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

22nd September, 2025.

It’s officially official: I feel like I’ve been turned out into a dog bowl.

Yes: I couldn’t get a wink of sleep, last night.

Because … ?

Of the Rampaging Trots!

Caused — as far as I can tell — by the fact I didn’t cook yesterday’s lunch, properly.

Can you remind me to cook chicken in the oven, rather than the air fryer?

That way, I know it’s cooked through!

~≈🍗≈~

From what we’re told … ?

The US president has been to Charlie’s Kirk’s memorial.

And hailed him as both an ‘American Hero’, and as a ‘martyr’.

The president’s described Kirk’s death as “an attack on America”.

Can I make a confession … ?

I really don’t like the word, ‘martyr’: the only time I’ve seen it frequently used, is when religious extremists are describing ‘heroes’ who’ve died in the cause, and whose death is seen as free advertising.

“These people are willing to die heroic deaths”, they would say, “and encourage us to fight evil enemies.”

The likes of Al-Qaeda used it of the 9/11 hijackers.

And the Iranian regime used it of suicide bombers in their war against Saddam Hussain’s Iraqi regime.

Frankly?

The US President — a man who should know better — is the last person who should be using the word.

He, as a New Yorker, should know how much damage a martyr can do.

And know what an attack on the US looks like … 

~≈💣≈~

Oh … just as a minor thought … ?

I’ll confess to something else: I’m not the fastest horse in the cleaning stakes.

My mother’s commented about it!

So … ?

It’s only when a friend mentioned she’s visited someone, and noticed the drain flies in their flat, I got motivated.

As I’ve had a similar issue with persistant drain flies around the place.

I’d been trying everything I could think of, to try and get rid of the things.

It’s only when the friend complained of the flat full of the things I remembered what I’d read online.

That the drains flies could be killed by using heavy drain cleaning substance … and that I had some caustic soda sitting around that could do exactly that: seriously clean drains.

That seems to have solved the fly problem for now.

I’m going to get some more soda: and invest in a few toilet blocks.

That could be sensible … 

~≈🪰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2024 — Bulgaria

22nd September, 2024: Bulgaria.

Right … 

It’s now Sunday: and I’ve officially reviewed the third episode of The Celestial Toymaker.

I hope you enjoy it … and want to press the like button … !

~≈▶️≈~

You’re probably aware — especially if you’re in the UK — that the late former Harrods owner, Mohammed al-Fayed, is facing investigation after a BBC documentary was aired, a few days ago.

It’s a shame the BBC didn’t air something similar about Jimmy Saville: they could have saved themselves a lot of flack!

At any rate … ?

The Crown Prosecution Service has come forward: and revealed that at least two cases were passed to it.

That they felt had any prosecutions had an “unrealistic prospect of success”.

In three other cases?

Investigations were at advanced stages: but files were never passed to prosecutors.

We’re also reminded that al-Fayed owned Fulham FC.

And that, according to other reports, the club made efforts to protect young players from the boss.

Or, at least, make sure players were never on their own with the man.

I’m assuming by making sure players were chaperoned.

Al-Fayed’s reputation seems to have been known, even if there may have been little, available, evidence.

That last point, though?   Fulham trying to make protective efforts?

Put me in mind of hacker, John Draper: also known as Captain Crunch*, the celebrity hacker.

From what I know, he’s faced — or facing — several allegations of unwanted sexual behaviour.

And, again, from the little I know?

He’s been banned from several computer conferences: after they felt chaperoning anyone in his orbit wasn’t effective.

You can possibly see why my first thought was of Draper.

Chaperones, and warnings, seem helpful: even if they just slow — not stop — things. 

Either way … ?

I feel this sort of behaviour is, sadly, common: people in power, or with influence, use that power to behave badly.

I can only hope we reduce cases like al-Fayed’s, Saville’s, Draper’s, and the many others: even if we can’t entirely prevent them.

~≈✋≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd September 2023.

22nd September, 2023.

Right … 

I’m sorry if this is late … 

But … ?

I updated iMovie, this morning … and then had to role it back with Time Machine.

I don’t know what Apple’s done — bar optimising it for Apple Silicon machines — but the results, sound wise?

Wasn’t something I found impressive.   (You’ll spot it in today’s intro.)

~≈⏰≈~

I’m thankful I know something.

That we have a date: for when those of us on Universal Credit receive the next Cost of Living payment.

Some point between 31st October and 19th November, this year.

The sooner the better, I think.

At any rate … ?

In a news piece, today, The Russell Trust — the charity that runs many food banks in the UK — makes a good point.

Basically?

