Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-7-2025 — Jung

26th July, 2025: Carl Jung.

Right then: it’s now Saturday morning.

The day after more blood tests, and an appointment with my surgery’s nurse practitioner.

The tests are for my GP: and I’m convinced that headache I had, later, was because I’d skipped breakfast.

The appointment … ?

Was to talk about a blood sugar monitor I’d been issued.

You have to prick your finger with a lancet, and put the drop of blood onto a test strip: the machine ‘reads’ the blood, and gives you a result a few seconds later.

Except, of course, my fingers being my fingers?

I barely get a drop: along side an error code that translates as “There’s not enough blood!”

I pick up the new, improved, bigger, needles on Monday … !

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2022: UFO You Way, I’ll FO Mine.

24th June, 2022.

Right … 

I’ve had my kitchen sink checked by a plumber.

One sent by my landlords.

That’s an upside to renting: you don’t own your property, but don’t have to pay for much in the way of repairs.

He’s managed to confirm that the blockage causing the problem is no more.

I’m grateful.

However, if I need further non-emergency repairs?

Well … 

I — and a good chunk of my neighbours, the ones who rent from Clarion Housing — have all had an email from our landlord.

One reinforced by a message on their website.

They’ve told us “We are currently experiencing IT system issues, which means some of our emails, IT systems and phone lines are not working as normal.”

They tell us “This disruption has been caused by a cyber security incident.”

That “… we are working urgently with our cyber security partner to restore our systems as soon as we can.”

They’re asking residents to not contact them by phone, unless it’s for emergency repairs, and that payment systems are working normally … although it may take a while for balances to be updated … 

Right sounds about right.

Frankly, I’m wondering what’s happening.

I think — given it seems to be common, these days — that Clarion’s been hit by some form of ransomware.

From the little I know, usually, an unsuspecting member — or members — of staff get sent a dodgy email with an attachment that infects their machine: then spreads to other machines on the same network.

And, before you know it?   The network’s down.

I’m … 

I’m not sure how I feel about this situation.

But?   I’m deeply concerned that I and my neighbours being affected by this.

And grateful I’m not immediately affected.

That could so easily change if I need something fixed.

~≈†≈~

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 — 8th July, 2020.

8th July, 2020.

OK: occasionally get earworms: songs that play around my head.

Today … ?

It’s the (EXPLICIT WARNING) David Bowie tune, Girl Loves Me.

Possibly the only song I know written — at least partially — in the constructed slanguage, Nadsat.

And possibly the only song I’ve heard that answers the eternally baffling, philosophical question.

“Where the ƒ*©˚ did Monday go … ?”

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-1-2019: Bowie

8th January, 2019.

Yes: I’m off for a haircut, todayª.

Assuming the job centre’s put money … 

Yes: they’ve put money in the bank.

I’ll be heading for a haircut, today … 

And an interview, tomorrow.

Cheers for the good wishes, everyone: I think I’m going to need them.

~≈§≈~

I’m a tech watcher … or possibly fan … 

At any rate, I keep an eye on the tech news.

And couldn’t help but notice that Samsung have announced a version of iTunes on their smart TVs.

At least … a version that lets you rent and buy movies from the store, and stream things to the TV, via the iTunes Store: or from an Apple device, via AirPlay.

Its comparable to the company making Apple Music available to users of Android.

That’s … nice to see: although I think Apple missed a trick in not doing its own Apple TV set.

It also get’s me wondering what their long term plans are for The Apple TV box they now sell.

I’d rather it kept working for as long as possible.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th December, 2018.

19th December, 2018.

Right … I’ve now officially written out my Christmas cards.

And, it has to be said: not that many of them.

I can’t afford lots: but can at least send out some.

Which is better than nothing … 

~≈§≈~

Oh, just as a point?

You’ve possibly noticed I’ve been banging on about using green screen for the Teaser videos.

You film in front of a green or blue screen: and, in post-production, remove the green bits and replace them with something else.

My usual video editing app, iMovie?

