Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-7-2026 — Crashed

19th July, 2026: Crashed.

Right … there are times you wake up with an earworm.

In my case?

Kelis’ “Milkshake”.

Although my internal audio kept telling me the think was called “Ice cream”: but there you go.

Right now … ?

I’m chasing off Kelis with Whose Afraid (of the Art of Noise).

With all due respect to Manhattan’s finest?

“Milkshake” was getting a bit persistent … !

~≈🥤≈~

With Andy Burnham due to take over as prime minister, tomorrow?

I’m aware there’s calls for him to hold a general election.

I’m also aware that one voice calling for this is Nigel Farage: currently facing a potential loss of his seat to Count Binface.

And just as possibly looking for a way to recover from an embarrassing defeat.

Personally?

And whilst I hate to agree with Nigel Farage?

I think Mr Burnham should call a general election.

It would give him an official mandate from the public.

~≈🗳️≈~

One thing I should add?

It that Radio Four’s been full of it.

News, I should say, the Mr Burnham’s plans for tomorrow, include scrapping Keir Starmer’s planned digital ID scheme.

I’m glad to hear it.

Experience told me that people who don’t have the smart phone needed, who couldn’t afford the smart phone needed, for the mandatory version of the scheme, would need one bought for them.

At the government’s expense.

Frankly?

The scheme was half arsed, at best.

Scrapping it?

Is sensible.

~≈Œ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-7-2026 — Number 189.

8th July, 2026: the Number 189.

Right, then: as we speak, stuff is being pencilled in!

Or, at least, drafted!

Yes: I’ve started watching For All Mankind’s fifth series, and am working on my review of the first episode.

That should be done by tomorrow, hopefully: keep your eyes peeled!

~≈♂︎≈~

In the wake of some financial scandals?

In the wake of some financial scandals, Reform leader, Nigel Farage, has handed in his resignation as an MP.

Or, at least, applied for the post of ‘Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds’, the Parliamentary equivalent.

He’s also announced he will be standing in the ensuing by-election, in an effort to clear his name.

It’s a publicity stunt, I think.   And one that would make me less likely to vote for the man: even given I’m not a Reform voter.

I’ll give the man credit for taking a political risk.

But?

I’d rather spoil my vote, than vote for a right wing candidate like Farage!

I’m also aware that — from what the Today Programme has said — if or when he is re-elected, he would still have a parliamentary enquiry into his finances.

I’m also wondering what would happen if his resignation were refused.

Apart from a certain amount of embarrassment, that is.

All of this is not why I’m annoyed about Farage’s actions.

Firstly?

Given his re-election wouldn’t stop a Parliamentary enquiry, I think any by-election is a waste of public money.

And, secondly?

The other, rival parties — Labour, the Tories, the Lib-Dems, Greens and Restore Britain — have all announced that they would not be standing in it: as they regard Farage’s actions as a stunt.

I can appreciate their point.

But think not opposing the idiot, not standing against him is profoundly undemocratic.

It’s denying voters a choice of candidates.

I can only encourage Clacton voters to either vote for the inevitable comedy candidates that turn up.

Or spoil their votes.

Or hope that Mr Farage’s resignation is refused: until the enquiry is completed.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-7-2026 — Nemesis the Warlock (Ten Questions)

5th July, 2026: Nemesis the Warlock.

Right … it’s another Sunday.

I don’t know about your Sunday: but I suspect mine’s going to be quiet.

Or, at least, involve nothing more taxing than making a lot of videos!

If anything exciting happens — alien invasions, war, sex, really exciting stuff? — you’ll be the first to find out … !

~≈👽≈~

One thing I can tell you … ?

Is that I’ve caught more episodes of various TV shows.

Frankly?

Series two of Blacklist looks good: but is starting to pale, after binge watching Slow Horses, and catching the opening episode of Silo series three.

Still, I can’t complain too much.

