Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28/2/2026 — Andalusia

28th February, 2026: Andalucia.

Hmmm … 

That seems to work … 

I’ve subscribed to Apple’s Creator Studio, just recently: and found out that I could use a mix of Final Cut Pro, and Compressor, to make 8k video.

So … ?

I used the stock footage I keep for the quiz videos to make a dummy 8k video I could share via YouTube.

The results told me a few things.

Firstly?

When I upload an 8k video to the site, YouTube reduces the resolution to 4k.

The copy I’ve just downloaded?

Is some forty megabytes: compared to the approximately two gigabytes I uploaded.

I’m assuming the reductions are made, to allow YouTube to keep storage space and bandwidth — and thus costs — to a minimum.

Secondly?

It took ten minutes to render some three minutes of 8k footage.

I’d say that’s acceptable: but know longer videos will take longer to render.

I’m also aware the process had my machine running extremely hot to the touch: something I’m aware would happen, given my machine’s specs.

It’s got an M4 processor, and sixteen gigabytes of RAM, so you know.

The suggested, minimum, RAM is exactly that: sixteen gigabytes,

But the recommended minimum is thirty-two.

I can only tell you this, as a result.

Recording, and rendering, in 8k is something I’d love to do.

But would need machinery, and money, I don’t have.

That’s a shame: but that’s life.

~≈8️⃣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-2-2026 — Gotta Catch ’Em All (Ten Questions)

27th February, 2026: Pokémon is spelt with an ‘é’ … !

OK … I’ve officially not got Radio Four’s today programme on.

It was just a touch distracting.

Instead … ?

I’ve got Dave Brubeck’s Time Out album playing.

It’s exactly the right pace, and no-one is either talking … or singing.

Which is nice … 

~≈🎵≈~

I’m not usually one for politics.

But … ?

I noticed that yesterday’s Gorton and Denton by-election was won by the Greens: which grabbed my attention, as I’ve been voting Green for a few years, now.

Hopefully?

They’ll do well at my home town’s upcoming local elections.

But I suspect Brentwood-based voters, ones who don’t want to vote for a mainstream party, will be disgruntled Conservatives: who’ll vote for Reform, rather than Green.

Reform aren’t a party I’d vote for, myself.

I’d rather spoil my vote, than vote Reform!

~≈🗳️≈~

Did I mention my nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday … ?

My nephew, Jude, was here, yesterday.

Yes: that means there’s a new JPDecember video up and running.

One thing we did discuss, last night?

Is whether Jude would be happy to give my rental copy of Final Cut Pro a go.

We’ll have to see: it would mean either using my user account for the job, then transferring it to his account, so he can upload the resulting video.

Or signing into my Apple ID … on his user account.

Which I’ll have to think about.

Either way?

Something did catch Jude’s attention … was something I’d noticed about Final Cut.

In theory, and if I’ve got it right … ?

You can use it, and Compressor, to export a video as an 8k video, an extremely high definition video.

As you can possibly imagine, Jude’s eyes lit up.

So did mine!

~≈🎞️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February 2026

26th February, 2026.

I don’t know if you knew … but I have phone appointments with my Job Centre case worker, every-so-often.

So … ?

The latest one is today: at 11·45, by phone.

I have to admit, it’s with a new case officer: so I’m concerned about how well it will go, whether they’ll phone on time, if they have access to my phone numbers.

Yadda, yadda, yadda … !

I’m … well … 

Anxious: as I always am … 

~≈👩🏾‍💼≈~

On other fronts?

I’m slowly getting used to Final Cut Pro, the video editing software I’ve been renting.

That said?

I don’t think I’ve quite got the hang of transitions, as it.

I’ve been a little clumsy with the ones in today’s introduction video.

It’s new to me, more complex than iMovie, and has a different way of laying out projects and events.

I’ll have to see how it goes … 

~≈🎬≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got a bluray disc in an external bluray drive: one that’s quietly being copied, as we speak.

I’m using software called MakeMKV to do so.

It’s an app that’s free to use, whilst in beta: so comes in handy,  for when you need to back up movies.

I mention this, because when I put the disc in the drive … ?

It immediately started making a whining noise.

That meant that the disc was either faulty — it wasn’t — or that it was dirty: and that washing the thing in warm, soapy, water, would help.

It turns out the disc was dirty.

