Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd January 2026. (Six Questions)

23rd January, 2026.

It’s official: I get paid, today: so … ?

That means I can afford a couple of things on Amazon.

Including a new air fryer.

The old one’s getting a bit … … well … it needs a decent burial, let’s put it that way.

But the one thing I have learnt … ?

Is that it’s very good at home made chips, and roast potatoes.

Remind me to thank my mother: she got me my original model, a few years ago … 

~≈🍳≈~

Apparently?

There’s a new, charity, album out: called Help(2), that’s raising money for War Child.

I don’t know that there’s a song on there that’s grabbing me.

And I’ve only heard of three of the acts: Depeche Mode, Wet Leg and Pulp.

So nothing I’m buying.

But … ?

The original album, 1995’s Help, has a cover of Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billy Joe”: by the late Sinéad O’Connor.

It’s a superb song … and the late Ms O’Connor did one hell of a version … !

~≈🌁≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I caught a film called Sinners, a while back.

It’s slow: but very good.

It’s ALSO broken an Oscar record: and earned itself sixteen Oscar nominations.

It’s a horror film: they never win more than the craft awards.

But … ?

I can only hope it at least backs the Best Music gong.

The music is superb … !

~≈🎸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd January 2026

22nd January, 2026.

Right … it’s now Thursday: which means it’s officially the day before pay day.

So … ?

I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

I can pay my bills, get shopping … and have just enough money to buy a new air fryer.

Mine’s had a bit of wear and tear.

Thankfully, there’s a few reasonably priced replacements on Amazon.

~≈🍳≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-1-2026 — On Telly

21st January, 2026: Telly Savalas.

OK … it is officially official: my nephew was over last night.

He’s helpful when it comes to cooking oven ready pizza: but the pair of us could not work something out.

Are you supposed to put the garlic butter on the dough balls, when you’re cooking them: or after you’ve cooked them?

The label on the back of the packet only says that you have to “Set aside the garlic dip to warm to room temperature”.

Which wasn’t necessarily helpful!

At any rate … ?

Jude’s latest video is now out.

If you have a clue about doughballs?

Leave us a comment, on the video!

~≈🍕≈~

Today is a day that I’m expecting a phone call from my new work coach, my new Job Centre case worker.

This afternoon, in point of fact.

They’re the second new case worker in the space of three months.

I can understand new staff need training: and that the long-term unemployed can be good clients to be trained on … 

But it’s nice to deal with a familiar member of staff: that continuity of service is reassuring, I think.

~≈✒️≈~

Hmmm … 

The discussions — should I use italics, there, or quotation marks? — let’s start again, there!

The discussions over Greenland continue: with the US president heading for the World Economic Forum, today.

With Greenland’s Industry Minister going on the record to say “We do not want to be Americans”.

I’m not surprised.

Outside reasons of patriotism, outside a desire to not be an American colony, Greenland has free healthcare for its citizens.

Becoming part of the US, however it’s done, however it’s arranged, whatever assurances the greedy idiot in Washington wants to give?

Becoming part of the US means losing that free healthcare, and gaining the USA’s famously expensive system.

Why would anyone in their right minds want to do that … ?

~≈🇬🇱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th January 2026.

20th January, 2026.

For me, right now … ?

It’s getting towards pay day: on Friday.

Which means?

That right now, I’m feeling skint, blue … and mildly frustrated.

Not having cash will do that do a body, won’t it?

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th January 2026

19th January, 2026.

Sodding X … !

It’s very frustrating … !

I’ve had my posts limited: as, apparently, I’m posting potential spam.

The frustrating thing … ?

Is that the automated Customer Help chat bot?

Is exactly that: automated, very repetitive … and can’t give me a time it’ll be finished.

Oh, and tells me I have to sign up for Premium, to talk to someone human about it.

What does Elon Musk want?   Apart from blood?

~≈Ç≈~

About the only upside to this … ?

Is that I saw a silly post on the service.

This one: 

Go to your ChatGPT and send this prompt: “Create an image of how I treat you”. Share your image result. 😂 pic.twitter.com/eQ41mFYAbd

— 𝔸𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕪👾 (@gmltony) January 18, 2026

So?

