Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-7-2026 — Argentina

9th July, 2026: Argentina.

It’s official: I’ve uploaded a video!

But you’ve possibly guessed that.

And possibly already noticed that uploading a video to tell you I’ve uploaded a video seems a little recursive.

For want of a better word!

At any rate?

I caught the first episode of For All Mankind’s new series: and thought I should tell you about it!

~≈👨‍🚀≈~

Oh … the BBC’s new site released this article, a few days ago: telling us many companies are renting out robots, and questioning what use the robots are.

It’s mostly entertainment ones getting rented out, it seems: ones doing tasks that are easy to program.

That’s not necessarily caught my attention, though.

The simple fact that companies are renting out robots is what caught me.

Why?

Because renting out electronics is an old idea: Brentwood had a branch of Radio Rentals, after all.

That’s not the first thing I thought of, though.

No.

I thought of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot.

That’s the first place I saw the idea … !

~≈🤖≈~

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 1 — “First Light” — A Review

7th July, 2026.

“First Light”.

The Introduction.

It has to be said: there comes a time when tedium will only carry you so far.

Well, not tedium, per se.

But the awareness that there’s only so much on TV: and, therefore?

Only so much you want to talk about.

Of current TV shows?

I’ve binged Slow Horses, and found it entertaining.

I’ve caught the first series of The Blacklist, and found that equally entertaining.

I’ve seen the first episode of the new series of Silo: and been left intrigued.

But, with Dr Who, and Star Trek, off-air?

There’s few series I feel inclined to tell you about.

Or, at least, there hasn’t been, since March, and the last series of Stranger Things.

But … ?

There’s a something things I felt I should start watching: and tell you about.

Yes: the fifth and latest series of AppleTV’s For All Mankind.

I’m going to be watching the first episode, “First Light”, tonight: then posting my written and video review by this Friday.

I’ll see you … in a few days time … 

~≈👾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-7-2026 — Number 189.

8th July, 2026: the Number 189.

Right, then: as we speak, stuff is being pencilled in!

Or, at least, drafted!

Yes: I’ve started watching For All Mankind’s fifth series, and am working on my review of the first episode.

That should be done by tomorrow, hopefully: keep your eyes peeled!

~≈♂︎≈~

In the wake of some financial scandals?

In the wake of some financial scandals, Reform leader, Nigel Farage, has handed in his resignation as an MP.

Or, at least, applied for the post of ‘Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds’, the Parliamentary equivalent.

He’s also announced he will be standing in the ensuing by-election, in an effort to clear his name.

It’s a publicity stunt, I think.   And one that would make me less likely to vote for the man: even given I’m not a Reform voter.

I’ll give the man credit for taking a political risk.

But?

I’d rather spoil my vote, than vote for a right wing candidate like Farage!

I’m also aware that — from what the Today Programme has said — if or when he is re-elected, he would still have a parliamentary enquiry into his finances.

I’m also wondering what would happen if his resignation were refused.

Apart from a certain amount of embarrassment, that is.

All of this is not why I’m annoyed about Farage’s actions.

Firstly?

Given his re-election wouldn’t stop a Parliamentary enquiry, I think any by-election is a waste of public money.

And, secondly?

The other, rival parties — Labour, the Tories, the Lib-Dems, Greens and Restore Britain — have all announced that they would not be standing in it: as they regard Farage’s actions as a stunt.

I can appreciate their point.

But think not opposing the idiot, not standing against him is profoundly undemocratic.

It’s denying voters a choice of candidates.

I can only encourage Clacton voters to either vote for the inevitable comedy candidates that turn up.

Or spoil their votes.

Or hope that Mr Farage’s resignation is refused: until the enquiry is completed.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7th July 2026.

7th July, 2026.

How much excitement is it possible to have on one day … ?

I don’t know!

Anything from ‘Not enough’ to ‘way too much’.

Either way … ?

The most exciting thing that’s happened to me, this morning?

Is ChatGPT acting up: so I couldn’t twiddle the artwork about.

Ho … Hum!

~≈🤪≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th July 2026.

6th July, 2026.

Right … it’s Weight Management Monday … !

So, yes: I’m off To town to get my weight, checked, again.

I’d lost half a kilo, last week: hopefully, I’ve been able to keep that trend, going!

Keep your fingers crossed for me, please … !

~≈⚖️≈~

On other fronts?

It’s always the way that — if you’re online, at this time of the morning — you see adverts.

It’s part of the price we pay, for using many websites.

The only problem … ?

