Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th February 2026.

Friday, 13th February.

It’s officially: the Tale of the Toaster is ongoing … !

I bought a toaster from Amazon: on Tuesday, just gone.

One that only cost me a tenner, all told: including the delivery charge.

“That’s a bargain,” I thought to myself.

Especially when others on the site were pricier: as were ones at my local Argos.

On my money?

I look for value.

So that price seemed very good*.

Then I say the delivery date.

20th March, this year.

20th March.

When I’d ordered the thing on 10th February!

When Amazon, and the third-party sellers on Amazon, usually take a lot less time!

So?

I’ve sent off an annoyed email to Jeff Bezos.

And, over the course of a couple of emails … ?

Got a solution, and some information.

One?

Apparently, the toaster in question is back ordered!

So?

I’ve cancelled the order.

Two?

Amazon has given me £14·99 in gift vouchers: “as a goodwill gesture.”

Three?

I’m waiting for £10’s worth of refund to go into my bank account.

That’s going to take three to five working days: so will get to me by next Thursday, at the latest.

The day before payday.

Do you know what I’m thinking, right now?

I should’ve gone to Argos in the first place … 

~≈🛒≈~

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

12th February, 2026.

OK … did I mention I have a stick?

A USB stick … ?

I’ve got a USB stick.

Several, in fact.

The things are handy forms of portable storage: especially if you have large files you need to transport, files that are too big to send via the usual internet services.

At any rate: I have plenty.

But now have one less.

Some of the ones I have, are double ended: and have both USB-A, and USB-C, connection: that lets me plug them into a variety of different machines.

I had one plugged into my phone, the other day: so I could transfer some video footage from the phone to my Mac.

And … ?

Didn’t eject the thing correctly: you’re supposed to tap an icon on the phone’s screen, to remove the things, safely.

That was a mistake.

As, when I plugged the stick into my desktop, the icon that usually shows up, that tells you the thing was connected … didn’t.

I didn’t get the usual “This Disk is Unrecognisable” message I’d usually expect in these circumstances.

Opening up Disk Utility, and Terminal, to see if they recognised it.

They hung: but worked perfectly when the stick was removed.

But removing the thing gave me the “Disk Not Ejected Properly” message when I did that.

So it was sort of recognised: but not mounting properly.

I tried checking it in my aging Mac Pro tower and back in my phone, and even went to Brentwood Library: to see if their Windows machines would recognise it, and let me format the thing.

Nope: that didn’t help!

So … ?

I asked on Apple’s support community pages.

The communal opinion … ?

Was that the thing was dead, had un up the curtains, joined the Choir Invisible … and should be given a decent burial.

I hate to agree with that: I’d rather be able to do something.

But under the circumstances, it’s been binned.

Anyone who finds it at the landfill it ends up in, is welcome to it.

~≈📸≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

I’ve been having issues with over heating on my Mac: under some circumstances.

That seem to specifically involve Spotlight.

Hopefully … ?

Those issues will be resolved by the update to macOS Tahoe 26.3 that my machine’s alerted me, to.

Here’s hoping: being able to boil my tea on a Mac mini, isn’t a good thing.

~≈☕️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-2-2026 — Leslie Nielsen

11th February, 2026: Leslie Nielsen.

Yes: that’s right.

Today’s introduction video, the one at the start of this post … ?

Is actually vaguely relevant.

I’ve got a cheap toaster on order, from Amazon.

One that cost me a tenner: including the delivery charges.

There’s a problem, though.

It’s something I’ve ordered from Amazon: did you honestly expect me not to have a problem?

At any rate … ?

YouGov sent me a survey, yesterday, which earned me fifty pound (£50): enough to buy a toaster, and have a little left to get some shopping.

So … ?

I order a cheap — seriously cheap — toaster: figuring I’d be able to replace the thing, easily, should I need to.

I order the thing, hit the relevant ‘Buy Now’ button, and get told it will be with me, by Friday, 20th February.

Then get an update, a little later: to tell me the toaster’s been ordered … and will arrive on Friday, 20th March.

Yes: Friday, 20th March.

I’m tempted to say “You couldn’t make it up”.

No, really: I’m sorely tempted to say “You couldn’t make it up”.

Except I’ve got the evidence it’s genuine, sitting right in front of me.

I’ve also got evidence of an annoyed email I’ve sent: to Jeff Bezos.

A thirty-eight day wait seems a bit ridiculous: and tells me I should go to Argos, next time*.

~≈🍞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-2-2026 — World Pulses Day

10th February, 2026: World Pulses Day.

