Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th March 2026

27th March, 2026.

Right … it’s official: it’s Friday.

And the day after Thursday, the day after my last phone meeting with my Job Centre case worker.

I’ve had a few of them, over the years,

This chap?

Seems pleasant enough: although I suspect he’s going to find me — and others in my shoes — hard to cater for.

We’ll have to see.

~≈👨🏻‍💼≈~

The 47th President of the USA is contradictory.

In a recent cabinet meeting, he criticised the UK for not sending aircraft carriers, to help with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz … 

Then told us to “Forget it”, when we offered to send some.

And has gone on the record, to say RN ships are “toys”, compared to US ones.

I feel insulted: I don’t know about the Royal Navy.

I also feel the President is especially stupid: for saying he needs help from allied nations, then insulting that potential help.

In talking about the man, I’m tempted to use words that rhyme with ‘punt’, and ‘banker’.

But will, instead, call the dribbling idiot a ‘mass of contradictions, who doesn’t know his arse from elbow’.

And point out that’s he’s not a good choice of leader … 

~≈😠≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve been using a Mac for several years, now.

So … ?

I’m very aware I had issues with overheating, recently: after an update to macOS Tahoe 26·0.

The issues seemed to be having an issue with Spotlight, the operating system’s search feature: one that — from what I saw — was chewing up a lot of CPU resources, and causing a lot of lag when recording video with QuickTime.

And when accessing stuff on my external drives.

Thankfully?

The lag issues seem to have been solved with the recent update to macOS Tahoe 26·4.

So that’s something.

~≈𓀞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th March 2026.

26th March, 2026.

Right: I’ve managed to get up, early, today.

I have a phone appointment with my Job Centre case worker, at 9·40, today.

I could sit here, in my dressing gown, talking to someone who can’t see me.

Or, I can at least get dressed.

If nothing else, I’d be looking decent: even if I’m the only one who knows it.

~≈👕≈~

Hmmm … 

I’ve recently started watching the first series of Starfleet Academy, the latest entry in the franchise.

I grant I’m not reviewing it: but am enjoying it.

Even if I’m not telling you that, on an episode by episode basis.

Sadly?

Yesterday saw the news break, that Paramount have cancelled the show: despite filming being completed on a second series.

That’s sad to hear: I was enjoying that.

~≈🖖≈~

I had a strange call, on Friday, just gone.

I’d made a welfare check call on a neighbour, a while back: as they’d been behaving in a way that caused me some concern.

To the police, in case you were wondering.

Let’s call the neighbour Kylie.

I was concerned Kylie was being cuckooed.

It was only last Friday, that I had a separate call about about Kylie: from someone phoning on a Brentwood landline — 01277 381687 — claiming to be called ‘Richard’, and claiming to be from a small, hush-hush, police team, that specialised in ‘collecting information from knowledgable people’: wanting to know if I could tell them more about Kylie.

Which I couldn’t.

They also told me I should put in another welfare check about this person, and another — let’s call them Fiona — who was a shared contact.

Very specifically on 101, the police non-emergency line.

Which I tried.

101 told me to phone 111: the NHS non-emergency line.

Who were happy to take Fiona’s details: even though they later told me they couldn’t do anything to help.

At any rate, I tried phoning the Brentwood number, the 01277 381687 number, again, to let them know what I’d been told.

Only to get a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message.

Fair enough: they didn’t want me speaking to them.

But … ?

Getting a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message, about a number that had been working a few hours before, seemed very strange.

But also means I should be careful around Kylie.

There’s obviously a lot more going on than I know about.

~≈☎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-3-2026 — Greece is the Word. (Ten Questions)

25th March, 2026: Greece is the Word.

OK … there’s been a lot going on, recently … 

For one thing?

YouTube’s playing silly buggers, uploading today’s Teaser video.

Well … they were … or BT’s internet connection was.

One of the two … !

At any rate?

That didn’t stop me uploading a video, last night.

Yes: I caught the penultimate episode of Stranger Things, and finally posted my review.

Make of that, what you will … !

~≈🦑≈~

Nicholas Brendon died, a few days ago.

I knew from his work in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, playing the affable everyman, Xander Harris.

So I was sad to hear about his death.