The only problem I find, is the inevitable misleading ads.

A few years agoi, now, I got conned by a third party seller on Ebay: into buying USB sticks with a claimed capacity of some two terabytes, some two thousand gigabytes.

But which turned out to only hold some thirty-two gigabytes.

You can read about that, here.

This morning … ?

I was floating around Youtube: and got shown an advert from a site called tlpnb.com.

Which claimed to be selling thirty-two terabyte sized external solid-state drives for “less than the price of a bottle of beer.”

But that the site was advertising for £33.

Which is pricey for a beer … 

But bloody cheap for that size of external drive.

Especially when Amazon do two terabyte SSDs for two or three times the price.

Given that?

And given the website selling these iffy drives offers ‘securety payments*’?

I’m going to offer some advice.

Go nowhere near tlpnb.com, buy nothing from them!

They’re dubious, to say the least!

~≈👻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-7-2026 — Nemesis the Warlock (Ten Questions)

5th July, 2026: Nemesis the Warlock.

Right … it’s another Sunday.

I don’t know about your Sunday: but I suspect mine’s going to be quiet.

Or, at least, involve nothing more taxing than making a lot of videos!

If anything exciting happens — alien invasions, war, sex, really exciting stuff? — you’ll be the first to find out … !

~≈👽≈~

One thing I can tell you … ?

Is that I’ve caught more episodes of various TV shows.

Frankly?

Series two of Blacklist looks good: but is starting to pale, after binge watching Slow Horses, and catching the opening episode of Silo series three.

Still, I can’t complain too much.

They’re entertaining, after all.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2026 — Independence Day (Ten Questions)

4th July, 2026: Independence Day.

I suspect a lot’s going to be happening, today.

Or, at least, I hope there is!

Personally?

I don’t get paid until this Friday: so I’m not doing any thing exciting.

However, the USA … ?

It’s Independence Day.

So … ?

I’m going to officially wish the country a Happy Birthday … whilst thinking the country has a sillier twit than usual in charge!

~≈🇺🇸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd July 2026

3rd July, 2026.

OK … it’s a Friday … !

And, yes: I’ve had another dose of Mounjaro.

So?

That’s that done for another week.

I’ve also got to head into town: to pick up a couple of things from my pharmacist.

Frankly … ?

My life is a huge mass of adventure, excitement and really wild things.

~≈💊≈~

I follow the technology news: and am something of a Mac fan.

And am very aware Sony have announced that they won’t be releasing games on physical media from 2028.

My nephew, Jude … ?

Doesn’t like that idea, either, before you ask!

At any rate, given the trend away from physical discs?

A recent Apple announcement — that they will be removing DVD support from the upcoming version of macOS — shouldn’t be surprising.

I’m … 

Disappointed … 

And wondering how this will affect a couple of apps I use on a regular basis.

But … ?

It’s not actually surprising … 

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd July 2026

2nd July, 2026.

Right, then: it’s Thursday!

And I’ve literally rolled out of bed, this morning.

Rolled out of bed … and hit the carpet with a certain amount of screaming, pain … and swearing.

Well … you would, wouldn’t you?

~≈🍁≈~

I’ve mentioned that Rockstar Games next big release in the Grand Theft Auto series — GTA6 — is to not be released on optical disc.

You can buy a boxed version: but it’ll only contain a download key.

In a follow-up piece, published yesterday?

Sonny announced that they would no longer be producing games on disc: that they, too, will be issuing downloadable version … 

Or ‘physical’ copies that consist of download codes in a box.

I’m … 

Well … I’d imagine that decision will disappoint a few people.

One advantage to physical discs is the simple ability to re-sell them, when a player’s done with them.

It’s a good way of off-setting some of the cost of the game.

Another advantage?

Is if the game’s producers take the online version, off-line.

A gamer still has the physical copy.

I think this decision is a shame: ads there’s pros and cons to both formats.

I’m not surprised by it, though.

One of the first modern computers I owned, shipped with a copy of Ubuntu OS: one that shipped with an early form of app store.

Useful, given that you couldn’t buy Linux software in the shops.

But … ?

At the time, I felt that App Store, that download-only model, was the shape of things to come.

Given how that model has spread since then?

Sony’s decision may be disappointing: but really isn’t surprising.

~≈🛜≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-7-2026 — New Brunswick. (Ten Questions)

1st July, 2026: New Brunswick.

I think it’s official.

No, I know it’s official.

It’s Wednesday!

Although quite why I thought it was Tuesday, I don’t know.

