Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2025 — Bohemian Rhapsody

31st October, 2025: Bohemian Rhapsody.

Right … 

Have you heard the phrase, ‘segged off’?

Or ‘on the numbers’?

They’re obscure bits of prison slang: obscure enough that a quick Google search doesn’t find them.

But which tell you a prisoner has been segregated from other inmates, for their own protection.

The reason I mention this … ?

Is that, as a result of the Epstein Affair the former Duke of York has stripped of his titles: and is now, officially, Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The reason I mention it?

Is a belief I’ve formed, when I heard the news.

One I can summarise like this: if Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is successfully prosecuted for any sexual offences in relation to the late Ms Virginia Giuffre, or for anything else, then … ?

Other inmates would see him as a child abuser: and on a par with an imprisoned police officer.

To be honest?

I think the simple fact he’s an ex-prince will make him vulnerable: and put him on the numbers so fast he wouldn’t know what’s hit him.

~≈🚔≈~

Oh … did I mention I had a dream, last night … !

I had a dream last night!

The only thing I could tell you about it, for sure?

Is that: 

• The world was getting hotter.
• People were burning shops in Brentwood Hight Street down.

Quite what that was about, I don’t know!

~≈🔥≈~

Thankfully?

I’ve been paid, today.

Which means?

A little light shopping, a few Christmas presents … 

And, frankly, a set of (cheap) Venetian blinds.

Yes: I realise the expensive ones would be the better option.

But that would mean waiting for at least another three weeks.

You wouldn’t think I’m impatient, would you … ?

~≈🪟≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-10-2025 — The Agreement

30th October, 2025: GATT.

As I write?

A nurse is pushing a trolley around my GP’s surgery: getting ready to stick a needle in my arm, this afternoon.

Yep.

It’s that time of year, again: when those of us who are considered vulnerable get ’flu vaccinations!

Quite when I’ll get offered the COVID one, I don’t know … 

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th October 2025.

29th October, 2025.

News broke for Dr Who fans, yesterday.

A piece for the Radio Times confirmed, yesterday, that Disney will no longer be involved with the show’s production, after The War Between the Land and the Sea, airs.

And that a Christmas special, written by Russell T. Davies, will air in 2026.

I’m looking forward to the special.

I’ve mixed feelings about Disney pulling out.

Oh the one hand … ?

I got the impression some of the creative decisions were influenced by their involvement,

I also feel the deal was badly structured.

We should have got three series and associated Xmas specials: which would have given Ncuti’s Doctor a fuller story arc.

Rather than two series, spin-off and specials, that didn’t.

By contrast?

The extra funding was welcome.

As was the fact Disney+ gave the show a centralised home for international viewers.

Other all, though … ?

I’m glad to hear the show’s survived.

My only concerns?

What will happen for international fans?

Where will the show be internationally aired, from Christmas 2026?

Equally to the point?

Once the Disney deal is done, and War Between, aired?

Where will international fans find Ncuti’s episodes?

Questions, questions … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-10-2025 — The Today Programme

28th October, 2025: The Today Programme.

Hmmm … that could’ve come at a better time … 

I’ve got Venetian blinds in my flat.

And have one on my front room window, one that’s been here, ever since I’ve moved in.

Quite an expensive one, if I remember rightly … !

At any rate … ?

The string pulley, the thing that adjusts how open the individual slats are … has given up the ghost.

Which means … ?

Well, I’m going to have to:

• Stay in the dark until I raise the money.
• Ask my increasingly tall nephew to help me put a new one up.
• Be thankful it’s not stuck in ‘Open’.
• Marvel at the price differences on Amazon!

Yep: there’s price differences.

A good set of replacement blinds, ones that will last as long as the current ones, cost upwards of ninety pounds.

An affordable set, one that will last about five minutes?

Around twenty.

Frankly?

It’s Commander Vimes’ Boots, again …

~≈🥾≈~

Oh … I mentioned, a few days ago, that my Work Coach — my case worker from the Job Centre — had been replaced: by a trainee!

That rookie worker has now been in touch: and we have a phone meeting scheduled for today.

At 14:30.

I’d’ve been happier had it been by video: I’d get to see what they look like.

But … ?

I’ll get by with an audio call.

~≈🥾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th October 2025.

27th October, 2025.

Right: I’m officially not up, early, today.

As … ?

My weight management class is off, for the week.

It’s been replaced by a unlisted Slipper Swap.

I’m not going … as the pair I have seem OK at the moment.

Although I might just pass the details on to other people I know: just in case.

~≈🩴≈~

Just in case you’re interested … ?

I finally managed to catch a movie, on Friday: the Danny Boyle directed, 28 Years Later.

Yes: you’re right.

My written and video reviews are now available!

You don’t have to watch it … but if you want to press the Like button Youtube so thoughtfully provides, that would be appreciated … !

~≈🧟‍♂️≈~

I don’t use it much: in fact, I think there’s only one or two specific pages I use it for.

But I have a copy of Google Chrome, both on my phone and on my Mac.

As far as I can tell, both have been updated to the most recent version.

