Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-8-2025 — The Return of Caligula

31st August, 2025: Caligula.

Did I mention I went to Romford, yesterday?

Via Brentwood Station … ?

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I was going to sell on a recently bought, 4k, import copy of V for Vendetta: having ripped it over the week.

But … ?

The Romford branch of CeX wouldn’t take it.

As it had no UK age classification on it!

I used to work at the Brentwood branch, who had a similar policy.

And … ?

I wish I’d remembered that, when I bought the thing.

It would’ve made the trip worth the time!

~≈📀≈~

Just as a related thought … ?

I use MakeMKV to copy discs, and Handbrake to recode those into something I can play on my Apple TV 4k.

One of these days, I’ll try and write about the process, I really will!

At any rate?

The two apps are available for macOS, Windows and GNU/Linux.

But not, going by the websites, for ChromeOS.

Something I was able to confirm with my ChromeBook owning nephew.

At least, Jude was able to tell me the two apps aren’t on the Chrome Web Store.

I believe they’re not available for various reasons: but suspect the developer terms for ChromeOS are partly responsible.

I believe Google wants to keep piracy to a minimum, so words its Terms and Conditions to prevent apps like these on its Store.

Personally … ?

I think that’s a shame.

Those of us who use these apps for legitimate purposes should have a choice of what platform to use.

~≈📀≈~

As a last thought … ?

My written and video reviews of “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” are out: enjoy them, and the episode!

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds — Series 3 - Episode 8 — “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” — A Review

28th August, 2025: “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans”.

The Introduction.

Right, then: it’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

I have a version of Strauss the Younger’s “The Blue Danube” playing in the background.

I’ve copied a 4k version of V for Vendetta: and I’m transcoding the copy with Handbrake, so I can stream it to my AppleTV, as and when.

One of these days, I’ll tell you how to do that.

I’m also struggling to make up my mind: about what to have for dinner.

It boils down to three things: sausages, burgers or chicken.

I think I’ll go for chicken: frankly, I’ve had sausages, and burgers, already!

This week, I should clarify!

“Gosh!” I hear you say, “that’s so exciting!”

It’s OK.

I’ll get to the interesting stuff, after dinner.

Yes, it’s that of week again.

Once I’ve had dinner, I’ll be watching “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans”: this week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

It looks promising … 

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th August 2025.

30th August, 2025.

Right, then: it’s Saturday.

And … ?

For starters, I’ll have finished my Star Trek review, tonight: “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” is very funny!

On top of that … ?

I’ve caught the most recent episode of Foundation: “Skin in the Game” has seen Lee Pace putting in one hell of a performance as Brother Day*.

What else … ?

Oh, yes: I’ve woken up with MrWeebl’s “Shrimp Glockenspiel” earworming its way through my head.

Why, I don’t know.

But the video has bongo-playing crabs, if that’s any help … ?

~≈🦀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th August 2025.

29th August, 2025.

It’s officially official: I’ve woken up!

And … ?

I’ve woken up with the word ‘Yockenthwaite’ floating around my head … 

I don’t know why: but do know it’s a village in Yorkshire and a character in Roger and the Rottentrolls.

I’ve also woken up with the theme to Josie and the Pussycats earworming its way through my head.

If I figure out why?

I’ll let you know!

~≈😸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th August 2025.

28th August, 2025.

It’s Thursday: but you knew that!

And it’s also the day after I’ve managed to pick up the test strips that go with my blood sugar monitor.

I can excitedly jab my fingers: and test my blood sugar levels.

Once the lancets turn up!

Heigh ho!

~≈💉≈~

You’re possibly aware that two school children have been killed: in a mass shooting in Minneapolis.

The shooter’s motives are unknown: although there’s talk of an online video.

I’ll be honest … after hearing about another mass shooting, one whose victims were in a church, celebrating the start of a new school year, I did something I very rarely do.

I prayed.

