Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th July 2025.

10th July, 2025.

Right, it’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

I’ve officially sent a stool sample off to the relevant testing centre.

I can only hope I’ve included everything relevant for the tests.

Or that the hospital can trace my surgery from the paperwork I forgot to include … !

~≈📋≈~

At any rate … ?

That’s that sent off.

Along side an email.

About a year and a half ago, I was provisionally diagnosed with adult-onset Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Something my GP had tried following up on, in 2024.

Even though I’d been warned a hospital referral could take a while, I felt I should chase this up.

So asked my surgery about it.

Their advice?

Was to email the relevant mental health trust.

Something I did yesterday.

They’ve auto replied: to let me know it’s going to take three days for a formal reply.

But, hopefully?

That should get me more information.

~≈🏥≈~

I had a call, yesterday: and I wish I’d kept the number.

As … ?

It turned out to be scammers, trying to persuade me to install an app called AnyDesk, so they could take remote control of my machine.

I strung them along for a while: and found out several things.

That the scammers concerned don’t know common Mac keyboard shortcuts: they didn’t know CMD (⌘) and N opens a new window in a Mac app.

They thought it was the more common Windows equivalent, CTRL(^) and N.

They were confused when I told them the AnyDesk webpage I’d found was one that warned about scams: rather than the download page.

But … ?

They’d also tried remotely accessing my email account: and had phoned my internet service provider, to get a PIN that would let them do that.

I’m thankful I didn’t notice that text message.

And equally thankful I didn’t hand that over.

That, and the remote access software, could have installed all sorts of stuff.

I’m just thankful I’d recently my email password, and let my Internet service provider know about the attempt.

But also felt I should remind you of a couple of things.

The main point?

You should not give someone you don’t know access to your devices: you get a call from someone claiming to be your ISP, or a security company, a call you haven’t asked for, tell them where to get off!

The minor points?

The AnyDesk software* is cross platform: would let a PC user remotely control a Mac, a Mac user remotely control an Android phone: what have you.   Something I’d not realised could be done.

Don’t install software a caller like that asks you to.

Never give them PIN numbers or bank details!

Have a nice day … !

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2024 — Lady Jane Grey

10th July, 2024: Lady Jane Grey.

It’s officially official: it’s Wednesday!

And … ?

The day after I had my diabetic foot-check: I have to take a urine sample in latter, that’s about the only thing need to finish it off.

I also made a phone, yesterday.

I had a pre-paid debit cards, in April: from a scheme operated by Southend Council.

One that finally expired, totally used: on 7th June.

I even made a point of telling myself — when I got the card — of making a note of that in my diary: so I could apply for the next one.

But, as it turned out … ?

I must have had a brain freeze.

I put the note in my calendar on the 7th July, instead of 7th June!

So … had to make a panicked pair of phone-calls, to see if I had applied!

I had, as it turns out.

The thing gets processed, tomorrow: and, hopefully to me, by next Friday, at the latest.

But, can you do me a favour?

When I take that urine sample up to the surgery … can you remind me not to leave it on the bus … !?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2023 — The Bahamas

10th July, 2023: The Bahamas.

Right … it’s Monday.

A Monday where — once more — I’m up early for my weight management meeting.

I’m looking forward to it: as it’s the last of the currant batch.

Quite what would be next … ?

I don’t know: I suspect I’d need to ask there: or at my surgery.

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th July, 2022.

10th July, 2022.

Yes: it’s officially Sunday.

And … ?

I get the feeling it’s going to be both quiet: and hot.

After an especially warm day, yesterday.

It’s going to be toasty!

~≈☀️≈~

Oh, just in case you’re interested?

I caught Assimilation — the third episode of Star Trek Picard’s second series — on Friday.

And got my reviews done, last night.

It’s a great little thriller of a series: one with great performances.

Especially from Annie Wersching as a Borg Queen in full on Hannibal Lector mode!

The series is seriously worth a go!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2021: Wyoming

10th July, 2021.

Yes: it’s Saturday.

And yes: that means things are happening.

Personally … ?

I’m tempted to do a little light shopping: although there’s little I need.

Bar some cash on my electricity.

The pleasure getting rained on for the past few days … ?

Means the lights come on relatively earlier … !

~≈Á≈~

Oh … you’ve realised I’ve read the occasional Iain M. Banks Culture novel: and thoroughly enjoyed them.

You’re ALSO aware the entrepreneur, Elon Musk, is a fan: naming a couple of his landing platforms after Culture ships.

Turns out that couple is now three ships: his most recent one has been demonstrated … and is called the A Shortfall of Gravitas.

It’s about time … 

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2020: Tesla

10th July, 2020.

I have to admit: I’ve actually got up this morning … waiting to go back to bed.

I’ll possibly have a siesta later: if I still feel the same way.

Frankly, though … ?   I’m thinking I’ve got a touch of eyestrain coming from somewhere.

That’s what happened when you wright two quizzes, a piece on digital poverty, and Lord knows what else, all in one go!

