Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-7-2024 — Rum Runners.

31st July, 2024: Rum Runners.

It’s official: it’s Wednesday!

And … ?

It’s going to be quiet, I think.

Well … bar the pounding of feet.

I’m due to have a colonoscopy, next week.

And, in the run up to the day?

I’ve got to take a set of laxatives.

I’m wearing a whole in the floor, already!

~≈Û≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th July 2024

30th July, 2024.

It’s officially Tuesday!

And … ?

I’m getting the impression it’s going to be quiet, bar making movies … and taking the various substances I need to take in preparation for next week.

Heigh-ho!

~≈Ü≈~

I have to admit, I heard about the stabbings in Stockport, yesterday.

I can only extent my condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Personally?

I’m not saddened by this: I — thankfully — know no-one affected by it.

But … ?

I am glad to hear the attacker’s been caught.

The police at least attempt to ask him why he did this.

~≈Ü≈~

To cap it all … ?

There’s a six-year-old girl called Eudine, who lives in Greenwich: who’s gone missing.

The Metropolitan Police have issued an urgent request for any one with information, to call 999.

My thoughts are with the family of that kid.

They must be understandably worried: the poor child could so easily come to harm.

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th July 2024

29th July, 2024.

Right, then … Mondays … !

I am, as you can imagine, up early, again.

Yep: it’s weight management class day.

I gained a little, last week: even though the general trend is still downwards.

Hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost something!

I do know I’ve a colonoscopy, next Tuesday.

And that I have to start taking the laxatives, today.

I’m not looking forward to that.

To nick an idea from Orwell?

It’s DoublePlusUnFun!

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th July 2024

28th July, 2024.

Ah HA!

It’s Sunday!

Which, frankly?

I’m expecting to be quiet, again.

Bar one thing.

Would you believe, I’m going to be organising my calendar.

I’ve got an appointment at Basildon Hospital on the 6th August: for a colonoscopy.

And … ?

Need to organise a lot of reminders: to remind myself to:

• Take one set of laxatives, over the course of the week.
• Take another set of laxatives over the course of the week
• Go on a restricted diet over the last three days.
• And take my bowel prep on the last day.

I know it’s for a good cause.

Trust, I know!

~≈∑≈~

Oh, JUST as a thought … ?

In the wake of the San Diego Comic Con, a clip of Star Trek: Strange New World’s third season has been released.

Now that … ?

Looks fun!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th July 2024.

27th July, 2024.

Right then … it’s Saturday … !

And, frankly … ?

I’m expecting a quiet day!

With — possibly — a movie.

We’ll have to see how that goes.

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

And just so everyone knows?

I’m writing this year’s Left Hander’s Day quiz.

Frankly?   It looks like it’s going to be a short one.

As are a lot of the ones I’ve written for August.

Hopefully?

I’ll be able to get ahead of myself, as a result!

~≈🤲≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-7-2024 — Liberia

26th July, 2024: Liberia.

Right … 

It’s Friday!

Which means a couple of things.

First?

I’ve started my new, injectable, diabetes medication: one that’s supposed to help me loose weight.

Second?

Jude’s posted a new video.

I hope you enjoy it: he worked on those sound effects for minutes!

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th July 2024

25th July, 2024.

Right, then … it’s Thursday.

But you’d possibly knew that!

Especially given that you’ve got a calendar, somewhere!

At any rate … ?

I managed to catch Outpost, last night: a film I last saw back in 2009.

It still looked as good as it did, back then.

Although it does get you wondering.

The thing stars the late Ray Stevenson*: and … ?

I’m sorely wishing he’d survived whatever it is that killed him, last year.

Given his performance in Outpost, Rome and Ahsoka, I’d’ve love to see him in more!

~≈Ω≈~

Oh …  I’ve just had a phone call: from Elenor, at Microsoft, on 07564 531 783.

According to their records?   And over the past couple of days?

There’s been errors coming from my computer.

She went silent, and put the phone down on me: when I asked why Microsoft, of all people, were phoning about errors coming from a Mac.

