PM.

Make the scheme voluntary, Sir Keir: you’ll have less problems getting it through the House of Commons … 

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th September 2025.

28th September, 2025.

It’s officially: England’s (ladies) rugby team have won the World Cup.

I’m no fan of the game: but it’s nice to see it happen,

I have just one minor question.

Was it Rugby League, or Rugby Union?

Like I say, I’m not a fan … !

~≈🏟️≈~

OK, I’m possibly a lot of things.

Including mildly bored on a Sunday morning.

But … ?

I’m interested enough in current affairs: at least, interested enough to keep an eye on the petition against the Prime Minister’s Digital ID scheme.

When I put my name to it, yesterday?

It was hovering around the 1, 600, 000 mark.

As I write?

It’s at the 2, 100, 000 mark.

Given the House of Commons has to debate these things, if they get 10, 000 signatures?

It’s getting debated.

Whether the proposal goes through, or fails, is a whole other matter.

But at least a debate is guaranteed.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-9-2025 — The Queen Elizabeth.

27th September, 2025: The Queen Elizabeth.

I posted a Teaser about T. S. Eliot, yesterday.

Which you possibly knew, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while.

Thank you, and well done, to everyone that took part!

In the introduction … ?

I talked about my concerns about the Prime Minister’s proposed digital ID scheme: an ID scheme designed to prove a person is eligible to work in the UK.

I feel the scheme is unwise

Mostly, because I feel there’s a significant number of people on Universal Credit — the people that need jobs — will be unable to afford a smartphone.

Nor be confident enough to use it, were one provided.

I’m thinking mostly about the cost, here, as a first hurdle.

If I don’t have a smart phone, but have to have one for the ID?

Where am I getting the money?

Is Keir Starmer putting his hand in his pocket, and giving me the cash?

Who’s setting the thing up for me?

Job Centre staff are supposed to be helping me back to work: not doing technical support.

Who’s showing me how to use the thing?

You get my point!

So … ?

I make a video: aimed at the PM, mentioning him by name, and tweeted past Number 10’s X account.

Will it have an effect?

Beyond getting a few boosts on Mastodon.world?

I don’t know.

Post by @Cuddy2977@mastodon.world

View on Mastodon

But feel that being one voice amongst many, on this important subject, is a good thing.

~≈Å≈~

A very good thing.

There’s a petition about it on the UK’s government’s website: one that — as I write — has 1,613,944 signatures, and is increasing every time I look at the page.

The page is here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730194

Every signature helps.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-9-2025 — T. S. Eliot. (Ten questions.)

26th September, 2025: T. S. Eliot.

OK … that’s new … !

I’ve had a Mac for several years.

And used a succession of them for various things.

Including ripping DVDs and blurays.

One thing that’s been a mild annoyance?

Is simply that the various versions of macOS I’ve used have never had an icon for bluray discs.

There were icons for CDs, and DVDs: but not for blurays.

A bluray would show up on the desktop, certain: but as a blank space with the disc’s information written under it.

Fortunately?

That’s now been changed, under macOS Tahoe.

There’s now an icon: which makes finding where the operating system has put the thing, a lot easier!

~≈📀≈~

Is Sir Keir Starmer reading this?

The UK’s current Prime Minister?

Sir Keir, if you’re reading this, your planned Digital ID card schemes presents problems.

Especially for those of us on benefits.

From the little I’ve seen of it?

The digital ID is supposed to only work on smart phones.

For those of us who have one, that’s not a problem.

For those of us on Universal Credit, who can’t afford a modern phone?

Where are we supposed to get the money to buy one?

I’ve at least one friend — Dave, who lives around the corner — who’s on an old 3g phone, that he can’t afford to replace: a phone that’s as far from smart as it’s possible to get.

Sir Keir, will you be giving Dave the money to buy a smart phone?

To transfer his number over to a new, modern, SIM card?

To teach him how to use the thing?

I’m assuming, Sir Keir, that if you can’t buy Dave a smart phone for this scheme, then you can’t fund smart phones for other job seekers in the UK.

