Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th June 2026.

19th June, 2026.

I’m tempted to tell you I’m a potato.

Why … ?

If I knew that, I’d possibly know more about myself than I want to.

Identifying as a tuber — or otherwise — is possibly beside the point.

The point I’m trying to make … ?

Is that I’ve had my internet connection upgraded to a faster speed: and that, as a result, today’s videos has have taken a lot less time to upload.

That’s handy, appreciated … and something that will possibly impress my nephew, next time he’s here … 

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-6-2026 — Paul Eddington

18th June, 2026: Paul Eddington.

OK, it’s officially official.

I like using the word, ‘official’!

But then, you’d possibly worked that out!

At any rate?

My nephew, Jude, has released his latest video.

Feel free to officially hit the ‘Like’ button.

~≈#≈~

It’s also officially the case: that I’m expecting a BT engineer, today.

Or, at least, a BT-Openreach engineer.

He’s due to upgrade my internet line: so I get faster speeds.

I hope so: I’d hate to pay the extra few quid for nowt!

~≈£≈~

A few weeks ago, I got a new game controller for my Apple TV+: a Sony Playstation one, from the Apple website.

And … ?

Haven’t yet sold on the old one, the SteelSeries Nimbus+, as — as far as I knew — it couldn’t be charged.

Neither could the new one.

At least, neither could be charged by hooking them up to my Mac.

I got a charging block for the PS5 controller: which works nicely, I should add.

But, last night … ?

I tried plugging it into the Nimbus.

Which promptly started charging.

And is now — in theory — capable of being connected: back to the Apple TV, or to my Mac.

We’ll have to see.

But … ?

I’m tempted to sell it on to CeX, the next time I head to Romford … 

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th June 2026.

17th June, 2026.

Right … I’m officially off into town, again, today.

I have to pick up more medications.

Or, at least, medical kit: I have some lancets to pick up.

And I have to post some test results off: the results of my most recent bowel cancer screen.

Hopefully, I’ll be free of any polyps, this time around: the ensuing colonoscopy isn’t exactly fun.

But?

Both the test, and the procedure, help you cancer-free.

However uncomfortable the latter procedure is, it prevents any future problems.

That’s all to the good.

~≈⍠≈~

Did I mention I’ve caught the first three episodes of Apple TV series, Slow Horses?

I’ve caught the first three episodes of Apple TV spy drama, Slow Horses!

I don’t know that the terminology is accurate: MI5 staff are officers, rather than agents, as far as I know.

But it puts me in mind of Sir Terry Pratchett’s Watch novels.

Both are about a bunch of utter incompetents, utter whittles, as Sir Terry put it, who are redeemed over the course of an series.

And each is as entertaining as the other.

Although Sam Vimes … doesn’t fart like Jackson Lamb!

If you want a team leader you can call ‘flatulent’, the Gary Oldman character is a very good example!

~≈💨≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th June, 2026.

16th June, 2026.

It’s Tuesday: and I’ve had a bad start to the day.

Pages, triggering another bout of overheating, audio components of a video project, vanishing, absolutely no birdsong … !

All that … ?

And I have to head up Warley Hill, to pick up some medication, buy sausages … and get bread … !

Combine that with the speed webpages seem to be loading, today?

Means the sooner my anxiety levels go down, the happier I’ll be!

~≈😡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th June 2026

15th June, 2026.

Right … it’s Monday … 

So, inevitably?

That means I’m back at my weight management meeting, today.

I’ll probably get some exercise, as well.

After all, I’ve gained weight over the past few weeks: and need to counter that.

That said?

I don’t know if picking up medication, and buying sausages in Sainbury’s, counts as exercise.

Ho … … hum … !

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th June 2026

14th June, 2026.

Right … 

I’ve had ongoing discussions with BT: about upgrading my internet connection.

Originally?

I’d put in a request on 28th May, when the company reminded me I was up for renewal.

Only to be told the upgrade was cancelled … as they thought I lived next door … !

It’s taken approximately two and a half weeks, and a lot of calls, for them to correct the mistake — if that’s the right word — upgrade the information on the systems, and name a date for the upgrade.

This coming Thursday, between 13·00 and 16·00 in the afternoon.

Here’s hoping the promised speeds are worth the ƒ®ç∞ïng wait … !

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th June, 2026.

13th June, 2026.

OK … BT are contradictory,  they really are … !

On Thursday, just gone, I thought I had no issues: as, seemingly, BT’s records had been corrected, my requested upgrade had gone through, and an engineer’s visit, booked.

Until I got a phone call, yesterday.