You have to laugh.

I know I almost did!

~≈⌛≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th July 2024

24th July, 2024.

I had blood tests, yesterday!

At Basildon Hospital.

Which — it has to be said — went well enough: and should be useful for the Colonoscopy I’m due to have in a couple of weeks time.

The big problem … ?

Was getting home.

The (non-emergency) patient transport didn’t turn up: meaning I was stuck in Basildon from 14:30, ’til 18:30.

When I got a train home!

I can’t fault the hospital staff for:

• Keep me informed of what was happening.
• Doing their basic job.

Nor can I totally blame the patient transport division, who were extremely short handed.

They did, at least, keep the hospital informed of what was happening and offered to pay for a taxi.

But … ?

I feel both annoyed, angered, and deeply frustrated.

As what should have been a half hour wait … turned into a four hour one!

~≈🚑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd July 2024.

23rd July, 2024.

Right … 

It’s both Tuesday, and pay day!

And the day I’m due at Basildon Hospital for some blood tests.

This afternoon.

I’m going to have to be quick, in Brentwood High Street.

I want to make sure I catch the transport to Basildon!

~≈É≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July, 2024.

22nd July, 2024.

Right … Monday … !

And … ?

I’m off to my weight management class, today.

Hopefully … ?

I’ll’ve lost something.

Even if it’s only my wits!

~≈Ω≈~

Oh, we’re waking up, in the UK.

To the news that President Biden has stepped down as the Democrat Presidential candidate in this years election: and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as his replacement.

I hope she gets the presidency, come November: it would be the first time the US has elected a female head of state.

It’s about time the US caught up!

To be honest, though … ?

I think it’s going to be a close race.

I can just see Trump milking the assassination attempt for all it’s worth.

Especially if he’s facing a woman.

~≈♀︎≈~

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

21st July, 2024.

Right then … it’s Sunday … 

Which means I’ll be getting an early night, tonight: after all, I have an early start tomorrow: and on Tuesday.

I have to be in Basildon, on Tuesday!

~≈🏥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-7-2024 — International Moon Day

20th July, 2024: International Moon Day.

It’s officially official: it’s Saturday.

And, thankfully … ?

I’m relatively unscathed by the CloudStrike outage.

I’ve had a Mac for several for several years: and the problem … ?

Only affected Windows based PCs running a specific bit of security software: one called Falcon Sensor.

I’m relieved … and vaguely smug.

Not that smug, though: as the outage affected transmitting a prescription from my GP, to my pharmacist*.

So I’m understanding, I think.

And hoping this mess can be cleared up, quickly.

Equally as hopefully?

I’m hoping this doesn’t happen again.

But … ?   It wouldn’t surprise me if we get another outage in the not too distant future.

Now … 

Is now a good time to tell you to buy a Mac?

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th July, 2024.

19th July, 2024.

Right … it’s Friday … and I have a problem … 

I was due to start my new medication, today.

The 2.5mg doses of Mounjaro: in what the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, call a Kwikpen.

It’s like the Ozempic pens I’m used to.

You have a pen filled with so many doses of the drug, you screw on a disposable needle, you inject yourself with the meds … then unscrew the needle, and shove it in a sharps bin.

The Ozempic?

You get the disposable needles with the pens.

The Trulicity I’ve used?

The needles are built into the pens.

The Mounjaro, by contrast?

I’ve opened my first box of the stuff, this morning.

To find it doesn’t come with the needed needles.

I’ve phoned my local pharmacists, obviously.

Apparently?

You need to get the needles prescribed separately … !

I’m going into my surgery, today: to arrange for an emergency prescription.

But, as you can imagine … ?

I’m not bloody happy.

And wish someone had mentioned this!

~≈Ω≈~

I’m not happy.

Obviously.

Neither’s a lot of the planet.

Seemingly, there’s a lot of computer outages going on, today: that many say is being caused by issues with Microsoft products and services.

I’m … 

I’m a long term Mac user: and going to get mildly smug about that.

But also … ?

Mildly sympathetic.