I’d love to have that screen, I’d love to see what I can do with it, and iMovie.

One thing I have found, though?   Whilst putting together some Teaser videos, last night.

The slides I use to tell you what number question you’ve got to … ?

If I use a single colour background on the slide?   I can remove: to at least make an entertaining overlay.

If you can let me know what you think … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-4-2018: Apollo 13

11th April 2018.

Good … *Yawn* morning, everyone.

Although, saying that?

I actually feel as if I’ve had enough sleep.

Despite being ill, last night: and having the day off.

The guts were playing up, again.

Which means a loss of income, obviously: NOT something I like.

But there we go.

Hopefully?

Hopefully, I’ll be sorted with some sort of permanent position: although, right now?

I’m sceptical about it happening.

The only upside?

The only upside to the day off, yesterday, is simply this.

I managed to catch an entertaining film, last night.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-1-2018: Bowie

Hmmm … 

I’ve just double checked to see if there’s any updates for my system: something I’ve had half an eye on for the past few days, in the light of the fuss over the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities.

I know Apple have issued patches for them, for High Sierra, Sierra and El Capitan: but not, seemingly, for older versions of the operating system, like mine.

We’re told these vulnerabilities are hard to export in the wild.

And I can understand Apple wanting to encourage people to buy newer machines, with newer versions of macOS.

But, even so, that’s a little worrying*.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th January, 2018

Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I saw a film, last night.

I actually got access to the independent, Welcome to Essex.

Smoking Monkey, the company behind it?

Were keen to get good reviews: mine’s here.

Especially when the blogger concerned is …

• Established.
• Written about a lot of movies.
• And lives in the town where it was filmed.

Hmmm … 

I THINK I might have a little bad news for them.

I’ve given them something of a roasting.

Although, to be fair?

I do try and end on a positive note.

Either way?

I’m pleased to have been asked.

However ambiguous I feel about it.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-2-2017

Do you follow the Brits, at all?   The annual British pop music awards?

Personally?

I don’t.

I like listening to music: but not to the point of tuning into the various annual gong shows.

But I tend — if they’re on — to keep an eye on the results.

Just in case anyone I’ve actually heard of gets an award.

There was one such winner, last night.

David Bowie won Best Album, and Best British Male.

Personally?

I think that’s entirely appropriate.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-10-2016: Lucky Sevens

What the actual HELL?

As you know, I’m job-hunting.

And, as you possibly ALSO know … ?

I’m due to start work on Monday.

Not a problem, you might think.

Oh no … 

Until, a couple of days ago, and as I’m need help with the initial season tickets?

I had to phone the relevant government phone number that lets claimants get help for these things.

I got told by the Universal Benefit line that I was eligible for one form of help, a budgeting advance: but that different help, from what’s called the Flexible Support Fund, would be a better match for my needs.

The department made an appointment, yesterday, for the Job Centre: today.

The Job Centre, meanwhile?   Gave me a call, yesterday.

Apparently, I’m not eligible for the Flexible Support Fund grant: so would have to phone the Universal Benefit people, again, to follow up on the Budgeting loan.

According to the woman who THEN dealt with my case?

I’m not eligible for the Budget loan/advance … as my income for the past six months is too high … !

In other words?   I’ve been unemployed for too short a time.

Right at the moment?

And unless the Job Centre itself can do something, today?

I’m may have to cancel the job … because the appropriate Government agencies won’t help me get to it!

Brazil, anyone?

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-6-2016: International Sex Workers Day

Right … another day off … 

And … ?

Believe it or not, I’m off to Kidspace in Romford.

And (possibly) to see Top Cat, afterwards.

You can tell I’m doing with a certain nephew, can’t you … ?

I’m just hoping the film’s not a total bomb: it’s getting mixed reviews …

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-1-2016

JESUS!

I don’t know if I was ever a music fan.

Or a fan of David Bowie.

I DO know I, like many of us, had grown up on the man’s music: and thoroughly enjoyed the singles he’d put out over the years.

AND the few albums of his I’d bought.

