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 … 

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th May 2026.

28th May, 2026.

Right … I had my nephew, Jude, over, last night.

And yes: he’d appreciate your help.

Yes: Jude needs you to hit the ‘Like’ button on his lates video!

He’d be thankful, if you did … !

~≈🎥≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’ve had a blu-ray delivered: a 4k copy of the Dr Who TV movie, that I tried ripping, yesterday.

I use an app called MakeMKV to copy discs: it’s copied every single 2k disc I’ve thrown at it for the past few years, remarkable well.

But occasionally … ?

It has issues with 4k videos.

Issues that mean updating its library of decryption keys.

After emailing what’s called an ‘AACS .tgz dump file’ to svq@makemkv.com

Something that I did, last night.

Hopefully?

I’ll be ably to copy and transcode the thing, soon.

~≈🎥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th May 2026

27th May, 2026.

Yes: it’s official: I’ve had a blu-ray delivered.

And have another on the way.

The one I had delivered, yesterday, was the 4k version of the Dr Who TV movie.

Which I haven’t seen in years, so I’m looking forward to seeing it, again.

I’ve also had a charging dock delivered: for the game controller I got, a few weeks ago.

Which I’ll have to use, at some point: once the plug for it, turns up!

At any rate … the first blu-ray I ordered has turned up.

The second, a copy of Village of the Damned, is due on Monday.

Heigh … ho!

~≈Œ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-5-2026 — Miles Davies (Ten Questions)

26th May, 2026: Miles Davis.

Right … who on Earth was that all about … ?

“What?”, I hear you ask?

Someone rang my doorbell, this morning: at god knows what time of the morning.

Not that I mind … but it would be nice if someone said something.

Heigh … ho … 

~≈🔔≈~

I think we can safely say the UK’s having a heatwave: as, the day before yesterday, reached record temperatures.

32·3℃, in some parts of the country.

Yesterday, parts of the country reached 34·8℃.

And today … ?

There’s predictions it’s going to hit 35℃.

I think I’m going to have to do a couple of things.

Have salad for dinner: turning on the oven’s going to be uncomfortable.

Make sure I put my newly cleaned t-shirts on to the airer: rather than in the tumbler.

Oh … and think of other ways to cool my flat.

Today’s going to be warm … 

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-5-2026 — Football Crazy

25th May, 2026: Football Crazy.

Hmmm … 

Yesterday was Sunday, 24th May, 20026.

You knew that: you can check a calendar as easily as I can.

It turns out that — going by the relevant BBC News page — it was the hottest day in May for some years: some seventy-nine of them.

It hit 32·3℃ in parts of the UK.

And is expected to get hotter, today.

It’s on days like this, I think a few things.

One?

Closing the curtains could help keep my flat cool: especially in the front room.

Two?

Opening the windows could help!

I think I’m going to need the draft … !

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th May 2026.

24th May, 2026.

Have you ever heard of a TV series called The Blacklist?

YouTube’s been throwing clips of the James Spader vehicle at me for the past few weeks.

So, late last night, I was clicking around on the Apple TV, floated over to the Channel 4 catch-up app … and noticed they had it available.

So I watched the first episode.

It’s a great deal of fun.

Granted, this opening episode seems similar to The Silence of the Lambs.

But Spader’s charismatic in the central role, Megan Boone* as Elizabeth Keen comes over as intelligent, and the episode jogs along at a good pace.

And one character seems to be named after Robert Ressler.

This could be worth watching … 

~≈📋≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd May 2026.

23rd May, 2026.

It’s officially official: I can jump around the room, after I had a password adventure!

I went shopping, yesterday: as it was payday.

And picked up an Apple Gift card, to help play my cloud storage bills.

I got home, had lunch, recorded and uploaded a video … 

And, when the video had finished uploading … ?

Tried feeding the code on the card into my Apple Account … 

Which got refused … repeatedly … 

And reset … repeatedly … 

It was only after re-starting, siding in and out of Music.app, restarting again, signing in and out of Music.app, then re-starting, again, THEN signing in and out of Music.app and TV.app … 

All of this with my left foot in a bucket of cold porridge.

It was only after all that, that the new password stuck.

‘Password adventure’ … is possibly putting it mildly … 

~≈🫆≈~

Good Omens — Series 3 Episode 1 — “The Finale” — A Review

20th May, 2026: The Introduction.

It’s officially the case: that I’m starting to catch up with myself.

Or, at least, that I’ve got dinner on the go, caught up with the Teasers and released a video: about copying blu-rays discs.

Frankly?

I’m glad I found the ‘drop shadow’ feature in Final Cut Pro.

I don’t know if it does much for the opening titles … but at least the shadowing helps, I think.