I spent most of Friday, just gone, convinced it was Saturday.

Why do people’s brain do that?

Tell them it’s Day A, when it’s actually Day B?

I wish I knew.

It would possibly explain a lot!

~≈📆≈~

On other fronts?

I had a letter, the other day: from the NHS hospital that had carried out my most recent stool sample tests.

The letter told me I was — thankfully! —   free of any issues.

I have to admit to mixed feelings.

On the one hand, ‘free of any issues’ means I have nothing that needs removing.

No polyps, no cancerous bodies.

It also means I’ve avoided a colonoscopy.

Which is a good thing: as effective as they are, they’re not exactly comfortable!

On the other hand?

I’ve got the worry that the test has missed something.

And that — as uncomfortable as the procedure is — having a colonoscopy means I could be certain I’m free of bowel cancer.

It’s … well … 

It’s a mixed result, I think.

~≈🚑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-6-2026 — International Asteroid Day

30th July, 2026: International Asteroid Day.

OK … 

It’s a Tuesday morning: and the day after I’ve been to my most recent weigh-in.

And?

And, I hear you ask?

Yes: I’ve officially lost some six hundred grams.

About 1.3 pound, in Imperial.

That’s good: and offsets the 500 gram that my weight had gone up by.

That’s a result.

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Streamed movies and TV shows … 

I don’t think we can deny it: streamed entertainment, whether we’re talking about games, movies, music or TV shows, are incredibly entertaining … 

And incredibly convenient.

However?

This article, from AV Club, tells us that Sony are to remove roughly 550 titles available from their PlayStation Store.

Despite many customers having purchased theoretically permanent copies.

The removal of those titles, titles people have paid good money for?

Is going to cause resentment.

Especially if — from what the article says — there’s no sign of a potential refund.

And especially when you consider the only effective way of countering this — buying the blu-ray version of a title — means potentially coughing up extra cash for a title you may already own.

Personally, I think that buying blu-rays, and other physical media, is the better option.

Yes: you may well be paying twice.

But yes: you’re not losing access to something you’ve paid for.

Sony, and others, are hardly going to bang on your door and demand ‘their’ property back*.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2026 — the Number 180.

29th June, 2026.

Yes: it’s another Monday … !

So, it’s another weigh-in, at the usual place.

And, given I gained half a kilo, last week?

I’m hoping I’ve lost something this week.

If you could keep your fingers crossed for me, I’d appreciate it.

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

The other thing I have to do … ?

Is get some olive oil.

I suffer with earwax.

There’s plenty of ways of dealing with that.

But … ?

I usually find putting olive oil in my ear, helps.

I’m looking forward getting hold of some.

Right at the moment, B. A. Robertson sounds very muffled … 

~≈💥≈~

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

28th June, 2026.

Right … it’s a Sunday.

And the day after a recent visit from my nephew, Jude.

You can tell what’s coming, can’t you?

Yes: his latest video’s up and about.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!

~≈⚽️≈~

Just as an extra thought … ?

With Andy Burnham’s recent election as an MP, and his expected challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership, and with one thing and another?

There’s points of discussion.

One point, discussed in this piece from the BBC?

Tells us about potential cuts to welfare benefits: in order to help fund what’s called the Defence Investment Plan.

Andy Burnham has gone on the record, to say he will “… reduce the welfare bill by getting more people into work”, in order to fund the thing.

Given he’s gone on the record to say something previous administrations have said?

I’m tempted to laugh in Andy Burnham’s face.

Or, at least, to not vote Labour in elections over the next few years.

I’d be shooting my wallet in the foot.

~≈🦶≈~

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

27th June, 2026.

It’s officially Saturday … !

Which means Saturday things are happening.

Obviously.

One thing I do know is happening … ?

Is simply this.

It’s rained overnight.

Which is nice.

But … ?

It’s not exactly cooled things down … 

~≈💧≈~

I’m not especially a gamer: even though I’ll happily admit to finally finishing the original Sonic the Hedgehog, a few days ago.

That aside, I’m not a gamer.

But noticed this article from the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6210nj8gpro

One that tells us Rock Star Games latest release, Grand Theft Auto 6, is to be digital only.

At least, not released on a physical disc.

With streamed movies being more common?

That’s not surprising.

But … ?

For those of us who value physical ownership of media — and the ability to watch to play something, even if the online version has been taken down — that’s going to be a blow.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-6-2026 — Ashura

26th June, 2026: Ashura.

OK … when I say “massive amount of drugs” in that opening video?

