Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-2-2026 — Ramadan

18th February, 2026: Ramadan.

Right … I’ve officially got to pick some forms up!

I’m diabetic, if you didn’t know: so have to have quarterly blood tests, to check my blood sugar levels.

Hopefully?

Hopefully, when the test results come in, they will have gone better than my recent weigh-in … !

~≈🩸≈~

I’m something of a Mac fan: you’ve probably already worked that out, haven’t you … ?

So … ?

I am very aware there’s rumours about up-and-coming Apple products.

Including rumours of a lightweight MacBook, one with 8gb of RAM, a 256gb SSD, an A-series chip, and a funky case.

I’m … 

Yes: of course I’m interested to see if the rumoured machine will turn up.

And yes, I think it will be a very good on-the-go machine.

But I can’t help but think it’s a little underpowered for the current version of the operating system.

And also remember that Steve Jobs, when he rejoined Apple in the late 1990s, immediately cut a lot of poorly selling product lines.

Would this machine be one of the ones he cut?

~≈🍏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-2-2026 — The BBS

16th February, 2026: BBSes.

Right … it’s Monday morning.

Which obviously means I’m up early: to get to my weight management class.

I’m worried — as ever! — that I’ve put weight on.

When am I never?

I’m going to keep my fingers crossed though.

~≈⚖️≈~

It’s still Monday.

Which means it’s the day after my nephew was last here: putting a new video together.

Feel free to hit the like button!

~≈🕹️≈~

And finally … ?

It’s still Monday … !

And I’ve finally managed to make toast, in the new toaster.

The one that comes complete with a warming rack for heating croissants.

It’s … 

Well … 

How do I put this … ?

Like this: the warming rack is the most extraneous bit of kit I’ve ever received from Amazon.

I’m diabetic.

The last thing I need is a croissant!

~≈🥐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-2-2026 — YouTube (Ten Questions)

14th February, 2026: YouTube.

It’s officially official: there’s been a hideously dreadful mistake.

A dreadful mistake, so hideous, that … 

Well … 

Someone’s possibly getting yelled at, in a way that involves yelling.

You’re possibly wondering what I’m talking about, aren’t you?

Let me be sensible.

It’s the toaster … 

I ordered a toaster from Amazon, Tuesday just gone.

A cheap one: that, with one thing and another, I managed to get without having to pay the £4·99 delivery charge.

A cheap toaster that I ended up paying a tenner for.

Only to find that it would eventually be delivered … on 20th March.

Given that?

I complained to Amazon, had the delivery fee refunded, was given ten pound’s worth of gift card as “a good will gesture”, and told a refund would be in my bank account by next Thursday, at the latest.

The hideously dreadful mistake?

Was one made by Amazon: as they gave me £20 worth of gift card!

Well, I’m not going to mention it to them, am I … ?

Not when a new toaster turns up, this afternoon … 

~≈🛒≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-2-2026 — Leslie Nielsen

11th February, 2026: Leslie Nielsen.

Yes: that’s right.

Today’s introduction video, the one at the start of this post … ?

Is actually vaguely relevant.

I’ve got a cheap toaster on order, from Amazon.

One that cost me a tenner: including the delivery charges.

There’s a problem, though.

It’s something I’ve ordered from Amazon: did you honestly expect me not to have a problem?

At any rate … ?

YouGov sent me a survey, yesterday, which earned me fifty pound (£50): enough to buy a toaster, and have a little left to get some shopping.

So … ?

I order a cheap — seriously cheap — toaster: figuring I’d be able to replace the thing, easily, should I need to.

I order the thing, hit the relevant ‘Buy Now’ button, and get told it will be with me, by Friday, 20th February.

Then get an update, a little later: to tell me the toaster’s been ordered … and will arrive on Friday, 20th March.

Yes: Friday, 20th March.

I’m tempted to say “You couldn’t make it up”.

No, really: I’m sorely tempted to say “You couldn’t make it up”.

Except I’ve got the evidence it’s genuine, sitting right in front of me.

I’ve also got evidence of an annoyed email I’ve sent: to Jeff Bezos.

A thirty-eight day wait seems a bit ridiculous: and tells me I should go to Argos, next time*.

~≈🍞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-2-2026 — World Pulses Day

10th February, 2026: World Pulses Day.