It’s possibly not the time to paraphrase Murphy’s Law:

“If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong, at the worst possible time.”

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th July, 2024

18th July, 2024.

Yay!

It’s Thursday!

Which means — obviously — that’s it’s the day after Wednesday: and after my nephew has released his latest masterpiece.

Feel free to hit the like button!

~≈®≈~

Oh … I had the radio on, earlier: and heard current, Labour, Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, tell that he’s “ … initiated a process.”

Rather than “… started something.”

There’s possibly other examples in that interview.

And, although I can’t find any right now?

There’s possibly plenty of Conservative equivalents: point them out to me, when you find them!

The Who had a point, in “Won’t Get Fooled, Again”:

“… the parting on the left

Is now parting on the right.”

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-7-2024 — World Day for International Criminal Justice

17th July, 2024: World Day for International Criminal Justice.

Right … it’s officially Wednesday.

Which means I’ll be looking after my nephew, this afternoon: for the second day in a row.

I’m looking forward to it: it’ll be interesting to see what his next video will be like.

Talking of which?

We have more Bobby the Cat videos.

You can see it here: https://youtube.com/shorts/ptvroJ5Impc?si=inmtLkIDSGQd8UPp

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th July 2024.

16th July, 2024.

Yay … it’s Tuesday … !

And … ?

I’ve just had a look at my new diabetes meds: so I can look up how to use them on YouTube.

It turns out the pens are similar to the Ozempic pens I’ve used.

Only with a screw thread.

The Ozempic pen has a twist button.

By contrast?

The Mounjaro pen has a screw thread style of button.

A slightly fiddly one: if, like me, you’re left handed.

Unscrewing it means the lettering’s upside down.

OK, I should be used to this sort of thing by now*: I’ve been left handed all my life.

But … ?

You’d think people would notice, wouldn’t you … ?

~≈🔩≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-7-2024 — Hampshire.

15th July, 2024: Hampshire.

Mondays … !

You have to love them, don’t you … ?

No, really: it’s the fresh start of a whole new week.

Yes, before you ask, there’s a certain amount of irony, there!

Especially when you consider I’ve been up early, to go to my weight management class!

Ho hum!

~≈Å≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-7-2024 — France

14th July, 2024: France.

Right … someone’s tried shooting Donald Trump.

And, frankly?

I don’t know if I approve, or not: although, granted, shooting the idiot seems tempting.

And means a possible way for Joe Biden to win the election.

I doubt it, somehow.

Frankly?

Surviving an assassination attempt will be a very good advert* for Trump: it won’t surprise me if he ends up getting a huge sympathy vote as a result of an ‘evil’, Democrat attempt on his life.

No, before you ask, I don’t think the Democrats had anything to do with this attempt.

I do think people will be blaming them, though!

~≈🔫≈~

I do know a couple of things, though.

Firstly?

The chap that attempted to shoot the former President has been named as Thomas Matthew Crooks: and was shot and killed by the Secret Service.

That’s understandable: that is part of their job, after all.

But strikes me as … … possibly unwise.

I would rather the shooter be captured alive: as I’d like to hear his personal explanation of his actions.

As, I’m sure, would the people and courts of the USA.

So that’s one thing.

The other?

Is simply that at least one witness spotted the shooter on the roof of the stadium where the rally was being held.

And told the police about it.

Who were … well … unhelpful!

Frankly, between them, the Secret Service and the shooter?

And however Trump, Biden and the people of the US feel about this?

The incident has handed Donald Trump the election.

~≈🔫≈~

There’s possibly many other things to wave at you.

But … ?

On a personal front, I can happily announce I’ve reached 1, 200 subscribers on YouTube.

Another one hundred subscribers, though?

Would be nice … !

~≈🔫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-7-2024 — Harrison Ford

13th July, 2024: Harrison Ford.

Right, then: it’s officially Saturday.

And … ?

My innards feel a lot better: after whatever it was I ate has stopped having unwanted side effects.

What was it that caused the problems?

I don’t know!