At any rate … ?   And with that out of the way?

I can move on.

And catch up with a few things.

One thing I meant to catch up with?

Is a few TV shows.

So, tonight?

I’m going to eat dinner, wash up, boil the kettle … 

And watch the last ever episode of Good Omens.

Given this review will take a while … ?

I expect to have this written review done by Friday, 22d May, and expect to have the video done the same day.

I hope you’ll be sticking around for … “The Finale” … 

~≈🪽≈~

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

22nd May, 2026.

Right, then: it’s Friday!

And … ?

It’s officially shopping day: and bill paying day.

Which is going to be fun.

It looks like it’s going to be one of the hottest days of the year to date.

Hydration will be key.

And, for those of us marking World Goth Day?

It might be a sensible idea to not wear black.

It’s not going to be the weather for it … 

~≈𐌸≈~

Oh … shopping!

I bought a new games controller, a few weeks ago: directly from Apple’s site.

One that didn’t come with a charging cable.

I wasn’t too worried: as I was told the thing could be charged by hooking it up to my Mac.

Turns out that wasn’t quite the case.

It was running low on charge, a few days ago, so I hooked the controller to my Mac … and left it over night.

It didn’t charge the thing: but did pair it with the Mac.

In much the same way we pair a bluetooth mouse or keyboard!

Yes: you’re right.

I’m going to buy a charging station, today … 

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st May 2026. (Six questions)

21st May, 2026: Six Questions.

Right … it’s officially Thursday: and the day before another pay day.

Frankly?

That means more bill paying, more shopping … and more chances to sneakily buy stuff on Amazon.

I’ve got my eye on the 4k version of the old Dr Who TV movie from the late 1990s.

A 4k set that, inevitably, will get the treatment.

Whether I do or don’t get it?

It’ll be interesting to see what the extras are like: if they’re an improvement on the ones in the 2k version I got a few years ago.

~≈Ω≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got a review in the works: of the last episode of Good Omens.

Hopefully?

That’ll be coherent!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th May 2026

20th May, 2026: about Blu-ray Discs … 

Yes: it’s officially, finally, done!

I’ve made a video: about copying blu-rays.

Quite how relevant it is, these days?

Especially given how streaming is more common, and given how the market for blu-ray drives is slowly shrinking?

I don’t know.

But … ?

It feels good to get the thing out of my system.

~≈📀≈~

Apparently?

The Scottish National Party announced an idea, last month: to introduce a mandatory price-freeze on essential groceries.

Which sounds like a good idea: although one that retail organisations will oppose.

Yesterday?

The Treasury announced a similar scheme: although theirs, unlike the SNP’s plan, is a voluntary freeze.

Retail organisations oppose the Government one, as well.

Personally?

I hope something like it goes through: although I feel a mandatory one will have more results than a voluntary one.

We’ll have to see how it goes.

~≈🛒≈~

Do you remember that the UK had a referendum, a few years ago?

No, not the Brexit one: the one about introducing Proportional Representation, back in 2011?

The one that was eventually, rejected?

Yeah: that one!

There’s been nothing in the news about another referenda on PR, recently.

However?

It seems some sixty odd Labour MPs have called for an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill that’s currently going through Parliament: an amendment that calls for a commission to examine the subject, if nothing else.

I can’t help but think two things.

One … ?

That an actual change to the system — rather than just an enquiry that would take years — would be preferred.

And two … ?

I think those MPs are more worried about Reform doing well at a General Election, than they are about a fair democracy … !

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-5-2026 — World Fair Play Day

19th May, 2026: World Fair Play Day.

It’s officially official: I’ve gained weight … !

I’m … not surprised, somehow: lots of crisps, and a sneaky take-away on Saturday, probably didn’t help!

Granted, my weight’s up by only a small amount.

But, even so: it’s something to keep an eye on!

~≈⚖️≈~

I have to admit, I’m sorely tempted to design a t-shirt.

Or, at least, get one printed.

I’ve even got a couple of Paranoia themed designs in mind.

These: 

They’ll probably get someone offended: we’ll have to see.

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-5-2026 — International Museum Day.

18th May, 2026: International Museum Day.

Right, then: it’s Monday, again.

You knew that: you can see the date as easily as I can.

And, as it’s Monday?

That means I’m off to my weight management meeting, again.

I’m looking forward to that: hoping, I’ll’ve lost weight.

Which, as I was up, last week, would be nice.

The only worrying thing … ?

Is simply this: the weather looks nice, right now.

But it looks a bit changeable, later.

~≈💧≈~

Given the possible leadership election the Labour government’s facing?

