Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July 2026.

22nd July, 2026.

Ok, it’s official.

I know what I look like … after asking ChatGPT to put a mad grin on my face!

I’m probably five minutes away from asking the thing to make me look like the Joker.

We’ll have to see about that!

~≈🃏≈~

Hmmm … 

It seems Andy Burnham, Britain’s new prime minister, isn’t going to lower taxes.

But is going to cap bus fares, at two pounds.

Something he set up — kept? — as Mayor of Manchester, in the wake of the COVID 19 Lockdown.

I’ve mixed feelings about it.

Bar one route, most of the bus trips I take are priced at two pounds or less.

But this cap will come in handy for longer trips.

So, yes: this cap is welcome, as welcome as it was during Lockdown.

My only complaint?

Is simply that the cap’s not due to start until January of 2027.

The sooner it starts?

The happier I’d be … 

~≈🚏≈~

Something the Today programme mentioned, today … ?

Was that a recent study claims weight loss jabs — Ozempic* is named in the study, but other GLP-1 drugs may have a similar effect — can help reduce cravings for alcohol.

As someone who’s had his issue with alcohol, and who uses Mounjaro for both his diabetes, and to help with his weight?

It’s something that caught my attention.

Right now?

Today?

I don’t have cravings.

But … ?

I don’t think that’s to the Mounjaro I’m on: I think it’s simply due to the fact I’ve not had a drink for several years.

Nor have I been triggered into wanting a drink: something I used to get a lot, before the Mounjaro.

So … ?

I’d love to know if the tirzepatide that’s in Mounjaro has a similar, craving reducing, effect.

Especially if — as a result — there’s a shortage of the stuff.

We’ll have to see.

~≈🚏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July 2025.

22nd July, 2025.

It’s officially official: I missed my weight management meeting, yesterday.

And I’m kicking myself.

Or, at least, kicking my innards!

I came down with a case of diarrhoea: one that seemingly started on Sunday.

Which meant … ?

I had to stop on the way: several times!

Which, ultimately meant I got to the meeting five minutes after the volunteers who run the meetings, had packed up and were putting things into car books.

I’ll be back next week.

Lord knows what triggered that …

But … ?

I’m kicking myself … 

~≈💩≈~

Going by this news-piece?

Going by that piece, the hospitality industry is having a rough time of it: with some two hundred venues a year closing over the last five years.

I’m quietly thoughtful about that.

But very aware that one factor seems to be night time transport.

I’m not surprised.

Towards the end of my career in the industry, the trains home from one pub finished at roughly 11·20.

Which meant that — on Friday and Saturday nights — I had to end my shift at 11: rather than when the pub shut, at 12*.

That was a problem twenty years ago: so I’m not surprised it’s still an issue.

More night transport could help …

~≈🚍≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

And, yes: he’s done another video!

Feel free to hit subscribe!

~≈📹≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July, 2024.

22nd July, 2024.

Right … Monday … !

And … ?

I’m off to my weight management class, today.

Hopefully … ?

I’ll’ve lost something.

Even if it’s only my wits!

~≈Ω≈~

Oh, we’re waking up, in the UK.

To the news that President Biden has stepped down as the Democrat Presidential candidate in this years election: and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as his replacement.

I hope she gets the presidency, come November: it would be the first time the US has elected a female head of state.

It’s about time the US caught up!

To be honest, though … ?

I think it’s going to be a close race.

I can just see Trump milking the assassination attempt for all it’s worth.

Especially if he’s facing a woman.

~≈♀︎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-7-2023 — Belgium

22nd July, 2023: Belgium.

It’s official.

It’s the day after payday: and the day after I went shopping.

And I’m mildly kicking myself.

There’s always something I forget!

~≈ß≈~

Oh … I’m very aware many matches — of football, snooker, tennis, and many other things — can be interrupted.

For all sorts of reasons.

One of the oddest?

Was yesterday.

It seems a Gateshead FC match was called off, yesterday.

As a hearse was driven onto the pitch.

That’s odd.

But not necessarily as cute as the squirrel that invaded Arsenal’s pitch, a few years ago.

