Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th October 2025

16th October, 2025.

That was a first.

Or, at least, a first … for a while … !

I visited the Job Centre, yesterday: as my next scheduled meeting with my work coach — on 29th October — had been cancelled.

I panicked: anything like that carries the potential of a sanction, and a reduction in benefit.

Phoning the place revealed nothing.

So … ?

I actually went into the office, for the first time in months: to ask what on Earth was going on in person … !

Apparently?

It got cancelled, so it could be reassigned to a new, trainee, case officer.

I’ve little problem with that … but … ?

As I said to the administrator who dealt with me, it would have been reassuring if I — alongside others affected by this — were messaged about it.

That way, we know what’s going on, and have something on the record about it: in case of any issues.

Civil servants, eh?

~≈👔≈~

Oh … 

Hello … !

It seems Apple have released new devices — a MacBook Pro, iPadPro and Apple Vision — powered with their new M5 chip: rather than the older M4, the chip that’s in my machine.

Has anyone got a few grand going begging … ?

Bar the size of the screen, the new MacBook looks good* … 

~≈👔≈~

Oh, did I mention the image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app?

Taking advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT?

The image at the top of the page was altered with Apple’s Image Playground app: in a way that took advantage of its ability to connect with ChatGPT.

Ahem!

I also modified a photo of myself: 

Which makes me look like a startled haddock.

Adding a crown really doesn’t help.

Artificial intelligence is obviously onto something.

I just don’t know what …

~≈🤖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2024 — World Food Day

16th October, 2024: World Food Day.

Right … I officially spent time on the phone, yesterday!

Phoning the Universal Credit Review team, to talk over what was happening.

I have to admit, it was a call I found very stressful: as, as it turned out, I needed to feed a specific check number — from my driving license — into the .gov website.

‘Palaver’ is not the word: especially as it took several goes.

I did managed to ask why this was happening: answering that was why I phoned in the first place.

Apparently, it’s a rare — but very routine — procedure.

Hmmm … 

I came away from the experience feeling stressed, angry and very frustrated.

But … ?

Can at least say the agent who took my call — called Anstar — was both patient, calm, thick skinned … and had very good customer handling skills.

That’s very helpful … and very appreciated … 

~≈☎️≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’ve now ordered a sofa.

As soon as it’s here?

I can arrange for the old armchair to be removed, and get assembling.

~≈💺≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

It seems that Liz Kendall, the current Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to introduce a scheme where work coaches — the case workers at the Job Centre — visit clients in psychiatric hospitals.

Apparently, the pilot projects have produced ‘dramatic results’.

I’m not necessarily sure it’s a good idea.

As I’ve met one or two people over the years who would struggle keeping a job: as their conditions meant they had frequent episodes.

They’d be an employee that even the most sympathetic employer would find difficult to accommodate.

I can see the idea’s good: I can see the idea could potentially ease government spending.

But?

I think it’s not necessary practical: especially if a work coach has minimal training … and especially if a patient has frequent crises.

~≈💺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2023 — Disney

16th October, 2023: Disney … 

Right … it’s now, officially, Monday.

Which means several things.

For starters?

I’ve finished a movie review!

Hopefully?

That’ll persuade you to watch the film!

~≈¥≈~

It’s still Monday.

Which means two things.

First?   I’m up early: for my usual weight management meeting, this morning.

And … ?

I’ll be hurrying up and waiting, once I get home: the washing machine repair men arrive at 16:30.

Here’s hoping it’s a simple repair.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2022 — World Food Day.

16th October, 2022.

It’s official: I woke up this morning with an earworm.

Yes: Dutch girl band, Luv’, were dancing around my head: Trojan Horse was literally being a aural trojan house.

Thankfully, it’s now faded.

But I’m willing to bet something else will turn up, later.

~≈Â≈~

At any rate … ?

I had an adventure, yesterday.

Sort of.

You’ll possibly be aware that I — like so many others — are eligible for a £650 top up our benefits.   And for £400 worth of help with our electricity bills.

That £400 is automatically credited to our bills for those of us paying by direct debit.

For those of us on smart, pay-as-you-go meters?   It’s automatically added to our meters.

For those — like me —on dumb , pay-as-you-go meters?

We get vouchers: ones we can ‘spend’ in pretty much the usual way.

Head for a shop with a PayPoint machine, hand over our card/key, and the voucher, and the shop assistant tops the card.

My first voucher?

Turned up, yesterday.

So, as I was heading into town, anyway … ?

I took it with me.

Figuring I could cash it in at one of the two shops with Paypoint terminals.

The first one … ?

The assistant happily admitted he had no clue how to put the thing through: but a colleague who did would be on shift later in the day, if I’d like to come back … ?

The second?   At the other end of the High Street?

Had no idea, either: as his terminal wasn’t showing him what to do!

I sighed, told him not to worry, and went to pick up my medications.

And — on the way back home? — popped into my local Nisa’s, the only other place in the area with a PayPoint terminal.

It turns out they’d had a few people top up with there: and were able to do the transaction in a matter of minutes.

I’m feeling the irony.

I went all the way to the High Street to spend that voucher.

And indeed up cashing it in, around the corner … !

~≈Â≈~

Oh, JUST so you know?

I’ve finally caught up with Memento Mori, the fourth episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

It’s rather good!

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2021: Oscar Wilde.

16th October 2021.

Did I mention I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days?

