Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-7-2025 — Quebec (Ten Questions)

1st July, 2025: Quebec.

Right … 

It’s official.

It’s just gone 7:30 on a July morning.

And … ?

The thermostat in the hallway is telling me it’s 26.5℃ in here.

The weather’s going to get warmer.

And … ?

I think I’m going to get sweatier, today … !

Ho … hum … !

~≈☀️≈~

You know, tech news is something that interests me.

So does the gossip.

Something that did catch my attention?

Is the gossip that says that Apple are potential going to be introduction a model of MacBook Air — their lightweight laptop — with an A18 processor.

The processor that powers recent models of iPhones.

There’s possibly a couple of points, there.

I know that — when he rejoined the company in the 1990s — former CEO, Steve Jobs, culled a lot of Mac models: so the company could reduce manufacturing costs

Will this leave the company vulnerable?

I don’t know: but it’s something the management team may need to keep their eyes on.

The other?

Is that the possible model is supposed to be the new low-end, cheap, option.

Roughly equivalent to the current £999 option.

Will that work for them?

Would that appeal to those who would otherwise buy a cheap Windows machine?

Or a Chromebook?

We’ll have to see: a lot of that appeal will come down to price-point …

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th June 2025.

30th June, 2025.

Right … it’s Monday morning.

So … ?

I’ve got to go to the high street, twice!

I’ve got a weight management meeting in the morning, and a hygienist appointment, this afternoon.

Hopefully?

I’ll end up having lost weight, and have cleaner teeth.

~≈🪥≈~

Just so everyone knows?

Long time reader, Trevor, is now officially out of hospital: and back at the care home he’s been placed in.

If you want to get in touch … ?

You’ll need to write to him: you can get his address from his sister, Gill.

~≈✉️≈~

There’s been a bit of bother.

You’ll probably have realised that the Glastonbury Festival — Britain’s best known music festival — took place over the weekend.

As one act, Bob Vylan, led chants of “Death to the IDF” during their performance.

I grant you, that’s bad.

But … ?

In calling for various responses, the media is doing something any band loves.

Handing them publicity.

Bands love publicity.

It generates interest, means ticket, and buy records.

So … ?

I have to ask Prime Minister Keir Starmer one thing … 

“Why are you giving Bob Vylan, an act that indulges in hate speech, free publicity, Sir Keir?   When I bet you this is the first time most of the country has heard of them.”

I agree, the band’s actions are bad.

But … ?

I suspect the fuss will do their sales a huge favour: just as an earlier fuss handed sales to other bands …

~≈🎸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2025 — International Day of the Tropics.

29th June, 2025: International Day of the Tropics.

Right … 

I’ve officially woken up with an earworm!

Jain’s Makeba, so you know.

Or, at least, I’ve woken up with bits of it floating around my head: the ‘ooo-eee-woo’ bits used in today’s introduction video.

Why … ?

Well … 

I noticed Jain’s possibly left-handed in that video: given the way she pops balloons and paints zebras.

But didn’t manage to confirm that with a written source — her Wikipedia entry — until a day or two ago.

A day or two ago … and a couple of days after I’d written this year’s ten-question, Left-handers day quiz*.

My timing’s abysmal … !

~≈👈≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th June 2025

28th June, 2025.

It’s official: Brentwood is not going to be warm, over the next few days.

Nope.

What the weather people on Radio 4 are telling me … is that we’re expecting what, for the UK, is going to be a heatwave.

I’m going to need to wear a long-sleeved shirt, when I go out … !

Just to keep the sun off!

~≈☀️≈~

Did I mention I’ve been sneakily watching the first series Wednesday: the Netflix series?

I’ve been sneakily watching the first series Wednesday: the Netflix series!

It’s a hell of a lot of fun.

It’s impressive all ’round.

But I’m seriously impressed by Joy Sunday, who plays Bianca.

She has a gorgeous speaking voice!

~≈W≈~

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

27th June, 2025.

Hmmm … 

I’m sure you know that the government of the UK had planned to make big adjustments to various welfare benefits.

Mostly to the health sections of Universal Credit, and to Personal Independence Payment.

But were facing a backbench rebellion in next week’s planned vote on the bill.

However?

Those rebels have mostly climbed down: after the government made concessions.

Hopefully?

That means thousands of people will be unaffected.

~≈£≈~

I usually keep an eye open for news about Dr Who: and am very aware that Disney’s deal with the BBC — that has funded the past couple of seasons — hasn’t been renewed.

But — with thanks to the Tharries channel, along side one or two news pieces — also aware that, apparently, two unnamed, big, streaming services are supposed to be bidding for the rights.

Supposedly, those streamers are HBO Max, and Netflix.

And, supposedly?

At least one of the streamers wants the show to go in a darker direction: something showrunner, Russell T. Davies, doesn’t want: he’d prefer a lighter tone.

Personally?

I’d prefer a darker tone, myself: I grew up on Tom Baker’s scary early years.

If the show isn’t causing nightmares, it’s doing something wrong!

But?

Would be grateful to see the show being aired.

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈🚀≈~