Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-4-2026 — The Name’s Bonds-Premium Bonds

18th April, 2026.

Right now?

Right now, it’s Saturday.

And the silly jokes I’ve uploaded seem to be doing well.

It’s also the day after I’ve put in an order for stuff from Amazon.

Including a cheap, 4k camera*: and a 2k copy of the 1981, BBC version of The Day of the Triffids.

I’m looking forward to the thing turning up: I’d love to see what the extra features, if there are any, are like.

~≈🥀≈~

You’re probably as aware as I am, that the 47th US president is a bit of a twit.

To put it mildly.

And also aware of the image he deleted from his social network: depicting him as a messianic, healer figure.

The image has been criticised: for looking a little too messianic, and crossing a line.

Of good taste, if nothing else.

I agree.

But also think a couple of things.

One?

Is that this image of the president, and others like it, looks a lot like some of the WW2 era Nazi propaganda, the sort designed to make Hitler look like a hero.

And second?

I grew up one Frank Herbert’s Dune novel: and came away from them convinced the writer didn’t like messiahs.

Or, at least, didn’t like the idea of politicians using religion to gain power.

Devout Republic that Herbert was?

I suspect he’d be spitting, on seeing these images of the President.

“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way.”

From Dune, by Frank Herbert.

“Beneath the hero’s facade you will find a human being who makes human mistakes.   Enormous problems arise when human mistakes are made on the grand scale available to a superhero.”

From “Dune Genesis”, by Frank Herbert.

~≈🪱≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-7-2024 — Filthy Lucre.

16th July, 2025: Filth Lucre.

Right, then: it’s now officially Wednesday.

And … ?

I’m going to have a quiet day: with — possibly — nothing to do.

Except, maybe, watch more Max Headroom!

Or — as an alternative — start on series three of AppleTV+’s Foundation.

Lee Pace, as the villainous Brother Day, is the nastiest piece of work!

~≈🦹≈~

I had a phone call, yesterday: whilst I was in my local Sainsbury’s.

From a caller using the number, 07495806944, calling herself Jennifer, and claiming to be from a cryptocurrency website.

I politely told her I wasn’t interested, and put the phone down.

Then blocked the number, as soon as I got to a convenient bench.

It’s not as worrying as the AnyDesk attempt I had a few days ago: that involved being conned into installing cross-platform software that could take control of a computer it’s on, and steal all sorts of information.

But … ?

Just as a general point, I didn’t want to take the conversation with Jennifer any further.

It sounded like a possible scam …

~≈📞≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-9-2024 — The US Treasury

2nd September, 2024: the US Treasury Department.

It’s Monday!

Or a Monday.

And … ?

I’m up early.

Yes: I’m off to me weight management class, today.

Hopefully, I’ll’ve lost weight.

~≈⚖️≈~

I mentioned, a few days ago, that a certain relative fancied a new phone for Christmas/birthday.

A rather expensive one!

Hopefully?

The family will be able to sort out something!

Even if it’s just a Barbie phone … !

~≈📞≈~

Right at the moment?

I’ve got the Flying Pickets version of “Only You” on, at the moment.

The irony of the thing isn’t lost on me.

It was — at one point — Margaret Thatcher’s favourite song.

By contrast, the band … ?

Raised a lot of cash, playing left wing benefit gigs.

I don’t think anyone mentioned it to Maggie!

~≈♩≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-8-2019: Cash

29th August, 2019.

Yes: we have a prorogued Parliament*.

Boris Johnson has taken the step of proroguing — suspending, in other words — Parliament yesterday.

Something that’s usually done during an election, or over Parliament’s Summer Recess.

And that the Johnson administration say is to prepare for a Queen’s Speech on 14th October, this year.

But many — myself included — feel is an attempt to block attempts to stop a no-deal Brexit.

And the day after opposition leaders had agreed a way of doing just that.

It’s also something that’s — apparently — entirely legal.

Personally?

I want my country back.

But am very aware Boris has tied us face down over a barrel, and taken his trousers off.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-7-2018: Mo’ Money

16th July, 2018.

Yes: I’m right, aren’t I … ?

There’s interesting stuff doing the rounds.

For starters?

I’ve — as ever — got Radio 4’s Today programme on: and John Humphrys is giving a Russian hell.

Or getting hell from Sasha Baron Cohen.

One of the two.

At any rate, they’ve just had former Education Secretary, Justine Greening, on.

Whose calling for a three option, second Brexit referendum.

A three option Brexit, please note.

I HATE agreeing or endorsing anything said, done or even breathed on, by a Tory.

It’s on a par with asking Hilary Clinton to vote Republican.

But?   I’ve been thinking for months that we need a second referendum: one with exactly her suggestions.

The Government’s making a complete hash of it.

Her options?

• The soft Brexit proposed by Theresa May’s Chequers document.
• A Hard Brexit: leaving the EU with no deal.
• Staying in the EU.