To tell me the order had been cancelled … as the change in address hadn’t gone through!

They’re supposed to be phoning back today: as the changes should have gone through.

And, presumably?

They’d know their arse from their elbows … !

~≈🤨≈~

I had the police visit, yesterday: doing what’s called a welfare check.

In other words, visiting me, to make sure I was in good health, was upright, breathing and uninjured.

One of my neighbours is … difficult … to deal with: as they have some form of mental illness that makes them verbally aggressive.

Indeed, they had confronted me, last week: telling me — from across the street, mind! — not to put my glasses on, going past their window.

Something I’d reported to my landlords, I should add.

From what the police officer told me … ?

A third party agency — my landlords, from what I was told — had contacted the problem neighbour … who threatened to stab me, and one other neighbour.

At least one other neighbour!

Hence the welfare check.

As a result?

I’ve been advised to be careful around the neighbour: something I’ve been doing, anyway.

And … ?

I’ve been in touch with my landlords, to let them know what’s happening.

And?

I’d also suggested to the police officer that recommending the neighbour be moved would be appreciated.

I’m not scared, I’m not nervous … but … ?

I’d rather the problem neighbour didn’t live next door … 

~≈🏘️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-6-2026 — Raiders of the Lost Ark (Ten Questions)

12th June, 2026: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Yes: it’s payday.

And I have enough money to put on my gas meter.

Not that I need to, given the weather, but making hay while the sun shines, seems sensible.

Which is a lot of ‘S’s … 

At ANY rate … ?

And not that I need them … but I think a slogan t-shirt would be a good idea.

I think this … 

… would worry people: which is part of the fun.

The other idea … ?

Is for a Foul Ol’ Ron emoji slogan.

Something like this: M✋&🦐

That’s obscure … unless you’re a Terry Pratchett fan* … !

~≈🍤≈~

Right … 

I have — with a lot of help! — cured the overheating that’s been plaguing my Mac, every morning.

There’s was a lot of overheating caused by caused by processes called corespotlightd and spotlightknowledge.updater: and solved by deleting the contents of ~/Library/Metadata/CoreSpotlight/.

As far as I can tell?

The processes are where Spotlight is having trouble indexing my system: and seem to be triggered by Pages documents interact with iCloud drives access through a desktop Mac.

In my case?

It first seemed to be caused by updating to macOS 26.2,

Which is when I reset things, the first time.

It did it again: after I updated to macOS 26.5.1.

I can’t help but think Spotlight updates its index, as a result of an update: and — in some cases — going wrong as a result.

If someone can confirm that?   I’d appreciate it!

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-6-2026 — The World Cup. (Ten questions)

11th June, 2026: the World Cup.

Hmmm … 

I’ve had some bad news.

Well … I … and every other Dr Who fan on the planet!

Yes: in a recent press release, the BBC have announced that the planned, and previously announced, 2026 Dr Who Christmas Special has been cancelled.

And have also told us Russell T. Davies has stepped down as show runner, and Bad Wolf has stepped away from its production role.

The BBC has also told us that they’re looking for new production partners: and have started the search by putting things out for ‘competitive tender’.

But not told us when to expect any news.

Russell T. Davies has also told us that — contrary to earlier statements he’s given — he’s written no script.

I’m … 

I’m disappointed: as is every other fan on the planet.

But I can live with that: after all, I’ve survived the last cancellation!

I’m disappointed, yes.

But more upset that I, and other fans, have been lied to to.

It’s the dishonesty that hurts.

~≈⏳≈~

In other news … ?

I — like others — have had my issues with macOS Tahoe, the current version of macOS.

From what I and others, can see, this overheating seems to be triggered by using Pages with other apps, and is caused by processes called corespotlightd and spotlightknowledge.updater hogging resources.

Why, I don’t know.

I had managed to correct it by emptying specific folders — in ~/Library/Metadata/CoreSpotlight/ — but have also posted to Apple’s Community pages, to give myself a reminder on how to do this.

Hopefully, that will help.

I am also aware that Apple’s held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

And announced in a recent live stream that they will be making adjustments to Spotlight in macOS 27 Golden Gate, the upcoming version of the operating system.

Indeed, they say so in this video: at the ~13·26 mark.

There’s a couple of points.

One?

I hope that works.

Two?

I wish Apple would issue that sooner: this is getting ridiculous!

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-6-2026 — The Number 161.

10th June, 2026: 161.

Right … I had a visitor, yesterday … !

As you may or may not know, I was having issues with what’s called my ‘in-home display’: the little gadget that shows me how much money I’ve got on the gas and electric … wasn’t showing how much electricity I had.