Right … I’ve got the radio on: Radio 4’s Today programme is airing Nick Robinson’s interview with Labour MP, Ed Milliband.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that Mr Miliband is … well … 

Well … is using a lot of weasel words.

Should I be surprised?

Nope: he’s a politician, after all.

~≈🦦≈~

Did I mention I had my weight loss meeting, yesterday?

I had my weight loss meeting, yesterday

And … ?

I’ve lost weight.

Granted, I’ve only lost some seven hundred grams, roughly a pound and a half: but that’s better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.

~≈7️⃣≈~

Something else I did, yesterday?

Was review of a TV show.

I managed to catch the first episode of Stranger Things 5, on Saturday: and finished the review, yesterday.

I’ve managed to share it on Mastodon, Bluesky and Facebook: but not X, as I’m no longer using the service.

I don’t regret leaving it: but the ability to share these things on it will be missed.

So I feel compelled to ask: would you mind sharing that … ?

It would be greatly appreciated … !

~≈❌≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5 Chapter 1 — The Crawl — A Review

7th February, 2026.

“The Crawl”.

An Introduction.

I’ve officially been putting things off for a while.

Yes: I’ve officially been doing things!

Things that meant finding time to do other things was tricky.

You know, now I see that written down, it occurs to me that it’s not the most informative thing I’ve ever put to paper!

Let me put it this way: I’ve been busy … 

No, that doesn’t work, either … 

Let me put it like this: I’ve not watched a TV show, nor reviewed it, since Christmas.

So … ?

I’m going to remedy that, tonight: by starting on Stranger Things 5: the five and last series of Stranger Things.

Once I’ve had dinner, obviously!

~≈🐙≈~

Just as a thought for newcomers to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, or my @MrCuddy2977 YouTube channel?

I’ve been writing this blog since 2008: and in all that time … ?

Done written reviews of the whole series.

But only done video reviews of the fourth one.

When I first got a webcam.

I’m might add more Stranger Things content: but there seems little point doing so respectively.

At any rate, I’ve started this review of “The Crawl” on Saturday, 7th February: and should have it finished by Monday, 9th February.

I’ll hopefully see you then … 

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th February 2026.

9th February, 2026.

Right … it’s officially time for the Monday Morning Early Start!

Yes: I’m off to my weight management group!

I lost 600 grams last week.

Which isn’t much, but is a good thing: and hopefully, something that will be continued … !

~≈🥗≈~

Did I mention I do surveys?

I do surveys: for the Office of National Statistics.

It’s one of those arrangements where you earn points for each survey: and earn cash, once you have enough points.

Given the average amount you earn?

I’m one survey away from fifty pounds.

That next survey couldn’t come soon enough.

The sooner I can afford a new toaster, the better!

~≈🍞≈~

Yesterday … ?

Was the day of the USA’s Super Bowl: won by the … hang on … won by the Seattle Seahawks.

I’m not a sports fan: so didn’t follow it.

But am very aware that the US President complained about the half time show.

Apparently, the fact that Puerto Rican rapper, Bad Bunny, did his set in Spanish.

And, according to the President?

“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying”.

I think the President missed something, there.

No-one would’ve understood a word of it … 

Except the forty-one million or so US Spanish speakers: some fourteen percent of the USA’s population.

Ho … … … hum … !

~≈🇪🇸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-2-2026 — Taxi Driver

8th February, 2026: Taxi Driver.

Poo!

My toaster’s broken!

Or, at least, the slider that lowers the bread into the slots has gone.

The clicky little mechanism that holds the thing in place has gone, I should say. 

Drat, double drat, and dang.

That means I’m going to have to use the oven to make toast: until I can afford a new one.

Ho … hum … !

~≈🍞≈~

One thing I DID manage to do, yesterday … ?

Was order various repeat medications.

Although there may be an issue with 75mg aspirin I take for my heart.

My chemists, Brentwood’s ever reliable PharmChoice, have told me they will be putting in for That repeat: but there is a problem with the aspirin, as there’s a national shortage of the stuff.

However?

I’ve just enough — I hope! — to last me until my next doctor’s appointment.

Hopefully, we should be able to arrange alternatives, if needed.

~≈💊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-2-2026 — Grenada

7th February, 2026: Grenada.

Yay!

It’s Saturday … !

Which means … it’s the day after Friday, the day after I had an electrician visit.

It’s something I’d arranged a couple of weeks ago: as I’d had a couple of minor — very minor — electric shocks from the old switch.

Something the electrician told me wasn’t too risky: but agreed that I right in requesting the repair.

