Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2026 — International Left-handers Day

13th August, 2026: International Left Handers Day.

Right: did I mention I was at the dentist, yesterday?

I was at the dentist, yesterday.

For an appointment with the dental hygienists, rather than the dentist.

It went well enough.

My only complaint?

I used my dentists student hygienists: who’ve always come across as competent.

And who, up until now, have been free to those of us on benefits.

Until yesterday: which was the first appointment I had to pay for.

OK, it was half price: and I’d been able to budget for it as I made sure the appointment was not long after pay-day.

But it was still a cost I objected to.

~≈💷≈~

It’s Thursday: and the day of the Clacton by-election.

Good luck to Count Binface!

More importantly?

It’s International Left Handers Day.

Which, as I’m a lefty?

Is important to me.

As I’m also a fan of William Gibson’s, and long suspected he’s a lefty, as well?

Finally finding proof today, has made my morning.

~≈◀️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over, last night.

And … ?

I think we missed most of the Eclipse Excitement.

Still … ?

One: it darkened, noticeably.

Two?

We got a video, done!

~≈🚘≈~

As a definite last thought … ?

Jude and I had pizza, last night.

Normally, we’d order from out local Dominos.

But, for the last few weeks?

Their site’s refused to take my cards.

Why?

I don’t know.

So?

As we have for the last few weeks, we’ve ended up ordering from Pizza Hut.

Why hasn’t Dominos site taken my card?

When Pizza Hut’s happily will?

I don’t know.

I suspect I may need to clear my caches, and history.

But will only know for sure, if I can get through with another browser: given the timing, I’ll have to try that, next week.

~≈🍕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th April 2026.

16th April, 2026.

It’s official!

I’ve been paid!

That’s a good thing: it means I can pay off a few bills, and indulge my cravings for chocolate.

Suitably low sugar chocolate, obviously: diabetes is unforgiving, like that!

~≈🍫≈~

I’m left handed: you’d possibly worked that out, if you’ve been following me for a while.

I’m very aware there are some who put handedness on a pair with sexuality, and will make a negative moral judgement about you, based on one or the other*.

I’m also not a fan of terrorism: the idea of using violence in support of your cause.

I don’t think violence works, in persuading others your cause is just, and invites violent retaliation from your victims.

So … ?

So I welcome police probes into one group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, who are claiming responsibly for several arson attacks.

It turns out, though, that their name translates as ‘The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand’.

OK: I’m maybe being a little paranoid, here, a little sensitive over nothing.

But their name tells me that — in amongst the antisemitism, and attacks on Jewish, and Israeli, targets — they’re prejudiced towards left-handers, like me.

I don’t think the group will be fire-bombing my flat: I think they’re more concerned with fire-bombing synagogues.

But that name feels like a personal attack.

~≈👎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2025 — International Left Handers Day. (Ten Question set)

13th August, 2025: International Left Handers Day.

Hmmm … 

I’ve used my phone to record the raw footage for today’s introductory video.

And … ?

I think putting it through my usual post-production process … has made a dog’s dinner of it!

With both Da Vinci Resolve, and iMovie.

If anyone’s got three hundred quid, spare, for a copy of Final Cut Pro, I can have a go with that … !

~≈💻≈~

Lurking around, out there, is a web browser called Google Chrome.

Yes: that Google Chrome.

You’ve got a copy of it, if you’ve got a Chromebook, or an Android mobile device: and may have a copy on your Mac, PC or iOS device.

I have a copy, myself: for the (thankfully rare) websites that only work with it, or Microsoft Edge*.

Well … 

It seems that a company called Perplexity has put in a bid to buy Google Chrome.

Something that could be seen as a good thing: given that Google are having legal wrangles, over their dominance of the search engine market.

It could be a wise thing to do: just as Microsoft’s investing money into Apple many years ago, was.   (Microsoft was having similar legal issues: Apple, serious financial ones.)

But … ?