From what I’ve seen on the news, we’re the people you insist have these IDs: so we can show we have a right to work in the UK.

The other option, Sir Keir?

Is to issue a digital ID card that’s something like a modern, chip and PIN, contactless, bank card.

For starters?

What on Earth would be the point of that?

When many of us on benefits already have a passport or driver’s license that proves we have a right to work in the UK?

Who pays for this ID?

In my case, I have a drivers license: that was paid for by the Job Centre, as I couldn’t afford it, myself.

Would you be paying for those, Sir Keir?

What if I had no smart phone, no drivers license, no passport, and no way of affording any of them?

If I, nor Dave, nor anyone else we know, couldn’t afford these?

Someone else would need to pay for us to buy them, to show we have a right to a job.

Are you buying them for us, Sir Keir?

Because if we can’t afford the kit we need, Sir Keir, that means we can’t get jobs.

That, Sir Keir, makes the scheme both pointless, stupid, and expensive.

It’s your call, Sir Keir.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-9-2025 — Down In The Park

25th September, 2025: Down in the Park.

There are times when I love myself.

Which is always a suspicious phrase, I think: very ambiguous, I think!

There’s times when I don’t love myself.

Or, at least, hate something I’ve seen.

I caught the last episode of Alien: Earth, last night: an episode called “The Real Monsters”.

It has a deeply ambiguous ending: one I found frustrating, as it offered no clear resolution.

With no second season confirmed?

It’s not a note I was expecting to finish on.

~≈🧌≈~

Sometimes … ?

I hate it when the situation is awkward.

I hate when circumstances force me to get up early.

Like today.

My Job Centre case worker’s decided I should attend a mentoring event, today: one that starts at ten in the morning.

So that means I’m up early to get this post done.

It’s a horrible time to be awake, I know that!

~≈🕓≈~

Oh, JUST in case you like unboxing videos?

I’ve done an unboxing video … !

I can only hope it’s an exciting one … !

~≈📦≈~

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

24th September, 2025.

I think we can safely say it’s turning autumnal.

For a starter?

My feet are freezing: more-so, I’m told, than those of us who aren’t diabetic.

The condition causes poor circulation that shows up — in my case? — as chilly toes.

Slippers help.

Which is not something I was expecting to tell you, when I was in my twenties … 

~≈🦶≈~

Which reminds me: those feet were complained about by an ex-girlfriend, back when we were dating.

There was one night, though, that managed to stick in my mind: as we spend the night watching a film called Event Horizon.

Which was a fantastic piece: but flawed, as the director’s plans — to make a two-hour version — were overruled by the studio.

Who insisted on a ninety minute cut.

The missing footage has long since been lost.

That’s a screaming shame.

The version presented is great, but you can spot the flaws with some of the character development: especially with the Sam Neill character, Dr Weir.

Yes: I have got a 4k version of the thing on order.

But … ?

I would dearly love to see that director’s cut.

~≈⚫️≈~

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

23rd September, 2025.

Phew: that’s gone!

I’m diabetic, if you didn’t know.

So I have a once a week injection of Mounjaro: and have to test my blood sugar levels at least twice a day.

So have what’s called a ‘sharps bin’: a small plastic bin that I put waste needles in.

The local council collects them: after I fill in an online form.

That collection was due, this morning: and would’ve stopped, collected the bin, and moved on.

Assuming I’d put it out last night.

I know what you’re thinking: you’re thinking “Did you put the bin out, Paul???????”

“Did you, Paul?”

Yes, I did, actually!

At 5:30, this morning.

Thing was picked up at 6:30: I hear the lorry, while I was prepping up this post.

Thanks heavens for that.

The suspense was killing me!

~≈🪡≈~

Hmmm … 

As a minor point … ?

I’ve recently upgraded from macOS Sequoia to macOS Tahoe.

And … ?

The new games app — that’s supposed to make access to games on a Mac, easier — doesn’t.

Or, at least, can’t or won’t access the two open source games I have on my machine.