They’re entertaining, after all.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-6-2026 — International Asteroid Day

30th July, 2026: International Asteroid Day.

OK … 

It’s a Tuesday morning: and the day after I’ve been to my most recent weigh-in.

And?

And, I hear you ask?

Yes: I’ve officially lost some six hundred grams.

About 1.3 pound, in Imperial.

That’s good: and offsets the 500 gram that my weight had gone up by.

That’s a result.

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Streamed movies and TV shows … 

I don’t think we can deny it: streamed entertainment, whether we’re talking about games, movies, music or TV shows, are incredibly entertaining … 

And incredibly convenient.

However?

This article, from AV Club, tells us that Sony are to remove roughly 550 titles available from their PlayStation Store.

Despite many customers having purchased theoretically permanent copies.

The removal of those titles, titles people have paid good money for?

Is going to cause resentment.

Especially if — from what the article says — there’s no sign of a potential refund.

And especially when you consider the only effective way of countering this — buying the blu-ray version of a title — means potentially coughing up extra cash for a title you may already own.

Personally, I think that buying blu-rays, and other physical media, is the better option.

Yes: you may well be paying twice.

But yes: you’re not losing access to something you’ve paid for.

Sony, and others, are hardly going to bang on your door and demand ‘their’ property back*.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2026 — the Number 180.

29th June, 2026.

Yes: it’s another Monday … !

So, it’s another weigh-in, at the usual place.

And, given I gained half a kilo, last week?

I’m hoping I’ve lost something this week.

If you could keep your fingers crossed for me, I’d appreciate it.

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

The other thing I have to do … ?

Is get some olive oil.

I suffer with earwax.

There’s plenty of ways of dealing with that.

But … ?

I usually find putting olive oil in my ear, helps.

I’m looking forward getting hold of some.

Right at the moment, B. A. Robertson sounds very muffled … 

~≈💥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-6-2026 — Ashura

26th June, 2026: Ashura.

OK … when I say “massive amount of drugs” in that opening video?

I’m talking about prescribed medications: including a dose of Mounjaro!

There are times when I really should phrase things differently!

~≈💊≈~

At any rate?

Today looks like it’s going to be another hot day.

Frankly?

I think I’m going to need a lot of cold water!

~≈💧≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve been binge watching Slow Horses, over the past few days.

And … ?

I’m enjoying it.

And thinking several things.

Including this: that Sophie Okonedo’s character puts me in mind of George Smiley.

Why … ?

I couldn’t tell you: except she plays Ingrid Tearney, the (by now ex) head of MI5 in a very restrained way.

It’s something to watch, I know that!

~≈🕵🏿‍♀️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-6-2026 — The Referendum

23rd June, 2026: the Referendum.

Right … it’s the anniversary of a well known referendum.

One I mentioned, here, and here.

I sound more undecided than I actually was: eventually voting Remain, as I felt — and still feel — my nephew, Jude, should be able to freely move around the Schengen Area.

Unfortunately?

Others felt differently.

The vote to Leave?

Was and is the biggest mistake of the UK’s life.

~≈€≈~

On a possibly happier front?

I notice, from reading those old posts?

That it was raining on the morning of 23rd June, 2016.

It was raining, again, this morning: thunder storming, in fact.

View this post on Instagram

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

Was that significant?

Meaningful?

Purely co-incidental?

Frankly?

I think it was purely co-incidental.

The UK’s only got so many weather patterns.

~≈€≈~

Oh … I had a couple of new t-shirts turn up, yesterday: a couple of custom prints from an online t-shirt printing place.

The emoji one?

Is getting some positive attention from a couple of Terry Pratchett sites I’m on.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weatentdeadyet/posts/1715039069525281/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2632759343717701/posts/4440545029605781/

The second … ?

Well, the second is from the original West End Games version of Paranoia.

If you want to use the image in your own t-shirt?

Go right on ahead … !