No, I’m not especially religious: but I prayed to whoever’s up there.

Prayed that the USA finally decides to change the Constitution’s Second Amendment, the one that allows private US citizens to own weapons.

I realise that’s not simple: that there’s a whole body of US law, and US court judgements, built on that amendment.

But … ?

The fact the right to bear arms is included in the Constitution, and, ultimately, allowed the shooter to legally buy the guns he killed and injured children?

The fact it allows that?

Means the Second Amendment has to change.

~≈🔫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-8-2025 — World Lake Day. (Ten questions.)

27th August, 2025: World Lake Day.

Right, then: it’s Wednesday.

And I have to go back into town.

Because … ?

The test strips — and associated lancets — won’t turn up until today.

At the earliest … !

Don’t you just love bank holiday hold-ups … ?

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th August 2025.

26th August, 2025.

Right … it’s now Tuesday.

Which is nice.

As — hopefully — it means the next batch of test strips and lancets will have arrived at my usual pharmacists.

They could’ve turned up, yesterday.

Except, of course, yesterday was a bank holiday: which always holds things up.

~≈Î≈~

I have to say, though, that strips — and lancets — are surprising.

Although ‘surprising’ is possibly the wrong word to use.

I’m still getting use to using them: so it’s surprising — amazing?   strange? — to me, how quickly I get through the things.

As are some of the results.

Apparently, my safe range is between four, and seven: and I’m supposed to do two tests a day

So getting through the strips, rapidly, is surprising: and getting results between roughly four and eight — 4·4 and 8·6 — seems even more surprising.

Especially when my usual range seems to be around 5·5 and 6·6

What’s more … ?

I don’t know the how figures from the machine — 5·6 mmol*, as an example — relate to the results of the quarterly HbA1c tests I have to take: I believe the HbA1c are supposed to be roughly ten times bigger than the glucose machine’s results.

So my last HbA1c result, ~forty (40), should translate to ~four (4).

Whether I’m right … ?

I don’t know.

Thankfully?

I’ve got an appointment booked with my GP’s nurse-practioner, in September.

I can ask, then.

~≈🪏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-8-2025 — Nottinghamshire. (Ten Questions)

25th August, 2025: Nottinghamshire.

It’s officially Monday: and officially a bank holiday.

Which means?

I’m up … at a later time than usual.

As my weight management groups got the day off.

We’re back to normal, next week.

~≈🍰≈~

Just in case you’re wondering … ?

I’ve finally finished another Star Trek review: both the written and video versions.

I hope you enjoy it!

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Series 3 Episode 7 — “What Is Starfleet?” — A Review

21st August, 2025: “What is Starfleet?”.

The Intro.

Right, then: once again, we reach a Thursday!

Which means … ?

Yes: you’re right.   I’m cooking dinner, again.

A burger, if you’re curious: with home made chips, and vegetables.

Once I’ve eaten … ?

I’ll be doing what I’ve done for the past few weeks, and watching the next few episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, then telling you about it by Saturday, 23rd August.

If “What Is Starfleet?” is anything like last weeks episode?

There’s a possibility of time machines … 

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th August 2025

24th August, 2025.

Yay!!

It’s Sunday … !

And … ?

The last bank holiday weekend before Christmas.

You can tell two things, right now.

One?

I’m excited!

Two?

My weight management meeting is off, tomorrow.

Which means I get an hour, extra, in bed.

Three?

I can’t afford to go to the Notting Hill Carnival.

Which is good: I don’t have the hips for the costumes …

~≈👯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd August 2025. (Six Questions.)

23rd August, 2025.

Right, then … 

I think my next Star Trek: Strange New Worlds review is going to take a little longer than I was expecting.

Because?

Yesterday was payday: so I was in town for longer than I am, normally.

It should be up, tomorrow, at the latest.

I just have to make the video: once I’ve talked about Erica Ortegas’ hobbies.

Turns out she’s a petrol head, who likes restoring bikes.