There’s possibly a mix of things doing that: probably both Apple and the games’ developers are at fault, there.

But that’s inconvenient.

There’s also the new Apps app: which replaced Launchpad.

That’s still taking some getting used to.

Frankly?

I’d’ve been happier if Apple had kept that.

~≈🍎≈~

Apparently?

The US president’s most recent announcement tells pregnant American women to avoid Tylenol: what’s called paracetamol in the UK.

As — he says — it can cause autism.

There’s very little scientific evidence to back that up.

Given the amount of twaddle the president, and others, have peddled, twaddle about vaccinations, COVID-19, and lord knows what else … ?

I feel the president is unwise.

But I knew that, anyway … 

~≈💊≈~

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

22nd September, 2025.

It’s officially official: I feel like I’ve been turned out into a dog bowl.

Yes: I couldn’t get a wink of sleep, last night.

Because … ?

Of the Rampaging Trots!

Caused — as far as I can tell — by the fact I didn’t cook yesterday’s lunch, properly.

Can you remind me to cook chicken in the oven, rather than the air fryer?

That way, I know it’s cooked through!

~≈🍗≈~

From what we’re told … ?

The US president has been to Charlie’s Kirk’s memorial.

And hailed him as both an ‘American Hero’, and as a ‘martyr’.

The president’s described Kirk’s death as “an attack on America”.

Can I make a confession … ?

I really don’t like the word, ‘martyr’: the only time I’ve seen it frequently used, is when religious extremists are describing ‘heroes’ who’ve died in the cause, and whose death is seen as free advertising.

“These people are willing to die heroic deaths”, they would say, “and encourage us to fight evil enemies.”

The likes of Al-Qaeda used it of the 9/11 hijackers.

And the Iranian regime used it of suicide bombers in their war against Saddam Hussain’s Iraqi regime.

Frankly?

The US President — a man who should know better — is the last person who should be using the word.

He, as a New Yorker, should know how much damage a martyr can do.

And know what an attack on the US looks like … 

~≈💣≈~

Oh … just as a minor thought … ?

I’ll confess to something else: I’m not the fastest horse in the cleaning stakes.

My mother’s commented about it!

So … ?

It’s only when a friend mentioned she’s visited someone, and noticed the drain flies in their flat, I got motivated.

As I’ve had a similar issue with persistant drain flies around the place.

I’d been trying everything I could think of, to try and get rid of the things.

It’s only when the friend complained of the flat full of the things I remembered what I’d read online.

That the drains flies could be killed by using heavy drain cleaning substance … and that I had some caustic soda sitting around that could do exactly that: seriously clean drains.

That seems to have solved the fly problem for now.

I’m going to get some more soda: and invest in a few toilet blocks.

That could be sensible … 

~≈🪰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-9-2025 — The International Day of Peace (Ten questions)

21st September, 2025: the International Day of Peace.

Right, then … 

Radio 4’s new bulletin is playing in the background.

And … ?

It’s told us of a cyber-attack on the check-in systems of various international airports.

Apparently, the company responsible for the software that’s being attacked, has described it as a “cyber-related disruption.”

Without being too clear about what sort of disruption they’re mean.

Quite what’s going on there, who is to blame, and how long the disruption will last?

Is beyond me … 

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-9-2025 — Man Versus Woman.

20th September, 2025: Man Versus Woman.

I think I’m mildly worried … 

Yesterday?

Russian planes flew through Estonian airspace.

As a result?

The Estonian government has invoked Article Four of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The one that calls a NATO council meeting: to trigger Article Five of the Treaty.

The article that says — if I’ve understood it correctly — an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all members, and sees us declaring war on the invading country.

I’ve lived my live in a country that’s not been involved in major military action since the Gulf War.

I’d hate to see Britain — or our NATO allies — involved in one now.

I’d hate to see a world war, come to think of it.

They’re not exactly pleasant …

~≈💣≈~

You’re possibly aware that cyber attacks happen.

And that, recently, UK attacks have happened to Harrods, Marks and Spencers, Tescos and Transport for London.