Personally?

I don’t see it happening.

Mores the pity.

But I know I’d be happy to vote for staying in the EU.

~≈§≈~

Before I move on … ?

I actually manage to catch … the series 11 teaser trailer*.

Although whether it’s a trailer or not is generating discussion on Twitter.

At ANY rate?

I’m pleased to have seen it: it looks good.

But notice that, beyond the ‘Coming This Fall’ text on the US version?

There’s no actually airdate.

That’s disappointing … 

~≈§≈~

In amongst all this?

I managed to catch a film, last night.

One called The Endless.

Quite what to make of it?   I’m sure I couldn’t say.

But it’s an interesting film.

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 2-3-2016: The Pound

Right then … !

I’ve manage to put those in.

I mentioned, yesterday, that I’d had the letter from my landlords: telling me my rent had gone up by two  pence.

And that I’d need to take them into Brentwood Council.

Which I’ve now done.

My only problem … ?

Is that I’ve no idea how long any decision will take.

Partly … ?   Apparently, they’ve had delays, because they’ve had to investigate this little lot.

But mostly … ?

I suspect the usual amount of delays one gets when a large organisation gets a LOT of Work to do at one time.

Oy veh … 

~≈†≈~

Cash: Money, Elections and Campaigning like a Trooper.

You know, it’s REALLY not that often I get political, it really isn’t.

Actually … ?

It’s not that often I ask for money, either.

Although I’d say my mother would possibly disagree, there.

At ANY rate, you’ve probably worked out that there’s local elections up and coming in Brentwood, on the 3rd of May.

And that a friend of mine, Karen Chilvers, is standing as a Lib-Dem candidate.

And frankly … ?

Hmmm … How do I this … ?

Needs funds …

Here’s the letter she sent me …

Dear Paul

The night of 5/6 May, 2011 was one of the most difficult of my life. Just after midnight, I learned that I had lost out on being your councillor for another four years. I missed out by just 10 votes.

That result came at the end of the bitterest fight Brentwood has ever seen. The Tories stooped to new lows in their leaflets. They were so bad that they had to publish an apology for what they had said.

I really don’t want to repeat that night. I’m back again, determined to replace that memory with a win on 3rd May, 2012.

People are pleased that I am fighting to stop the Tory-led council allowing excess building in the area. They are also shocked that the council has, yet again, published its accounts late and cost residents thousands as a result. But there is a problem.

My agent, Ian Gale, has costed my campaign, and tells me we are “a little short” of the funds we need to pay for the campaign we have already planned. So I need your help - now.

With your support, we can make sure the Tories don’t buy the result here in Brentwood. They regularly spend twice as much as we do locally.

I’m asking you to give £25 — or more if you can. Otherwise, their is a real danger that we will have to cut back our plans on May 3rd.

Remember: I was just 10 votes short, last year. A tiny swing will win us the election. Every pound you give — or leaflet you deliver — could make the difference.

Thanks, again, for supporting me. We can get the result we want, here,on 3rd May.

With Best Wishes

Karen Chilvers,

Brentwood West Liberal Democrat Candidate.

There …

Now, that’s that letter she sent: and bear in mind here, that she lost the election by 10 votes: I couldn’t help but notice there were 9 people who objected to the Brunel House development, including myself.

Which will hopefully help.

»»·««

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I think I’m actually not going to ask you to give me money: although you’re welcome to, if you want to.

Cash, for preference … !

But on a SERIOUS note

I’m ACTUALLY going to ask you to give Karen your money: if, of course, funding local politics — or a Liberal-Democrat candidate — is something you think you’re comfortable with.

You can drag and drop the form over to you desktop, print it out, fill it out and send it to:

Karen Chilvers,

Liberal Democrats,

FREEPOST,

RLXE-JXLS-YCSU,

Brentwood.

CM14 4XR

Or, if you’re feeling digital, you can visit this link, and make a donation via PayPal.

Have fun.

A Pleasant Surprise …

Hmmm, well, THERE’s a day … !

I’ve got to confess, every so often, I make a habit of opening my letterbox to see what’s in it.

It’s usually bills: sort of why I’m always worried about opening, actually, but there we go.

Today, thoufh, I actually managed to get a pleasant surprise, in there …

A tax rebate.

I’m on what’s called Pay As You Earn, or PAYE, which means something like this usually goes through a company payroll department.

And, as I’d no idea I was due one … ?

Well …

You can imagine.

»»•««

At ANY rate, most of the actual money has now gone: or been spoken for

Mostly where I cashed the cheque at a local financial services, and immediately managed to settle up some outstanding rent arrear: arrears that had built up, along with my shaky recent employment history, and have now been put to bed.

(Very handy piece of timing, in that sense: it frees up about £40 a month I can use on other bills.)

The one treat I have allowed myself is a set of cheap — but rather powerful — speakers to go with the TV.