Right … I’ve got the radio on: Radio 4’s Today programme is airing Nick Robinson’s interview with Labour MP, Ed Milliband.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that Mr Miliband is … well … 

Well … is using a lot of weasel words.

Should I be surprised?

Nope: he’s a politician, after all.

~≈🦦≈~

Did I mention I had my weight loss meeting, yesterday?

I had my weight loss meeting, yesterday

And … ?

I’ve lost weight.

Granted, I’ve only lost some seven hundred grams, roughly a pound and a half: but that’s better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.

~≈7️⃣≈~

Something else I did, yesterday?

Was review of a TV show.

I managed to catch the first episode of Stranger Things 5, on Saturday: and finished the review, yesterday.

I’ve managed to share it on Mastodon, Bluesky and Facebook: but not X, as I’m no longer using the service.

I don’t regret leaving it: but the ability to share these things on it will be missed.

So I feel compelled to ask: would you mind sharing that … ?

It would be greatly appreciated … !

~≈❌≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-2-2026 — Taxi Driver

8th February, 2026: Taxi Driver.

Poo!

My toaster’s broken!

Or, at least, the slider that lowers the bread into the slots has gone.

The clicky little mechanism that holds the thing in place has gone, I should say. 

Drat, double drat, and dang.

That means I’m going to have to use the oven to make toast: until I can afford a new one.

Ho … hum … !

~≈🍞≈~

One thing I DID manage to do, yesterday … ?

Was order various repeat medications.

Although there may be an issue with 75mg aspirin I take for my heart.

My chemists, Brentwood’s ever reliable PharmChoice, have told me they will be putting in for That repeat: but there is a problem with the aspirin, as there’s a national shortage of the stuff.

However?

I’ve just enough — I hope! — to last me until my next doctor’s appointment.

Hopefully, we should be able to arrange alternatives, if needed.

~≈💊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-2-2026 — Robert Peel

5th February, 2026: Sir Robert Peel.

Right … I’ve officially published a couple of videos.

The one about leaving X … isn’t doing well.

But then, I wouldn’t expect it to.

That said … ?

My review of Ralph Bakshi’s version of The Lord of the Rings has done better in the same time-span.

That’s pleasantly surprising: given I no longer having access to X/Twitter means I can’t promote it, there.

We’ll have to see how it goes.

~≈❌≈~

One point in that review … ?

Was it’s version of Gollum.

Which struck me as … well, as problematic.

I can’t help but think it sounded like a caricatured version of Shylock, or Fagin.

Mildly anti-semitic, in other words.

I’m just grateful it’s not something Andy Serkis repeated … 

~≈💍≈~

I’ve had Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” earworming its way through my head, this morning.

So … ?

Have had a version from Spotify, playing: in an effort to get rid of it.

One that’s been repeatedly interrupted by adverts from a firm of solicitors called Irwin and Mitchell: offering to help get you compensation, if you’ve had an accident at work.

The thing’s featured an actor: playing a character who’s lost his leg in an accident at work … but who’s then told us he was “… in the military”.

Without actually telling us he’s had his leg blown off in combat.

Which I’m assuming is the inference we’re supposed to be drawing, here.

But?

If you’ve joined the Army, I’d imagine you’ve joined knowing that you could be killed or injured in combat, killed or injured on active service and killed or injured as a result of deliberate enemy action.

I have to ask, does getting your leg blown off as a result of stepping on a landmine count as an industrial accident?

Especially if the risk of coming back in a box is part of the job … 

~≈🔫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-2-2026 — Brave New World (Ten Questions)

4th February, 2026: Brave New World.

Right then … it’s Wednesday … !

Which means — as my nephew, Jude, was over, last night … ? — that it’s time for another of his videos!

You’re officially making ‘YAY’ noises, aren’t you … ?

~≈⚽️≈~

The former BBC2 series, Mock the Week, has been revived: on its new channel, TLC.

In a new, extended, form.

I caught the repeated, first episode, last night.

It was an hour long: in part, due to the various ad breaks.

It’s still funny … but I don’t think the ad-breaks, or the extended run-time, appealed … !

~≈📢≈~

Which reminds me … 

There’s a few TV shows I want to watch, then review: including the last series of Stranger Things, and Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy.

That’s going to have to wait, though, I think: until after my piece on the Ralph Bakshi version of The Lord of the Rings.

