Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-7-2026 — Number 189.

8th July, 2026: the Number 189.

Right, then: as we speak, stuff is being pencilled in!

Or, at least, drafted!

Yes: I’ve started watching For All Mankind’s fifth series, and am working on my review of the first episode.

That should be done by tomorrow, hopefully: keep your eyes peeled!

~≈♂︎≈~

In the wake of some financial scandals?

In the wake of some financial scandals, Reform leader, Nigel Farage, has handed in his resignation as an MP.

Or, at least, applied for the post of ‘Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds’, the Parliamentary equivalent.

He’s also announced he will be standing in the ensuing by-election, in an effort to clear his name.

It’s a publicity stunt, I think.   And one that would make me less likely to vote for the man: even given I’m not a Reform voter.

I’ll give the man credit for taking a political risk.

But?

I’d rather spoil my vote, than vote for a right wing candidate like Farage!

I’m also aware that — from what the Today Programme has said — if or when he is re-elected, he would still have a parliamentary enquiry into his finances.

I’m also wondering what would happen if his resignation were refused.

Apart from a certain amount of embarrassment, that is.

All of this is not why I’m annoyed about Farage’s actions.

Firstly?

Given his re-election wouldn’t stop a Parliamentary enquiry, I think any by-election is a waste of public money.

And, secondly?

The other, rival parties — Labour, the Tories, the Lib-Dems, Greens and Restore Britain — have all announced that they would not be standing in it: as they regard Farage’s actions as a stunt.

I can appreciate their point.

But think not opposing the idiot, not standing against him is profoundly undemocratic.

It’s denying voters a choice of candidates.

I can only encourage Clacton voters to either vote for the inevitable comedy candidates that turn up.

Or spoil their votes.

Or hope that Mr Farage’s resignation is refused: until the enquiry is completed.

~≈X≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-6-2026 — the Number 180.

29th June, 2026.

Yes: it’s another Monday … !

So, it’s another weigh-in, at the usual place.

And, given I gained half a kilo, last week?

I’m hoping I’ve lost something this week.

If you could keep your fingers crossed for me, I’d appreciate it.

~≈🏋️‍♂️≈~

The other thing I have to do … ?

Is get some olive oil.

I suffer with earwax.

There’s plenty of ways of dealing with that.

But … ?

I usually find putting olive oil in my ear, helps.

I’m looking forward getting hold of some.

Right at the moment, B. A. Robertson sounds very muffled … 

~≈💥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-6-2026 — The Number 161.

10th June, 2026: 161.

Right … I had a visitor, yesterday … !

As you may or may not know, I was having issues with what’s called my ‘in-home display’: the little gadget that shows me how much money I’ve got on the gas and electric … wasn’t showing how much electricity I had.

Which was inconvenient.

So … ?

After a lot of to’ing, fro’ing, phoning, and chatting with engineers?

Cause of the problem — the smart meter for my flat, in a cupboard in a corridor, outside — was replaced, yesterday: and a new one installed.

A new one that now is communicating with the in-home display, and telling me I have some eighty or so pounds credit, available.

That credit?

Was transferred by a call centre agent from my electricity supplier: transferred from my gas supply, I should add, as I get my gas from the same supplier.

The roughly £170 that was on my old meter, though?

Is going to take some ten days to be transferred from the old meter, to the new one.

The sooner the better.

I could do with that money: I want to wash my socks!

~≈⚡️≈~

You’re possibly aware — as am I — that there’s been a gradual shift in entertainment.

Or, at least, in the media movies and TV shows are on.

There’s been a movement away from optical media — DVD and blu-rays, for example — to streamed content.

That’s affecting the games industry, as well: there’s moves from games sold on disc, to games made available online, for some years.

It seems many games companies are disabling popular games: with little to no warning.

Without even the decency to make an offline version available.

Something that — according to this piece — gamers are seriously annoyed about.

After all, gamers — like film and music fans, everywhere — stand a lot of money on these things.

And expect the content to be around for a long time.

What’s to be done about this?

I don’t know.