And, having just watched an old (Tennant-era) episode of Dr Who can certainly admit, the things definitely pack quite a bit of welly.

Let me leave you with someone I’ve been getting used to: a certain mr Amon Tobin, complete with his album track, Chronic Tronic.

CeX Work …

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m …

Disgruntled …

Possibly more than disgruntled, but lets stick with disgruntled, for now, shall we … ?

Yes …

»»•««

Do you remember that — a little while back — I was hired to work at the Brentwood branch of CeX … ?

And, after Christmas, had my hours reduced.

And then let go in March.

Hmmm …

I’ve got to admit, that was …

Well …

Annoying, looking back: in the way it was done, I should say.

But, at any rate … ?

At any rate, the job was finished, I started signing on looking for a new job.

Not exactly easy …

Yeah see, in the UK, those of us signing on for what’s called Job-seeker’s Allowance.

Usually … ?

Usually find it goes through fairly quickly.

Once the relevant government department gets your final bits of paperwork from your previous employers.

So far … ?

It all depends on getting that one little tax form that tells the Benefits people — or a new employer — what your tax code is.

The Brentwood branch of CeX … ?

Hasn’t done that, as yet … !

»»•««

Oh, I’m told by various shades of management that the form in question has — apparently — been sent out, not long after I left, in March.

But I’ve got to make a confession or two, here.

For starters … ?

It’s early June.

That particular form … ?

Usually turns up, within a fortnight …

So waiting around for a form — for THIS long — is not only causing a lot of financial hardship.

But getting ridiculous.

I’m going to make a suggestion, for those people reading this post, in the UK, in my town, and after a job.

Don’t apply at the Brentwood branch of CeX.

It won’t be fun, leaving it.

CeX Lives

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve sort of been mulling this over: and hoping I’ll not get into any sort of trouble about it …

But there we go …

At any rate, I’ve got to admit, I’m now starting to happily get settled into my new job.

Which — in case you were wondering — is with a company called CeX.

Pronounced ‘sex’ so you know.

Leads to all sorts of fun when you’re handing out leaflets: can you imagine walking up too any of Brentwood’s monastic community and asking them if they’d like to talk about Sex … ?

The mind boggles: no, really …

||»»◊««||

But …

Lets get serious, here, shall we … ?

Yes, I think think I should …

||»»◊««||

Do you remember me telling you, a little while back, that I had a job interview to go for … ?

Well, I did …

The company in question was CeX: who’ve been going, now, for something like twenty or so years.

Old for a technology company, when you think about it, but relatively recent compared to many high-strett retailers

And what they do … ?

Or what we do, I should say … ?

Is simple.

We buy and sell second hand electronic kit.

Everything from games — for the Playstation 2, 3 and PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and Game Cube — to films and TV series on DVDs and blu-ray.

To both the consoles, themselves, to TVs and monitors to connect them to, and laptops and desktops, as well.

AND second hand mobile phones, as well, so that you can tell your friends about the bargain you’ve picked up.

||»»◊««||

You can imagine my reaction, when I realised that we had some fairly recent model second-hand Macs, can’t you … ?

And just as importantly, from where I’m sitting, still-sealed copies of iWorks ’09, iLife 11 and Microsoft Office 11: For Mac, as well.

Not that I’d be interested in the latter, you should know me better than that by now.

Lets get back on message, shall we … ?

||»»◊««||

At any rate, what the company does is buy in second-hand bits of electronic kit.

We check the state of any DVD, Blu-ray and CDs we get in.

We also test any hardware we get, as well.

Say you want to sell us your old mobile phone*, for example. And, incidentally, want to buy one you’ve seen in our window.

You have to join up for membership, for starters. It’s a formality, really, and you need ID, but it means we can offer you cash for your phone, instead of just a credit note.

Once that’s done, we’ll take the phone in for testing: check it’s still capable of holding a battery charge, for one thing, and that it’s capable of making and receiving calls, and what ever else it may do. And that it’s not stolen, as well.

Usually, that can take anything up to an hour or so, depending on how busy the day is.

Once that’s done, we can give you a better idea of the price we can offer you — cash or credit note — which is when you decide that you’d like to either not bother.

Or accept the price we’re offering you.

Once you’ve done that … ? And made sure you’ve signed all the necessary paperwork … ?

That’s when we can start talking about that iPhoneº in the window you’re interested in.

||»»◊««||

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m hoping to come out of the initial trial period well.

And I’mstressing the hope, I should add.

After all, someone my age comes in expensive, going on the minimum wages we get.

So I’m hoping my time-keeping and general reliability counts in my favour, here.

And my customer facing experience, as well, even though it is with-in a different — very different — industry.

After some fifteen years in the licensed trade … ?

The change is challenging.

And all the more fun for that …

||»»◊««||

* I’m using a phone as an example, here: the same basic procedure applies to any games consoles, computers or accessories you’d like to trade in.

º Blackberry, Nokia N90, what-have-you …