Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2026.

24th June, 2026.

OK … we have a hot day ahead of us, today!

Going by the predictions for my area, the one on the BBC’s weather website, we’re looking at highs of 34ºC.

And have a red heat warning going into force at 9am, this morning.

It’s going to be toasty, in other words.

Bottled water is going to be needed, I think.

Avoiding alcohol would be a good idea, too.

Alcoholic Drinks are whats called diuretics: they make you urinate, in other words, and leave you dehydrated.

Ever wonder why drinking too much is known as ‘getting pissed’ in British English?

Now you know.

Lay off the hard stuff in this weather!

~≈♨️≈~

I managed to read this piece, yesterday: one that tells us the UK’s government is planning to consult on turning terrestrial TV.

Or, at least, turn off the digital signal.

That’s … … 

That’s sort of inevitable, given the rise of streaming services.

The article also tells us that there’s plans — possible plans — to introduced more subsidised internet connections, ones that would be needed for internet broadcast TV.

That’s a good thing: I know plenty of people without a ’net connection, who could only afford one if they had financial help.

My issue, right now?

Is much like the flawed Digital ID scheme, from last year.

The scheme — for a mandatory digital ID for job seekers — meant users would need a smart phone for the thing.

In the case of at least one person I know, they would need help to buy said phone, AND set it up.

This seems to have similar issues: I know a few people who could afford a subsidised connection … but couldn’t afford a streaming box, let alone a new TV.

Whether it was smart or otherwise.

Yes: turning off the digital terrestrial TV signal could be inevitable.

But?

People are going To need help buying the kit.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June 2025.

24th June, 2025.

Right … I really need to sort out my TV license!

I got paid, yesterday: and, of course, tried paying off my bills: including the license.

For some reason, though … ?

The card wasn’t accepted: in neither of the shops I tried.

Why?

I have no idea.

I can pay online: and have ordered a new card.

But it was very frustrating, not to be able to pay it.

~≈📺≈~

Talking of TV?

I managed to catch the first episode of the TV series, Wednesday.

I think I preferred Angelic Huston and Raúl Juliá as Morticia and Gomez: although Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán are very good in the roles.

And Guzmán is closer to the original strip in terms of his looks.

The series also sees Christina Ricci — who played Wednesday in the 1990s movies — in a minor role.

Jenna Ortega as the title character, though?

Is very impressive.

And vaguely reminds me of Jerry Ryan’s portrayal of Seven of Nine*, from Star Trek: Voyager.

They both drop breeze-block one liners into a conversation … and steal all the laughs along the way.

~≈🧛🏽‍♀️≈~

Just as a positive thought … ?

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday: and … ?

Found my weight has gone down by 1.6 kilos: wiping out the 600 gram gains of the previous two weeks.

I’ve not hit my 95 kilos target: but am down to 100kilos.

That’s a good thing!

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2024 — Counting Coup

24th June, 2024: Counting Coup.

La la … !

Monday, Monday!

Yes: it’s Monday, again.

And I’m off to my weight management class.

Hopefully, I’d’ve lost the two hundred grams that I gained, last week.

~≈∑≈~

If you’re following the UK’s election news … ?

You’ll probably realise there’s a lot going on.

Including the minor — ha! — scandal: of various Tory party members who’ve been caught placing bets on when an election would be … a suspiciously short time before the election was announced.

More suspects were announced, today.

Frankly?

I’m still laughing my head off!

~≈∑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2023 — UFO Your Way.

24th June, 2023: UFO Your Way.

Hmm … I’ve got a problem.

I’ve got a pay as you go meter.

Along with the appropriate chip and pin payment card.

Yesterday?

The dratted things decided to play up!

After I’d put fifty quid on the card!

I’ve had to order a replacement card: and machine.

But it’s going to take until 3rd August, before the machine turns!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2022: UFO You Way, I’ll FO Mine.

24th June, 2022.

Right … 

I’ve had my kitchen sink checked by a plumber.

One sent by my landlords.

That’s an upside to renting: you don’t own your property, but don’t have to pay for much in the way of repairs.

He’s managed to confirm that the blockage causing the problem is no more.

I’m grateful.

However, if I need further non-emergency repairs?

Well … 

I — and a good chunk of my neighbours, the ones who rent from Clarion Housing — have all had an email from our landlord.

One reinforced by a message on their website.

They’ve told us “We are currently experiencing IT system issues, which means some of our emails, IT systems and phone lines are not working as normal.”

They tell us “This disruption has been caused by a cyber security incident.”

That “… we are working urgently with our cyber security partner to restore our systems as soon as we can.”

They’re asking residents to not contact them by phone, unless it’s for emergency repairs, and that payment systems are working normally … although it may take a while for balances to be updated … 

Right sounds about right.

Frankly, I’m wondering what’s happening.

I think — given it seems to be common, these days — that Clarion’s been hit by some form of ransomware.

From the little I know, usually, an unsuspecting member — or members — of staff get sent a dodgy email with an attachment that infects their machine: then spreads to other machines on the same network.

And, before you know it?   The network’s down.

I’m … 

I’m not sure how I feel about this situation.

But?   I’m deeply concerned that I and my neighbours being affected by this.

And grateful I’m not immediately affected.

That could so easily change if I need something fixed.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2021: Midsummer.

24th June, 2021.

Yep: I’ve officially had polyps removed.

Which was … um … fun!

Especially when you consider where the camera was, and what the medical team were doing with a … you know … thing!

At any rate … ?

