Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st December 2024.

21st December, 2024.

Right … it’s now, officially, the shortest day of the year: and — according to the quick Google search I’ve just done? — sunrise is due at 9:20.

There are — as ever — a lot of people at Stonehenge, celebrating the fact.

Frankly?

And much as I’d love to join them?

It looks like it’s going to be raining!

Blow that … and the earworm it rode in on … !

~≈🔔≈~

It’s a day for videos!

As … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday.

After we’d done the toying around with Image Playground — I won’t post the picture, they “… make my nose look flared!” — he managed to make a video, and post it to YouTube.

Make of that, what you will!

~≈⚽️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th December 2024.

20th December, 2024: Six Questions

Bugger!

I’ve just wiped out today’s post!

The one I was in the middle of writing!

You’ll have to accept my apologies: and silly images!

~≈🥕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-12-2024 — A Bit of a Goa …

19th December, 2024: Goa.

Right … I’m at my computers … 

And … ?

The boiler is quite ably humming, as it heats the room.

And the front room … ?

Warming up.

Yummy!

~≈🥵≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

You’re possibly very aware Apple’s updated a lot of software and features: which includes a lot of improvements to Siri, the voice assistant on both the Mac, and iPhone.

The array of British voices are an improvement: I’m using one with a generic northern English accent, so you know.

The voices are an improvement.

The Dad jokes … aren’t!

~≈🤡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th December 2024.

18th December, 2024.

Just for once … ?

I’ll give my landlords credit.

Or, at least, their boiler repair team.

The repair man turned up around lunchtime, and was done inside of forty minutes.

Apparently?

What he called the pressure vessel — a balloon-like bag that maintains the water and steam pressure — had failed.

I wasn’t surprised.

It was something that frequently happened to my old Potterton boiler: and for boilers used by my neighbours.

I was surprised about how quickly the chap turned: and how quickly the repair took.

And pleased that the thing’s now working: and keeping my flat warm.

Heigh ho!

~≈⌚️≈~

Something I’ve noticed in the news … ?

Is simply that Elon Musk is in talks with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party: about funding.

I know foreign interference in British politics is common.

As is British interference in foreign politics.

That doesn’t make it right, nor does it make it any less objectionable.

But … ?

I will give Russian, and Chinese, operations credit: for at least trying to keep their activities, discreet!

~≈👹≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-12-2024 — Bhutan

17th December, 2024: Bhutan.

You know, I was going to tell you I’ve started reading Neonomicon: a work by writer Alan Moore, and artist Jacen Burrows.

It looks suitably hard-boiled: and would possibly grab the attention of Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack.

I was going to tell you that a neighbour had popped in on Sunday evening: and an interesting evening was had.

Which would possibly get me a look from Olga Núñez Miret, and my mother, the other regulars, here.

Instead … ?

• I’m going to tell you I have a working boiler thermostat: after I manfully, and wonderfully, replaced the thing’s batteries.
• I’m going to tell you I’ve got the electric fan heater on.
• I’ve got lots of steam in my flat.

Because?

I’m boiling lots of water for a bath: as my boiler’s packed up!

I’ve got an emergency repair on order.

Which should — apparently — be with me ‘within twenty-four hours’.

Ho-bloody-hum!

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-12-2024 — The Home Nations

26th December, 2024: the Home Nations.

It’s officially official: I’m up early … !

But you’d possibly guessed.

After all, it’s Monday: the usual day for my weight management meeting, and weigh-in.

Hopefully?

Last week, I put on half a kilo: so … ?

I’m hoping to have lost something.

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th December 2024.

15th December, 2024.

Right … I’ve officially been twitting about with the new Image Playground app.

And … ?

Well, possibly surprised a few friends on Facebook.

Don’t ask!

At any rate … ?

I did some tweaking to some of the wallpapers I’ve built up: and used it for the introduction video.

Heigh-ho!

~≈🖼️≈~

Hmm … 

I’ve woken up, this morning, to … … cold water!

And?

I’ve needed to reset my boiler.

I’ll be honest: I think I’m going to need to keep an eye open …

~≈♨️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th December 2024

14th December, 2024.

That could be interesting … 

The BBC has announced the release of a re-animated version of classic Dr Who story, The Savages.

Or, at least, the blu-ray version is: it’s available to pre-order on Amazon’s UK branch, and due for an actual release on 24th March, 2025.

Frankly?   That’s something to look forward to.

~≈📀≈~

I use Facebook: and have for many years.

It’s changed, over the years.

You used to able to throw a sheep at people: now you can’t.

That’s possibly a very trivial example.

Something that I had noticed, many years ago, was that Mark Zuckerberg — the site’s owner, and founder — had something of an anti-Trump fell.