Which was inconvenient.

So … ?

After a lot of to’ing, fro’ing, phoning, and chatting with engineers?

Cause of the problem — the smart meter for my flat, in a cupboard in a corridor, outside — was replaced, yesterday: and a new one installed.

A new one that now is communicating with the in-home display, and telling me I have some eighty or so pounds credit, available.

That credit?

Was transferred by a call centre agent from my electricity supplier: transferred from my gas supply, I should add, as I get my gas from the same supplier.

The roughly £170 that was on my old meter, though?

Is going to take some ten days to be transferred from the old meter, to the new one.

The sooner the better.

I could do with that money: I want to wash my socks!

~≈⚡️≈~

You’re possibly aware — as am I — that there’s been a gradual shift in entertainment.

Or, at least, in the media movies and TV shows are on.

There’s been a movement away from optical media — DVD and blu-rays, for example — to streamed content.

That’s affecting the games industry, as well: there’s moves from games sold on disc, to games made available online, for some years.

It seems many games companies are disabling popular games: with little to no warning.

Without even the decency to make an offline version available.

Something that — according to this piece — gamers are seriously annoyed about.

After all, gamers — like film and music fans, everywhere — stand a lot of money on these things.

And expect the content to be around for a long time.

What’s to be done about this?

I don’t know.

But there’s a lot of annoyed gamers, out there … !

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th June, 2026

9th June, 2026.

It’s Tuesday, again: doesn’t it come ’round, quickly?

As do visitors.

I’m up early, today: as I’m expecting an engineer from my electricity provider: who will hopefully be able to install a new smart meter.

And transfer the balance from the old account, to the new.

Here’s hoping … !

~≈⚡️≈~

I had an appointment, yesterday afternoon: with my dentist’s trainee hygienist.

Up until yesterday?

As I’m on benefits, and the hygienists in question are trainees, these had been provided for free.

Unfortunately?

I felt decidedly unwell, heading for the bus-stop: and extremely woozy by the time I got to the surgery.

Woozy enough to immediately cancel the appointment, and rebook.

As far as I can tell?

I had a mixture of a bout of low blood pressure: and what’s known as a ‘hypo’, a dose of low blood sugar.

And really didn’t think sticking around would be a good idea.

So?

I cancelled, and re-arranged for August, the next available date.

Unfortunately, and because of changes?

This means I’m facing a charge for the next appointment: of £41·50.

Something that the receptionist told me is something the university had insisted on: in order to cover their costs.

I can appreciate that.

Especially as, from what I know, the students have to cover their own travel costs.

I’m assuming the university helps with that.

So?

A charge makes sense.

I just wish it didn’t exist: or was cheaper.

That forty-one pounds is steep, on my income.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th June, 2026.

8th June, 2026.

Right, then … it’s a Monday … 

So I’m off to my weight management class, again.

Hopefully, I’d’ve lost a bit, this week.

Given I’ve gained over the past few weeks.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🦷≈~

Once that’s done?

I’ve got to go home, have lunch … 

And then head back for the High Street.

Yep: I’ve an appointment with the hygienists.

I might need to have a chat with them.

Up until now?

I’ve been able to use the trainee hygienists for free: as I’m on Universal Credit.

I was thinking I should change the appointment, though: just to make sure I didn’t need to go up Warley Hill, twice on the same day.

Except that — as it seems my dentists rules seem to have change — I’d be facing a charge if I did that.

Why?

I have no idea!

But … ?

It means future appointments are going to have to be rationed.

The price is affordable: but not one I want to pay more than once a year … 

~≈🦷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-6-2026 — “The Dreaming City” (Ten questions)

7th June, 2026: “The Dreaming City”.

It’s officially official: I’ve missed mentioning something!

Yes: I’ get a mention in a Dr Who video … !

Well … I get a mention in @SaltyHammond’s review of Terror of the Autons.

I’d suggested covering The Abominable Snowmen in his next video: I’m looking forward to that!

~≈▶️≈~

Talking of videos?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday: thoroughly some of the sillier sound effects in Final Cut Pro.

See if you can find the comedy honking noises!

~≈🪿≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell on in the background.

The man’s death was a waste … but we can take a certain measure of comfort in one thing.

In recording the thing, he made one hell of an LP!

~≈🦇≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-6-2026 — Stranded at the Drive In

6th June, 2026: Drive-In Saturday.

Right … it’s officially Saturday: and I’m bored and frustrated!

Bored … as it’s the weekend.

I’ve been persistently trying to contact BT: to re-arrange my broadband connection.