Thankfully, washing the disc, worked.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that I wanted to make a point: it shows us high tech issues can be sometimes be solved in the simplest of ways.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th February 2026.

25th February, 2026.

Boy … but that introduction video is very … ahh … umm … 

Yes: umm seems to be the way to put it.

I’ve used Final Cut Pro, Apple’s rentable, professional video editing suite, to make it.

Which is possibly like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

I’m very aware I’m still learning my way around the app: so … ?

Sledgehammery nut crack is going to be inevitable!

Hey … ho … !

~≈🎬≈~

I have an anonymous benefactor!

I had a letter, yesterday: one I think was prompted by the recent Lunar New Year.

One that consisted of an envelope with three lucky Chinese coins, tied together with the traditional red string.

I have no idea who sent it, as:

• I didn’t recognise the handwriting,
• There was no accompanying letter.

But whoever they — whoever you — are … ?

Thank you very much: the thought’s appreciated!

~≈🧧≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th February 2026.

24th February, 2026.

Right … it’s officially official.

I’ve lost weight!

As long term readers will know, I’m overweight: and on a weight management programme that’s designed to help me lose weight.

I was at my most recent meeting, yesterday, in fact.

Usually, I’d join the Warm space hub, next door to the weigh-in room: but it was a bit noisy, yesterday!

At any rate: and after the wait?

I had myself checked by the volunteers who run the service: to find I’d gone from 100·1 kilos, last week, to 98·5, this week.

A loss of some 1·6 kilos, in other words.

Considering I’d done up, last week?

And had a cheeky fish supper, on Friday?

I was pleasantly surprised … !

~≈⚖️≈~

It’s also official: that I’ve had a delivery from Amazon.

One that’s turned up when they said it would.

Which is nice.

Part of the delivery?

Is a bluray copy of The War Between the Land and the Sea, being copied as we speak, some leather cord for my waistcoat, and a leather cutting blade for the cord.

The blade?

Was advertised as a skiving knife, I should add.

I’ve not heard the word, ‘skiving’, for a long time: and it’s the first time I’ve heard it in that contest.

The last time I heard it?

It was getting used very differently!

~≈🚸≈~

Oh, just in case you’ve seen today’s introduction video, at the top of this post?

I made it with the rentable version of Final Cut Pro, Apple’s pro-level video editor.

It’s not as good as the ones I’ve made with DaVinci Resolve, or iMovie.

But, in my defence?

I’ve a lot of experience with iMovie: and, despite its steeper learning curve, plenty with DaVinci.

At the moment?

And right now?

I have some learning to do: especially about Final Cut’s transitions, and colour-correction.

~≈📽️≈~

As a last thought, before moving on … ?

Yes: I have seen another episode of Stranger Things: episode three, “The Turnbow Trap”.

And, yes: I’ve finished reviewing it.

Feel free to hit the YouTube version’s ‘Like’ button!

~≈🐙≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 3 — The Turnbow Trap — A Review

20th February, 2026.

“The Turnbow Trap”.

An Introduction.

Right at the moment … ?

I’m contemplating dinner.

I actually have enough to get a take out: and eat it in front of … 

Well, practically anything that’s on TV, to be honest.

My building’s communal aerial got fixed, this morning.

So watching TV’s something of a delight.

That said … ?

I’ll probably be watching something on YouTube, rather than the usual news channels.

There’s only so much about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor a body can put up with … !

~≈🐙≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve a busy weekend, this weekend: I’ve got my nephew, tomorrow, hopefully, and be having dinner at my mothers on Sunday … 

So … ?

I’ll be watching the next episode of Stranger Things 5, “The Turnbow Trap”, tonight: then … ?

Given some luck, patience and a halfway decent meal, I’ll have this review posted by Monday, 23rd February.

That’s we both of us will find out how good the episode was … 

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd February 2026.

23rd February, 2026.

Right … it’s Monday.

So?

You’ve possibly realised that I’m off to my weight management class, off shopping, off bill paying: which you’d realised, if you’d read yesterday’s Teaser!

On top of that … ?

I’ve got a few bits coming from Amazon.

Something I suspect I may have to sign for: as it includes a leatherworking knife I’m going to use to repair my favourite waistcoat.

Or, at least, cut some leather cord I need to repair my favourite waistcoat.

At any rate, I think I’m going to be in Brentwood High Street for a while.

And my legs will end up, aching!

