Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-8-2026 — 1812.

20th August, 2026: the 1812 Overture.

Technology can be a mixed bag, can’t it?

We see death cause by climate change related pollution, we see cybercrime, we see lord knows what else … 

But also see a lot of good: you’ll probably find more than I could, I’m sure.

You’ll also probably see sill artwork, generated with AI.

The fact I — after a conversation with a friend — used ChatGPT to generate the ‘Yurt Buggering Beast of Phnom Penh’ leaves me amazed at the technology … 

And thinking of Graeme Chapman … 

~≈😜≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over: and yes: we’re both amazed at the technology that let’s him make this … 

It’s also got him a comment that says “19:54 might be the most jammed thing I’ve ever seen😭”.

Which is nice … 

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th August 2026

19th August, 2026.

It’s officially official: it’s Wednesday morning,

And … ?

And it’s rained overnight!

Hopefully?

We’ll get a bit more of that.

After two months of heatwaves, we need it.

~≈☔️≈~

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

18th August, 2026.

OK: it’s Tuesday.

And, bar watching For All Mankind, tonight?

I’m fully expecting the day to be two things.

One?

Quiet.

Two … ?

Not rain: despite being as overcast as it’s possible to be, without being the planet, Venus!

The sooner it does?

The sooner I can complain about it!

~≈🌧️≈~

You possibly aware I’ve worked in the pub trade: so keep an interested eye on the industry.

I’m as aware as anyone, that pubs are closing at a worrying rate.

And that many of what had been pubs are being converted into flats or offices.

The Castle, on Ongar Road, is the most recent example in Brentwood that I know of: but there’s probably others.

So … ?

Seeing this piece, recently — a piece that tells me how the government are planning to modify planning permission regulations, to make it harder to turn unused pubs into homes or offices — caught my attention.

I like it: I think it’s a good idea, a good idea to aim for.

But … ?

I also think it’s a good idea: if the business is there to support the pub staying open.

It’s useless to keep a pub open: if no-one’s there to use it.

~≈🍺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th August 2026

17th August, 2026.

Yes: it’s Monday.

Which means I’m off to my weight management class, again.

My weight was up, last week.

So, hopefully?

I’ll have lost some!

~≈⚖️≈~

Good lord, Hay Panetierre’s died: at thirty-six!

I remember her from the series, Heroes: where she played the cheerleader, Claire Benet.

OK, I don’t know her from much, beyond that.

But hearing about her death is saddening.

Especially the headline fact.

She was thirty-six.

What on Earth happened, there … !?

Thirty-six is WAY too young!

~≈🪦≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th August 2026

16th August, 2026.

OK: it’s officially Sunday, I’ve started typing this post at 8·15 … and it looks like today is going to be overcast.

Which would make a pleasant change, I think.

Or, at least, take the edge off of the persistent heat.

I can only hope the rain the BBC’s weather page is predicting for Tuesday, turns up.

The rain is going to be much needed.

~≈☁️≈~

There’s possibly a universe where I’d feel comfortable voting for Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

Possibly.

In this one … ?

There’s no possibility what-so-ever.

Especially as Reform have announced they will be cutting the welfare bill by some £50 billion.

As a person on benefits?

I know — know, not feel — this would directly myself, and many of my friends.

Frankly?

The means the chance of my voting Reform goes from zero … to considerably less.

~≈〇≈~