I managed to contact them, yesterday.

To find that my original request hadn’t gone through, as they had me listed at the wrong address: Number one, instead of number two.

And that they would be contacting me this coming Friday, to give me a date for the upgrade.

That’s … 

Frustrating.

Especially as it’s now the weekend: which means I have to wait until Monday, before I can chase this up!

Arrrgh!

~≈🛜≈~

The other frustrating thing … ?

My Mac’s seems to be stuck in a permanent bout of overheating: something seemingly caused — according to the bundled Activity Monitor app — by a process called corespotlightd.

As per suggestions on Apple’s Community Support pages, installing Macs Fan Controls seems to help deal with the temperature.

But is dealing with a symptom — the overheating — rather than the problem: which, as far as I can see, is how the Mac’s Spotlight feature deals with the location of Pages files.

I get the impression this is going to take a long time to solve … 

~≈🥵≈~

Yesterday was sad: as the death of actor, Anthony Stewart Head: best remembered as Giles, in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, as Uther Pendragon in Merlin, and from a series of coffee adverts, back in the day.

Apparently?

He died of complications of pneumonia, at the age of seventy-two.

It’s sad … especially as — from the little I know — the condition is eminently treatable … !

It’s … well … 

Sad … 

The man will be much missed.

~≈🥵≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th June 2026.

5th June, 2026.

It’s officially Friday.

And I can safely say I’ve had visits and phone calls!

I had an engineer, here, yesterday: to look at my smart meter.

Which, as it turns out, needs replacing: rather than, as I’d originally thought, resetting.

I have to give the visiting engineer credit: for turning up early, and explaining what was going on.

And give just as much credit to the call centre agent — a Scottish chap called Mark — for being equally as helpful.

He got the appointment for the next visit sorted in minutes.

All I have to do now … ?

Is wait until next Tuesday: for the second engineer!

~≈⚡️≈~

That’s not the only call I was involved with!

No: I had a conversation with lord knows how many people at BT, my Internet Provider.

I want to upgrade my service: to a faster, full fibre, one.

Getting a date booked for this … ?

Is proving difficult.

What seems to be the problem?

Simply the fact I live in Flat 2.

But BT think I live in Flat 1 … despite sending the bills to the correct address since 2008 … !

And, when needed, have sent engineers to the correct address, as well!

What’s happening?

Beyond spending  lot of time on the phone?

I really wish I knew … !

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th June 2026.

4th June, 2026.

Right … I’m officially starting this post, the night before: on 3rd June.

Why?

Remember, yesterday(ish!), I told you that I was due a visit from and engineer: due to fix my smart electricity meter?

That I was expecting him any time between 13·00 and 17·00?

I got a call from him, earlier.

He’s actually going to be here by 8·30 in the morning.

Despite starting early?

This post may be out late.

Ho … hum!

~≈🔋≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-6-2026 — Liverpool FC (Ten Questions)

3rd June, 2026: Liverpool FC.

Right … phone calls … 

Today is Wednesday: the day after yesterday.

Which was Tuesday … and a day I had to make a couple of very long phone calls!

One … ?

Was to my electricity supplier: my smart meter’s having issues connect to the network, and to what’s called the in-home display, the little gadget that tells me how much money I’ve got left on the system.

An engineer’s turning up on Thursday: to have a look at the thing.

Hopefully, that will solve any issues: even though it means turning off the electricity for about twenty minutes.

The other call … ?

Was to my internet service provider.

I’m on a cheap tariff, as I’m in receipt of benefits.

But wanted to upgrade my tariff to the full fibre version.

I’ve still not got a definite date for that … but know I have to give them a call tomorrow afternoon: when the meter engineer is here.

And also found out the company had my correct address as my billing address … but had the flat next door listed as my residential address.

Quite what’s happening, there, I don’t know!

Ho hum!

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Teaser — 2nd June 2026.

2nd June, 2026.

Right … I was up a few grams, at yesterday’s weight management meeting.

And … ?

The volunteers who run it … immediately suggested some more healthy exercise.

Including chair yoga: which, apparently, gets organised through the volunteering services in the room next to the weight management class.

We’ll have to see about that.

At any rate, a nice healthy walk seems in order.

Except I’ll need a hat and coat.

It’s raining out there … 

~≈💧≈~

Did I mention I’ve been watching The Blacklist, recently?

The James Spader series is being aired on Channel 4’s catch-up series is both very watchable, and very silly: with one funny line in last night’s episode seeing the Spader character telling a woman he’s locked in a cupboard, that her stroganoff smells wonderful.

Well, it was funny, at the time.

