Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August 2025.

26th August, 2025.

Right … it’s now Tuesday.

Which is nice.

As — hopefully — it means the next batch of test strips and lancets will have arrived at my usual pharmacists.

They could’ve turned up, yesterday.

Except, of course, yesterday was a bank holiday: which always holds things up.

~≈Î≈~

I have to say, though, that strips — and lancets — are surprising.

Although ‘surprising’ is possibly the wrong word to use.

I’m still getting use to using them: so it’s surprising — amazing?   strange? — to me, how quickly I get through the things.

As are some of the results.

Apparently, my safe range is between four, and seven: and I’m supposed to do two tests a day

So getting through the strips, rapidly, is surprising: and getting results between roughly four and eight — 4·4 and 8·6 — seems even more surprising.

Especially when my usual range seems to be around 5·5 and 6·6

What’s more … ?

I don’t know the how figures from the machine — 5·6 mmol*, as an example — relate to the results of the quarterly HbA1c tests I have to take: I believe the HbA1c are supposed to be roughly ten times bigger than the glucose machine’s results.

So my last HbA1c result, ~forty (40), should translate to ~four (4).

Whether I’m right … ?

I don’t know.

Thankfully?

I’ve got an appointment booked with my GP’s nurse-practioner, in September.

I can ask, then.

~≈🪏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August 2024.

26th August, 2024.

It’s Monday … and I’m up late!

With (informal) permission, I should add.

Assuming ‘permission’ is the right word.

At any rate … ?

It’s bank holiday Monday.

Which means I’ve got the day off from my weight management class: as it’s shut.

OK: I can’t track my weight journey.

But at least I avoid walking up Warley Hill!

~≈⛰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August, 2023.

26th August, 2023.

Yep: it’s officially Saturday.

And … ?

I’ve just enough in the bank — or wallet, at any rate — to get some shopping.

And … ?

I’ve got enough to get the makings of a chilli con carne: but a new utilities meter that’s telling me leaving the oven on for that long … will blow the proverbial budget.

I might just have to have sausages … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2022 — Captain Cook’s First Voyage

26th August, 2022.

Amazon can make a mistake or two, sometimes.

Not that I’m planning to say anything to them!

I usually order two 600g tubs of Marmite, every month.

With each tub lasting a fortnight, I’m usually happy.

This week … ?   I’ve ordered two more tubs.

Which — theoretically — turned up yesterday.

Notice I say theoretically.

I think someone made a mistake, at their end.

What I ACTUALLY got … ?

Was two boxes of six tubs.

About six month’s worth.

I’ve got rid of some: but have to ask … 

Would anyone like a tub* … … ?

~≈Ê≈~

The UK’s got an entry regulator: called Ofgem.

They set price caps on the cost of gas and electricity, every few months.

This time last year?   The average bill was about £1000.

The raised caps Ofgem announced, today?

Means the average is now nearer £3549.

What that means for me … ?

Means I’m going to see more of my money being sunk into my fuel meters.

Marmite, aside … ?

Winter’s going to be tough.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August, 2021

26th August, 2021.

It’s official: I’m knackered.

If you’ll excuse the term.

But that’s what you get when you stay up late, writing reviews of movies you’ve seen.

If you can access it, Censor is worth a go.

~≈📽≈~

Now, I know I don’t usually do politics … but occasionally?

I do politics.

Right at the moment, I’m off sick, job hunting and getting Universal Credit.

Those of us on the benefit?   Are getting the twenty pound a week uplift: introduce in 2020, to help offset the effects of COVID-19.

It’s due to end in October.

Radio 4’s today programme is doing a piece on it, now.

Mostly?

Because two Conservative MPs have written an open letter to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson: urging that the uplift be made permanent.

I hope it works.

They extra money is too damn useful.

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2020: The Number 26

26th August, 2020

Right … I’m actually up early, today: I’ve officially Jude sitting.

AND tinkered with some of the new filters in iMovie.

You may have noticed that: if you’ve watched the video.

The Comic Ink filter on the Jester at the start, looks good.

It’s possibly the best looking bit of the clip!

~≈Å≈~

On other fronts … ?

Argh!

My funding request at the Shaw Trust?

