Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-11-2026 — Nine-Eleven (Ten Questions)

11th September, 2026: Nine Eleven.

Hmmm … 

The picture’s uploaded.

Given yesterday’s mess*?

I’m pleasantly surprised!

~≈📷≈~

I can remember where I was, when the Nine-Eleven attacks took place.

And no: it’s still not somewhere I’m going to be telling you about.

But I can remember seeing the shocking footage on TV: of planes being flown, deliberately flown, into buildings.

And remember my first thought.

“I hope that’s local!”

The Oklahoma bombings, carried out by right wing, American, extremists, had only taken place a few years earlier.

So my first thought, again?

“I hope that’s local!”

“I hope”, I said to myself, “that’s local!”

“Because if that’s a bunch of keffiyeh-wearing nutters in the Middle-East, there’s going to be hell to pay.”

Lo, and behold … 

~≈✈️≈~

The reason I mention this … ?

Is simple: that today marks the 25th Anniversary of the attacks.

Something I’m marking with a ten-question quiz set that’s — hopefully — respectful of the lives lost.

Much as I didn’t like George W. Bush, and didn’t like British involvement with the subsequent US military action?

I think President Bush’s initial responses were … Presidential.

Were considered, appropriate, and very responsive to the gravity of the situation.

The current president, the 47th President?

I note a few things about the 47th President.

He’s going to be marking the Anniversary at the Pentagon: unlike the other surviving presidents, who will be in New York.

The man should be ashamed of himself: he’s a New Yorker, and should be there, today of all days.

That’s one thing.

The other … ?

Is a simple hope.

That the 47th President won’t be near a microphone, today.

My impression of the man tells me he’s going to open his mouth and say something … 

~≈🎙️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-3-2026 — A Vote of No Confidence

28th March, 2026: A Vote of No Confidence.

Right, then: it’s officially Saturday morning: which means I’ve got a long(ish) day ahead of me.

Writing a review of the last ever episode of Stranger Things.

Here’s hoping I can get it done quickly.

It was a two hour episode, after all.

~≈5️⃣≈~

Oh … the clocks go forward, tonight: at least they do, here in the UK.

I can never work out if that means I get an extra hour in bed, or one less.

Either way … ?

The clock on my phone, and computer, will change, automatically.

But I’ll have to change the one on the wall, and microwave, by hand.

Heigh ho!

~≈⌚️≈~

Oh, JUST in case you were wondering about the intro video … ?

USB OTG, USB on-the-go, is a type of USB connection, usually found on mobile devices: phone and tablets, usually.

On the bottom of the device, so you know.

Yes: you have to put a stick in your bottom, if that’s what floats your boat … 

~≈💻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-10-2025 — The Today Programme

28th October, 2025: The Today Programme.

Hmmm … that could’ve come at a better time … 

I’ve got Venetian blinds in my flat.

And have one on my front room window, one that’s been here, ever since I’ve moved in.

Quite an expensive one, if I remember rightly … !

At any rate … ?

The string pulley, the thing that adjusts how open the individual slats are … has given up the ghost.

Which means … ?

Well, I’m going to have to:

• Stay in the dark until I raise the money.
• Ask my increasingly tall nephew to help me put a new one up.
• Be thankful it’s not stuck in ‘Open’.
• Marvel at the price differences on Amazon!

Yep: there’s price differences.

A good set of replacement blinds, ones that will last as long as the current ones, cost upwards of ninety pounds.

An affordable set, one that will last about five minutes?

Around twenty.

Frankly?

It’s Commander Vimes’ Boots, again …

~≈🥾≈~

Oh … I mentioned, a few days ago, that my Work Coach — my case worker from the Job Centre — had been replaced: by a trainee!

That rookie worker has now been in touch: and we have a phone meeting scheduled for today.

At 14:30.

I’d’ve been happier had it been by video: I’d get to see what they look like.

But … ?

I’ll get by with an audio call.

~≈🥾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-7-2024 — News of The World

5th July, 2024: News of the World.

It’s officially official: it’s Friday.

And the day after the election.

Britain now has a Labour government: as the party won a landslide in yesterday’s election.

Personally?   I’m just glad that — here in Brentwood*? — the extremely right of centre Reform party came second.

Thankfully!

And, whilst I really didn’t want the local MP to regain his seat … ?

I couldn’t be happier with a result that left a Tory in charge.

It meant not having a Reform MP!

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-3-2024 — Snatched!

20th March, 2024: Snatched.

It’s Wednesday!

Yay!

And, frankly?

Right here and now, I’m not expecting much to happen: beyond, maybe, some washing, tumble-drying and putting t-shirts away!

