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 — 18-1-2025 — Lima

18th January, 2025.

Yay!

It’s Saturday!

Which means, I and my nephew, Jude, managed to have dinner together, last night.

Jude also managed to get another video done: and posed for another Image Playground photo.

Quite why my nephew’s got blue hair … ?

I really don’t know!

~≈💇‍♂️≈~

One thing that did crop up, when Jude was here?

Was simply the fact people keep dying.

He was saddened to hear about the death of footballer, Denis Law.

Me … ?

Equally as saddened to hear about the deaths of director, David Lynch, and actor, Christopher Benjamin.

They’re going to be missed.

~≈🪦≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th January 2025 Teaser.

17th January, 2025.

It’s officially official: I’ve bought a book!

I’ve gone and bought a copy of OgronOOO’s Monster Book, by a chap called Martin Holmes.

It’s an Ogron-themed recreation of the 1970s era Dr Who Monster Book: and — having now read it! — I can tell you it’s fun, very authentic to its source … and has some loving pastiches: especially of the Third and Fourth Doctors.

About my only complaint?

Is nothing to do with Martin, the author, nor necessarily of Lulu.com, the self publishing company he used.

The original copy I bought, I bought back in mid-December: which was sent to me through Royal Mail.

That original copy?

Still hasn’t arrived.

There was nothing Martin could do, unfortunately: but Lulu sent me a complimentary, second, copy, via UPS.

Well-played Lulu: that copy got here yesterday.

And … ?

Was well worth the wait.

The OgronOOO’s Monster Book is fantastic: and shows you how much talent Martin has, and how much hard work he’s put in.

And is cheaper than the book it’s based on!

Go buy it!

~≈🐵≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2024 — The Battle of Monte Cassino.

17th January, 2024.

It’s officially Wednesday!

Gosh, the excitement … !

OK, it’s what used to be called #HumpDay on Twitter/X.

And I have to wonder … 

Does anyone eld get the same meh feeling I do, on Wednesdays?*

~≈Œ≈~

At any rate … ?

I mention videos in today’s intros.

Yes: both I and Jude have posted to YouTube, yesterday.

Feel free to like ’em and share ’em!

~≈Œ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2023 — Beat The Clock.

17th January, 2023.

Right … today’s Tuesday: and yes, I’m expecting Jude — my nephew — this afternoon.

Video is possibly going to happen.

Especially as we have some for Ruth: Jude’s mother and my sister.

Hopefully, we’ll be able to get that sorted, quickly.

Assuming Mummy’s not forgotten to send her USB stick!

~≈®≈~

Phone calls: phone calls, phone calls, phone calls, phone calls, phone calls!

I was on the phone a lot, yesterday: chasing down the Cost of Living voucher for January.   As it hasn’t turned up, yet.

That was relatively easy to sort out: my energy supplier has sent out another, which should be with me by Thursday.

Hopefully.

The other problem?

Is that I qualify for a £150 Warm Home discount: that should go onto my Key meter.

Has it, yet?   When last year’s went on, speedily?

Nope!

So?

I phoned my supplier, yesterday: for what felt like the Nth time.

After a couple of attempts: I got through.

Only to be told to phone the Department of Work and Pensions, the dept. that runs the Job Centre, and organises benefits.

They were busy all bloody day!

I’m going to have another go, today.

Lord, it’s frustrating!

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-1-202: Call Security … !

17th January, 2022.

Right … 

I’ve officially heard the word of God.

Well … no I haven’t: I’ve actually been talking to my nephew.

Believe it or not … ?

He’s decided, yesterday, that he wants to start a YouTube channel.

Well done him!

Saying that … ?

I think we’re going to have to do a little juggling: as his phones settings mean I have to approve any apps he adds.

And YouTube’s own rules mean he can’t start a channel, until he’s thirteen: that’s a couple of years away.

We’ll have to see what we can do … 

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2021: The Greatest.

17th January, 2021.

News … 

News is a funny old thing, sometimes.

Others?   Slightly less hysterical … 

As you may or may not know, people in the UK on Universal Credit in the UK — me, included — have received a twenty pound a week extra payment: introduced last April, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

It’s due to end in April, 2021.

Frankly?   I’m not looking forward to that: it’ll make life a lot harder.

But both the Guardian, and Radio 4’s news service, tell us that there will be a non-binding vote in Parliament, tomorrow: about ending the extra money.

One that’s little more than a protest vote.

Even given that?   I hope it goes against the Government: I’d like to see the Government take note of it.

I’m fairly sure Boris Johnson probably won’t.

