Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-8-2026 — International Dog Day (Ten Questions)

26th August, 2026: International Dog Day.

Oh, that’s sad: Dolly Parton’s died!

I grant you, I was never a fan.

But … ?

Anyone who could write the utterly gorgeous “Jolene” deserves both respect: and a certain amount of quiet mourning … 

~≈🎹≈~

On other fronts?

And knowing perfectly well the sort of answers I’m going to get … but does anyone have £1, 500 they’re willing to donate to a hardworking blogger?

Yes: it turns out Apple have announced new models of the Mac mini, and Mac Studio.

Which is nice to know.

Decidedly nice to know … unless you need a grand and a half to get one!

Ho … hum … !

~≈🖥️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-8-2026 — World Steelpan Day (Ten Questions)

11th August, 2026: World Steel Pan Day.

Right: I am officially up, early: for the second day in a row!

Yes: I have a video meeting with my new Job Centre case worker.

Hopefully?

The software works: and my case worker has my phone numbers.

They way, there’s still a method of contact if the software fails.

~≈📱≈~

I had my weight management meeting, yesterday: and … ?

Yep: as I was worrying, my weight’s gone up, rather than down.

I left feeling decidedly depressed.

But was able to take some positive action, given my GP’s surgery isn’t far from where weight management meetings take place.

One step … ?

Is to make sure I lay off the crisps.

Another?

Something that the advisers have been suggesting for a while, is to see if I can increase the anti-obesity medication I’m on.

I don’t know.

But have booked up an appointment with my GP, to see what can be done.

Here’s hoping.

~≈💊≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-7-2026 — The Beano (Ten Questions)

30th July, 2026: The Beano.

Did I mention I had pizza, last night?

I had pizza, last night: along side my nephew, Jude.

Or, I should say, we had pizza: rather I had pizza, then ate my nephew!

If you see what I mean … !?

At any rate, diner was had, and videos posted, on what had to be one of the hottest days of the years.

I can only hope today is cooler!

~≈🍕≈~

It’s rare, at the moment, not to hear about the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.

At an event, yesterday, the new PM was directly asked if he would support moves to introduce assisted dying to the UK.

His answer?

Was that he’d rather see money invested into palliative care — and social care — rather than see it spent on any assisted dying measures.

I get the impression Mr Burnham’s not a supporter of assisted dying: and gave that that answer to tell us he didn’t support it, without alienating supporters of the idea.

Either on the back benches, or in the voting public.

Personally?

I am not a fan of assisted death: and don’t see myself wanting one.

But believe the procedure should be legally available, with safeguards: the sooner the better.

Hearing the PM’s answer to the questions isn’t something I’m pleased about.

His position may well delay things.

~≈💀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13-7-2026 — "I Don't Like Mondays" (Ten Questions)

13th July, 2026: “I Don’t Like Mondays”.

Right then, it’s Monday: and, officially, weight management day!

I’m hoping I’ve lost some.

Weight, that is: I was up a few grams, last week.

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

~≈🐀≈~

Oh, just as a bit of sad news?

Actor, Sam Neil, has died: at the age of 78!

That’s sad to hear: I can still remember seeing him in Omen III: The Final Conflict … !

~≈😔≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-7-2026 — World Horse Day (Ten Questions)

11th July, 2026.

Anne Widdecombe, a retired politician, has died: and is believed to have been killed.

A twenty-six year-old man has been released: after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

I was never a fan of the woman: Ms Widdecombe’s politics were always a little too right of centre, a little too Eurosceptic, for my tastes.

But … ?

I’m wondering this: why on Earth was she killed?

Was it revenge for something?

A burglary gone wrong?

Heck, an assassination?   Although I think that’s unlikely.

What on Earth happened?

We’ll probably only find out when — or if — there’s a trial.

~≈🐎≈~

I’ve already mentioned that I’ve seen adverts: for extremely high capacity, extremely suspicious, extremely cheap external hard drives.

Fraudulent ones, I should add.

Yesterday?

I caught this piece on the BBC’s news site: that tells us there’s now adverts for fans, fans ‘designed by NASA engineers’, that are just as fraudulent.

As much as I’d like to say I’m shocked to hear about these dodgy fans … ?

I’m not.

The human tendency to trick people out of their cash really isn’t surprising!

~≈🪭≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-7-2026 — Nemesis the Warlock (Ten Questions)

5th July, 2026: Nemesis the Warlock.