Gosh, the excitement!

~≈Í≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-10-2022 — The BBC.

18th October, 2022.

Right … 

I’m up early.

Because?

I’ve got a hygienist’s appoint, today: one that’s comparatively early.

So, if I sound rushed?

That’s why!

~≈Û≈~

Rushed?

Doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t read the news: nor unaware of things I’ve written.

Including the piece I did for Phoenix FM, about digital poverty.

I’m also aware I’ve taken advantage of the BT Home Basics tariff: the one they make available to those of us on benefits.

Which was something I’ve highlighted in the article.

So?

This piece from the BBC’s site caught my eye.

It tells us the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has criticised the industry: for not promoting the social tariffs it requires companies to have.

Given I found no companies — bar BT — with these tariffs?   Tariffs they could sell to those of us in need?

The fact they’re not promoting ones they have — if they have any, at all? — isn’t surprising.

The more things change?   The more they stay the same …

~≈Û≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-11-2020: Cambodia.

9th November, 2020.

Right … 

We have a dangling thingy … wossname … 

Door handle!

Which would be easy to solve: by reporting it on the website.

Except, of course, the website’s refusing to accept I’ve typed my name in!

Do you get the feeling I’m going to be phoning this in … ?

~≈®≈~

Either way?   It’s distracting.

Which isn’t the first time I said that about it.

I actually said it last night: when talking about Star Trek Discovery.

At any rate … ?

The series looks good.

~≈®≈~

Digital Poverty — What One Man’s found. (Pt 1: An Introduction/Schools)

19th June, 2020.

Foreword.

Just so you know?

This is the first of a few pieces I’m planning on digital poverty*.

How many I’ll eventually write?

I don’t know.

That all depends on what I hear from the various companies involved.



I’m also not planning to turn this into something for my YouTube channel: at least right now.




It seems inappropriate.

At any rate, let’s move on.

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-5-2020: The Tunnel

6th May, 2020.

Yep: that’s an officially official thing!

I’ve got a puzzle.

A Puzzle Pyraminx, so you know.

What we would’ve called a Rubik’s Pyramid, many years ago.

It should — in this lock-down-heavy period — give me hours of fun.

Now … 

Did I mention the movie I caught last night … ?

~≈⇪≈~

Dracula — Episode 3 — The Dark Compass — A Review

6th January 2020.

*Spoilers*

Now, that’s odd … 

I’ve just double checked the pile of letters I’ve got.

And realised one of them?

Informing me I was supposed to be getting a visit from a gas safety chap: to check that my boiler was functioning safely.

Between one and five.

Guess what?

I had a no show.

Phoning them in the morning seems to be the thing, I think.

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, it’s been a quiet day.

With little to do, except take some books up to the various charity shops in Brentwood High Street*.

Oh … 

And watch TV.

Yes, you guessed it … 

Dracula: episode 3 … 

~≈¥≈~

Dracula — Episode 2 — Blood Vessel — A Review

4th January, 2020.

OK, it’s a Saturday … it’s quiet … 

And I’m doing what, exactly.

Well … 

Waiting for the delivery of something I ordered with my last bit of Christmas money.

Yep: I’m waiting for The Leopard from Lime Street to turn up.

In the mean time … ?

Yes: you’re right … I’ve time for the second episode of Dracula.

~≈¥≈~

Dracula — Episode 1 — The Rules of the Beast — A Review

3rd January, 2020

OK … 

It’s a Friday night.

You’ve possibly noticed that, haven’t you … ?

It’s a Friday night … where I’m indoors … and thinking there’s something I could be watching on TV.

There’s plenty, certainly.

But nothing that caught my eye.

However?

Something did catch my eye.

Yes: the Moffat and Gatiss cut of Dracula.

I fancied something … grim … 

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-10-2019: The Return of the BBC …

18th October, 2019.

Right … 

I’ve now had my boiler fixed.

No, wait: let me re-phrase that.

I’ve now had my boiler looked at.

Unfortunately?

The engineer couldn’t do anything, as he felt that the boiler was too old to be repaired.

Something he would be highlighted to his managers: with a warning that his recommendation could well be … overlooked …

He did offer me a work-round: that would give me access to hotter water when needed.

But I came away with the distinct impression he’d be happier if the boiler was newer.

I think I need to phone my landlord …

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2017

Hmmm … 

Do you follow the technology news?

I do.   I’m not an avid technology buff, but am usually fascinated by it: having grown up when the home computer boom really took off, in the 1980s.

 So I take an interest: especially if I’ve a vague connection to a story.

