Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2025 — Babbage

26th December, 2025: Babbage.

Right … I’ve turned off the radio: there’s only so much Bill Bailey I can take at this time of the morning!

As nice as it was to hear?

There’s only so much Christmas-themed opera a body can takes!

Especially on Boxing Day.

~≈📦≈~

Boxing Day … or my nephew’s birthday: as that’s today, as well.

If you can get to his YouTube channel?

Feel free to subscribe: you’d make his day … !

~≈📽️≈~

Yesterday was Christmas Day: I hope yours went well.

My family’s did: I think we can say we’ve all ended up pleased with our respective presents.

I got a Rolykin Dalek from my mother: courtesy of my cousin Dean.

Or, at least, the shop run by my cousin Dean’s wife and daughter, Wendy and Hannah.

It’s possibly worth visiting, if you’re ever there: they do a range of stuff, including some third-party collectibles, and their own range of novelty jewellery.

~≈👽≈~

As a LAST thought … ?

Yes: I’ve finally finished my review of “The End of the War”, the last episode of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

That took a lot of work: I can only hope it makes sense.

Sense, or otherwise?

I do know I raise an issue, there.

The series can be watched in 4k, on the iPlayer: so long as you have a suitable TV.

However?

There’s no corresponding 4k bluray on Amazon: just the 2k, and DVD versions.

I think the BBC may have missed a trick, there.

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2024 — Living in a Box

26th December, 2024: Living in a Box.

Phew!

Christmas is officially over!

Barring the (metaphorical) hangover, obviously!

I am very aware, though, that I’ve ended up with a lot of gift cards: which will come in very handy!

AND a for Dummies Guide to macOS Sequoia.

I’m also very aware that my nephew, Jude, is now the proud owner of a shiny new phone.

Which took a lot of setting up!

And swearing.

It turns out the model concerned is like a lot of modern phones.

In an attempt to cut down e-waste, it comes with a charging cable … but no charging brick.

You have to use one you already have … or buy a new one.

Jude ended up borrowing Aunty Anna’s iPhone charger … and wait for the three that Grandma, Mummy and Aunty Anna have ordered to turn up!

Christmas, eh?

~≈🎄≈~

The charger situation has got me thinking I’m grateful.

For having enough money left in my account.

It’s Jude’s birthday, today: feel free to wish him a happy birthday on Bluesky and X.

At any rate … ?

I’ve bought him a laptop … and suddenly thought, when I got home, last night “I wonder if there’s a charger in the box … ?”

That could be embarrassing … !

~≈🔌≈~

Nik Nak's Daily Teaser — 26-12-2023 — The Exorcist

26th December, 2023: The Exorcist.

Right, then ...

Let's do the happy thing, shall we?

And wish my nephew, Jude, a happy birthday!

Happy Birth, Jude!

You can make him very happy by subscribing to one of his main channels: here or here!

Or you can follow Bobby the Cat!

Ahem!

~≈🎂≈~

Moving on ... ?

You've possibly worked out yesterday was Christmas Day.

Gifts were given -- I'm hoping the one's I've been able to afford have gone down well -- and gifts received.

You can tell we're getting old, can't you?

Firstly?

Socks, underpants and gift cards seem to be the order of the day!

Secondly?

I now own an air fryer.

Which could prove useful.

Once I work out how to do baked potatoes with it>

It does tell me how long to do potato gratin.

Ahem!

Finally?

I got to meet Bobby the Cat.

Who's a slippery customer if ever I saw one!

~≈🎂≈~

Just as on last sad piece of news?

Those of us of a certain age will remember Richard Franklin: who playe Captain Mike Yates, during the Pertwee years of Dr Who.

Sadly?

He died, yesterday, at the age of 87: after a long illness.

He'll be much missed.

~≈⸸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th December 2022.

26th January, 2022.

Right … 

Thankfully, it’s the day after Christmas Day.

Which means?

Presents have been exchanged, Mikey the rabbit worried about, and the inevitable rowing done.

You can tell I’m getting old: I’m getting more socks and underwear!

Oh, and chocolate!

If nothing else?

Jude seemed to like the web camera I got him.

Although that was over shadowed … by the VR headset he got!

Heigh ho!

~≈®≈~

We didn’t end up catching much in the way of TV, yesterday.

Bar the King’s Speech.

Which is a shame: as I missed the trailer for Dr Who’s sixtieth anniversary specials, next year.

I have caught them: and it’s nice to know one of the stories is a version of Dr Who and the Starbeast: and includes updated versions of Beep the Meep, and the Wrath Warriors.

Now … if they can follow that up with The Iron Legion, I’ll be happy.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2021: Boxing Day.

26th December, 2021.

Right … it’s officially the case that my nephew, Jude?   Has had his main birthday, already.

Not something I thought was necessarily a good idea: but a new — ish! — phone seems to have gone down well.

And been gratefully received.

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

Now all we need to do … ?

Is top the dratted thing up!

~≈☎️≈~

I’ve got to admit, I’ve started reading a book called On the Other Hand: by Howard I Kushner.

It’s about left handedness: something I’m interested in, as I’m left handed, myself.

I’m also fair convinced that left handers face prejudices: I can remember seeing Reggie Yates — in Africa for a TV documentary — being berated by a tribal chief for using his left hand for something.

