Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-1-2026 — On Telly

21st January, 2026: Telly Savalas.

OK … it is officially official: my nephew was over last night.

He’s helpful when it comes to cooking oven ready pizza: but the pair of us could not work something out.

Are you supposed to put the garlic butter on the dough balls, when you’re cooking them: or after you’ve cooked them?

The label on the back of the packet only says that you have to “Set aside the garlic dip to warm to room temperature”.

Which wasn’t necessarily helpful!

At any rate … ?

Jude’s latest video is now out.

If you have a clue about doughballs?

Leave us a comment, on the video!

~≈🍕≈~

Today is a day that I’m expecting a phone call from my new work coach, my new Job Centre case worker.

This afternoon, in point of fact.

They’re the second new case worker in the space of three months.

I can understand new staff need training: and that the long-term unemployed can be good clients to be trained on … 

But it’s nice to deal with a familiar member of staff: that continuity of service is reassuring, I think.

~≈✒️≈~

Hmmm … 

The discussions — should I use italics, there, or quotation marks? — let’s start again, there!

The discussions over Greenland continue: with the US president heading for the World Economic Forum, today.

With Greenland’s Industry Minister going on the record to say “We do not want to be Americans”.

I’m not surprised.

Outside reasons of patriotism, outside a desire to not be an American colony, Greenland has free healthcare for its citizens.

Becoming part of the US, however it’s done, however it’s arranged, whatever assurances the greedy idiot in Washington wants to give?

Becoming part of the US means losing that free healthcare, and gaining the USA’s famously expensive system.

Why would anyone in their right minds want to do that … ?

~≈🇬🇱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-11-2025 — Gone for a (Richard) Burton.

10th November, 2025: Richard Burton.

I meant to mention this, yesterday.

But, if you’re on certain benefits in the UK, you qualify for the Government’s Warm Home discount: a £150 payment that goes onto your electricity bill.

Mine … ?

Went onto my meter, on Saturday afternoon.

I’m grateful.

It means that — on my next payday — I can put the money I spend on electricity, onto my gas bill.

The older I get, the worse my circulation feels, so the warmer I prefer it.

Either way, that payment’s welcome.

The fact the batteries had run out on my thermostat, this morning … ?

Wasn’t … !

~≈♨️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-6-2025 — Bradley Walsh

4th June, 2025: Bradley ‘You’re just making sounds now!’ Walsh.

Right … 

I’m using a Mac mini, using macOS Sequoia and Safari 18.5 to write this.

Which you’d possibly guessed.

What you might not have realised is that I had an Openreach engineer ’round yesterday: to upgrade my router.

The earlier version had to be replaced: as BT, my internet provider, has been rolling out a ‘Digital Voice’ upgrade.

Basically?   The upgrade means my phone line now goes through the new router, rather than the box on the wall.

It seems to be working well enough: thus far.

I’m just hoping the costs doesn’t go up, much.

BT did try and introduce an International/Premium Rate blocking service to my revised contract, one that would’ve raised the prices by a few pounds.

Money I’d rather not pay.

Hopefully, that’s gone through.

~≈🪙≈~

Just as a last word … ?

I’m up early.

Again!

But this time … ?

To take part in a (video) meeting, on time, with my job centre case worker.

Here’s hoping the new kit works

~≈📋≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-3-2025 — My Name Is Michael Caine

14th March, 2025: Michael Caine.

Yay!

It’s Friday … !

Which means we can do our best impression of a bunch of happy munchkins.

On a more serious note … ?

I’m very aware of the UK’s National Health Service.

I, like most of the country, rely on the service to stay healthy: and have family working in a local surgery.

So … ?

Yesterday’s announcement from the Prime Minister, that he was going to abolish NHS England — the arm’s-length body that runs the English branch off the NHS — and take the organisation back under central government control.

It’s a cost cutting measure, I think.

But?

A slightly worrying one.

This could affect the healthcare of many.

And directly affect my family.

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-2-2025 — Kyle MacLachlan

22nd February, 2025: Kyle MacLachlan

Right … it’s now officially Saturday.

And I’ve got “ Prisencolinensinainciusol” earworming its way through my head … !

It’s possibly the one song you can’t mention on X or Bluesky: because the title’s got two many characters … !

Why I’ve got it in my head?

Is possibly easier to say: I’ve caught an advert on YouTube that uses it as a tune.

Heigh-ho!

~≈♩≈~

Have you heard the term, ‘cuckooing’?

It’s where a vulnerable person’s home is taken over by drug dealers: so it can be used as a base.

I’ve known it happen in my area: at least once in Railway Square, Victoria Road/Masefield Court and here on Rollason Way.

It’s not nice, I know that.

So … ?

I’m thankful that the government’s planning to introduce legislation to make it illegal.

Anything that helps can only be good.

~≈🪺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-9-2024 — Michael Gambon.

27th September, 2024: Michael Gambon.

Right … 

That Amazon delivery finally turned up, yesterday.

After being delayed … and me complaining as a result.

Frankly?

I’m glad I did.

I managed to get the delivery charge refunded, if nothing else.

That … ?

Should turn up on Monday.

~≈🚚≈~

Did I mention I had to attend a tribunal, yesterday?

