Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2025.

23rd November, 2025.

I think we can say Jude — my nephew — has posted his latest video!

Yes, hitting the ‘Like’ button would be very welcome: as would subscribing to his channel.

And mine, if you’re that way inclined!

But I’ll tell you what!

Buying dinner was a job and a half!

We couldn’t place an order through Deliveroo: why, I don’t know!

Then we tried ordering pizza from Dominos.

And couldn’t.

It just wasn’t happening!

It was only then, that I got a message from my bank.

They thought I was being defrauded!

I had to press buttons, and phone them, to find out what was happening!

And assure them that that no: I wasn’t being scammed, my card hadn’t been cloned and I was genuinely trying to order dinner!

And any rate … when we went back to the Dominos site … my payment got declined, again!!!!!!!

I was getting annoyed, by this point: and Jude was definitely underwhelmed.

Both of us were hungry … !

This second time, though … ?

Was my fault: I hadn’t fed the card’s expiry date, properly!

Ever had the feeling you’re being got at?

~≈🍕≈~

That said, I can appreciate my bank’s actions, last night.

Part of their job is to protect their customers from fraud, and to prevent crime.

And?

It’s been a while since I’ve ordered food online: and I’d made multiple attempts to order from different, and very unfamiliar, websites.

So I can’t blame them for automatically going into ‘Protect A Punter’ mode!

But, boy, the timing was wonderful!

About the only upsides to the evening?

Jude managed to get that video uploaded.

We managed to set up — and use — fast user switching, so we could switch between accounts*.

And … ?

Pizza never tasted quite so good!

~≈🍕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2024.

23rd November, 2024.

You know, Brentwood’s branch of Sainsbury’s is wonderful.

It’s got most of the stuff I need on a daily basis: even if it’s quite a walk away.

The problem … is the SmartShop.

You scan an item with the app on your phone, put in in a bag in your trolley, head for the Smart Shop self-service till, scan the QR code, double check the list, pay for everything … 

Then walk out of the store, and go home.

Swearing about the amount you have to carry, the wait for the bus, the price of the cab, the time it takes to put everything away, what-have-you!

Most of the time … ?

The actual in-store shopping, scanning the stuff into the till and paying for it … is relatively hassle free.

Except when the till beeps at you: to tell you it wants a member of staff to quickly double check things.

I can understand that.

Sainsbury’s want to make sure we’re not shop-lifting.

My specific issue?

Every month, I do a big shop.

I try and get a month’s worth of stuff: frozen food, cleaning stuff, a big pack of toilet roll, what-have-you.

Every month of the past year or so?

Every single month?

When I’ve done this monthly shop, the system asks for a member of staff to check my shopping.

Every month.

It takes a varied amount of time, depending on whether they just need to check a few items or — like yesterday — unpack everything and re-scan the lot.

But it happens, every month.

To the point where — yesterday, in the queue for the till — I asked the staff member on duty to keep their eyes peeled: as, any minute now, they’d be asked to check my shopping.

Lo and behold … the poor woman had to wander over to the till I was at.

I’m getting used to it: I don’t know if the staff are.

They should be: as it’s been happening once a month, for anywhere between a year to eighteen months.

Like I say: I can understand why it’s happening.

But I’m finding it time-consuming, repetitive and vaguely insulting.

I can only hope someone at Sainsbury’s head-office is reading this.

I’d like it to stop …

~≈🛒≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2023 — The Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Quiz

23rd November, 2023: Doctor Who.

Right … 

First things first: I’ve only got so much time.

So … ?

I’ve watched, but not reviewed, the first episode of The Burning Girls.

On what I’ve seen so far?

We have a mix of The Vicar of Dibley, Twin Peaks, The Wicker Man and The Shining that could be interesting.

~≈🔥≈~

Yes: it’s officially official.

My favourite TV show turns sixty, today.

Hopefully?

You’ll forgive me doing ten questions, I hope!

~≈🔥≈~

Like others?

I’m an unemployed person on benefits.

So I keep an eye on things like yesterday’s Autumn Statement: issued by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

There’s the usual minor improvements: Universal Credit is due to go up.

But?

Sanctions — especially for those of us with health problems — are going to be tightened.

And include withdrawing access to free prescriptions.

Not something I’m too worried about: I still get free medications as I’m diabetic.

But?

I can see that move, literally, killing someone.

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2022.

23rd November, 2022.

Yep: it’s Wednesday.

And pay day: which means I’m going to be paying bills, today.

And possibly shopping.

Depending on how rushed I feel!

Whatever happens?

I’m going to be putting a few quid onto my gas and electricity.

The extra help means I’m, thankfully, spending a little less.

~≈Θ≈~

JUST so you know?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday: the pain of us managed to make another video.

Yes: that IS him in the thumbnail.

On top of that … ?

I’ve managed to finish a matched pair of written and video reviews of The Abominable Snowmen’s third episode.

Feel free to hit Like and Share … !

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November, 2021

23rd November, 2021.

Yes: I’m had a phone call, yesterday.

From my case worker on the Restart s scheme.

Who seems like a pleasant woman.