Not quite Dr Lecter’s “I’m having an old friend for dinner”, but certainly in the same, dark, ball park.

~≈📋≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I actually had a letter, yesterday.

From the NHS bowel cancer screening service: they’re going to be sending my a testing kit inside of the next two weeks.

Hopefully?

That’ll come up clear: and mean I won’t have to go through the necessary — but uncomfortable — colonoscopy.

If it does, though … ?

I’ll face it with the usual good grace.

Yes: it, and the pre-treatment laxatives, aren’t comfortable, or dignified.

But that’s something I’m prepared to go through, if it means avoiding cancer.

~≈👩🏼‍⚕️≈~

On a less serious note?

The notably accurate tabloid, The Sun, published a piece a few days ago.

Telling us the BBC had cancelled this year’s Dr Who Christmas special.

I trust the Sun: about as far as I can spit a rat.

And also feel a recent comment by Russell T. Davies — that an announcement was due, within a fortnight or so — would be more re-assuring.

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st June, 2026.

1st June, 2026.

Right, then: it’s Monday morning.

And, as ever?

I’m up, early: as I’m off to my weight management group.

I hope I’ve lost some.

But have to confess: I’ve had a few too many bags of crisps to be confident about that … !

~≈🥔≈~

I had the radio on, earlier.

Or, at least, had Radio Four’s Today programme on, earlier.

Seemingly?

Tech firm, Palantír, has been contracted to organise a unified database that will be used by the NHS, GP surgeries and social care department: in order to simplify access to patient data, and to make it easier for staff in Hospital A, Surgery B and Social Care Dept. C, to access the same details about a given patient.

I like the idea: although I’m as aware as anyone else, that’s setting the thing up is going to be a huge job.

However, Palantír, the contractors, are an American company.

Using the services they’ve already developed would makes things quicker and easier.

But … ?

I have to wonder if there’s a British company that could have been hired.

Digital sovereignty, an’ all that!

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-5-2026 — Trinity Sunday (Ten Questions)

31st May, 2026: Trinity Sunday.

Right … it’s officially the case that stuff’s happened.

But you knew that.

You know I’ve bought blu-rays from Amazon: and, as ever, have copied them.

So have officially backed up the recently released 4k version of the Dr Who TV movie.

I was a touch worried: that the extras would be identical to the ones on the 2k version from a while back.

But there seems to be enough ‘new’ extras to have made the purchase worth the effort: including some extra music from the soundtrack.

So that’s good.

~≈🎹≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-5-2026 — Day of the Potato

30th May, 2026: Day of Potato.

Yay!

I got it to work … !

I bought the newly released, 4k, version of the Dr Who tv movie, recently.

And, of course, want to copy it as soon as I could: so I could watching the thing in all it’s 4k glory.

Obviously, I used my copy of MakeMKV to do so.

Given the blu-ray was new?

I was aware the thing may not copy: as it had literally only just been released.

It didn’t.

So, as ever, I submitted the dump files the thing generates to the usual address, and waited a couple of days.

But heard nothing.

So check the site’s Forums for further help.

Forums that seem to be having issues, right now, I should: I’m getting a lot of Timed Out errors, at the moment.

At any rate … ?

When I was able to get through, I was told that there was a .cfg file needed — from here — and that it should be put in the folder where I’d found the file I had to email off to MakeMKV.

It goes in /Users/[Home Folder]/Library/MakeMKV, if you’re on a Mac running Tahoe.

If that’s any help!

With that file installed … ?

I was able to rip the disc.

Job … ?

Done … !

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th May 2026

29th May, 2026.

Right … it’s Friday, 29th May.

And … ?

I’m expecting a cable to turn up, today: to go with the various bits and bobs that will charge my new game controller.

The charging plug, I should add, turned up yesterday morning.

The controller … ?

Still hasn’t run out of juice: so it’s going to be a while before I need it all.

Heigh … ho!

~≈🎮≈~

Going totally off-piste?

I’m getting a few comments on some of my YouTube videos.

Which is;

• Nice.
• About bloody time.

I’m grateful, either Way: and wondering at how long it’s taken … 

~≈🕸️≈~

As a final point … ?

My contract with my ISP is up, next week: so … ?

I’ve phoned them, yesterday: to both renegotiate, AND to confirm I’m still unemployed.

I gain access to a cheaper price, that way.

I’ve ALSO asked for the faster, full-fibre, connection.

It’s only slightly more expensive.

And hopefully will make a noticeably difference to upload speeds.

That’ll come in handy, when uploading to YouTube … 

~≈🛜≈~