Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2025 — Solzhenitsyn Gets a Gong

8th October, 2025: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

It’s officially official: it’s now Wednesday!

And … ?

My calendar is clear of any events.

Which is nice.

But … ?

I have a nagging feeling I’m supposed to be doing something.

Why … ?

I don’t know.

If I DID … ?

I’d possibly win a prize … 

~≈🏆≈~

I had a thing float across my timeline: a piece from the Manchester Evening News, that tells us the Government has responded to the Digital ID petition.

Which we knew about.

But … ?

Seeing the article reminded me to at least check the petition, again.

The site tells us that Parliament has to debate the issue: although it hasn’t said when.

Here’s hoping a date gets named, soon!

~≈🌴≈~

I’m no computer expert.

I have some lay knowledge: but am seriously no expert.

Although a piece about Windows 11 has caught my eye.

Microsoft has been encouraging people to upgrade to Windows 11, since its release in 2021.

And has cause a lot of discussion.

Partially?   Because the new operating system needs a specific security chip: a chip that older machines — one that could otherwise meet Windows 11’s requirements — don’t have.

But also because you — notionally — have to create a Microsoft account, and have an internet connection.

The MS account is Microsoft’s equivalent to the Apple Account on Macs and iOS devices, and to Google’s online account: but covering a wider range of services, and seemingly, giving users less option to disable things.

The account, until recently, can be circumvented: and a local account*, created.

The article I read, yesterday?

Told me Microsoft have now closed the loopholes.

You can’t, now, create a local account.

You must have an online Microsoft Account, and must have an internet connection.

I’m in two minds about this.

Yes: I can understand the insistence on a permanent, internet connection.

It’s useful, even if it’s just for getting updates for a computer, or installing the odd game.

But I’m also aware that there’s a lot you can do without one: even if it’s just watch videos you’ve — um — borrowed from a friend.

Or filling in offline paperwork that you can then upload, else where.

That connection’s a big convenience, but not mandatory.

But a permanent, online account?

That’s strikes me as bad: leaving a user open to tracking.

It makes the machine less useable for those who aren’t online, indoors.

And … ?

It offers less choice.

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th October 2024.

8th October, 2024,

Right … I am officially up early: and feeling god-awful!

I’m supposed to have another opticians appointment, today.

But … ?

I’m humming and hawing about cancelling it, and rearranging it.

I am feeling … unpleasant: and think I have a cold.

I’ve also aware that — for my last hour or so in bed? Today and yesterday? — I was heading for the loo.

Every ten minutes or so.

If I’ve understood the medications I’m on, correctly?

That’s the fault of the Dapagliflozin I’m on.

It makes diabetics like me … wee even more!

OK, it’s doing me good … 

But I’d rather it didn’t, at that time of the morning!

~≈🚾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2023 — The Tenth Planet.

8th October, 2023: The Tenth Planet.

Right … 

It’s officially official.

I’ve now got new reading and TV watching glasses.

Although I’ve not used them, as yet.

But?

They’re in.

As are the old ones: just in case!

~≈🤓≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I caught a movie on Friday: and finished my review, last night.

Feel free to have a look at that!

~≈🤓≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th October 2022 Teaser.

8th October, 2022.

It’s got to be said: I’ve been watching Star Trek Strange New Worlds, over the past few weeks.

It’s very good.

But?

Last night, I thought I should take a break: and catch a movie.

Hellraiser.

I’ll have my written and video reviews up, tonight.

But must add, this is a very good film!

“Enough is a myth.”

The Priest, Hellraiser 2022.

~≈📌≈~

We’re having an energy crisis.

You’d noticed, hadn’t you … ?

As someone who’s due the four hundred pounds energy rebate?   And the Warm Home Discount?

I’m very aware of it.

I’m also aware every idea about saving energy is appreciated.

So?

I read this article with interest.

It tells us that the UK’s Government had a planned Public Information campaign — full of useful energy saving tips — ready to go.