Right … it’s another Sunday.

I don’t know about your Sunday: but I suspect mine’s going to be quiet.

Or, at least, involve nothing more taxing than making a lot of videos!

If anything exciting happens — alien invasions, war, sex, really exciting stuff? — you’ll be the first to find out … !

~≈👽≈~

One thing I can tell you … ?

Is that I’ve caught more episodes of various TV shows.

Frankly?

Series two of Blacklist looks good: but is starting to pale, after binge watching Slow Horses, and catching the opening episode of Silo series three.

Still, I can’t complain too much.

They’re entertaining, after all.

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2026 — Independence Day (Ten Questions)

4th July, 2026: Independence Day.

I suspect a lot’s going to be happening, today.

Or, at least, I hope there is!

Personally?

I don’t get paid until this Friday: so I’m not doing any thing exciting.

However, the USA … ?

It’s Independence Day.

So … ?

I’m going to officially wish the country a Happy Birthday … whilst thinking the country has a sillier twit than usual in charge!

~≈🇺🇸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1-7-2026 — New Brunswick. (Ten Questions)

1st July, 2026: New Brunswick.

I think it’s official.

No, I know it’s official.

It’s Wednesday!

Although quite why I thought it was Tuesday, I don’t know.

I spent most of Friday, just gone, convinced it was Saturday.

Why do people’s brain do that?

Tell them it’s Day A, when it’s actually Day B?

I wish I knew.

It would possibly explain a lot!

~≈📆≈~

On other fronts?

I had a letter, the other day: from the NHS hospital that had carried out my most recent stool sample tests.

The letter told me I was — thankfully! —   free of any issues.

I have to admit to mixed feelings.

On the one hand, ‘free of any issues’ means I have nothing that needs removing.

No polyps, no cancerous bodies.

It also means I’ve avoided a colonoscopy.

Which is a good thing: as effective as they are, they’re not exactly comfortable!

On the other hand?

I’ve got the worry that the test has missed something.

And that — as uncomfortable as the procedure is — having a colonoscopy means I could be certain I’m free of bowel cancer.

It’s … well … 

It’s a mixed result, I think.

~≈🚑≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12-6-2026 — Raiders of the Lost Ark (Ten Questions)

12th June, 2026: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Yes: it’s payday.

And I have enough money to put on my gas meter.

Not that I need to, given the weather, but making hay while the sun shines, seems sensible.

Which is a lot of ‘S’s … 

At ANY rate … ?

And not that I need them … but I think a slogan t-shirt would be a good idea.

I think this … 

… would worry people: which is part of the fun.

The other idea … ?

Is for a Foul Ol’ Ron emoji slogan.

Something like this: M✋&🦐

That’s obscure … unless you’re a Terry Pratchett fan* … !

~≈🍤≈~

Right … 

I have — with a lot of help! — cured the overheating that’s been plaguing my Mac, every morning.

There’s was a lot of overheating caused by caused by processes called corespotlightd and spotlightknowledge.updater: and solved by deleting the contents of ~/Library/Metadata/CoreSpotlight/.

As far as I can tell?

The processes are where Spotlight is having trouble indexing my system: and seem to be triggered by Pages documents interact with iCloud drives access through a desktop Mac.

In my case?

It first seemed to be caused by updating to macOS 26.2,

Which is when I reset things, the first time.

It did it again: after I updated to macOS 26.5.1.

I can’t help but think Spotlight updates its index, as a result of an update: and — in some cases — going wrong as a result.

If someone can confirm that?   I’d appreciate it!

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-6-2026 — The World Cup. (Ten questions)

11th June, 2026: the World Cup.

Hmmm … 

I’ve had some bad news.

Well … I … and every other Dr Who fan on the planet!

Yes: in a recent press release, the BBC have announced that the planned, and previously announced, 2026 Dr Who Christmas Special has been cancelled.

And have also told us Russell T. Davies has stepped down as show runner, and Bad Wolf has stepped away from its production role.

The BBC has also told us that they’re looking for new production partners: and have started the search by putting things out for ‘competitive tender’.

But not told us when to expect any news.

Russell T. Davies has also told us that — contrary to earlier statements he’s given — he’s written no script.

I’m … 

I’m disappointed: as is every other fan on the planet.

But I can live with that: after all, I’ve survived the last cancellation!

I’m disappointed, yes.