Which should be today.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🧙‍♂️≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve now, officially, deactivated my X/Twitter account.

And, surprisingly?

It’s not because of Elon Musk, or his politics.

Granted, I didn’t — and don’t — like what I know of his beliefs: but they didn’t stop my enjoyment of X, as a site.

I’ve met someone nice people as a result of being on the thing.

No, what’s got me leaving?

I have, for some sixteen odd years, advertised both this blog, and my YouTube videos, on X.

Quite repetitively so, in fact.

And, in the past few weeks?

Had my account limited.

Because those posts have been seen as spam, and — ha! — inauthentic!

So, after a lot of thinking?

I’ve deactivated my X account.

After thirty days, after 4th March, 2026, anyone using my account, @Cuddy2977, isn’t going to be me.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-2-2026 — Tulip Mania!

3rd February, 2026: Tulip Mania.

It’s Tuesday: and the day after my most recent weight management class.

Or meeting.

Or group … 

I’ve never actually worked out what the damn thing’s called: I’ll ask a volunteer, next time I go.

At any rate … ?

At the most recent one, I found I’d lost half a kilo.

Which is good: last week I’d gained a kilo!

Heigh-ho!

~≈⚖️≈~

Right … I’m getting further along in a movie review: which is good.

I’ll hopefully have the written version done by tomorrow.

Once I’ve got that done, I can make the video … !

~≈🎥≈~

I’ve mentioned that I was having overheating issues: trying to record videos, whilst I had multiple Pages documents open.

And posted to Apple’s Community forums about the issue.

I also mentioned I’d had my doubts about the updates versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, Apple’s iWork suite, as I was unsure about the associated subscription model: the one that allowed you to access premium content.

I’m not too worried about that, right now.

As the premium content is clearly marked: and there’s a window that opens up, reminding you you need to pay for whatever it you’ve clicked on.

That’s one less worry.

But, before updating to recent versions of the suite?

I’d also noticed that:

I’d get overheating whilst recording footage using Quicktime, whilst multiple Pages documents, open

I’d get overheating with at least two Pages documents open, and at least one Safari Window open: specifically the tab that let me post to Nik Nak Nak’s Old Peculiar.

I’d had a workaround for when I was recording: having two Pages files open — rather than the usual thirty or so! — and storing the files on my Mac, rather than in iCloud, seemed to prevent over heating.

But was still getting mild, but noticeable, overheating with the mix of Safari and Pages.

Thankfully?

The update to Pages 15.1 seems to have put a stop to the latter problem.

I’ll have to see what happens with the recording issue, later … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last point … ?

It seems there’s going to be an auction of Dr Who props in the not too distant future.

It’s also my birthday on 4th March.

Anyone who want’s to buy me a Dalek, would be welcome … !

~≈🧾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-1-2026 — Three Sisters

31st January, 2026: Three Sisters.

My Twitter issues go on … 

And … ?

I’m still contemplating leaving the service.

After I’ve let my followers on the service know, finalised a few things … and told them, and you, where to find me … 

~≈🕸️≈~

Apple have introduced a new subscription service, their Apple Creator Studio, over the last few days: following Adobe, Microsoft, and many others, in introducing Software as a Service (SaaS) versions of some of their products*.

The suite include’s access to Final Cut Pro, Apple’s professional video editing suite, along side premium features for the iWork suite: Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

I’m a little unsure about committing to it, though, as it’s an extra, ongoing, cost.

I’d rather pay once, frankly.

We’ll have to see what happens, there.

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-1-2026 — Macintosh

24th January, 2026: Macintosh.

Hmmm … 

That’s possibly good news.

I might — might — now be visible, again, on Twitter/X: after spending time being suspended.

If you’re on the service … ?

Can you head over there, look me up and let me know if I’m visible?

Cheers in advance … !

~≈X≈~

On an equally, and just as ambiguously, good front … ?

I’m due some Amazon deliveries, today: including a new air fryer.

Apparently?

One package is due to be delivered by the Royal Mail: with the rest coming via Amazon’s usual, anonymous, white van.

I just don’t know which package.

The excitement’s killing me … 

~≈📦≈~

Actually, I’ve just double checked.

The air fryer’s getting delivered by Royal Mail.

I’ve got one question: will it be dropped of by Dave, the ever efficient postie?

Or by a Royal Mail van … ?

