Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-9-2026 — Star Trek. (Twelve Questions)

8th September, 2026: Star Trek.

OK: I have to head to town, later, to pick up some more medication.

Although I don’t know if blood test strips or lancets count as medications, per-se.

They’re … well … something I use to manage my diabetes.

‘Medication’ is possibly the nearest description.

At any rate, the SMS alert came through, overnight.

Which means I’ll be heading to town, later, to pick the items up.

But wouldn’t you know it?

The one time I have to go to town, it is, for the first time in a couple of months, raining like billy-oh.

Wouldn’t you know it?

~≈🌧️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-9-2026 — Boston. (Ten Questions)

7th September, 2026: Boston.

On a day you officially know to be Monday turn’s out not to be a bank holiday … you know it’s time to go back to your weekly weight management class!

As it was a bank holiday, last week … ?

It means I’ve had a fortnight’s gap between weight-ins: an ono idea how I’ve done.

I’ll find out, later today.

~≈🍓≈~

Oh, in case you’re on Bluesky?

This post should make sense of any crypto-banana references in the intro video.

Some Computer Delegates are visiting today. Maybe me old fashioned, but me miss the days when they just wanted to take over the World. WOTAN here keeps trying to sell me CRYPTO, while B.O.S.S. just wants to promote TECH START-UPS! 🙄

[image or embed]

— Gruntleigh T Ogron (@gruntleigh.bsky.social) 6 September 2026 at 22:05

At least I hope it will: Gruntleigh can be a bit obscure, sometimes!

~≈🍌≈~

It’s not often I suggest following a YouTube channel … but if you’re a Dr Who fan … ?

@SaltyHam’s worth following: and his most recent video, about Patrick Troughton’s era as the Doctor, is very well made.

~≈🍌≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily — 6-9-2026 — Naomie Harris

6th September, 2026: Naomie Harris.

Right … it’s now an officially quiet Sunday.

And it looks like comments are back to normal.

There’s hoping!

~≈🕸️≈~

I can’t help but notice the news, sometimes.

Including recent reports that tell us Argentina is re-stating its claims to the Falklands Isles.

There’s all sorts of talk about it.

Including about potential military action.

I have my doubts, there: I know times have changed, but we won the last war we had with Argentina.

And I’m very aware that the Argentine president, Javier Milei, is facing an election.

And has made the announcement, after a British-Israeli company announced it would be prospecting for oil off the coast of the islands, at some point.

And if oil was found off the Falklands?

Where would the tax revenue from that oil go?

I’m willing to bet it would go to Britain and Israeli: rather than Argentina.

I think that’s got more to do with Milei’s announcement.

Cherchez la femme.

Follow the money, in other words … 

~≈🕸️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-9-2026 — The Muppet Show (Ten Questions)

5th September, 2026: The Muppet Show.

Hmmm … I think I have issues … !

A couple of comments haven’t gone through on yesterday’s post.

Frankly?

My Mum had to send over her answers via WhatsApp!

Hopefully?

A change in back-end settings will help.

If you can keep an eye peeled, please do … !

~≈👨🏻‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-9-2026 — You Have Been Googled

4th September, 2026: You Have Been Googled.

You wouldn’t believe it, would you?

But it’s been some thirteen years since I last did a question set about Google.

You can read it, here.

Or watch the video version.

Assuming you’re of a mind to!

At any rate … ?

It’s pay day, today.

So … ?

I’ll be off shopping, at some point, and adding money to my electricity meter.

And wondering exactly how to make the left over cash, last!

Donations happily excepted, folks: sterling for preference!

~≈💷≈~

On other fronts … ?

Yes: I’ve managed to finish another review!

Of “Sons and Daughters”, the penultimate episode of For All Mankind’s fifth season.

If you could hit the ‘Like’ button, I’d appreciate it … !

~≈👍≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-9-2026 — San Marino

3rd September, 2026: San Marino.

Right, then … it’s officially Thursday … !

And Radio Four’s Today programme has been telling us they’re marking Norman Day.

In other words, they’re marking the Norman Invasion of Britain in 1066: some 960 years ago.

And covering one specific thing: the fact the millennia-old Bayeux Tapestry, the Tapestry made by the Normans to mark their success, is currently on display at the British Museum.

I doubt I’ll have the chance.

But I’d love to see that: it’s an authentic piece of history!

~≈🏰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd September 2026.

2nd September, 2026.

That’s me being silly in a video, agin … 

But all silliness aside … ?

I had the Today programme on, earlier: and caught a headline.

There’s a bill going through Parliament called the Representation of the People Bill 2026.

The headline?

Told us that the bill has its third reading, today.

It caught my eye, as one of the clauses being voted on, is a proposal to lower the voting age: from eighteen, to sixteen.

Something that would allow my fifteen year-old nephew to vote: once he hits his sixteen birthday, in December.

I hope this goes through.

I think that sooner we get the idea of youngster voter, the better.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st September 2026.