But equally, puzzled: as, from the little I read?

He died in bed, of natural causes: at fifty-four.

Of natural causes!

I have to admit to being puzzled.

I know he had addiction issues.

But fifty-four seems too young to be dying of natural causes.

All I can do is be puzzled by his death … whilst offering his loved ones my condolences.

~≈🏜️≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 7 — The Bridge — A Review

20th March, 2026.

“The Bridge”.

An Introduction.

Right then … it’s Friday, again … !

A day that sees me cooking the obligatory fish supper, revelling in the order I’ve put into Amazon — a box, remote controls, cables and some vitamins — and wondering at a phone call I had, this morning.

I reported a neighbour to the police, a while back: as they’d been behaving in a way that caused me some concern.

Let’s call them Kylie.

It was my attempt at a welfare check: as I was concerned Kylie was being cuckooed.

It was only this morning … that I had a separate call about the person: from someone calling from a Brentwood landline — 01277 381687 — claiming to be called ‘Richard’, and claiming to be from a small, hush-hush, police team, that specialised in ‘collecting information from knowledgable people’*: wanting to know if I could tell them more about Kylie.

Which I couldn’t.

They also told me I should put in another welfare check about this person, and another — let’s call them Fiona — who was a shared contact.

Very specifically on 101, the police non-emergency line.

Which I tried.

101 told me to phone 111: the NHS non-emergency line.

Who were happy to take Fiona’s details, and send someone along.

So … ?

I tried phoning the Brentwood number, the 01277 381687 number, again, to let them know what I’d been told.

Only to get a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message.

Fair enough: they didn’t want me speaking to them.

But … ?

Getting a ‘Number Not Recognised’ message, about a number that had been working a few hours before, seemed very strange … !

But enough of my day … you’re here because of TV shows.

Any least, I hope you are!

It’s Friday: so I’m going to be watching the penultimate episode of Stranger Things’ fifth series, tonight.

Then letting you know what I thought about it by Tuesday, 23rd March.

I’m looking forward to an hour’s worth of TV that makes more sense than my afternoon!

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24rd March 2026.

24th March, 2026.

OK, it’s officially Tuesday: the day after I had the second payday of the month … 

And the day after I did the month’s shopping.

“And”, I hear you say.

“And … ?”

I forget gravy.

And sausages.

There’s probably other stuff, as well.

All that means heading back to Sainsbury’s, again.

Ho … … … HUM!

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd March 2026

23rd March, 2026.

It’s Monday … !

Yay!

OK, maybe I shouldn’t be that joyous about the start of the week.

But … ?

It’s Monday.

So I get paid: my Universal Credit comes though the this date, each month.

And … ?

It’s the day for my weight management meeting.

Or weigh-in.   Or class … or something … 

Whatever it’s called, it’s the day for it.

I can only hope I’ve lost a few grams!

~≈𐄷≈~

I had a delivery, the other day: one that included the latest Classic Dr Who blu-ray collection.

I was surprised about the price, until it got here.

It’s a collection that consists of ten discs: two more than usual.

However many there are … ?

I’ve been copying the discs with MakeMKV, since yesterday morning.

And … ?

I’m ripping the ninth disc as I write.

It amazes me how fast the process it.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd March 2026.

22nd March, 2026.

It’s officially official: it’s Sunday morning.

And, frankly?

I’ve just turned off the radio.

Radio Four airs a Sunday service on Sundays,

And, while a suitably high Anglican service can be nice … the choir can be a bit — how do I put this? — shrieky … 

~≈⛪︎≈~

I should also mention something.

Yes: a nice shiny box turned up!

I’m now the owner of the Limited edition version of Classic Dr Who’s 21st season.

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to watching the special features: the Behind the Sofa extras are usually fun.

Especially when Janet Fielding’s involved!

~≈🇦🇺≈~

I’m also the owner of a couple of other things.

A couple of cables, to replace the worn one that connects my webcam to my computer.

And a couple of back-up remote controls.

I don’t know about you, but having extras is good.

It’s also good, having had a haircut: courtesy of my local barbers.

I was getting a touch shaggy: and, with spring and summer, coming?

Felt getting a trim, while I had the money, would be a good idea.

~≈💈≈~

As a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

And yes: there’s another new video up.