But there’s a lot of annoyed gamers, out there … !

~≈🎮≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-5-2026 — 133

13th May, 2026: № 133.

Right … it’s officially Wednesday … !

Which means it’s getting nearer to payday.

I’m looking forward to that: I’m ok for most things, but being able to buy a can of Diet Coke would be nice.

~≈🥤≈~

I’ve also managed to update my Mac: from macOS 26·4·1 to macOS 26·5.

I don’t think I’ve noticed much that’s different.

But there HAS been a lot of bug fixes.

That’s unusual in my experience: macOS is usually fairly bug free.

I can only hope those fixes were minor … 

~≈🍎≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve found out how to access a USB stick plugged into my router: and access it from my computer.

I’ve got a sixteen gigabyte one plugged in, as I write.

You’ve noticed I said that it’s a sixteen gigabyte one?

It is: quite why my system is telling me the thing’s got two hundred or so megabytes free?

I don’t know: I’ll have to check that out … 

~≈🥖≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-3-2026 — 71

12th March, 2026: Number 71.

It’s officially official: it’s Thursday.

So … ?

It’s officially the day after I was supposed to have a hygienist’s appointment.

Which fell through.

The hygienist was ill, it seems.

I found this out, as my dentist phoned me, yesterday morning: just as I was going for a stroll around the block.

I’m thankful it didn’t long to walk back to the flat, switch on the Mac, and re-arrange the diary.

That’s all sorted … but lord, the dentists know how to time things!

~≈🦷≈~

It’s that time of year when prices — rent, utilities, what have you — go up.

But also when, for those of us who get benefits, get whatever increases we’re due.

There’s possibly a sarcastic comment, there.

At any rate … I, like so many others, are due an increase in April.

So, of course, I’ve looked up the potential increases: and dound I’m due a ~£3 a week increase in Personal Independence Payments, and a £24 a month increase in Universal Credit.

Which will be useful.

A little lower down, there was an entry that said people like me, on Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work, could expect a payment of £158·76p.

My morning started looking interesting: potential extra money is always promising.

But is always worth double checking.

So I did: leaving a message for my case officer on the Universal Credit website.

Only to be told that the £158·76p payment was for those who’d been transferred from Employment Support Allowance, to Universal Credit with Limited Capability for Work.

I wasn’t surprised, as I wasn’t expecting to get any extra money: it’s nice to get it confirmed.

But equally?

It would’ve been nice to get an extra payment.

Heigh … ho!

~≈£≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6-9-2025 — № 249

6th September, 2025.

Did I mention I have a blu-ray on order?

I’ve got a blu-ray on order: of the classic 1980s comedy, The Young Ones.

Why?

Especially given it’s on the BBC iPlayer?   And I bought a streamed version through Apple’s TV.app?

Well … 

One: the version on the iPlayer is edited to remove language now considered offensive.   The streamed version hasn’t.   I’m hoping the bluray version hasn’t, either.

Two?

The blu-ray version has extras both the TV.app and iPlayer version doesn’t.

Finally, three … ?

I’ve been watching the science-fiction/horror series, Alien: Earth, just recently.

The series features Adrian Edmondson — Vyvyan, from The Young Ones — as a corporate heavy.

I’ve had Vyvyan’s “I don’t want my forehead to rust” line banging through my head, since I started watching it!

Argh!

~≈🎭≈~

I have to admit, I can see why the … … 

Actually, no I can’t: I can’t see why the iPlayer version’s been cut.

Well … I know why: it’s some offensive language in the episode, “Flood”.

Which has always struck me as mildly hypocritical of the BBC.

Especially when the iPlater release of Porridge released on iPlayer at the same sort of time as The Young Ones, just had a content warning: rather than heavy handed editing!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🥣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 24-5-2025 — The Number 144.

24th May, 2025: 144.

Hello, that’s changed … 

I’ve JUST pasted the labels into this blog post: and a pop-up has told me I can have no more than twenty such tags.

It’s changed: no more than two hundred characters, yesterday.