I tried it, myself, and got this picture: 

I don’t for sure: but isn’t that a pregnancy test?

Quite what’s happening, there, I don’t know!

~≈🫃≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-1-2026 — DeSalvo

18th January, 2026: DeSalvo.

I think I’m on safe territory, here.

In saying that the 47th President of the United States of America is a screaming twat.

If you’ll pardon my language!

I’ll also say that the UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, may not be helping.

The President’s demands — that the US take over Greenland — are still on-going: with the US, under the President’s orders, due to impose tariffs from February.

Something affected countries have criticised as unacceptable.

Understandably.

Additionally?

The Prime Minister tells us the allies will be “pursuing this directly, with the administration”.

Which is possibly where things fall apart.

I believe whatever Britain’s representatives say to the current US administration is going to get ignored … 

~≈🇬🇱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th January 2026.

17th January, 2026.

Yes: that’s right.

It’s Saturday.

We can officially dance, sing, wave our arms around, and do stuff … !

If we can be bothered, obviously!

~≈🕺≈~

The UK’s Green Party has called for free bus travel for youngsters under the age of twenty-two.

A policy that’s in place in Scotland: and available for under-eighteens on Transport-for-London’s services.

I like the idea: and know it’s something my fifteen-year-old nephew, Jude, would benefit from.

I like the idea … but … ?

I’m mildly jealous … and wondering where the money to pay for it’s coming from … 

~≈🚏≈~

Former Tory MP, Robert Jenrick, has defected from the Conservatives, to Reform.

Normally?

I’d vote for neither party: even though, in the wake of Jenrick’s treachery, I’ve thought of voting Conservative to keep a Reform MP from not getting elected in Brentwood.

It was a close run thing, at the last General Election: with the Tories getting ~17, 000 votes, to Reform’s ~11, 000.

The Tory candidate scored ~36, 000 in the previous election: when Reform didn’t stand.

In all honesty, though?

I don’t think I’d vote for either party: both of them are too right wing for my tastes.

Either way … ?

I don’t think I’d be voting for Robert Jenrick: I feel those voters who did vote for him in 2026, voted for a Conservative MP, not a Reform one.

In defecting, he’s betrayed them: by denying them the MP they voted for.

Personally?

I think Mr Jenrick should do what other defecting MPs should do in his shoes.

Stand down, and stand, again, in the subsequent by-election.

That way, voters get to vote for a traitor: or vote for someone new.

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th January 2026.

16th January, 2026.

Right, then: it’s now Friday.

And … ?

I’ve remember to take my Mounjaro … !

Having to inject myself is a much needed chore that’s easy to forget.

But?

I’m very aware it’s exactly that: a much needed chore.

~≈💉≈~

I *think* I’m having issues with X: the site formerly known as Twitter.

As I’m sure Olga and Debbi will tell you, it’s getting harder to find my posts on the site.

I’ve JUST had a word with the site’s automated Help item: and have a lot of stuff to go through, as a result.

But … ?

Apparently, I can talk to a human … if I subscribe to X’s premium service.

Money for which, I don’t have.

Remind me to tell you about the phrase, ‘urinating dog’.

I’m tempted to use a lot of them … 

~≈!≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-1-2026 — David Lynch (Ten questions)

15th January, 2026: David Lynch.

Yay!

It’s Thursday!

Which means we can dance, sing, and wave our hands in the air: for no apparent reason.

Why?

Well, why not … ?

~≈🪢≈~

I’m something of a Mac fan: which you’d guessed.

So … ?

The news that Apple’s going to be introducing its Apple Creative Suite grabbed my attention.

The suite’s going to consist of subscription versions of their Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor and MainStage, apps.

I have to confess, I like the idea: it seems a cheap way of getting hold of some well spoken of, powerful, software.

But … ?

I’m still not sure I like the idea of renting software: nor — on my money — does it the quoted price seem reasonable.

Given the money?

I’d be happier buying the main app, Final Cut Pro.

If anyone has £300 going begging, I’d love to hear about it!

~≈🪙≈~

Did I mention there’s a young woman called Drew Gulliver floating around various socials?

There’s a young woman called Drew Gulliver floating around various socials.

She’s gorgeous … and seems to have a thing about Dad jokes … !