He’s getting the hang of Final Cut … … 

~≈🎬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-3-2026 — “A House Divided”

21st March, 2026: “A House, Divided”.

Right, then … it’s Saturday morning: and I’ve officially got enough money to get a haircut.

I can only hope my usual barber’s open: and not got much of a cue.

Hey … … … ho!

~≈Ú≈~

I mentioned, at the start of the week, that I feel anxious when I don’t have backups: don’t have an unopened box of meds, say, ready to use when the open one is finished.

Or another bottle of ketchup, or salt, or frozen veg, what-have-you … !

At the end of last week, the buttons on my TV remote, went: as has the cable on my expensive webcam.

The remote was worrying: as using the spare as the main remote now means I had no spare.

Thankfully?

I was able to replace it, yesterday: and now have two spare remotes, a cable, and a box set, due, today.

Here’s hoping they get here, nice and quick.

~≈Ú≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-3-2026 — Red Nose Day.

20th March, 2026: Red Nose Day.

OK, it’s officially official: it’s pay day … !

Which, frankly, means I can put some money on the meter, get some shopping … and possibly buy an ice cream.

Yes, I know I’m diabetic, and really shouldn’t.

But the occasional treat doesn’t hurt!

~≈🍦≈~

Talking of the diabetes situation … ?

I have a blood glucose monitor: a monitor whose battery died, on Wednesday,

So, of course, I requested new ones, on Wednesday: and was told they’d be here within one to two working days.

The things got here, yesterday: within one day.

Dave the Postman can move, when he needs to.

~≈🔋≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-3-2026 — Punting Nevada.

19th March, 2026: Puntin’ Nevada.

Right, then … 

It’s the day before pay day: or one of them, at least.

So … ?

Frankly, I’m looking forward to it.

If for no other reason than this: I need a haircut … !

~≈💈≈~

I also need batteries.

I have a monitor to help me keep track of my blood glucose levels.

The batteries died, a few days ago.

Which for me looking up how to change them, as well as where to get more.

My GP surgery suggested my pharmacy.

My pharmacy told me to check with the device’s manufacturers.

The manufacturer … is sending me some for free!

Hopefully?

The things will be here, by Saturday.

All I have to do then … ?

Is change the batteries.

I’m going to need a ball point pen … … 

~≈💈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March 2026.

18th March, 2026.

I think I’m going to need to wosname … thingie … phone my surgery!

I’m diabetic: and have to check my blood sugar levels with a glucose monitor.

Daily.

And … ?

Am having issues, at the moment.

It’s two days until payday: and of course, the batteries in the monitor choose yesterday, a day when I’m skint, to go and die on me.

So?

Unless my GP does replacement batteries, I’m going to have to wait until payday to order some from Amazon.

Ho hum?

“Ho hum” doesn’t even start!

~≈🪫≈~

I’ve officially managed to watch the first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, last night.

I don’t think I’ll be reviewing it: with For All Mankind, things are going to get busy!

But … ?

I did come away impressed with this opening episode: with Robert Picardo as the returning Doctor, with Holly Hunter as Captain Ake … and with comedian, YouTuber, and fellow left hander, Gina Yashere as all ’round drill sergeant, Lura Thok.

Trust me, she’s hysterical … !

~≈🖖≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve finally published my written and video review of the most recent episode of Stranger Things I’ve caught.

Feel free to leave me a comment … 

~≈📽️≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 6 — Escape From Camazotz — A Review

13th March, 2026.

“Escape From Camazotz”.

An Introduction.

It’s Friday.

And, as I start this review?

I’ve got dinner cooking: as I’d rather start it sooner, than latter.

I have music, playing: Jarre’s Oxygène, in case you’re wondering.

And, once those are done with … ?

I’ll be watching “Escape From Camazotz”: the next episode of Stranger Things’ fifth series.

Remind me to look ‘Camazotz’ up by the end of this post.

~≈🐙≈~

As an ongoing thought, for those who’ve been following me for a while … ?

I’m in receipt of various welfare benefits: I get Universal Credit, and Personal Independence Payments if you’re curious.

Here in the UK, house-holders are liable to pay council tax: a tax on property, owed to the relevant local council, that pays for local services.