~≈🦿≈~

A few days ago, the old Dr Who TV movie was made available for pre-order: on Amazon, and other sites.

In glorious 4k, I should add.

That could be a wise purchase, I think.

It’s also a wise move.

I think transferring as much to the higher definition format is a good move: especially as there’s only so much that’s been made available in that resolution.

One Peter Capaldi story, and the Peter Cushing movies, thus far.

So the TV movie is a welcome addition …

~≈🎦≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd February 2026

22nd February, 2026.

Hmmm … 

It’s officially Sunday.

Which means … ?

It’s the day before I get paid, again, and officially go shopping and bill paying!

And the day before I’m off to my weight management class; and the day before I’m expecting a tub of Marmite to turn up.

Do you get the feeling I’m going to be busy … ?

~≈❖≈~

The BAFTAs, Britain’s film awards, are being aired, tonight.

Frankly, I don’t know if I’ll be watching: I’ve a review to finish.

Bur … ?

I know that Sinners, which I reviewed last year, has been heavily nominated.

I don’t know if it’s going to win Best Picture.

But … ?

I hope it does.

It’s rare for science fiction or fantasy to do well at award ceremonies: horror films doing so is even rarer.

It would be nice if one did, for once!

~≈🧛🏿‍♂️≈~

As a final thought … ?

My YouTube feed has just fed me a trailer for an upcoming film called The Yeti.

No, I’m not going to show you the trailer.

Because?

Yes: it’s nice to know someone’s picked up on the Yeti myth, and turned it into a movie.

But the producers have set the film in Alaska … when the ‘real’ Yeti is from the Himalayas.

In Asia.

Asia.

A couple of continents away from Alaska.

If you can phone the producers and sarcastically mention Bigfoot, I’d be grateful!

~≈👣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21st February 2026.

21st February, 2026.

Right: for those of you who didn’t know … ?

My building’s communal TV aerial was fixed, yesterday: after yours truly — me, in other words — phoned in the repair.

Just so you know?

I got told the engineers would be hear between 8·00 and 13·00.

And … ?

Got a little panicky, by about 9·30/10·00: when no-one had contacted me about the repair.

I was just talking to the contact-centre person, when there was a knock at the door.

From the engineers, telling me that the fault was a loose connection, that the repair had been done … and that I could turn my TV back on.

Remind me to keep it together, would you … ?

~≈📺≈~

I’m on Facebook.

Which you probably knew.

And, like anyone else who uses the service?

I play some of the sillier games: and, inevitably, have tons of adverts thrown at me.

Recently?

I’ve had quite a few thrown at me: for various forms of tai-chi exercise.

From the little I can see?

The exercises are aimed at men my age, promote health, strength, inner calmness, energy, muscle building, weight loss, unlimited bowls of rice pudding and will, apparently, ‘surprise my wife’.

I’ll let you work that one out for yourself.

At any rate … the things are usually presented by someone who looks like a professional body builder.

Or, at least, works out at the gym for eight hours a day, seven days a week.

So … ?

Given the presenters seem just a touch inappropriate?

I’m going to pass on the offers.

I’d need major surgery to get a stomach likes those: not a dubious scheme … 

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — the artist formerly known as Prince Andrew — is in trouble.

To the point where he’s been stripped of his titles, there’s talk of taking him out of the Line of Succession … and his former Royal Protection officers are being asked serious questions.

In all this … ?

I noted the mentions he’s had in the Epstein Files … and remember the tabloids called him Randy Andy, back in the day.

I’m showing my age, there.

But not as much as he is …

~≈😵‍💫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20th February 2026

20th February, 2026.

It’s officially official: it’s pay day, today.

Or, at least, the day I receive my PIP, my Personal Independence Payment.

I would love to go get some shopping.

But … ?

I’m expecting an engineer to turn up, today, between eight and one.

He’s the chap who’s here to see to the communal aerial.

Hopefully, he’ll be here, soon: and able to do something, quickly.

Given what I think the issue is, he should just have to change a cable.

But I could be wrong.

~≈📺≈~

Right or wrong … ?

It’s annoying: for a couple of reasons.

One … ?

Under normal circumstances, I occasionally have to re-tune my TV, if the signal goes funny.

Under normal circumstances, I only need to do that, once every, what?

Every three or four weeks, or so.

At the moment?