But more upset that I, and other fans, have been lied to to.

It’s the dishonesty that hurts.

~≈⏳≈~

In other news … ?

I — like others — have had my issues with macOS Tahoe, the current version of macOS.

From what I and others, can see, this overheating seems to be triggered by using Pages with other apps, and is caused by processes called corespotlightd and spotlightknowledge.updater hogging resources.

Why, I don’t know.

I had managed to correct it by emptying specific folders — in ~/Library/Metadata/CoreSpotlight/ — but have also posted to Apple’s Community pages, to give myself a reminder on how to do this.

Hopefully, that will help.

I am also aware that Apple’s held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

And announced in a recent live stream that they will be making adjustments to Spotlight in macOS 27 Golden Gate, the upcoming version of the operating system.

Indeed, they say so in this video: at the ~13·26 mark.

There’s a couple of points.

One?

I hope that works.

Two?

I wish Apple would issue that sooner: this is getting ridiculous!

~≈🍎≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 7-6-2026 — “The Dreaming City” (Ten questions)

7th June, 2026: “The Dreaming City”.

It’s officially official: I’ve missed mentioning something!

Yes: I’ get a mention in a Dr Who video … !

Well … I get a mention in @SaltyHammond’s review of Terror of the Autons.

I’d suggested covering The Abominable Snowmen in his next video: I’m looking forward to that!

~≈▶️≈~

Talking of videos?

My nephew, Jude, was over, yesterday: thoroughly some of the sillier sound effects in Final Cut Pro.

See if you can find the comedy honking noises!

~≈🪿≈~

Just as a last thought … ?

I’ve got Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell on in the background.

The man’s death was a waste … but we can take a certain measure of comfort in one thing.

In recording the thing, he made one hell of an LP!

~≈🦇≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-6-2026 — Liverpool FC (Ten Questions)

3rd June, 2026: Liverpool FC.

Right … phone calls … 

Today is Wednesday: the day after yesterday.

Which was Tuesday … and a day I had to make a couple of very long phone calls!

One … ?

Was to my electricity supplier: my smart meter’s having issues connect to the network, and to what’s called the in-home display, the little gadget that tells me how much money I’ve got left on the system.

An engineer’s turning up on Thursday: to have a look at the thing.

Hopefully, that will solve any issues: even though it means turning off the electricity for about twenty minutes.

The other call … ?

Was to my internet service provider.

I’m on a cheap tariff, as I’m in receipt of benefits.

But wanted to upgrade my tariff to the full fibre version.

I’ve still not got a definite date for that … but know I have to give them a call tomorrow afternoon: when the meter engineer is here.

And also found out the company had my correct address as my billing address … but had the flat next door listed as my residential address.

Quite what’s happening, there, I don’t know!

Ho hum!

~≈👷🏻‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-5-2026 — Trinity Sunday (Ten Questions)

31st May, 2026: Trinity Sunday.

Right … it’s officially the case that stuff’s happened.

But you knew that.

You know I’ve bought blu-rays from Amazon: and, as ever, have copied them.

So have officially backed up the recently released 4k version of the Dr Who TV movie.

I was a touch worried: that the extras would be identical to the ones on the 2k version from a while back.

But there seems to be enough ‘new’ extras to have made the purchase worth the effort: including some extra music from the soundtrack.

So that’s good.

~≈🎹≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 26-5-2026 — Miles Davies (Ten Questions)

26th May, 2026: Miles Davis.

Right … who on Earth was that all about … ?

“What?”, I hear you ask?

Someone rang my doorbell, this morning: at god knows what time of the morning.

Not that I mind … but it would be nice if someone said something.

Heigh … ho … 

~≈🔔≈~

I think we can safely say the UK’s having a heatwave: as, the day before yesterday, reached record temperatures.

32·3℃, in some parts of the country.

Yesterday, parts of the country reached 34·8℃.

And today … ?

There’s predictions it’s going to hit 35℃.

I think I’m going to have to do a couple of things.

Have salad for dinner: turning on the oven’s going to be uncomfortable.

Make sure I put my newly cleaned t-shirts on to the airer: rather than in the tumbler.

Oh … and think of other ways to cool my flat.

Today’s going to be warm … 

~≈🔥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17-5-2026 — Anyone for Dennis? (Ten questions)

17th May, 2026: Dennis Potter.