Last year, the first year I was on PIP?

I was pleasantly surprised: as I was getting that specific benefit, I was exempt from paying the tax.

My bill for this year has just come through: and confirmed I’m exempt from paying, this year.

I’m grateful: it’s one less thing to worry about.

~≈🐙≈~

To get back to my original point … ?

It’s Friday: which means it’s TV night.

So I’ll be watching “Escape From Camazotz”: then writing my review.

Hopefully?

You’ll be reading this by Tuesday, 17th March, 2026.

Hopefully, it’ll make sense!

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th March 2026. (Six Questions.)

17th March, 2026: six questions.

It’s officially official … things have happened!

I’m diabetic, so you know.

Which, the way my condition’s gone, means I have to inject myself with a dose of Mounjaro, once a week.

And have to check my blood sugar levels at least once a day.

All that … ?

This, obviously, means I have a sharps bin, a bin — a bucket, strictly — to store the used needles.

A bin that Brentwood Council picks up and disposes of.

I filled the last one, last week, contacted the council about it, last week, and followed that up, on Friday, just gone.

The contractors Brentwood Council use to do the job?

Phoned me, yesterday, and told me to leave the bucket out, last night: with the bucket in question being picked up, this morning.

I’m grateful!

I’m always worried that something could happen to it, overnight!

~≈♻️≈~

Just as a side question about the introductory video?

Did you see Jamie sneaking across the screen?

I’ve been experiment with the magnetic mask feature, and wanted to know if the figure was noticeable … 

I’m also very aware that the transitions I’d used, would affect the sound, as well as the video: something that, in iMovie, I could prevent by detaching, separating, the audio from the video.

Adding a wipe wouldn’t affect the audio of a clip, if I separated the sound and video elements of a clip.

It was something I couldn’t work out how to do … until my nephew, Jude, spotted the command in a pop-up menu, the last time he was over!

He’s got sharp eyes, my nephew … 

~≈👀≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve got the soundtrack of Sinners on in the background.

The film is very good.

And it’s very easy to forget quite how good the music is … !

~≈♬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March 2026.

16th March, 2026.

Right, then: it’s officially Monday morning.

And I have to ask: have you seen a vampire film called Sinners?

It’s slow, I think: but well worth watching.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is that Michael B. Jordan has won the Best Actor gong for his performance in it, at last night’s Oscars.

Well done, him!

~≈🧛🏿‍♂️≈~

A while back, I told anyone who was interested, that — as far as I knew — there was no way to install a BitTorrent client onto a Chromebook.

And thus — again, as far as I know — no way to download things via torrent.

Legal things: or illegal ones.

I was wrong.

It turns out some Android clients are available, useable on ChromeOS, and available from the ChromeOS version of Google Play.

It also turns out that a version of TorBrower is available for the platform.

Should you choose to use a Chromebook to download copyrighted material from sites like Pirate Bay?

You could.

It wouldn’t necessarily be entirely legal: but, given how expensive streaming services and movies rentals are?

It would be understandable.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th March 2026

15th March, 2026.

Yes: it’s official: my nephew was over, yesterday.

And yes: he’s made a video.

Using my copy of Final Cut Pro, I should add, as he can’t access it using his user account.

I’m assuming is because I’m using the rental version of the app, rather than the purchased version.

At any rate, Jude’s made that FC ’26 video using Final Cut, rather than iMovie, found some interesting sound effects … and helped me find the pitch altering effects in the process.

Can you hit the like button, on that video, please?

That would be a nice way of saying ‘Thank You’!

~≈⚽️≈~

As an additional thought … ?

I tell you — in today’s introduction video — that I’d had a realisation … !

One that’s a lot less exciting than an enthusiastic marketer would have you believe.

I got a webcam, late last year: one that cost a fortune, at the time, one I couldn’t afford again, and one that — in theory —could record in 4k.

Yes: I still have to figure that out!

But … ?

One that worked well enough.

My only problem … ?

Was the fact the cable was wearing a bit thing.

Which had me worried: my (limited) experience of webcams told me I’d need to replace the whole unit: something I couldn’t afford to do.

It wasn’t until I did a little reading up on the model concerned, that I realised the thing had a separate, connecting cable: one that could be easily replaced.