I might want to double check my copies: as, apparently, there’s a serious security issue that needs addressing … 

~≈🕸️≈~

28 Years Later — A Review.

24th October, 2025: 28 Years Later.

The Introduction.

There comes a time in a man’s life when he has to do several things.

Eating is generally a good thing, for example.

A wash, every-so-often, doesn’t hurt.

Shopping?

Reading … ?

Those are good: as is going to the toilet.

As and when needed.

The occasional song is nice: I’ve got an Ian Dury tune on the go.

And, every-so-often … ?

A movie.

Right at the moment … ?

I’ve got 28 Years Later sitting in my collection: ready to be watched.

Hopefully?

It will be entertaining.

I’ll let you know by Sunday, 26th October … 

~≈🎥≈~

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

26th October, 2025.

Right … it’s officially official.

If you’re in the UK … ?

The clocks went back!

Which means that you’ve had an extra hour in bed, if nothing else.

I’ve also spent a goof ten minutes not resetting the clock on the wall.

No, that was fairly simple.

I had to twiddle the little knob.

The tricky bit, as ever … ?

Was hanging the thing back on the wall … !

~≈🕘≈~

I’ve officially had a letter … !

About the CPAP machine, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine I have.

Yep: it officially needs taking in for a service.

To Basildon Hospital.

I’d been wondering was I was not necessary sleeping well: and thinking it could be the filters.

Something I swapped out, last night.

I’m wondering if that, or the clock going back, is why I’m feeling reasonably chipper, this morning.

Either way … ?

I can only hope the appointment is at a time when I have the money for the bus fare!

~≈🚍≈~

I mentioned, in yesterday’s Teaser, that a man who’d been arrested, charged and imprisoned on sexual assault charges, had been released by mistake.

And has been spotted in London.

According to the BBC report?

“Prison sources have confirmed to BBC News that staff led him away and towards the train station. Kebatu also reportedly attempted to return to prison but was turned away.”

He’d been “… filmed in Chelmsford speaking to members of the public shortly after he was released, and police have confirmed he has approached several people seeking assistance.”

And a senior police officer has said he “… had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff.”

I actually feel vaguely sympathetic to the man.

It sounds like he’s OK about being deported, and tried to get help from staff in getting to where he’s supposed to be going … 

And been refused the help he should be getting.

If I’ve understood things correctly, prisoners are supposed to be shipped between prisons — or prisons and detention sites — by van: or be escorted on public transport, by a qualified staff member.

I don’t know about you … but I don’t think this is an escape attempt.

I think it’s a monumental cock-up by the prison staff.

~≈🔩≈~

As an update?

Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme has announced that the migrant who went missing on Friday, and that I’ve been discussing … has now been arrested in East Finchley.

My point still stands, though: his release was a massive mistake by prison staff: not by anyone else.

~≈🔩≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th October, 2025.

25th October, 2025.

Did I tell you I have a bad habit?

Yes: I have a bad habit of laughing, at inappropriate things.

But most of the time?

I don’t … !

Laugh inappropriately, that is.

Then … ?

There’s times I laugh hysterically at funny joke: or at the irony of something.

Then?

There’s time I laugh at the stupidly of a silly mistake.

And, yes: one has hit the news.

There’s an Ethiopian national, an asylum seeker, called Hadush Kebatu: who been housed in the Bell Hotel in Epping.

His arrest for two sexual assaults is what sparked the recent spate of protests.

He’d been jailed: and was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention centre, so he could be deported.

Except — and this is where I’ve been laughing — he was mistakenly released, yesterday: and is now said to be at large in London.

Yes: I’ve been laughing.

Because?

It’s an idiotic mistake to make.

And … ?

It’s laugh, or get angry at something I can do nothing about or start sobbing.

Frankly?   I think laughing is healthier … 

~≈👮🏽‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2025 — Zambia

24th October, 2025: Zambia.

I’ve woken up, this morning: which should be obvious, by now … !

Let’s restart that, shall we?

I’ve woken up, this morning, half convinced it’s Saturday.

But very aware it’s Friday.

Why am I thinking it’s a day it’s not?

I think I have an idea.

I usually get my Universal Credit on the 23rd of the month: yesterday, in other words.

I get my Personal Independence Payment, every fourth Friday.

So … ?

I think my subconscious believes today is Saturday, as it thinks I got my PIP, yesterday, rather than UC.

Heigh ho!

~≈£≈~

I’m very aware that the UK’s government planning to introduce a Digital ID: something I don’t especially like.

Mostly on cost grounds.

Cost, and redundancy: I’ve already got ID.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has now gone on the record to say the scheme will only be mandatory for those seeking work.

And only be needed when you change jobs, after the scheme is introduced.

In addition?

It will not be needed for anything else: will not be needed for those needing healthcare, as an example, or for housing, or to be able to vote.

Do you mind a confession?

That’s not something I find reassuring.

I remain as sceptical as I ever was.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd October, 2025 (Six questions.)

23rd October, 2025: Six questions.

I think I need to make a polite phone call.

I had requested a visit for the group that delivers food bank parcels.

And … ?

Unfortunately, didn’t receive one.

