Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th November 2024.

20th November, 2024.

Right … if you’ve seen the intro video … ?

You’ll possibly know the M4 Mac mini I’ve bought — one with a one terabyte SSD, and sixteen gigabytes of RAM, one I’d bought with much help — had been due to get here, by this Friday.

It actually turned up, yesterday: at ten to two in the afternoon.

I have to admit, I’m looking forward to setting it, and the new keyboard and mouse.

Whist simultaneously being nervous about both that: and re-setting the old model.

It’s nothing unusual: and much like stage fright, which I used to get, presenting live pub quizzes.

Hopefully, though?

Things will go well*.

~≈💻≈~

One thing I do know … ?

Is that I’ve managed to clear some of the mess on my table.

By the simple method of nailing a few bits of kit to the wall next to desk.

With cheap picture hooks from a local shop.

Here’s hoping that’s a useful — and stealable — idea!

~≈🖼️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th November 2024.

19th November, 2024.

It’s officially Tuesday: and … ?

I’m officially helping my mum drop a batch of electronic waste at the local tip.

It’s been a while since I’ve gone, I know that.

So it’s been mildly surprising to find you now need an appointment.

An appointment … on a day that’s looking cold, wet, and increasingly nasty.

What do I say, next.

“Heigh-ho” … or “Ho-hum” … ?

Either one works for me.

~≈🗑️≈~

You’re possibly aware that President Biden has agreed long range US weapons can be used by Ukraine, in Russian territories.

Something that — up until now — he’s denied to them.

Russia, of course, is doing a lot of sabre rattling.

What get’s me?

Is the simple fact America’s been happy to provide the missiles … whilst, effectively, telling Ukraine “You can’t use them.”

It seems counter-intuitive.

~≈💣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-11-2024 — Alan Moore

18th November, 2024: Alan Moore.

Right then … 

It’s Monday: and I’m officially up, early.

I’m off to my weekly weight management class: and hoping two things.

One?

I’ve lost more weight.

Two … ?

I don’t get too wet.

There’s rain happening in Brentwood.

~≈💧≈~

Ask for Angela.

Ask for Angela …

It’s the name — if you didn’t know — of a scheme operated in London pubs: that allows women who feel unsafe to discreetly be moved to a safe space.

Except, of course, that there’s problems with it.

Many venues aren’t implementing it properly: or even training their staff to run it.

That’s a shame.

I know of at least one friend who had her drink spiked: and could have benefited from this.

It’s a good idea: but needs following through …

~≈🙋‍♀️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th November, 2024.

17th November, 2024.

You have to ask — or, at least, I have to ask — what exactly qualifies as carbon neutral … ?

Oh, I know, I know: it means balancing out the carbon dioxide generated when you make something, by … ah … planting trees.

Sequestering carbon*.

Hugging whales.

What have you.

As you’re possibly also aware?

Apple’s released a slew of new products: including a new generation of Mac minis.

One of which I’ve ordered.

A model that’s got sixteen gigabytes of RAM, a one terabyte SSD†, and one of Apple’s whizzy new M4 processors‡.

A model I’m very aware is — the last time I look at the tracking information — in Hong Kong, and due to get to me by Friday: via Stansted.

Apple tells us these models are the first carbon neutral ones they’ve ever made.

At least, they do: in this ad.

Quite — given how my one was built in Shenzhen, and being shipped from Hong Kong, via Stansted Airport — how my one is ‘carbon neutral’, I really don’t know!

~≈💾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th November 2024.

16th November, 2024.

Right … exciting things have been known to happen.

On Fridays, certainly.

My nephew was over, last night: and managed to upload another game video.

If you’d like to press the ‘Like’ button?

He’d thank you for it.

On other fronts?

I’ve actually had a thing fitted: to help me get into the bath.

It’s basically a bath mounted office chair I can sit in, and swivel around.

The only minor problem … ?

I need a step-stool to get to it!

Ho … … hum … !

~≈🛀🏼≈~

Oh, I’ve got a delivery coming: from Apple.

And had a message, via WhatsApp, from DHL: to let me know it’s on it’s way, and that I’d need to sign for it.

It’s genuine: I have checked.

But … ?

I did manage to check the tracking number DHL gave me.

The package … … … was in Shenzhen, in China.

Shenzhen!

深圳市, for heaven’s sake!

When I checked, a few hours later … ?

It was in Hong Kong.

I hate to use the word ‘premature’.

But the word, ‘premature’, springs to mind!

Especially as the package arrives at Stansted, next week … !

~≈📦≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve officially been sent a letter from Brentwood Council: giving me a refund of Council Tax.

Which is nice.

But … ?

You can take the bills into your local post office: and pay them there.

There’s a bar code on the things that lets you do that.

There’s a bar code on the refund that should — in theory — let us claim the refund at a post office.

But?   According to the phone conversation I had with a worker at Brentwood Council?

We can’t.

We have to have the refund paid into a bank, and apply online.

I can appreciate it’s a security thing.

But, frankly?

There’s a good chunk of my neighbours who aren’t going to be able to do that.

They’re not computer literate enough: even for a comparatively simple task like this.

~≈📦≈~