Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2025 — Saint Lucy’s Day

13th December, 2025: Saint Lucy’s Day.

I think I’m having a frustrating morning!

I managed to update my Mac from macOS Tahoe 26·1 to macOS Tahoe 26·2, last night.

When Apple’s own information page tells you an app may “be able to access sensitive payment tokens”, you take it seriously!

Even if you only have half an idea what the phrase means!

It sounds like money’s involved, so I’d rather be safe, than sorry!

Unfortunately?

It’s made uploading photos and video to this blog, fiddly: and meant I’ve hopefully corrected it by adjusting my privacy settings.

But … ?

I’m betting it’s going to happen again, tomorrow!

~≈G≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2024 — Malteasered!

13th December, 2024: Malteasered!

Hmmm … 

I’ve officially updated to the newest version of macOS Sequoia, version 15.2, one that includes a lot of new features.

Including the much discussed Apple Intelligence features.

And … ?

The Writing Tools look like they could be useful: especially the proofreading tools.

And possibly the rewriting tools: although I don’t know how that one would affect the style of something I write.

But … ?   The List, and Table, tools could be useful.

We’ll have to see.

~≈✒️≈~

I do know that part of the update in the Image Playground: an app that lets you generate images.

That could be fun: although I don’t know how mu use it will be.

But … ?

It’s turned me into an astronaut … 

… that looks vaguely like Alfred E. Neuman … 

~≈😳≈~

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

I’ve probably mentioned the ‘Ron Says Buggrit’ t-shirts I’ve bought, haven’t I?

I’ve bought a couple of Terry Pratchett themed, ‘Ron Says Buggrit’ t-shirts … !

And … ?

Absolutely no Terry Pratchett fans recognised the phrase: when I wore the thing in Brentwood High Street, yesterday.

But at least a couple of people asked me who Ron was … !

~≈🧑‍🌾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th December 2023.

14th December, 2023.

I think I can officially say I have a problem

I use a Mac: and have done for a while.

Yesterday?

Whilst my bath was being repaired?

The dratted thing gave out in me.

Its been having issues for a while: kernel panics on restarting, not switching back on after restarts, needing an unexpected fuse change, what have you.

I tried updating it, yesterday: totally forgetting why I hadn't thus far.

Only to find the thing had died.

From the little I could tell ... ?

Something's gone wrong with either the (non-removeable) power cable, or the power button ...

Or -- as the one repairman I've managed to speak to suggested -- the power supply unit, itself.

I'll be blunt, here.

I need that machine working, in order to keep this blog, my YouTube channel, Jude's channels, and my personal life, going: and to access the benefits system, and the tribunals I'm involved with.

If any one can help with the £150 fee the repair shop wants?

I'd be eternally grateful!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th December 2023.

13th December, 2023.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And … I’m definitely feeling a little bit tired.

Late night reviews are unhelpful, like that.

I’m up slightly earlier — again! — as I’ve got a repairmen in to fix my bath.

He’s hear now, I should add.

The reason this post is late?

Is because we had a hell of a time, finding the tap that turned off the water supply.

Heigh ho!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th December 2022.

13th December, 2022.

Did I mention there’s a series of strikes on, in the UK?

There’s a series of strikes on, in the UK.

So you know.

A forty-eight hour rail strikes starts today, for example.

Not something I like, as — were I working — this would be something that directly affects me.

But, generally?

They’re something I’m sympathetic to: I know how badly I’m coping with things, so can only imagine how others are.

Sunday?

There was a postal strike: that affected parcel deliveries and sorting offices.

Yesterday?   There wasn’t a strike.

But but the area was struck by unusually bad weather.

We had … no post.

I’m assuming that the mix of weather and industrial action means there was none.   Or, at least, none that could be delivered.

That’s a little worrying.

As I’m due to receive the next in a series of vouchers the go towards my fuel bills.

We’ll have to see what happens … 

~≈❄️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2021: Saint Lucia

13th December, 2021.

Looking at that intro … ?

I have to admit: I think everyone with a copy of iMovie is possibly doing that Max Headroom stutter thing!

Ahem!

At any rate: I’ve got a phone meeting, today.

With my (new) caseworker from the Restart scheme.

Thankfully, it’s a phone meeting: I really can’t afford the trip to Chelmsford.

~≈Ç≈~

Saying that … ?

I think job hunting’s going to get interesting.

As the government’s COVID-19 guidelines has been updated: to remind us that we’re supposed to be working from home, where possible.

Does that mean we’re looking at another lockdown … ?

I don’t know.

If we ARE, I’d be happy about it … if the Government re-introduced the £20 uplift!

~≈Ç≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 3 Episode 6 — Scavengers — A Review

12th December, 2020.