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-6-2026 — Charon

22nd July, 2026: Charon.

Right then … it’s another Monday.

Which means it’s another day at the proverbial races: I’m off to my regular weight management meeting, to see how I’ve done.

Hopefully, I’ll’ve lost some.

And will probably announce the results on the various social media … unless my weight’s gone up … 

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Monday is also the day before Tuesday.

You knew that, along with everyone else.

For me, personally?

It means it’s the day before payday.

I’m looking forward to that: I want to get a haircut, at some point.

In this heat?

That’s sensible: at least it is, to me!

~≈💇‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-6-2026 — The Number 161.

10th June, 2026: 161.

Right … I had a visitor, yesterday … !

As you may or may not know, I was having issues with what’s called my ‘in-home display’: the little gadget that shows me how much money I’ve got on the gas and electric … wasn’t showing how much electricity I had.

Which was inconvenient.

So … ?

After a lot of to’ing, fro’ing, phoning, and chatting with engineers?

Cause of the problem — the smart meter for my flat, in a cupboard in a corridor, outside — was replaced, yesterday: and a new one installed.

A new one that now is communicating with the in-home display, and telling me I have some eighty or so pounds credit, available.

That credit?

Was transferred by a call centre agent from my electricity supplier: transferred from my gas supply, I should add, as I get my gas from the same supplier.

The roughly £170 that was on my old meter, though?

Is going to take some ten days to be transferred from the old meter, to the new one.

The sooner the better.

I could do with that money: I want to wash my socks!

~≈⚡️≈~

You’re possibly aware — as am I — that there’s been a gradual shift in entertainment.

Or, at least, in the media movies and TV shows are on.

There’s been a movement away from optical media — DVD and blu-rays, for example — to streamed content.

That’s affecting the games industry, as well: there’s moves from games sold on disc, to games made available online, for some years.

It seems many games companies are disabling popular games: with little to no warning.

Without even the decency to make an offline version available.

Something that — according to this piece — gamers are seriously annoyed about.

After all, gamers — like film and music fans, everywhere — stand a lot of money on these things.

And expect the content to be around for a long time.

What’s to be done about this?

I don’t know.

But there’s a lot of annoyed gamers, out there … !

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-5-2026 — Football Crazy

25th May, 2026: Football Crazy.

Hmmm … 

Yesterday was Sunday, 24th May, 20026.

You knew that: you can check a calendar as easily as I can.

It turns out that — going by the relevant BBC News page — it was the hottest day in May for some years: some seventy-nine of them.

It hit 32·3℃ in parts of the UK.

And is expected to get hotter, today.

It’s on days like this, I think a few things.

One?

Closing the curtains could help keep my flat cool: especially in the front room.

Two?

Opening the windows could help!

I think I’m going to need the draft … !

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-5-2026 — World Fair Play Day

19th May, 2026: World Fair Play Day.

It’s officially official: I’ve gained weight … !

I’m … not surprised, somehow: lots of crisps, and a sneaky take-away on Saturday, probably didn’t help!

Granted, my weight’s up by only a small amount.

But, even so: it’s something to keep an eye on!

~≈⚖️≈~

I have to admit, I’m sorely tempted to design a t-shirt.

Or, at least, get one printed.

I’ve even got a couple of Paranoia themed designs in mind.

These: 

They’ll probably get someone offended: we’ll have to see.

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-5-2026 — International Museum Day.

18th May, 2026: International Museum Day.

Right, then: it’s Monday, again.

You knew that: you can see the date as easily as I can.

And, as it’s Monday?

That means I’m off to my weight management meeting, again.

I’m looking forward to that: hoping, I’ll’ve lost weight.

Which, as I was up, last week, would be nice.

The only worrying thing … ?

Is simply this: the weather looks nice, right now.

But it looks a bit changeable, later.

~≈💧≈~

Given the possible leadership election the Labour government’s facing?

