Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-4-2026 — Ian Paisley

6th April, 2026: Ian Paisley.

Right … it’s the 6th of April.

Which means?

Well, for those of us on Universal Credit, the amount we receive goes up.

As does the housing component of Universal Credit: assuming we’re in receipt of it.

The snag with the housing component?

Is that we have to fill that in, manually, on the UC website.

That’s easy enough for me.

But how we do that if we don’t have ’net access?

I really couldn’t tell you … !

~≈📎≈~

Something I’m waiting for … ?

Is money.

Or, at least, the possibility of money.

For the past couple of years, I’ve used the Essential Living Fund run by Southend Council: to get a (small) grant, that helps cover costs.

Except that now seems to no longer be available to non-Southend residents: and be potentially replaced by the as-yet-unlaunched Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Which the relevant webpage says “… starts in early April”.

The sooner that starts, and the easier it is, to do?

The happier I’ll be.

~≈💷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April 2025.

6th April, 2025.

Right … 

I’ve had issues, over the past few days, with the blu-ray ripper, MakeMKV.

After it had issues ripping a 4k disc, it then got thrown further off-piste … by an update from Apple!

Not something I was expecting!

But it was something I was expecting to do what it did: generate a lot of discussion on the relevant MakeMKV forum.

However?

An updated version of MakeMKV has been issued: hopefully, it will work.

~≈📀≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday.

Yep: there’s another video done!

 

Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button … !

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-4-2024 — Eurovision

6th April, 2024: Eurovision.

It’s officially official: it’s Saturday!

The day after I reviewed “Red Directive”: first episode of the last ever series of Star Trek Discovery.

Going on the strength of that opening episode?

This last series will be a good one.

~≈🖖≈~

I mentioned, in yesterday’s Teaser, that I really needed to work out to install a copy of my machine’s current operating system … without having the space on my hard drive to store the installer!

I ended up phoning Apple’s support line.

It turns out the problem … was some iMovie caches — some fifty odd gigabytes of iMovie caches — buried deeply with in the system.

With the help of the young lady*, and a piece of software called OmniDiskSweeper.app, I’ve managed to free up a lot of space.

Phew!

I can take a deep breath: and take my time creating some install media.

And enjoy the space I’ve got!

~≈📠≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April 2023.

6th April, 2023.

Yes: it’s now Thursday.

And I have to admit, I’m feeling mildly obsessed.

You’ll be aware I’m waiting to hear the results of a tribunal: that could involved a lot of financial help … and — possibly — some back pay.

I’m supposed to be told by post: and am expecting the letter by tomorrow at the latest.

In the meantime … ?

I’ve been obsessively, and repeatedly, checking my bank: to see if anything’s gone in.

It hasn’t.

I’m — understandably — obsessed: as, with the money I’m getting, any extra help is important.

I’m also wondering if it’s a possible sign of  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: but doubt it … 

But also … ?

I’m thinking I may not have been awarded anything: the process is taking its time.

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April 2022

6th April, 2022.

Right: it’s Wednesday.

And I’m up earlier than usual … for a Wednesday.

Yes: I’m going to be officially Jude-sitting, today.

There’s a distinct possibility of another video.

~≈🚀≈~

For All Mankind — Series 2 Episode 1 — Every Little Thing — A Review

6th April, 2021.

It’s got to be said: I like a certain amount of electronica.

So, as you’ll realise from the video intro, there?   You’ll realise I’m (metaphorically) staring at my bed: and the seductive prose of Ursula LeGuin’s The Lathe of Heaven.

It’s my current book at bedtime.

So … ?

I’m repeating something of a pattern: one that works for me.

I’ve watched a TV show.

An episode of For All Mankind — series 2, so you know.

And?

Before I hit the sack — and read another chapter of George Orr’s dreams — I wanted the record to show I’d started writing this review of Every Little Thing.

~≈🌖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April, 2021

6th April, 2021.

It’s official: I might just go shopping.

On the other hand … ?

I might not.

Whether I do or I don’t … ?

I know I need milk.

And some vegetables.

