Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February 2026

26th February, 2026.

I don’t know if you knew … but I have phone appointments with my Job Centre case worker, every-so-often.

So … ?

The latest one is today: at 11·45, by phone.

I have to admit, it’s with a new case officer: so I’m concerned about how well it will go, whether they’ll phone on time, if they have access to my phone numbers.

Yadda, yadda, yadda … !

I’m … well … 

Anxious: as I always am … 

~≈👩🏾‍💼≈~

On other fronts?

I’m slowly getting used to Final Cut Pro, the video editing software I’ve been renting.

That said?

I don’t think I’ve quite got the hang of transitions, as it.

I’ve been a little clumsy with the ones in today’s introduction video.

It’s new to me, more complex than iMovie, and has a different way of laying out projects and events.

I’ll have to see how it goes … 

~≈🎬≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got a bluray disc in an external bluray drive: one that’s quietly being copied, as we speak.

I’m using software called MakeMKV to do so.

It’s an app that’s free to use, whilst in beta: so comes in handy,  for when you need to back up movies.

I mention this, because when I put the disc in the drive … ?

It immediately started making a whining noise.

That meant that the disc was either faulty — it wasn’t — or that it was dirty: and that washing the thing in warm, soapy, water, would help.

It turns out the disc was dirty.

Thankfully, washing the disc, worked.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is simply that I wanted to make a point: it shows us high tech issues can be sometimes be solved in the simplest of ways.

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2025 — 2000AD

26th February, 2025: 2000ad.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And … ?

Stuff is, as they say, going on.

Or, at least, it will be going on: on Friday.

I’ve got my landlady heading over: to do an assessment for needed work in my kitchen.

I think I’m going to have to wipe some surfaces … 

~≈🧽≈~

I’ve got the radio on, at the moment: and?

The presenters are interviewing a director: about the fact Demi Moore’s The Substance is heavily tipped for this year’s Oscars.

Apparently?

It’s the first horror film to get nominated: since The Silence of the Lambs.

I have to ask, though … is Silence a horror film?

I’d’ve called it a gruesome crime thriller, myself … 

~≈💀≈~

Talking of films?

I tried sitting down with Alien: Romulus, last night.

And … ?

It’s well made, nicely acted, the effects are good.

The design work is very impressive.

The mixture of CGI, motion capture, AI deep fake technology and animatronics, used to recreate the late Ian Holm for the flick?

Very impressive: and scarier than the aliens.

But … ?

It really didn’t hold my attention.

That’s a shame: the world building is very good.

~≈👽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February 2024.

26th February, 2024.

Right … Shal-a-mal-a-bing-bong … ?

I’m up early: for my weight management course.

And wondering one thing.

Earworms, right?

We know what earworms are.

They’re songs that are stuck in our heads.

What’s the equivalent for a phrase?

The reason I ask … ?

Is that I’ve woken up with the phrase ‘Shal-a-mal-a-bing-bong’ banging through my head: after seeing Florence Pugh being interviewed … and confessing she though of Dune Pt 2 costar, Timothée Chalamet, as Timothée Chala Mala Bing Bong.

Beyond calling it an ‘adab’ — which Herbert’s original Dune novel defines as “… the demanding memory that comes upon you of itself”*— I don’t know what to call that.

I may have to turn it into a song … 

~≈∏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February 2023 Teaser.

26th February, 2023.

Yes: I’m experimental, today.

One thing I got with a recent batch of birthday money … ?

I managed to get an extra webcam: as I’d been rather impressed with the camera Jude — my nephew — had for Christmas.

It’s not perfect: but works well enough, and can record in 2k resolution.

Whether it make’s much different to a video review?

I don’t know.

If you could let me know … ?

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2022: 2000AD

26th February, 2022.

Argh … says the blogger!

I made a mistake!   With my medications!

I managed to pick up two boxes of Levothyroxine: fifty milligram boxes.

When I should have asked for one hundred milligram boxes.

I’ll have to go back to the chemist, today.

In the immortal words of Hector the Hound?

I’m a great big, silly old Hector … !

~≈🐶≈~

One thing I’ve noticed about the situation in Ukraine?

