Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-9-2025 — Ebay

3rd September, 2025: Ebay.

Hmmm … 

I mentioned, yesterday, that I hate a meeting with my Job Centre case worker, today.

I wish I hadn’t … !

I managed to head to the relevant website, yesterday, utterly convinced the meeting was yesterday, and panicking, yesterday, because the site was telling me, yesterday, that I was too early or too late, for the meeting.

So I phoned the Job Centre to find out what happened.

They, very politely, told me I’d phoned a day early.

I’d kick myself.

Except I’d possibly miss … 

~≈🦵≈~

I’ve had the Today programme on.

And … ?

They’ve been reporting that — once again — the idea of a digital ID system is being discussed.

I still object.

If the ID in question is something like a bank-card sized card — something like a modern UK driving license — I have to ask who’s paying for that?

Anyone who wants a UK driving license has to pay for it, themselves.

Mine was paid for by the Job Centre: as I need it for ID at a couple of job interviews, but couldn’t afford it.

And not having one was seen as hampering any job interview.

Would I — in theory — have to pay for one myself?   And be able to claim for it through the Job Centre?

I doubt I could afford one, otherwise.

Would this ID card be a smart-phone app?

The same sort of problem applies: I could only afford a new smart-phone because I’m claiming Personal Independence Payments.

Those of us without a smart-phone, and without the means to pay for one, would also need financial help.

Who’s going to be providing the cash … ?

~≈🦵≈~

Graham Linehan is a comedy writer: as I recall, he’s the man responsible for The IT Crowd and Father Ted and has been arrested at Heathrow Airport.

Over some posts on what’s now called X.

Arrested by five officers: who the Today programme tells us were armed.

The number of officers seems excessive.

But, if they were armed, as well?

That’s just a little over the top … !

~≈👮🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-2-2022: Grand Central

2nd February, 2022.

Yes!   It’s officially official: I have a phone meeting with my Restart scheme meeting, today.

At ten.   So I’m feeling a little rushed: especially as I have to do my knee exercises, today.

I hate feeling rushed … 

But not as much as I hate side planks!

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A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

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Oh … 

Micheal Gove — the Minister for levelling up, the title actually includes the phrase, ‘levelling up!’ — is due to announce more funds for various UK regions: in an attempt to boost employment, and improve circumstances.

I’ve no problem with the idea: and welcome it.

But am sceptical about any funds that are being discussed: I think there’s a certain amount of number juggling and book cooking going on.

My problem — and it’s a minor one — is the term, levelling up.

I know the term from the various pen-and-paper role playing games I’ve played.

Players of these games have in-game characters.   Those characters can earn experience points for their actions: and will go up a level — become more powerful — once they’ve earned enough points.

They level up, in other words.

For me?   The government use of the term is a bad choice.

I hear it, and I don’t think of government help for impoverished regions of the UK.

No.

I think Michael Gove’s* pretending to be a wizard, in a games of Dungeons and Dragons.

That’s not a reassuring thought.

Because it means asking what the Government’s playing at.

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 5-7-2015: Spam

Blimey … 

I’ve got Radio 4 on, at the moment: as I usually do, unless I’ve got a documentary going.

It turns out the Pope — Pope Frances, that is  — visiting Ecuador and Bolivia.

All to the good.

He’s ALSO asked — when he’s in Bolivia — asked for some coca leaves: usually chewed or made into a tea, to combat altitude sickness, and provide something of a lift.   And ALSO used to make cocaine.

Which sort of caught my attention.

The Pope’s South American.

So he’d know about the leaf’s traditional uses.

Still …

I’m still waiting for gags about speeding papal reform …

~≈Ê≈~