I fancy beef stew, and having something that resembles carrots and parsnips would be an idea … 

~≈🥘≈~

I’m also another chapter into both The Lathe of Heaven, and Strontium Dog: The Starlord Years.

Both are looking good!

Although I don’t think Ursula would’ve invented someone like Billy Joe*!

~≈📖≈~

As a final thought … ?

As a final though, Thandie Newton is no longer Thandie Newton.

She’s officially changed her name.

Or, at least, altered the spelling of her first name: from Thandie to Thandiwe, the original Shona spelling

She does know how to keep a blogger on his toes!

~≈📛≈~

Star Trek Picard* — Series 1 Episode 9 — Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1 — A Review

6th April, 2020.

Right: I have to be honest … I’ve got some music on, at the moment.

Bass Culture, by the utterly hypnotic Linton Kwesi Johnson.

It’s not quite as heavy as his two earlier albums.

But still good to hear.

At any rate, I’ve been — you’ve possibly guessed it — watching TV.

Yes: I’ve caught another episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series … 

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April, 2020.

6th April, 2020.

Yes!

It’s a Monday!

That’s scamper around our front rooms, joyously dancing and singing … 

I’m bing (mildly) ironic, of course.

I’m not going to dance around my front room: anyone walking past my window could see me!

~≈¥≈~

Did anyone — in the UK and Commonwealth, at least — catch the Queen’s message, last night?

That was … 

I’m not going to use the word inspirational, here: I’d rather not sound like a deranged Motivational Speaker.

But it was nice to see: as was the reference to that Vera Lyn song.

~≈¥≈~

Just as final point … ?

You’re possibly aware that there’s some bloody stupid ideas doing the rounds.

Including the ones that says the Corona virus is caused by 5g towers.

Indeed, here in the UK, we’ve seen 5g phone masts attacked because of it.

As a response?

The UK government has summoned representatives of various tech firms: to see what can be done.

Whether that will stop idiots knackering the mobile phone networks?

I don’t know!

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th April, 2019

6th April, 2019.

You know, in the midst of my own issues … ?

No job, lack of cash, innards going twang, depression waving away … ?

I note that Brexit … ?

Is still going on … 

With representatives from the Labour Party due to meet representatives from the government, today, for more talks.

And Theresa May having sent a letter to Donald Tusk, the European Council President: asking for another extension.

Personally?

I’m no expert, no financier, no … whatever … 

But am very aware that exiting the EU with no deal is considered a bad thing.

Right now?

I think that’s where we’re heading on 12th April.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th April, 2018

6th April, 2018.

Problems, problems, problems … 

Problems … !

Frankly, at the mo?

I’m having money issues: and seriously considering taking out a loan.

Not something I want, understandably, but there you go.

I’m ALSO very aware I’ve asked about a permanent contract at work.

Which doesn’t necessarily solve anything, either.

But would, at least, mean I’m on a set amount of hours per week.

AND be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay, as well.

We’ll have to see.

~≈§≈~

The Girl With All The Gifts: Wow!

6 April, 2017.

I’m a man of relatively simple pleasures.

No, really.

The occasional night out, a good book, a half way decent piece of music … 

Simple stuff: that’s relatively cheap.

Well, OK: maybe with the exception of a half way decent computer.

But relatively simple for all that.

One of those simple pleasures?

Is the occasional TV show.

Another, the occasional film.

I’m thinking I’m representative of many people my age.

I’ve quite happily sat down with the 2016, Colm McCarthy directed, The Girl With All The Gifts, tonight.

Yes.

‘Wow!’ is decidedly appropriate.

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-4-2017: At Waterloo

You know, Eurovison … ?

Is, as far as I’m aware, is a while away.

But, given the date?

I couldn’t resist the high camp that was and is the theme for today’s teaser.

No, play fair: cheesy pop tunes are hard to come by.

So having a competition where there’s a lot of them?

Is no bad thing.

Even when the contest gets taken over by orcs!

~≈⌘≈~

The Daily Teaser — 6-4-2016

Bleugh … !

I hate early(ish) starts at work.

Basically, it means I’m up an hour early than usual, so I can get four posts done*: and then get to work on time.

Frankly … ?   Starry eyed, I’m not!

~≈Ê≈~