Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-8-2026 — The Russian Flag

22nd August, 2026: The Russian Flag.

It’s officially the case that a man in need of an Amazon delivery … is going to expect a dog’s dinner!

At least, they are: if that man is me!

Yep: I’ve got some stuff due from Amazon.

And given the mess they’ve made of the last few deliveries?

I’m expecting another one.

A complimentary thing is nice … unless it’s a complimentary cock-up … 

~≈🐓≈~

On a more serious note?

One of the things I’m expecting is a DVD copy of The Two Doctors: the Colin Baker-era story that sees the Sixth Doctor team up with Pat Troughton’s Second Doctor, and pits the pair against the Sontarans.

Yes, before you ask: I’ve got a 2k version of the story, already.

I’ve bought it for one specific extra.

During Baker’s era, the Dr Who office authorised a pice for the BBC show, Jim’ll Fix It: a show where children’s ‘wishes’ were granted by the presenter.

The late, and very unlamented, Jimmy Savile.

Savile, unfortunately, makes an appearance in the original cut of the sketch. 

I’m buying this: because I want that cut.

No: I’m NOT a fan of Savile’s!

And hope that any royalties for his appearance go towards his victims.

I want the cut because, without it, my collection is incomplete.

I’m a completist: what can I tell you … ?

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 20-7-2026 — Colombia

20th July, 2026: Colombia.

Right … it’s Monday, again.

And … ?

After taking weight loss medication, last Friday, it’s time for me to head for my weight loss weigh in.

Keep you’re fingers crossed, please: while you’re doing that, I’ll be hoping the bag of crisps I had, yesterday, won’t show up!

~≈🥨≈~

Andy Burnham* gets sworn in as Prime Minister, today.

I wish him luck: although my cynical side has a question.

When exactly, will he resign?

We’ve got through a few PMs, since 2016.

~≈🔟≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-7-2026 — Argentina

9th July, 2026: Argentina.

It’s official: I’ve uploaded a video!

But you’ve possibly guessed that.

And possibly already noticed that uploading a video to tell you I’ve uploaded a video seems a little recursive.

For want of a better word!

At any rate?

I caught the first episode of For All Mankind’s new series: and thought I should tell you about it!

~≈👨‍🚀≈~

Oh … the BBC’s new site released this article, a few days ago: telling us many companies are renting out robots, and questioning what use the robots are.

It’s mostly entertainment ones getting rented out, it seems: ones doing tasks that are easy to program.

That’s not necessarily caught my attention, though.

The simple fact that companies are renting out robots is what caught me.

Why?

Because renting out electronics is an old idea: Brentwood had a branch of Radio Rentals, after all.

That’s not the first thing I thought of, though.

No.

I thought of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot.

That’s the first place I saw the idea … !

~≈🤖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-3-2026 — Greece is the Word. (Ten Questions)

25th March, 2026: Greece is the Word.

OK … there’s been a lot going on, recently … 

For one thing?

YouTube’s playing silly buggers, uploading today’s Teaser video.

Well … they were … or BT’s internet connection was.

One of the two … !

At any rate?

That didn’t stop me uploading a video, last night.

Yes: I caught the penultimate episode of Stranger Things, and finally posted my review.

Make of that, what you will … !

~≈🦑≈~

Nicholas Brendon died, a few days ago.

I knew from his work in Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, playing the affable everyman, Xander Harris.

So I was sad to hear about his death.

But equally, puzzled: as, from the little I read?

He died in bed, of natural causes: at fifty-four.

Of natural causes!

I have to admit to being puzzled.

I know he had addiction issues.

But fifty-four seems too young to be dying of natural causes.

All I can do is be puzzled by his death … whilst offering his loved ones my condolences.

~≈🏜️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-2-2026 — Grenada

7th February, 2026: Grenada.

Yay!

It’s Saturday … !

Which means … it’s the day after Friday, the day after I had an electrician visit.

It’s something I’d arranged a couple of weeks ago: as I’d had a couple of minor — very minor — electric shocks from the old switch.