I’ve woken up, this morning, and been shocked when I turned on the news.

David Bowie died, overnight, after an 18 month battle with cancer.

Someone who’d only released his most recent album on Friday — his 69th birthday.

I’m … 

Shocked.

Wilko Johnson survived pancreatic cancer: one of the nastier forms of the disease.

How on EARTH could David Bowie not?

Either way … ?

My condolences go to his family.

I know I’m in shock: their grief will only be greater.

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 8-1-2016

Right … 

It’s now official … 

I now have a back-up drive: after the 4-terabyte internal drive I’d order from Amazon finally turned up.

Something I’m frankly glad about: considering The wait I had for the thing!

There it is, showing up on my desktop: the blue one, at the bottom.

I’ve even done a slide show, which you probably don’t need to know.

But I’m going to show you, anyway!

At ANY rate … ?

I’ve also worked out why I’m feeling a bit wonderful, this morning.

I think I’ve come down with a cold.

Lovely!

I’ve got one question, there.   Why on Earth, when we get a blocked nose?

It’s always just the one nostril that gets blocked?

What on EATH’s happening, there?

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 7-10-2015: Mars Needs Global Surveying … !

That reminds me: I really need to set up my timers … !

No, really … !

Bless her, one of my kid sister — Jude’s auntie, Anna — has decided she’s going to take me to see a movie, tonight.

And not just ANY movie.

The most recent James Bond flick, SPECTRE.

Which really DOES look rather good.

I’m looking forward to it, frankly.

But … ?

It’s Saturday.   Which means Dr Who’s on.

Yeah … 

I really want to make sure I put my timers on … !

~≈Í≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-08-2012

Well, THAT was a comfortable night … !

Says I, laying on as much irony as possible.

Seemingly, yesterday was one of the hottest days of the year, so far, with parts of the UK hitting 32.4 ºC.

Which was nice, actually, very sunny.

But made for a very uncomfortable night’s sleep.

Let’s get moving on, shall?

The sooner I can get my windows open, the happier I’ll be.

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers, and Grub letting us know the precise details of yesterday’s fourth question: along with mentioning she’ll be passing my regards to her sister, Debbi also bagged 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 19th August, 43 BC, saw Augustus Cæsar elected as Consul of Rome: was this as part of the First, Second or Third Triumvirate … ?

Q2) More to the point, name either of the other two members of that Triumvirate …

Q3) 19th August, 1612, saw the start of of the Samlesbury Witch Trials: in which English county is Samlesbury … ?

Q4) 19th August, 2012, will be marked by British Muslims as Eid al-Fitr: the formal end of which celebratory month … ?

Q5) And finally … 19th August, 1945, saw the Viet Minh take power in which Vietnamese city … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 18th August, 1634, saw Father Urbain Grandier burnt at the stake for sorcery: who him in the 1971 film, The Devils … ?

A1) Oliver Reed.

Q2) More to the point, who played Sister Jeanne in that film … ?

A2) Vanessa Redgrave.

Q3) 18th August, 1971, saw which two Commonwealth countries withdraw troops from the Vietnam War … ?

A3) Australia and New Zealand.

Q4) 18th August, 1989, saw Manchester United sold to tycoon, Michæl Knighton: what’s the name of its home ground … ?

A4) Old Trafford.

Q5) 18th August, 1969, was the last day of the Woodstock Festival: who, reportedly, declined to close the festival with a rendition of Happy Trails … ?

A5) Roy Rogers.

Q6) And finally … 18th August, 1877, saw the discovery of the Martian moon, Phobos: what’s the name of the other Martian moon … ?

A6) Deimos.

Enjoy them, everyone: I’ll leave you with Another One Bites The Dust, performed by Queen, and written by birthday boy — and bassist — John Deacon … 

And a quote from the late Coco Chanel …

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion* is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

Coco Chanel, 19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971

*        Is it just me, Debbi, or is that the cue for a song … ?   Or just the cue for a pithy comment about how style’s important, not fashion … ?