I can’t see Google agreeing to the purchase: especially if it means losing control over their browser.

~≈🕸️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2024 — International Left Hander’s Day

13th August, 2024: International Left Hander’s Day.

It’s officially official: it’s International Left Hander’s Day.

Which means … ?

If you’re a fellow southpaw that’s reading this, you’re allowed to swap the buttons around on the family laptop.

Oh … and put the left handed kitchen scissors in the top of the drawer: so right handers pick them up first!

This is not a day for revolution.

It’s a day to tell right handers how it feels*!

~≈👉🏻≈~

On a more serious note … ?

I’ve got a formal hearing, today: over whether I’m due Personal Independence Payment, or PIP.

I am nervous.

Understandably, I think.

I’ve had some helpful advice from a couple of friends.

But … ?

Am still nervous.

I never know if I will get extra help: nor, if I do, how much help.

I don’t know for sure … but I think it was a well known Australian Dr Who girl† who said that ‘if’ was the biggest word in the English language.

~≈👉🏻≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2023 — International Left Hander’s Day

13th August, 2023: International Left Hander’s Day … !

It’s officially official!

It’s Left-hander’s Day!

So, frankly?

I’m expecting any right handers reading this, to be doing something left handed!

JUST to give yourself a taste … !

~≈®≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve caught “Hegemony”, the last episode of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

Frankly?

It’s rather good!

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th September, 2022.

14th Sept. 2022.

I had a meeting, yesterday: with my Restart case worker.

And with the chap that runs their Job Club.

It’s the facility in the Restart office that lets service users hunt for jobs online.

The computers for service-users?   Opens on a very easy to use web page: that features a simplified design that allows access to various recruitment websites.

The computers are so simplified?   That left handers like me — or people with only one arm, or functional hand — cannot change the mouse to left hand use.

Literally, can’t change.   There’s no way to get to the mouse button settings on these computers.

I was bloody angry!

And managed to make my feelings known: both to the case worker I was working with — who hadn’t realised left handers make up quite as much of the population as we do — and to the IT guy who came over to see if he could alter the settings.

He couldn’t, so you know.

But I was told — by both the IT guy and the chap I was working with — that feedback would be provided to Headquarters about the matter.

Which I wasn’t too happy about, either.

I made it perfectly clear that, yes, that was good.

But I’d be far happier if the situation was corrected: the next time I needed one of their computers.

I’m not hopeful about that.

After all, it’s taken Brentwood Library a long time to simplify access to the relevant settings.

It was the same for the public computers at the old Brentwood Job Centre office: it took a while for the Job Centre to update them.

Frankly?

I’m still angry about something that doesn’t just affect me.

I know at least one neighbour who has an artificial right arm.

And one worker at the local Post Office with a deformed right hand.

Both of whom could possibly benefit from using a mouse, left handedly.

This — however personally I’ve taken it — is not just about me.

It’s about anyone else who needs it.

It’s about the accessibility of Restart’s services.

~≈Ç≈~

You’re possibly aware Queen Elizabeth 2nd has died: and that the nation is mourning.

I have to confess, I wouldn’t mind paying my respects at her lying in state.

She was doing the job for a hell of a long time: and that deserves manners, if nothing else.

With my knees and bladder, though?   A queue that long would be … unpleasant!

But?   I’m following the news about it.

I’m also aware that her face — on stamps and coins — will slowly be replaced.

Which will be … strange, I think.   Or take some getting use to.

Either way?

The though got me Googling for mock-ups.

I didn’t find any … 

But did find this on Ebay.

A recent edition of polymer five pound note, on Ebay, for £13, 000!

I don’t know if you’re a royalist, or republican.

But I think you’re going to agree with me: selling something on Ebay, that’s currently worth a fiver, for that price?

Is online mugging!

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2022 — International Left Handers Day

13th August, 2022.

It’s official: it’s International Left-handers Day: and you’re allowed to hug a left-hander, today.

If you’re left handed?

