Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 8-3-2025 — The Shahnameh

8th March, 2025: The Shahnameh.

Right … does anyone need a second hand Mac … ?

I’ve got a 2023 M2 model for sale: that I’ll probably end up selling to the Romford branch of CeX.

Along side an unneeded monitor and a blu-ray version of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

We’ll have to see what Facebook’s Marketplace does … once I get genuine customers, instead of chancers!

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 22-1-2025 — Lord Byron.

22nd January, 2025: Lord Byron.

Right: it’s official: my boiler has been repaired.

The loss of pressure that caused the loss of heat and hot water was not caused by the problem I though was causing it.

I though it was a problem with a pressure valve.

Oh, no.

It was a jammed knob.

One that — as it turns out — I could have done myself … if I’d had an adjustable wrench.

At any rate … ?

My boiler’s now working.

About the only issues I have were that fact the repairman turned up at 20:30, after I’d phoned the repair in at 6:30.

And thet fact I’m trying to avoid any sentence with the word ‘twist’ or ‘knob’ in them.

It sounds ever-so-slightly naughty … !

~≈😏≈~

In the wake of Axel Rudakubana, the Southport Killer, being sentenced?

I notice that there’s various points being discussed:

• The ease he was able to buy knives.
• The number of times he was referred to the counter-terrorism programme, Prevent.
• And concerns about him passed to other authorities.

The one thing that caught my eye?

Was that he’d downloaded what’s described as an ‘al-Qaeda terror manual’ known as the ‘DECLARATION OF JIHAD [HOLY WAR] AGAINST THE COUNTRY’S TYRANTS’.

What I’m not surprised about … ?

Is how easy it is to get how of that … 

~≈💣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th December 2023.

9th December, 2023.

Right … 

Panic over!

My Mac crashed, this morning: while I was putting stuff together for this post!

Thankfully?   Replacing the fuse helped.

I’m going to have to get some more!

~≈Ö≈~

Oh, the other thing … ?

Yes: I’m going to be watching “The Giggle”, the next of the Dr Who anniversary episodes, tonight.

It looks interesting: but we’ll have to see what happens when my review goes up!

~≈Ö≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-11-2022 — Gunpowder Treason and Plot.

5th November, 2022.

It’s Saturday … one that’s going to slide past in a reverie of quietness.

Well … until tonight, that is.

It is, after all 5th November: which means there’ll be fireworks.

While I’m writing the next Strange New Worlds review?

I might just open the curtains, and see what I can see.

~≈$≈~

I’m not really a gambler.

I do have the odd flutter on the Lottery, though.

Or Lotto, I should say.

It’s been called that for some time.

But?

I keep half an eye on the news: and, like ANY of us, always notice the news of upcoming big draws.

The few huge Euromillions wins get attention.

The big Spanish draws at Christmas, do, too.

But … ?

The US, being the US … ?

Has a seriously big jackpot in today’s PowerBall

In the shape of a $1.6 billion big prize.

A US billion, rather than a UK billion.

I’ve got one question.

Where on Earth do I get a ticket for that?

I don’t care how many zeros are in that billion dollars, that’s a VERY nice amount!

~≈$≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 27-1-2022: Lewis Carroll

27th January, 2022.

Yes: I’ve got my nephew, Jude, coming over, today.

There’s a distinct possibility of videos being made: in case you couldn’t tell.

The last one has had thirty views: so hopefully?

We’ll be able to get a few more.

~≈Ç≈~

On top of that … ?

I’ve got a Zoom meeting, this morning: another in one of the two weight management programs I’m in.

I’ve lost a little: so that’s possibly a sign it’s working.

~≈Ç≈~

One bit of news I’ve noticed … ?

Is a change in conditions for those — like me — who are claiming Universal Credit.

Or, at least, for the newly unemployed who are just just starting to claim.

Up until today?   They would have three months from the start of their claim, in which to find work in their preferred field.

From today?

They have four weeks.

Apparently?   The idea is to get the half a million new vacancies filled, quickly.

The article doesn’t say what happens if these new job seekers don’t find a job.

Nor does it say what happens if companies don’t want to hire them: these no mention of tax breaks, for example.

Nor does it mention what rules changes apply for those of us who have been unemployed for some time.

It’s possibly something my case worker will tell me about, the next time we met.

~≈Ç≈~

The Brentwood Gazette’s Weekly Teaser — 23-12-2015: A Visit from Saint Nick

Right … 

It’s Wednesday.

You know.

And, having followed me for a while?

You’re PROBABLY away I’ve; 

a) Got a job

b) Usually work on a Wednesday, and

c) Feeling a bit rushed!

With THAT said … ?

Let’s get a move on … !

~≈Ê≈~

An Umbar Knight …

Isn’t copyright a complicated issue … ?

It is, though, isn’t it … ?

Take the picture: it’s called Dragon and Child, so you know, and by an artist who posts to Deviant Art, called Rinpoo Chuang.

And owned by him, I should add.

The reason I mention it … ?

Is because — unlike most of the stuff on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar — isn’t covered by the Creative commons license I use for the Teasers and question sets.

It’s covered by the usual copyright law in everyone reading this post’s home country.

There’s a reason I’m mention this, as well …

Do you remember me mentioning a friend of mine, called Carly … ?

And how I was pleasantly surprised she’s a published poet … ?

»»•««

Well, I was …

And she is.

And … ?

Bless her, Carly’s also very graciously given me permission to put one of her poems — The Umbar Knight — here. Hence the attached Copyright notice, and details of where to buy the anthology she’s in at the foot of the page …

The Umbar Knight*

Slip unto a knight’s full slumber,

where sylvan burns a deepest umber,

where folksongs ebb away from rhyme,

replaced on this dusk a chorus of chime.

Shut out this land where heathens race,

as urchins scroll for treasure'd embrace,

using mischief through love, by con by malice,

seeking out gold emerald gems, merlin chalice.

Yet, brave are thee with much honour and stealth,

for no beast nor vagrant shall risk their health,

as bless’ed born thee with an awesome attire,

in your crimson river coarses passion and fire,

And to this dragons bow and all evil repents,

for your gift in heart is a’ heaven sent.

now as the leaves whip up on a reverie,

be, I’m proud of you and those dreams so free,

Oh sleep on, sleep deep and child listen well;

your physique maybe small like a winters' fell.

but you'll grow down roots of greatness bespoke,

for the acorn shells the strong mighty oak.

So slip unto a knight’s full slumber,

where sylvan burns the deepest umber.

where folksong ebb away from rhyme,

replaced on this dusk a chorus of chime …

Bless …

Now, I’m going to be frank, I’m no poetry reader, usually.

But I enjoyed that … !

What touched me … ?

Is that Carly, bless her, originally wrote The Umber Knight for her nephew to help give him some confidence.

And, the other day … ?

Turned to me — on Facebook Chat, I should add — and asked if I’d like a poem.

And then, through FB’s chat service, recited to me, and dedicated it to Jude, my nephew.

I was deeply touched, I’ve got to honest.

Help, deeds or advice offered freely between friends is always deeply appreciated.

And why we treasure them, and do as much as we can for them.

But just occasionally … ?

Just occasionally, I think a line of poetry, just when one needs it … ?

Can work small miracles.

»»•««

* The Umber Knight, is © 2010 Carly Burns and reprinted with her express permission. It’s available as part of The Power of Poetry anthology, from United Press, 2011. To order copies, contact United Press, here. For further details, please contact United Press at info@unitedpress.co.uk.