Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2025.

11th December, 2025.

Hmmm … 

Something the Today programme’s been talking is relatively simple.

Is the idea of using what it describes as ‘digital screens’ — laptops, tablets, what have you — for school exams.

I’m in two minds about that.

On the one hand … ?

It could leave students open to accusations of cheating, exam markers open to accusations of interference, give dyslexics even more problems, cost schools and families a fortune in new kit …

And lord knows how many other issues!

On the other hand … ?

I’m left handed.

I’ve always found writing by hand to be uncomfortable at best, painful at worst, and extremely messy.

It left me — ha! — with ink-stained fingers, and messy cuffs.

It was slow, as well.   I’m half convinced I’d’ve done better at school exams, had I been taught to write faster.

By contrast?   I’ve always found typing — whether on a computer, phone, tablet or an old fashioned typewriter — a lot less painful.

And rapid.

So, yes: while I think problems with this need to be addressed, and addressed from the get-go, I can also see one problem for which this is a very good solution.

~≈↖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2024.

11th December, 2024.

Have you seen today’s introduction video?

The one in-between the date at the start of the post, and the opening of the text?

Yes: it’s officially telling you I’m reading a book at bedtime!

Moore and Lloyd’s V for Vendetta.

It’s got differences from the movie: obviously.

Evey is a lot younger than Natalie Portman: sixteen, vs Portman’s twenty-four at the time of the film’s release.

The Stephen Fry character is a gangster: rather than a TV start.

We expect these things.

But?

It’s still a riveting read.

~≈📚≈~

I’ve also got … … a t-shirt!

A new one!

Yes: that is a phrase from a recurring Terry Pratchett character.

And no: it’s not one officially licensed by Sir Terry’s estate*.

I couldn’t find one, so got one printed, myself.

Quite where that leaves me?   I don’t know.

But at least it’s something I’d be able to wear … when it’s t-shirt weather.

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2023

11th December, 2023.

Right then … 

It’s officially Monday morning: and I’m up early, again.

Frankly?

It’s the last of my weight management meetings for the year.

Here’s hoping I’ve lost weight.

~≈Ü≈~

I’m feeling more tired than I should … because … ?

Frankly, I finished my review of “The Giggle”, the last of the Doctor Who anniversary specials.

I hope you enjoy it … !

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2022.

11th December, 2022.

I have to admit: it’s Sunday.

Frankly?

It’s a cold Sunday.

Normally?

I’d be having a stroll around the block, at some point.

Just to try and keep trim, don’tcherknow!

Today … ?

I’m probably going to be walking, rapidly.

It’s not warm out.

~≈É≈~

That cold’s not helping the people of Jersey.

A block of flats exploded in Saint Helier, the capital, on Saturday.

And?

The news tells us no survivors have been found.

That’s sad: and my thoughts go to the families of those killed.

But?   And for all there’s talk of that some could smell gas in the run up to the explosion?

I’m wondering what happened, what caused this.

I’d like to know.

And have reassurance it can’t happened on my street.

~≈É≈~

The mild irony?   Is that, in amongst exploding flats and freezing weather?

Is that today is what the Catholic Church calls Gaudete Sunday*.

Apparently?   

The word means ‘rejoice.’

Like I say: mild irony … 

~≈É≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2021: The Children’s Fund

11th December, 2021.

How the hell does a living human brain manage that … ?

Wake up in the morning, convinced — utterly — today’s Sunday … 

And only realising it’s Saturday when the Today programme — rather than the Sunday Service — started, I realised what was going on.

Like I say … how does a human brain do that … ?

~≈🧠≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’d had a minor issue: with my clock not announcing the time.

And how it was seemingly — seemingly — solved by resetting the PRAM.

Oh no, it hasn’t!

Back to Apple it is: we’ll have to see if the proposed reinstall works.

~≈🖥≈~

As a final thought … ?

I’ve had a copy of the blu-ray version of The Evil of the Daleks sitting around for a while: and managed to catch the first episode, last night.

You’d be welcome to leave me a comment: either on the post, or on the video.

Thanking you!

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2020: The Number Eleven

11th December, 2020

I think I can safely say I’m … not annoyed, as such.

But a little twitted off.

I was due a visit from an engineer: to do a gas safety check on my boiler.

Between 8 And six, so you know.

He didn’t turn up.

What makes it worse … ?

The contractors he worked for confirmed it with an SMS message … … … at ten to six.

Talk about your last minute!

~≈fl≈~

Oh, right now … ?

It’s 8:18 … and I’ve just had a phone call … from someone claiming to be from Amazon.