Oy … 

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th July, 2019

10th July, 2019.

Did I mention I’d been to hospital, the other day?

To pick up a Continous Positive Airway Pressure — or CPAP — machine?

Basically, it’s a thing that helps my breathing, whilst asleep.

My first successful use … ?

Was last night.

Putting the mask on?   Was relatively easy: although I’m not sure I’ve managed to fit it correctly, get it as airtight as it should be, or keep the straps untangled.

It has to be said, though: most days, I feel vaguely tired on waking up.

This morning, I don’t.

Something seems to be doing its job.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th July, 2018

10th July, 2018.

Yes: I’m up early.

And yes: it’s for a doctors appointment.

In the wake of the CT scan I had, a couple of month ago.

I’m … well, there’s one or two bits I know, having had some of the results.

We’ll have to see what happens, won’t we?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2017

Hmmm … 

You may or may not know it, but I’ve lived on my street for about a decade, now.

And, in all that time?   I’ve strongly believed that the layout and parking in the area make emergency vehicle access to the area.

I’ve also opposed further development in the area: believing this, too, will contribute to access problems.

For a long time, now?   The council’s given approval for further development in Saint James Road: just around the corner from my flat, here in Rollason way.   Again, that’s something I’ve opposed.

The development, and the land it’s on?   Was owned by Taylor Wimpey.

Who’ve done the ground work on the site, but no actual building work.

I think things will be changing.

As, when I went past, last night?

There was a (pictured) sign up: telling us the site was being sold off by an agency called Savills.

Speaking personally?

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

The fact we’ve actually had no building work done for the past few months was a small mercy: it meant no building work would block emergency vehicle access to the area.

The fact it’s now for sale?

I’m not sure about the implications of that.

I’m annoyed that the owners of the land hadn’t built there.   Granted I wanted nothing done there, believing it to be harmful to the area, but, once work had started?   Believe it should have been finished, and finished quickly.

The plot being sold?

Means more years of faffing about.

~≈ß≈~

Torchwood Series 3 — Children of Earth — Day Five — A Review: … This Is The End …

10th July, 2009

Day 5 of Torchwood: Children of Earth is the last of the series.

And looks — and dear God, I’m hoping I’m wrong — like the last Torchwood ever.

I hope I’m wrong!

I do know that Colonel Augustus Oduya of UNIT — in one of the early scenes of Day Five — finds out why the 456 are after Earth’s children.

They’re addicted to the chemicals found in young human children.

Oduya realises that the mass handover of Earth’s children is handing heroin to alien junkies.

Junkies.

John Frobisherº comes to a tragic end.

He kills himself, his wife and his two daughters.   After being told by the PM his daughters are to be included in the 10%.

To be that desperate … ?

That desperate and facing the plan the government are putting into action?

He’s a hero.

The other heroes of the piece?

Have been Gwen* and Rhys, the two characters who’ve been the emotional centre of the series since it started; it’s they who, with Ianto’s sister and brother-in-law, manage a brave rescue effort, when the troops go in.

But who don’t find out — ’til after the event — what Jack has had to do to his own daughter and grandson, in order to save the world.

Jack, helped by Johnson and Dekker, has to use a ‘Constructive wave’ to destroy the 456.

But has to kill his own grandson to do this.

You can probably imagine Alice’s reaction to this.

There’s a scene in which Alice meets Jack, in an abandoned corridor, after her son’s death.

She says nothing.

She just turns her back on him and walks away.

The post-script scene to all this is set some six months after the main events; it sees Jack telling Gwen and Rhys that he has to leave Earth.

He still hasn’t shaken the dirt off his feet.

Powerful stuff.

In a series that’s been nothing but powerful stuff.

Can I be frank, here?

I’m actually thinking that Russell T. Davies, in conjunction with the rest of the team, has turned in the best season of Torchwood, yet.

I’m convinced Children of Earth will be a tough act to follow.

It has seriously raised the bar for a fourth series.

Stephen Moffat — should he choose to follow on from this — has work to do.

I also know, amongst tarot card readers, that the Death card isn’t necessarily seen as meaning death; just intense and dramatic change.

That’s Children of Earth.

Intense.

*        There’s a beautiful opening scene, of Gwen making a tape to mark the world’s end: she says that she’s realised why the Doctor hasn’t turned up. He’s turned his head away in shame† …

º        I also know that, having spoken to several fellow fans since this episode aired, that Peter Capaldi as John Frobisher has been viewed as having done extremely well.   I don’t know if it’s an award winner; but I’m convinced on the strength of what I saw, it should be. I’m also thinking much the same of John Barrowman as Captain Jack, actually.   There’s that old line from Friedrich Nietzche, about being careful, fighting monsters.   Day Five showed us that the good Captain didn’t take enough care.   And that the 456 weren’t necessarily the real horrors …

†        I’m writing this in July, of 2020: and that scene has stuck in my mind, even now: as the most powerful in a powerful series.