And cheaply replaced, at that.

I was thankful!

As, while I’m aware I’m be spending money, I’ll be spending less than I was expecting.

~≈🚡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th March 2026.

14th March, 2026.

Right … 

I am definitely looking forward to pay day … !

Because … ?

I’ve got a bad — possibly bad — habit of getting anxious: if I don’t have backups.

The Mac, enough money to buy domestic appliances, at least two boxes of various medications, lancets, test strips, unopened bags of frozen vegetables, what have you!

Backups, in other words.

Or plan ß, if you want to put it that way.

At ANY rate … I like spares.

So … ?

Was grateful, when the buttons finally went on the remote control* for my TV, that I’d bought two of them, back in the day.

And still had an extra one: that I could use, straight away.

The problem, there?

Is that I now, don’t have a spare!

It’s like having an itch that’s just out of reach … 

~≈📺≈~

I thought viral videos couldn’t get any sillier.

They have.

A few years ago, Baby Metal’s “Gimme Chocolate” — a song about chocolate by the world’s only Japanese heavy metal girl band — was everywhere.

Except it get’s sillier.

As YouTube, Facebook, et al, have now started throwing “Gimme Chocolate” shorts at me!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BABYMETAL (@babymetal_official)

You couldn’t make it up.

Well … you could: but no-one would believe you …

~≈🍫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th March 2026

13th March, 2026.

Nope: I don’t speak German, in case you were wondering.

So … ?

I have no idea of the English translations of the lyrics at the start of the introduction video are.

All I can tell you is it’s from this video … 

Any guess at a translation … would be appreciated … !

~≈🦭≈~

Something for the Doctor Who fans is the news that two episodes of the lost William Hartnell story, The Daleks’ Masterplan, have been found in Leicestershire.

They’re due to be restored: and aired via the BBC iPlayer, at Easter.

That’s good to hear: and something I wouldn’t mind catching.

Especially as it means three of the twelve episode story are now in the BBC’s custody.

My only hope … ?

Is that other episodes can be recovered: apparently, though, the story wasn’t sold overseas so there’s little chance of the episodes being found, abroad.

But, given there’s fan-made audio recording of every episode, I would love to see the story done as an animated reconstruction.

Given the last reanimated story was The Savages, in 2025?

I think we’re going to have a long wait …

~≈🎬≈~

As a point of trivia?

Most of the recent series — series — of Dr Who have been eight to twelve episodes in length.

Given The Daleks’ Masterplan is twelve episodes long, and includes what is arguably the show’s first Christmas episodes, means two things.

One?

The show’s first Christmas episode is part of the story.

Two?

One Hartnell story is longer than some of the show’s either of Ncuti Gatwa’s two series.

That’s just a little mind boggling, isn’t it … ?

~≈🎬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-3-2026 — 71

12th March, 2026: Number 71.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

So … ?

It’s officially the day after I was supposed to have a hygienist’s appointment.

Which fell through.

The hygienist was ill, it seems.

I found this out, as my dentist phoned me, yesterday morning: just as I was going for a stroll around the block.

I’m thankful it didn’t long to walk back to the flat, switch on the Mac, and re-arrange the diary.

That’s all sorted … but lord, the dentists know how to time things!

~≈🦷≈~

It’s that time of year when prices — rent, utilities, what have you — go up.

But also when, for those of us who get benefits, get whatever increases we’re due.

There’s possibly a sarcastic comment, there.

At any rate … I, like so many others, are due an increase in April.

So, of course, I’ve looked up the potential increases: and dound I’m due a ~£3 a week increase in Personal Independence Payments, and a £24 a month increase in Universal Credit.

Which will be useful.

A little lower down, there was an entry that said people like me, on Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work, could expect a payment of £158·76p.

My morning started looking interesting: potential extra money is always promising.

But is always worth double checking.

So I did: leaving a message for my case officer on the Universal Credit website.

Only to be told that the £158·76p payment was for those who’d been transferred from Employment Support Allowance, to Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work.

I wasn’t surprised, as I wasn’t expecting to get any extra money: it’s nice to get it confirmed.

But equally?

It would’ve been nice to get an extra payment.

Heigh … ho!

~≈£≈~