A few years ago?

A friend asked about a call she’d had: from someone claiming to work for a Microsoft approved body, who received reports that her PC was playing up.

Then tried to trick her into giving them remote control of her computer, so they could ‘sort the issue out.’

And THEN tried to charge for the privilege.

I always used to call it the Comantra Scam: as that was the name of the company.

At any rate?

The things continued: indeed, I’ve had a few such calls, myself.   (They get annoyed when I tell them I have a Mac.)

At any rate?

It seems the scam is still on-goning.

But, at least, we can say arrests have been made.

~≈Ω≈~

In other technology news?

You’ve possibly noticed there’s been a another global ransomware attack: that looks like it’s been aimed at the Ukraine.

I’ve just seen another piece about the attack.

According to that, it seems the early infections was through a piece of Ukrainian accountancy software.

Most ransomware spreads: by sending out emails with dodgy attachments.   Click on that attachment, and you’re in trouble.

It seems this recent one?   Has done the initial infections: through the accountancy software’s legitimate update systems.

To me?   That sounds suspiciously like the KeRanger ransomware attack.   

KeRanger is — as far as I know — the only bit of ransomware that’s affected macOS.   

It was sneaked onto people’s systems when the criminals behind it sneaked a spiked copy of a popular piece of software onto the software’s official download page.

You went to the official page?   You got infected.

Thankfully?

KeRanger got sorted.

This ransomware will, too.

But I’m thinking spiking official pages and update systems?

Will become more common.

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-11-2016: BBC1

Oh, BOY, but I’m yawning … !

But that’s what happens when you’re up late, chatting to people on Facebook.

You get … 

Well, you get a hell of a tired feeling in the morning!

Still … it could be a lot worse … 

I could’ve forgotten to put my alarm on … !

~≈Ê≈~

Oh … 

Did I mention that I had a haircut … ?

I had a haircut!

Granted, that’s not necessarily the first thing you’ll want to know in the morning.

But, BOY … 

I was starting to get shaggy … !

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Weekly Teaser — 29-6-2016: The Television Centre of the World

Yes, it’s Wednesday.

And yes … 

I’m practically skint!

There we go.   That’s what happens when you treat yourself to a blu-ray copy of Event Horizon.

You end up short of sleep, and short of cash.

Still, at least I’ve enough to go and get myself some milk.

I hate tea without milk!

~≈Ç≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-12-2015: The World Service

Right … 

I’m assuming you’ve been reading me, for the past few days?

Well, BT — at least their phone rep — have managed to turn off the BT FON feature on my router: and tell me that’s having an effect.

They’ll be phoning back on Tuesday, to see how THAT’S going!

I’m hopeful.

Although, frankly … ?   The fact BT’s sent me another email, warning I’m going to go over my limit, this month, tells you something.

Quite WHAT, I don’t know!

But … ?

Well … 

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈†≈~

The Musketeers: Episode 1

22nd January, 2014.

You know there are times when it’s a pleasure, just to write about something.

Something other than the usual run of things: or, in my case, the Daily/Gazette/Friday Question Sets, what have you.

Much as I love doing them, it has to be said, they’re a job of work: and one that means if there’s anything I like the look of on TV, it’s rare — unless I specifically make time — to catch up on a series that looks interesting.

Agents Of SHIELD, for example?

Great little series, from what I saw of it: but given Channel Four’s habit of delaying the series by a week, every so often, and my on beavering away on assorted Teaser slideshows meant I could never give it the attention I felt it deserved.

I really couldn’t tell you if it’s on, off, on again, or cancelled!

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, some thing I know had grabbed my eye, when the BBC announced they were airing it … ?

Was the BBC’s new take on Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers: called, simply, The Musketeers.

~≈®≈~

Now, I’ll have to admit, I’ve never read Dumas’ original novel of The Three Musketeers: it never actual appealed, believe it or not.

Why, I don’t know.

I think it’s enough to say that I’d been vaguely interested in reading them: to get a hopefully more more accurate feel for Dumas’s story than any of the many film versions would give.   But never actually interested enough to go and look them up in Brentwood Library.

One day, maybe … !

At ANY rate … ?   I’d grown up — as many others in the UK — with a vague believe that when the BBC does an adaptation of a well known novel, it tries to do as accurate a translation as possible.

Much like their 1981 version of Day Of The Triffids.

So knowing they were airing their take on The Three Musketeers … ?   One with Peter Capaldi as the villainous Cardinal Richelieu … ?