I know contender, Wes Streeting, has been criticised for his statements: supporting re-joining the European Union.

I voted Remain in the 2016 referendum: so you know.

But?

I don’t know that I could support rejoining, right now.

Before we left, we’d negotiated things in a way that meant we kept the Pound as our currency.

Granted, we had to co-ordinate monetary policy with the EU and the European Central Bank, but we had a measure of control over what is an internationally recognised reserve currency.

If I’ve understood things correctly, though?

Current EU membership rules mean we’d have to adopt the Euro, should we want to rejoin.

And, presumably, lose a lot more control in the process.

I’ll be honest, if Britain were to reapply to rejoin the EU?

I’d be comfier with a cast iron guarantee that we’d keep the pound.

That’s a guarantee I can’t see a politician — any politician — giving me.

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2026 — Anyone for Dennis? (Ten questions)

17th May, 2026: Dennis Potter.

It’s officially the case that a man in need of a game controller … has to buy a new one … 

Yes: that’s right … I have a new toy: a new game controller, now happily paired with my AppleTV 4k.

Just so you know?

It’s what’s called a DualSense™Wireless Controller: and something originally designed for the PlayStation 5.

Which caught may nephew’s eyes: he has one of the console’s, himself, and was able to offer advise one button configurations.

Well played, him!

I also have to say “Well Played, Apple”: as I ordered it from them.

They originally told me the thing would be with me, by Saturday, 16th May..

Although the Royal Mail — the people doing the actual delivery — told me it would be with me by this coming Monday, 18th May.

As it turned out?

It turned up yesterday.

And got connected, pretty much immediately, and saw me playing Sonic the Hedgehog.

Exciting, eh … ?

~≈🦔≈~

Actually, now I’ve mentioned Jude?

Yes: he was here, yesterday.

And yes: he’s posted another video: feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!

~≈⚽️≈~

Just as a last thing … ?

I’ve had today’s edition of Radio Four’s Sunday on, this morning.

It’s a fascinating listen, as ever: and discussing the religious beliefs of various politicians.

Including the three, potential, Labour leader candidates.

Andy Burnham, it seems, is a non-practising Catholic.

Angela Rayner, it seems, is an atheist.

And the third contender, Wes Streeting?

Is a practising Anglican.

Granted: the man would be the first openly gay Prime Minister, if he became PM.

But, to me?

That’s less of an issue for me, than the fact the man is a practising Anglican.

I’d prefer my politicians to be uninfluenced by their faith: to not be openly religious.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-5-2026 — The Nickel

16th May, 2026: the Nickel.

Right … online shopping … 

Isn’t it a thing … ?

It is: I now have a couple of bits due from Amazon, and a new games controller from Apple.

One originally designed for a PlayStation 5, in case you’re interested.

At any rate, I ordered those, yesterday afternoon: after I got back home from Brentwood High Street.

I would have done the ordering in the morning.

Except I had an issue: I’ve needed the relevant bank card for that.

You see, I’d transferred money from bank ‘A’ — where my benefits get paid to — to bank ‘B’, which I use for online shopping.

I don’t need bank B’s card for that, just bank A’s.

Then, of course, I thought “I know, I’ll make sure that’s gone through to Bank B.”

Only to find the bank card I needed wasn’t in my wallet!

I think we can say I was stressed: stressed enough to get my arse in gear, grab my various bits, and head for Bank B’s branch in the High Street.

I hate Warley Hill!

I’m reliably informed it’s not as steep as the streets of San Francisco … but when you’re in a rush, it’s not an easy climb.

So, when I got to the bank … ?

I was out of breath.

But grateful they had my card.

I’d left it there on Monday … !

Argh!!

~≈🏧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-5-206 — Shaffer and Shaffer (Six questions)

15th May, 2026: Shaffer and Shaffer.

Right … it’s PAY DAY!

Which means I can buy chocolate: I’ve been craving it for days.

Why … ?

I have no idea … !

~≈🍫≈~

It seems Kier Starmer, the UK’s Prime Minister, is facing problems: after bad results for Labour at this year’s local elections.

Problems that include leadership contender, Wes Streeting, resigning his ministerial post.

And fellow leadership contender, Andy Burnham, in a position to stand as an MP … and therefore challenge the PM as party leader.

I think any challenge is going to take a while.

If for no other reason than Andy Burnham would have to be elected to Parliament, before he could launch a challenge.

I can’t help but vaguely think a few things.

Think that Wes Streeting seems a little too fat, a little too sleek, too untrustworthy, for my tastes.

By contrast?

Andy Burnham has a huge advantage.

He’s presentable … and has a Scouse accent, a Liverpool accent.

In other words, has an accent that sounds honest.