You’re allowed to reset the track pad on the family laptop: to left hand use.

Because?

Because!

Now … has anyone watched today’s intro video … ?

And would anyone like to buy me some left handed stuff?

~≈👍≈~

Do you watch the news?

You’ll have possibly realised that author Salman Rushdie has been attacked: by someone who sounds like an Islamic extremist.

According to an announcement from his agent … ?

He’s on a ventilator: and risks losing an eye.

He’s got my sympathies.

His attacker?

Is facing serious charges.

The attacker could’ve avoided those: if only he’d organised a protest outside a bookshop … 

~≈🤚≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2021: International Left Hander’s Day

13th August, 2021.

I don’t know if you’re in the UK: or know much about us.

Generally?

We’re not a country that’s got wide spread gun-ownership: nor a country that has a huge gun culture, in the same way that the USA does.

So last night’s news — that five people had died as the result of a shooting incident in Plymouth, and that the shooter shot himself — is  shocking, to say the least.

One of those victims has been described as a child under ten.

My condolences go to the families who lost members.

But … ?

I’m wondering why someone would happily shoot people at six o’clock in the evening … 

~≈Ê≈~

It turns out that Amazon are making a TV version of The Lord of The Rings.

A version set many thousands of years before the novels.

It could be worth watching, I think.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is that Amazon’s moved production from New Zealand, to the UK.

I’m assuming as a result of New Zealand closing its borders, yesterday.

Either way?

I’d not mind seeing this.

It has to be shorter than The Silmarillion … 

~≈🧿≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2020: International Left-handers Day.

13th August, 2020.

It’s officially the case … that I’ve looked out of my window … !

And … ?

Well, as I think I’ve mentioned in the introduction video … ?   We have cloud cover.

Hopefully?

We’ll get rain.

~≈®≈~

Saying that … ?

The, it seems, was a factor in Scotland, yesterday … 

It seems the overnight rain … helped caused a landslide … which hit at the wrongest possible time …

I’m hoping for rain … 

But, equally, as I live near the line from Southend to Liverpool Street?   I’m hoping Brentwood Station avoids that … 

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25th February, 2020.

25th February, 2020.

Right … 

I’m left-handed.

You’ve possibly realised that, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while.

I’m a southpaw that’s always got my eyes peeled on design.

Kettles?   Have to have a measuring window on both sides.

Handles … ?   Door handles … ?   Don’t get me started on handles, scissors, steak knives, tin openers, what-have-you …

Oh … and mice.

Part of the reason I like Macs is the tradition one button mouse: you can change them to left handed use, simply by putting them on the left hand side of the desk.

Windows two button mice, by contrast?   You have to fiddle about, trying to find the relevant settings.   It’s doable*.   But fiddly.

Which is why I’m off to the library.

With Essex Library’s recent upgrade to Windows 10?   They managed to remove the ability to change mouse buttons around.

Something I complained about: both to the Library service, AND to my local county councillor, David Kendall.

He’s email, this morning, to tell me that the IT section has added a shortcut to the main desktop of Essex Library computers: something I didn’t notice, the last time I was there.

Hence another trip.

I won’t necessarily believe it: until I see it.

~≈†≈~

The Man in the High Castle — Series 4 Episodes 7: No Masters But Ourselves — A Review

4th December, 2019.

*Spoilers*

Yes: it’s official.

My left shoulder aches!

And I think I know why.

I’m jobhunting at the moment: and doing a course that’s supposed to help us with interview technique, CV writing, what have you.

I’m left handed, so you know … and haven’t done this much handwriting in ages.

Which is what I think’s causing the issue … 

Writing in European scripts isn’t exactly what you call painless, if you’re a southpaw … 

At any rate … ?

It’s a Wednesday: one that, for various reasons, I’ve had off.

And I wanted to watch TV … 

To be more specific?

The next episode of series four of The Man in the High Castle … 

~≈Î≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-11-2019: Ru’peeing about … !

8th November, 2019.