Didn’t hear from them, even.

I’m not worried: today is payday, so I’ll be able to get some bread and milk.

But I’m wondering what happened … 

~≈🍞≈~

I like the idea that Britain should welcome migrants: both legal and otherwise.

I think, long term, it’s good for the UK: it potentially lowers the age of the population, and can raise more tax revenue.

What I have to laugh at?

Is the various attempts to stop illegal boat crossings across the English Channel: which has been going on for years.

I also laugh at the common assumption: that leaving the EU would stop these.

What’s more?

I laugh at there UK government’s attempt to stop the crossings.

The impression I’ve formed over the years?

Is that these don’t necessarily work.

If it had started, I think the last Tory government Rwanda plans would have been shown up as flawed, fairly quickly.

I think the same of the current, Labour, government’s One-In One-out, plan.

That started a few weeks ago when a handful of migrants were deported to France.

One Iranian man deported this way … ?

Has since made a return trip on a small boat.

I’ve formed three impressions.

One?

These plans are doomed to fail.

Two?

The next government’s plans will be just as effective.

Three?

We should laugh at a politician, the first chance we get … 

~≈⚓️≈~

I finally finished Sir Terry Pratchett’s Night Watch, last night: the Penguin Classic’s edition.

It’s a heady reminder of what the man’s writing was like, at its height.

And the annotations … ?

Are very revealing.

I can only hope Nation gets given the treatment: it, Night Watch and Thud! are possibly his best works.

~≈📚≈~

Which reminds me: I’ve started reading Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, the next book on my to-be-read pile.

I’m two chapters in … and could — can? — hear the main character’s Southern US accent whilst reading it.

I don’t think that’s my imagination doing that: more Butler’s writing.

I think that’s a credit to her, given that!

~≈📚≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-10-2025 — Bankrobber

22nd October, 2025: Bankrobber.

Right … it’s official Wednesday morning … !

And, frankly?

I’m hoping the phone call I made — to a local food bank — will do any good.

Just as much as I’m hoping the application I put in, yesterday — for one of Southend Council’s prepaid debit cards — will go through.

The latter’s going to take a few weeks, I know that.

The food bank … ?

Is a different matter.

~≈🥔≈~

I’ll admit it: I’m overweight!

You’d possibly worked that out.

So, as a result of being overweight, I’m on a weight management course: so I can monitor how I’m doing.

And I’m on Mounjaro: partly to combat my type two diabetes, but also because the medication’s very effective at helping you lose weight.

I’ve also been on Ozempic/Wegovy and Trulicity.

Trulicity doesn’t seem as the other two named drugs: but that’s possibly a side issue.

The reason I mention this?

Is that I’ve seen the news that Novo Nordisk — the makers of Ozempic — have recently seen several members of their board hand in their resignations.

I don’t know what effects that will have.

I’m just hoping that won’t include supplies of both Ozempic and Mounjaro as a knock-on effect.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈🥔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-10-2025 — You’re Making Me Dizzy

21st October, 2025: Dizzy Gillespie.

Ye gods, but I’m looking forward to payday!

I’m ever so slowly running out of milk.

So … ?   As I don’t get paid until Thursday?

I’ve just left a message with a local food bank, one that delivers.

Hopefully, they’ll be able to help … !

~≈🍞≈~

Which reminds me … it seems that AWS, Amazon’s cloud service, seems to be back online after an outage.

An outage that affected quite a lot of banks.

Including, I believe, mine: or, at least, it affected my bank’s owners.

It seems to be back online, now.

But this sort of thing is a worry.

Hopefully, one I won’t be affected by.

I’d hate to see my money get in late!

~≈🍞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-10-2025 — Louisiana Purchased.

20th October, 2025: Louisiana Purchased.

Right … my innards seem to be recovering … 

But … ?

I’m very aware the cramps I suffer with do take a while to fade: so, hopefully?

I’ll have recovered enough to head for my weight management class, today.

The one upside to the situation … ?

I’ve had a new set of Venetian blinds sitting around for a while: that I intended to use as replacements for the set over the back window.

I finally managed to install those, yesterday: in a desperate effort to distract myself from how my innards were behaving.

The fact I also cleaned my food bin … ?

Was possibly a bonus … !

~≈🗑️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th October 2025.

19th October, 2025.

It’s officially: I’ve got gut ache … !

Mild, thankfully: so I’m just waiting for the vitamin D to kick in.

That usually helps!

~≈🫆≈~

I’ve got to admit: I know exactly what I said, when I got out of bed, this morning.

That getting more sleep would be a good idea.

Why … ?

It’s getting colder, as we getting nearer to winter.

And, frankly?

Anything that means you stay under a nice warm duvet is very attractive.

~≈🛌≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I’ve put the opening image for today’s Teaser … 

… through Apple’s Image Playground.

Complete with the ChatGPT option, enabled, the anime setting, chosen … 

And the results at the start of this post.

Oh, I’ve managed to do a version with a female character, as well.

Quite where that garden path is going to, I don’t know: but it seems entertaining.

~≈👩🏼‍💼≈~

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 … 

~≈🖖≈~