Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March 2026.

18th March, 2026.

I think I’m going to need to wosname … thingie … phone my surgery!

I’m diabetic: and have to check my blood sugar levels with a glucose monitor.

Daily.

And … ?

Am having issues, at the moment.

It’s two days until payday: and of course, the batteries in the monitor choose yesterday, a day when I’m skint, to go and die on me.

So?

Unless my GP does replacement batteries, I’m going to have to wait until payday to order some from Amazon.

Ho hum?

“Ho hum” doesn’t even start!

~≈🪫≈~

I’ve officially managed to watch the first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, last night.

I don’t think I’ll be reviewing it: with For All Mankind, things are going to get busy!

But … ?

I did come away impressed with this opening episode: with Robert Picardo as the returning Doctor, with Holly Hunter as Captain Ake … and with comedian, YouTuber, and fellow left hander, Gina Yashere as all ’round drill sergeant, Lura Thok.

Trust me, she’s hysterical … !

~≈🖖≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve finally published my written and video review of the most recent episode of Stranger Things I’ve caught.

Feel free to leave me a comment … 

~≈📽️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March 2025.

18th March, 2025.

Right, then … 

It’s official!

I’ve got an earworm, this morning: the Kalush Orchestra’s hit, “Stefania”.

Why?

Why “Stefania”?

I don’t know.

But I’m not going to be wearing a pink hat, as a result.

~≈🧢≈~

It’s got to be said: I like a computer or two.

And, frankly?

Have had a spare, cheap, laptop I can use: lurking around the flat.

Although that seems to have gone for a Burton.

Why?

Well, I don’t know that, either!

But?

Given I have an unsold monitor going spare?

An extra one could be handy.

I would love to own a Raspberry Pi 500

I’d love to own one.

If for no other reason than to say I’ve got a computer built into a keyboard: and one of Britain’s best selling.

You have to wave the flag, somehow!

~≈⌨️≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I was at my weight management meeting, yesterday.

My weight’s not changed.

Hopefully, I’ll’ve lost something, by next week.

Either way … ?

The meeting had changed room for the day: and is back to normal, next week.

The reason it changed?

Was that there was a charity slipper swap in the usual room.

You took an old pair in: and got a free, new, pair in return.

I’m wearing that new pair.

OK: they’re not perfect.

But I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

~≈🐴≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18th March, 2022

18th March, 2022.

Right … 

You’re possibly aware I’ve put in for extra financial help.

And finally had a decision, on Wednesday.

I had my claim, rejected.

I’ve finally managed to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, yesterday: starting the early stages of an appeal.

I should hear about that by 18:00, tonight.

Hopefully?

The letter I’ve done, that highlights extra information, will be useful.

~≈📩≈~

Oh, JUST so you know … ?

My nephew, Jude, was over yesterday.

Yes: you’re right.

He has done another video.

He was rather impressed with that vague Max Headroom effect: around the eighteen second mark.

I can’t think who suggested that to him!

~≈🕹≈~

Just as a final thought … ?

I’ve got the Today programme on in the background.

Happily telling us President Biden will be talking to President Xi of China, later.

The President will be trying to persuade the other President not to supply financial or military aid to Russia.

I have to admit, I’ve got a line from Orwell floating through my head.

“Oceania was at war with Eastasia: Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.”

1984, George Orwell.

Saying that … ?   Another quote from the novel — from the in-universe book that Winston reads — seems relevant.

“The primary aim of modern warfare … is to use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living.”

1984, George Orwell.

Given the state of the economy?

That wasn’t just relevant: but very relevant!

~≈📚≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-11-2020: Armistice Day

11th November, 2020

Yeah: stuff’s happening.

Firstly?

You’ll remember me saying that an old friend had died, recently?

I’ve managed to get hold of a card, and some lined paper: to send a condolence message.

One that gets posted, today.

I just hope my handwriting’s legible: it’s been a while since I’ve used a pen … 

~≈ß≈~

You’re possibly aware I’m something of a Mac fan: and have been for years.

So, whilst I didn’t watch it live, was very well aware of Apple’s big launch event, yesterday.

Seemingly?   macOS 11 Big Sur is due to be released, tomorrow.

I’m expecting to see it crop up on my updates, within the next few days.

Quite how that’ll work out, I don’t know, although I know it’s compatible with my machine.

I’m tempted to install it as soon as it’s available: although I’m very aware of the usual advise, when it comes to updates.

Leave it awhile, before installing.   That way, any bugs can be worked through.

~≈ß≈~

That same event, of course, saw Apple introduce new Macs: with Apple’s range of ARM based processor chips.

Two new low end Mac minis, a new MacBook Air, and a 13” MacBook Pro.

It has to be said, the new base model Mac mini — with stock 256gb SSD, and 8gb of what Apple’s calling unified* memory — is being advertised at £699.99p.

Which, for Apple, is comparatively reasonable.

The baseline 13” MacBook Air?   I notice that looks good: although it has a 720p webcam, on a par with my 2017 model iMac.

That’s something that could have had a 1080p camera: it would’ve made the price more reasonable.

At any rate?

From the little I’ve understood, the ARM based M1 chips have been released in the Air, Mini, and 13” models:  machines that are comparatively light weight, and could benefit from the low energy use that ARM chips provide.

That’s a good thing.

Frankly?   Yes: I’d like one.

It’s me you’re talking to.

Although, frankly?

I’d have to wait.

Partly to save up some cash.

Partly … ?

To wait for an M1 based iMac to be released.

And partly?

For any mission critical software to be re-written for the new processors.

I don’t want to give up playing Backgammon, just yet!

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-3-2017

Good morning, everyone … 

Lordy, but that looks cheerful!

Especially when you consider I’m doing a ten hour shift, today.

That’s actually not — at the moment —too bad a prospect.

What gets me — as always — is the transport.

As a result of the various boys of Crossrail work?

On Saturday, my commute to work starts with a rail replacement bus from Brentwood to Shenfield, moves to another bus Shenfield to Ingatestone, then and only then, to a train from Ingatestone to Chelmsford.

Which then plays out in reverse, on the way back.

It’s a bit of a pain in the bum, to be frank.

The only entertaining thing about the trip, today?

Is the fact the earworm of the day is the incredible entertaining Last Train to Transcentral*.

What were the KLF on?

~≈Ê≈~