~≈🖖≈~

I had a quick chat with my younger sister, Ruth, last week: about her CD collection.

She still has one: as well as a CD player.

In a day when many of us either stream from Spotify or Apple Music: or have imported our CD collections to our Macs/PCs?

I was surprised she’d not imported her collection across to any of the laptops she’d owned over the years.

Granted: you need a CD drive to do so.

But that, and a copy of Apple’s Music.app?   Or its predecessor, the iTunes.app?

Meant you could import CDs, store them on your computer, and play them in the app.

Ruth, by contrast … ?

Has a Chromebook.

How you import music from CDs, onto a Chromebook?

Bar the fact you’d need an external CD drive, I don’t know.

And, going by the quick Google search I’ve just done … ?

Trying to import them sounds like a complicated mess*.

I think that — the next time my nephew’s over — I may need to persuade him to bring his Chromebook with him.

Him and his uncle may be able to solve this!

~≈💿≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd August 2025.

22nd August, 2025.

Yeah!

It’s Friday!

And payday!

Frankly?

I’m going to be busily shopping: on the one day of the month I can afford to hire a taxi.

It’s the one day I can justify doing it, as I have the money to hire one: and a reason I can justify hiring a cab.

Heavy shopping, so you know.

Heigh … ho!

~≈🛍️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st August 2025.

21st August 2025.

Right … I’m expecting a phone call, today: from the local mental health unit.

It’s a triage session: one I hope will lead to a diagnosis — or not — of ADHD.

I’m … 

Well, I’m several things.

But, right now?

I feel nervous about it.

~≈😬≈~

That has reminded me, though: that there’s a couple of other calls to make.

One … ?

To book up my next set of quarterly diabetic blood tests.

The other?

To order more test strips and lancets, stuff the goes with the blood sugar monitor I have.

I don’t know about anyone else … but I seem to get through those, quickly!

~≈🧪≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th August 2025.

20th August, 2025.

OK, I’ll admit it: I’m old enough to remember the buying frenzy sparked by both the Cabbage Patch Kids, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

I was working in a toy shop, when the Turtles craze kicked off.

So … ?

I’m never surprised when another craze explodes.

This time?   It’s for Labubu dolls.

About the only positive thing we can say?

Is that Pop Mart, the company that makes the things … ?

Has seen its share price, rocket!

~≈🪆≈~

Talking of the Turtles?

Did I mention my nephew was a fan of them, when he was younger?

My nephew was a fan of them, when he was younger.

That’s not totally irrelevant: he was over last night.

And, yes: he’s released another Rocket League video.

Feel free to hit the like button.

~≈🐢≈~

Just as a last thought, before we move on?

I caught the first episode of Wednesday’s second season, last night.

Billie Piper puts in her first appearance as Capri: the music teacher at Nevermore Academy, and a music teacher … who’s an ex pop-star!

I hate to say it … but isn’t Billie a bit young to be getting typecast?

~≈🐐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-8-2025 — World Humanitarian Day.

19th September, 2025: World Humanitarian Day.

Did I mention I’ve got type two diabetes?   Amongst other things!

I’ve got type two diabetes, amongst other things!

Severe enough that I’ve been given a blood sugar monitor: complete with lancets and test strips, ones I’m still getting the hang of.

As a result?

My sharps bin’s been picked up for disposal, this morning.

After I’ve filled it far more rapidly than I’ve been used to.

I think I’m going to need a bigger bin!

My Usual Bin (1 litre.)

A Bigger Bin! (2.5 litre.)

~≈🗑️≈~

Something I’ve felt for a long time is this.

That local, and national, governments should use more open source software: as I feel it could be more economical, be far cheaper, for them.

Even if — in the short term — transferring from Microsoft-supplied software to its open-source equivalent, would cost a fortune*.

There’s also the simple fact that many of the technology companies are US based†: rather than — say — UK based.