Is that Russian troops have taken the Chernobyl power plant.

Apparently?   There’s been a radiation spike: one that experts say isn’t dangerous … but none-the-less, been observed.

I’m going to assume nothing will happen as a result of the Russian presence.

But that certainly adds a new terror to events.

~≈💥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2021: Ban the Heretic!

26th February, 2021.

Did you read yesterday’s Teaser?

You’ll know I missed an appointment at Brentwood’s community hospital.

For blood tests.

I’ve managed — thanks to a cancellation — to re-book the appointment for today.

At 14:30, if you’re wondering.

I have managed to find out why — in part — I missed the appointment.

I’d written it down as 14:40 … when it was actually at 14:20 … 

Um … … 

~≈😳≈~

By the way, I’ve just quickly posted on a Facebook group I’m in: a couple of member have earned themselves suspensions, after ambiguously worded posts.

I’ve left a comment.

But also add a link to this piece.

Telling us that one group had a chat censored.

The word used is one with many meanings: yes, it’s an unflattering term for gay men.

But, in context?

It’s also a traditional meatball.

Personally?

I think Facebook needs to do a couple of things.

One?   Keep a dictionary around.

Two?   Remember that American English isn’t the only game in town*!

~≈✏️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2020: Counting Coup …

26th February, 2020.

Yep: stuff’s going on, today.

Frankly?

I’m off to hospital: for some simple blood tends.

Mostly to check if I’m diabetic, and to monitor my thyroid medication.

Oh … and check on the heart medication I’m on is working … 

Here’s hoping.

~≈¥≈~

It’s officially official … I managed to visit the library.

I’d been told my complaint — that you couldn’t use the mice, left-handedly — had been resolved.

It had.

Essex Library’s IT department have managed to install a shortcut on to the main screen: one that allows access to the relevant settings panel.

Now … 

Persuading the library to NOT use Windows … is going to be a job and a half … !

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February, 2019.

26th February, 2019.

Right … 

Before my mouse runs out of go … ?

Today’s earworm is the Madison Avenue tune, Don’t Call Me Baby.

Why the hell I’ve woken up with Australia’s finest working it’s way through my head, I really don’t know.

But … ?

I usually find the only way to get rid of them, is to pass them on!

~≈§≈~

The OTHER thing … ?

I’ve got another interview, today.

In Romford, wouldn’t you know?

Now … if you ask me if I’m nervous?

I’d have to say yes.

I’d also have to say “I don’t want to go”: but that’s the nerves, again.

Either way … ?

Wish me luck.

~≈§≈~

As another thought … ?

I read this piece on the BBC’s website, yesterday.

About how poorly parked cars in the Essex town of Rowhead had blocked access for emergency vehicles.

Personally?

That street’s got my sympathies.

As I’ve been saying emergency vehicle access down my street is just as bad … for the past decade … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26th February, 2018.

26th February, 2018.

Hmmm … 

Did anyone else see this piece go past, on the news?

Four people have been in an explosion above a shop: in Hinkley Road in Leicester.

Quite why that explosion happened?

I don’t know.

But, just before watching another episode of Mr Robot, it was something that grabbed my attention.

I can only hope the cause is found, and found quickly.

That might well be the only consolation for the families of those killed.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-2-2017

You know, I think I can officially say this: I’m looking forward to next weekend.

No, really.

It’s my birthday, next weekend: I get another year older.

That’s not actually what I’m looking forward to.

Nope … 

I’ve booked the weekend off.

That’s the bit I’m after.

It means I get to sleep in, at the weekend!

~≈∑≈~

The Daily Teaser — 26-2-2013

Hmmm … 

You know, it has to be said, it sounds like the Liberal Democrats are in trouble, at the moment.

A senior member, Lord Rennard, has been accursed of various degrees of sexual harassment: with the added twist of various accusations of who knew what, when.

The story gets nastier: as it seems the police are now involved.

This could make the Eastleigh by-election go a bit pear-shaped … 

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

~≈Â≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with being flattering about yesterday’s quotes and videos, she also managed to bag 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 26th February saw the birth of Jeans designer, Levi Strauss: in which year of the 1820s … ?