Something the electrician told me wasn’t too risky: but agreed that I right in requesting the repair.

I was better safe than sorry.

~≈💡≈~

Just as a quick question … ?

I use Transmission if I ever need to download stuff via torrent: there’s a lot of open source software you can get that way.

Are you using it, as well?   Version 4·10, on a Mac running macOS Tahoe 26·2?

Are you getting problems?

Funny error messages, non-existent progress bars, what have you?

If you do, and have successfully done something about it, can you let me know, please?

Cheers!

~≈⚙️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-2-2025 — New Zealand (Ten Questions)

6th February, 2026: New Zealand.

Right … it’s Friday.

But you knew that, already.

I’ve taken my weekly dose of Mounjaro.

But you’d guessed I’d be doing that, too.

Just as equally … ?

I possibly need to go out, too: light shopping and healthy exercise calls.

But … ?

It’s throwing down, out there … !

~≈🌧️≈~

As a last thought … ?

An old friend is a Kiwi expat: and sent this photo:

Cheers, Donna!

~≈🥝≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-1-2026 — Morocco

11th January, 2026.

Right … sauce … 

I’ve actually managed to make some spaghetti sauce, last night.

Just not very good spaghetti sauce!

I’m convinced I didn’t use enough tomatoes: and it’s not as creamy as it could be.

Frankly?

It’s more a spaghetti stew, a stew you can put on top of spaghetti.

Still: I’ve five more tubs of the stuff.

And I can always have it with potatoes, if I didn’t fancy pasta!

~≈🍝≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-12-2025 — Here We Goa, Again

19th December, 2025: Goa.

OK: you’ve possibly realised this … but I, like many of us, get infected by the occasional earworm.

This morning … ?

It’s Joy Sarney’s only hit, 1977’s “Naughty, Naught, Naughty”.

Why on Earth I’ve woken up with the blessed thing banging around my head … ?

I really don’t know.

Answers on a postcard, please … !

~≈🎵≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-11-2025 — Yugoslavia

29th November, 2025: Yugoslavia.

Right, it’s now Saturday … 

And I’m still having earworms.

Yes: Sheldon Cooper’s still playing the blessed bongos in my head!

Why … ?

If I could work that out, or why the bongos are following the Yugoslav Dalek around, I’d make a big fortune … !

~≈🪘≈~

I was in town, yesterday: picking up a few bits.

And, on the way back … ?

Got passed by a police car: and a fire engine.

And heard what turned out to be an ambulance, as well.

It turns out there’s been a fire in a house not far from where I live: something a neighbour managed to grab a photo of.

Going by the damage in that photo?

And assuming it IS of where the fire happened?

It’s quite serious: so the talk that someone died in the fire, understandable.

And a tragedy … 

~≈🎇≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-11-2025 — Dominica

3rd November, 2025: Dominica.

Yes, you’re right: it’s Monday, again!

And, yes, I’m up early, again: so I can get to my weight management meeting.

Hopefully?

I’ll have lost weight!

~≈⚖️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-10-2025 — Zambia

24th October, 2025: Zambia.

I’ve woken up, this morning: which should be obvious, by now … !

Let’s restart that, shall we?

I’ve woken up, this morning, half convinced it’s Saturday.

But very aware it’s Friday.

Why am I thinking it’s a day it’s not?

I think I have an idea.

I usually get my Universal Credit on the 23rd of the month: yesterday, in other words.

I get my Personal Independence Payment, every fourth Friday.

So … ?

I think my subconscious believes today is Saturday, as it thinks I got my PIP, yesterday, rather than UC.

Heigh ho!

~≈£≈~

I’m very aware that the UK’s government planning to introduce a Digital ID: something I don’t especially like.

Mostly on cost grounds.

Cost, and redundancy: I’ve already got ID.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has now gone on the record to say the scheme will only be mandatory for those seeking work.

And only be needed when you change jobs, after the scheme is introduced.

In addition?