I’ve also had the odd comment.

Reading the preface to On the Other Hand, though, I read this: “… that toleration of left-handedness serves as a barometer of wider cultural toleration and permissiveness.”

Personally … ?

I think I can agree with that.

~≈☎️≈~

Star Trek Discovery — Series 3 Episode 8 — The Sanctuary — A Review

26th December, 2020.

Right … 

It’s late enough on a Saturday night: that going to bed has appeal.

On top of that?   My right arm still aches from the ’flu jab I had, this time last week: too much typing’s mildly awkward.

On top of that … ?

The bedtime reading’s getting intriguing.

I’m going through a Arthur Machen collection of weird tales: called The White People and other Weird Tales.

It’s … 

Yes, weird possibly doesn’t cover it.

The couple at the centre of the tale, Edward and Mary Darnell?   Are having strange, unearthly, eldritch and distinctly odd discussions … 

About whether they should buy a new oven, decorate the box room, or have Aunt Marian come to stay with them … !

Weird doesn’t even start … !

At any rate: I’m going to happily finish this post, tomorrow.

Which is when I’ll tell you episode 8 of Star Trek Discovery’s third series … !

~≈🖖🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2020: Boxed In.

26th December, 2020.

It’s officially official: Christmas Day has — with its traditional grumpiness — now passed!

And … ?

I think I can say my family’s enjoyed the presents its been given.

I’m equally grateful for mine.

There’s socks involved: as well as masks and a lego Baby Yoda.

And some vouchers for Amazon: which are always appreciated.

At ANY rate … ?

It went well.

How was yours?

~≈📦≈~

In amongst the news?

I couldn’t help but notice Nashville.

It seems that — early on Christmas Day — a camper-van exploded in Nashville.

Why … ?

No-ones knows.

Although, apparently, humans remains have been found in what’s left of the vehicle.

To me?   That sounds like an act of domestic terrorism.

I’ve a nasty suspicion it’s some sort of White supremacists, acting in the wake of a contentious election.

But?

I think we’re not going to find out if it’s right-wing militia, or Jihadi terrorists, until an investigation’s done.

Whatever happens, there?

I can only hope this is an isolated incident: and not the start of something worse.

~≈📦≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th December, 2018

26th December, 2018.

Yep: I’ve gone and got a book for Christmas.

Well, actually, I’ve had several … !

But I don’t like to boast.

The one thing that did make me laugh?

Simply the fact it features a Sontaran Bakery: and a boom cake.

And a Sontaran Boom cake.

Hell of a way to celebrate a birthday … 

~≈§≈~

Actually, whilst we’re on the subject of Dr Who?

Yesterday didn’t see a Christmas episode of the show.

Which I’m not happy, but, bar complaining to the BBC — which you can do, here — what can you do*?

Ahem … 

I do know that we got the improved trailers: announcing the time that the New Year’s day edition will be shown in the UK.

7pm, so you know.

Now … 

That robotic, slightly Daleky, voice at the end of that teaser trailer?

The one frantically yelling “EX-TEM-IN-ATE” … ?

Does that sound familiar … ?

~≈§≈~

Either way … ?

Hopefully, my nephew, Jude, and his mum will be popping over to watch it.

Oh, if you bump into him?

Wish him a happy birthday … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2017: The Feast Of Stephen

Well, that’s Christmas done.

For, at least, another year.

At least, that’s the present opening, frayed tempers and smashed plates, done.

Until next year!

In all fairness, it wasn’t as bad as that.

Presents given and received, films watched: and Dr Who seen.

It’s all good.

~≈§≈~

The Strain Series 3: Episodes 4, 5, 6 and 7 — Gone But Not Forgotten, Madness, The Battle of Central Park and Collaborators

26th December, 2016.

You know, I do like the idea of time off.

No, really.

I’ve annual leave, today: AND a day off, tomorrow.

And enough credit in my iTunes account to buy an album.

Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports, so you know: on of the earliest ambient albums ever made.

I can see what he means about “ignorable and interesting.”

It’s nice background music … 

~≈⌘≈~

Nice background for what, you might ask … ?

Well … ?

I don’t know about you: but I like listening to stuff, whilst I write.

And ambient — or, at least, this specific ambient LP — seems to be good aural furniture.

The reason I’m writing?

Is that I’ve just seen a few more episodes of series three of The Strain.

And wanted to tell you about them.

~≈⌘≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-12-2016: St. Stephen’s Day

2016 is turning into the year that killed celebrities.

I got home. yesterday: from spending Christmas at my family’s place over in Pilgrim’s Hatch.

And managed to get an early — ish — night, having starting ripping some of my presents: so I could watch them later.

Only to have the Breaking News alert go off on both my phone And tablet.

Singer, George Michael, had died: at the age of 53.

Quite what from, no-one’s saying.

I was surprised.

I was never a Wham!, or George Michael fan: but my sisters were.

And frankly?

You couldn’t grow up during the Eighties, without hearing a well written George Michael tune.

It’s one hell of a loss.

It’s also a bit of a mystery, from where I’m sitting: the BBC article is very careful not giving an apparent cause of death.

I may be being morbidly curious, here.

But I’d like to know what killed him!

~≈Á≈~