Inevitably?

It’s just gone nine on a Saturday night: and frankly?

I’m going to go to bed.

Any minute now.

Equally frankly?

I’m going so because it gives me a perfect chance to have a good read: The White People and other weird stories.

But … ?

Before I hit the sack, I wanted to get started on this post.

To remind myself that, yes: I’ve seen another episode of Star Trek Discovery, series three.

Yes: it’s looking good!

~≈🖖🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2020: First Sight

13th December, 2020.

Yes: it’s official.

I need a haircut!

Between one thing and another?   I’ve not actually had one for a couple of months.

Granted, my mother — and Old Peculiar regulars Debbi and Trevor — will tell you I’ve had my hair long, before now.

But, once you get used to it being shorter?

You do start to get twitchy if it’s beyond a certain length!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2019: Friday the 13th

13th December, 2019.

I’m in the UK.

A UK that’s just had a General Election.

A General Election that’s going to see the UK leaving the European Union.

As it sees the Conservatives win a huge majority: some seventy-eight seats, if the BBC’s right.

I believe the UK is going to suffer for this.

I’m a confirmed Remainer.

I feel staying in the EU is a good thing.

And that the UK will suffer as a result of this election.

Partly, because the Tory Government will push for Brexit.

And partly?   Because the other party that’s done well is the Scottish Nationalist Party.

They’re going to push for an Independence referendum.

Good for them.

If the SNP get it and win it, somewhere in the UK gets to stay in the EU: even if it means the UK breaks up.

I don’t think the UK deserves to exist under this Government.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th December, 2018.

13th December, 2018.

Yes: Mrs May is still the Prime Minister of the UK.

After having survived a Vote of No Confidence held by her party.

Frankly?   For those of us concerned that the #Brexit process could be going faster, that’s a day wasted: on Tory party politics, rather than the important stuff.

Oy … Vey … !

~≈§≈~

On other fronts?

I’ve got to look into the Job centre, today.

Which is nice.

Yes: there’s a reason.

Something that’s come up from a couple of jobs?   Is there simple refusal to grant me an interview … without photographic ID.

I can appreciate that.   No employer wants to run afoul of immigration law, by inadvertently hiring an illegal immigrant.

But bloody awkward if you don’t actually have any!

Thankfully?

Thankfully, though, the Job Centre’s happy to fund a new Provisional Driving License for me.

One of the modern ones that come with a photo.

That should help.

So long as I fill in the form that tells them where to putt the money … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2017: Our Dick

Blast … !

My alarm didn’t go off!

Thankfully, it’s a day off.

And thankfully?

It doesn’t affect my ability to collect any Amazon deliveries that choose to turn up.

But still … 

DAMN … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th December, 2017

Hmmm … 

I’m slightly worried: as we’ve had the coldest night of the year, so far.

It’s worrying … because, of course, we’ve had the coldest night of the year, last night.

Coming home from work?   I almost went over several times: on icy patches of black that had built up, overnight.

NOT reassuring if you have to go to work in the afternoon.

I can only hope the gritters have been out.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-12-2016

Well … 

I’ve officially done it.

Yes … 

I’ve wrapped all my Christmas presents!

Well … 

Not all of them.

I’ve still got one or two more to do: for the office Secret Santa.

I think I can safely say I’ve just about got the wrapping paper … 

~≈®≈~

30 Days of Night: How To Give A Twilight Fan A Headache …. (A Review)

13th December, 2011: 30 Days of Night.

I hate repeating myself, I really do.

Says the man who’s managed to do at least five Teaser question a day for the last three years.

There’s BOUND to be a repeat, there, somewhere.

If there is, I’m just hoping I can gently brush them under the carpet and hope no-one notices them!

At ANY rate … ?

The reason I mention repeats … is that I’ve had the night to myself.

So decided to watch a film I’d already seen: but felt was worth seeing again.

The 2007, David Slade directed, 30 Days of Night, starring Josh Hartnett and Melissa George as its divorced husband and wife heroes, Eben and Stella Olsen.

Who are Sheriff and local Fire Marshall for the small Alaskan town of Barrow, the most northerly town in the US.

One that, for the purposes of the film, sees a month of night in the depths of winter*.

A month of wintery, pitch black nights, when vampires — ones that are VERY unlike the ones you’re used to — decide Barrow is a perfect place to be.

‹‹•››

Now …

I’m thinking I won’t go further than that.

I will, however, give you the link for my original write up on 30 Days of Night.

And SERIOUSLY suggest you catch it … !

30 Days of Night

★★★☆

*        From the little I know, the films makers have taken a few liberties, there: but I’ll let you look that up on Wikipedia, yourself …