The procedure went well enough: rapid, and relatively painless.

The worst part of it … ?

Was the trip home in the ambulance.

Due to an accident on the A127?

A thirty minute trip home took two hours.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

Hey ho!

~≈‡≈~

Digital Poverty — What One Man’s found. (Pt 4: Devices: and conclusions.)

24th June, 2020.

Foreword.


This is part four of a series of articles on digital poverty.

You can find the first three parts here, here and here.

Feel free to comment and share.

Introduction.

Just to let me, in case this piece is new to you?

My name’s Paul: I worked in hospitality for years, and as a retail worker, and call centre agent.

Currently, I’m unemployed: very aware I struggle to pay my bills, and lucky to own the computer kit I have.

And am a lot luckier than at least one of my neighbours: who doesn’t.

This last piece of my current digital poverty pieces?

Tries to explain how I’ve coped, getting hold of things.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2020

24th June, 2020.

I think we can safely say I had an interview, yesterday.

You might have noticed the photos on Instagram … 

View this post on Instagram

I'm off to an interview … looking like a bandito

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977) on Jun 23, 2020 at 3:22am PDT

Including the photo of a Romford street call Ducking Stool Court.

View this post on Instagram

Burn the Witch

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977) on Jun 23, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

Obviously, Romford takes burning witches, seriously.

At any rate … ?

The interview seemed to have gone well enough.

But I’ll find out in a couple of weeks time.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2019.

24th June, 2019.

I think … 

Well, I think a lot of things.

Yesterday morning?

My Uncle Brian died.

He’d been poorly a while, so it wasn’t completely unexpected.

But still something of a blow.

This morning … ?

I got the equally sad news that my Aunty Bella died last night: after a head injury sustained during a fall.

I’m … 

Shocked: both were from an especially tough generation, one that lived through the Second World War.

I’m … 

Well, I’ve had a bad weekend.

I’m not grieving, just yet … 

Well, shocked … 

It’s been a bad weekend … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th June, 2018

24th June, 2018.

Yes: it’s a Sunday: one where I’ve actually had something approaching sleep.

Which helps: as it’s a Sunday where I’m up early to get to work for nine.

Fair enough.

But, given the delays on the train, this week?

I’m concerned that today — as the past few Sundays — there’s going to be a bus replacement service … 

As lovely as a bus ride is … ?

I’d rather be on the train.

It is, in these situations?

Quicker … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2017

OK, what the actual feck?

I’m up, and about.

Having made sure I got an early night: just to avoid yawning, first thing in the morning.

And guess what … ?

a)   I still feel like yawning my head off is a good move.

b)   I have a recent Republica tune ear worming its way through my head.

Oy veh … !

~≈Ê≈~

Just as an extra thought, before we move on … ?

If you’ve been following the news, you’d realise that some seven-hundred flats in Camden have bee evacuated, over-night.

In what looks like a rather messy attempt: with many residents only finding out about it, via the BBC news.

I know we’re all worried: post Grenfell.

But I’m thinking a local council should be better organised.

~≈Ê≈~

Oh, one more, thing?

I won’t get to see tonight’s Dr Who‡, until tomorrow at the earliest: no spoilers, now!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-6-2016

That’s … 

You know, I’m sorely tempted to say ‘That’s torn it.’

But those words seem just a little bit too glib, to describe what’s been announced.

So you know?

The UK has voted to leave the EU.

With 51.9% of those who voted — a 72% turnout — voting to leave, and 48.1% voting remain.   Going by the figures?   England and Wales mostly voted Leave, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and London mostly voting Remain.

We have two years to negotiate leaving: under Article 50 of the relevant treaty.

Given the currency’s going berserk as we speak?   And many businesses not yet saying what they’re going to do?   And much of the EU’s governing bodies not yet announcing how they’re going to react?

Those negotiators better be good.

~≈®≈~

Prime Minister, David Cameron, has just spoken.

And has announced that he will be standing down as Britain’s PM, and Conservative party leader.   And that a new leader will be chosen, by the time of the Party conference in October.

That new leader will then be put in place as PM: and in the position of Prime Minister, for the rest of this Parliament.   AND in charge of the Leave Negotiations.

That — as much as the Referendum’s result — is unsurprising.

But, speaking personally?   Much as I’m NO Conservative voter, I have to give the PM credit: for taking the BIGGEST political punt of a lifetime.

~≈®≈~

As a final thought?

Phew!

As a final thought, I voted remain.   As far as I understand it — from the media coverage of her death — Jo Cox MP, was killed, in part, because she was a Remain campaigner.

I voted Remain, in part, because I felt I would be supporting her killer, in voting Leave.   Although it was a close-run thing.   One or two people who’d commented on Facebook, made comments about those planning to vote Leave, I personally found deeply offensive: and almost had me voting Leave, in sympathy.

But voted Remain, as a way of sticking up two fingers to Jo Cox’s killer.

That was one part.

There’s a few others.   One?   Simply that at least one of my regular commentors — Olga — is a Spanish national living in the UK: and I’d hate to see her being unwelcome, purely because Britain had left the EU.

The other?

My family is bizarre.   But, basically, my step-father — and father of my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, and long since divorced from my mother — has properties in Spain.

Often?   Ruth, Anna and Jude holiday there.

The fact we’ve now decided to leave?   Means my nephews’s holiday in a beautiful part of the world are now — in all probability — far more difficult to arrange.

Has Britain blown it?

Quite probably.

I can only hope we figure SOMETHING out!

~≈®≈~