Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2025 — Zambia

24th October, 2025: Zambia.

I’ve woken up, this morning: which should be obvious, by now … !

Let’s restart that, shall we?

I’ve woken up, this morning, half convinced it’s Saturday.

But very aware it’s Friday.

Why am I thinking it’s a day it’s not?

I think I have an idea.

I usually get my Universal Credit on the 23rd of the month: yesterday, in other words.

I get my Personal Independence Payment, every fourth Friday.

So … ?

I think my subconscious believes today is Saturday, as it thinks I got my PIP, yesterday, rather than UC.

Heigh ho!

~≈£≈~

I’m very aware that the UK’s government planning to introduce a Digital ID: something I don’t especially like.

Mostly on cost grounds.

Cost, and redundancy: I’ve already got ID.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has now gone on the record to say the scheme will only be mandatory for those seeking work.

And only be needed when you change jobs, after the scheme is introduced.

In addition?

It will not be needed for anything else: will not be needed for those needing healthcare, as an example, or for housing, or to be able to vote.

Do you mind a confession?

That’s not something I find reassuring.

I remain as sceptical as I ever was.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2024.

24th October, 2024.

Did I mention I’ve been binge watching a US comedy?

I’ve been binge watching a US comedy: The Big Bang Theory, currently aired — in the UK — by Channel Four.

It’s hysterical: both the cast and crew have played a blinder.

Especially Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper.

Last night?

I caught the two-part finale, last night.

And have to say, it was a hell of a thing to watch: especially Sheldon’s final speech.

It’s one hell of a tear-jerker!

And a suitable last speech!

~≈Ω≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve got a new sofa: sitting next to me as I write.

It needs assembling: I suspect that’s something I need help with.

I also know it’s something I need space to do.

That’s solvable: I have a clearance company, coming today: in order to clear out my old armchairs.

Hopefully?

They’ll be here, and gone, and the sofa assembled, by the time my nephew gets here!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🧑‍🌾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October 2023.

24th October, 2023.

It’s officially Tuesday: and I’m mildly surprised by what turns up in the post.

As you’re possibly aware?

I had trouble with my washing machine, last week: and gratefully received help from Trevor, in getting it repaired.

But what I did, the day the washer went wrong?

Was fill in the form for the Essential Living Fund run by Southend council.

The fund does grants for people in need, in Southend, Thurrock and the rest of Essex: and give awards as prepaid debit cards from Mastercard.

I figured applying couldn’t hurt: even if their card couldn’t be used to pay for a repair, any money they did give me could be spent on shopping, and allow me to spend cash on the repair.

It’s a way of moving money around, in other words.

Even if it would take a while to get through.

It got through.

Yesterday.

In the post.

After I got back from shopping … !

There’s possibly an irony, there!

At any rate … ?

I now know my local Nisa’s will take that thing: as I’ve put some extra money on my gas and electricity.

Some very welcome extra money on my gas and electricity.

It means I can possibly run the oven for long enough to cook some chilli: assuming I can use the thing at Sainsbury’s!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2022.

24th October, 2022.

Yes: it’s Monday.

And the two meetings I mentioned, yesterday … ?

Consist of a meeting with my Job Centre case worker: at the Job Centre’s office in Brentwood town hall, at 13:40.

And a diabetic eye check at 10:10 … at a rented office in Brentwood town hall.

One of these days, I’ll get the hang of diary management.

~≈¥≈~

Anyone following British politics will know that Liz Truss has handed in her resignation as party leader, and PM: and that there’s a truncated leadership  election going on.

Knows that one of the candidates was Boris Johnson.

Please notice I said was.

Boris has officially decided to pull out of the race.

Thank heavens for that!

~≈¥≈~

Did anyone see The Power of the Doctor, last night?   Jodie Whittaker’s last episode as the Doctor?

My review — written and video — will be up later.

But … ?

We have a fantastic episode, here: one that’s well worth your time.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2021

24th October, 2021.

Yep: my brain hurts!

Slightly!

I want shopping, yesterday: managing to save some money in the process.

But … ?

I forgot washing up liquid.

I’ve just enough to get some from nearby, though.

I’ve also got just enough to get some butter: possibly.

I’m planning on making a goulash: and felt making a roux would help thicken the stock.

I’m not exactly sure about that.

Especially as it’s the first time I’ve ever made one!

Heigh ho!

~≈🥘≈~

You’ve heard the news, yes?

That director, Joel Souza, has been injured, and cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, killed, on the set of Rust.

Shot: after actor, Alec Baldwin, had been mistakenly handed a fully loaded weapon.

It’s a tragedy not seen since the death of Brandon Lee, whilst making The Crow: when US regulations about on-set gun safety were tightened.

It’s a screaming tragedy that could have been avoided: as — from what I can gather — the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun, didn’t check to see if the gun was loaded, when he handed it to Baldwin.   They just yelled ‘cold gun.’

Baldwin, in a rush to finish, had taken the AD’s word for it.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   A film set’s armourer* is supposed to hand out weapons on set: but it seems he — and several cameramen — had worked off the set earlier in the day.   Over safety concerns.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   Actors are trained to do these checks, themselves, when handed a gun.   Arguably, Baldwin could possibly be said to be at fault, as well.