Gosh … 

~≈🏤≈~

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 — 18-1-2026 — DeSalvo

18th January, 2026: DeSalvo.

I think I’m on safe territory, here.

In saying that the 47th President of the United States of America is a screaming twat.

If you’ll pardon my language!

I’ll also say that the UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, may not be helping.

The President’s demands — that the US take over Greenland — are still on-going: with the US, under the President’s orders, due to impose tariffs from February.

Something affected countries have criticised as unacceptable.

Understandably.

Additionally?

The Prime Minister tells us the allies will be “pursuing this directly, with the administration”.

Which is possibly where things fall apart.

I believe whatever Britain’s representatives say to the current US administration is going to get ignored … 

~≈🇬🇱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-1-2026 — Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Batman! (Ten Questions)

12th January, 2026: Batman.

Right, then: today’s Monday: so I’m off to my weight loss group.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed: and hoping I’ve lost a little.

Here’s hoping!

~≈⚖️≈~

In other news?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday.

No pizzas were injured in the process.

But videos were uploaded.

The second one, the FIFA one?

Had an issue: as one of the sounds effects Jude used for it, refused to transcode.

And thus, caused the rendering process to hang.

The solution was simple.

Force quit iMovie, dump the incomplete video, re-open iMovie and re-export the project: after removing the offending effect.

Job done: the resulting video is now the second of the two I’ve embedded, here.

Quite why the effect played up?

I really don’t know.

~≈✭≈~

As a final thought … ?

I caught this news-piece on The Register, yesterday.

One that tells us the European Commission — the European Union’s highest decision making body — is encouraging the use of more open source software.

If I’ve read the piece, correctly, that’s partly on the grounds of cost: the commission thinks there’s long term savings to be had.

But it also thinks there’s digital sovereignty issues.

In other words that the EU’s not in charge of their technology: US companies are.

I’ve long felt have European companies making software for use by European countries would be a good thing.

I’ve felt that, for as long as I’ve felt British software companies making software for the people and government of the UK, is a good thing.

I can only hope Brussels persuades EU members — and the EU’s apparatchik — to adopt more open source software.

Just as I hope the UK does.

It can only be a good thing.

~≈⎔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-1-2026 — Morocco

11th January, 2026.

Right … sauce … 

I’ve actually managed to make some spaghetti sauce, last night.

Just not very good spaghetti sauce!

I’m convinced I didn’t use enough tomatoes: and it’s not as creamy as it could be.

Frankly?

It’s more a spaghetti stew, a stew you can put on top of spaghetti.

Still: I’ve five more tubs of the stuff.

And I can always have it with potatoes, if I didn’t fancy pasta!

~≈🍝≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-1-2026 — Tintin (Ten Questions)

10th January, 2026: Tintin.

I think that — right now? — I can safely say this: right now, it isn’t raining.

But it, according to the BBC’s weather site, -3°C.

Accounting for the wind chill factor, that is.

It’s going to be nippy, out … !

~≈🥶≈~

The BBC news is full of it.

News: before you comment!

The site’s telling us that there are riots happening in Iran, that the country’s leadership are blaming the US,  that everything’s happening, all at once.

Including Reza Pahlevi making comments: calling for Iranians to head for the streets, comments that coma as some demonstrators are calling for the return of the Shah of Iran.

The last Shah?

Was overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini, back in 1979.

Khomeini’s regime?   Is the one that’s currently in charge of the country, the one that’s seeing protestors on the streets.

And the one that’s getting complaints from Reza Pahlevi.

He, if you didn’t know … ?

Is the current, exiled, Crown Prince of Iran.

And — depending on which side you take — is either encouraging protestors to call for reform to Iran’s government.

Or is egging protestors on.

Either way?

It sounds very similar to the events that put Khomeini, an exiled Iranian leader, an exiled Iranian leader egging protestors who was egging protestors on, back in 1979.

There’s that old saying: that what goes around, comes around.

That seems very applicable: if these protests turn into another Iranian revolution, it would only show us why they call them revolutions …

“Don’t put your trust in revolutions. They always come around again.”

Night Watch, Terry Pratchett.

~≈🛞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-1-2026 — Twelfth Night

5th January, 2026: Twelfth Night.

Right then … 

It’s officially cold!

Again!