Q2) His firm, Levi Strauss and Co., opened for business in which Californian city: Los Angeles, Berkeley or San Francisco … ?

Q3) More to the point, in which city is the firm’s Asian arm headquartered … ?

Q4) Traditionally, jeans are which colour … ?

Q5) Levi’s Jeans did and do feature rivets: made from which metal … ?

Q6) And finally … Shorts made from cut-off jeans are informally know as Daisy Dukes: after a character in which TV show … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th February 2013, is a Monday.   When was the last year Monday fell on the 25th February … ?

A1) 2008.

Q2) Which US band had a 1986 hit with Manic Monday … ?

A2) The Bangles.

Q3) Is ‘Monday’ a valid word in Scrabble … ?

A3) No.

Q4) What’s the name of the 1988 film to star Sting, Sean Bean and Melanie Griffith … ?

A4) Stormy Monday.

Q5) Boomtown Rats song, I Don’t Like Mondays was inspired by the school shootings carried out by whom … ?

A5) Brenda Spencer

Q6) And finally … which resident of Muncie, Indiana, famously loves lasagna and hates Mondays.

A6) Garfield.

I’ll leave you with this rather clever tune … 

And this quote from Yves Sant Laurent

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.”
Yves Saint Laurent.

And as a final thing … ?   I’ll ALSO leave you with THIS old Levi’s ad: Shaggy really owes  Levi a BIG thank you … !

*        Gee, thanks, Debbi … !   (I’ll be honest, though, yesterday was nice and easy to put together: it literally rolled off the keyboard.   The real stunners — from where I’m sitting — are some of the regular ones.   I tend to try not to repeat a question, so it means taking some REAL turns, putting something together … !)   Oh, by the way … ?   I meant to try and tweet this past you … 

The Daily Teaser — 26-02-2012

Bleaughhhhhhhhhhh … !

I hate that, when that happens … !

I’ve got to admit, I know it’s a Sunday, but there’s time — and it’s oh so mood dependent — when I hate sleeping through my alarm.

I really do!

Oh, well …

I’m ALSO thinking there’s not a LOT of point in me whinging about it.

After all, it’s looking like a lovely day to have a good stroll around town.

And keep my fingers crossed that Gary Oldman bags tonight’s Best Actor Oscar.

It’ll be about time … !

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi — telling us some more about Mrs Peel — putting in her answers: and, along with mentioning the Lotus 7*, also bagging 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 26th February, 1946, saw the first of many ghost rocket sightings:in which European country … ?

Q2) 26th February, 1815, saw who escape from prison?

Q3) More to the point, where was that prison … ?

Q4) 26th February, 747 BCE, was the start of the reign of King Nabonassar … of where … ?

Q5) 26th February, 1829, saw the birth of Jeans designer, Levi Strauss:name either of the European towns that jeans take their name from.

Q6) And finally … 26th February, 1936, saw an attempted military coup take place in which country … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th February, 1901, saw the US Steel Corporation formed: which noted US American financier was the man who did this … ?

A1) J. P. Morgan.

Q2) More to the point, what did his first and middle initials stand for … ?

A2) John Pierpont.

Q3) 25th February, 1964, saw Cassius Clay named as Heavyweight champion of the World: what — later — did he famously change his name to … ?

A3) Muhammed Ali.

Q4) 25th February, 1947, saw the formal end of which German state … ?

A4) Prussia.

Q5) 25th February, 191, saw which US state become the first to impose a gasoline tax … ?

A5) Oregon.

Q6) And finally … 25th February, 1570, saw Pope Pius 5th excommunicate whom … ?

A6) Elizabeth 1st.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

After I’ve left you with Livery Stable Blues, first recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band, today, in 1917º.

* Would you believe it, Debbi, the blessed thing’s still in production. And the scene in Fall Out, the last episode, that sees one delivered to No 6’s door? Turns out the chap driving it was Lotus’ chief engineer … !!!!!! Sorry, sorry, boys and their toys … !

º Now THAT’S Jazz … ! (I mean, 1917 … ? And sounding as fresh, now, as it did then … !)