It will not be needed for anything else: will not be needed for those needing healthcare, as an example, or for housing, or to be able to vote.

Do you mind a confession?

That’s not something I find reassuring.

I remain as sceptical as I ever was.

~≈🫆≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-9-2025 — Saint Kitts and Nevis.

12th September, 2025: Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Right … it’s now officially Friday … and?

I’ve been toying with Image Playground, as it’s been tweaked*.

Feeding in photos of myself, and of Bobby the Cat, and appropriately silly prompts … ?

Gets these … 

That second one looks nothing like me … but at leasts the potato looks like a potato, and Bobby looks like Bobby … 

~≈🌅≈~

I’ve got the Today Programme on, again: and keep thinking it would make a good subject for a question set.

Possibly at another time, though!

However?

They’ve floated a news piece that caught my eyes: and probably grabbed the attention of spy-fiction fans across the planet.

Apparently?

MI6, Britain’s intelligence agency, is to launch a recruitment website called ‘Silent Courier’: on the dark web, the section of the World Wide Web hidden from regular browsers.

I really don’t want to be a spy: I doubt I’d be good at it.

But … ?   That wouldn’t stop me trying to find that site, given the chance … !

~≈🕵🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 15-8-2025 — The Republic of the Congo

15th August, 2025: the Republic of the Congo.

I’m on drugs.

Or medications, I should say.

Including one called Mounjaro: it’s useful for controlling type two diabetes, and as a way of controlling my weight.

So … ?

I noticed this BBC News piece float past, this morning: telling us Eli Lilly, the drug’s makers, ar planning on putting the price up.

As far as I can tell, that won’t affect its cost to the National Health Service, nor to those of us who get it free on the NHS.

It will go up for those who’ve had the drug prescribed privately.

Will that affect the drug’s availability for NHS patients?

I don’t know.

But having switched medications, before, because of a shortage … ?

I’m not convinced … 

~≈💉≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-8-2025 — Bolivia

6th August, 2025: Bolivia.

Yay!   It’s Wednesday!

Which, frankly, means I’ve got washing to put away: after my washing machine was fixed, yesterday.

OK, that’s not a very exciting thing to report … but, hey: having clean, dry, towels is nice!

~≈🧺≈~

It’s 6th August: you’re possibly very aware of the fact.

That means it’s the eightieth anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima: with all that that implies.

It reminds me, as it always does, of an old boss of mine: who once told me that he, personally, put the bombings on a par with the Holocaust.

He was from an old British Jewish family, and had grown up during World War Two.

His comparison, comparing the first use of the world’s deadliest weapon to the world’s most inhuman war crimes,  always stuck in my mind.

Especially as it came from a member of Britain’s Jewish community.

The bombings won us the war, ended a truly horrific conflict.

But … ?

Were the bombings moral?

Ethical?

Somehow, and thanks to my old boss?

I don’t think they were … 

~≈🧺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-8-2025 — Benin.

1st August, 2025: Benin.

Right, I’m up and about.

Obviously!

And … ?

I’m very aware that it’s Friday, so I’ll be having a phone appointment with my surgery’s nurse practitioner.

To talk about how I’m doing with the blood sugar monitor: and the larger lancets I’ve been given.

To be honest with you … ?

I’ve managed to successfully do three tests over the past week: tests that showed results of 6·3, 8·6 and 5·8, for an average of 6·9: just inside the safe range.

That’s more, and better, results than I had with the original lancets: they did diddly squat!

Quote where we go from here, I don’t know!

~≈🪡≈~

Here in the UK … ?

Here in the UK, the government has introduced new regulations: designed to make sure adult websites do age-verification checks on users.

That seems to have worked!

For starters, many iPhone users have installed VPNs, virtual private networks software, that lets them get around the UK restrictions by routing traffic through other countries.

For another?

You can reach these sites on the desktop by using the Tor browser*: which routes things through various layers.

There’s a version on the Google Play store, if you’re on an Android phone.

And finally … ?

It seems Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulators, are investigating thirty-four sites that haven’t introduced the checks.