Burnham’s probably no less a lying ragbag than any other politician.

And, frankly?

He’d have little chance of winning an election, if he stood here in Brentwood: Brentwood’s been a safe Tory seat for years, and one that’s likely to elect a Reform MP at the next General Election.

But if I lived in a left leaning constituency?

I’d be happy to vote Burnham.

Purely because he sounds honest … 

That’s one hell of an asset.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2026 — Zhurong

14th May, 2026: Zhurong.

Right … it’s officially the day before pay-day.

And, frankly?

I’ve woken up, this morning, craving chocolate!

Why?

I have no idea.

But if I knew that, I’d probably be rich!

~≈🍫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-5-2026 — 133

13th May, 2026: № 133.

Right … it’s officially Wednesday … !

Which means it’s getting nearer to payday.

I’m looking forward to that: I’m ok for most things, but being able to buy a can of Diet Coke would be nice.

~≈🥤≈~

I’ve also managed to update my Mac: from macOS 26·4·1 to macOS 26·5.

I don’t think I’ve noticed much that’s different.

But there HAS been a lot of bug fixes.

That’s unusual in my experience: macOS is usually fairly bug free.

I can only hope those fixes were minor … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve found out how to access a USB stick plugged into my router: and access it from my computer.

I’ve got a sixteen gigabyte one plugged in, as I write.

You’ve noticed I said that it’s a sixteen gigabyte one?

It is: quite why my system is telling me the thing’s got two hundred or so megabytes free?

I don’t know: I’ll have to check that out … 

~≈🥖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th May 2026

12th May, 2026.

You know … I get YouTube throwing videos at me, all the time!

Including for a James Spader vehicle, called The Blacklist.

Which, it has to be said, does look like fun.

But … it’s got me thinking I look like Spader’s character.

I wish: mostly that I had his pay check.

~≈$≈~

Which reminds me … 

I’ve woken up, this morning, switched on my computer and found … that there’s an operating system update available.

macOS 26·5, if you’re interested.

It looks like there’s a lot of bug fixes in there … 

~≈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-5-2026 — The Istanbul Convention

11th May, 2026: the Istanbul Convention.

Yes: it’s another Monday morning.

And the start of the last week before pay-day!

Which means … ?

Being thankful I’ve just enough change for me to get the bus uphill: to get to my weight management meeting.

But feeling slightly glum.

As I always do in this last few days before money goes in the bank.

Hopefully?

I’ll find out if I’ve lost weigh, today: that usually helps my mood.

~≈⚖️≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

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

After all this time?

It’s still one hell of an LP.

“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” has one of the funniest openings of any song I’ve heard.

~≈🦇≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-5-2026 — Fred Astaire

10th May, 2026: Fred Astaire.

Did I mention I was in Brentwood High Street, yesterday?

I was in Brentwood High Street: I got a bus up, so you know.

And … ?

Well, for a start, there was a couple of police officers hanging around Brentwood Station.

Just over the road from it, at any rate.

There was a few police cars going up and down Brentwood High, as well: and a few officers wandering around.

Presumably enjoying the sunshine, on top of whatever they were supposed to be doing.

There was something else, as well: one of the live facial recognition vans that Essex Police use.

Why on Earth the thing was in Brentwood high street, yesterday, I don’t know.

Especially when they’re supposed to be patrolling Southend on Sea*!

~≈👮‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th May 2026

9th May, 2026.

Right … I’m worried … !

That I’m starting to look like a chunky version of Raymond Reddington: the James Spader character in The Blacklist.

I wouldn’t mind: except I’ve never actually watched it: just the clips YouTube keeps throwing at me!

Whether I do or I don’t … ?

The show does look interesting … 

~≈📋≈~

Algorithms … algorithms, though … 

Algorithms are all over the place: and are usually serving up adverts.

Or, their serving me adverts.

One repeated ad?

Was for an unnamed brand of external flash drive, a 16 terabyte drive, for “the price of a chocolate bar”.

Around a pound, in other words: even though the advert didn’t give a price anymore specific than that.

I was both sceptical: and laughing my head off.

Because?

Some six years ago, I got conned by a third-party seller on Ebay — calling itself fashionjiacl* — a seller that was selling two terabyte USB stick for a very attractive price.

Sticks that turned out hold no more than thirty-two gigabytes.

I got my money back from them: and swore to be more careful.

And — when I saw this question on Quora — was happy to share my experience.

So, seeing these ads for incredibly cheap, sixteen terabyte sticks?

Ads that tell me that people are still falling for this scam?

Leaves me laughing, leaves me sceptical, leaves me saddened … 

And leaves me wanting to mention the scam when I can …

~≈💻≈~