Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar: 2026

Friday, 3 April 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd April 2026.

3rd April, 2026.

OK … I had my diabetic review, yesterday.

It seems I’m possibly doing well: at least, well enough for my surgery’s nurse practitioner to suggest we switch to six monthly reviews.

And to advise I keep a packet of Fruit Pastilles around, in case of emergencies.

That said … ?

I had my diabetic foot check at the same time.

I get the impression there’s nothing too badly wrong: although one our two things came up.

But?

My GP has messaged me, to say they’ve asked Basildon Hospital to book me a meeting with a consultant: to get the circulation in my legs checked.

Which I’m nervous about: I don’t want hear I need anything amputated, after all.

But … ?

Well … better safe than sorry …

~≈🦶≈~

On a totally unrelated theme … ?

I’m planning on heading into Romford, today: as I want to offload stuff at the Romford branch of CeX.

Hopefully?

The train trip will be quick … !

~≈🛤️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-4-2026 — Casanova

2nd April, 2026: Casanova.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

And?

I’ve got my usual quarterly diabetic review, later: the review where I find out my most recent blood test results.

Hopefully … ?

They’ll be ok.

~≈🩸≈~

We can safely say that my nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday, is getting slightly handy with Final Cut Pro, and thoroughly enjoying the app’s ability to alter sound effects.

I just wish I’d thought to ask him one thing.

“Jude, what is that trumpet noise you keep using … ?”

~≈🎺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser 1-4-2026 — Passover

1st April, 2026: Passover.

Yes: it’s true.

It’s Wednesday … !

Which means I’ve finally finished reviewing Stranger Things: the last written and videos ones dropped, last night!

I have to say, that took some doing.

I have a Mac mini with a one terabyte, one thousand gigabyte, hard drive: as I’d been told making videos with some apps could chew up a look of space.

That wasn’t wrong: last night’s review chewed up ~680 gigabytes: mostly — from what I could see — from where I’d applied some colour layers.

Remind me to try and point Final Cut at an external drive, would you … ?

~≈🎬≈~

Mama’s gonna take you to the moon, tomorrow.

Actually, that’s slightly inaccurate.

NASA is planning to launch the Artemis 2 mission to the Moon, today: a moon mission that’s the first for some five decades.

It’s a first, and inspirational … and possibly the only sort of mission that really sums up the American Dream.

Personally?

I’m going to wish the crew good luck.

But am very aware of something.

Yes: this mission is going to be inspirational.

Yes: the crew will be lauded as heroes on their return.

But, yes: at launch, the crew are going to be sat on top of a missile, a missile that could so easily go the way of the Challenger.

Here’s hoping the crew return as heroes: rather than cinders …

~≈🌖≈~

I am very aware marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Apple: on 1st April, 1976.

If you’d like to mark it by buying me a Mac Studio with a huge hard drive, you’d be welcome!

Which I missed the anniversary, writing today’s Passover-themed quiz.

At any rate, if you’re marking the latter?

Have a good one.

~≈🕎≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 8 — The Rightside Up — A Review

27th March, 2026.
“The Rightside Up”.
An Introduction.

Right … It’s officially Friday, again … !

Which means several things.

First … ?

I’ve backed some blurays up: and taken the things to an old friend.

Which reminds me — as ever — that I really need to write about HandBrake, and MakeMKV.

Or, at least, how to use that to turn those apps to copy optical discs, and turn them into the sort of digital files one can play on …

Well …

Devices … !

~≈🐙≈~

At any rate … it’s Friday?

And?

Tonight I’m going to be watching “The Rightside Up”, the last episode of Stranger Things, series five … and of Stranger Things, itself.

Hopefully … ?

And as of 18·30 on Friday, 27th March, 2026 … ?

This will be worth it.

But, as ever and always?

I’ll be letting you know what I thought, by this coming Tuesday.

~≈🐙≈~

31st May, 2026: Newfoundland.

Right, then: today is a day of general overexcitement.

Or possibly general yayness.

Because?

At yesterday’s weigh-management weigh-in, I found I’d lost some eight hundred grams: about one and three quarter pounds.

That’s good: so long as I can avoid treating myself to a bag of crisps*!

~≈🍟≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th March 2026.

30th March, 2026.

Right, then: I’m official up on a Monday: and up early!

Yep: it’s time for my weight loss management class.

Given my weight had gone up, last week?

I’m hoping it’s gone in the other direction, today … !

~≈🗡️≈~

Frequent Apple watcher that I am … ?

I’m very aware that Apple’s now retired the Mac Pro tower: after some twenty years of production.

Personally?

I wouldn’t’ve minded one, myself.

The fact the original versions were expensive, but user upgradeable, made them an appealing purchase.

The market moves, though.

Recent models aren’t quite as upgradeable: and not as powerful as the Mac Studio, with it’s more powerful chips.

It’s a shame to see it go: but it wasn’t going to last …

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th March 2026.

29th January, 2026.

It’s Sunday.

And I’ve got Radio 4’s Witness History playing very quietly in the background.

All about the first time someone broke the sound barrier.

Which is nice.

Equally as nice?

Was the Sunday Service: which seemed appropriate, as the first woman to be named as Archbishop of Canterbury was installed this week.

What IS a pain, however minor?

Is simply the fact the clocks went forward, overnight.

So, one, Britain’s now on British Summer Time.

Two, I’ve had to put two clocks, the two that don’t change automatically, forward.

And three … ?

I feel as out of sorts as I always do, when the clocks change.

Calling the whole thing a faff, seems mild …

~≈⏰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-3-2026 — A Vote of No Confidence

28th March, 2026: A Vote of No Confidence.

Right, then: it’s officially Saturday morning: which means I’ve got a long(ish) day ahead of me.

Writing a review of the last ever episode of Stranger Things.

Here’s hoping I can get it done quickly.

It was a two hour episode, after all.

~≈5️⃣≈~

Oh … the clocks go forward, tonight: at least they do, here in the UK.

I can never work out if that means I get an extra hour in bed, or one less.

Either way … ?

The clock on my phone, and computer, will change, automatically.

But I’ll have to change the one on the wall, and microwave, by hand.

Heigh ho!

~≈⌚️≈~

Oh, JUST in case you were wondering about the intro video … ?

USB OTG, USB on-the-go, is a type of USB connection, usually found on mobile devices: phone and tablets, usually.

On the bottom of the device, so you know.

Yes: you have to put a stick in your bottom, if that’s what floats your boat …

~≈💻≈~

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!

~≈🐙≈~

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 Indepen dence 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!

~≈🐙≈~

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!