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-7-2022 —Pi Approximation Day

22nd July, 2022.

It’s Friday: a day that looks like it’s going to rain.

I hope it does: we could do with it!

Saying that … ?

I’m very aware that the BBC’s weather service has been saying it’s going to rain since Tuesday!

Heigh … ho!

~≈💧≈~

OK … 

I’ve made another of my slightly off-beat unboxing videos.

The backpack … ?   Is now officially unpacked and hanging off my front door: ready to go at a moment’s notice.

The phone … ?   Is still in its box: I need an extra power block, I think.

And will have to read the instruction manual: the thing can block numbers, which will come in handy, block scam calls.

I’ve ALSO managed to get hold of the Classic Dr Who’s season 22 box set.

I was hoping Katy Manning would be in the Behind the Sofa watch-alongs: she’s usually fun to watch!

But apparently not.   It’s Wendy Padbury, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton (Zoe, Tegan and Nyssa), this time.

Which should be equally as good: the last time I saw the three of them, it was handbags at twenty paces … and utterly hysterical … !

~≈Â≈~

JUST as a last thought … ?

I mentioned the phone, there: ordered in part, because it can block numbers.

But it also marks the fact I’ve got a new landline and internet contract with BT.

I’ve managed to get onto their Home Essentials package, aimed at those of us on Universal Credit.

It’s pretty much the same deal I’m on: with extra free minutes.

And half the price I was paying.

That should help the money situation.

~≈☏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July, 2021.

22nd July, 2021.

Yep: it’s turned out nice, again.

As you can possibly tell: if you’ve looked outside my building.

It’s quite possibly a lovely day for a trip, somewhere.

I’ll possibly and up in Romford.

Although, frankly?

It’d be nice to go to the coast.

Hey, ho.

~≈¥≈~

I’ve got Radio 4’s Today programme on, again: as I do most mornings.

They’ve reminded me of a couple of points.

It’s getting increasing warm.

So opening windows could be good: especially if, like me, you’ve got a flat with something of a through-draught.

Oh, and closing curtains is good, too: it keeps sunlight out.

That’s something for everyone to think about.

The other thing the show’s told me about?

Is that Kentaro Kobayashi was the creative director of the 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

He’s been sacked: after footage of him making anti-Semitic jokes in the 1990s, re-surfaced.

The Opening Ceremony is tomorrow.

Point one?

They left that a bit late.

Two?   And given the scandals around the Tokyo Games?

I have to ask if we can start calling it a farce … ?

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July, 2020.

22nd July, 2020

Hmmm … 

Stuff is, quite assertively, happening.

For a start … ?

Apparently, my mobile phone provider’s mast is back up.

Since last night … apparently.

Have I got a signal?   Have I … ?   Can I get a phone call?   Can I make a phone call … ?

Can I … ?

Can I … ?

Can I, heck … !

There’s still no signal … 

~≈$≈~

In OTHER news … ?

I had the interview, yesterday: with PhoenixFM, Brentwood’s local radio station.

It gets broadcast on Thursday, just after nine.

And goes live on the website, at 10 … ish … 

Frankly, I’m hoping I don’t sound like a complete nutcase.

I do know that they’ve asked me to do a couple more articles for the site: on a voluntary basis.

That’s a good thing: I can build up a portfolio to show people.

AND direct people back here, and to my YouTube channel.

Will it go anyway?   I don’t know.

But … 

~≈$≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-7-2019: Utøya Island

22nd July, 2019.

Hmmm … 

I’ll be honest, I’m … worrying.

Remember, about a week and a half ago, I had a CT scan?

I’m due to get the results, at some point, this week.

They say that no news is good news: and yes, not hearing is nerve-wracking.

But … ?

The sooner they get here, the better.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

I’m thinking that the old saying amongst Alcoholics Anonymous members has a certain amount of appeal: they’d usually advise I should just worry about today.

Saying that … ?

The plan for the day is to head to town: and try to sell a keyboard!

I’ve got this old Mac keyboard: one that went with a vintage, first generation, iMac I had.

Granted, I could keep it: and see if it works as a USB hub with my current model.

Granted, I could just bin the thing.

