Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th September 2026

26th September, 2026.

Right … I’ve finally managed to track something down.

Yes: I’ve finally managed to track down toilet blocks.

Which is what I meant to get on Thursday: but totally forgot about.

Heigh … … … HO!

~≈🚽≈~

As an added extra, there … ?

I managed to find a couple of shops near the station that took PayPal payments: where, in theory, I could pay my rent.

One, the local Post Office branch, wasn’t somewhere I could explore, as I went during at a busy patch.

Another?

Would take the rent payment … but only as cash.

Which is inconvenient: I’d have to take the cash out at my bank — in the High Street — then walk to the Brentwood Station area with a lot of cash, pay at the shop … then walk back to the High Street to pay the rest of the bills, and get my shopping!

I think exploring other options my be an idea.

Including — finally — learning how to pay the rent online!

~≈🏚️≈~

Just as an extra thought … ?

The Tories have plans to prevent benefit seekers spending money on cigarettes and alcohol: by issuing benefits on pre-paid debit cards.

Similar to the cards offered by some charity schemes: that offer supplemental spending money to those in need.

The idea is that you spend the money on stuff you need: rather than on stuff you’re addicted to.

I’m sceptical about the plans.

From personal experience, I know you need to activate the things online: and only so many people I know are comfortable using a computer, a smart phone or online services.

I’m also wondering how you’re supposed to use the card to pay rent with the things.

Again, many would feel uncomfortable using it to pay online.

Or setting up the online scheme that tells the Department of Work and Pensions you want the Housing portion of your Universal Credit to go directly to your landlord.

And, frankly?

I know a few people with substances issues: who, I believe, would sell their cards to their nearest dealer … in return for Gods know what!

Assuming the dealers would take them in preference to cash.

Even on the alcohol and tobacco front, a user would need help to get off their substance of choice: so that the wouldn’t be tempted to use the cards.

As a supplement to paying in cash, these cards are fine.

They let you spend extra money: and use cash for other things.

But as a main source of spending money?

Like I say: I’m sceptical.

~≈£≈~

Oh, just in case you’re interested … ?

Jude’s done another video … !

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button … !

~≈👍≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th September 2026

25th September, 2026.

Argh!

I hate shopping!

There’s always two things.

One?

There’s always something you forget.

Two?

There’s always something you realise you’ve forgotten … once you’ve got home!

Argh … !!!!

~≈🧠≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th September 2026

24th September, 2026.

OK … 

I’ve officially got to go back to the High Street, today: unless I can get something at the shops near Brentwood Station.

Yes: I forgot something, yesterday.

Toilet blocks!

Wouldn’t you know it?

~≈🚽≈~

In other news … ?

I was in Brentwood’s Post Office, yesterday: paying my rent, and paying off my BT bill.

And … ?

Managing to ask if they heard what was to happen, once their branch had closed … 

They had no idea … but were able to confirm that no-one — to the best of their knowledge — had put in to open a new Brentwood branch.

That’s a screaming shame.

Even in a time dominated by online payments, people are still going to need those branches.

~≈📮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd September 2026.

23rd September, 2026.

Wouldn’t you know it?

It’s payday!

Which means I’m going to be going bill paying and shopping, later!

Gosh … the excitement … !

~≈¥≈~

On a more serious note?

There’s a certain amount of worry involved with the shopping and bill paying.

Or, at least, the bill paying aspect of the trip.

I pay my rent, and my internet bill, in the main, High Street, branch of Brentwood Post office: and have done for many years.

It’s convenient: as it means I can make one visit to the High Street, and get most of the stuff I need to do in one trip.

That branch is in the local TG Jones: the former WH Smiths.

A branch of TG Jones that — as it turns out — is to close in early January of 2027.

As, consequently, is the post office.

I’m … 

I think the best way of describing how I feel is to say “I’m not happy about that”.

I’m not happy about that.

For one thing?

The nearest alternative post office is the same sort of distance away: but in the opposite direction.

Given I can’t pay my gas and electricity bills in the High Street?

The closure means I have to walk double the distance to get things done.

Right now?

I can only hope the Post Office finds an alternative, High Street-based, cheap, venue.

That would be helpful to me: and many others in town … 

~≈📮≈~

As a final thought … ?

I first knew about the closure when Brentwood’s Conservative MP, Alex Burghart, announced it through Facebook, a few days ago.

This was rapidly followed by a announcement from Brentwood’s Liberal Democrat controlled council: saying they’re heard nothing.

I grant you: members of different political parties not talking to each other is understandable.

But?

The fact Brentwood’s MP, and Brentwood’s Council, haven’t talked to each other about this?

Is something that has made me angry!

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd September 2026.

22nd September, 2026.

I think we can safely say it’s thumb-twiddling day.

Yes: and in other words?

It’s the day before payday: so I have no actual cash to do anything, beyond going of a nice healthy walk.

Which, given my weight was up 100 grams — about a third of a pound, Mum! — yesterday, is no bad thing!

Heigh ho!

~≈🚶🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-9-2026 — Yom Kippur

21st September, 2026: Yom Kippur.

Right … 

The inevitable Monday has swung around, again.

So, yes: that means I’m off to my weight management class, again.

Hopefully, I’ve lost weight down the back of the sofa!

~≈⚖️≈~

Inevitably, I’ve caught more TV, overnight.

Yep: I’ve caught two more episodes of Widow’s Bay.