That’s a minor point: that’s possibly too minor at this time of the morning.

Heigh-ho!

~≈☟≈~

At ANY rate … ?

It turns out the US President is threatening fifty percent tariffs on goods made in the European Union.

And twenty-five percent ones on Apple-branded smart phones: but later expanded that threat to cover all smart phones.

My first thought, when I heard the news?

Was that I know the current administration is right wing.

Right wing enough to suspend the various diversity hiring measures in US law.

And — potentially — have a right wing leader who may be prejudiced towards various minorities.

Including gay people.

I mentioned that as Apple is the only tech company I know of to have an openly-out CEO: in the shape of Tim Cook.

So I felt this could be a personal thing for the President.

But I’m also aware that Apple is moving a lot of its manufactoring capabilities from China, to India, as a results of the Presidential imposed tariffs on Chinese made goods.

Which includes goods made by Apple: the Mac mini two feet away from me was made in a factory in Shenzhen, for example.

So I’m also aware that the President wanted to encourage tech manufactoring in the US.

But … ?

I get that impression Apple — as other companies — makes things in China, India and other places: because it’s cheaper for them to do so, to make stuff abroad, rather than make them at home.

The President should maybe impose tariffs … as well encourage lower costs in the US.

Personally?

I think he won’t do that: just as I think his prejudices may be a factor.

~≈🍏≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

Something’s gone wrong, somewhere.

I went for my diabetic review, yesterday.

And … ?

My results hadn’t come through.

I could’ve sworn I had those tests, recently!

In fact, I know I did: I left my glasses at the hospital, and had to go back for them!

Quite what’s happened, there, I don’t know: but I’ve rebooked the test, and the review!

~≈🅱️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-3-2025 — The Number 75.

16th March, 2025: the Number 75.

Right … it’s officially Sunday morning.

And … ?

Things are in the air: as they usually are.

Personally?

I’m looking forward to Monday morning.

I always tend to feel slightly lost, on Sundays.

I can only assume that’s a hold-over from my childhood: all the shops would shut on Sunday afternoon, and very little else would be open.

Ho-hum!

~≈🏬≈~

At any rate … ?

I know that the government had been planning to freeze some benefits: including Personal Independence Payments, one of the benefits I’m on.

Something I believe has been floated, to fund various defence measures.

At any rate … ?

I’d manage: hundreds wouldn’t.

However … ?

And as this piece from the BBC’s news site tells us?

There’s a rebellion brewing: as many concerned Labour MPs are concerned about it.

And that ministers are thinking of a u-turn: and thinking of not enforcing the charges.

Good for them.

My only other concern from the piece?

Are the usual words.

According to a Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson who says reform “… helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment.”

Going on my own personal experience?

Welfare reforms don’t help you find work.

Companies offering you a job you can do, and can get to, helps you find work.

Companies aren’t exactly doing that.

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 25-11-2024 — The Return of 25

25th November, 2024: the Number, 25.

Right … 

It’s officially Monday: and … ?

I’m heading into town, twice!

Yep: I’ve got my weight management class, this morning.

And a hygienist appointment at 14:00.

Heigh … wait for it, wait for it … … HUM! 

~≈🦷≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-4-2024 — Room 101.

10th April — Room 101.

Right … it’s Wednesday … 

And, frankly … ?

I’ve just given a local food bank a call: as I’m running out of milk!

Heigh ho!

~≈🥛≈~

Did you hear about a US school shooter called Ethan Crumbley?

He killed four pupils, and injured seven others, in a school shoot in 2021.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, two years later.

His parents?

Have been given lengthy sentences for involuntary manslaughter: after supplying the gun Ethan used.

Or, at least?

For failing to secure the gun their son used in the shooting.

Personally?

I think their gaoling is a good thing.

I know gun rights activists in the US will tell us Americans have a right to bear arms: and that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

But … ?

I feel that the right to bear arms comes with a rider: the responsibility to keep a lethal weapon out of the hands of someone who thinks using them on their school-mates is a good idea.

I’m also wondering something else.

