Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2025 — International Day of the Older Persons

1st October, 2025: the International Day of the Older Persons.

Right, then: it’s officially official.

It’s Wednesday!

But you knew that: you can see the calendar as well as I can!

That’s possibly beside the point.

It’s Wednesday, 1st October, which means it’s the national day of China.

We might have to eat pancake rolls.

It’s also my sister, Ruth’s, birthday.

Hopefully, Jude’s got his mother a card … !

And lastly … ?

I’ve got a meeting with my Job Centre case worker.

Hopefully, that will be productive: and possibly sort out an issue or two.

~≈🫆≈~

I have to admit, I’ve turned the radio — or, at least, the TV that’s playing Radio 4 — off.

It’s party conference season: so the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, was on.

Banging on about ‘British values’: one of the most meaningless phrases in the political handbook.

After all, he’s accused the Reform party of having racist policies: then, today, used the phrase ‘British values’ … 

Which could easily, and historically, remind us British values includes beating up brown people: and selling opium to the Chinese!

Politicians can do lots of good for the UK.

But political language … ?

When George Orwell wrote “Politics and the English Language”, when he invented the word, “duckspeak”, he had a point.

~≈🦆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2024 — Palau

1st October, 2024: Palau.

Right: it’s official.

I’m up early, for the second day in a row.

It’s been a busy week!

The reason for today’s early start … ?

Is simply that I have an appointment at my optician: to pick up new spectacles.

Then need to get back for a surveyor’s visit.

Heigh-ho!

~≈🤓≈~

Just to confirm things?

You’re probably aware that I had to attend a tribunal, last Thursday: to determine if I qualified for Personal Independence Payments, or PIP.

It looked like I did: going by the documents on the website.

However, I was waiting for confirmation by post.

That?

Turned up, yesterday.

I will be getting what’s called the standard Daily Living allowance.

Back-dated to April of 2023: when I put in the original application.

All I need to do now … ?

Is wait for payment.

With the Cost Of Living payments* having ended?

And fuel payments rising from today?

Given that, those payments couldn’t come at a better time.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2023 — Tuvalu

1st October, 2023: Tuvalu.

It’s officially the case that a man in went of a bed … 

Never gets enough sleep!

But … ?

At least I’ve finished a video review … !

Yay!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st October, 2022.

1st October, 2022.

It’s 1st October, 2022.

You’ve got a calendar: and know that, already.

Here in the UK … ?

That means that gas and electricity prices are going up.

They’ve been capped: at a level — per unit of energy — that means the average family’s average bill will be some £2500.

I’m a single man: and doubt I’ll pay that much.

But also doubt I’ll escape a rise.

In theory?

I’m due to get the four hundred pound energy rebate applied to my bills, this month.

In £66/£67 instalments over the next six months.

I’m … 

Frankly, I’m sceptical about that: and expecting something to go wrong with the process.

It’ll be good, if it happens: but remember the witty old quip that says ‘if’ is the biggest word in the language.

I’m ALSO aware that — last year —that I qualified for the Warm Home Discount.

Which helped.

I’ve just tweeted my energy supplier: to see how I can apply

Here’s hoping I get an answer.

One hundred and fifty pounds on my meter would be bloody helpful.

~≈®≈~

As an extra thought … ?

Many are blaming Prime Minister Liz Truss, and her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng.

His ‘financial event,’ last Friday, caused ripples.

It’s not helped: especially when you consider there’s an effective freeze on benefit due, next April.

Or, at least, talk of a clamp down.

I get the impression we have a Prime Minister — and Chancellor — whose competence seems … shaky.

So do some Tory MPs.

Apparently, some have put in Letters of No Confidence with the 1922 Committee: in order to trigger another leadership contest.

Good for them.

As much as the country doesn’t need another contest, it also doesn’t need Liz Truss.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2021: Disney World

1st October, 2021.

Hmmm … 

It’s officially official … I have a meeting: with the Shaw Trust, the charity handling the Work and Health programme I’m on.

It’ll be one of the last: as it’s due to end this month.

How helpful has it been … ?

Well … 

I’ve still not found a job.

But have to give them credit for enthusiasm, if nothing else.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2020: Nigeria

1st October, 2020.