1st September, 2026.

It’s official: or, at least, it’s official according to the reminders we’ve had from the BBC’s weather broadcasts.

1st September is the start of meteorological autumn.

Which means … well … not a lot, to be honest.

Except that, at some point, I’m going to be forced to eat pumpkin coloured boiled sweets by people marking Halloween.

The mind boggles!

~≈🍭≈~

I’ve worked up with a phrase banging around my head: and I don’t know if there’s a phrase similar to earworm that can describe the phenomenon.

An earworm, so you know, is a song or musical phrase, that’s wandering around your head.

Tupac Shakur’s “California Love”, if you were asking.

But I’ve also had the phrase ‘Interchangeable Emmas’ banging around my head.

It’s a Terry Pratchett reference, from Men at Arms: they’re the group of posh young women who work at the Sunshine Sanctuary for Sick Dragons, and have obsessions with ponies and swamp dragons.

The main character, Sam Vimes … ?

Finds it incredibly hard to tell the difference between any two given Emmas.

The reason I have the phrase in my mind?

Is that I suddenly thought of one of the regulars at a pub I worked in: who was called Emma, and posh … and had a thing about Big Brother, rather than ponies or dragons.

Why her name cropped up in my head?

I really don’t know!

~≈🐴≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31st August 2026.

31st August, 2026.

Right: it’s a bank holiday Monday!

Which means I have the day off.

From my weight management group, rather than anything else.

Hopefully?

I’ll have lost weight by the time it restarts, next week.

~≈⛻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th August 2026.

30th August, 2026.

Adverts … !

You get ’em on Facebook!

You get ’em everywhere, in fact.

But I notice them on Facebook, as I play a few games on the platform.

And … ?

Well, most of them are for casual games: and get a bit repetitive.

But … ?

At least their not for organic fair-trade, refillable deodorant … or for dodgy hard drive!

Ho … … HUM!

~≈🔁≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th August 2026.

29th August, 2026.

It’s officially Saturday: and a day I’m expecting peace and quiet.

And hoping — as yesterday — for rain.

Rain … !

After this year’s heatwaves, we need it.

Although … I can remember Bob Geldof talking about the famines in Ethiopia … and saying that part of the country’s issues were simple.

When it did rain after the area’s many droughts, the rain washed away the dried-out top soil, and caused  more problems for farmers.

You can’t grow food if there’s no seeds … and no soil to plant them in.

I can only hope that doesn’t happen in the UK!

~≈🌾≈~

Oh, JUST in case you’re interested … ?

I’ve seen episode eight of For All Mankind: and thought you’d be interested in my review.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button … !

~≈👍≈~

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the Assisted Dying Bill, is due before the House of Commons in roughly a fortnight.

For a second time.

It’s something I support: and can only hope Brentwood’s MP votes for it in the House.

Although he hasn’t, thus far: and I’d expect him.

I mention this because Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recently announced he plans to abstain on the vote: as he doesn’t want to influence his party’s vote.

I’ve mixed feelings.

On the one hand?

I can applaud him for taking a principled stance.

On the other hand … ?

I’d rather he publicly supported the bill and voted for it: in order to rally support for it.

I guess we’ll have to see what happens.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-8-2026 — Sheridan Le Fanu

28th August, 2026: Le Fanu.

Yay!

It’s Friday!

Which means I’m drugs, of course.

Or, at least, I’ve had my weekly dose of Mounjaro: on top of the Levothyroxine, Dapagliflozin, atorvastatin and lord knows what else I’m on!

Remind me to book an appointment with my GP.

At my regular Monday weigh-ins, I’ve my weight will go down in small steps for a week or two … and then go up a lot, for a couple of weeks.

I think an increased dose of Mounjaro — alongside better monitoring of what I eat — could help.

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-8-2026 — LAcon V

27th August, 2026: LAcon V.

Good lord … they are dropping like flies from the flies!

It turns out Tim Curry’s died!

I’m … saddened to hear it: The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a personal favourite.

As was his performance in the TV version of The Colour of Magic.

What with Dolly Parton and Yayoi Kusama dying … ?

They’re dropping like flies from the flies*.

~≈🪰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2026 — International Dog Day (Ten Questions)

26th August, 2026: International Dog Day.

Oh, that’s sad: Dolly Parton’s died!

I grant you, I was never a fan.

But … ?

Anyone who could write the utterly gorgeous “Jolene” deserves both respect: and a certain amount of quiet mourning … 

~≈🎹≈~

On other fronts?

And knowing perfectly well the sort of answers I’m going to get … but does anyone have £1, 500 they’re willing to donate to a hardworking blogger?

Yes: it turns out Apple have announced new models of the Mac mini, and Mac Studio.

Which is nice to know.

Decidedly nice to know … unless you need a grand and a half to get one!

Ho … hum … !

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th August 2026

25th August, 2026.

It’s Tuesday.

And, going by the BBC’s weather website?

We’re due rain … tomorrow.

