Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th March 2026.

5th March, 2026.

Right … it’s officially the day after my birthday: thanking you, if you wished me well, and/or got me a present.

Both are much appreciated!

Appreciated or otherwise?

Life goes on: and I’m now a year older.

But not necessarily wiser.

~≈🦉≈~

One thing I did notice, yesterday?

Bar the fact I’m a year older?

Is that Apple have now released their new range of MacBook, the MacBook Neo.

It’s a machine that comes with just eight gigabytes of RAM, up to 512 gigabytes of SSD, and powered by an A-series chip: rather than the M-series chips other Macs use.

Yes: I would like one.

But … ?

I have my doubts.

I’m very aware it’s seen as Apple’s affordable option: as a less expensive way of entering the Apple ecosystem.

But also aware that similar-specced machines — usually running ChromeOS or Windows — are available on Amazon for a lot less: there’s plenty of Chromebooks for less, for example.

I’m also thinking that eight gigabytes of RAM, and 256 to 512 gigabytes of hard drive wouldn’t necessarily means it’s going to be something to make music or videos with.

Especially not with Final Cut: my limited experience tells me an M-series iPads may be a better option, there.

But … ?

As an on-the-go machine, used to keep in touch?

It could be useful: that’s why I’d be wanting something like this.

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I few weeks ago, I was recording the footage for a recent batch of Teaser videos: and having problems, as my Mac was overheating as a result.

I was advised to clear out various caches, and restart my Mac, to solve the issue.

That didn’t seem to help much.

But?

Having cleaned the relevant caches, made sure the Pages files that seemed to be causing the issues were set to ‘Keep Downloaded’, and that my machine was updated to macOS Tahoe 26.3.x, seemed to work.

I’ve been able to film with no problem.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈♨️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5/3/2025 — Judge Dredd is Watching You.

5th March, 2025: Judge Dredd is Watching You!

Right … it’s now — officially — Wednesday … !

And … ?

A day I’m feeling stuffed: in the wake of a celebratory birthday meal.

Japanese, so you know.

View this post on Instagram

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

The beef was nice: I’m just not sure about the sashimi … !

~≈🥢≈~

I had a text, yesterday: from a woman claiming to be called Hannah.

The conversation went like this: 

I started getting suspicious … roughly when ‘Hannah’ asked if the person organising recruitment could send me the details through WhatsApp: something I’d not come across before.

So I told her I’d be happier if they emailed me: I was assuming a genuine recruiter would have accessed my CV, and have my email.

Nope!

‘Hannah’ asked if she could give me the details.

I — slightly tetchily — asked if I needed to drive.

I don’t, so it’s the first thing I ask about, when genuine recruiters contact me.

That was a question that got ignored: instead, ‘Hannah’ assured me the job wouldn’t interfere with my current job, and that the post was relaxing.

Relaxing?

I think we can say the conversation went well.

Once I’d twigged that ‘Hannah’ wasn’t going to answer my questions: and told me to “have a nice life”!

At any rate … ?

Once the chat — Chat?   Exchange of messages! — finished?

I did a little digging: and found that the recruiters ‘Hannah’ claimed to be from, were genuine.

But — after emailing them — found that the exchange had been exactly what I’d thought it was.

Not from them, and thus, in all probability, a scam.

Or, at least, an attempted scam.

I’m just glad I realised in time.

~≈🕵️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2024 — The Return of Dredd.

5th March, 2024: The Return of Dredd.

Yep, it’s officially Tuesday: and I’m now a year and a day older than I was, yesterday.

I’m … 

Grateful for all the best wishes: and for the donation to the birthday fundraiser I’ve organised on Facebook.

But I’m also grateful the fuss is over for another year!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2023 — Judge Dredd.

5th March, 2023: Judge Dredd.

Yes: it’s officially the day after my birthday … and I’ve had a very nice meal with my family.

At the local Wildwood, so you know.

It’s got to be said, they do a rather good steak and chips.

It’s a shame my two sisters forgot to bring the presents … !

Still, I can’t complain, two much.

That was a rather nice steak!

~≈§≈~

Remember, yesterday, I woke up to find my radiator wasn’t working?

Resetting it — by holding the power button down for three seconds — seemed to help.

I’m still keeping something of an eye peeled: in case it does the same thing, again.

It’s not repeated the behaviour, this morning: for which I’m truly thankful.

But?

One?   I’m still keeping an eye peeled.

And two?   I’m wondering what caused that!

~≈§≈~

Oh … and JUST in case you’re wondering … ?

Yes: I also managed to finish my written and video reviews of ‘Seventeen Seconds’: the most recent episode of Star Trek Picard.

You really have to see this series.

Michelle Hurd’s Raffi, and Michael Dorn’s Worf, doing their Good Cop/Bad Cop routine?

Is funny, witty, dramatic … and very watchable!

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th March, 2022.

