Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2025 — The Warsaw Pact

14th May, 2025: the Warsaw Pact.

Peter Sullivan was released from prison, yesterday.

He’d spent thirty-eight years inside: after being wrongly convicted of the murder of Dianne Sindall.

My sympathies go to Ms Sindall’s family: as this means her killer has not been found.

My sympathies are also with Mr Sullivan.

Getting out of prison after that length of time, into a world that’s changed so radically from the one he knew when sentenced … is going to be strange … 

Personally?

I think compensation is due to Peter Sullivan: as should be paid as soon as possible.

And that government — of whatever stripe — should work to make sure mistakes like this don’t happen again.

~≈🪙≈~

A few weeks ago, I put in for extra financial help: from a fund run by Southend Council.

They’ve run a scheme that hands out pre-paid debit cards for some years.

I’ve now, thankfully, had the letter that tells me I’ve been granted one: and how much cash will be on it.

I’ve had the letter … but not the card, and its associated PIN number.

The sooner that gets here, the better!

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th May 2025.

13th May, 2025.

Right at the moment … ?

The Today programme’s Thought for the Day being delivered by Dr Paul Gooder: reminding us that body positivity can have an effect on mental health.

And that our bodies are nothing to be ashamed of.

Which is possibly timely.

And vaguely relevant.

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday: and found I’d lost some three hundred grams.

About two thirds of a pound, so you know.

That’s all good.

~≈£≈~

Talking of which … ?

There’s been trials of weight loss drugs, recently.

A trial has been done, to compare two weight loss drugs: Mounjaro, and Wegovy/Ozempic.

It’s found that Mounjaro — the medication I use to help reduce my weight — is more effective than Wegovy, a variant of the medication I used to use.

And that famously was blighted by shortages.

I think that’s nice to know: whilst concerned it could lead to shortages.

I’m aware of something, though.

I’m aware the study sponsored by Eli Lily: the company that makes Mounjaro.

So, while the reported figures are interesting, I also think those figures are potentially biased.

That they are — effectively — a huge advert.

That the company has put its product on a par with toothpaste, or moisturiser: products whose adverts frequently contain the phrase ‘studies have shown,’ without telling you about those studies.

Frankly?

The reported figures are nice to know … 

But I’d be comfier if those studies had been done by independent researchers!

~≈🧑🏻‍🔬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th May, 2025 — Six Questions.

12th May, 2025: six questions.

Right … 

That’s the bank holiday’s over with: until the next lot.

Which means … ?

I’m up early: for my weight management meeting.

Hears hoping I’ve lost some!

~≈⚖️≈~

I’ve started watching a documentary, last night: a potted history of the ZX Spectrum called The Rubber-Keyed Wonder.

It’s interesting stuff: and mentions a company called Ultimate Play the Game, who wrote some of THE games for the platform.

Including Atic Atac and Pssst!, my two favourites.

What really caught my attention … ?

Was the fact one of the sound guys on the film was a chap called Joe Richardson.

I recognised the name: my cousin, Dean Richardson, has a son called Joe, who’s a sound engineer.

I got in touch with him: and found out Joe did indeed work on the film.

It’s nice to know the film’s a family affair … !

~≈🎙️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th May 2025.

11th May, 2025.

It’s Sunday … and I’ve got the radio on.

And the Sunday programme is talking about the new Pope.

Understandable: it is a religious magazine programme, after all.

It’s interesting stuff.

And possibly one of the few times I can use the word ‘dicastery’ in a blog post.

It’s a department of the Roman Catholic Church, so you know.

And not something I’d get to use in daily life.

I’ll have to see what I can do about that.

~≈🇻🇦≈~

While I’m at … … it … 

I’ve finished reviewing of “The Story & The Engine”, yesterday’s episode of Dr Who.

And made a hash of the video version!

Ho … Hum … !

~≈#️⃣≈~

Doctor Who — Series 15/Season 2 - Episode 5 — “The Story & the Engine” — A Review

9th May, 2025: “The Story & the Engine”.

Right then … it’s Friday and I’m starting a review, early!

And a copy of classic Dr Who story, The Claws of Axos playing the background.

Just to get myself into the mood to watch the next episode of the new series, tomorrow.

By the time you read this, or watch the video version … ?

It’ll hopefully be Sunday, 11th May,

I’ll see you then … !

~≈😷≈~