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Drew Gulliver (@drewgulliver)

Dearie, dearie me … !

~≈🎹≈~

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

14th January, 2026.

A few weeks ago, now, the Government made a great fanfare of its proposed mandatory digital ID scheme.

Something that they implied would help catch illegal migrants working illegally in the UK.

It’s something I objected to: as did many others.

Personally?   I felt it would cost a fortune.

As I know a few people who could not afford to buy, set up or use, the smart phone needed for the app.

As far as I was concerned, the cost of buying someone a new phone, and helping them set it up, would be prohibitive.

Additionally?   The government didn’t realise that, if someone couldn’t afford the smart phone need for the scheme, they not be able to get a job, as they’d not be able to prove their right to work in the UK: whether they had that right, or not.

Thousands wouldn’t be able to get a job: despite being legally able to.

That’s before you factor in any privacy issues: or having to repeat this for other groups, for college students, the elderly or for those with learning disabilities.

Thankfully?

The government has decided to drop the scheme.

Or, at least, make it optional, rather than compulsory.

I’m thankful, and left thinking this government is like many others.

It doesn’t know its bum from its elbow.

~≈💪≈~

In better news?

The t-shirts I ordered, finally turned up.

Custom ones that feature the covers for the old Games Workshop* version of second edition RuneQuest, and the fifth edition of Tunnels and Trolls.

I’m glad they got here: I was getting impatient.

But I’m also thinking one of them could cause a fuss … 

~≈👙≈~

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

13th January, 2026.

It’s official: I’ve got a case of gas.

And the trots!

Nope: it wasn’t the spaghetti sauce!

I think it’s the medication I’m on: one or two of them can be funny like that.

Either way … ?

I’m hoping that I’ll recover, quickly.

It’s always embarrassing, even if I don’t have visitors!

~≈💨≈~

Actually, talking about the last batch of spaghetti sauce?

I had some more of it, last night.

Turns out it goes better with peas and potatoes.

That’s my cookery reputation, shot!

~≈🍲≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-1-2026 — Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Na-Na Batman! (Ten Questions)

12th January, 2026: Batman.

Right, then: today’s Monday: so I’m off to my weight loss group.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed: and hoping I’ve lost a little.

Here’s hoping!

~≈⚖️≈~

In other news?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday.

No pizzas were injured in the process.

But videos were uploaded.

The second one, the FIFA one?

Had an issue: as one of the sounds effects Jude used for it, refused to transcode.

And thus, caused the rendering process to hang.

The solution was simple.

Force quit iMovie, dump the incomplete video, re-open iMovie and re-export the project: after removing the offending effect.

Job done: the resulting video is now the second of the two I’ve embedded, here.

Quite why the effect played up?

I really don’t know.

~≈✭≈~

As a final thought … ?

I caught this news-piece on The Register, yesterday.

One that tells us the European Commission — the European Union’s highest decision making body — is encouraging the use of more open source software.

If I’ve read the piece, correctly, that’s partly on the grounds of cost: the commission thinks there’s long term savings to be had.

But it also thinks there’s digital sovereignty issues.

In other words that the EU’s not in charge of their technology: US companies are.

I’ve long felt have European companies making software for use by European countries would be a good thing.

I’ve felt that, for as long as I’ve felt British software companies making software for the people and government of the UK, is a good thing.

I can only hope Brussels persuades EU members — and the EU’s apparatchik — to adopt more open source software.

Just as I hope the UK does.

It can only be a good thing.

~≈⎔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-1-2026 — Morocco

11th January, 2026.

Right … sauce … 

I’ve actually managed to make some spaghetti sauce, last night.

Just not very good spaghetti sauce!

I’m convinced I didn’t use enough tomatoes: and it’s not as creamy as it could be.

Frankly?

It’s more a spaghetti stew, a stew you can put on top of spaghetti.

Still: I’ve five more tubs of the stuff.

And I can always have it with potatoes, if I didn’t fancy pasta!

~≈🍝≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-1-2026 — Tintin (Ten Questions)

10th January, 2026: Tintin.

I think that — right now? — I can safely say this: right now, it isn’t raining.

But it, according to the BBC’s weather site, -3°C.

Accounting for the wind chill factor, that is.