Well, the fact I could read the book without going near the library seemed to make watching it a useful thing to do … 

~≈®≈~

23rd January, 2014

So … Given I was busily helping my sister, Ruth, make a wardrobe on Sunday: and with one of two other things, as well?   I actually decided to record The Musketeers.   To a USB memory stick plugged into my TV one USB port, I should add.

With the reasoning that, so long as I made sure not to delete it, I could watch it later*.

I’m glad I did.

Let me tell you about this one episode, though: to see if I can use that to tell you why … 

~≈®≈~

Opening on the road to Paris, Episode 1 of The Musketeers shows us a very young D’Artagnan — played by Luke Pasqualino — with his father, to petition the king to lower taxes.

Whilst heading there … ?

The pair are attacked by a group of men, claiming to be a squad of Kings Musketeers led by Athos, Count de la Fère.

D’Artagnan senior is killed: but not before telling his son the name of the man who’s killed him.

D’Artagnan† junior Decides there’s only one thing a dutiful son can do: head for Paris … and seek vengeance … !

Meanwhile … ?

Meanwhile, the three musketeers, themselves — Athos, Porthos and Aramis — have been ordered back to Paris, to help investigate the disappearance of some missing fellow soldiers.

They have some immediate problems.

Their Captain is SERIOUSLY hacked off with them: as the king’s ordered an enquiry into the Musketeers

The rival military force run by Cardinal Richelieu is looking SERIOUSLY nasty.

They’s a young chap from Gascony, at the door, screaming — literal — blue murder.

Oh … 

And Athos, the lead Musketeer … ?

Is going to be executed in the morning … 

~≈®≈~

Now … 

Did I enjoy this opening episode of The Musketeers … ?

Absolutely … !

This was, quite simply everything a historical adventure could be: full of scheming villains, heaving cleavage, big beards … 

And outright non-stop fun.

I don’t know if it’s persuaded me to read the book: I’ll have tot let you know about that.

It HAS persuaded me that watching the rest of the series is worth my time.

Possibly … ?   It’s worth yours, as well.

*        I should add, at this point, that — given my TV saves such files as MPEG2 transport streams — I can use a combination of vlc and Handbrake to recode a show for later viewing.

†        It seems Dumas based D’Artagnan on the real world Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan.   So you know … 

The Daily Teaser — 18-10-2013: The Beeb Beeb Ceeb … !

You know, the TV — appropriately enough, given the theme of today’s Teaser — is proving handy.

This last episode of Pain, Pus and Poison, for example … ?

Is VERY informative.   It’s just been covering Thalidomide, for example: and how it’s disastrous effects on babies in the womb led to greater drug regulation.

As it turns out … ?   The stuff’s also a very good treatment for certain forms of cancer: and, as it turns out, for Leprosy.

The mind boggles.

So while it’s doing that … ?

Let’s move on.

~≈∆≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi*† putting in her answers: and, along with letting us know she love’s the Teaser educational side, ALSO bagged 4 out of five.

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

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

Q1) 18th October, 1922, saw the original founding of the BBC.   Who’s the BBC’s current Director General … ?

Q2) Who was the original DG … ?

Q3) The BBC operates under a Royal … what … ?

Q4) The BBC’s HQ is in London: is it Radio House, Broadcasting House or Television Centre … ?

Q5) What name is given to the BBC’s online catch-up service and software?

Q6) Which Goon originally referred to the BBC as ‘the Beeb’ … ?

Q7) The BBC is ALSO referred as what: Aunty, Uncle or Dad … ?

Q8) A well known musical event is usually broadcast by the BBC: with its climax transmitted from the Royal Albert Hall.   WHAT musical event … ?

Q9) Which other musical event does the BBC broadcast, once a year: from various parts of Europe … ?

Q10) Finally … what’s the BBC’s longest running soap opera … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 17th October, 1980, saw the Queen make the first state visit by a British monarch, to Vatican City.   Who’s the head of state of Vatican City … ?

A1) The Pope.

Q2) Who was head of State, at the time of the Queen’s visit?

A2) John Paul 2nd.

Q3) Who’s the current — and 266th — holder of the office … ?

A3) Pope Francis.

Q4) Vatican City’s head of state is also the Bishop of … where … ?

A4) Rome.

Q5) Finally … the Vatican City’s head of state is ALSO head of the Holy …  what … ?

A5) The Holy See.   (The See is the body that organizes and oversees the Roman Catholic Church: Vatican City is the country the See is headquartered at.   Both are run by the Pope.)

I’ll leave you with the BBC’s motto …

“Nation shall speak peace unto Nation”

The heraldic motto of the BBC.

And with the BBC News channel’s signature music.