Well … if nothing else, the teenagers who carried out the TfL attack have been arrested.

Teens who — going by the description given of their appearance in court — were desperately trying to look cool in court.

Hopefully?

The courts won’t go too heavily on them.

It’s almost a cliche, one that’s been around since WarGames, that says that teenage hackers get hired by impressed tech firms.

So turning their lives around should be encouraged: even given the damage they’ve done.

They are, for the most part, trying to impress girls: rather than be actively malicious.

~≈👨🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-9-2025 — Saint Kitts and Nevis.

12th September, 2025: Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Right … it’s now officially Friday … and?

I’ve been toying with Image Playground, as it’s been tweaked*.

Feeding in photos of myself, and of Bobby the Cat, and appropriately silly prompts … ?

Gets these … 

That second one looks nothing like me … but at leasts the potato looks like a potato, and Bobby looks like Bobby … 

~≈🌅≈~

I’ve got the Today Programme on, again: and keep thinking it would make a good subject for a question set.

Possibly at another time, though!

However?

They’ve floated a news piece that caught my eyes: and probably grabbed the attention of spy-fiction fans across the planet.

Apparently?

MI6, Britain’s intelligence agency, is to launch a recruitment website called ‘Silent Courier’: on the dark web, the section of the World Wide Web hidden from regular browsers.

I really don’t want to be a spy: I doubt I’d be good at it.

But … ?   That wouldn’t stop me trying to find that site, given the chance … !

~≈🕵🏻‍♂️≈~

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

18th September, 2025.

Right, then: it’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

I’ve worked out a minor thing about macOS Tahoe, the new operating system I’ve got.

I mentioned, yesterday, that screen shots were now saved in the HEIC format.

After a little experimenting?

It seems it does that if I use one specific keyboard shortcut — ⌘, ⇧ and 5, CMD, Shift and 5 — rather than another: ⌘, ⇧ and 4.

Quite why it does that?

I don’t know.

~≈📷≈~

Oh … I’ve had the Today programme on, again.

You’d possibly guessed.

And … ?

They’ve had former Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Nick Clegg, on, to talk about technology.

Who made the very good point that, for all US tech firms announcing investment in this country, yesterday, the people of the UK still most use US software on US designed hardware.

Apple’s iOS and Macs, Microsoft’s Windows based PCs, most Android phones, usually feature US designed components: whether hardware or software.

And, whilst the the software that underlies both the ’Web and the ’Net, itself, had some elements designed by British engineers?

It’s mostly American.

I’m happily using a Mac: long accused of being a closed ecosystem.

But … ?

Would love to see a British-made operating system — Ubuntu, for example — do well.

But, whilst I’m aware a lot of software services — Microsoft Office, or Spotify — are available, online, to a lot of devices … 

I’m also aware that something like Ubuntu has no killer apps: no apps, specifically designed for it, that would boost sales.

All of those?

Seem to be on other devices … 

~≈👨🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th September 2025 (Six Questions)

17th September, 2025: Six Questions.

OK, OK … !

I made a mistake!

And I’m suitably embarrassed!

I also owe Scott Jenkins, over on Bluesky, a vote of thanks.

For pointing out Elvis Presley died on 16th August, and not 16th September!

Thank you, Scott!

What? He died AUGUST 16, not September. 🙄

— Scott Jenkins (@scottjenkins67.bsky.social) 16 September 2025 at 10:34

~≈🎤≈~

You’re possibly aware that the US president is on a state visit to the UK: accompanied by various hangers-on.

Hangers-on that include Satya Nadella, the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft: who’s announced that Microsoft is to invest substantial amounts of money in the UK’s AI industry.

He’s said as much in an interview on the Today programme, only a few minutes ago.

The interview also saw him use words to the effect that “people can trust US tech companies”.

Given the bad press I’ve seen around the amount of advertising included with Windows 11?

I laughed.

~≈🪟≈~

Oh … 

I’ve upgraded my computer.

Or, at least, I’ve upgraded my Mac mini from macOS Sequoia (macOS 15.6.1) to macOS Tahoe (macOS 26.0).