It’s going to be nippy, out … !

~≈🥶≈~

The BBC news is full of it.

News: before you comment!

The site’s telling us that there are riots happening in Iran, that the country’s leadership are blaming the US,  that everything’s happening, all at once.

Including Reza Pahlevi making comments: calling for Iranians to head for the streets, comments that coma as some demonstrators are calling for the return of the Shah of Iran.

The last Shah?

Was overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini, back in 1979.

Khomeini’s regime?   Is the one that’s currently in charge of the country, the one that’s seeing protestors on the streets.

And the one that’s getting complaints from Reza Pahlevi.

He, if you didn’t know … ?

Is the current, exiled, Crown Prince of Iran.

And — depending on which side you take — is either encouraging protestors to call for reform to Iran’s government.

Or is egging protestors on.

Either way?

It sounds very similar to the events that put Khomeini, an exiled Iranian leader, an exiled Iranian leader egging protestors who was egging protestors on, back in 1979.

There’s that old saying: that what goes around, comes around.

That seems very applicable: if these protests turn into another Iranian revolution, it would only show us why they call them revolutions …

“Don’t put your trust in revolutions. They always come around again.”

Night Watch, Terry Pratchett.

~≈🛞≈~

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

9th January, 2026.

Right … I’ve just looked out of the window, again.

And it’s still raining.

Storm Goretti hasn’t hit Brentwood as badly as it’s hit other parts of the country.

Thankfully.

But?

I’m not exactly looking forward to going out … !

~≈☔️≈~

Hmmm … 

It seems OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, have introduced a feature for the US version of the service: that can access a person’s medical records.

I’m not sure I like the idea.

I think there’s privacy issues.

Do you want ChatGPT publishing your details by accident?   Let alone your medical records?

I don’t, either.

But it’s not just that.

Yes, there’s upsides, especially in terms of medical research: this could well lead to better drug treatments, as well as highlighting medical problems, and potential solutions.

But?

I’m wondering how and when an AI chatbot can alter medical details, and alter them to a patient’s detriment.

How and when.

Not necessarily if.

There’s also the simple fact that this seems to be limited to the US: for now.

I suspect the USA’s for-profit medical system may be a factor in OpenAI’s decision to start the process there.

It means they will get paid for this, then sell on the results at a profit: rather than give the results to researchers.

Ho … … hum!

~≈🏥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th January 2026.

8th January, 2026.

I’ve got to admit, I looked out of the window, earlier.

And yes: with Storm Goretti on the horizon, Brentwood’s getting rained on.

So … ?   I’m happy to see that the government-sponsored Cold Weather Payment has gone through.

Having extra money for gas will be useful.

It won’t stop the rain, or the storm: but will get me dry, if I go out.

~≈⛽️≈~

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

7th January, 2026.

It’s officially Wednesday … which means I have a hygienist’s appointment, this afternoon.

Which means it’s going to have warmed up.

OK, it’s STILL going to be in single figures: but it would’ve warmed up.

A bit … 

~≈°≈~

I’ll happily admit to having a copy of the Dr Who season 13 box set: quietly ripping in the background.

The fact my current Mac can do so with several apps open, and relatively little overheating?

Is pleasantly surprising.

With just Handbrake going on its own?

It doesn’t overheat, at all!

Which is nice … !

But possibly beside the point: or, at least, beside the point I wanted to mention.

The box set includes a sixty minute omnibus cut of The Brain of Morbius.

That I believe must have been the version released on VHS, back in 1984.

If I recall correctly?

There was a stink about release: certainly amongst the fans I knew.

People were generally aware the original story had four episodes that ran to some twenty-five minutes each: that the complete story should have been one hundred minutes or so long.

We were very aware that the BBC were selling a version that ran to a mere sixty minutes in length.

With roughly an episode and a half edited out.   Forty minutes, I should say*.

The thing was expensive, as well: a price equivalent to the modern box sets, which have far more content.

The feeling was the BBC had us diddled: was overcharging fans for an unnecessarily shortened version.

When they re-released the tape, in a one hundred minute version, in 1990?

The feeling was ‘mildly annoyed’: and that Aunty should have released the full version in the first place … !

To quote John Lydon?

“Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?”

