Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-5-2025 — Mike Oldfield (Ten Questions)

15th May, 2025: Mike Oldfield.

It’s officially official: I’ve received an award!

Well, not exactly.

I’ve received a pre-paid card from Southend Council run scheme.

That’s very well timed … especially as I get some benefits, tomorrow!

Either way … ?

I’ve put some money on the gas.

Hopefully, I’ll built up a lot of money on the metre, by winter: that’s when I’ll really need it.

~≈💳≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-5-2025 — The Warsaw Pact

14th May, 2025: the Warsaw Pact.

Peter Sullivan was released from prison, yesterday.

He’d spent thirty-eight years inside: after being wrongly convicted of the murder of Dianne Sindall.

My sympathies go to Ms Sindall’s family: as this means her killer has not been found.

My sympathies are also with Mr Sullivan.

Getting out of prison after that length of time, into a world that’s changed so radically from the one he knew when sentenced … is going to be strange … 

Personally?

I think compensation is due to Peter Sullivan: as should be paid as soon as possible.

And that government — of whatever stripe — should work to make sure mistakes like this don’t happen again.

~≈🪙≈~

A few weeks ago, I put in for extra financial help: from a fund run by Southend Council.

They’ve run a scheme that hands out pre-paid debit cards for some years.

I’ve now, thankfully, had the letter that tells me I’ve been granted one: and how much cash will be on it.

I’ve had the letter … but not the card, and its associated PIN number.

The sooner that gets here, the better!

~≈🪙≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th May 2025.

13th May, 2025.

Right at the moment … ?

The Today programme’s Thought for the Day being delivered by Dr Paul Gooder: reminding us that body positivity can have an effect on mental health.

And that our bodies are nothing to be ashamed of.

Which is possibly timely.

And vaguely relevant.

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday: and found I’d lost some three hundred grams.

About two thirds of a pound, so you know.

That’s all good.

~≈£≈~

Talking of which … ?

There’s been trials of weight loss drugs, recently.

A trial has been done, to compare two weight loss drugs: Mounjaro, and Wegovy/Ozempic.

It’s found that Mounjaro — the medication I use to help reduce my weight — is more effective than Wegovy, a variant of the medication I used to use.

And that famously was blighted by shortages.

I think that’s nice to know: whilst concerned it could lead to shortages.

I’m aware of something, though.

I’m aware the study sponsored by Eli Lily: the company that makes Mounjaro.

So, while the reported figures are interesting, I also think those figures are potentially biased.

That they are — effectively — a huge advert.

That the company has put its product on a par with toothpaste, or moisturiser: products whose adverts frequently contain the phrase ‘studies have shown,’ without telling you about those studies.

Frankly?

The reported figures are nice to know … 

But I’d be comfier if those studies had been done by independent researchers!

~≈🧑🏻‍🔬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th May, 2025 — Six Questions.

12th May, 2025: six questions.

Right … 

That’s the bank holiday’s over with: until the next lot.

Which means … ?

I’m up early: for my weight management meeting.

Hears hoping I’ve lost some!

~≈⚖️≈~

I’ve started watching a documentary, last night: a potted history of the ZX Spectrum called The Rubber-Keyed Wonder.

It’s interesting stuff: and mentions a company called Ultimate Play the Game, who wrote some of THE games for the platform.

Including Atic Atac and Pssst!, my two favourites.

What really caught my attention … ?

Was the fact one of the sound guys on the film was a chap called Joe Richardson.

I recognised the name: my cousin, Dean Richardson, has a son called Joe, who’s a sound engineer.

I got in touch with him: and found out Joe did indeed work on the film.

It’s nice to know the film’s a family affair … !

~≈🎙️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th May 2025.

11th May, 2025.

It’s Sunday … and I’ve got the radio on.

And the Sunday programme is talking about the new Pope.

Understandable: it is a religious magazine programme, after all.

It’s interesting stuff.

And possibly one of the few times I can use the word ‘dicastery’ in a blog post.

It’s a department of the Roman Catholic Church, so you know.

And not something I’d get to use in daily life.

I’ll have to see what I can do about that.

~≈🇻🇦≈~

While I’m at … … it … 

I’ve finished reviewing of “The Story & The Engine”, yesterday’s episode of Dr Who.

And made a hash of the video version!

Ho … Hum … !

~≈#️⃣≈~