Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-4-2026 — Ian Paisley

6th April, 2026: Ian Paisley.

Right … it’s the 6th of April.

Which means?

Well, for those of us on Universal Credit, the amount we receive goes up.

As does the housing component of Universal Credit: assuming we’re in receipt of it.

The snag with the housing component?

Is that we have to fill that in, manually, on the UC website.

That’s easy enough for me.

But how we do that if we don’t have ’net access?

I really couldn’t tell you … !

~≈📎≈~

Something I’m waiting for … ?

Is money.

Or, at least, the possibility of money.

For the past couple of years, I’ve used the Essential Living Fund run by Southend Council: to get a (small) grant, that helps cover costs.

Except that now seems to no longer be available to non-Southend residents: and be potentially replaced by the as-yet-unlaunched Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Which the relevant webpage says “… starts in early April”.

The sooner that starts, and the easier it is, to do?

The happier I’ll be.

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th April 2026.

5th April, 2026.

Did I mention I’m on YouTube?

I’m on YouTube: and now on 1253 subscribers.

That’s a re-assuring amount: and more than I was on, a couple of months ago.

Thank you, if you’re pressed the subscribe button!

~≈🎥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th April 2026

4th April, 2026.

It’s a long weekend: as it’s Easter!

We had a public holiday, yesterday: and another on Monday, 6th April.

The fact yesterday was a public holiday was something I’d realised: but didn’t necessarily think through.

Over the past couple of years?

I’ve put in for help from Southend Council’s Essential Living Fund.

They’d give out a grant to people in Southend and Thurrock, and to people outside those areas, but still in Essex.

So?

I visited the relevant website to put in another application: totally forgetting I’d seen news that told me the scheme behind the fund … had been restructured … 

And only remembering this, yesterday, when I saw the relevant forms were no longer available.

There’s a few other options.

But the first option I thought of, was to phone Southend Council, to ask if they knew where these sites could be found.

Completely forgetting that yesterday was a bank holiday: and that, therefore, the office was closed.

The — hopefully polite — email I sent, the one that asks the same question … will get picked up this Tuesday: as Monday’s another bank holiday!

Ever get the feeling I’m frustrated … ?

~≈😩≈~

Actually, that’s a point: my rent goes up, on Monday.

On the Easter Monday bank holiday.

Yes: I know by how much it goes up, too.

I’ve got the letter about it, from my landlord.

So?

I can fill in the online form, on Monday.

Assuming the dratted site lets me!

~≈😒≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I was heading for the Romford branch of CeX: as the trains were running, and the place was open.

I had a blu-ray box set — season 21 of the classic era of Dr Who — to sell on.

Something the Romford branch bought for £27.

I couldn’t help but notice something, though.

That CeX were selling this particular boxset, second hand, for £60.

When — at the moment — Amazon are selling the same set for £57·99.

You could argue that CeX are charging the same, effective, price: when you factor in the cost of delivery.

Except, of course, Amazon give you a free standard delivery, if your order is over £35.

Given CeX pays discounted rates of Value Added Tax*, of VAT, on the second hand goods they sell … ?

I think someone’s raking it in … 

~≈🤔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd April 2026.

3rd April, 2026.

OK … I had my diabetic review, yesterday.

It seems I’m possibly doing well: at least, well enough for my surgery’s nurse practitioner to suggest we switch to six monthly reviews.

And to advise I keep a packet of Fruit Pastilles around, in case of emergencies.

That said … ?

I had my diabetic foot check at the same time.

I get the impression there’s nothing too badly wrong: although one our two things came up.

But?

My GP has messaged me, to say they’ve asked Basildon Hospital to book me a meeting with a consultant: to get the circulation in my legs checked.

Which I’m nervous about: I don’t want hear I need anything amputated, after all.

But … ?

Well … better safe than sorry … 

~≈🦶≈~

On a totally unrelated theme … ?

I’m planning on heading into Romford, today: as I want to offload stuff at the Romford branch of CeX.

Hopefully?

The train trip will be quick … !

~≈🛤️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-4-2026 — Casanova

2nd April, 2026: Casanova.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

And?

I’ve got my usual quarterly diabetic review, later: the review where I find out my most recent blood test results.

Hopefully … ?

They’ll be ok.

~≈🩸≈~

We can safely say that my nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday, is getting slightly handy with Final Cut Pro, and thoroughly enjoying the app’s ability to alter sound effects.

I just wish I’d thought to ask him one thing.

“Jude, what is that trumpet noise you keep using … ?”

~≈🎺≈~