~≈📺≈~

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

6th January, 2026.

Right … I can now happily jump up and down, in a cheerfully demented way.

A demented way that will involve wearing clothes: it’s still cold, in Brentwood.

I’m not that mad!

At any rate, I’m reasonably cheerful … as I found out I’d lost weight, at yesterday’s Weight management meeting.

OK: I’ve only lost some four hundred grams.

But it’s all good.

~≈⚖️≈~

I’ve mentioned this, before now: back when I was reviewing The War Between the Land and The Sea.

Three Classic Dr Who stories — An Unearthly Child, Terror of the Zygons and The Seeds of Doom — are unavailable of the BBC’s iPlayer service.

In the case of the latter two stories, I’m told this is because the BBC hasn’t been able to negotiate a licensing deal with the estate of Robert Banks Stewart, the writer of both stories.

However?

Those latter two stories have recently been released on blu-ray: as part of the Season 13 box set.

Something I’m ripping, as we speak.

The reason I mention this, again … ?

Is simply that the contradiction seems blatantly obvious.

The two stories are available in one format, blu-ray: but aren’t on the iPlayer, aren’t on the BBC’s domestic streaming service.

I’m assuming that the iPlayer versions count as a public broadcast, and that the bluray versions count as private home viewing: and that the various license agreements allow one, but not the other.

Either way?

It seems odd … !

~≈🤔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-1-2026 — Twelfth Night

5th January, 2026: Twelfth Night.

Right then … 

It’s officially cold!

Again!

Trust me, my toes — despite being encased in both socks and slippers? — are telling me they’re ice cubes!

The sooner I can afford really thick bed socks?

The better!

~≈🧦≈~

I’ve got the radio on.

So I’m very aware that the Today programme has announced the Chinese Government has demanded the release of Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro.

I’m … 

OK, I’m not worried.

I’m really not worried: not one bit.

But … ?

I’m deeply concerned.

I can remember reading about World War Two: and how Hitler’s Nazi regime used the smallest excuse to invade Poland, and how things escalated from there.

I’m very aware that the Cuban Missile Crisis could have led to World War Three.

Very aware of how — much like today’s Venezuelan Situation — the US led Gulf War was motivated by claims the US was after Iraqi oil.

I’m aware of all this … and thinking one thing.

I’m worried the US president’s actions will start World War Three.

I hope not.

~≈🪖≈~

And finally … ?

It’s the first Monday of the new year: so I’m up early, as my weight management group re-starts, today.

Hopefully?

I won’t have point on much weight.

Hopefully?   Shivering in the cold weather may have burnt off a few calories!

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-1-2026 — Burj Khalifa

4th January, 2026: Burj Khalifa.

It’s officially Sunday morning … and?

I’m up, about and cold! 

But, more importantly, very aware it’s colder, outside.

As I write?

The BBC’s Weather website is telling me it’s -3ºC, out.

I’m grateful I’m indoors: my thermostat’s telling me it’s 21°C!

Warmer than outside … although my feet are complaining it’s nippy!

I’m just grateful I’m not next door to an old friend: who lives in Finland.

She’s just told me it’s -16°.

‘Nippy’ is possibly not the word … !

~≈🥶≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that the US President was bombing Caracas, the Venezuelan capital: in a move I felt was an illegal act of military aggression.

You’re supposed to declare war before you do these things: and have a pretence of an excuse for doing so, if nothing else.

Former president Obama did, when US special forces violated foreign soil, to kill Osama bin Laden: the Bin Laden had organised the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks.

The 47th President’s excuse?

Was that Venezuelan President Maduro was a drug trafficker, and should face US justice on US soil.

The US President also says the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela for the interim: until stable government can be formed.

I’m angry.

The US President has violated US history — a history fighting for its independence from an empire, from Britain, its history of fighting evil regimes — by kidnapping a foreign leader, and attempting to take over that leader’s country.

Behaving as badly as some of the regimes it’s fought, and breaking laws it helped set.

And behaving like the sort of empire it’s always claimed not to be.

Personally?

I believe the 47th president of the USA is several things.

But I’ll let you use your preferred insults, about now: I’ll start with the words ‘evil’ and hypocritical, and work my way up.

~≈🤬≈~