Yes: it’s officially official: I have earworms.

Two of them, I should add: Snow’s Informer, and the Associates’ Waiting for the Loveboat.

Quite why they’re floating my head, I really couldn’t say for sure: especially as I’ve only got half an idea!

~≈†≈~

Did you know you smell?

So do I.

It’s partly why we have noses, after all.

The reason I mention that?

Is the piece of news I saw, a day or two ago.

It seems there’s an area of the brain called the olfactory bulbs: that allow us to smell.

Some of us?   Don’t have them: and have no sense of smell as a result?

Except for some left handed women: who’s sense of smell is fine …despite lacking those bulbs.

Quite what’s going on there, I honestly don’t know!

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2018: Independence Day.

4th July, 2018.

Interesting … 

If you’re me, that is.

I’m not gay: so you know.

But this piece from the BBC’s news site, telling us the government is planning to ban what’s called gay conversion therapy.

The idea that various forms of treatment can stop you being gay.   (Including what’s called conversion rape.   The idea is that raping a lesbian magically stops her being a lesbian.   The logic of that escapes me.)

At ANY rate?   I’m sort of sympathetic to the ban: although I don’t know if it — like the ban on mobile phone use whilst drivingª — would work.

There’ll be someone.

At any rate … ?   I’m sympathetic,

As I can still remember horror stories about kids being forced into using their right hands.

Here’s hoping.

~≈§≈~

Mr Robot — Series 3: Episodes 1 and 2 — eps3.0_power-saver-mode.h and eps3.1_undo.gz*

28th January, 2018.

Yeah, I’m right, aren’t I … ?

Really.

Choosing which TV box set to watch next is … tricky.

I mean …

American Horror Story?

Something of a favourite, but I’ve plenty of time to catch the blessed thing.

The Man in the High Castle … ?

Tempting.

Very tempting, in fact.

Both were: as is — possibly — checking out Black Mirror, or the vintage Space: 1999.

The possibility of a movie?   As Bladerunner 2049 seems to be out and about?

Tempting … but pricey, and intimidatingly long, at two hours and forty-nine minutes.

Complaining about Sainsbury’s milk bottles?

Definitely an option.

The handles on the the two and four pint bottles are canted to the left: as the picture will show you.

Which is possibly leaving you saying “Big deal: it’s only going to slightly to pour milk from those bottles, if you’re left handed.   Most of us are right-handed.”

Exactly.

Most of us are.

I’m willing to bet you are.

I’m not.

I’m a left-hander, happy to be so … 

But always annoyed by design — like the design — that ignores ten percent of the planet.

~≈§≈~

But I’m going sideways, here, aren’t I … ?

Yes: because I was telling you about what I was going to watch.

I’m returning to a series whose hero, Elliot, is a hacker with a mission, associative identity disorder†, an alter ego based on his father … 

And a group of friends plotting to hold do C.A.R.

A Computer Aided Revolution.

Yep.

You’re right … 

Series 3 of Mr Robot

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-8-2017

You know, there are time … when I wonder if the World Wide Web is joking.

Seriously.

I was wondering about, yesterday morning: whilst typing up the Left Hander’s Day post.

And searched for biblical quotes about left handedness: thinking something about the people of Beth-thingy smiting their enemies in Jeroba-do-dah, using their left hands, would look suitably impressive.

I found this page: advising people to stop being left handed on pain of being sent to hell.

http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=49703

I’m seriously damned … 

… if I know whether whoever posted the bloody thing is joking.

I’m left handed myself.

I’d imagine that most women, anyone gay, anyone of an Afro-Carribean background, spotting something like that?

Wouldn’t be sure, either.

And, like me?

Would be feeling vaguely offended: serious or otherwise.

~≈‰≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2017: International Left Hander’s Day

Argh … 

Possibly … 

Right now?

It’s ten to six in the morning.

Yes: you’ve guessed it.

It’s International Left Handers Day.

I start work at ten.