I was better safe than sorry.

~≈💡≈~

Just as a quick question … ?

I use Transmission if I ever need to download stuff via torrent: there’s a lot of open source software you can get that way.

Are you using it, as well?   Version 4·10, on a Mac running macOS Tahoe 26·2?

Are you getting problems?

Funny error messages, non-existent progress bars, what have you?

If you do, and have successfully done something about it, can you let me know, please?

Cheers!

~≈⚙️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-2-2025 — New Zealand (Ten Questions)

6th February, 2026: New Zealand.

Right … it’s Friday.

But you knew that, already.

I’ve taken my weekly dose of Mounjaro.

But you’d guessed I’d be doing that, too.

Just as equally … ?

I possibly need to go out, too: light shopping and healthy exercise calls.

But … ?

It’s throwing down, out there … !

~≈🌧️≈~

As a last thought … ?

An old friend is a Kiwi expat: and sent this photo:

Cheers, Donna!

~≈🥝≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-2-2026 — Robert Peel

5th February, 2026: Sir Robert Peel.

Right … I’ve officially published a couple of videos.

The one about leaving X … isn’t doing well.

But then, I wouldn’t expect it to.

That said … ?

My review of Ralph Bakshi’s version of The Lord of the Rings has done better in the same time-span.

That’s pleasantly surprising: given I no longer having access to X/Twitter means I can’t promote it, there.

We’ll have to see how it goes.

~≈❌≈~

One point in that review … ?

Was it’s version of Gollum.

Which struck me as … well, as problematic.

I can’t help but think it sounded like a caricatured version of Shylock, or Fagin.

Mildly anti-semitic, in other words.

I’m just grateful it’s not something Andy Serkis repeated … 

~≈💍≈~

I’ve had Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” earworming its way through my head, this morning.

So … ?

Have had a version from Spotify, playing: in an effort to get rid of it.

One that’s been repeatedly interrupted by adverts from a firm of solicitors called Irwin and Mitchell: offering to help get you compensation, if you’ve had an accident at work.

The thing’s featured an actor: playing a character who’s lost his leg in an accident at work … but who’s then told us he was “… in the military”.

Without actually telling us he’s had his leg blown off in combat.

Which I’m assuming is the inference we’re supposed to be drawing, here.

But?

If you’ve joined the Army, I’d imagine you’ve joined knowing that you could be killed or injured in combat, killed or injured on active service and killed or injured as a result of deliberate enemy action.

I have to ask, does getting your leg blown off as a result of stepping on a landmine count as an industrial accident?

Especially if the risk of coming back in a box is part of the job … 

~≈🔫≈~

The Lord of the Rings (1978) — A Review.

1st February, 2026 — The Lord of the Rings (1978).

An Introduction.

OK … it’s a Sunday afternoon: and … ?

I have dinner cooking.

Sausages, so you know: with potatoes.

Exciting stuff, eh … ?

At any rate: it’s quiet, my browser isn’t making my Mac over heat … and there’s laundry doing.

Which has just reminded me: putting things in the dryer, helps … !

At any rate?

I’ve a quiet night in, and a pile of movies to watch.

And … ?

Ever since seeing Ralph Bakshi’s Wizards, a while back, there was something else I meant to catch … 

Catch, review … and tell you about by Wednesday … 

~≈🧙🏾‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-2-2026 — Brave New World (Ten Questions)

4th February, 2026: Brave New World.

Right then … it’s Wednesday … !

Which means — as my nephew, Jude, was over, last night … ? — that it’s time for another of his videos!

You’re officially making ‘YAY’ noises, aren’t you … ?

~≈⚽️≈~

The former BBC2 series, Mock the Week, has been revived: on its new channel, TLC.

In a new, extended, form.

I caught the repeated, first episode, last night.

It was an hour long: in part, due to the various ad breaks.

It’s still funny … but I don’t think the ad-breaks, or the extended run-time, appealed … !

~≈📢≈~

Which reminds me … 

There’s a few TV shows I want to watch, then review: including the last series of Stranger Things, and Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy.

That’s going to have to wait, though, I think: until after my piece on the Ralph Bakshi version of The Lord of the Rings.

Which should be today.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🧙‍♂️≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve now, officially, deactivated my X/Twitter account.

And, surprisingly?

It’s not because of Elon Musk, or his politics.

Granted, I didn’t — and don’t — like what I know of his beliefs: but they didn’t stop my enjoyment of X, as a site.

I’ve met someone nice people as a result of being on the thing.

No, what’s got me leaving?

