Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-2-2026 — Robert Peel

5th February, 2026: Sir Robert Peel.

Right … I’ve officially published a couple of videos.

The one about leaving X … isn’t doing well.

But then, I wouldn’t expect it to.

That said … ?

My review of Ralph Bakshi’s version of The Lord of the Rings has done better in the same time-span.

That’s pleasantly surprising: given I no longer having access to X/Twitter means I can’t promote it, there.

We’ll have to see how it goes.

~≈❌≈~

One point in that review … ?

Was it’s version of Gollum.

Which struck me as … well, as problematic.

I can’t help but think it sounded like a caricatured version of Shylock, or Fagin.

Mildly anti-semitic, in other words.

I’m just grateful it’s not something Andy Serkis repeated … 

~≈💍≈~

I’ve had Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” earworming its way through my head, this morning.

So … ?

Have had a version from Spotify, playing: in an effort to get rid of it.

One that’s been repeatedly interrupted by adverts from a firm of solicitors called Irwin and Mitchell: offering to help get you compensation, if you’ve had an accident at work.

The thing’s featured an actor: playing a character who’s lost his leg in an accident at work … but who’s then told us he was “… in the military”.

Without actually telling us he’s had his leg blown off in combat.

Which I’m assuming is the inference we’re supposed to be drawing, here.

But?

If you’ve joined the Army, I’d imagine you’ve joined knowing that you could be killed or injured in combat, killed or injured on active service and killed or injured as a result of deliberate enemy action.

I have to ask, does getting your leg blown off as a result of stepping on a landmine count as an industrial accident?

Especially if the risk of coming back in a box is part of the job … 

~≈🔫≈~

The Lord of the Rings (1978) — A Review.

1st February, 2026 — The Lord of the Rings (1978).

An Introduction.

OK … it’s a Sunday afternoon: and … ?

I have dinner cooking.

Sausages, so you know: with potatoes.

Exciting stuff, eh … ?

At any rate: it’s quiet, my browser isn’t making my Mac over heat … and there’s laundry doing.

Which has just reminded me: putting things in the dryer, helps … !

At any rate?

I’ve a quiet night in, and a pile of movies to watch.

And … ?

Ever since seeing Ralph Bakshi’s Wizards, a while back, there was something else I meant to catch … 

Catch, review … and tell you about by Wednesday … 

~≈🧙🏾‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-2-2026 — Brave New World (Ten Questions)

4th February, 2026: Brave New World.

Right then … it’s Wednesday … !

Which means — as my nephew, Jude, was over, last night … ? — that it’s time for another of his videos!

You’re officially making ‘YAY’ noises, aren’t you … ?

~≈⚽️≈~

The former BBC2 series, Mock the Week, has been revived: on its new channel, TLC.

In a new, extended, form.

I caught the repeated, first episode, last night.

It was an hour long: in part, due to the various ad breaks.

It’s still funny … but I don’t think the ad-breaks, or the extended run-time, appealed … !

~≈📢≈~

Which reminds me … 

There’s a few TV shows I want to watch, then review: including the last series of Stranger Things, and Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy.

That’s going to have to wait, though, I think: until after my piece on the Ralph Bakshi version of The Lord of the Rings.

Which should be today.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🧙‍♂️≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve now, officially, deactivated my X/Twitter account.

And, surprisingly?

It’s not because of Elon Musk, or his politics.

Granted, I didn’t — and don’t — like what I know of his beliefs: but they didn’t stop my enjoyment of X, as a site.

I’ve met someone nice people as a result of being on the thing.

No, what’s got me leaving?

I have, for some sixteen odd years, advertised both this blog, and my YouTube videos, on X.

Quite repetitively so, in fact.

And, in the past few weeks?

Had my account limited.

Because those posts have been seen as spam, and — ha! — inauthentic!

So, after a lot of thinking?

I’ve deactivated my X account.

After thirty days, after 4th March, 2026, anyone using my account, @Cuddy2977, isn’t going to be me.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-2-2026 — Tulip Mania!

3rd February, 2026: Tulip Mania.

It’s Tuesday: and the day after my most recent weight management class.

Or meeting.

Or group … 

I’ve never actually worked out what the damn thing’s called: I’ll ask a volunteer, next time I go.

At any rate … ?

At the most recent one, I found I’d lost half a kilo.

Which is good: last week I’d gained a kilo!

Heigh-ho!

~≈⚖️≈~

Right … I’m getting further along in a movie review: which is good.

I’ll hopefully have the written version done by tomorrow.

Once I’ve got that done, I can make the video … !

~≈🎥≈~

I’ve mentioned that I was having overheating issues: trying to record videos, whilst I had multiple Pages documents open.

And posted to Apple’s Community forums about the issue.

I also mentioned I’d had my doubts about the updates versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, Apple’s iWork suite, as I was unsure about the associated subscription model: the one that allowed you to access premium content.

I’m not too worried about that, right now.

As the premium content is clearly marked: and there’s a window that opens up, reminding you you need to pay for whatever it you’ve clicked on.

That’s one less worry.

But, before updating to recent versions of the suite?

I’d also noticed that:

I’d get overheating whilst recording footage using Quicktime, whilst multiple Pages documents, open

I’d get overheating with at least two Pages documents open, and at least one Safari Window open: specifically the tab that let me post to Nik Nak Nak’s Old Peculiar.

I’d had a workaround for when I was recording: having two Pages files open — rather than the usual thirty or so! — and storing the files on my Mac, rather than in iCloud, seemed to prevent over heating.

But was still getting mild, but noticeable, overheating with the mix of Safari and Pages.

Thankfully?

The update to Pages 15.1 seems to have put a stop to the latter problem.

I’ll have to see what happens with the recording issue, later … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last point … ?

It seems there’s going to be an auction of Dr Who props in the not too distant future.

It’s also my birthday on 4th March.

Anyone who want’s to buy me a Dalek, would be welcome … !

~≈🧾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd February, 2026

2nd February, 2026.

Right … it’s a Monday.

And I fell somewhat tired.

Why?

Partly because I’m up early: it’s a Monday, so I’m off to my weight management class.

But partly?

Because I was up, comparatively, late.

At least for me.

Yep: I caught a movie, and started on a review.

I wonder … can you guess what I watched … ?

~≈🧙🏽≈~

I’ve just had a suspicious call on 00491 791 797 826: from ‘Gareth’, of the ‘Microsoft Technical Department’.

It’s a old trick: someone phones you, claiming to be from Microsoft, so they can trick control of your computer from you.

I asked the usual question I ask in these circumstances: “Why are Microsoft phoning me about my Apple Mac?”

Gareth put the phone down.

How rude … 

~≈🍎≈~