Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April 2026.

19th April, 2026.

You know, Amazon can be odd, some times.

Or, at least, unexpected.

I was expecting some recently ordered bits and bobs to turn up, tomorrow.

It turns out they’ll be turning up, today.

At the risk of sounding clichéd … ?

Amazon moves in mysterious ways … … 

~≈📦≈~

I’ve been known to follow technology news, on and off.

And take an interest in Open source alternatives to paid-for software.

I’ve been using LibreOffice to organise my quiz questions for many years, as an example.

I’m also aware that many people government organisations, in many countries, don’t like using proprietary software.

Not necessarily because they object on cost grounds: although that’s a factor.

But they object to using Microsoft, Apple or Google, products not on price … but because those companies are foreign.

The three companies I’ve mentioned, as an example, are all American: so respond to American regulation and influence, first.

So many governments feel handing control of their IT systems to American companies, means handing control of their systems to a foreign power: and that using home grown software means keeping control.

Recent French moves to shift to a home grown operating system?

Is an example of this.

The point of my ranting?

Is twofold.

One?

The EU is sponsoring a project called Euro-Office, an open source productivity suite, in an effort to have software under EU control.

Two?

Why isn’t the British government doing something similar?

I don’t know.

But it’s not like Ubuntu, the British made, open source, operating system, hasn’t been around for years.

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April 2025.

19th April, 2025.

It’s Saturday … 

And … ?

I don’t think I’ve persuaded my nephew to have a shower.

But have helped him make more Mikey Memorial videos.

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button, folks.

~≈🐰≈~

It’s still Saturday … which means I’ll be watching Dr Who, today.

I’ll have any reviews up, later.

But you can watch last week’s, here: 

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2024 — Sierra Leone.

19th April, 2024: Sierra Leone.

Yay!

It’s Friday!

Which means that I’ve had another does of Trulicity: the once-a-week injection that’s part of my treatment for diabetes.

Hopefully?

It’s keeping the sugar levels down: I’ll find that out after my next set of blood tests.

~≈Ω≈~

While we’re on the subject of health … ?

The UK has what’s called ‘fit notes’: medical certificates that tell an employer — or the benefits office — that you’re ill.

They usually have to be signed off by your GP.

Apparently?

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is due to announce changes to the certificate: in a speech, tonight.

Part of his plans?

Includes moving responsibility for assessing fitness to work, from GPs to “specialist work and health professionals”.

I have to admit, I don’t like the sound of that.

What, or who, are “specialist work and health professionals”?

They don’t sound like medical doctors.

~≈Ω≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

It seems that Dune Pt 2 is now available to rent or buy from at least two streaming services.

I’ll have to see if I can get a copy: I wouldn’t mind seeing that!

My only observation?

Is that both Apple, and Amazon, are charging a fortune for copies.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April, 2023.

19th April, 2023.

Right … it’s after 18:00, on 18th April, 2023.

And?

As you’re probably aware, I was at a tribunal on 30th March: trying to get extra help from the Job Centre.

Which went in my favour: I now have what’s called a Limited Capability for Work.

But have not been told what happens next, or what — if any — money I’m due.

I’ve made repeated calls to the DWP: to see what’s happening.

And not heard a thing.

I was due to hear from the case officer: by 18:00, yesterday.

But — as ever — not contacted.

Again!

Contacting the court’s wasn’t especially helpful: they can only do something, if the Job Centre — or its department, the DWP — asks.

However … ?

An old friend — who’s also been throw this procedure — has suggested I should be on what’s called Personal Independence Payment: and that I should therefore phone the relevant enquiry line: to follow that end up.

Something I’m planning to do, today.

How that will go … ?

I really don’t know.

We’ll have to see.

~≈$≈~

Now … did I mention my nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday: and yes: we’ve down another video … !

I hope you enjoy it: it IS available in 4K, after all.

~≈$≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2022: Venezuela

19th April, 2022.

Right … it’s Tuesday: so you know.

Which means, of course, that it’s the day after Monday.

A Monday when my nephew, Jude, tried creating his own channel: which didn’t go to well, although we have managed to create a channel, complete with a video.

Feel free to hit Like, Subscribe and Share.

~≈🐭≈~

Talking of video … ?

I fairly managed to finish my written and video reviews of Legend of the Sea Devils.

I THINK I raise an issue or two about China.

Let me know what you think … 

~≈🐭≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2021: Salyut 1

19th April, 2021.

Did I mention I’ve got things … ?

For sale?

I’ve got things for sale: very specifically, an internal hard-drive and an optical drive.

Both of which are on sale on Facebook market place.

I’ve heard nothing about the blu-ray drive … but had a message about the hard drive.

Here’s hoping it sells.

~≈🖥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2020: Ne-ne-ne-Nineteen!

19th April, 2020.

Yes: life under lockdown goes on: in all its joys, glories, ups, downs and … whatever else.

Stuff happens.

As does life.

As does … well … 

Possible tripping hazards.