She managed to confirm the basic details for me: it’s a monthly face-to-face meeting, with a follow up phone call, a fortnight later, and these initial meetings would be in Brentwood.

However?   And much to my annoyance?

She told me that the office would be moving to Basildon in March, 2022.

It’s something I’ve reported to my Job Centre case worker: who’s asked me to confirm it.

I hope she Can do something about it.

Because this scheme is starting to should like the Work Programme I was on, many years ago.

Messy.

~≈⌘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2020: Dr Who

23rd November, 2020.

It’s official: I’ve seen episode three of Star Trek Discovery’s third series.

And, it has to be said, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!

Keep your eyes peeled for it, it’s rather good.

The downside to me finishing the video fairly late in the evening?

I still feel shattered this morning.

Which is awkward: it’s pay-day.

Which means trudging into town to stop, pay bills, and make phone calls!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2019: Doctor Who.

23rd November, 1963.

Right … I have to admit, I got my Universal Credit payment through, yesterday.

And … ?

And I think I have just about enough left to get a haircut.

I’ve an interview on Monday: shorter hair would good, I think.

Here’s hoping!

~≈†≈~

Talking of Universal Credit?

I caught part of the four way debate on Question Time, last night.

And turned off after Jo Swinson — Liberal Democrat Leader — came on.

I’m not voted for them since the Coalition: I don’t see what I should have to put up with her on my TV.

One unfortunate fact became clear.

The Liberal Democrats seem keen to support retaining and reforming Universal Credit, whilst Labour wants to scrap it: and the Greens, who I’m planing to vote for, planning to replace it with a basic income.

I would rather keep hold of my Universal Credit: now I’ve got used to it.

As an extra worry?   The inevitable delay caused with any change in benefit.

There was one involved in the move from Unemployment Benefit (and Housing Benefit) to Jobseekers Allowance (with Housing Benefit), and a longer one caused by the switch from Jobseekers Allowance to Universal Credit (which has a housing component).

That longer delay caused a lot of people to build up arrears to build up: more arrears than they would do normally

Frankly?   I couldn’t vote Labour: they plan to scrap the payment.

Made made no announcement on what they’ll replace it with, nor deal with issues caused by the delay in payments that come with every shift.

Nor have they explained how they plan to replace the various Child Tax credits covered by Universal Credit payments: something I know affects friends of mine.

Nor — something that affects me, more — how they plan to replace the Housing Benefit component of Universal Credit.

My local Green candidate has, at least, informed me that their plans for a Basic Income include a housing component: although they haven’t stated how they plan to deal with any delays.

Frankly?   The Tories are still not getting my vote: even without a seeming plan for Universal Credit.

Labour?   Likewise, have no plan for the Benefit.

The Liberal Democrats?   Plan — from the little I’ve seen — plan to reform the payment: I welcome that, but still am not voting for them.   Their joining the coalition in 2010, left me finding them difficult to trust.

The Greens … ?   Have at least got something approaching a plan: even though I have my doubts about some aspects … 

Make of that, what you will … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2018: Dr Who … ?

23rd November, 2018.

Yep: it’s a Friday.

And the first Friday I’ve not had wages for a while.

Or benefit payments.

Frankly, I’m expecting those, this time next month.

I think that — if things don’t improve — I’m going to have to put in for a hardship payment.

Cie La Vie … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve enough in my accord to head out, and get a loaf and some milk.

But I’m going to have to wait.

As I’ve a phone interview, today.

Hopefully … ?

It’ll go a little better than others … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2017: Whose Dr Who …

Did I mention I’d seem my doctor, just recently?

I saw my doctor, just recently.

I have to admit to feeling just a touch tireder than I should be, to be frank.

Practically falling 

The net result?

I have to go back … 

After having a lot of bloodtests.

Hopefully?

It’ll be nothing more serious my under-active thyroid getting less active!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-11-2016

23rd November, 2016.

Oh, you are joking, aren’t you … ?

As you may or may not know, I like using Safari: the on-board web-browser on my Mac.

I’m one that’s running an older version of the operating system: so can’t update beyond Safari 6.1.6

Which usually hasn’t been a problem.

Until today, when Google have decided to roll-out Blogger’s all new simplified page design.

That wouldn’t — in Safari, at any rate — load the page that let’s me write a new post.

OK, I can switch to Google Chrome, for the duration.   Which renders pages very well, but is a browser I’ve also found takes its time loading pages.

And, yes, I’m aware technology moves on.

But it’s a disappointment to see it happen.

~≈Ê≈~

In other news?

I don’t know if I ever told, but I’m a fan of Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune: having first read it in the 1980s.

Early on?   Early one character describes the hero of the novel, 17 year old Paul Atreides, as ‘small for his age.’

As a short 17 year old, when I first read the thing, a hero that sounds a lot like me, who ends up ruling the entire known human universe had a lot of appeal.

So recent news that the movie rights for the franchise have been acquired by Legendary?

Is interesting to see.

Personally?   Personally, I’m grateful one version didn’t get made.

I’m glad to have seen another.

And I’m curious to see what Legendary can do with the piece.

I’m really curious to see what they do with it.

I hope they have keep as close to the book as possible.

~≈Ê≈~