Which could cause issues if a tariff-mad US president decided to impose tariffs on US companies selling to Europe and the UK.

I’ve just, quickly, read this piece on the BBC’s news website.

Which tells us there’s similar issues around cloud services.

Most of the infrastructure is controlled by three US companies: Amazon, Google and Microsoft.

And many government bodies in the European Union feel that cloud storage provided by European companies would be preferable.

After all, that could allow for less foreign control of EU and UK services.

I can only hope both the EU, and the UK, can support EU and UK cloud service companies.

Becoming less reliant on foreign powers can only be a good thing.

~≈👩🏽‍💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-8-2025 — Lolita

18th August, 2025: Lolita.

Hmmm … 

There’s talk, doing the rounds.

And there’s things people spot.

And, inevitably?

Talk about things people spot!

I caught “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tale”, the most recent episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, last week.

And … ?

Inevitably, it gets discussed in some of the Facebook groups I’m in.

Including the fact people have managed screen grabs of the episode.

Including the fact that people have taken screen grabs at around the eleven minutes and twenty-eight seconds mark.

Quite what the suspiciously blue looking police box I’ve highlighted is supposed to be?

But that suspiciously blue looking police box I only found out about, after finishing my review … ?

Is suspiciously familiar looking to a Doctor Who fan … 

However suspicious, I thought that was a nice touch: and nothing more than a sight gag in the episode.

But I’m willing to bet someone’s going to start wondering if Paramount are going to replace Disney, as international streaming partners … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Talking of the Disney deal … ?

I’m wondering how many episodes the company signed up to fund.

Famously, they don’t seem to have renewed the deal: after the two Ncuti Gatwa led series.

As I recently realised that there were three anniversary specials, a five episode miniseries, and two eight episode series.

Twenty four episodes, in other words.

I’m wondering whether Disney thought they were getting three eight episode series of Dr Who.

But actually got three anniversary specials, a five episode miniseries, two eight episodes of the main series … and a couple of Christmas specials.

I’ll probably never know … 

~≈👨🏿‍⚕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th August, 2025.

17th August, 2025.

Right … 

It seems it’s official.

TV show, The Only Way Is Essex, is fifteen years old.

In case you didn’t know?

The Only Way Is Essex is a ‘structured reality’ show: some of it, even now, is filmed in my home town of Brentwood.

How do we sound sarcastic: in written text?

Because I’m sorely tempted write the word ‘wow’: and want it to sound sarcastic.

You’ll have to read it, sarcastically.

I’d like to be sarcastic … because the thing’s really not representative of the people of Brentwood.

Hey … ho … !

~≈👱‍♀️≈~

In case you’re following my reviews of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds … ?

The latest written and video reviews are up.

I think anyone who’s a fan of the original series will enjoy “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail”.

Feel free to leave me a comment, if you did!

~≈🖖≈~

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Series 3 Episode 6 — “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” — A Review

14th August, 2025: “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail”.

The Intro.

Right: it’s officially Thursday.

And … ?

It’s a sweltering hot day: my thermostat’s telling me my flat’s at twenty-seven degrees, and there’s not a breath of air coming through the wide open windows.

Although the neighbours will possibly be enjoying the Communards cover of “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, blaring out at them.

His Reverence did one hell of a piano solo!

Nonetheless?

It’s hot: the temperature, that is.

So having the oven on, isn’t helping.

Well … temperature-wise, it isn’t helping.

Dinner-wise, it’s working well.

I’d rather not cook a burger on the pavement: however hot the concrete is.

However, once dinner’s done … ?

Once dinner’s done, I’m going to eat it … then watch TV.

Yep: it’s Thursday.

So it means I’ll watching “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail”, the next episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds … 

Then, hopefully, finishing this review by Saturday, 16th August.

Hopefully, you’ll be pleased with the results.

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-8-2025 — The August Complex.

16th August, 2025: the August Complex.