I’ve been watching Quatermass and the Pit, over the past few days.

And, as I managed to mention to Old Peculiar regular, Debbi Mack, the other day?

I’d spotted Edward Burnham — Professor Kettlewell in Robot — and John Scott Martin — practically every Dalek, ever — in episode five.

I think I’ve managed to out do myself.

When — in episode six — I spotted an obscure actor called Bernard Spear.

The chap in the hat, with the beer: the chap that looks vaguely like Bernie Winters.

The only other time I’ve seen him … ?

As as ‘Man With Carrier Bag,’ in Dalek Invasion Earth: 2150AD.

He’s holding a carrier bag: and falls over when The TARDIS dematerialises.

He cropped up in that, some eight years after making Quatermass and the Pit.

But?

He’s still wearing the same outfit!

I hope he washed it … !

~≈‡≈~

Just as an extra couple of thoughts?

It seems Jodie Whittaker’s filmed her regeneration scene.

But no: she and Mandip Gil don’t know who the 14th Doctor is, either.

Secondly?

The BBC’s released another trailer for the upcoming thirteenth series of Dr Who.

It looks interesting: I just don’t know if the re-designed Sontarans grab me.

~≈‡≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th October, 2020.

16th October, 2020.

I think we can safely say my nephew was over, yesterday.

A day which saw us playing silly online games: Stickman Hook went down well.

But, my lord, there’s a lot of pop up adverts, there.

If I never see another ad for Myla, the Magical Make-up pony, again, it’ll be too soon!

~≈◊≈~

In amongst the arguments?

Essex is now a Tier Two area: operating under tighter COVID 19 restrictions, in other words.

It doesn’t affect me: much.

But, lord: I’m glad I’ve been out of the hospitality trade for a while.

The pub game’s not having a good time, right now.

~≈◊≈~

At any rate?

I think I’m going to have to play you Amina’s Le Dernier Que A Parlé.

Purely and simply because the song that should have done that year’s Eurovision is:

• Earworming its way through my head.
• Gorgous.

~≈◊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th October, 2019.

16th October, 2019.

It’s officially official: I’v had good news.

On one front … ?

I’ve been approved for monetisation on YouTube.

In other words, I’ve been my Youtube Partner Programme membership’s been approved: and — once my ad revenue hits £60 — I can start earning cash.

Here’s hoping.

~≈⨂≈~

In other good news?

I had a CT scan on my lungs this year: in July, if I’m remembering things correctly.

As an earlier one had revealed nodules: the doctor would be concerned: if these had grown in size or number.

I get the results letter, yesterday.

The nodules … haven’t grown.

I am extremely relieved.

As, for the moment, it means I’m free of what could have been lung cancer.

I’m relieved, understandably.

And frankly?

Thanking whatever higher powers are reading this!

~≈⨂≈~

Just as one last thing, before I move on to the Teaser?

I don’t know if you were following the Queen’s Speech, recently … ?

I had half an eye on it, I should add.

One policy that caught the attention of many?   Was the Government plans for photographic ID to be required, when we vote.

That’s still not something I could support.

Mostly?

Because, every time the idea is mentioned, the usual forms of ID are mentioned.

A passport or drivers license.

These things cost.

And are — if you’re unemployed, like me — completely unaffordable: the £75 to £85 for an adult UK passport pays for my gas and electricity, to give you and example.

The £43 for a new, provisional drivers license?   Half my shopping for the month.

It’s £20 for a replacement provisional license: something I was only able to purchase with help from the Job Centre.

I needed it to provide photographic ID for a job interview.

Help I suspect the Job Centre wouldn’t give me, or others … if I needed photographic ID to vote.

I know the idea is to help reduce voting fraud … 

But?

The impression I’ve always picked up — over the years — is that a lot of voting fraud centres around postal fraud.   I don’t see photographic ID being helpful, there.

Given all that?

I can’t support this.

But can, at least, sign the petition about it.

~≈⨂≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2018: World Food Day

16th October, 2018.

Yes: I’ve officially got an earworm, this morning.

If you didn’t want to know the tune that’s banging around my head?

Tough!

I’m going to play it to you, anyway … !

Have some Propaganda … 

You’ve got to admit, it’s just a bit … lush … !

~≈§≈~

Oh, one thing … 

You’ve possibly realised I’m glued to Dr Who.

You’re right: I am.

Episodes one and two are looking rather good.

It’s ALSO occurred to me … that both episodes are rather cinematic … 

Definitely, I think … 

I mentioned how The Woman Who Fell  o Earth was a nod at The Predator: but neglected to mention I felt The Ghost Monument took a central plot point — a large scale chase — from The Cannonball Run.

Which is why I mentioned them both, this morning.

I don’t think they’re blatantly nicking plot lines.

But merely doing lifting the very basic ideas — a long term chase for money, an alien hunter — and do a very Doctor Who spin on them.

Personally?

I like that … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-10-2017: Jane Eyre

Hmmm … 

That seemed to go well enough.

I’m up nice and early, today: as I’m due to be in at nine.

And did what I usually do, when it’s dark.

Tried turning the kitchen light on.

Which didn’t come on.

First thing I though?   Was I needed another dratted neon tube.

Turns out I was wrong, there.

When I managed to find my step ladder, to have a look?

Turns out the fitting had come loose: and just needed tightening.

Quite what happened there, I don’t know: but I think I need to book a repair … 

~≈Â≈~