I'm out of deodorant. Valentine's day 2009, I slept through the whole morning after a night of pub skipping to stress for the RoboCup qualification deadline. Outside I hear an airplane circling, probably dragging someone's expression of undying love through the icy blue winter sky. Today I expect no such message directed to me, not in the least because not even I know my address for sure. Before I manage to open the curtains when I realize that in such a case the best way to reach somebody would be by a huge banner and a noisy vehicle, the plane has already left. Oh well, maybe next year.

Time to get out and do some shopping. This is the chance to finally get an iron, some coat hangers, food and of course deodorant, so I get my bags and head to Asda. On the way I stop at Subway for brunch, the ham sub of the day and I listen to the conversation of the couple coming in after me. Woman: 'What is the sub of the day?' Employee: 'Ham' W: 'Just ham?' (husband comes in) H: 'What is the sub of the day?' W: 'Ham' H: 'Just ham?'. I wish I had somebody as in tune with me like that. But preferably one who can read the 'Sub Of The Day' sign in front of her face herself.

At Asda I'm already half way in when I remember I forgot to get money and remind myself not to forget anymore to remember to go to the bank to figure out where and moreover what my PIN code is. Money is even nicer when you not only can look at it on your computer screen, but can also actually use it. So I get a few Pound of Euros and start filling my cart with appliances, food, beverages and other stuff. At the register the cashier starts up a conversation, which I actually enjoy. Usually I am too Dutch to care about his week and think he should care less about mine, whether I need a bag, if I want him to slow down the line even more by packing my groceries after already halting it by waiting until the previous customer has packed all his stuff, but not this time. He even surprised me by recognizing I'm Dutch. I would like to speak perfect english instead, but at least all the french and german accents I've been exposed to haven't stuck with me. The amazement subsided a bit however when he explained he recognized the accent from some wacky crazy Dutch guy on MTV Europe in the early 90's. Always good to see people exposed to your native culture. And to see all those men huddling around the flower stand to buy overprized, most likely Dutch flowers as a last minute resort to appease their significant others.

Now I'm back home, waiting to be treated to a nice steak dinner by myself and looking forward to try out my new Asda steam iron and coat hangers of which I'm not sure whether they are green or blue. The rest of the weekend will not be too energetic, since I'm still out of deodorant..