And I’d rather be back in bed.

Oh, well … 

At least I’ve found out — listening to the radio, today — that Moeen Ali — the Beard to be Feared, himself? — is a left-handed batsman.

OK: I’m no cricket fan, but that’s a result!

Now … 

Before I move on?

Can I ask any of the south paws out there to switch a family member’s computer mouse to left handed use?

Let’s introduce a little left handed anarchy … 

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-8-2016: International Left-handers Day

It has to be said, the holiday is … sort of over.

As today, I go back to work.

For a nine hour shift!

The first thing that springs to mind?

Well, frankly, it’s the word ‘Yoicks.’

After all, I’m looking at a nine hour shift, here.

The other things that crop up?

First off?

Well, I’m hoping my stomach behaves itself.

Secondly?

Well, it’s International Left Handers Day, today.

I’m a south-paw.   Wouldn’t I have just loved to have the day off!

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 25-1-2016: Robert Burns

Hmmm … 

You wouldn’t believe the research I’ve done … !

Well, ok, maybe you would … 

At any rate … ?   A couple of friends at work, have been discreetly asking me if they Can … ahh … borrow some of the films I’ve got in my electronic collection.

Something I don’t mind doing, even though it’s dubious, legality wise.

But, BOY … !   You need to do some digging: finding out what machine plays what file.   Honestly, one chap’s Xbox plays one standard but not others: another co-worker only has a DVD player, which plays DVDs … and a third file format.   JUST the third file format … 

Boy, but you have to juggle balls!

~≈É≈~

There’s something else, as well.

One of my co-workers — let’s call him James, shall we? — is right handed.   But was born, as I, a left-hander.

Turns out that, whilst at a private primary school, he was forced into becoming a right-hander.

James is nineteen.

And says this happened when he was about six.   Around about 2002/2003, if my basic sums are right.

Personally?   I was glad to hear he got taken out of that school by his dad: who’d been treated the same way by the same establishment.   And ALSO glad to hear the place had been closed down.

Personally, I’ve met a few older left-handers who’ve had the same thing happen to them.   I’d always though that sort of Victorian behaviour was long since dead: as it should be.

Finding out something like that went on as recently as 13 years ago?   Left me bloody angry.

I call that child abuse.

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-8-2015: International Left-Handers Day

Well, that’s a bugger … !

If you’ll excuse the language.

You’ve possibly worked out that I’ve been ordering a lot of bits and bobs, recently: through Amazon UK.

Most recently?   A copy of Wells’ The Time Machine, a DVD copy of the BBC’s 1984 version of The Invisible Man … 

And season two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Not an order I’d have issues with.

You’d think.

BOY, you’d be wrong.

The Invisible Man and The Time Machine turned up with no problems.

Buffy season 2, was due, yesterday.

What actually turned up … ?

Was Buffy The Vampire Slayer.   The original movie … !

I think what’s happened is that someone at the warehouse grabbed the wrong DVD.

Not that I mind.

Seems Amazon do a free returns.

You can bet I’m using that … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Daily Teaser — 19-8-2014

Right, I’m up early, again.

Yes, in case you’re wondering: I’ve another early start at the local Job Centre, doing my daily job search, there.

I have to admit, I like their public computers they use.

It’s a pair of HP PCs, running a much simplified version of Ubuntu.

Very simple: the only thing you’ll see on the Desktop are a web-browser (a version of Firefox), a word-processor and a spreadsheet (Open Office).

The system’s aren’t a bad user experience.   But does have it’s problems:

• You can’t change the mouse over to left handed use: a major crime as far as I’m concerned.
• You can’t easily save a web page as a .pdf from what I can see: a useful function I use for my records.
• Lastly, the Job Centre’s IT department doesn’t seem interested in updating the systems: the web-browser is an older one, that couldn’t be used with a couple of jobs (or their webpages) I’d recently put in for.

Hopefully, though … ?   These are things that can get worked on.

~≈Ù≈~