Right … I think we can safely say it’s raining: or, at least, drizzling.

It’s not looking good, in other words.

Frankly?

That means buying milk’s going to be … well … damp!

~≈§≈~

Just as a quick word?

I’m still looking forward to seeing the first part of Dune: due out at some point this year.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that there’s a 4k version of the trailer out.

Dear lord: but those sandworms look impressive.

A Giant Sandworm.

~≈§≈~

As a final thought … ?   I’ve got an earworm!   Drat!

The KLF turn up at the oddest times … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2019: Lincolnshire Day.

1st October, 2019.

It’s got to be said, Christmas presents are on the move.

At least … 

In theory.

I ordered a few bits on Saturday: from both Ebay and Amazon.

The 28th, so you know.

The stuff from Ebay?

Has been posted.

Dispatched.

Sent.

Shipped.

Transmitted.

You get my point.

The items from Amazon, on the other hand … ?

Are still in a warehouse, somewhere … 

Ho … 

Hum … 

~≈⇧≈~

Byzantium: A Review …

1st October, 2018.

Yep … I’m feeling desperately tired, right now.

Tired … 

And depressed.

Yes, I’ve have depression: have done for some time.

Usually?   The thyroid medication helps: as my under-active thyroid that can contribute to the condition.

The prozac helps, too.

But, sometimes?

Sometimes there are situations where situations beyond your control trigger an episode.



A really dark depressive episode.

Unfortunately?   The situation at work has gotten nasty: with shifts cut drastically.

As you can imagine?

That’s affected my mood.

Seriously, I should stress.

I really don’t like the area my thoughts are taking me, I honestly don’t.

But I’m very aware some of those bleaker thoughts?

Are the depression speaking: and not something to follow up on.

Hopefully?

I can start job hunting in the morning.

AND making arrangements with my creditors.

I can’t let the depression or the situation get to me.

However bad either might actually get.

~≈§≈~

What doesn’t help?

Is simply the fact I’ve little money to spend, but plenty of time, sitting around.

OK, I’ve kept eyes open for jobs …

AND written more Teasers.

And tried to do a few things around the flat.

But frankly?

Had a choice of what to do with my evening.

Go to bed, early.

After all, I’m still wading through the novel of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

OR stay up and catch one of the backed up films in my collection.

I stayed up …

Frankly?

I fancied a movie …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2018: World Vegetarian Day

1st October, 2018.

Right … 

It’s official my kid sister, Ruth’s Birthday: so she’s got a hello in the opening video: and have a dozen bunny hops.

Which is nice … 

At any rate, Happy Birthday, Ruth … !

~≈§≈~

On other fronts … ?

I’m at the start of a (possibly) needed week off.

But one that’s not one I asked for.

Frankly?

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for next week’s rota.

Right now … ?

I’m convinced finding a way to leave that lets me preserve any unemployment benefits?   Getting laid off, in my case?

Is the best option.

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

And as a final front … ?

My boiler’s due to be fixed, at some point, today.

Between now and 1pm.

In all honesty, I’m hoping it’ll be a nice simple fix: and a nice simple fix that lasts.

But, equally honestly?

I’ve been working in a call centre that handles emergency repairs for the past couple of years.

And fielded a lot of calls that start “He hasn’t done the job right … !”

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-10-2017: International Music Day

Hmmm … 

I’m very aware international politics isn’t my thing.

But I’m looking at Britain’s near neighbour, Spain.

And hope today’s Catalonian Independence Referendum goes … quietly.

Well, as quietly as possible.

I’m very aware there’s been a lot of talk about the legality of the thing: and get the impression the central police will be working overtime, in trying to stop the thing.

I can’t help but think, though, Spain’s central government could have saved itself a little bit of trouble.   And cash.   And, possibly, face.   By letting the Referendum go ahead, with as much good grace as they could muster: and throwing any money saved on policing, into the Remain campaign.

I also know this.

Whatever the actual result, the Catalan Referendum is going to be a lot like both the Scottish Referendum, AND the Brexit Refendum, last year.

It’s going to provoke a lot of passion.   Have effects that will last for years … 

And?

And, whatever the result, still be something that needs doing.

~≈♪≈~