At a committee meeting last Wednesday?   He said: “And I think most people in this country want to see a focus on jobs and growth in wages than on welfare, but clearly we have to keep all of these things under review.”

Keeping it reviewed is a good idea, obviously: I completely understand that the Government wants to spend as little as possible.

But?

I’ve heard a lot of Conservative ministers say similar things.

Without acknowledging one simple fact.

The amount I, and others, get as a benefit has little to do with whether an employer offers me a job.

~≈£≈~

There’s something else, as well … 

There’s been talk — talk, mind — that the Government’s having … disagreements … about that uplift.

About whether it should be kept … or replaced.

It seems that — according to a couple of reports I’ve read — Chancellor Rishi Sunak wants to introduce a five hundred pound bonus as a substitute for the uplift.

As a prepaid debit card, in combination with a mobile phone app, if the Guardian is to be believed.

Hmmm … 

There’s a technology issue, there.

How are those of us with no smart phones supposed to access that app?

There’s other issues, I think.

Or questions, at least.

Can I use it to pay for a mobile phone top up?   On my gas or electricity bills?   My rent?   My council tax?

Going by the Guardian article, no.   I could only use it for ‘face to face’ retail transactions … or in hospitality venues.

It’s of limited use, in other words.

I’m not saying a one-off £500 voucher wouldn’t be useful.

I think a £500 one-off cash payment would be preferable: as I could put it towards far more payments.

Either of them?

Are far less use than a permanent twenty pound a week increase in my Universal Credit payment.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2020: The Cherry Orchard

17th January, 2020.

Right … about the boiler situation … 

As you’re possibly aware, I report my boiler as broken at the end of December: and had the repair man turn out, on Wednesday.

He told me that I’d need extensive repair work: so extensive, that a replacement boiler could well be a better option … and that he would be recommended what’s called a DRC survey from a superior.

So that a senior person from his company can issue the relevant approval.

I was going to phone the contractors, yesterday to arrange that: once I got back from the Job Centre.

Except that they managed to phone: at 8:30, yesterday morning.

And arrange the visit for this morning: between eight and one.

The sooner the better, I hope.

The sooner my boiler’s repaired, the better.

~≈¥≈~

Can I make a confession?

I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one who thoroughly enjoy Good Omens, when it was released.

And pleased to know other are, as well: now it’s being aired on BBC2.

However?

I’ve seen stuff go past about The Watch, BBC America’s take on Sir Terry’s work.

I’ve seen news of the various bits of casting, go past.

Seen some of the publicity shots.

Frankly?

BBC America is making a show I’m planning to go nowhere near.

It’s a travesty.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2019: Popeye

17th January, 2019.

Yeah … that’s mildly depressing.   And was a lot more depressing, last night.

The interview I went for, yesterday?

I didn’t get: the employers emailed me, last night, with the bad news.

That was both depressing — I think my view of the film I saw, last night, was affected — and unwanted.

I also heard from the job I was interviewed for, last week: in London.

I didn’t get that, either: but I was half expecting that: as the work force seemed to be such a young crowd.

This morning sees me feeling a touch better — a good night sleeps helps — and keen to get jobhunting, again.

And wondering whether I’ve bagged the job I was interviewed for, on Tuesday.

We will just have to see.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th January, 2018

Hmmm … 

I’ve finally booked that up.

Yep: I’ve got the workmen in, today.

Officially?

I’ve got an electrical safety test, due to be carried out!

At some point between eight and eleven.

Hopefully?

He’ll get here after I’ve had a shower, and finished this post.

~≈Ÿ≈~

In the meantime?

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know I watched a movie, last night: the 2017, Netflix production that is Bright.

Yes, I know the critics gave it some thing of a savaging.

But, frankly?

I found it entertaining, gritty, with a nicely crafted background world: and lots of great fight sequences.

Oh, and kung fu ninja elves.

What more does a body want?

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-1-2017

Every-so-often?   I’ll get an early night.

And, by contrast?

Every-so-often, I’ll get a late night.

Last night was one of the latter, I think.

Basically, where I got home from work … 

To the fact I’d recording last night’s episode of Storyville: which was all about the Stuxnet virus.

Which, back in 2010?   Managed to seriously damaged Iranian nuclear manufacturing plants.

I’d known the thing was out there, by the way.

But seeing a documentary about it?

Was certainly something I fancied seeing.   So last night’s Storyville — Zero Day: Nuclear Cyber Sabotage — was a welcome treat.

And one I found help my one, limited, lay understanding of a complicated subject.

AND was an interesting cyber-espionage story, too*.

~≈Ê≈~