I have to do it, every time I switch on the TV: or switch from the AppleTV signal, to the aerial signal.

A dozen times or more, since reporting the problem.

It’s frustrating.

More so, than you think, actually.

Usually, when writing these posts, I have the TV turned off.

It’s intrusive.

But, at the moment, I’ve got Radio Four on: and the TV on mute: because I don’t want to retune it, again..

That’s still loud enough to be distracting, however quiet it may be and however mild a distraction others may find it.

Frustrating?

You bet: it’s an itch I can’t scratch.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th February, 2026.

19th February, 2026.

Yay!

Money’s turned up!

OK: ten pounds (£10) has turned up.

I bought a new toast, last week: ending up with a free one, as a result of Amazon not telling me there was a backlog on the cheaper one I’d ordered.

I’m not complaining, too much: Amazon’s good will gesture — a £10 gift card — turned into two gift cards.

Which, along side the refunded £4·99 gift from the last mistake Amazon made, meant I got a toaster worth £19·99 for free.

Complete with a warming rack, I should add.

All I had to do, after that … ?

Was wait for the associated cash refund.

That turned up, yesterday.

Which is handy timing.

I could do with a loaf.

Prices in Brentwood are ridiculous … !

~≈£≈~

On the down side … ?

I noticed, on Tuesday, that there seemed to be some minor issues with my TV.

Stuttering sounds and signal cutout, listening to Radio Four, for the most part.

It got worse, yesterday: more cutting out, and serious pixelation, watching the BBC News channel.

I’ve also had to retune my TV about half a dozen times: more, in the last day, than in the last year.

So … ?

I sent a WhatsApp message to the neighbour, to ask if anyone else was affected.

There’s at least one.

So I was able to phone my landlords, and report it as a communal repair: an urgent one, as there’s vulnerable adults in the building.

That, I’m told, is going to be some twenty-four hours from the time of my call.

I think I know what’s happened: I believe rain water, from the past few weeks worth of bad weather has got into the cabling that goes into the Junction box on the top floor.

Hopefully, the engineer will be able to diagnose the problem, and repair it, quickly.

This is as frustrating as it ever was.

~≈📡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-2-2026 — Ramadan

18th February, 2026: Ramadan.

Right … I’ve officially got to pick some forms up!

I’m diabetic, if you didn’t know: so have to have quarterly blood tests, to check my blood sugar levels.

Hopefully?

Hopefully, when the test results come in, they will have gone better than my recent weigh-in … !

~≈🩸≈~

I’m something of a Mac fan: you’ve probably already worked that out, haven’t you … ?

So … ?

I am very aware there’s rumours about up-and-coming Apple products.

Including rumours of a lightweight MacBook, one with 8gb of RAM, a 256gb SSD, an A-series chip, and a funky case.

I’m … 

Yes: of course I’m interested to see if the rumoured machine will turn up.

And yes, I think it will be a very good on-the-go machine.

But I can’t help but think it’s a little underpowered for the current version of the operating system.

And also remember that Steve Jobs, when he rejoined Apple in the late 1990s, immediately cut a lot of poorly selling product lines.

Would this machine be one of the ones he cut?

~≈🍏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th February, 2026.

17th February, 2026.

Right … I am officially feeling tired … after getting up at 5·20!

I’ll be honest, I got — for me — something of an late night: after finishing a review of an episode of Stranger Things.

Episode two, if you’re curious: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler.

So … ?

Getting up as early as I did, doesn’t exactly light my fire.

I can only hope the review — and its in-depth discussion of the difference between a vest, and a waistcoat — gets it a few views … 

~≈🦺≈~

Oh … 

I mention my weight, in today’s introduction video: as I was at my weight management class, yesterday.

Wouldn’t you know it?

My weight’s gone up a kilo!

I think joining Crisps Anonymous might be a good idea … !

~≈🥔≈~

Here in the UK, we’re supposed to have local elections, every-so-often.

The next one in Brentwood?

Is due on 7th May of this year.

Many, however, have been delayed: as many local councils are to be reorganised.

Except, of course, central government has had to put plans to delay some thirty elections on hold: after Reform decided to take the Government to court, to force the elections to go ahead.

I don’t like the idea of delaying elections, I really don’t: we should have our say, regardless of any planned  changes.

Mind you … I don’t like the idea of Reform, of all parties, belabouring the point.

But, love ’em or hate ’em … ?