I know contender, Wes Streeting, has been criticised for his statements: supporting re-joining the European Union.

I voted Remain in the 2016 referendum: so you know.

But?

I don’t know that I could support rejoining, right now.

Before we left, we’d negotiated things in a way that meant we kept the Pound as our currency.

Granted, we had to co-ordinate monetary policy with the EU and the European Central Bank, but we had a measure of control over what is an internationally recognised reserve currency.

If I’ve understood things correctly, though?

Current EU membership rules mean we’d have to adopt the Euro, should we want to rejoin.

And, presumably, lose a lot more control in the process.

I’ll be honest, if Britain were to reapply to rejoin the EU?

I’d be comfier with a cast iron guarantee that we’d keep the pound.

That’s a guarantee I can’t see a politician — any politician — giving me.

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2026 — Anyone for Dennis? (Ten questions)

17th May, 2026: Dennis Potter.

It’s officially the case that a man in need of a game controller … has to buy a new one … 

Yes: that’s right … I have a new toy: a new game controller, now happily paired with my AppleTV 4k.

Just so you know?

It’s what’s called a DualSense™Wireless Controller: and something originally designed for the PlayStation 5.

Which caught may nephew’s eyes: he has one of the console’s, himself, and was able to offer advise one button configurations.

Well played, him!

I also have to say “Well Played, Apple”: as I ordered it from them.

They originally told me the thing would be with me, by Saturday, 16th May..

Although the Royal Mail — the people doing the actual delivery — told me it would be with me by this coming Monday, 18th May.

As it turned out?

It turned up yesterday.

And got connected, pretty much immediately, and saw me playing Sonic the Hedgehog.

Exciting, eh … ?

~≈🦔≈~

Actually, now I’ve mentioned Jude?

Yes: he was here, yesterday.

And yes: he’s posted another video: feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!

~≈⚽️≈~

Just as a last thing … ?

I’ve had today’s edition of Radio Four’s Sunday on, this morning.

It’s a fascinating listen, as ever: and discussing the religious beliefs of various politicians.

Including the three, potential, Labour leader candidates.

Andy Burnham, it seems, is a non-practising Catholic.

Angela Rayner, it seems, is an atheist.

And the third contender, Wes Streeting?

Is a practising Anglican.

Granted: the man would be the first openly gay Prime Minister, if he became PM.

But, to me?

That’s less of an issue for me, than the fact the man is a practising Anglican.

I’d prefer my politicians to be uninfluenced by their faith: to not be openly religious.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2026 — Zhurong

14th May, 2026: Zhurong.

Right … it’s officially the day before pay-day.

And, frankly?

I’ve woken up, this morning, craving chocolate!

Why?

I have no idea.

But if I knew that, I’d probably be rich!

~≈🍫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-5-2026 — 133

13th May, 2026: № 133.

Right … it’s officially Wednesday … !

Which means it’s getting nearer to payday.

I’m looking forward to that: I’m ok for most things, but being able to buy a can of Diet Coke would be nice.

~≈🥤≈~

I’ve also managed to update my Mac: from macOS 26·4·1 to macOS 26·5.

I don’t think I’ve noticed much that’s different.

But there HAS been a lot of bug fixes.

That’s unusual in my experience: macOS is usually fairly bug free.

I can only hope those fixes were minor … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve found out how to access a USB stick plugged into my router: and access it from my computer.

I’ve got a sixteen gigabyte one plugged in, as I write.

You’ve noticed I said that it’s a sixteen gigabyte one?

It is: quite why my system is telling me the thing’s got two hundred or so megabytes free?

I don’t know: I’ll have to check that out … 

~≈🥖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-5-2026 — You Little Cola Nut!

8th May, 2026: Coca-Cola.

Yay!

We’ve got the local elections out of the way!

At least … we’ve got them out of the way for another … um … year?

With the way the local elections are structured, and the various postponements that have happened, have happened … ?