I have, for some sixteen odd years, advertised both this blog, and my YouTube videos, on X.

Quite repetitively so, in fact.

And, in the past few weeks?

Had my account limited.

Because those posts have been seen as spam, and — ha! — inauthentic!

So, after a lot of thinking?

I’ve deactivated my X account.

After thirty days, after 4th March, 2026, anyone using my account, @Cuddy2977, isn’t going to be me.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Mastodon, Instagram and Bluesky.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-2-2026 — Tulip Mania!

3rd February, 2026: Tulip Mania.

It’s Tuesday: and the day after my most recent weight management class.

Or meeting.

Or group … 

I’ve never actually worked out what the damn thing’s called: I’ll ask a volunteer, next time I go.

At any rate … ?

At the most recent one, I found I’d lost half a kilo.

Which is good: last week I’d gained a kilo!

Heigh-ho!

~≈⚖️≈~

Right … I’m getting further along in a movie review: which is good.

I’ll hopefully have the written version done by tomorrow.

Once I’ve got that done, I can make the video … !

~≈🎥≈~

I’ve mentioned that I was having overheating issues: trying to record videos, whilst I had multiple Pages documents open.

And posted to Apple’s Community forums about the issue.

I also mentioned I’d had my doubts about the updates versions of Pages, Numbers and Keynote, Apple’s iWork suite, as I was unsure about the associated subscription model: the one that allowed you to access premium content.

I’m not too worried about that, right now.

As the premium content is clearly marked: and there’s a window that opens up, reminding you you need to pay for whatever it you’ve clicked on.

That’s one less worry.

But, before updating to recent versions of the suite?

I’d also noticed that:

I’d get overheating whilst recording footage using Quicktime, whilst multiple Pages documents, open

I’d get overheating with at least two Pages documents open, and at least one Safari Window open: specifically the tab that let me post to Nik Nak Nak’s Old Peculiar.

I’d had a workaround for when I was recording: having two Pages files open — rather than the usual thirty or so! — and storing the files on my Mac, rather than in iCloud, seemed to prevent over heating.

But was still getting mild, but noticeable, overheating with the mix of Safari and Pages.

Thankfully?

The update to Pages 15.1 seems to have put a stop to the latter problem.

I’ll have to see what happens with the recording issue, later … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last point … ?

It seems there’s going to be an auction of Dr Who props in the not too distant future.

It’s also my birthday on 4th March.

Anyone who want’s to buy me a Dalek, would be welcome … !

~≈🧾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd February, 2026

2nd February, 2026.

Right … it’s a Monday.

And I fell somewhat tired.

Why?

Partly because I’m up early: it’s a Monday, so I’m off to my weight management class.

But partly?

Because I was up, comparatively, late.

At least for me.

Yep: I caught a movie, and started on a review.

I wonder … can you guess what I watched … ?

~≈🧙🏽≈~

I’ve just had a suspicious call on 00491 791 797 826: from ‘Gareth’, of the ‘Microsoft Technical Department’.

It’s a old trick: someone phones you, claiming to be from Microsoft, so they can trick control of your computer from you.

I asked the usual question I ask in these circumstances: “Why are Microsoft phoning me about my Apple Mac?”

Gareth put the phone down.

How rude … 

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st February 2026

1st February, 2026.

Right … it’s a quiet Sunday morning … 

And … ?

I’m expecting it to stay quiet.

Here’s hoping!

~≈🌞≈~

I’ve been doing a little research, after finding out that the newly updated versions of Pages*, Keynote and Number were available.

Complete with premium options connected to Apple’s Creator Studio suite.

It turns out that I don’t need a subscription for the iWork suite.

I just need the subscription for the premium content, premium content that includes extra templates and AI features.

It’s a shame in one sense: those templates look good, and would add variety to some of my presentations.

And using this updated version of Pages seems to be causing less overheating, when used with multiple Safari tabs.

The subscription would included access to Final Cut Pro.

The software’s a step up from iMovie, and better optimised for the Mac platform than the free version of DaVinci Resolve†, which I also use.

I feel a little mixed about that.

But can at least say I’m not spending more money … 

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-1-2026 — Three Sisters

31st January, 2026: Three Sisters.

My Twitter issues go on … 

And … ?

I’m still contemplating leaving the service.

After I’ve let my followers on the service know, finalised a few things … and told them, and you, where to find me … 

~≈🕸️≈~

Apple have introduced a new subscription service, their Apple Creator Studio, over the last few days: following Adobe, Microsoft, and many others, in introducing Software as a Service (SaaS) versions of some of their products*.