The show’s Twin Peaks meets The Fog vibe, after hanging around in New England bars with King and Lovecraft, does make for something rather watchable.

The fact it’s winning gongs … ?

Is either incidental … or tells you something … 

~≈🏆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th September 2026.

20th September, 2026.

OK … it’s going to be a quiet Sunday!

At least I think it’s going to be quiet.

Hopefully, World War Three won’t start this morning: unless the 47th President does something incredibly stupid.

Although, now I see that written down … … 

~≈Ω≈~

I tried watching the first episode of Star City, the other night.

It … 

It’s well done.

But I found it very slow paced: and the colour palette contributed to a case of eyestrain that made me turn off after half an hour.

By contrast?

I caught the first episode of Widow’s Bay, last night.

With an atmosphere that mixed hints of Lovecraft, King, Jaws and The Fog, matched with a brighter overall colour palette?

I found it far more watchable.

~≈🧟‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th September 2026.

18th September, 2026.

Can someone do me a huge favour?

Play this list to my nephew, Jude?

Just skip past “Plaistow Patricia”!

~≈♬≈~

Just as a thought … ?

I watched “The Eyes”, last night: the first episode of For All Mankind spin-off, Star City.

Or, at least, tried to.

I managed to watch the first half hour, at any rate.

I’ll be honest: I may have to try again.

But this first episode struck me as very slow … 

We’ll see.

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th September 2026.

17th September, 2026.

Ye gods: adverts are something else!

I suspect I’m like a lot of people I know: and have a habit of playing some of the sillier games on Facebook, to pass the time.

Or, at least, pass the time … while I’m waiting for a page to load.

I get ads thrown at me.

Who doesn’t?

There’s the usual: dodgy hard drives, second hand retails who’ll pay you cash for your unwanted stuff … 

And the inevitable ‘male enhancement products’!

Most of which are … um … well … inoffensive.

A few, a thankfully small few, aren’t.

They’re definitely not ones I want my nephew seeing: I’d never hear the last of it!

~≈💊≈~

Oh, I caught “Circle of Life”, the first episode of Slow Horse season 6, last night.

No, I’ll not be reviewing it.

But … ?

I think it’s worth watching it, if you can find it.

No: I’m not going to tell you to use Pirate Bay or other torrent tracking sites to get hold of it.

You can go straight to AppleTV, like everyone else!

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last thought?

An old friend has pointed this post out to me: from former Dr Who girl, Anneke Wills.

Anneke Wills on recovering more Doctor Who episodes in Doctor Who Magazine: "I've heard a 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 hot whisper."

[image or embed]

— Doctor Who Production News (@doctorwhopn.bsky.social) 17 September 2026 at 02:41

She’s heard what she calls a ‘hot whisper’: about potentially recovered Dr Who material.

I hope there’s something to that: it would be nice to see something!

~≈🧑🏼‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th September 2026

15th September, 2026.

Right … it’s official.

Apple have issued updates to both macOS Tahoe — my machine’s been updated to macOS Tahoe 26.7 — and released macOS Sequoia 15.8.

Which would be a step backwards for me.

It’s also released macOS Golden Gate 27.0.

Which I’ll take my time updating too, I think: it’s going to be a long process.

I’m told the visual updates to the operating system are quite impressive.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Either way … ?

The updates give me an excuse to by cynical.

And reiterate what I’ve said in today’s introduction video.

OS updates are like buses.

You wait ages for one … then three turn up at once … 

~≈🌉≈~

Did I mention I was due a gas safety check, the other day … ?

I was due a gas safety check, the other day.

I was quite happily sitting right here, could see the van — and the engineer — from here … when I got the text message from the team that said the engineer had missed me, and would had rebooked the appointment for the 6th October … 

It turned out there was a problem with the intercom connected to the button board at the building’s front door.

At least, that’s what the doorbell engineer my landlord sent, last night, told me.

I think I’m going to be on the phone all day: phoning the engineers, my landlord, the gas check people … … 

~≈🔔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th September 2026.

14th September, 2026.

Right … it’s Monday.

So, of course, I’m up early, again.

Yes: it’s weigh-in time.

As ever, I’m hoping I’ve lost weight: as opposed to lost my mind, wits, sense or, you know … stuff!

~≈⚖️≈~

I have a firm belief.

That, if you have an earworm floating around your head, passing it on is a good way to get rid of it.

So, with deep apologies … ?

Have a tweeny-bopper song … 

~≈🥾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th September 2026.

10th September, 2026.

That’s odd … 

Blogger’s not uploading photos!

Neither on Safari, nor Firefox.

Nor on Google Chrome.

What’s happening, there, I wonder?

I have no idea: But if you do, please tell me!

~≈📸≈~

In other news?

The 47th President of the USA is going to break a promise.

He’s told the voters of America that — should the upcoming mid-terms elect Republican majorities in both houses — he’ ll make sure US voters get $5000.

I don’t know about the legality of that: nor the wisdom.

But … ?

I think three things.

1. The President is talking crap.
2. The President is talking bollocks.
3. Or the President is talking out of his arse.

It’s going to be one of the three … 

~≈$≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th September 2026.

9th September, 2026.

Yes: it’s officially Wednesday.

And, beyond finishing a review?

I’m expecting to have a quiet day.

Apart from when my nephew turns up!

~≈👦🏼≈~

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 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 — 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.

~≈🗳️≈~