Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th April 2026

4th April, 2026.

It’s a long weekend: as it’s Easter!

We had a public holiday, yesterday: and another on Monday, 6th April.

The fact yesterday was a public holiday was something I’d realised: but didn’t necessarily think through.

Over the past couple of years?

I’ve put in for help from Southend Council’s Essential Living Fund.

They’d give out a grant to people in Southend and Thurrock, and to people outside those areas, but still in Essex.

So?

I visited the relevant website to put in another application: totally forgetting I’d seen news that told me the scheme behind the fund … had been restructured … 

And only remembering this, yesterday, when I saw the relevant forms were no longer available.

There’s a few other options.

But the first option I thought of, was to phone Southend Council, to ask if they knew where these sites could be found.

Completely forgetting that yesterday was a bank holiday: and that, therefore, the office was closed.

The — hopefully polite — email I sent, the one that asks the same question … will get picked up this Tuesday: as Monday’s another bank holiday!

Ever get the feeling I’m frustrated … ?

~≈😩≈~

Actually, that’s a point: my rent goes up, on Monday.

On the Easter Monday bank holiday.

Yes: I know by how much it goes up, too.

I’ve got the letter about it, from my landlord.

So?

I can fill in the online form, on Monday.

Assuming the dratted site lets me!

~≈😒≈~

I mentioned, yesterday, that I was heading for the Romford branch of CeX: as the trains were running, and the place was open.

I had a blu-ray box set — season 21 of the classic era of Dr Who — to sell on.

Something the Romford branch bought for £27.

I couldn’t help but notice something, though.

That CeX were selling this particular boxset, second hand, for £60.

When — at the moment — Amazon are selling the same set for £57·99.

You could argue that CeX are charging the same, effective, price: when you factor in the cost of delivery.

Except, of course, Amazon give you a free standard delivery, if your order is over £35.

Given CeX pays discounted rates of Value Added Tax*, of VAT, on the second hand goods they sell … ?

I think someone’s raking it in … 

~≈🤔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2025 — NATO Day.

4th April, 2025: NATO Day.

Right … it’s Friday … 

And I’m a little anxious.

Frankly?

There’s been no news on the MakeMKV front.

I’m still getting the Fatal Error message: as no known update has been issued.

I’m … 

Well, let’s just say I’m feeling anxious!

~≈📀≈~

On the upside … ?

I’ve finished another review!

Yep: I’ve reviewed episode two of Classic Dr Who series, The Savages: fell free to leave me a comment … !

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2024 — Senegal.

4th April, 2024: Senegal.

Right … it’s officially official.

It’s Thursday!

Which means … ?

That yesterday was Wednesday: a day I found that Audible are doing a new, audio, version of Orwell’s Nineteen-Eighty-Four.

And learnt that there was a recent, Russian, version: directed by Diana Ringo.

I have to admit, I did try watching that, last night.

But have to admit to stopping half way through.

Partly?

The thing was just a little too strange for my tastes: it’s versions of the Two-Minute-Hate, for example, was very different.

Granted: it’s a good looking thing.

But … ?

It’s strangeness, and the fact it owes its character names, and a couple of story points, to Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We*, was something I found both off-putting, and distracting.

Alongside that … ?   I don’t know who translated the text from the original Russian, but the subtitles were … not good.   I’m not familiar with Russian: but am familiar with Orwell’s original novel.

And … ?   The acting was something I found rather stilted.

Combine that with the tiredness I was feeling from the pain killers I’m on … ?

Meant I gave up on Ringo’s 1984, half way through.

~≈🤳🏼≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th April 2023.

4th April, 2023.

Yes: it’s Tuesday.

And yes: I’m up early.

It’s the Easter Holidays: so I’m looking after my nephew, Jude, for the morning.

There’s going to be videos made, I know that.

Talking of which?

That’s my most recent video review: of the penultimate episode of For All Mankind’s third series.

Feel free to hit Like and Share!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2022: The City of Angels

4th April, 2022.

It’s Monday: and frankly?

The start of a busy week.

I’ve an Zoom job interview, today, a couple of in person interviews Thursday and Friday, Nephew sitting on Wednesday … of, and a couple of phone calls.

The cheapest way of doing that?

Is by mobile.   Given the signal situation?

I’m going to have to go out of that.

Wouldn’t you know it?   It’s raining.

Yum.

~≈☎️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2021: Yes, Prime Minister

4th April, 2021.

Yep: it’s Easter Sunday: and frankly?

I think it’s going to be a quiet day.

Well … bar the usual family dinner!

Here’s hoping everyone has a happy Easter.

~≈🐣≈~

Are you in the UK … ?

If you are, you’re possibly aware there’s plans for what’s known as a COVID passport: a document, digital or otherwise, that will show if you’ve been tested, vaccinated or have have ‘natural immunity.’   If you’ve had it, it other words.

The idea, if I’ve understood it, correctly, is to have some way of guarantee that people with one are disease free.

I think there’s possible problems, there.

Is it going to be digital, or paper?

I know a few people who don’t have smart phones able to deal with an app.

And that there’s a lot of people who couldn’t afford one, let alone know how to use one.

I’m also very aware that — a few years ago — the Government were planning to introduce identity cards: at a hefty individual cost that would’ve made it unaffordable for unemployed people like me.

That’s the problem — or potential problem —I’m looking at.

Is there a price?   How much would it be, if there was?   Would I, as an unemployed person, get help for it?

Out side of any potential human rights issues, it’s a good idea: if it allows people to go out, or get jobs.   It would get the economy moving.

But … ?

I think there’s issues: as there always is with these things.

~≈🛂≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 8 — Broken Pieces — A Review

4th April, 2020.

Is it possibly to be mildly outraged by something?