They’ve force central government into a screaming U-turn.

This Labour government’s fond of those … 

~≈U≈~

Stranger Things — Series 5: Chapter 2 — The Vanishing Of Holly Weaver — A Review

13th February, 2026.

“The Vanishing Of Holly Weaver”.

An Introduction.

Last week, I started watching series five of Stranger Things.

On Saturday night.

Just in case you were interested in either reading my written review, or watching the video version.

You’re still welcome to do both.

I’m also very aware that I said I’d be watching the next episode, “The Vanishing Of Holly Weaver”, tomorrow night, and have my written and video reviews up by Tuesday.

But … ?

I think I’m nephew-sitting, tomorrow: so I’m going to watch the episode, tonight … then have my reviews (hopefully) by Monday.

Keep your eyes peeled!

~≈🐙≈~

Just as a side-step … ?

If you’ve read today’s Daily Teaser quiz — or yesterday’s, come to that matter — will be aware of … the Toaster Situation … !

It’s a bit too complicated to go into, here: so let me just tell you I’ve got a new toaster, due.

One that turned up, today: and works!

Good gum drops!

~≈🐙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-2-2026 — The BBS

16th February, 2026: BBSes.

Right … it’s Monday morning.

Which obviously means I’m up early: to get to my weight management class.

I’m worried — as ever! — that I’ve put weight on.

When am I never?

I’m going to keep my fingers crossed though.

~≈⚖️≈~

It’s still Monday.

Which means it’s the day after my nephew was last here: putting a new video together.

Feel free to hit the like button!

~≈🕹️≈~

And finally … ?

It’s still Monday … !

And I’ve finally managed to make toast, in the new toaster.

The one that comes complete with a warming rack for heating croissants.

It’s … 

Well … 

How do I put this … ?

Like this: the warming rack is the most extraneous bit of kit I’ve ever received from Amazon.

I’m diabetic.

The last thing I need is a croissant!

~≈🥐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15th February 2026

15th February, 2026.

Right … it’s officially official !

I’ve had to re-inflate the boiler!

Or, at least, twiddle the valves that raise the pressure in whatever it is that needs pressure, raising, to get the thing working.

I’m thankfully that I knew the trick.

It would be a nippy wait, in the cold, for a repair man.

And a long wait, heating enough water to have a bath!

~≈♨️≈~

As an extra point … ?

After complicated backing and forthing, between Amazon and I … ?

I now have a toaster*!

An Amazon Basics one, if you’re interested: which came with a warming rack, for if I ever wanted to toast croissants.

Which isn’t something I’m planning on.

The one question I have left … ?

Will the thing work … ?

~≈🥪≈~

Did I mention I’m on Quora?

The site that let’s you answer questions: and occasionally ask one, yourself?

I had this question float across my time line, a few days ago: asking if people would buy a Mac, if they were frustrated by — or were put off buying — Windows 11.

My answer?

Was that I felt that, yes: that’s one option.

What were you expecting, given I’m a Mac fan?

But I also added that I felt many would look at Chromebooks, or a model of tablet, before making a decision.

I’ve also added something else: that I think the big factor will be not how powerful a machine is, nor the operating system or whether MS Word works on the thing … 

But quite simply one thing: budget.

Money’s always the biggest factor … 

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-2-2026 — YouTube (Ten Questions)

14th February, 2026: YouTube.

It’s officially official: there’s been a hideously dreadful mistake.

A dreadful mistake, so hideous, that … 

Well … 

Someone’s possibly getting yelled at, in a way that involves yelling.

You’re possibly wondering what I’m talking about, aren’t you?

Let me be sensible.

It’s the toaster … 

I ordered a toaster from Amazon, Tuesday just gone.

A cheap one: that, with one thing and another, I managed to get without having to pay the £4·99 delivery charge.

A cheap toaster that I ended up paying a tenner for.

Only to find that it would eventually be delivered … on 20th March.

Given that?

I complained to Amazon, had the delivery fee refunded, was given ten pound’s worth of gift card as “a good will gesture”, and told a refund would be in my bank account by next Thursday, at the latest.

The hideously dreadful mistake?

Was one made by Amazon: as they gave me £20 worth of gift card!

Well, I’m not going to mention it to them, am I … ?

Not when a new toaster turns up, this afternoon … 

~≈🛒≈~

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 … 

~≈🛒≈~