But this year?

Has donated money to Trump’s inauguration fund.

I realise businesses like Mate, and FB, have to curry a certain amount of political favour.

But that’s not necessarily something I find comforting.

~≈🕸️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2024 — Malteasered!

13th December, 2024: Malteasered!

Hmmm … 

I’ve officially updated to the newest version of macOS Sequoia, version 15.2, one that includes a lot of new features.

Including the much discussed Apple Intelligence features.

And … ?

The Writing Tools look like they could be useful: especially the proofreading tools.

And possibly the rewriting tools: although I don’t know how that one would affect the style of something I write.

But … ?   The List, and Table, tools could be useful.

We’ll have to see.

~≈✒️≈~

I do know that part of the update in the Image Playground: an app that lets you generate images.

That could be fun: although I don’t know how mu use it will be.

But … ?

It’s turned me into an astronaut … 

… that looks vaguely like Alfred E. Neuman … 

~≈😳≈~

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A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

I’ve probably mentioned the ‘Ron Says Buggrit’ t-shirts I’ve bought, haven’t I?

I’ve bought a couple of Terry Pratchett themed, ‘Ron Says Buggrit’ t-shirts … !

And … ?

Absolutely no Terry Pratchett fans recognised the phrase: when I wore the thing in Brentwood High Street, yesterday.

But at least a couple of people asked me who Ron was … !

~≈🧑‍🌾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th December 2024.

12th December, 2024.

It’s officially official.

I’ve got new t-shirts I want to show off.

But … ?

It’s a little too nippy to be wearing them.

Or, at least … a little too nippy to be wearing them … without a jumper … !

Heigh … ho!

~≈👕≈~

A little girl called Sara Sharif died, last year.

Murdered by her father and step-mother.

That, as these things always do, leaves me feeling upset, disturbed and angry.

As it will leave many other people.

Those responsible for her death will go to prison: and get the lovely reception child-killers always do, inside.

But … ?

There will be questions.

• How did this happen?
• How do we prevent this?
• And — last but not least — how could they do this?

I don’t know how it happened.

I don’t know how to prevent this: but suspect lessons could, should and must, be learnt: as they should every time this happens.

How the killers could do this?

I don’t know.

But suspect the only answer I can give you, is the deeply cynical one I always trot out when these sort of killings happen.

‘Very easily’.

~≈👶🏽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th December 2024.

11th December, 2024.

Have you seen today’s introduction video?

The one in-between the date at the start of the post, and the opening of the text?

Yes: it’s officially telling you I’m reading a book at bedtime!

Moore and Lloyd’s V for Vendetta.

It’s got differences from the movie: obviously.

Evey is a lot younger than Natalie Portman: sixteen, vs Portman’s twenty-four at the time of the film’s release.

The Stephen Fry character is a gangster: rather than a TV start.

We expect these things.

But?

It’s still a riveting read.

~≈📚≈~

I’ve also got … … a t-shirt!

A new one!

Yes: that is a phrase from a recurring Terry Pratchett character.

And no: it’s not one officially licensed by Sir Terry’s estate*.

I couldn’t find one, so got one printed, myself.

Quite where that leaves me?   I don’t know.

But at least it’s something I’d be able to wear … when it’s t-shirt weather.

~≈👕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-12-2024 — Mississippi Burning

10th December, 2024: Mississippi Burning.

It’s official: I have a dentist checkup, today.

Which frankly mean I can jump with joy, once it’s over.

Or, at least, once I’ve picked up the medicated toothpaste the dentist prescribes!

Heigh … … … ho!

~≈🦷≈~

Remember, a few days ago, that Brian Thompson — CEO of a huge US health insurance company — was shot by a masked killer.

A suspect — 26 year-old Luigi Mangione — has been arrested in Pennsylvania, charged with possessing an, unlicensed firearm, with forgery and with providing false identification.

New York police have charged him with murdering Thompson.

Apparently?

He was found with a hand-written document that “indicated ‘motivation and mindset’”.

I’d love to know that document said.

I want to know an apparent Ivy League graduate has done this … 

~≈🎓≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-12-2024 — Dame Judi

9th December, 2024: Dame Judi Dench.

You realise it’s Monday, don’t you?

So do I!

So you’re probably aware I’m off to my weight management course, today.

Hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost weight.

Equally as hopefully?

I’ll remember to take my shopping trolley.

That makes buying milk and potatoes a lot easier.

~≈🛍️≈~

I don’t know if you followed my reviews of the series … but I was glued to Star Trek: Discovery.

And very impressed by Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Georgiou.

She the best thing in it.

So … ?

