Friday, 14 August 2026

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 6 — “No Sudden Moves” — A Review

11th August, 2026.
“No Sudden Moves”.
The Introduction.

OK … music … 

It’s Tuesday: so, as I write this, I’ve got a Genius playlist playing in the background.

Complete with PIL’s “This Is Not A Love Song” at full pelt.


Which I’ve not listened to for a while: so it’s good to hear it, again.

It’s almost as good to hear Spandau Ballet’s “Chant №1”: the song that’s come up next.


All of that is beside the point.

It’s Tuesday.

So, after dinner, I’ll be watching the next episode of For All Mankind: then writing a review of it.

This post … ?

Will go live by Thursday: hopefully!

I’ll see you then … !

~≈🪐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-8-2026 — The Falklands

14th August, 2026: The Falklands.


OK … I know social media sites have to fund themselves with adverts.

I know it has to be done.

But … ?

I object to repeated adverts.

I’ve had dozens of adverts for hooky external hard drives, for example.

More recently … ?

I’ve had a lot of adverts for a brand of refillable roll-on deodorant.


I with the algorithm would lay off.

My armpits aren’t that bad.

And there’s only so many times I’ll put up with being called a tosser … 

~≈🏏≈~

We’s now had the results in, of the Clacton by-election: and Nigel Farage has been re-confirmed as the constituency’s MP.

Much as I and many others hoped Count Binface would win?   He has learnt enough votes to win back his deposit.

I have opinions.

Obviously!

First?

It’s nice to know Binface did well for a comedy candidate.

Secondly?

I hope that Farage’s re-election leads to the restart of investigations into his finances.

And that his attempted delay of the investigation gets factored into the thing.

Thirdly?

Farage refused to attend the announcement of the results.

Claiming Essex Police had told him not to, as they’d advised there were security risks.

Essex police say they’ve said no such thing.

I think Farage other reason for a no-show — “I am damned if I am going to stand on a stage […] and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies,” — is nearer the mark.

He didn’t want to be embarrassed by Binface.

Anymore than he already has been.

Lastly … ?

I think that — in triggering this joke of a by-election — Farage has done one thing very well.

He’s wasted public money on a delaying tactic: one that hopefully won’t stop the investigation into his finances.

And sees him named and shamed as the waster he is.

~≈🗑️≈~

Thursday, 13 August 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2026 — International Left-handers Day

13th August, 2026: International Left Handers Day.


Right: did I mention I was at the dentist, yesterday?

I was at the dentist, yesterday.

For an appointment with the dental hygienists, rather than the dentist.

It went well enough.

My only complaint?

I used my dentists student hygienists: who’ve always come across as competent.

And who, up until now, have been free to those of us on benefits.

Until yesterday: which was the first appointment I had to pay for.

OK, it was half price: and I’d been able to budget for it as I made sure the appointment was not long after pay-day.

But it was still a cost I objected to.

~≈💷≈~

It’s Thursday: and the day of the Clacton by-election.

Good luck to Count Binface!

More importantly?


Which, as I’m a lefty?

Is important to me.

As I’m also a fan of William Gibson’s, and long suspected he’s a lefty, as well?

Finally finding proof today, has made my morning.


~≈◀️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

And … ?

I think we missed most of the Eclipse Excitement.

Still … ?

One: it darkened, noticeably.

Two?

We got a video, done!


~≈🚘≈~

As a definite last thought … ?

Jude and I had pizza, last night.

Normally, we’d order from out local Dominos.

But, for the last few weeks?

Their site’s refused to take my cards.

Why?

I don’t know.

So?

As we have for the last few weeks, we’ve ended up ordering from Pizza Hut.

Why hasn’t Dominos site taken my card?

When Pizza Hut’s happily will?

I don’t know.

I suspect I may need to clear my caches, and history.

But will only know for sure, if I can get through with another browser: given the timing, I’ll have to try that, next week.

~≈🍕≈~

Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th August 2026.

12th August, 2026.



OK: I’m going to have to double check things, before I make introductory videos.

Yes: I’m off to the dentists, today.

But, no: that’s not when the eclipse is.

My appointment’s two.

And the eclipse starts around 18·20.

Ho … … …  hum!

~≈☾≈~

I had a newspiece float across my time line, a day or two ago.

This one.

It’s a piece that tells us how an unnamed user had bought a copy of the extended version of the Lord of the Rings movies.

Then found they’d been removed from their media library: as “no longer available in our catalog.”

Google refused to refund the customers money.

I know that removing digital media from a user’s media library is perfectly when a company can no longer supply it to us, is legal.

That doesn’t make it right.

We buy these things in the belief we’re buying these things permanently: when, sadly, it’s not.

~≈🛒≈~

Personally?

I think a media supplier withdrawing a service like that is immoral.

And a very good argument for buying versions of whatever on physical media.

And — possibly — for outright video piracy.

So?

I’m going to suggest a method.

Download and install Tor Browser: it let’s you access the Dark Web.

Download and install a BitTorrent client: I’m told Transmission is popular.

Once those are done, visit a torrent tracking site — I’m told Pirate Bay, KAT, 1337 and TorrentGalaxy are good — with TorBrowser.

Pick a torrent … 


Copy and paste the magnet link into your chosen Torrent client.

Wait for it to finish: and enjoy the results.

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

As a final thought, there?

I’m not going to encourage you to illegally download copyrighted content like that.

Doing so is a civil offence in most countries, and can lead to both arrest and fines: and the downloading of spiked content what can damage you computer, or leave you exposed to malware or identity theft*.

Be aware of the risks.

However risky?

In removing media we thought we owned permanently?

And refusing a refund when doing so?

Companies are encouraging us to not give them our cash: especially given there’s other ways of buying … 

~≈🏴‍☠️≈~

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-8-2026 — World Steelpan Day (Ten Questions)

11th August, 2026: World Steel Pan Day.


Right: I am officially up, early: for the second day in a row!

Yes: I have a video meeting with my new Job Centre case worker.

Hopefully?

The software works: and my case worker has my phone numbers.

They way, there’s still a method of contact if the software fails.

~≈📱≈~

I had my weight management meeting, yesterday: and … ?

Yep: as I was worrying, my weight’s gone up, rather than down.

I left feeling decidedly depressed.

But was able to take some positive action, given my GP’s surgery isn’t far from where weight management meetings take place.

One step … ?

Is to make sure I lay off the crisps.

Another?

Something that the advisers have been suggesting for a while, is to see if I can increase the anti-obesity medication I’m on.

I don’t know.

But have booked up an appointment with my GP, to see what can be done.

Here’s hoping.

~≈💊≈~