By phone?

To see if I qualified for extra financial help.

I felt it went well enough: although, inevitably, there’s things I felt I should have mentioned … and didn’t get the chance to.

And things I tried to stress: but felt weren’t taken account of.

At any rate … ?

I was told I’d hear, by post, ‘early next week’.

With that lot out of the way?

I’d like to thank two friends — Sophie and Graham — who’ve offered advice about the process over the months.

And Carly: who’s offered both advice and encouragement.

And too Louise, on Facebook: who, in one comment, told me the results could be in, early: and be listed on the website, if that was the case.

She was right.

It seems I’ve been awarded a back-dated award.

I still — as far as I know — need to get the letter as confirmation.

And, I’m told, a call from the Department of Work and Pensions, to check on bank details.

The sooner that lot happens?

The happier I’ll be.

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-6-2024 — Ms Streep

22nd June, 2024: Meryl Streep.

It’s officially official.

It’s Saturday!

Which means that I’ll be watching Empire of Death, the last episode of Dr Who’s first season.

Or fourteenth series.

Depending on who you ask, of course.

At ANY rate … ?

If you want to watch the reviews, so far?

They’re here: 

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-5-2024 — Christopher Lee

27th May, 2024: Sir Christopher Lee.

Right … it’s Bank Holiday Monday … !

Which means … ?

Not a lot: bar — possibly — enjoying the sunshine.

If there is any!

Heigh-ho!

~≈Ç≈~

At any rate?

There’s election news.

Isn’t there always?

Seemingly?

The Tories have announced they’re planning to re-introduce National Service, if they’re re-elected.

Although they won’t make people do military service.

Which I always understood was the point.

At any rate?   Should it be implemented, making joining the military voluntary is possibly the best way to go.

From the little I’ve understood, standard UK military doctrine is to only accept people who volunteer to join.

They’re felt to be better motivated.

~≈Ç≈~

Just to keep things balanced?

Labour has announced that it plans to lower the voting age, should it win the election: from 18, to 16.

I like the idea.

But … ?

I still think it;

• Should’ve been introduced, years ago.
• Been introduced in the Brexit Referendum.

That could’ve made all the difference!

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-8-2023 — Sean Connery.

25th August, 2023: Sean Connery.

Right … it’s Friday … 

Which means?

It’s the day after Thursday.

It also means that it’s the day after I had a meeting with a worker from Peabody: to help with my Personal Independence Payments.

Unfortunately?

There’s not much help they could offer, at the stage I’m at.

Although they did point me at a website, that could offer some financial help.

So that’s something.

~≈Í≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-11-2022 — Richard Burton.

10th November, 2022.

Yes: I’ve finally managed it!

I’ve managed to get … a haircut!

OK, OK, it’s not that much to get excited about.

But?

Well, it’s made me feel a bit less shaggy … !

~≈É≈~

Have you been listening to Radio 4’s Today programme?

I have, today.

The show’s interviewed Lord Simon Wolfson, the CEO of Next.

He’s said in the interview that the UK’s current immigration policies are not helping businesses: as it’s not letting workers the country needs, into Britain.

Speaking as a Remainer?

I’m going to sit here and be smug.

As the man’s having to eat his own Brexit supporting words.

~≈É≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-12-2020: Denzel

28th December, 2020.

Yep: it’s now, official, Bank Holiday Monday: the public we get, when Boxing Day’s on a Saturday or Sunday.

I’m expecting it to be quiet: as, after all, buses are running on a Sunday service, trains aren’t running … 

And an Amazon delivery I’m expecting will turn up on Thursday, rather than Wednesday.

Which means one things, as the order includes a set of long tongs.

It means I’ll be boil washing my undies on Friday!

~≈⇧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-12-2020: Julianne Moore.

3rd December, 2020.

It’s officially the case: that I want to go back to bed!

It’s now what weather presents are calling meteorological winter.

They start banging on like that?

It’s a good bet it’s cold.

I don’t think they’re wrong, this time … 

~≈†≈~

At any rate … ?

According to my diary, I’ve got a dentist checkup, today.

I couldn’t tell you if they’ve cancelled, though.

The phone mast is still down …

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-7-2020: Freddie Jones

9th July, 2020.

Yep: it’s a definite.

I’ve got Radio 4 on.

“And … ?” I hear you ask …

The Today programme is discussing Brexit … and, of course, Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s plan to give businesses a £1000 bonus … for each furloughed worker they’s retained by January, 2021.

Which is a good move.

But … ?

Well, I can see the big flaw, from over here.

It give businesses an incentive to retain furloughed staff.

But no incentives to hire someone like me.

It’s probably going to win Mr Sunak some votes.

It won’t give him mine.

~≈Ñ≈~

Leonard Nimoy: March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015. RIP

You know, when I was child, the BBC would regularly show two science fiction shows.

Or show two such shows, for a family audience.

Dr Who was one.

I remain a life fan of the show, as a result.

The other SF show Aunty Beeb aired … ?

Was Star Trek: possibly the USA’s favourite SF piece.

One of the iconic characters?

Was Mr Spock.

So getting news, today, that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock, has died … ?

Is saddening to hear.

~≈¥≈~