Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 13th February 2026.

Friday, 13th February.

It’s officially: the Tale of the Toaster is ongoing … !

I bought a toaster from Amazon: on Tuesday, just gone.

One that only cost me a tenner, all told: including the delivery charge.

“That’s a bargain,” I thought to myself.

Especially when others on the site were pricier: as were ones at my local Argos.

On my money?

I look for value.

So that price seemed very good*.

Then I say the delivery date.

20th March, this year.

20th March.

When I’d ordered the thing on 10th February!

When Amazon, and the third-party sellers on Amazon, usually take a lot less time!

So?

I’ve sent off an annoyed email to Jeff Bezos.

And, over the course of a couple of emails … ?

Got a solution, and some information.

One?

Apparently, the toaster in question is back ordered!

So?

I’ve cancelled the order.

Two?

Amazon has given me £14·99 in gift vouchers: “as a goodwill gesture.”

Three?

I’m waiting for £10’s worth of refund to go into my bank account.

That’s going to take three to five working days: so will get to me by next Thursday, at the latest.

The day before payday.

Do you know what I’m thinking, right now?

I should’ve gone to Argos in the first place … 

~≈🛒≈~

Let’s move on.


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

The day also saw Olga§ leaving us a message.

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

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

Q1)        Peter Tork was born on 13th February, 1942.   He’d been the bass player for which boy-band?

Q2)        Stockard Channing was born on 13 February, 1944.   She played Rizzo in which 1978 musical?

Q3)        Richard Wagner died on 13th February, 1883.   His Der Ring des Nibelungen consists of how many music dramas: one, two, three or four?

Q4)        Oliver Reed was born on 13th February, 1938.   Which Ridley Scott film was the last Reed appeared in: Alien, Hannibal or Gladiator?

Q5)        Finally … ?   13th February, 1984, saw Konstantin Chernenko named as General Secretary of the Communist Party.   General Secretary of the Communist Party of where: the Soviet Union, East Germany or Albania?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        Christina Ricci was born on 12th February, 1980.   Who did she play in 1991’s The Addams Family?

A1)        Wednesday Addams.

Q2)        More to the point?   She played Marilyn Thornhill: in which Netflix series?

A2)        Wednesday.

Q3)        12th February is the feast day of Saint Julian the Hospitaller.   He’s the patron saint of whom: jugglers, magicians or trapeze artists?

A3)        Jugglers.

Q4)        Which US state was established as a British colony: on 12th February, 1733?

A4)        Georgia.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Josh Brolin was born on 12th February, 1968.   Who did he play in the Marvel franchise: Spiderman, Thanos or Thor?

A5)        Thanos.

Here’s a thought …

“I wasn’t the best because I killed quickly.   I was the best because the crowd loved me.”

Proximo, as played by Oliver Reed (13 February 1938 – 2 May 1999), in his last film.

Or two …

 “I’m just a tawdry character who explodes now and again.”

Oliver Reed.

And a Tennessee Ernie Ford song …

The next ten question set is tomorrow: it’s about YouTube.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is avoided when writing these questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Did I mention the Boots theory?   It’s from Terry Pratchett’s Men at Arms, and basically says poor people can only afford cheap things, things that need frequent replacing, and end up spending more than their rich neighbours: who can afford stuff that lasts.

        That toaster is my equivalent to the boots used in Men at Arms.   But then, I don’t expect it to last: just last long enough … 

†        Hello, Mum!

‡        Go for it, Debbi!   I’d never have the patience for painting, either!   Mum and Ruth do: or, at least, they have had, in the past.

        I have problems with pianos, Debbi.   I don’t think I could fit one in my flat.   Then I’d need a left-handed¶ one … 

§        It’s a pain in the proverbial, Olga: but, these days, it’s easy to replace them.   At least … they’re easier to replace than the toaster!   It turns out the toaster I’d ordered hard a six week back-log … 

        Ahhhh … yes: hand made models would make sense.   I’d imagine some pieces would need to be.

¶        If I recall correctly, Debbi, Elton John was supposed to have one.   Mostly to confuse visitors …