Brenda Spencer was the school shooter who inspired “I Don’t Like Monday.”

If I recall correctly?   Bob Geldof — the man who wrote the song — claimed her parents bought her several guns as gifts, in his autobiography.

If true, would that lead to their prosecution?

I don’t know.

But it’s food for thought.

~≈🥛≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

On of my favourite games — one I’d long thought wouldn’t be re-released  — has been.

Released, that is!

Granted, it’s an Intel version: rather than a Universal or ARM version.

Granted, it’s that: but it works well enough through the Mac’s onboard Rosetta emulator.

Either way …  ?

Fun can be had.

~≈🏍️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 18-2-2024 — the Number 49

18th February, 2024: The Number 49.

Yes: it’s Sunday.

And … ?

The day after I’ve done some checking.

I got hold of an extra external drive, recently: and wanted to make sure it could be read by a Windows-based PC.

So … ?

I made sure of it, by plugging it into one of the computers in Brentwood Library.

The computer read it: and the data showed up.

Frankly?

I’m thankful!

~≈ß≈~

Nik Nak's Daily Teaser — 27-12-2023 — 361

23rd December, 2023: 361.

Right ... it’s officially Wednesday.

And frankly?   I was expecting a new Mac Mini, on Friday: Friday the 29th, I should say.

Apparently, though?

It’s now due, today.

I’ve even been sent text messages about it.

I can only hope it gets here soon: it would be nice to set things up, early!

~≈🖥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-4-2023 — 111.

21st April, 2023: 111.

Right … 

I’ve calmed down, a little: after yesterday’s bad news.

I’m not getting extra financial help from the Job Centre.

I’ve a few other options, including one thing I am doing: applying for what’s called Personal Independence Payments, or PIP.

Even with the 19th May deadline, I can take my time with that online form.

However?

I am looking forward to Monday, my next meeting with my Job Centre case worker.

I think we’re due a word or two … 

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-4-2022

10th April, 2022.

Yes: I’m mildly annoyed.

I’m on benefits: including the housing component of Universal Credits.

My rent’s going up: so, after getting the official letter to say so, I’ve notified the relevant people at the Department of Work and Benefits.

Yesterday — Saturday — I got a message for the relevant bodies: to tell me the relevant part of my benefits wasn’t going up.

On a Saturday … !

A Saturday … !

Letting me know on Friday — a day earlier — would’ve been nice.

Or tomorrow, a Monday.

On either day, I could’ve done something.

Instead, the DWP informs me on Saturday.

When I can’t.

Dear lord … but things can get frustrating.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-2-2022: The Number, 50.

19th February, 2022.

Right … I can safely say I’ve survived Storm Eunice.

Granted?   I spent most of the day, indoors, with my nephew, Jude.

And yes: he’s now posted another video.

If you’d like to hit the Like, Share or Subscribe, you’d be very welcome.

At any rate … ?

We’ve survived Eunice.   We have power.

Others haven’t.   Or don’t.

I’m thankful I’m alive and breathing: and thankful the few trees near me are upright.

The strangest part?

You’ll possibly realise I live near a train line: one going from Shenfield to Liverpool Street.

Trains were cancelled: still are, as I write.

The strangest thing?

Was the fact Jude and I didn’t notice the silence of the trains … because of the howling of the wind … 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Nik Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977)

~≈🚉≈~

Over the past few days?

There’s been concern about the situation in Eastern Europe.

We’re told that Russia is going to invade Ukraine.

Indeed, no less a person than President Biden has said so.

Personally?

I’m sceptical.

Partly because it’s politicians talking the situation up.

But mostly?

Because I remember Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair — Tony Blair to you and me — saying Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

That turned out to be … I’m tempted to say ‘lies,’ ‘misleading’ or ‘unreliable information.’

Let’s just I put the idea Russian’s going to invade the Ukraine on a par with Hussein’s ownership of WMD.

Being blunt?

It’s utter bollocks.

~≈🤥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10-2-2022: The Number, 41

10th February, 2022.

Yep: it’s official.