There’s a lot of nice cosmetic changes.

Although Apple seems to have changed folder icon colours: so they match the default text highlight colour.

Which I’ve worked out you can change by tinkering around in the Appearance settings.

Screenshots now seem to be saved in the HEIC format: rather than the usual .png format.

Changing screen savers involves an extra step.

Oh, and the Launchpad application launcher has been replaced by an Apps app.

Which is differently organised: and one I’m not sure I like.

This may be unfamiliarity talking: but the Launchpad overlay seemed easier to use and organise: as opposed to Apps, which seems fiddly by comparison.

From the little feedback I’ve had on Mastodon?

It’s getting comments … 

Post by @Cuddy2977@mastodon.world

View on Mastodon

~≈🐘≈~

Oh, I do know Image Playground’s now had a few tweaks: including being connected to ChatGPT.

Which could led to privacy concerns, even whilst it’s making fun images.

You see what I mean: about laughing when Satya Nadella said we can trust US companies?

~≈📷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-9-2025 — Death of a King

7:00

16th September, 2025: Death of a King.

Oh, good grief … 

The UK is to have a State Visit: from the current US president.

I’m not exactly enamoured of the man: so I’m hoping that the spirit of the late Janey Godley will move protestors to be really snotty.

I’d not encourage shooting the man: that would turn him into a martyr.

But I would certainly encourage as many snotty protestors as possible.

Here’s hoping.

~≈🪧≈~

On that front … ?

The Today programme has been telling us that — in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death — the US Vice-President has appeared on the dead man’s podcast: to lionise a fallen colleague.

But also, Today tells us, to blame various left wing elements in the US: including what the Vice President calls ‘left wing domestic terrorists’.

I’m reminded of the Reichstag Fire, back in the 1930s.

If you didn’t know, that was an arson attack on the German Parliament building: an attack that Germany’s then Nazi regime used as an excuse to gain further power, and crack down on opponents.

I can’t help but wonder … is the Vice President’s appearance on the podcast an attempt at the same thing?

Is it an attempt for he, and the president, to seize control of the US, and turn it into Nazi America?

~≈🦹‍♂️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve JUST had a phone call from 07981 666 460: one that claimed to be from BT, my internet service provider, that claimed my router was faulty, and slower than it should be.

The caller put the phone down, when I told them an inflated speed figure.

As far as I can tell?

They were scammers.

So I’m thankful they hung up the phone.

About the only thing I’m disappointed about?

Was not stringing them on for longer.

I’d love to have heard their reactions when I asked them where the start button is … on a Mac … 

~≈❖≈~

11:52, 16th September, 2025.

As a definite last thought?

I am eternally grateful for social media: and to Scott Jenkins, over on Bluesky.

For pointing out that Elvis died on the 16th August, rather than the 16th September!

Thanking you, Scott!

~≈🙏≈~

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

15th September, 2025.

It’s Monday morning: and … ?

The news is burbling in the background.

Politics in the UK is … messy: as anyone following the career of Peter Mandelson will know.

It turns out the former UK Ambassador to the USA was involved with sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein.

Although, to be fair to Mandelson?

I don’t think Mandelson was buying what Epstein was selling.

 Epstein — from the little I know — was trafficking girls and women: Madelson is gay.

But … ?

Well … 

It’s messy for Mandelson.

It’s very messy for Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister.

There’s questions over how much the PM know, before he sacked Mandelson.

Messy … and possibly nasty … 

~≈🫆≈~

At any rate, that’s possibly beside the point.

It’s still Monday, and I’m up early.

And off to town for my weight management group.

I’m hoping two things.

One?

I don’t get wet: the weathr looks like rain’s on the way.

Two … ?

I’ve lost weight … 

~≈⚖️≈~

As a final though … ?

I’ve finally posted my video, and written, reviews of “New Life and New Civilizations”.

Feel free to hit the Like buttons.   Oh, and the Share buttons, as well … !

~≈↗️≈~