But that the plan was suspended at the request of the Prime Minister’s office.

The PM’s office feels it’s a bit too nanny-statist.

Ms Truss is on the record as saying “We do have a good supply of energy in the UK.”

Despite the National Grid warning about potential power cuts, and despite the energy regulator issuing similar warnings.

We may ‘know’ what to do to save energy.

But a Government campaign to remind us?

Would be bloody useful.

Frankly?   The Prime Minister’s a bit of a twit.

~≈🪫≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th October, 2021.

8th October, 2021

Oh, that’s better!

I’ve now how a hair cut: from a local barbers.

View this post on Instagram

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

My head’s looking better, already.

All I have to do now is wait for the itching to stop!

~≈Á≈~

You possibly aware I’m job hunting, at the moment.

And, like everyone else in my shoes?   And many working people in low paid jobs?

I’m getting Universal Credit.   And had, like so many others, been getting the £20 extra given during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been both useful, and appreciated.

And ended on Wednesday.

Despite calls by many to make it permanent.

One voice that’s called for that?

Is footballer and poverty campaigner, Marcus Rashford: in an interview after he received an honorary doctorate* from the University of Manchester.

Given he’s already persuaded the government to make a u-turn?

I hope he can force another.

I don’t think it’ll work: I think this unsympathetic and out-of-touch Tory government will keep the cut.

But it’s nice to see Marcus putting his tuppence happenny’worth in.

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2020: Frank Herbert

8th October, 2020

Yep: it’s sorted.

Assertively sorted.

So sorted, a very sorted person would turn around and say “That’s sorted, that is!”

Now … 

“What’s sorted,” I hear you ask?

I wish I knew!

~≈🤪≈~

To be more serious?   The one thing I have managed to sort out, is a refund.

I ordered a copy of the Patrick Troughton, Dr Who story, Fury from the Deep, from a third party seller on Amazon.

Which never turned up.

I have managed to organise a replacement: which is due on Monday.

Hopefully, that’s turn up!

~≈🤪≈~

Oh … I’ve also managed to finish my review of episode three of Watchmen.

If you get the chance, that is seriously worth watching!

~≈🤪≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-10-2019: Opium Wars

8th October, 2019/

Right … 

If you have a look at that screenshot?

You’ll notice there’s those oh so conspicuous red dots: on the App Store and Systems Preferences icons.

Yep: you’re right.

The update to macOS Catalina is now available: along side a few from relevant updates open the App Store.

There’s big changes, coming.

Including the replacement of the iTunes app.

I know it’s a bit bloated, but that’s a worrying one.

At any rate … ?

It looks like there’s big changes coming: including the change from 32-bit to all 64-bit*.

I’m probably going to do that update, later.

Once I’ve had a chance to do back-ups, and delete older apps.

~≈$≈~

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

8th October, 2018.

Yep: I’m up late.

I HATE getting up late!

OK, I’ve another day off, today: so it’s not as if I need to be anywhere, sharpish.

But still … 

~≈§≈~

In other parts of the world … ?

I got to see The Woman Who Fell To Earth, Jodie Whittaker’s first episode of Doctor Who, last night.

I think I’m with everyone else.

She’s great!

So good, I’ve got The Woman Who Fell To Earth on in the background … 

For the third viewing.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8th October, 2017

Bugger!

That was an expensive trip home from work, last night.

No, really.

I was stupid enough to leave my phone at work … !

And had to get a cab.

From Chelmsford Station to work — to pick the phone up — and then from work to the stain, to get a late train home.

Very late, I feel very tired, this morning.

The reason it’s important?

Well, it’s phone, for a start.

But, yesterday?   Just when I was starting work?

I got a phone call.

From a withheld number.

Lord knows who that was.

But, given I had an interview that I’ve still not heard back from?

Well, I hope they phone back with good news!

~≈Ÿ≈~