Usually, and from what I’ve understood?   Practically everyone on set’s supposed by aware of the Health and Safety issues about on-set weaponry: even if they’re not specifically given weaponry training.   Someone could — if they weren’t trained or qualified — asked someone to check a weapon for them.

I have to wonder how on Earth that assistant director — and the chain of people before them — managed to hand a loaded gun to Alec Baldwin.

This should have been an avoidable accident.

Instead of a funeral …

~≈💣≈~

Dr Who — Season 5 Serial 6: Fury from the Deep — Episode 1 and 2 — A Review

23rd October, 2020

Right … just as a first point … ?   No: I don’t know where that “Brush like a Dentist” line came from.

Certainly not from Little Shop of Horrors.

Secondly?

I’ll happily admit to suffering depression.

In my particular case?

I’ll admit that — for me — that leads to a lot of tiredness.

That does not mean I can’t do the things I want to do.

Just that I have a condition — medicated with a low dose of fluoxetine, and aggravated by an under-active thyroid — that makes me want to sleep.

Right now?

Right now I want to hit the sack.

But … ?

But, much with my reviews of Watchmen?

I wanted to start my review of episode one and two of the classic Dr Who story, Fury from the Deep, now … 

And then finish it tomorrow.

~≈😶≈~

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

24th October, 2020.

Right, just so everyone knows: I’ve had to mention the fact in today’s video intro … 

It’s now no longer Crazy Hair Day.

We can safely but the spray-on dye … 

~≈😌≈~

JUST as a remember for those of us in the UK … ?

Tonight sees the end of British Summer Time, and the start of Greenwich Mean Time.

The clocks go back, in other words.

Although, it has to be said … most of the things in my flat with clock will reset themselves.

All I have to make sure of?

Is the clock on my wall.

~≈🤔≈~

The BBC’s not posted it to their news website, as yet.

But … ?

I’m listening to Radio 4’s Today programme, right now.

Apparently?   The government is cutting the number of laptops it’s making available to schools: the laptops schools are supposed to hand out to family on low incomes, who need them to access online lessons.

Frankly?   I’m not surprised.

But also thinking that it’s something I should add to my various pieces on digital poverty.

There’s hoping Aunty Beeb post those pieces, soon.

~≈😐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2019: World Polio Day

24th October, 2019

It’s definite.

I’ve got a man coming down to look at my boiler … again … !

Basically, the last chap that came told me there was little he could do, beyond recommending a workaround — which doesn’t seem to help — as the boiler was old.

And that he’d be reporting as much, back to HQ.

That … ?

Hadn’t reached my landlords: let alone the contractors who do the repairs.

Which is what got me phoning all and sundry, on Tuesday: to relay what I’d been told.

My landlord told me they couldn’t do anything until they’d had a report.

The contractor … ?

Is sending a supervisor, no less, today.

This afternoon: to assess the situation, and gather evidence for that report.

That’s nice.

It gives me time to top my gas up.

~≈†≈~

Oh, JUST as a quick thought … ?

It sounds like Dr Who is recording a Christmas special: although whether it’s Christmas 2019 or Christmas 2020?

I’m not sure.

However?

Something’s around … 

pic.twitter.com/ONZfLuASWa

— Jack 🎃 (@TheLoneLocus) October 23, 2019

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2018: The UN

24th October, 2018.

A day off … 

TWO days off … 

I like days off.

When I get them … 

Oh, no, before you ask: today isn’t one!

My NEXT day off … ?

Is tomorrow.

Yes: I’m impatiently looking forward to that … 

~≈§≈~

While I’ve got your attention … ?

I noticed a news piece on the BBC’s news site, yesterday.

John Lewis, the department store?   Are to stop selling DVD players.

I have to admit, I’m not surprised.

I sold my DVD player a few years ago, now: to a friend who wanted it, but didn’t have an internet connection, at the time.   Its recording functions long since replaced by USB sticks.

I’ve been streaming movies, music and TV shows from various sources for so long, now, that buying or renting a DVD is … 

Mostly historical, now I think of it.

Most of my DVDs?   Have long since been ripped, then sold to my local CeX.

So, given that streaming is now so common?

I’m wondering how much longer it will be, before blu-ray goes that same way.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24th October, 2017

Right … I’m up at four, again.

Ready to head off to work for nine o’clock.

And I have to admit, I actually got an early night, last night.

Well.

Earlyish.

I still managed to sneak in an episode of Star Trek: Discovery, last night.

I don’t know that the episode was as good as earlier ones: but, as the series so far, is incredibly good, its ‘not good,’ is on a par with other serials ‘very good.’

Plus?

The villainous Kol makes an appearance.

And there’s a veiled Klingon called Dennas, lurking about.

I have to admit, I’m wanting to see more of this version of the Klingons, they’re very impressive.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2016

Oh, now I hate that when it happens!

I suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: which, at it’s worst?   Can be both crippling and painful.

It hit, yesterday.

When I was due to do an eight hour shift at work.

A job I like … ?

And my internal organs let me down!

~≈†≈~

On top of that … ?

Yesterday was something of a sad day for comic book fans.

As it saw the death of comic book artist, Steve Dillon.

Something that left me feeling very thoughtful: the man not only was a favourite of mine, drawing a lot of strips for 2000AD, but also for Dr Who Weekly.

But ALSO died at the age of 54: only a few years older than I am.

Intimations of mortality?

You betcha!

~≈†≈~