Those cost of living payments really don’t last.

They’re not telling me anything I — and many others — don’t already know.

I can only hope someone in government’s listening to that.

~≈🍔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd September, 2022.

22nd September, 2022.

You know … I don’t usually mind busy days.

But?

If I can avoid it, I like to.

Saying that … ?

I’ve a weigh management meeting, this morning, a meeting my job centre work coach, this afternoon,  and my ’flu jab, this evening.

Cue the music … 

~≈¥≈~

Talking of Universal Credit?   The main benefit I’m on … ?

Incoming Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has announced that he’ll be changing the rules for those of us working part time, whilst claiming.

If you’re working up to twelve hours, you have to report to a work coach.

He’s planning to increase that to fifteen hours.

Which won’t affect me until I find a part time job.

It does leave me wondering what else Mr Kwateng has up his sleeve.

Given the fact he’s a member of a new Cabinet, a Cabinet that seems eager to please cost cutting, right wing Tory voters?

It strikes me he’s going to be a bit keen.

~≈¥≈~

Watchmen — Series 1 Episode 1 — It’s Summer and We’re Running Out of Ice — A Review

22nd September, 2020.

Laundry … ?

Laundry, laundry, laundry … !

I knew there was something I needed to do: take the laundry out of the tumble dryer!

Never mind!

I can do that in the morning.

Right now?

I’ve just seen a TV series: one that’s won awards.

One with superheroes.

Yes.

I’ve started watching series one of Watchmen.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2020: François Duvalier

22nd September, 2020. 

Right: I’ve now had the first face to face Job Centre meeting for quite some time.

It seemed to go well enough.

It’s

And I was able to get my gripes about the laptop situation off my chest.

Granted, I don’t think there’s much he could do about it.

Indeed, he said as much, himself: the programme’s arranged at a national level, so any local complaints really don’t register.

Something I though would be the case.

It — if I’ve understood how it works, correctly — works like the Work Programme I was on, many years ago.

Both get/got paid to take us on from the Job Centre.   Both get/got their expenses covered by the Government.   Both get/got a bonus if they find us a job.

And, right now?   I’m convinced I’m going to come out of the other end of the Shaw Trust’s Health and Work Programme … 

As jobless as I went into it, and its predecessor.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22nd September, 2019

22nd September, 2019 Teaser.

I think I’m right in today’s intro: I’m going to need to have words with my family.

Christmas is looming: and I’m still — still — mulling over a family present.

I’m thinking a Chromecast — or Roku/Firestick — would be an idea: as my family could stream stuff to them from assorted phones and tablets.

Oh, and cheap.

Something like a laptop?   And some recent Android media streamers?

Are a touch more expensive, and can’t — from what I can see — be streamed to, from a phone or tablet without a lot of faffing about.

But can be set up with individual user accounts: oh, and parental controls.

Something my youngest sister, Ruth would appreciate: when setting up an account for Jude, my eight year old nephew.

It’s … 

Well, yes: you can see why I’m thinking talking is a good idea … 

But if you have any thoughts, yourself … ?

Feel free to mention them … !

~≈€≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2018: One Web Day.

22nd September, 2018.

No, really … 

I’m not happy.

In point of fact, I’m fucking fuming: if you’ll excuse the language.

I’ve seen my rota for the week commencing 1st October.

I have no shifts for that week.

Why … ?

Why?

I have no idea.

The last time I had a One-to-One — the regular meeting we have with our supervisor, to discuss how we’re doing — was in June.

And, from what I could gather, back then … ?

Things were going — as far as I could tell — well.

So, seeing last week’s rota?   Where I was down to two shifts, until a couple of co-workers asked me to cover.

Is something I should maybe have taken as a hint.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-9-2016

Hmmm … 

I had an interview, yesterday.

As I’m sure you’re aware, if you’ve been following me for a while.

That has to be the least enthusiastic interview I’ve ever had.

Most of the interviewers who’ve dealt with me?

Have been slightly more enthusiastic.

Or reasonably good at both faking enthusiasm … and keeping their subject engaged.

This chap didn’t.

Frankly?   The post was in a rent-an-office in Ongar Road: so not far from where I am.

But literally on cheap tables, with cheaper equipment: that literally looked like it had been there for five minutes.

What’s more … ?   The job was commission only.

Which was a major turn off for me: I’ve always been paid hourly, weekly or monthly, with any sales bonuses added on top.

This is on TOP of the fact the place was selling solar-panels, and associated bits of kit.

That’s already got an iffy reputation.

Personally?

I’m hoping I don’t get offered the thing … 

It whiffs … 

~≈®≈~