I did my usual thing: demanding to know where the gibbon I’d ordered had gone, and no, I didn’t have a smart phone, laptop, desktop or tablet.

They rang off.

I can’t think why.

~≈fl≈~

As a thought on the streaming fronts?

Disney have announced they’re going to release some upcoming films on their Disney+ service: in addition to additional Star Wars and Marvel material.

I know many cinema chains won’t like that.

Unfortunately?

And given the ongoing COVID-19 situation?

And, as much as I’d love to see a film in a cinema in town: or elsewhere?

I think we’re going to see more streaming only films.

~≈fl≈~

As a final though, before I move on to the action?

It looks the UK will come out of the current EU trade negotiations with no deal.

At least, that’s what Prime Minister Boris Johnson — the man who claimed to have an oven ready deal — told us yesterday.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised: having felt, over the past few years, that that’s how things could go.

Personally?   I voted Remain: am deeply saddened — and incredibly bloody angry — the country voted Leave.

I don’t know about long term: but if we do get a No Deal deal, we’re going to be seeing short term prices hikes on food, utilities, and many others things.

Hikes I know I — on my money — can’t afford.

Angry?   Yes.

Thank you, leave voters: you’ve ruined our lives, and will be costing us a fortune.

~≈fl≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2019: Indiana Wants Me

11th December, 2019.

Did I tell you I have dreams?

No, not the metaphorical, aspirational ones.

The ones we have when we’re asleep.

I have a pair of nodules on my right lung: ones that I’m worried about, and that are being monitored with yearly scans.

And that, thankfully, aren’t growing.

You can imagine relieved I am to know that!

So … ?

The dream I had, last night, was unpleasant: I dreamt I got a call, telling The nodules had grown, and that I needed to head for the hospital … 

Unpleasant is putting it mildly.

~≈¥≈~

On other fronts … ?

Do you read the Times?

I don’t … but occasionally, an interesting article from the paper floats across my social media timelines.

Including this one: where John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, has suggested breaking up the various big technology corporations.

Companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, et al?

The problem I spotted, with-in about two sentences.

How on Earth are government authorities in the UK … supposed to break up American companies?

I wonder about politicians, sometimes … 

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December, 2018

11th December, 2018.

Yep: it’s a Tuesday, yes, I’ve got an interview … 

And, yes: I’ve got concerns.

And not about the interview, per se.

No … 

It’s the train fare that’s causing the issues.

I’ve got it covered by the job Centre … mostly … 

I’m just wondering if it’s going to be enough money to cover the cost.

I like London … but I’d hate to be stuck in the middle of it … 

~≈§≈~

Right … 

Something else I’m seemingly getting a lot of, just recently?

Is phone calls.

Annoying ones.

Frankly?

Right now, I’m job-hunting, as you know.

So I tend to answer the phone: just in case it’s someone offering me a job or an interview.

However?

A good two thirds of the calls coming in on my landline, are scams: there’s a few on my mobile, as well.

Mostly, the mobiles are trying to sell me boiler repairs, or PPI checks.

The landlines?   Are usually ones claiming to be from my Internet Service Provider: threatening to cut me off.

If I don’t put the phone down, straight away?   I usually get through to the ‘technician,’ and then start singing whatever cheesy song springs to mind.

Then I put the phone down.

Not that that seems to work: I’m expecting another one at about nineish, as I have for the past few days.

But it makes me feel better.

~≈§≈~

Oh, as a rider to THAT … ?

A couple of times, now, I’ve had attempted drive-by downloads.

Usually disguised as an attempt to install an updated version of Flash Player.

Personally?

Most malware out is aimed at Windows based PCs.   So I’ve not many concerns on that front.

But wasn’t going to download anything from that link … 

Just in case!

Besides … I actually update Flash, a few days ago … through the usual Mac update system.

Now … have an owl … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December, 2017

You know, I’m just having a look at the BBC’s news pages.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised at some of the items I’m seeing.

Right now?

There’s headlines warning motorists of treacherous conditions.

Which isn’t that surprising.

I’m looking at the weather app on my tablet … which is telling me it’s 1°, out there, and showering heavily.

All that … ?

All that, because of yesterday’s snow … 

Dratted stuff* … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-112-2016: International Mountain Day

Oooh, but I’m starting to be annoyed by Sundays … !

Actually, no, I’m not: not really.

But I AM up early for work.

Which — obviously — means I’m feeling quite tired: after working late, last night.

The upside … ?

Is that I managed to read another chapter of LeGuin’s Tehanu: and loving each line.

Personally … ?

I think the cash spent on that … 

Was cash well spent … 

~≈Ç≈~