Now I look back at the introductory video?

I can’t help but think outrage is possibly too strong a word.

Although I’ve possibly a couple of things to be outrage at.

One?

Earlier to day, I went to the Brentwood branch of Sainbury’s.

Where, whilst queueing up, along side everyone else?

View this post on Instagram

Who the hell is the show off in the Lamborghini?

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977) on Apr 4, 2020 at 4:16am PDT

I noticed the guy in the bright green Lamborghini, trying to park.

A Lamborghini, for  crying out loud.

That’s a little bit excessive, for just a loaf and a couple of spuds, would you say?

~≈¥≈~

The other thing that annoyed me?

I saw this piece of news, earlier.

Telling us a couple of 5G phone masts had been set on fire: with at least one attacking claiming they were attacking the site as 5G phone masts were responsible for the current Corona virus outbreak.

Ye … mothering … GODS!!!

How much of an idiot do you have to be to believe some of the sillier conspiracy theories doing the rounds?

Especially the bit of arse-hattery* that says a telephone pole can give you a virus?

And that you need to burn something down, or wear a tinfoil hat?

Ye gods!

~≈¥≈~

At ANY rate … ?

It’s a Saturday, I’ve been shopping, I’ve eaten …

And I have, as promised, managed to catch some TV.

Yes.

Another episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2020: Moscow

4th April, 2020.

You know, there’s time when the most frustrating thing in your head?

Is a good old fashioned earworm.

The only thing more frustrating than that?

Is having an ear worm, and not knowing what it’s called!

Thankfully?

I tracked it down.

It’s It Dread Inna Inglan, by Linton Kwesi Johnson, and on his Dread Beat and Blood LP.

Which is a very good album, I should add.

If you’ve not heard it, it’s worth listening to.

Old school dub — for the man who made it seriously popular — makes for powerful listening … 

~≈®≈~

I have to admit, Nicholas Parsons — the late presenter of Just A Minute — is springing to mind, a lot, recently.

Partly because his recent death was a sad thing.

I couldn’t tell you if the show’s going to continue with a replacement presenter: especially given the current circumstances.

The reason I mention it?

He always — in the introduction to each show — that people were listening ‘around the world’… 

A phrase that seems to have been picked up by the BBC’s news readers, just recently.

What can I tell you?

Except the phrase has picked up resonance … 

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th April, 2019

4th April, 2019.

Right … 

You’re possibly aware that I’m something of a Mac fan.

And one who got mildly announced when on of Apple’s own updates for the operating system.

Mostly because of the knock-on effect on iMovie: rendering video that included animated text in about twice the time it should.

Thankfully, and as I mentioned in last night’s post — about Westworld —, Apple have issued updates to both iMovie, and macOS, itself.

That seems to have help.

Or, at least, allow iMovie to work.

We’ll see.

~≈§≈~

One other thing I know … ?   Is that I’m … mildly concerned.

There’s been one or two incidents of Brexit related … protest? … protests, over the past couple of weeks.

Intimidation of MPs from protestors from both sides.

At least one rooftop protest: at the Eurostar terminal.

Pro-Brexit sabotage of at least two lines … 

And protests on the border … 

And now we have the police warning us about potential violence, and how they’re planning to deal with it.

These are interesting times.

Worryingly … 

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4/4/2018

4th April, 2018.

Yep: I’m a man with issues!

Good old fashioned money issues!

Frankly?   A pay rise could come in handy: as, frankly, could more hours.

Equally frankly?

I’ve been rota’d for just the one shift, next week.

You can imagine how angry I fell about that.

I HAVE managed to pick up a couple of extra shifts … but … 

~≈§≈~

In other news?

You’ll have probably realised I’ve gone down with Bell’s Palsy.   Basically, a type of facial paralysis caused by a post-infection trapped nerve.

Right at the moment?

My left cheek seems fairly noticeable: or, at least, feels that way from where I’m sitting.

On the OTHER hand?

I think I’m using less straws: and believe I have some more movement in my lips.

I’m — hopefully — starting to recover.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-4-2017

Do you watch the news?

I do.

And caught the news that a Metro train in Saint Petersburg, in Russia — Vladimir Putin’s home town — has been hit by what’s described as a suicide bomber.

Yesterday.

My thoughts are going in all sorts of directions.

They’re with the families of those killed.

They’re thinking the driver of the bombed trained driving it to the nearest station … ?

Seems to have helped save lives, as it allowed emergency staff easier access to the injured.

And my thinking?

Has been shaped by what I know of history: things like the Beslan School siege, or the Moscow Theatre attack, or its actions during WW2.   I’ve come to the conclusion the one government and country that will react strongly to an attack is Russia.

My semi-serious line — that always made a former, Russian, neighbour laugh — is that attacking Russia is a good way of committing suicide.

Whoever claims responsibility for this?

Is in trouble.

~≈⇪≈~

In other news?

In other news, the BBC have released a second trailer for series ten of Dr Who.

Pay attention to the last few seconds to the thing.

We’ve been told Peter Capaldi leaves at Christmas.

Can I run this past you?   I think, much like the shift from Ecclestone to Tennant, the regeneration will take place in the last episode of season ten: with a flashback seen in the Christmas Special.   Effectively, Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth will ‘leave’ in the Special, having done his last performance in the tenth season.

Here’s another controversial thought?   We know the new series has seen romantic undertones between the Tenth Doctor and Rose.   And, arguably, there’s a lot of unresolved sexual tension between Matt’s Smith’s Eleventh Doctor, and Amy, Clara and River.

We know Bill is to be the first openly gay, full time, companion.

Those undertones won’t necessarily continue … if the new Doctor’s a man* …

~≈⇪≈~