I hope it turns up: we could do with it.

~≈💧≈~

The government’s announced plans to give grants to local councils, so they can build more social housing.

Council housing, social housing built and run local councils, rather than by housing associations.

That’s all to the good: we could certainly do with more in Brentwood.

And a central government grant would be bloody handy: I don’t think Brentwood Council could afford to build any social housing schemes, without the help.

Here’s hoping … !

~≈🏘️≈~

I had an earworm playing through my head, yesterday: Freur’s “Doot-doot”.

So … ?

One: I’m passing it on.

Two?

I’m going to sit here, amazed that the thing still sounds as gorgeous as it did, back in the 1980s.

~≈♬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-8-2026 — The Exoplanet

24th August, 2026: the Exoplanet.

Right, then: it’s Monday.

Which means I’m off to my weight management course, again.

And, as ever, I’m hoping the crisps won’t have affected my weight … again … 

We’ll have to see … 

~≈🐍≈~

One thing I do know?

Is that I’ve woken up early: to cold weather.

At least, cold weather for August.

Given we’ve had five heat-waves, this year?

I’m not complaining!

~≈🥶≈~

That, in case you didn’t know it, as a copy of Paul Hardcastle’s 1986 hit, “The Wizard”: I’ve just bought a copy from Apple’s Music.app.

Give it a listen, please.

Done it … ?

I’ve a question.

Yes, I know … the laugh is Vincent Price: the same clip used in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”.

Here’s the question, though.

The spoken words, the “Alive Again” speech part way through, and the “Plastic demon” bit at the end … ?

I’m right, aren’t I … ?

That’s Geoffrey Bayldon, isn’t it?

It’s Catweazle … !!!!!

~≈🧙‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-8-2026 — The Battle of Stalingrad

23rd August, 2026.

Right … one of those things is going back!

I had a delivery turn up from Amazon, yesterday.

With, believe it or not, no actual problems.

Remind me to send Jeff Bezos a ‘Thank You’ note.

But one item — the DVD I’d ordered — didn’t have the extra I was expecting.

So back it goes.

I’ll be complaining about that, though.

As … ?

I’ve two post offices near me: one in the local Londis, another in Brentwood High Street.

Both of which I can drop a return to for free … 

Neither of which are on Amazon’s list of acceptable drop-off zones.

The other post offices are too far away to use.

Like the branches of Asda Amazon I suggests I use.

Frankly … ?

I think Amazon really need to offer a bit more of a choice … 

~≈🛒≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-8-2026 — The Russian Flag

22nd August, 2026: The Russian Flag.

It’s officially the case that a man in need of an Amazon delivery … is going to expect a dog’s dinner!

At least, they are: if that man is me!

Yep: I’ve got some stuff due from Amazon.

And given the mess they’ve made of the last few deliveries?

I’m expecting another one.

A complimentary thing is nice … unless it’s a complimentary cock-up … 

~≈🐓≈~

On a more serious note?

One of the things I’m expecting is a DVD copy of The Two Doctors: the Colin Baker-era story that sees the Sixth Doctor team up with Pat Troughton’s Second Doctor, and pits the pair against the Sontarans.

Yes, before you ask: I’ve got a 2k version of the story, already.

I’ve bought it for one specific extra.

During Baker’s era, the Dr Who office authorised a pice for the BBC show, Jim’ll Fix It: a show where children’s ‘wishes’ were granted by the presenter.

The late, and very unlamented, Jimmy Savile.

Savile, unfortunately, makes an appearance in the original cut of the sketch. 

I’m buying this: because I want that cut.

No: I’m NOT a fan of Savile’s!

And hope that any royalties for his appearance go towards his victims.

I want the cut because, without it, my collection is incomplete.

I’m a completist: what can I tell you … ?

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st August 2026.

21st August, 2026.

It’s official: it’s Pay Day.

And the most exciting day of the week.

And … ?

I’m going to be bored out of my skull.

Doing chores, going shopping and paying bills.

Is now a good time to say ‘Ho-hum’?

Ho … … … hum … !

~≈⌘≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve reviewed another episode of For All Mankind: and thought you’d like to see the video … 

I hope it gets a few views!

~≈⇪≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-8-2026 — 1812.

20th August, 2026: the 1812 Overture.

Technology can be a mixed bag, can’t it?

We see death cause by climate change related pollution, we see cybercrime, we see lord knows what else … 

But also see a lot of good: you’ll probably find more than I could, I’m sure.

You’ll also probably see sill artwork, generated with AI.

The fact I — after a conversation with a friend — used ChatGPT to generate the ‘Yurt Buggering Beast of Phnom Penh’ leaves me amazed at the technology … 

And thinking of Graeme Chapman … 

~≈😜≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over: and yes: we’re both amazed at the technology that let’s him make this … 

It’s also got him a comment that says “19:54 might be the most jammed thing I’ve ever seen😭”.

Which is nice … 

~≈🚀≈~