The suite include’s access to Final Cut Pro, Apple’s professional video editing suite, along side premium features for the iWork suite: Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

I’m a little unsure about committing to it, though, as it’s an extra, ongoing, cost.

I’d rather pay once, frankly.

We’ll have to see what happens, there.

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th January 2026.

30th January, 2026: Gosh!

It’s officially official: I’ve had today’s dose of Mounjaro, the drug that helps me lose weight, and control my diabetes.

And … ?

I think it’s working better than it has for the past few weeks: I seem to be getting the jitters it used to provide.

Heigh … ho … !

~≈¥≈~

The situation with X/Twitter is getting ridiculous.

I’ve signed up for the Basic Premium service: in the belief it will let me access support from a human customer services agent.

Or, at least, message the @Premium account with a direct message.

Nope!

Despite having an active account …

I’m told I have to get Verified to message them.

I’m going to paraphrase John Lyndon, here: I get the feeling I’ve been cheated … 

~≈❌≈~

Just as a brief note … ?

It seems Microsoft has issues: as updates to Windows 11 have been preventing  PCs — commercial ones in particular — to not shutdown when switched off.

And machines that have had a update applied to prevent this, are having issues starting up.

Normally?

I’d be telling people to get a Mac: except I know current versions of the operating system seem to be having issues.

So that’s possibly some to be cautious about.

Given all that … ?

I’m going to make a guess: a lot of companies will be buying Chromebooks … 

~≈💤≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th January 2026.

29th January, 2026.

It’s officially official: Apple have updated iMovie, Pages, Numbers and Keynote.

Apparently to improve performance and stability in iMovie’s case.

And to introduce bug fixes in the case of the iWork suite.

I can only hope those bug fixes address the overheating issues I’ve been having … 

~≈🔐≈~

There’s something else, as well.

Yes: YouTube have introduced a new feature.

I can now add a quiz to my videos!

Which seems a little pointless in the case of the Teasers … but I’m sure it will come in useful.

~≈⁇≈~

As another thought … ?

I got told, a day or two ago, that I could contact a human support agent on X/Twitter, if I paid for X Premium.

I signed up for the cheapest option available,

And, after waiting the advised amount of time … still can’t talk to a human.

I’ve had to fill in a form.

And also tried to use their Contact Us button.

Which just leads to a barrage of FAQs

‘FAQ’ … is not the word I’m using … 

~≈📇≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

Yes: pizza, garlic bread, chicken strips and chips were eaten.

And yes: a video was made.

Apparently, the main man in attack is Erling Harland … 

~≈⚽️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28th January 2026.

28th January, 2026.

Right … it’s officially officially: daylight is a’comin’ in … 

And … ?

It’s Wednesday … !

This time last week, I’d been due to meet my Job Centre case worker: eventually being told that I wouldn’t need to job hunt: and would have to phone in for my next appointment, by the 11th March.

Why?

I don’t know.

But that search, and the associated paperwork, has been a defining thing for me for the past few years.

~≈👨🏻‍💻≈~

You’ve possibly realised I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: and deeply saddened by both his death, and the dementia diagnosis that was a contributor to it.

So … ?

The fact the Today programme mentioning the news that his condition may have been visible many years before he was diagnosed?

Grabbed my attention.

I can only hope that this leads to if not a cure: then certainly better treatment, and longer quality of life.

~≈🧠≈~

I’m STILL having issues with X/Twitter.

I’m still — seemingly — in Twitter jail: and still can’t talk to a human about it.

I’ve even paid for the basic Premium service: so I can talk to a human about the situation.

That’s going to take another twelve hours.

Frankly, and at the moment … ?

It’s frustrating … !

~≈❌≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27th January 2026.

27th January, 2026: Is Len In … ?

Yes: I know what you’re thinking … 

You’re looking at today’s picture — complete with a well known Russian leader — then staring at the date at the top of the page.

And thinking “That’s a bad pun.”

What can I tell you … ?

Bar “There’s a better one, over here”?

~≈⁉️≈~

Hmmm … 

I’ve been suspended from Twitter/X, again.

Although it MAY be for a shorter time than recently.

I don’t know.

But if you’re on the service, and CAN see me?

Can you let me know?

I should be under Following, if at all.

At any rate … that’s not what I was going to mention.

I was going to tell you that Facebook announced they were going to add an ad-free subscription service, last year.

Well, yesterday, I logged into FB on my desktop … and got the message about it … 

I went for the free option.

That’s more affordable.

Even though, at £2·99p, it’s cheaper than Twitter’s basic offering … 

~≈❌≈~