to use the timer's name inside its command i'd recommend $ctimer. that'll allow you to use things like this safely:

Code:
.timer $+ $nick 1 5 echo -a $!ctimer


for cases where $nick could be anything, including { } or | that would otherwise disrupt the echo :P

i believe a combination of $ctimer and $ltimer solves your issues laugh

"The only excuse for making a useless script is that one admires it intensely" - Oscar Wilde