It’s official: I heard a bang, yesterday!

Just in case you’re wondering?

I was at home, yesterday: and … ?

Something happened.

I heard a loud banging from my front door, at around 11.30.

I thought it was kids, playing about: even though it seemed a lot louder than it should have been.

It turns out it wasn’t.

According to a lot of different news sites, it was a couple of Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby: reacting to a civilian plane that had lost contact with Air Traffic Control.

I’m glad to hear it.

That bothered me for minutes … 

~≈✈️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-8-2025 — The Republic of the Congo

15th August, 2025: the Republic of the Congo.

I’m on drugs.

Or medications, I should say.

Including one called Mounjaro: it’s useful for controlling type two diabetes, and as a way of controlling my weight.

So … ?

I noticed this BBC News piece float past, this morning: telling us Eli Lilly, the drug’s makers, ar planning on putting the price up.

As far as I can tell, that won’t affect its cost to the National Health Service, nor to those of us who get it free on the NHS.

It will go up for those who’ve had the drug prescribed privately.

Will that affect the drug’s availability for NHS patients?

I don’t know.

But having switched medications, before, because of a shortage … ?

I’m not convinced … 

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th August 2025.

14th August, 2025.

Right … I watched a little TV, last night: the first two episodes of a new series called Alien: Earth.

Yes, you’re right: it’s the latest entry in the successful Alien franchise, and set a couple of years before the original film.

To try and summarise?

The first episodes see a child called Marcy, a cancer patient, being transferred in to a new, android, body: and helping others through the same process: whilst yearning for contact with her only brother.

The episodes also see a spaceship crash on Earth, a spaceship that’s been investigating various alien lifeforms: including the franchise’s signature Xenomorph.

Yes: a Xenomorph is loose on Earth … and its brought its friends.

I’ve felt for years that expanding the Alien franchise — by properly exploring its background universe — would be a good thing.

And this series looks capable of doing that.

~≈👽≈~

Talking of TV shows … ?

I’ve going to be watching the next episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, tonight.

And going to try And catch the next episode of Foundation, later in the week.

One thing I have noticed?

Is that Strange New Worlds seems to have plenty of merchandise — books, t-shirts, props, what-have-you — but that Apple’s Foundation doesn’t.

That’s a shame: a reproduction Prime Radiant would be nice!

~≈🧊≈~

As a final thought … ?

I was in Romford, yesterday: trading in my old phone at the Romford branch of CeX.

They were offering a better range of prices than the equivalent places in Brentwood.

I walked away from the trip, having sold the phone for thirty-one pounds.

Which therefore meant the new one, effectively, cost me some sixty-eight pounds*.

That’s not a bad price, from where I’m sitting.

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2025 — International Left Handers Day. (Ten Question set)

13th August, 2025: International Left Handers Day.

Hmmm … 

I’ve used my phone to record the raw footage for today’s introductory video.

And … ?

I think putting it through my usual post-production process … has made a dog’s dinner of it!

With both Da Vinci Resolve, and iMovie.

If anyone’s got three hundred quid, spare, for a copy of Final Cut Pro, I can have a go with that … !

~≈💻≈~

Lurking around, out there, is a web browser called Google Chrome.

Yes: that Google Chrome.

You’ve got a copy of it, if you’ve got a Chromebook, or an Android mobile device: and may have a copy on your Mac, PC or iOS device.

I have a copy, myself: for the (thankfully rare) websites that only work with it, or Microsoft Edge*.

Well … 

It seems that a company called Perplexity has put in a bid to buy Google Chrome.

Something that could be seen as a good thing: given that Google are having legal wrangles, over their dominance of the search engine market.

It could be a wise thing to do: just as Microsoft’s investing money into Apple many years ago, was.   (Microsoft was having similar legal issues: Apple, serious financial ones.)

But … ?

I can’t see Google agreeing to the purchase: especially if it means losing control over their browser.

~≈🕸️≈~