It’s officially the case that a man in need of a game controller … has to buy a new one … 

Yes: that’s right … I have a new toy: a new game controller, now happily paired with my AppleTV 4k.

Just so you know?

It’s what’s called a DualSense™Wireless Controller: and something originally designed for the PlayStation 5.

Which caught may nephew’s eyes: he has one of the console’s, himself, and was able to offer advise one button configurations.

Well played, him!

I also have to say “Well Played, Apple”: as I ordered it from them.

They originally told me the thing would be with me, by Saturday, 16th May..

Although the Royal Mail — the people doing the actual delivery — told me it would be with me by this coming Monday, 18th May.

As it turned out?

It turned up yesterday.

And got connected, pretty much immediately, and saw me playing Sonic the Hedgehog.

Exciting, eh … ?

~≈🦔≈~

Actually, now I’ve mentioned Jude?

Yes: he was here, yesterday.

And yes: he’s posted another video: feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!

~≈⚽️≈~

Just as a last thing … ?

I’ve had today’s edition of Radio Four’s Sunday on, this morning.

It’s a fascinating listen, as ever: and discussing the religious beliefs of various politicians.

Including the three, potential, Labour leader candidates.

Andy Burnham, it seems, is a non-practising Catholic.

Angela Rayner, it seems, is an atheist.

And the third contender, Wes Streeting?

Is a practising Anglican.

Granted: the man would be the first openly gay Prime Minister, if he became PM.

But, to me?

That’s less of an issue for me, than the fact the man is a practising Anglican.

I’d prefer my politicians to be uninfluenced by their faith: to not be openly religious.

~≈🙏≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23-4-2026 — Castile and León (Ten questions)

23rd April, 2026: Castile and León.

Right then … !

It’s payday!

Which means several things.

I’ve just spent ten minutes working out how much spending money I’ve got!

And swearing at the DWP: as the annual increase in Universal Credit doesn’t go very far.

I would say that pay raise is better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick.

Ha!

Since when … ?

~≈£≈~

One good thing … ?

Is my shorts.

Short videos, I should add!

That’s certainly helped my subscriber numbers.

Thank you, if you’re one of them!

~≈📽️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-4-2026 — Elizabeth 2nd (Ten Questions)

21st April, 2026: Elizabeth 2nd.

OK, I’ve done it!

I’ve sent back the camera* I bought from Amazon.

This one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GDY2T7B3

It didn’t, if you’ll excuse the innuendo, have a hole in the bottom.

A mount for a tripod, in other words.

Which means I couldn’t screw it to the tripods I already have, plonk it on my desk, and film myself.

Nor would the camera fit in the cradle at the top of my tripod: with the flip-up screen, the flip up screen that would let me monitor any recording, flipped up.

I’m left … 

Well, I honestly couldn’t tell you how I feel about this.

But it has been a learning experience.

It means that, should I choose to buy another camera, I’m going to know what to look for.

A hole in the bottom for a tripod mount: or a screen that flips out of the things side.

~≈📸≈~

Oh, about the only other thing I bought, recently?

Is a blu-ray copy of The Day of the Triffids: the 1981, BBC version.

A version that’s fairly authentic to Wyndham’s original text.

About my only complaint?

Is that the box-set is quite vanilla: featuring only the six broadcast episodes, an omnibus version of the story, and an eight minute featurette about the show’s restoration for this release.

I can only hope that — were this to get a 4k version — that extra features would be included.

~≈🫚≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-4-2026 — World Voice Day (ten questions)

16th April, 2026: World Voice Day.

Right … I’m awake, and looking forward to tomorrow.

To payday, in other words.

Why?

Well, money’s always handy, isn’t it?

I’ve also woken up with a craving for chocolate.

Why?

Well, if I knew that, I’d be rich … and not complaining about cravings!

~≈🍫≈~

In other news … ?

It’s official: the trailer for Good Omens, series three, has dropped!

That’s all to the good: and gives me something else to look forward to.

I’d like to see how the thing shapes up.

~≈🪽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-3-2026 — Newfoundland

31st May, 2026: Newfoundland.

Right, then: today is a day of general overexcitement.

Or possibly general yayness.

Because?

At yesterday’s weigh-management weigh-in, I found I’d lost some eight hundred grams: about one and three quarter pounds.

That’s good: so long as I can avoid treating myself to a bag of crisps*!

~≈🍟≈~

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.

~≈🏜️≈~