I’m talking about prescribed medications: including a dose of Mounjaro!

There are times when I really should phrase things differently!

~≈💊≈~

At any rate?

Today looks like it’s going to be another hot day.

Frankly?

I think I’m going to need a lot of cold water!

~≈💧≈~

As a last thought … ?

I’ve been binge watching Slow Horses, over the past few days.

And … ?

I’m enjoying it.

And thinking several things.

Including this: that Sophie Okonedo’s character puts me in mind of George Smiley.

Why … ?

I couldn’t tell you: except she plays Ingrid Tearney, the (by now ex) head of MI5 in a very restrained way.

It’s something to watch, I know that!

~≈🕵🏿‍♀️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th June 2025

25th June, 2026.

Yes: I’ve finally had a haircut!

Yesterday, in point of fact: and not at my usual barbers, as he’s on holiday.

No, I went up Warley Hill, instead of down: and ended up paying a couple of pounds more.

Still … I’m feeling a touch cooler, a touch less shaggy.

Heigh … ho!

~≈💈≈~

I have to admit, I’ve only just read this piece, from the Radio Times: a piece that tells us the show runners from Dr Who, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds were in negotiations to do at least one crossover episode.

Something I know I would dearly love to have seen.

And something I suspect others would, too.

I can just imagine such a thing.

Ncuti’s 15th Doctor winding up on the bridge of the Enterprise, and making a pithy comment*: made worse if he’s got Donna Noble† with him!

Or Captain Pike and Dr M’Benga appearing in the console room … after the inevitable Transporter malfunction.

At any rate … ?

It’s something that’s come to nothing: which is a great shame.

A crossover episode could well have been fun!

~≈🖖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2026.

24th June, 2026.

OK … we have a hot day ahead of us, today!

Going by the predictions for my area, the one on the BBC’s weather website, we’re looking at highs of 34ºC.

And have a red heat warning going into force at 9am, this morning.

It’s going to be toasty, in other words.

Bottled water is going to be needed, I think.

Avoiding alcohol would be a good idea, too.

Alcoholic Drinks are whats called diuretics: they make you urinate, in other words, and leave you dehydrated.

Ever wonder why drinking too much is known as ‘getting pissed’ in British English?

Now you know.

Lay off the hard stuff in this weather!

~≈♨️≈~

I managed to read this piece, yesterday: one that tells us the UK’s government is planning to consult on turning terrestrial TV.

Or, at least, turn off the digital signal.

That’s … … 

That’s sort of inevitable, given the rise of streaming services.

The article also tells us that there’s plans — possible plans — to introduced more subsidised internet connections, ones that would be needed for internet broadcast TV.

That’s a good thing: I know plenty of people without a ’net connection, who could only afford one if they had financial help.

My issue, right now?

Is much like the flawed Digital ID scheme, from last year.

The scheme — for a mandatory digital ID for job seekers — meant users would need a smart phone for the thing.

In the case of at least one person I know, they would need help to buy said phone, AND set it up.

This seems to have similar issues: I know a few people who could afford a subsidised connection … but couldn’t afford a streaming box, let alone a new TV.

Whether it was smart or otherwise.

Yes: turning off the digital terrestrial TV signal could be inevitable.

But?

People are going To need help buying the kit.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-6-2026 — The Referendum

23rd June, 2026: the Referendum.

Right … it’s the anniversary of a well known referendum.

One I mentioned, here, and here.

I sound more undecided than I actually was: eventually voting Remain, as I felt — and still feel — my nephew, Jude, should be able to freely move around the Schengen Area.

Unfortunately?

Others felt differently.

The vote to Leave?

Was and is the biggest mistake of the UK’s life.

~≈€≈~

On a possibly happier front?

I notice, from reading those old posts?

That it was raining on the morning of 23rd June, 2016.

It was raining, again, this morning: thunder storming, in fact.

View this post on Instagram

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

Was that significant?

Meaningful?

Purely co-incidental?

Frankly?

I think it was purely co-incidental.

The UK’s only got so many weather patterns.

~≈€≈~

Oh … I had a couple of new t-shirts turn up, yesterday: a couple of custom prints from an online t-shirt printing place.

The emoji one?

Is getting some positive attention from a couple of Terry Pratchett sites I’m on.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weatentdeadyet/posts/1715039069525281/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2632759343717701/posts/4440545029605781/

The second … ?

Well, the second is from the original West End Games version of Paranoia.

If you want to use the image in your own t-shirt?

Go right on ahead … !

~≈👕≈~