Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28/2/2026 — Andalusia

28th February, 2026: Andalucia.

Hmmm … 

That seems to work … 

I’ve subscribed to Apple’s Creator Studio, just recently: and found out that I could use a mix of Final Cut Pro, and Compressor, to make 8k video.

So … ?

I used the stock footage I keep for the quiz videos to make a dummy 8k video I could share via YouTube.

The results told me a few things.

Firstly?

When I upload an 8k video to the site, YouTube reduces the resolution to 4k.

The copy I’ve just downloaded?

Is some forty megabytes: compared to the approximately two gigabytes I uploaded.

I’m assuming the reductions are made, to allow YouTube to keep storage space and bandwidth — and thus costs — to a minimum.

Secondly?

It took ten minutes to render some three minutes of 8k footage.

I’d say that’s acceptable: but know longer videos will take longer to render.

I’m also aware the process had my machine running extremely hot to the touch: something I’m aware would happen, given my machine’s specs.

It’s got an M4 processor, and sixteen gigabytes of RAM, so you know.

The suggested, minimum, RAM is exactly that: sixteen gigabytes,

But the recommended minimum is thirty-two.

I can only tell you this, as a result.

Recording, and rendering, in 8k is something I’d love to do.

But would need machinery, and money, I don’t have.

That’s a shame: but that’s life.

~≈8️⃣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-2-2026 — Gotta Catch ’Em All (Ten Questions)

27th February, 2026: Pokémon is spelt with an ‘é’ … !

OK … I’ve officially not got Radio Four’s today programme on.

It was just a touch distracting.

Instead … ?

I’ve got Dave Brubeck’s Time Out album playing.

It’s exactly the right pace, and no-one is either talking … or singing.

Which is nice … 

~≈🎵≈~

I’m not usually one for politics.

But … ?

I noticed that yesterday’s Gorton and Denton by-election was won by the Greens: which grabbed my attention, as I’ve been voting Green for a few years, now.

Hopefully?

They’ll do well at my home town’s upcoming local elections.

But I suspect Brentwood-based voters, ones who don’t want to vote for a mainstream party, will be disgruntled Conservatives: who’ll vote for Reform, rather than Green.

Reform aren’t a party I’d vote for, myself.

I’d rather spoil my vote, than vote Reform!

~≈🗳️≈~

Did I mention my nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday … ?

My nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday.

Yes: that means there’s a new JPDecember video up and running.

One thing we did discuss, last night?

Is whether Jude would be happy to give my rental copy of Final Cut Pro a go.

We’ll have to see: it would mean either using my user account for the job, then transferring it to his account, so he can upload the resulting video.

Or signing into my Apple ID … on his user account.

Which I’ll have to think about.

Either way?

Something did catch Jude’s attention … was something I’d noticed about Final Cut.

In theory, and if I’ve got it right … ?

You can use it, and Compressor, to export a video as an 8k video, an extremely high definition video.

As you can possibly imagine, Jude’s eyes lit up.

So did mine!

~≈🎞️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February 2026

26th February, 2026.

I don’t know if you knew … but I have phone appointments with my Job Centre case worker, every-so-often.

So … ?

The latest one is today: at 11·45, by phone.

I have to admit, it’s with a new case officer: so I’m concerned about how well it will go, whether they’ll phone on time, if they have access to my phone numbers.

Yadda, yadda, yadda … !

I’m … well … 

Anxious: as I always am … 

~≈👩🏾‍💼≈~

On other fronts?

I’m slowly getting used to Final Cut Pro, the video editing software I’ve been renting.

That said?

I don’t think I’ve quite got the hang of transitions, as it.

I’ve been a little clumsy with the ones in today’s introduction video.

It’s new to me, more complex than iMovie, and has a different way of laying out projects and events.

I’ll have to see how it goes … 

~≈🎬≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got a bluray disc in an external bluray drive: one that’s quietly being copied, as we speak.

I’m using software called MakeMKV to do so.

It’s an app that’s free to use, whilst in beta: so comes in handy,  for when you need to back up movies.

I mention this, because when I put the disc in the drive … ?

It immediately started making a whining noise.

That meant that the disc was either faulty — it wasn’t — or that it was dirty: and that washing the thing in warm, soapy, water, would help.

It turns out the disc was dirty.

Thankfully, washing the disc, worked.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that I wanted to make a point: it shows us high tech issues can be sometimes be solved in the simplest of ways.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th February 2026.

25th February, 2026.

Boy … but that introduction video is very … ahh … umm … 

Yes: umm seems to be the way to put it.

I’ve used Final Cut Pro, Apple’s rentable, professional video editing suite, to make it.

Which is possibly like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

I’m very aware I’m still learning my way around the app: so … ?

Sledgehammery nut crack is going to be inevitable!

Hey … ho … !

~≈🎬≈~

I have an anonymous benefactor!

I had a letter, yesterday: one I think was prompted by the recent Lunar New Year.

One that consisted of an envelope with three lucky Chinese coins, tied together with the traditional red string.

I have no idea who sent it, as:

• I didn’t recognise the handwriting,
• There was no accompanying letter.

But whoever they — whoever you — are … ?

Thank you very much: the thought’s appreciated!

~≈🧧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th February 2026.

24th February, 2026.

Right … it’s officially official.

I’ve lost weight!

As long term readers will know, I’m overweight: and on a weight management programme that’s designed to help me lose weight.

I was at my most recent meeting, yesterday, in fact.

Usually, I’d join the Warm space hub, next door to the weigh-in room: but it was a bit noisy, yesterday!

At any rate: and after the wait?

I had myself checked by the volunteers who run the service: to find I’d gone from 100·1 kilos, last week, to 98·5, this week.

A loss of some 1·6 kilos, in other words.

Considering I’d done up, last week?

And had a cheeky fish supper, on Friday?

I was pleasantly surprised … !

~≈⚖️≈~

It’s also official: that I’ve had a delivery from Amazon.

One that’s turned up when they said it would.

Which is nice.

Part of the delivery?

Is a bluray copy of The War Between the Land and the Sea, being copied as we speak, some leather cord for my waistcoat, and a leather cutting blade for the cord.

The blade?

Was advertised as a skiving knife, I should add.

I’ve not heard the word, ‘skiving’, for a long time: and it’s the first time I’ve heard it in that contest.

The last time I heard it?

It was getting used very differently!

~≈🚸≈~

Oh, just in case you’ve seen today’s introduction video, at the top of this post?

I made it with the rentable version of Final Cut Pro, Apple’s pro-level video editor.

It’s not as good as the ones I’ve made with DaVinci Resolve, or iMovie.

But, in my defence?

I’ve a lot of experience with iMovie: and, despite its steeper learning curve, plenty with DaVinci.

At the moment?

And right now?

I have some learning to do: especially about Final Cut’s transitions, and colour-correction.

~≈📽️≈~

As a last thought, before moving on … ?

Yes: I have seen another episode of Stranger Things: episode three, “The Turnbow Trap”.

And, yes: I’ve finished reviewing it.

Feel free to hit the YouTube version’s ‘Like’ button!

~≈🐙≈~