I’m not actually sure when the next ones are.

They’ll probably creep up on us, next May.

However?

All I can say is this.

Yes, I voted: and voted Green.

But yes: given how right of centre Brentwood is, I suspect Reform will do well.

Even if I felt the one Reform candidate hanging around outside the polling, yesterday, looked vaguely ridiculous.

Like a cross between the US President, a spiv, and a member of the Raving Loonies.

Only in a worse suit … 

Yes: I know.

I sound insulting.

But … ?

I really don’t like Reform … !

~≈🗳️≈~

That aside … ?

Results are coming in.

And it sounds like Reform have done well, overall.

I’m only hoping my ward has gone Green: although we won’t know, until the count’s finished.

Here’s hoping.

~≈🗳️≈~

Many years ago, I wrote a piece that said it would be difficult to get a fire engine down my street.

I still feel that would be difficult: given the amount of congestion, the amount of parked cars, on Rollason Way.

So, when I saw this article: one that tells us of a fire in Benfleet, one that fire fighters found difficult to get to because of the parked cars?

I felt … well … 

Justified in my concerns, to be honest.

Congestion is not just an issue, here.

~≈🧯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-5-2026 — Elected

7th May, 2026: Elected.

Right … it’s official.

It’s officially Election Day, here in the UK.

Which means you can start singing old songs … 

Or you can go and vote: the walk will possibly do you good.

~≈🗳️≈~

As a thought?

Yes: I still take the position I have for a few years.

I’m voting Green.

But … ?

If Green candidates weren’t standing, I would be spoiling my vote.

And would urge others to do the same: should they not see a candidate they could comfortably vote for.

Bar walking past the polling station … ?

We have no other way of abstaining.

~≈🗳️≈~

As a last electoral thought?

One I’ve mentioned, before?

I could neither vote for the Conservatives, nor for Reform.

Both parties are too right-of-centre for my tastes.

But, given I know my home town?

I suspect Reform will do well.

No: I don’t like that one bit.

But have to face the possibilities, and the political realities.

~≈🗳️≈~

I found out, yesterday, that a documentary about the film, Threads, had been released.

I was interested.

But frustrated there was no apparently release date.

It turns out that — according to the distributors — there’s a new 4k blu-ray release due in July of this year.

The documentary is included in this release.

That could be worth spending money on … 

~≈☢️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-5-2026 — In Xanadu Did Kublai Khan …

5th May, 2026: Kublai Khan.

I have a confession to make.

I caught some of Snooker’s world championship, last night.

After catching the last couple of episodes of Maul — Shadow Lord, I watched a couple of frames of the final session between Wu Yize, and Shaun Murphy.

But got an early night: after two frames.

It turns out I missed all the drama of Wu’s eventual 17-18 win!

Heigh … … HO!

~≈🎱≈~

Oh, there’s local elections, this coming Thursday.

I know this … because the date’s been advertised for sometime.

And I’ve had election pamphlets from both the Tories*, and Reform*.

Both of which have been torn up and binned, to be honest: neither party is one I intend to vote for.

At any rate: the elections are on Thursday.

And, if it wasn’t for the fact the Greens are standing in my ward?

I’d be doing what I usually do, when not shown someone I want to elect.

Spoiling my vote.

I can hear the howls of outrage from here.

Look, I know the arguments.

That we have a responsibility to vote for someone, that doing so holds government to account.

I can agree to that.

But I’m also aware that you, me, and every other voter on the planet, have no right to abstain: should none of the candidates be ones we want to vote for, we can’t tick the relevant box on the ballot.

Only spoil our vote, or not vote at all.

There’s been arguments for years: about using proportional representation instead of first-past-the-post, about lowering the voting age, fining people who refuse to vote.

The really radical alteration to Britain’s elections?

Would be having an “Abstain” box on the ballot.

“I Abstain” must be a reality: not a discussion.

~≈🗳️≈~