Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-3-2026 — 71

12th March, 2026: Number 71.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

So … ?

It’s officially the day after I was supposed to have a hygienist’s appointment.

Which fell through.

The hygienist was ill, it seems.

I found this out, as my dentist phoned me, yesterday morning: just as I was going for a stroll around the block.

I’m thankful it didn’t long to walk back to the flat, switch on the Mac, and re-arrange the diary.

That’s all sorted … but lord, the dentists know how to time things!

~≈🦷≈~

It’s that time of year when prices — rent, utilities, what have you — go up.

But also when, for those of us who get benefits, get whatever increases we’re due.

There’s possibly a sarcastic comment, there.

At any rate … I, like so many others, are due an increase in April.

So, of course, I’ve looked up the potential increases: and dound I’m due a ~£3 a week increase in Personal Independence Payments, and a £24 a month increase in Universal Credit.

Which will be useful.

A little lower down, there was an entry that said people like me, on Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work, could expect a payment of £158·76p.

My morning started looking interesting: potential extra money is always promising.

But is always worth double checking.

So I did: leaving a message for my case officer on the Universal Credit website.

Only to be told that the £158·76p payment was for those who’d been transferred from Employment Support Allowance, to Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work.

I wasn’t surprised, as I wasn’t expecting to get any extra money: it’s nice to get it confirmed.

But equally?

It would’ve been nice to get an extra payment.

Heigh … ho!

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th March 2026.

11th March, 2026.

Right … it’s officially Wednesday … and … ?

YouTube seems to be behaving itself, and uploading today’s Teaser video: and has already finished uploading today’s intro video.

The version of that introduction I’ve uploaded to the blog post … ?

Is getting deleted: as, going by the preview I’ve looked at, it’s going to be ‘Unavailable’.

Why this is happening?

I don’t know.

But if you have an ideas?

Please post them here.

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

All that said?

I think I’m getting the hang of Final Cut Pro’s Magnetic Mask option: it’s used in that same introduction video, to remove my flat.

If you understand what I mean!

At any rate … ?

It means I can do some experimenting, at some point.

~≈🧪≈~

One final thing about Final Cut … ?

Is that it can import projects from the iOS version go iMovie.

Which is handy: if you’ve got an iOS device with an iMovie project on it.

However, the Mac version of Final Cut can’t import projects from the macOS version of iMovie.

That strikes me as a flaw.

~≈🎬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th March 2026

10th March, 2026.

 

 

Right, then: I had a late night, last night.

Posting the latest in a series of reviews!

As I think that review — and today’s intro — show, I’m gradually getting the hand of Final Cut Pro: although a better camera may help.

Either way … ?

I’m just grateful that — in today’s introduction video — I manage to use the Magnetic masking effect: to remove the background in a few seconds of video that needed it.

Hopefully?

Both it and the review, do well.

~≈$≈~

Hmmm … 

Right at the moment, I’m feeling slightly stressed.

As … ?

I have a dentist appointment at 12·30.

So I’d like to get out sharpish.

But … ?

The video version of today’s Teaser is taking a devil of a time to upload and process.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

But it’s a little worrying … !

~≈🚇≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 5 — Shock Jock — A Review

6th March, 2026: “Shock Jock”.

An Introduction.

If I’m being completely honest?

I’ll admit to a certain amount of glumness.

I suffer with depression, so you know: and, usually, the fluoxetine I take is a big help.

But Wednesday, just gone, was my birthday: and it’s … … 

Well, getting older has bitten: and left me feeling miserable.

More so than usual.

No: before you ask.

It’s not bad enough to want to do anything stupid!

But?

I’m very aware of some things:

Playing some of the sillier games on my computer keeps me busy, and helps lift my mood.

Buying unhealthy snacks does likewise: although I’m equally aware that’s not a good option, as I struggle with my weight.

That I should possibly make another appointment with my GP: and talk about upping the dosage.

Heigh … ho!

~≈🐙≈~

Something else that should keep me busy?

Or, at least, has, recently?

Is simply watching TV.

As you’re aware, I’ve recently been watching the last series of Stranger Things fifth season.

Last week?

I caught “Sorcerer”.

Tonight?

I’ll be settling in with Chapter five, “Shock Jock”: then finishing this review by this coming Monday, 9th March.

I hope you’ll be reading it!

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th March 2026

9th March, 2026.

Right … 

I think I’ve sorted out an issue: where my browser was refusing to upload videos to a given blog post.

The little I could find online told me that I needed to clear my browser’s caches and cookies.

So … ?

I’ve uploaded a second version: in case the first doesn’t work.

~≈📺≈~

I’ve also got to admit: I did a little tweaking with that video.

At about the fourteen to seventeen seconds mark, I’ve managed to use some phone footage: but, as my phone can’t record with a green background, I’ve had to use Final Cut Pro’s Magnetic Mask to remove the background.

After finally realising that I had to press the ‘Done’ button to get the thing working … 

Which means … not a lot, right now.

But if I ever get a better quality camera, one that can’t be connect to QuickTime, I can possibly do all sorts of stuff.

Once I’ve learnt how to turn down the volume … 

~≈📺≈~

As a last thought … ?

My family treated me to a takeaway fish supper, yesterday: from what has to be Brentwood’s best.

About my only problem, one I’ve had with cod and chips from other places … ?

Is that I’ve ended up with a case of the farts.

What’s happening there … ?

I don’t know … !

~≈🍟≈~