Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-1-2026 — The Archers (Ten Questions)

1st January, 2026: The Archers.

Right, then: it’s a refreshing start for a whole new year.

At least … we can … if we’re wearing clothes.

Going by the BBC’s weather site?

And a quick check outside?

My home town’s looking, and feeling, cold.

I should be grateful, though.

And old friend lives in southern Finland.

Apparently, it was -17°C, last night.

I should be grateful for heating … 

~≈❄️≈~

Or payments … 

UK benefit claimants had a bit of news, a day or two, ago.

Seemingly?

We should get a cold weather payment of twenty-five pounds: if the overnight weather stays under 0° for seven days in a row.

Assuming the boiler holds out?

I have enough on my meter to survive.

But … ?

I hot the weather holds out: that cash could coming in handy.

~≈💰≈~

I’m a big one for the macOS platform: you’ve possibly worked that out, over the years.

And mostly had a ok time with the platform.

Since the installation of an updated version of the operating system — macOS Tahoe 26·1, to be precise — I’ve notice overheating issues: that seem to be linked to having one or more Pages documents, open.

Linked to processes that Activity Monitor lists as ‘kernel_task’ and ‘corespotlightd’.

Checking with Apple’s support wasn’t helpful: beyond identifying that Pages seemed to be causing the issue, neither was asking on Apple’s support community.

Neither was Macworld’s article on the problem: they’s seemingly simple fix didn’t work.

Quite what’s going on … ?

I don’t know.

But I think it’s something Apple need to sort out: the opinions of a few people I’ve talked to is that it’s an issue with Pages.

And that it’s something Apple needs to sort out.

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-1-2025 — Desert Island Discs.

29th January, 2025: Desert Island Discs.

Right … I think I’ve blown my diet!

At any rate, I’ve eaten a take-away pizza with my nephew, Jude.

We had an entertaining evening: and potato wedges.

Jude managed put in an impressive score on a pinball game I have.

And made another video … !

Feel free to press the Like button!

~≈🎮≈~

I’ve talked, over the past couple of days, of how modern streaming services means you don’t own the digital film you’ve just bought.

But can and do own versions if they’re on physical media: DVD, blu-ray, VHS, CD, what-have-you.

And — in the discussions with regular readers, since? — noticed that both Olga and Debbi generally agree it’s not the best situation.

With that in mind?

And even given I have privately-made digital copies?

I’ve managed to buy DVD copies* of three Dr Who stories: An Unearthly Child, Terror of the Zygons and The Seeds of Doom, as these are not, currently, available to stream in the UK.

Hopefully?

I won’t need to buy more.

~≈📀≈~

The Daily Teaser — 12-10-2014

You know, I’ve said it for years, now: Radio 4’s a gift.

No, really.

I don’t know if there’s anything else quite like it outside the UK: but it’s mix of news, comedy, analysis, documentaries and whatever else you can find on the station.

And … ?

And very soothing, first thing on a Sunday morning.   Granted I’m agnostic, at best: whilst occasionally having found prayer useful.

But I find its religious programming’s worth a listen.

Strange … but true.

~≈Ó≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-08-2012

Hmmm … 

I have to admit, I’ve got Radio 4 on, again: the Today programme’s actually being broadcast from an Edinburgh Fringe venue.

They’ve got someone called Anna Magnusson doing the Thought For the Day.

That’s something.

Words of inspiration … … … from an Edinburgh nightclub … at ten to 8 in the morning … !

Takes all sorts, doesn’t it … ?

Let’s get moving on, shall we?

While I remind myself to tell you about The Raven … 

‹‹·››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers: and along with being flattering about my abilities*, ALSO bagging 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 11th August, 1999, saw the last Solar Eclipse of the 20th Century.   These occur when what comes between the Earth and the Sun … ?

Q2) More to the point, what was the only county of the UK to witness the total eclipse … ?

Q3) Equally to the point, this was the first eclipse visible in the UK, since which year … ?

Q4) Moving on … 11th August, 3114 BC, is the start date for the Meso-American Long Count calendar.   How many days does each year have in this calendar … ?

Q5) 11th August, 1971, saw a British team led by whom, win the Admiral’s Cup … ?

Q6) And finally … 11th August, 1929, saw whom become the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 10th August, 1948, saw the debut of which TV show … ?

A1) Candid Camera.

Q2) 10th August, 2008, saw the death of singer/songwriter, Isaac Hayes: which character did he voice, in South Park … ?

A2) Chef.

Q3) More to the point, what was the name of that character’s only UK hit … ?

A3) Chocolate Salty Balls.

Q4) 10th August, 1977, saw the Queen visit which part of the UK, as part of her Silver Jubilee tour … ?

A4) Northern Ireland.

Q5) 10th August, 1961, saw the first use of which chemical weapon … ?

A5) Agent Orange.

Q6) And finally … 10th August, 1998, saw Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah named as crown prince of which South Asian country … ?

A6) Brunei.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

After I’ve left you with a tune from J-Boog … 

And a quote from the late Peter Cushing …

I didn’t set out to make this kind of picture. It just came my way. But its been going on for me for 16 years now and its wonderful for an actor to work consistently.”

Peter Cushing, (26 May 1913 – 11 August 1994

*        Oh, I doubt it, Debbi … ! I’d need training to get this helpful …

Mornington, all …

Oooh, bless … !

You know, you can SORT of tell I’m going international, can’t you … ?

As you might have noticed … !

But I DO know I’ve had Debbi following — and commenting — for a while, now.

And more, recently, she’s been joined by Nina.

What make’s it sort of nice is they’ve both given me a recent mention, bless: Nina, here, and Debbi, here.

What CAN a boy do to say “Thank You” … ?

Apart, maybe, from saying “Thank You”… ?

Debbi, Nina, “Thank You” … !

»»•««

But one MORE thing … ?

I do I’m a fan of BBC Radio 4 series, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

I’ve been listening for about a decade: well before the death of the show’s original presenter, late, great, Humphrey Lyttelton.

And, while I’ll HAPPILY admit replacement presenter, Jack Dee, is doing a fantastic job … ?

Sometimes you have to look to the originals …