I was pleased to hear a Georgiou-centred spin-off was planned.

One that’s now turned into a made-for-Netflix movie called Section 31.

The release date is 24th January, 2025.

I’m looking forward to that!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-12-2024 — Romania

8th December, 2024: Romania.

It’s now Sunday.

Really!

And I have to admit to getting a very good night’s sleep.

Walking home from my sister’s, yesterday, through a very stiff wind?

Definitely put an edge on things.

~≈💨≈~

That wind … ?

Was what was left of Storm Darragh: which I suspect was a lot worse on Britain’s west coast.

It meant the Everton-Liverpool game being cancelled: something my Liverpool-loving nephew wasn’t happy about!

But also means there’s still weather warnings in place for Essex.

It’s going to be blowy, out!

~≈🌪️≈~

Oh … 

It seems rebels in Syria have taken Damascus, the country’s capital city.

While I’ve no emotional stake in the country’s long civil war?

I can only hope that the disruption these things inevitably cause is kept to a minimum: and that a stable civilian government — one that works and responds to the will of the people, rather than the men with guns — gets set up quickly.

I hope that’s the case.

But I’m big enough, and ugly enough, to think the fighting and chaos will carry on for a while.

I also note that Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s dictator, has fled the country.

I don’t know where he’s headed.

But I’m willing to bet the plane he and his family are on … has room for a lot of looted money.

In dollars.

I don’t think the Syrian pound will be worth much, right now …

~≈💲≈~

Just as a thought … ?

I’ve opened a Bluesky account: in the wake of many Twitter migrations.

Granted, there’s few accounts accounts from reputable news sources, and seems to be no way of proving an account’s who it says it is, and only so many people I know on Twitter have migrated to the thing.

There’s also — seemingly — no Share buttons for the service on YouTube or Blogger.

But … ?

It does seem to feature the ability to block followers, and doesn’t have intrusive posts from Elon Musk.

I’m here, if you want to follow me on the site.

https://bsky.app/profile/mrcuddy2977.bsky.social

~≈🦋≈~

As a final thought … ?

I’ve got Radio 4’s Sunday Worship on in the background.

The celebrant, Dr Cas Mary Thomas, has introduced a final song: from what she describes as a “small male choir.”

Does she mean a male choir with not many singers … or a choir made up of small men?

She wasn’t clear … 

~≈🎤≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th December 2024.

7th December, 2024.

It’s: it’s officially official.

I’ve had more work done to my bathroom: and now have grab rails.

That’s … 

Well, a sign of getting old, I think.

~≈🧼≈~

Here’s a storm coming … 

Every-so-often, Britain get’s storm: which very occasionally, get nasty.

Storm Bert at the end of November: which was bad in some parts of the UK, but, thankfully, wasn’t too bad here in Brentwood.

Bar turning the ‘Lighting Up Brentwood’ event into something of a washout.

This week?

Storm Darragh is due to hit: today.

With Red, Amber and Yellow warnings for various parts of the country: that thankfully don’t seem to include Essex.

I’m thankful.

Whilst being very aware it’s blowy out.

~≈⛈️≈~

Every so often?

I’ll rip a blu-ray.

In other words, I’ll copy a Blu-ray Disc, then turn it into something I stream to my AppleTV.

I did the final half of the equation — re-coding the copies — over night.

Using HandBrake’s ‘Apple 2160p60 4K HEVC Surround’ setting to turn the copies into 1440*1080 resolution .mp4 files, on a 2024 M4 Mac mini.

If I’ve got the figures right … ?

It’s taken Handbrake roughly a minute to re-code each minute of video at those settings.

I don’t know how the combination of settings and machine would do with a 4k video: but those results are very impressive: compared to my old Intel machine.

~≈🍹≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-12-2024 — Nefertiti’s Bust

6th December, 2024: Nefertiti’s Bust.

Right … it’s Friday: and I’ve a man due,

To do stuff in the bathroom.

Hopefully?

That lot won’t take long.

~≈🛁≈~

In the US, a man called Brian Thompson was shot a couple of days ago: by a masked assailant.

In what looked — to me — like a targeted assassination.

It turns out Thompson was the Chief Executive Officer of one of America’s largest health insurance companies,

That the killer has been caught on New York’s CCTV cameras.

And that the bullets had words, had ‘deny’, ‘defend’ and ‘deposed’, written on the bullet casings.

Why was Thompson shot?

I don’t know.

But?

I hope the killer isn’t shot during his arrest.

I’d love to hear his explanation.

~≈🚨≈~

Oh, JUST as a last word … ?

My Judge Dredd t-shirt turned up.

The phrase ‘Democracy Isn’t Working’ is going to confuse someone!