Trust me, my toes — despite being encased in both socks and slippers? — are telling me they’re ice cubes!

The sooner I can afford really thick bed socks?

The better!

~≈🧦≈~

I’ve got the radio on.

So I’m very aware that the Today programme has announced the Chinese Government has demanded the release of Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro.

I’m … 

OK, I’m not worried.

I’m really not worried: not one bit.

But … ?

I’m deeply concerned.

I can remember reading about World War Two: and how Hitler’s Nazi regime used the smallest excuse to invade Poland, and how things escalated from there.

I’m very aware that the Cuban Missile Crisis could have led to World War Three.

Very aware of how — much like today’s Venezuelan Situation — the US led Gulf War was motivated by claims the US was after Iraqi oil.

I’m aware of all this … and thinking one thing.

I’m worried the US president’s actions will start World War Three.

I hope not.

~≈🪖≈~

And finally … ?

It’s the first Monday of the new year: so I’m up early, as my weight management group re-starts, today.

Hopefully?

I won’t have point on much weight.

Hopefully?   Shivering in the cold weather may have burnt off a few calories!

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-1-2026 — Burj Khalifa

4th January, 2026: Burj Khalifa.

It’s officially Sunday morning … and?

I’m up, about and cold! 

But, more importantly, very aware it’s colder, outside.

As I write?

The BBC’s Weather website is telling me it’s -3ºC, out.

I’m grateful I’m indoors: my thermostat’s telling me it’s 21°C!

Warmer than outside … although my feet are complaining it’s nippy!

I’m just grateful I’m not next door to an old friend: who lives in Finland.

She’s just told me it’s -16°.

‘Nippy’ is possibly not the word … !

~≈🥶≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that the US President was bombing Caracas, the Venezuelan capital: in a move I felt was an illegal act of military aggression.

You’re supposed to declare war before you do these things: and have a pretence of an excuse for doing so, if nothing else.

Former president Obama did, when US special forces violated foreign soil, to kill Osama bin Laden: the Bin Laden had organised the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks.

The 47th President’s excuse?

Was that Venezuelan President Maduro was a drug trafficker, and should face US justice on US soil.

The US President also says the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela for the interim: until stable government can be formed.

I’m angry.

The US President has violated US history — a history fighting for its independence from an empire, from Britain, its history of fighting evil regimes — by kidnapping a foreign leader, and attempting to take over that leader’s country.

Behaving as badly as some of the regimes it’s fought, and breaking laws it helped set.

And behaving like the sort of empire it’s always claimed not to be.

Personally?

I believe the 47th president of the USA is several things.

But I’ll let you use your preferred insults, about now: I’ll start with the words ‘evil’ and hypocritical, and work my way up.

~≈🤬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-1-2026 — The Archers (Ten Questions)

1st January, 2026: The Archers.

Right, then: it’s a refreshing start for a whole new year.

At least … we can … if we’re wearing clothes.

Going by the BBC’s weather site?

And a quick check outside?

My home town’s looking, and feeling, cold.

I should be grateful, though.

And old friend lives in southern Finland.

Apparently, it was -17°C, last night.

I should be grateful for heating … 

~≈❄️≈~

Or payments … 

UK benefit claimants had a bit of news, a day or two, ago.

Seemingly?

We should get a cold weather payment of twenty-five pounds: if the overnight weather stays under 0° for seven days in a row.

Assuming the boiler holds out?

I have enough on my meter to survive.

But … ?

I hot the weather holds out: that cash could coming in handy.

~≈💰≈~

I’m a big one for the macOS platform: you’ve possibly worked that out, over the years.

And mostly had a ok time with the platform.

Since the installation of an updated version of the operating system — macOS Tahoe 26·1, to be precise — I’ve notice overheating issues: that seem to be linked to having one or more Pages documents, open.

Linked to processes that Activity Monitor lists as ‘kernel_task’ and ‘corespotlightd’.

Checking with Apple’s support wasn’t helpful: beyond identifying that Pages seemed to be causing the issue, neither was asking on Apple’s support community.

Neither was Macworld’s article on the problem: they’s seemingly simple fix didn’t work.

Quite what’s going on … ?

I don’t know.

But I think it’s something Apple need to sort out: the opinions of a few people I’ve talked to is that it’s an issue with Pages.

And that it’s something Apple needs to sort out.

~≈🍎≈~