I’m on Instagram, in case you didn’t know.

And had a couple of apparent young women follow me: young women who looked very similar.

Both of whom messaged me, fairly quickly.

With heart enough identical messages.

One — the one called Bellakumesnancy — was pretty honest: she ‘wanted to chat me up …’

And offered to send me picture … 

So long as she could send them to me on Google Hangouts … 

Which is where I politely said I didn’t trust, believed she was a scammer … 

And blocked her … whilst simultaneously deleting the chat.

I think I’ve just managed to avoid being cat-fished.

Debbi?    I think we have one for Sam … !

~≈†≈~

Just as a quick thought … ?

I am knackered … after a late night blog post: about the last two episodes of classic Dr Who story, The Faceless Ones.

You can read about it, here: or watch the video version.

I do know this much.

The Pauline Collins character is called Samantha.

So why Patrick Troughton calls her Sarah, at one point, I don’t know.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19th April, 2019

19th April, 2019.

Right … 

I’ve actually calmed down: after what was a rather bad day, yesterday.

The interview … 

Well, I could tell you it went extremely well, and I’m looking forward to bagging the job.

Except that the interview failed to go off.

Failed?

Yes, failed.

Because?

Because the Job Centre hadn’t put enough money into my account to pay for the ticket.   And weren’t able to able to top it up intake for me to the interview.

They’d put in £11·10: a figure that — as far as both I and my job centre advisor could see — was correct.

Only to be told — when I got to the station — that the actual price was fourteen pounds.

The Job Centre couldn’t top my account up in time.

The interview couldn’t be rearranged: as they had no other available slots.

Personally?

I’m bloody annoyed.

Partly at the Job Centre: for not being able to issue the cash in time.

Annoying … but, as my adviser pointed out, they’re reliant on the banks to get the cash in time: and the days of petty cash being held at the office are long since gone.

But partly at the websites selling train tickets: and advising on prices.

The correct price is there.

But placed where a casual search — at least ones by me, and my adviser — wouldn’t easily see it.

That website design?

Has, effectively, cost me a job.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2018

19th April, 2018.

I’m very aware that regular reader, Olga, has already read this post.

And that her fellow regular, Debbi — along with her partner, Rick — will have seen the junction near me: and be aware of how narrow the road is.

It always bears mentioning, though.

For as long as I’ve lived on Rollason Way, I’ve been concerned about emergency vehicle access to my street.

I’m convinced the mix of the narrowness of the streets, and the amount of cars parked on it will delay fire engines, in particular.

And contribute to someone’s death.

Yesterday?

Someone made that worse … 

We have a building going up in Saint James Road.   Extra flats that will add more cars to the on street parking: along with the greater congestion.

Well … 

The workmen building that building?

Have narrowed the road, temporarily, in order to carry on the site.

Personally … ?

I couldn’t walk on that bit of pavement, before the cones went up: because of the number of parked cars.

I — temporarily — can’t walk on that pavement, because of the building site’s blocking of it.

I think a Vogon constructor fleet would be welcome: so long as it just demolished that site.

Because, frankly?

This will decrease emergency vehicle access.

That is good … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-4-2017

Oh, now that had me worried.

I was coming home last night.

On a train delayed by work at Wickford, I should add!

The annoying thing about that, was that is wasn’t the first time its happened!

The thing that really annoyed me?

Was the electronic ticker tape machine: the one many trains have, to tell you which station the train will stop at next.

The one I saw last night had me worried.

The train I got on was going to be stopping at Ingatestone and Shenfield.

The sign was telling me it was going to stop at Braintree Freeport: several miles away, in the opposite direction.

Well, it had me worried.

~≈Â≈~

In other news?

Britain’s facing a General Election on the 8th June.

Hmmm … 

Somehow,  I can’t say I’m surprised.

I’m just thinking, how the hell do I vote?

I’m still not voting Tory: nor UKIP.

Nor am I intent on voting Lib-Dem: with all due apologies to my former party of choice, I’ve still not quite forgiven them the Coalition.

Labour?   Hmmm … If there’d been a snap election, after Jeremy Corbyn was named as leader, I’d’ve gone for it.   Now, I’m not so sure.

I’m sorely tempted to carry doing what I’ve been doing, and vote Green.

In the midst of all this?

Theresa May has ruled out doing any TV debates.

Is something I feel will hand any opposition parties an advantage.

The additional fact that my external computer speakers have decided to blow … 

Is entirely incidental!

~≈Â≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-4-2016: The Simpsons

I’ve got to admit, I’ve got last night’s episode of Gotham on: and Bruce Wayne has tracked down Matches Malone, the man who killed his parents.

As I write … ?

Bruce is facing Matches, with a gun … 

And Matches … ?

Really isn’t going to be in the rest of the series!

Frankly … ?

Whilst I’ve not been doing the same sort of write ups of it I have for other series?

It really IS worth catching: especially with quality scenes like that!

~≈®≈~