Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9-3-2025 — Lithuania.

9th March, 2025: Lithuania.

I had a good day, yesterday: I finally managed to sell a second hand computer.

I’ve been wanting to sell my 2023 model Mac for some time: ever since I managed to replace it with a 2024 model.

So … ?   Given I knew CeX* were selling the model for a hefty amount of cash, and that I’d only get a fraction of that price if I sold it to them?

I put it on Facebook Marketplace on Thursday.

And started getting enquiries, by Friday morning.

Including one from a customer we’ll call Sid, to preserve his privacy: who seemed both genuine, and friendly.

Facebook Marketplace throws you buyers who aren’t, buyers who are chancing it, buyers who are ‘just looking’ … and buyers who are making genuine, but low, offers.

Sid seemed genuine, and was prepared to put in a good offer.

And had done enough research into the seller — me! — to make sure I was kosher!

And felt confident enough to turn up from London, with the cash … and walk away with the machine, a copy of Genesis of the Daleks, a free HDMI cable … and a discount.

The man was a Dr Who fan, after all: one quite happy to natter about the relative merits of various episodes.

Frankly?

Good customers — and friendly ones, at that — are hard to find.

Sid, if you’re reading this?

Thank you, sir!

~≈🧑🏻‍💻≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum‡, Olga§, Irene¶ and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with Olga, Mum and Debbi scoring five out of five, and Irene 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)        Lithuania was first mentioned in the records of a town called Quedlinburg.   On 9th March of which year: 1007, 1009 or 1011?

Q2)        Where is Quedlinburg: Germany, Latvia or Poland?

Q3)        Lithuania is one of three what states: Balkan, Baltic or Bullnose?

Q4)        According to the World Fact Book, Lithuania has ninety kilometres of what: coastline, land borders or motorways?

Q5)        Finally … ?   The Lithuanian language uses a version of which script: the Latin alphabet, Egyptian hieroglyphs or Japanese Katagana?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        8th March, AD1010, saw Ferdowski finish the Shahnameh.   The Shahnameh is an epic what: poem, saga or novel?

A1)        Poem.

Q2)        The name, Shahnameh, translates as the book of what: kings, queens or princes?

A2)        Kings.

Q3)        The Shahnameh was written in a version of what: Arabic, Persian or Turkish?

A3)        Persian.

Q4)        The Shahnameh is seen as the national epic of Greater where: Arabia, Iran or the Ottoman Empire?

A4)        Iran.

Q5)        Finally … ?   James Atkinson, Arthur and Edmond Walker, and Reuben Levy, all translated the Shahnameh in to which European language?

A5)        English.

Here’s a thought …

“Towards the end of World War I, Lithuania declared Independence in 1918, founding the modern Republic of Lithuania.”

From the Wikipedia entry on Lithuania.

And a national anthem …

The next ten question set is on 14th March: it’s about Michael Caine.

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



Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        I tend to base my selling prices on the ones on CeX†’s website: they’ll be buying something at one price, and selling at another.   Going by my quick checking of the CeX website, this morning?   Cex have — ha! — put their prices up since I checked on Wednesday.   Wouldn’t you know it?

        At any rate, I believe the low offer I got was based on that price: but don’t know.

†        The company can effectively charge VAT at a lower rate than usual: as the goods it sells are second hand.   That helps its profits.

‡        Hello, Mum!   (Have you had a quote for the replacement tyre?)

§        Now, those birds would be something to see, Olga.   I had a bedsit in what used to be Brentwood’s maternity hospital. I miss the blue-tits that used to next in the eaves: right outside my room’s main window!

        I don’t know if it would be practical … but would setting up an external webcam be an idea?   Video recording the nest for half an hour or so — while you’re working it on something else — might be an idea.

        Have a good day at the event, Olga: we’ll see you when you’re here.   (Gaudí’s Ghost sounds like a good name for a novel … )

¶        Morning, Irene: how is the day … ?   (Sorry to mark you down, yesterday: but the named translators only worked on English versions.)

^        I’m glad they’re going down well, Debbi!   Writing them is getting a bit easier: although adding the HTMI code is a drag!

        Oh, about selling on the mini?   The chap was very friendly, and a fan.   (He walked away with a copy of Genesis of the Daleks: it fell off the back of a TARDIS …)

        Did I mention my version of Siri now sound’s vague like Jodie Whittaker?   The jokes haven’t improved …