And with comedian, Bill Bailey’s version, from his Part Troll dvd … 

Bill Bailey - Part Troll: Apocalyptic BBC from Ben Meecham on Myspace.

Have a good day.

*        Outside of keeping myself occupied, Debbi … ?   Why do you think I write ’em … ? :D

†        Actually, the documentary I’ve been watching gives Botox a mention, Debbi: and explains what makes it poisonous … but also what it’s doing to your hand, in (theoretically) helping out.

Outcast: Episode 1 — Strangling a Scheduler For Jesus …

Oh, dear GODS, but I could strangle a BBC scheduler, right now, I really could!

Seriously … !

I had pencilled in a movie for tomorrow night — provisionally, of course.

But had gone to the effort of actually forming a Movie night group on FB: and sorting out an event.

And then — as I’d also had in mind — sat meself down to watch the opening episode of the new BBC1 science fiction drama, Outcasts.

Happily got to the end of it …

To find out that the next episode of the series … ?

Is on, tomorrow night …

Couldn’t you just spit, when that happens … … ?

I know I could.

Bless ’im I know Movie Night Adrian’s been hearing some vile imprecations … !

||««‹∞›»»||

Hang on, lemme just grab a cigarette* and a cuppa …

||««‹∞›»»||

Oooh, that helps …

Now, what was I going to do … ?

Apart from have a rant … ?

Yeah …

I was going to tell you all about the first episode in the new BBC1 sci-fi drama, Outcasts …

Which was on, tonight: I should know, I’ve just watched it.

Tonight’s first episode saw the human settlers on Carpathia — lead by ‘President’ Richard Tate, played by Liam Cunningham — waiting for the next transport from Earth, with extra colonists: with the implication that this transport is to be the last.

With a secondary story about one of the colonists — a member of Carpathia’s Expeditionary force called Mitchell Hoban, played by Jamie Bamber — attempting something of a coup, having planned to move his troops and their families to another part of the planet, away from the township of Forthaven.

||««‹∞›»»||

Now, I’ll confess, I’ve seen some of the … ahh … comments … on the Outcasts Facebook page.

And it does seem to be getting something of a mixed reaction.

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m thinking that this first episode is/was a touch on the slow side.

It’s got potential.

It’s got a fairly good, if relatively unknown, cast — Cunningham stood out for me, as the one actor I actually recognised, although Amy Mason, Daniel Mays and Jamie Bamber grabbed me as, respectively, Fleur, Cass and Mitchell.

It’s competently — if not stunningly — scripted by former Spooks writer, Ben Richards.

The effects are nicely done.

The one thing I will highlight as being something special, right off the bat, though, is the scenery: all that money spent in South Africa seems to be money well spent.

||««‹∞›»»||

But I don’t know if I’m completely stunned, yet.

Yet … !

After all, I was gobsmacked by the opening episode of the rebooted Dr Who and the Stephen Moffat take on Sherlock Holmes: both of which threw me into the action from the opening seconds.

I felt the same about the little I saw of the remade Battlestar Galactica, and have been thoroughly entranced by Merlin, the only comparatively fresh series on the block.

Same with Dr Who spin-off, Torchwood.

And the really original piece of genre TV, the BBC3 series Being Human, although I’ll be honest, I’m a comparative late-comerº, there.

So, so far … ?

Well …

So far, I’m curious enough to want to invest a touch more time into Outcasts.

I think it has potential to be impressive.

Butª …

But I’m a touch worried that what could be a slow-burning hit …

Could turn out like Paradox, a couple of years ago: a worthy, well written, beautifully done one-hit-wonder, that was never developed or expanded.

Or, worse — much like Primeval and the remade of Survivors, in my humble opinion — to be very worthy flops.

Or as a third possibility … ?

It could go the way of the remake of The Prisoner: and as most of my friends will tell you, I thought that should well have been aborted at birth …

Character	Actor
Richard Tate	Liam Cunningham
Stella Isen	Hermione Norris
Cass Cromwell	Daniel Mays
Fleur Morgan	Amy Manson
Jack Holt	Ashley Walters
Julius Berger	Eric Mabius
Tipper Malone	Michael Legge
Mitchell Hoban	Jamie Bamber
Karina Hoban	Jessica Haines
Captain Kellerman	Patrick Lyster

Director	Bharat Nalluri
Producer	Radford Neville
Writer	Ben Richards

* Yes, bad habit, I know …

º I’ve also been hearing some very good things about Channel 4 genre series, Misfits.

ª ‘But’, like ‘if’, is one of the longest words in the English language, isn’t it … ?