5th March, 2022.

Yes: it’s officially official.

I woke up to an earworm.

Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk.

If I’m going to have the dratted thing banging around my head, I’m going to spread the proverbial joy … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

Your following the news about Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, aren’t you?

Me being me, I’ve got half an eye on the technology front.

Apple’s stopped selling services in Russia: alongside other company.

Yesterday?

Besides telling providing extra cyber-security services to Ukraine, Microsoft stopped selling products and services to Russia, yesterday.

I don’t know for sure: but I imagine that one of the products they’ll stop selling, will be the various versions of Windows available.

I imagine that won’t slow Russia down, for now: although it could make it easier for Western cyber-security agencies to to attack older, unpatched, versions of the OS that Russia’s armed forces are using.

We’ll have to see about that.

I also think the Russian people could start shopping around for Russian made Linux distributions.

I can’t see the Russian people not being able to deal with a Microsoft boycott.

I can’t see the Russian government not being able to deal with a Microsoft boycott.

Hmmm … 

Did you ever hear of an experiment OS called ReactOS?

It’s still at the very experimental Alpha stage of development: but is supposed to be a drop in replacement for Windows.   You can, in theory, install it on a machine, and still use your Windows apps.

Russia’s taken an interest in it, according to some reports.

I’m no IT expert … 

But wouldn’t be surprised if the Russian government can get around the Microsoft boycott, using ReactOS.

~≈Ÿ≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-2-2021: The ZX81, again!

5th March, 2021.

Yay!

I’m now a year and a day older … 

And frankly?

My left knee still feels painful!

At any rate?   Thank you all for wishing me me a happy birthday!

~≈¥≈~

Oh … just as a thought … ?

I had a blood test, a few days ago.

I’m diabetic, and have an underachieve thyroid: so monitoring things is a good idea.

I had the call from my surgery, yesterday.

Apparently, my blood sugar level had lowered from 118 to 93.

In other words?   It’s lowering: but not rapidly enough.   My surgery wants to make sure I get down to ~48*.

So they’ve asked me to double the dose of Metformin I’m on, and add one Alogliptin pill per day.

Given the antidepressants I’m on?   Along with the increased levothyroxine†, Atorvastatin and aspirin?

You’ll be able to hear me walking to the local shops.

I’ll be the man that’s rattling … 

~≈¥≈~

The Birthday Present.

Right ...

You’ll possibly notice that -- for the first time in a while -- I’ve not opened this with a video intro.

The simple reason?

I’m using the cheap laptop I got for my birthday: a Lenovo ThinkPad T400, which doesn’t have have  webcam.

It does, however, have a newly installed version of Ubuntu Mate on it.

If I get the chance?

I'll try and write about it ...

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2020: The Number 5

5th March, 2020.

Hmmm … 

I’m officially a year older: but officially not any less glum.

Still … ?

I have had a very nice lunch, yesterday: courtesy of my sister, Ruth.

And managed to get the refurbished laptop to her, in the process.

I’ve also had one of my birthday presents turn up: a cheap laptop I’m intent on using as a spare machine … after I’ve installed a version of Ubuntu on it.

It’ll be handy: I can job search in Brentwood library, with out my passwords leaving a machine I own.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2019: Saint Piran’s Day

5th March, 2019.

It’d got to be said, getting cards on my birthday?

Is always nice … 

Even though it always tells me I’m getting older.

But, in spite of that … ?

It was definitely nice to get the card I got from my eight year nephew, Jude.

Well … 

There was cake … 

~≈§≈~

Saying that?   The day — as ever — had its ups and downs.

After all, hearing that Keith Flint and Luke Perry had died — both not that much older or younger than me — was a bit shocking.

My condolences go to their families.

On the up side … ?

Ish … ?

I’ve finally heard back from BT.   No, I didn’t get the job.

But they have agreed to try  and send some feedback.

That’s something.

Oh … and I’ve caught another episode of El Ministerio Del Tiempo.

That is quite a show … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2018: The ZX81

5th March, 2018.

That’s mildly annoying.

Yes, in case you’re asking, I had a great day: and owe everyone who came, and everyone who wished me well a BIG thank you.

But … ?

I took a few photos: I think everyone would.

And then, when I got home?

Pressed a wrong button, somewhere on my new phone … and deleted the lot in trying to upload them to Facebook!

Arghhh … !

The fact I’ve managed to get Pac the Man X working, and, in the shape of Mini Metro, have a digital train set?

Is kind of beside the point.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-3-2017

It’s official … 

I’m now another year older: and theoretically wiser.

Although I wouldn’t necessarily guarantee that last bit!

At any rate … ?

I’m no older than I was, yesterday.

And?   Apart from the fact I seem to have picked up a case of something that’s making my foot very painful?

I feel fine.

Well … 

Unless someone does something tactless, like mentioning how old I am!

~≈Ë≈~