I’ve got one of my weight loss groups, this morning.

So I’m up early.

After watching a film on Tuesday.

OK: I can hear you asking why that’s a problem.

It’s possibly an issue … after I finished making the video review!

I can only hope I’m making sense!

~≈🎬≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14-1-2021: The Number 14.

14th January, 2021.

Yes: it’s Thursday.

And I’ve more food than I had, yesterday.

Quite what I’m supposed to be doing with that many spring onions, I don’t know!

At ANY rate … ?

I have to stay in, today: we’re expecting a repair man to look at the communal aerial.

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-12-2020: The Number Eleven

11th December, 2020

I think I can safely say I’m … not annoyed, as such.

But a little twitted off.

I was due a visit from an engineer: to do a gas safety check on my boiler.

Between 8 And six, so you know.

He didn’t turn up.

What makes it worse … ?

The contractors he worked for confirmed it with an SMS message … … … at ten to six.

Talk about your last minute!

~≈fl≈~

Oh, right now … ?

It’s 8:18 … and I’ve just had a phone call … from someone claiming to be from Amazon.

I did my usual thing: demanding to know where the gibbon I’d ordered had gone, and no, I didn’t have a smart phone, laptop, desktop or tablet.

They rang off.

I can’t think why.

~≈fl≈~

As a thought on the streaming fronts?

Disney have announced they’re going to release some upcoming films on their Disney+ service: in addition to additional Star Wars and Marvel material.

I know many cinema chains won’t like that.

Unfortunately?

And given the ongoing COVID-19 situation?

And, as much as I’d love to see a film in a cinema in town: or elsewhere?

I think we’re going to see more streaming only films.

~≈fl≈~

As a final though, before I move on to the action?

It looks the UK will come out of the current EU trade negotiations with no deal.

At least, that’s what Prime Minister Boris Johnson — the man who claimed to have an oven ready deal — told us yesterday.

Frankly?

I’m not surprised: having felt, over the past few years, that that’s how things could go.

Personally?   I voted Remain: am deeply saddened — and incredibly bloody angry — the country voted Leave.

I don’t know about long term: but if we do get a No Deal deal, we’re going to be seeing short term prices hikes on food, utilities, and many others things.

Hikes I know I — on my money — can’t afford.

Angry?   Yes.

Thank you, leave voters: you’ve ruined our lives, and will be costing us a fortune.

~≈fl≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-8-2020: The Number 31.

31st August, 2020.

Right …

First things first, how does that introduction video look?

I think the new comic filters in iMovie look good: but wanted to get your opinion …

The other bit … ?

It’s the last day of August and I’m concerned that the new Blogger interface will kick in.

Whether I want it to or not, and whether Google’s ironed out the bugs.

We’ll have to see what happens.

In either case … ?

There was a decided nip in the air.

Enough nip to put the heating on for five minutes.

Winter’s coming …

~≈®≈~

You’ll possibly remember that — in yesterday’s post — I mentioned how a bag of human remains had been found in a river near Sudbury.

That’s not much extra news, today.

Although this piece has floated across the BBC’s site.

It seems an initial post-mortem has proved inconclusive … and that further tests are needed.

Here’s hoping those prove fruitful.

~≈®≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-8-2020: 30 Days of Night.

30th August, 2020.

Right … 

I officially have a pile of bits and bobs to do, today.

Mostly … ?

Bits of editing and some tidying up.

And possible, stuff I’ve forgotten.

We’ll see.

~≈®≈~

News … news, news, news, news, news.

I know I and regulars Olga and Debbi have — briefly — mentioned serial killers: after the trailer for Des, ITV’s docu-drama about Dennis Nilsen, dropped.

It’s one of those subjects that will get a lot of discussion, I think.

At any rate?

EssexLive.com tells us that bin bags of human remains have been found ‘at a river near Essex.’

I have two hopes, there.

One?   That the remains are identified quickly: so the family can be told.

Two … ?

That it’s a one off.

I’d hate to see a Green River Killer in the UK … 

~≈®≈~