But, this way … ?

I get to see if it can earn some cash.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd July, 2018

22nd July, 2018.

Yep: it’s Sunday, and I’m off to work, in a bit.

Yes: I’ve got Radio Four on in the background.

And yes: it’s broadcasting the World Service, it’s that early in the morning.

Frankly … ?

You’d not think skateboarding’s that old, would you … ?

~≈§≈~

Just as a thought … ?

I saw this piece on the BBC’s news site.

Basically?

The European Space Agency are looking for names for their Mars rover.

I know it breaks the rules — as he died after 1993 — but I suggested Patrick Moore.

As his moon maps were used by NASA, and the Soviet Space Agency, as guides for their lunar explorations, it seems only right to honour him by naming a small part of exploring Mars.

What do you think … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-7-2017

Now that’s sad … 

Deborah Watling has died!

The actress played Victoria opposite Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor: back in 1967 and 1968.

AND cropped up in The Newcomers, Rising Damp and Danger UXB.

She’ll be missed.

~≈Â≈~

Had I thought of it, last night?

Had I thought of it, last night, I’d’ve possible sat in with some of Ms Watling’s Dr Who stories: the only two that survive are The Tomb of the Cybermen and The Enemy of the World survive in complete form.

I didn’t, eventuality.

Instead?

I went for the opening two episodes of The Man in the High Castle.

Hmmm … 

I don’t know if I’m totally convinced, yet.

It is, after all, rather slow.

But is something I’ll be watching more of.

~≈Â≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-7-2016

Imagine, if you will … 

Which sounds just a little … you know … over the top … 

Now I come to see it written down.

But do this for me.

Imagine a lawnmower.

Now rig it up, so you can drive it, through remote control.

Now … ?   Cover it it spikes.

Add a couple of axes.

And flippers.

And buzz saws.

And more spikes.

And possibly some sort of machine gun: which is the only time I’d suggest that.

Now … 

Add some more spikes.

Now you’ve done that?

Point it at the other guys lawn-mower.

Yes.   You’re right.

Robot Wars is back: on BBC 2, at 8 o’clock on Sunday, 24th July.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to it!

~≈®≈~

The International — A Review: Gently losing the plot …

22nd July, 2009

Hmmm …

Well …

Hmmm …

That was one of those, wasn’t it?

Gwen, Adrian, Stef, Ali?

It was , wasn’t it?

Now, as you can tell, Tuesday is another semi-regular Movie Night; complete with Gwen and her partner Stefan, popping in; along with Adrian, and Allison, as well.

Tonight’s movie?

Was the Clive Owen/Naomi Watts thriller, “The International”.

And, as you can tell, it’s a bit … um … well …

It kind of fell a bit flat, didn’t it, folks?

I’m not going to say it’s bad, though, not per se.

But it’s not exactly a grabber, either.

All the ingredients are there, for a good thriller; a competent cast, fronted by Watts and Owen, nicely directed by Tom Tykwer, and competently, if not stunningly, written by Eric Singer.

Which is possibly where the film falls apart …

The plot — very loosely based on the BCCI scandal, a few years back — sees Clive Owen and Naomi Watts as, respectively, Interpol Agent Lois Salinger and Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman, investigating the various shades of dodgy dealings by an international bank. Which is possibly where I have issues. If you recall, Adrian and I saw “Casino Royale”, a few months back, which seems to handle similar territory in a much more exciting way.

And I personally — although I think Adrian’ll possibly disagree — think “Enigma” was a better done thriller.

I’m fairly certain — and this isn’t me being disrespective to Clive Owen, before you ask — that Dougray Scott might well have done a better job in the central rôle.

I’m also fairly sure that that the hitman-for-hire character used by the bank in the film — credited only as ‘The Consultant’ and played by Brian F. O’Byrne— was seriously underused. Which always seems to be the way; the villains are usually the eye-catching parts!!

That’s where I’ll leave it, I think.

I will reiterate, though, that “The International” isn’t a bad film; but it’s not stunning, either.

That might give you food for thought, if you’re thinking of renting it out.

You might just be better off spending your money on “Repo!” …