But I did have a word with the shop: about the pasty I think caused the issues.

It’s the first complaint They’ve had about them.

Heigh-ho.

~≈¥≈~

I have to admit, over the past couple of evenings?

I’ve watched a couple of films: ones I’ve already seen and reviewed.

Thursday?   I caught John Carpenter’s The Thing.

Last night?   Neil Marshall’s Dog Soldiers.

It’s got to be said: both are still as watchable as they ever were.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-7-2024 — Buckminster Fuller

12th July, 2024: Buckminster Fuller.

Right … it’s Friday: and I’ve taken the last jab of Ozempic I’ll be having for a while.

Next week … ?

Is when I start on the new medication: a 2.5mg injection of Mounjaro.

We’ll have to see how that does.

~≈Ü≈~

Right at the moment … ?

I’m tired: and nervous about going out.

As I don’t want to be too far from a toilet.

Yep: I’ve been hit, over night.

By a case of the rampaging trots!

Well, when I say “rampaging” … ?

It’s not so much rampaging, as wearing spiky leather armour, and chasing Tom Hardy across a desert!

And when I say, overnight?

I literally mean all night!

I’ll be blunt, I was using the loo every twenty minutes or so!

It’s slowed down, this morning.

But?

Is still happening.

You can see why I don’t want to head out, don’t you … ?

At any rate … why this is happening … ?

Is a mystery to me.

But I’m willing to bet it’s something I ate!

In retropect, that Cornish pasty seems suspect*!

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-7-2024 — Waterloo Sunset.

11th July, 2024: Waterloo Sunset.

Right … Thursdays … 

It’s a Thursday: and … ?

I seem to have picked up an annoying, browser pop-up: advising me of assorted scary — and fraudulent — threats.

I’ve tried clearing my browser caches, and my browser history, to no effect.

And tried to block the thing in my settings.

I’ve not tried deleting the relevant .plist files, yet: which is something of a last resort, given how macOS’s structure has changed, over the years*.

I have left a message in Apple’s Community pages: which, hopefully, will help.

We’ll see.

~≈💻≈~

FINALLY!

It turns out I was looking in the wrong section of Safari’s settings.

Rather than trying to block the website I thought was sending the notifications … I had to deny permission to send notifications to the actual website … permission that was in a different section of the settings!

D’oh!

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-7-2024 — Lady Jane Grey

10th July, 2024: Lady Jane Grey.

It’s officially official: it’s Wednesday!

And … ?

The day after I had my diabetic foot-check: I have to take a urine sample in latter, that’s about the only thing need to finish it off.

I also made a phone, yesterday.

I had a pre-paid debit cards, in April: from a scheme operated by Southend Council.

One that finally expired, totally used: on 7th June.

I even made a point of telling myself — when I got the card — of making a note of that in my diary: so I could apply for the next one.

But, as it turned out … ?

I must have had a brain freeze.

I put the note in my calendar on the 7th July, instead of 7th June!

So … had to make a panicked pair of phone-calls, to see if I had applied!

I had, as it turns out.

The thing gets processed, tomorrow: and, hopefully to me, by next Friday, at the latest.

But, can you do me a favour?

When I take that urine sample up to the surgery … can you remind me not to leave it on the bus … !?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9 July, 2024.

9th July, 2024.

Right: it’s now Tuesday!

Which means … I’m staying for a lot of the day.

Apart from when I go out, later.

Yes: I’ve got my usual diabetic foot check, this afternoon.

Heigh ho!

~≈ß≈~

Do you follow the Star Trek franchise, at all?

I do.

So I, like others, know the franchise is made by the various arms of multi-media giant, Paramount.

I’m always very aware the company’s recently announced it will be merging with SkyDance.

Quite what that means for the Star Trek franchise?

I don’t know: but would be interested to find out.

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th July, 2024.

8th July, 2024.

Right, then … Mondays … !

I think I’ve got a certain world-weariness about Mondays.

But, then again?

So does a lot of the planet!

At any rate … ?

I’m due at my weight management group, this morning.

Hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost more weight!

~≈Å≈~

You’re possibly aware I’m in Brentwood: a town in Essex.

And you’re possibly also aware that Brentwood’s not far from a town called Basildon.

Basildon and Romford?   Are the two nearest towns with cinemas.

And, frankly?

It looks like Basidon’s due to get another one.

Good for them.

Speaking personally, though?

I would LOVE to have seen that cinema opening here in Brentwood.

It’s been years since we’ve had one.

~≈Å≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-7-2024 — The Solomon Islands

7th July, 2024: Solomon Islands.

Right then, it’s Sunday!

A day for … well … not a lot, actually.

Bar recovering from late night reviewing.

Yes: I finally caught up with Dune: Part Two, on Thursday.

And posted my written and video reviews, last night.

Pleasingly … ?

I’ve even managed to get a comment, already!

~≈∏≈~

Dune: Part Two — The Review

4th July, 2024: an announcement!

Finally … I have an evening, free!

One where I can watch a movie!

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to seeing Dune: Part Two, tonight.

Hopefully?

I’ll have my review up by tomorrow: or by Saturday, at the latest.

Dune: Part Two is a long film, after all!

~≈🪱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-7-2024 — Malawi

6th July, 2024.

Right, then … Saturday … 

And … ?

I saw a movie, on Thursday.

Dune: Part Two, so you know.

Hopefully?

I’ll have the review finished, tonight!

~≈∑≈~

A few weeks ago?

I put in a complaint to my landlords: about last year’s service charges.

I felt they were too high.

And asked that — if that were correct? — if I could be refunded.

I finally got a reply, yesterday.

Apparently?

The charges were correct, and covered pest control: so I’m not due a refund.

Hmmm … 

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-7-2024 — News of The World

5th July, 2024: News of the World.

It’s officially official: it’s Friday.

And the day after the election.

Britain now has a Labour government: as the party won a landslide in yesterday’s election.

Personally?   I’m just glad that — here in Brentwood*? — the extremely right of centre Reform party came second.

Thankfully!

And, whilst I really didn’t want the local MP to regain his seat … ?

I couldn’t be happier with a result that left a Tory in charge.

It meant not having a Reform MP!

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2024 — Election Day.

4th July, 2024: Election Day.

Right … it’s Election Day!

Or, at least, the day after Wednesday.

Frankly?

That means fun was had with my nephew, Jude: as he’s managed upload another video.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button, you’ll make his day!

~≈👍≈~

Inevitably?

I’m going to mention the UK’s General Election: taking place at a polling station near you.

Frankly?

I’m voting Green.

Their manifesto is offering to put Universal Credit up by forty pounds a week.

It’s probably as unrealistic, unfunded and impractical as any other political pledge … but, given my situation?

They’re the only party offering extra money, however nebulous that offer is.

~≈☒≈~

One party I won’t be voting for … ?

Is the Nigel Farage-led Reform Party.

Putting it bluntly?

From what I’ve seen of them, they are too right wing for my taste.

Certainly, some Reform activists are ever so slightly racist or homophobic.

And at least two candidates have defected to the Tories, as a result.

My one concern … ?

Is that, in my experience, some residents of my home town of Brentwood are exactly that: ever so slightly racist or homophobic.

And sympathetic enough to those activists, for Reform to do well.

Maybe not win the constituency: I suspect that will be the Tories, again.

But I think the Reform candidate could certainly come second, if they’re not the MP, by tomorrow.

~≈☒≈~

Just as a last political thought … ?

I notice politicians, these days, don’t ‘make promises’.

No.

After Tony Blair first used the phrase many years ago, politicians make categorical pledges.

I almost always think of chocolate, when I hear the phrase.

I first came across it in Orwell’s 1984.

When the main character has to alter records: to cover up a leadership U-turn about the chocolate ration.

A u-turn about not increasing it … after making a categorical pledge, a categorical pledge, rather than a promise, to do so.

Personally?

I always wonder what Orwell would be making of elections, these days.

~≈☒≈~