Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 17th January 2025 Teaser.

17th January, 2025.

It’s officially official: I’ve bought a book!

I’ve gone and bought a copy of OgronOOO’s Monster Book, by a chap called Martin Holmes.

It’s an Ogron-themed recreation of the 1970s era Dr Who Monster Book: and — having now read it! — I can tell you it’s fun, very authentic to its source … and has some loving pastiches: especially of the Third and Fourth Doctors.

About my only complaint?

Is nothing to do with Martin, the author, nor necessarily of Lulu.com, the self publishing company he used.

The original copy I bought, I bought back in mid-December: which was sent to me through Royal Mail.

That original copy?

Still hasn’t arrived.

There was nothing Martin could do, unfortunately: but Lulu sent me a complimentary, second, copy: via UPS.

Well-played Lulu: that copy got here yesterday.

And … ?

Was well worth the wait.

The OgronOOO’s Monster Book is fantastic: and shows you how much talent Martin has, and how much hard work he’s put in.

And is cheaper than the book it’s based on!

Go buy it!

~≈🐵≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, Mum† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with Olga scoring six out of six, Debbi on five and Mum on four.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        17th January marks the start of the Patras Carnival.   The Carnival is held in which European country?

Q2)        The Doomsday Clock was set to 11:55, on 17th January, 2007.   In response to which country’s nuclear testing?

Q3)        The Drudge Report broke a story on 17th January, 1998.   That intern, Monica Lewinsky, was having an affair with who?

Q4)        British Airways Flight 38 crashed just shot of the runway at Heathrow: on 17th January, 2008.   The plane was coming from which Asian city: Beijing, Tokyo or Seoul?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Operation Desert Storm started on 17th January, 1991.   The operation was a US-led invasion of where: Iran, Iraq or Syria?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        16th January is the feast day of Pope Benjamin 1st.   He was a Pope of where: Alexandria, Rome or Byzantium?

A1)        Alexandria.

Q2)        He was a Patriarch of what: the Coptic Church, Roman Catholic Church or Church of the Tin Vagabond?

A2)        The Coptic Church.

Q3)        Mohammed Reza Pahlevi fled Iran on 16th January, 1976.   Pahlevi was the country’s last what: King, Emperor or Shah?

A3)        Shah.

Q4)        Bernard Lee — the original M, in the James Bond films — died on 16th January, 1981.   Who’s the most recent actor to have played M?

A4)        Ralph Fiennes.

Q5)        16th January is Teacher’s Day in both Myanmar … and where else?

A5)        Thailand.

Q6)        Finally … ?   Christopher Tolkien died on 16th January, 2020.   He’s best remembered for editing which of his father’s books: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings or The Silmarillion?

A6)        The Silmarillion.

Here’s a thought …

“That the vegetable creation should restore the air which is spoiled by the animal part of it, looks like a rational system, and seems to be of a piece with the rest.”

Benjamin Franklin, 17 January 1706 – 17 April 1790.

And a song …

The next ten question set on 29th January: it’s about Desert Island Discs.


Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        An APP coming to life, Olga?   Hmmm … have I mentioned Frankenstein, yet?   It always amazes me how the name crops up, sometimes: Asimov even turned it into a phrase.

        Yes, I DID hear about Gaiman, Olga.   I’m having mixed feelings about it.   The news has seen the third series of Good Omens, paused: which I find both understandable … but frustrating.   I’m also thinking that the press reporting, and public gossip, should slow down a little until any court cases are out of the way.   Sub judice, an’ all that!

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        It’s an old idea, Debbi!   But not as odd as cryonics!   (Have you heard the news about Neil Gaiman, Gaiman, Debbi?   There’s a touch of the #MeToos going on …)