That makes me conclude a few things.

Restrictions can be avoided.

And regulations can be ignored.

That’s assuming we can work out how.

Working out how is easier than it looks.

~≈🧅≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-7-2025 — The New Hebrides.

30th July, 2025: the New Hebrides,

It’s officially official: I had repairmen in, yesterday.

Lowering my cupboards, so you know.

I am suitably grateful.

To both the carpenters who did the job, my landlords for approving and arranging it … and to the occupational therapists who insisted on it in the first place.

Being able to reach the shelves — without a stool or a step ladder — feels odd, right now.

They’ve between that height since I moved in 2008.

Hopefully, though … ?

That will soon pass.

~≈🪑≈~

Something has caught my eye, this morning.

Or ears, I should say.

Is something that got announced on Radio 4’s Today programme: and confirmed by the Independent.

It’s a report from Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, that tells us YouTube is now the UK’s second biggest broadcasting service.

Behind the BBC, but ahead of ITV.

Even though I’m an older user who doesn’t use it as much as the younger generation?

That makes sense.

I’m finding it increasingly hard to find anything to watch on conventional broadcasters … but incredibly easy on YouTube.

There’s a song about that …

~≈🎶≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-6-2025 — The Philippines

12th June, 2025: The Philippines.

It’s official: it’s Thursday … 

And, on a personal level … ?

I’m expecting piece, quiet, solitude … 

And a certain amount of boredom!

I might just have to do something about that.

I’ve got movies in, and TV shows.

But might just end up thumb twiddling … 

~≈🤔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-6-2025 — Denmark

5th June, 2025: Denmark.

Right … 

It’s Thursday.

And … ?

Waking up with an earworm is not something I was planning!

Especially not that earworm: it’s horrible, isn’t it?

~≈🐛≈~

I think I might need a new phone: possibly.

I was switched over to the new Digital voice thing run by my Internet Service Provider.

It means my landline phone is plugged into my new router, rather than the junction box in the wall.

However?

It seems some of the phone’s features — call blocking, number tracking, what have you — don’t work with the router.

Which is a shame.

I got a call from a Technical Department scammer*, yesterday: one of the usual “Hello, we’re from Microsoft: your PC is causing problems!!!!!!!!”

It would’ve been nice to be able to block that … !

~≈📞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-5-2025 — The Protectorate of Tonga

18th May, 2025: the Protectorate of Tonga.

Right … I’ve officially made a mess of a video!

At some point, today, this video is going to get taken down … 

Because … ?

I made a hash of the audio … !

I’m currently rebuilding it: hopefully, that won’t affect the viewing figures.

But … ?

That’s what happens when you do late night video editing … when so knackered you don’t double check things!

Arrrggghhh!

~≈🏗️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-3-2025 — Lithuania.

9th March, 2025: Lithuania.

I had a good day, yesterday: I finally managed to sell a second hand computer.

I’ve been wanting to sell my 2023 model Mac for some time: ever since I managed to replace it with a 2024 model.

So … ?   Given I knew CeX* were selling the model for a hefty amount of cash, and that I’d only get a fraction of that price if I sold it to them?

I put it on Facebook Marketplace on Thursday.

And started getting enquiries, by Friday morning.

Including one from a customer we’ll call Sid, to preserve his privacy: who seemed both genuine, and friendly.

Facebook Marketplace throws you buyers who aren’t, buyers who are chancing it, buyers who are ‘just looking’ … and buyers who are making genuine, but low, offers.

Sid seemed genuine, and was prepared to put in a good offer.

And had done enough research into the seller — me! — to make sure I was kosher!

And felt confident enough to turn up from London, with the cash … and walk away with the machine, a copy of Genesis of the Daleks, a free HDMI cable … and a discount.

The man was a Dr Who fan, after all: one quite happy to natter about the relative merits of various episodes.

Frankly?

Good customers — and friendly ones, at that — are hard to find.

Sid, if you’re reading this?

Thank you, sir!

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~