~≈😳≈~

Even more lastly … !?

Dr Who’s show runner, Russell T. Davies has just been interview on the Today programme.

According to that interview?

The Christmas special airs at 17:10 on Christmas Day … and the second series starts in May of 2025.

I’m going to look forward to those … 

~≈🧑🏽‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th December 2024.

5th December, 2024.

Right … I think we can say I’m expecting a delivery, today.

What do I mean, ‘think’?

I know I’ve got a delivery coming, today.

One that includes an airer.

I don’t know about you, but the ones I have, don’t have enough room for everything.

~≈🧺≈~

I’m on a drug called Mounjaro: one that helps keep my blood sugar levels down.

And, as a side effect, helps me lose, and keep, my weight down.

Which is nice!

I notice, though, that the BBC’s all over the stuff.

Telling us the Government’s approved its use by the National Health Service, specifically for weight loss.

Along side diet and exercise.

That’s generally a good thing, I think.

But I also note the report tells us this is supposed to be rolled out over some twelve years: in order to try and manage demand.

I can only hope that works.

I can remember how excess demand caused a shortage of Ozempic: and a shift to other medications, one I felt weren’t as effective.

Here’s hoping.

~≈💊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th December 2024.

4th December, 2024.

Right … I’m up early, again.

As I’m hoping to get to my GP’s surgery for — *pauses for dramatic effect* —  a pneumonia shot!

Considering pneumonia can be nasty, I’m glad I qualify for it!

~≈💉≈~

I’m equally glad to have the excuse to head for town.

Because?

Well, it means I can find a convenient postbox, and:

• Post Christmas card.
• Buy stamps for international Christmas cards.

Quite what that’s going to cost me, I don’t know.

But I suspect the word ‘extortion’ is going to be used … !

~≈📮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-12-2024 — Berkshire

3rd December, 2024: Berkshire.

I’m officially getting old!

I saw a movie, on Sunday night: 1980s Hazel O’Connor vehicle, Breaking Glass.

And published both written and video versions of my review, fairly late.

This morning … ?

I find myself feeling bloody knackered: as a result of finishing the video version incredibly late.

Or, at least, more tired than I would’ve felt, ten years ago!

I’m getting old!

~≈🥱≈~

Oh … yesterday’s weight management meeting went well enough: I’ve lost weight.

Not much weight: but a nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat.

Or horse, cat, herring, banana, what have you!

The unfortunate thing?

Was that blood test I had afterwards.

It was a dead loss: that I’ve had to rebook.

I’d not drunk enough fluids for the phlebotomist to be able to do her job!

~≈🩸≈~

Elon Musk is lovely, and I want to fondle him.

Please insert a lot of irony into that statement!

Elon Musk is … probably several things: including all sorts of unprintable things.

But … ?

He’s got ministers thinking.

As Elon’s announced he wants to donate some $100, 000, 000 to Nigel Farage’s Reform party, ministers are now thinking of introducing a cap — or, at least, tightening caps — on foreign donations to British political parties.

Elon could probably, very easily, get around that: by setting up dummy companies, giving them money, and telling them to make a donation for him.

But … ?

In considering these caps, the government is at least showing it wants to be seen to be doing something!

~≈🤑≈~

I’ve JUST had a call from my landlords.

They’ll be sending a carpenter around on Friday, to do some work on my bathroom!

Yay!

~≈🚿≈~

Breaking Glass — A Review.

1st December, 2024: Breaking Glass.

The Introduction.

Right … 

I think I make a break in tradition: and not open this piece with a video introduction.

Why do work when I don’t need to?

Especially when I have to get up in the morning!

At any rate … ?

It’s early on a Sunday night: and I have a film I’ve been meaning to watch for some time.

The 1980, Hazel O’Connor vehicle that is Breaking Glass.

Let’s hope the film is better than the trailer …

~≈🍿≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd December 2024.

2nd December, 2024.

It’s official.

I caught a movie, last night: the 1980, Hazel O’Connor vehicle that is Breaking Glass.

I’ll have my review up, later: but?

But … ?

I’ve now got “Give Me An Inch” ear-worming its way through my head.

~≈👩🏻‍🎤≈~

Did I mention I made a quick video, yesterday?

I made a quick video, yesterday!

Can you do me a favour, please?

I made a quick video, yesterday.

Let me know if the thing makes sense, please!

~≈📼≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

It’s early on a Monday morning: so, of course, I’m off to my weekly weight management course.

Hopefully?

I’ll have lost something: something I’ve not managed over the past couple of weeks.

Even though my trousers feel looser, I’ve gone up, slightly!

~≈🍅≈~