Got refused.

It’s a long, complicated, messy story.

On the job front?   Their view was that they couldn’t justify the funding: as there was no offer of work involved.   Just an initial assessment.

Which is annoying, but there you go. 

However?   They also refused a laptop for a for the European Computer Driving License course.

The ECDL people were thinking of getting me into the classroom for the course: supplemented by practise/homework sessions at the library.

They could just about wangle that: for one new learner.   Usually, even with the loosened Covid restrictions in place, they wouldn’t.

Except?

One of the courses I applied for was the ECDL’s Microsoft Access course: that would’ve have taught me how to use the database section of the suite.

The one part of the MS Office suite NOT available at any library?

Microsoft Access.

As there’s no Mac version available?   Installing Access on my machine would have meant installing Windows* onto an external drive connected to my machine, via Boot Camp.

Something I don’t have the money or confidence for.

Shaw’s best offer?   Was, effectively, to offer to go halves with me, once I get a part time job.

I’ve cancelled the course.

Understandably, I’m not happy.

I’m going to be having a long chat with my Job Centre manager, the next time I talk to him.

~≈Å≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2019: Holiday.

26th August, 2019.

Yes: I’ve got Radio Four on in the background.

And … ?   Amongst other things, they’ve been reporting on England’s recent win: in the recent game against Australia.

OK, it makes a change from Brexit.

But personally, I’m not a fan … !

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August, 2018.

26th August, 2018.

Yep: it’s a Sunday, again.

And yes: I’ve another day at work.

Along side the usual thing: of being up at four to make sure I get a post done, and get ready to work.

But one who’s looking at at a comparatively short shift: so at least can an early night.

An early night … 

Spent with a good book, I should add: I’ve been reading Moorcock’s Behold the Man.

Well worth a read, that … 

~≈§≈~

I’m ALSO someone who’s noticed something.

The big boxing match between YouTubers, Logan Paul and KSI.

I know it wasn’t an ‘official’ match: one regulated by the UK’s Boxing Board of Control.

But do know the pair made the match freely available on YouTube.

I’m an ex-barman: one very aware that — when I was working bar — most pubs would be charged a fortune by the likes of Sky and Virgin.

Both for the regular packages, and for pay-per-view events like that the KSI v Logan Paul gig.

I’m also one that’s aware some companies are making some events freely available to stream.

The BBC have made various matches available, as one example.   Facebook have announced various sports streams.

I’m ALSO thinking Amazon Prime and Netflix are showing an interest.

Personally?

I welcome that.

I think that — depending on the pricing structure — will be a good thing for the hospitality industry.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2017

Hmmm … 

It’s the start of the bank holiday weekend.

No problems, there, then.

Well … 

I SAY that … 

It’s the weekend of the Notting Hill Carnival: so we’re expecting to get a lot of calls at work, from the relevant local council.

And possibly a few mentioning Grenfell: as the deaths will be marked by Carnival goers.

Or, AND for the Greater London Authority: who we also take calls for.

~≈Ê≈~

But, to be frank … ?

That’s not what’s bothering me.

Oh, no.

Nope … 

It’s the bank holiday weekend.

Which means there’s a rail replacement service,

I hate it, when the trains get replaced by buses.

The trip to and from work, especially given the traffic on these weekends?

Goes … 

Very … 

Slowly …

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Friday Question Set — 26-8-2016

Oh, now I HATE that … !

Did I mention I’ve got IBS?

I’ve got IBS: if you didn’t know.

And, at it’s worse?

Means phoning into work, ill: as my functioning is seriously impaired.

Today is one such day.   I hate letting the side down: and losing the day’s pay.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2016: Steamboat Billie …

Oh, well, that’s THAT sorted … 

Obviously, you’re aware I’m online.

And use a BT Home Hub 3 as my router.

It’s had issues for years.

One ongoing problem?

Is the habit it has, of switching itself off, every-so-often.

Like that.

And, as you can imagine?   It’s rather annoying: especially when you’re streaming something from your computer, to an Apple TV.

Thankfully, though?

I’ve managed to get someone from BT to agree to replace the thing.

Hopefully, I’ll be in, when it turns up!

~≈†≈~