Saturday, 1 November 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-11-2025 — The Bombing of Saigon

1st November, 2025: the Bombing of Saigon.


Right … 

I’ve been toying with both Apple’s Image Playground … and with ChatGPT’s image altering abilities.

And managed to use ChatGPT to turn this image of Bobby the Cat being bored … 


Into this image of Bobby the Cat, singing … 


Whether he sounds as good as the picture seems … ?

Is a whole other issue.

I’ve also used Image Playground to turn the embedded image from today’s Teaser video … 


Into this: 


After asking ChatGPT to make the thing look ‘menacing’.

That latter looks OK, I think.

Although I did have to change the exposure on the modified photo: the original version looked rather dark.

Quite what you make of them … ?

Well, you tell me … !

~≈📸≈~

I have to admit, I don’t use PornHub, the world’s biggest porn site.

The older I get … ?

The less interested I am.

But I do know that — given the recent introduction of the UK’s Online Safety Act — that you now have a complicated process to go through, to verify your age: before you can use the site from the UK.

It’s a measure designed to prevent the under-eighteens using the site.

From what the BBC tell’s us?

Pornhub’s complaining about the loss of business.

Apparently, they’ve lost some seventy-seven percent of UK visitors, since the law’s introduction.

The news piece tells us that many are using VPNs, virtual private networks, to access the site.

But?

Having checked?

I’m very aware you can also use the Tor Browser, the browser the routes traffic, anonymously, to do the same thing.

I hate to sound picky … but there’s possibly a lot of bright kids out there, who can afford a good VPN, can’t use the free ones … but have worked out how to install Tor.

It’s available on practically everything except iPhones and Chromebooks* … 


Whether you use a VPN, or Tor?

If you’ve got either, you’re not necessarily breaking the law.

But you can get around them …

~≈🧅≈~

Friday, 31 October 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2025 — Bohemian Rhapsody


31st October, 2025: Bohemian Rhapsody.


Right … 

Have you heard the phrase, ‘segged off’?

Or ‘on the numbers’?

They’re obscure bits of prison slang: obscure enough that a quick Google search doesn’t find them.

But which tell you a prisoner has been segregated from other inmates, for their own protection.

The reason I mention this … ?

Is that, as a result of the Epstein Affair the former Duke of York has stripped of his titles: and is now, officially, Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The reason I mention it?

Is a belief I’ve formed, when I heard the news.

One I can summarise like this: if Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is successfully prosecuted for any sexual offences in relation to the late Ms Virginia Giuffre, or for anything else, then … ?

Other inmates would see him as a child abuser: and on a par with an imprisoned police officer.

To be honest?

I think the simple fact he’s an ex-prince will make him vulnerable: and put him on the numbers so fast he wouldn’t know what’s hit him.

~≈🚔≈~

Oh … did I mention I had a dream, last night … !

I had a dream last night!

The only thing I could tell you about it, for sure?

Is that: 
  • The world was getting hotter.
  • People were burning shops in Brentwood Hight Street down.
Quite what that was about, I don’t know!

~≈🔥≈~

Thankfully?

I’ve been paid, today.

Which means?

A little light shopping, a few Christmas presents … 

And, frankly, a set of (cheap) Venetian blinds.

Yes: I realise the expensive ones would be the better option.

But that would mean waiting for at least another three weeks.

You wouldn’t think I’m impatient, would you … ?

~≈🪟≈~

Thursday, 30 October 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-10-2025 — The Agreement

30th October, 2025: GATT.


As I write?

A nurse is pushing a trolley around my GP’s surgery: getting ready to stick a needle in my arm, this afternoon.

Yep.

It’s that time of year, again: when those of us who are considered vulnerable get ’flu vaccinations!

Quite when I’ll get offered the COVID one, I don’t know … 

~≈💉≈~

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th October 2025.

29th October, 2025.


News broke for Dr Who fans, yesterday.

A piece for the Radio Times confirmed, yesterday, that Disney will no longer be involved with the show’s production, after The War Between the Land and the Sea, airs.

And that a Christmas special, written by Russell T. Davies, will air in 2026.

I’m looking forward to the special.

I’ve mixed feelings about Disney pulling out.

Oh the one hand … ?

I got the impression some of the creative decisions were influenced by their involvement,

I also feel the deal was badly structured.

We should have got three series and associated Xmas specials: which would have given Ncuti’s Doctor a fuller story arc.

Rather than two series, spin-off and specials, that didn’t.

By contrast?

The extra funding was welcome.

As was the fact Disney+ gave the show a centralised home for international viewers.

Other all, though … ?

I’m glad to hear the show’s survived.

My only concerns?

What will happen for international fans?

Where will the show be internationally aired, from Christmas 2026?

Equally to the point?

Once the Disney deal is done, and War Between, aired?

Where will international fans find Ncuti’s episodes?

Questions, questions … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-10-2025 — The Today Programme

28th October, 2025: The Today Programme.


Hmmm … that could’ve come at a better time … 

I’ve got Venetian blinds in my flat.

And have one on my front room window, one that’s been here, ever since I’ve moved in.



Quite an expensive one, if I remember rightly … !

At any rate … ?

The string pulley, the thing that adjusts how open the individual slats are … has given up the ghost.

Which means … ?

Well, I’m going to have to:
  • Stay in the dark until I raise the money.
  • Ask my increasingly tall nephew to help me put a new one up.
  • Be thankful it’s not stuck in ‘Open’.
  • Marvel at the price differences on Amazon!
Yep: there’s price differences.

A good set of replacement blinds, ones that will last as long as the current ones, cost upwards of ninety pounds.

An affordable set, one that will last about five minutes?

Around twenty.

Frankly?

It’s Commander Vimes’ Boots, again …

~≈🥾≈~

Oh … I mentioned, a few days ago, that my Work Coach — my case worker from the Job Centre — had been replaced: by a trainee!

That rookie worker has now been in touch: and we have a phone meeting scheduled for today.

At 14:30.

I’d’ve been happier had it been by video: I’d get to see what they look like.

But … ?

I’ll get by with an audio call.

~≈🥾≈~