My commuter train was just about to reach its terminal. I stood up to get the pole position at the door, but two girls already blocked the exit. Both around 17 years, and if things couldn't get worse, they were chatting.

I embraced myself for another 60-second glimpse of hell, surely a circle Dante has forgotten to write about. In an anticipatory-defensive move, my mind was racing: girlfriend stuff ("she always calls me"), boyfriend stuff ("he never called me"), school stuff ("they always call me").

I was already exhausted when I grabbed one of the handles right behind them. I tightly pressed eyes and lips together and held my breath. Why are there no muscles for closing ears?

• .... I lost my iPod last month. It was my sister's birthday present. Replaced it now with the 8GB version.

The other:

Bugger. I then finally ended up buying another 120 gig USB disk. No way I could fit my music collection onto 8 gig ...

• Disk heavy?

No, no it is ultralight and tiny. And works also with Ubuntu. Not only with my Mac. Got it from large-electronic-outlet.

With a gentle jolt the train came to a stop. The doors sprang open and the girls swiftly got out. I was still clasping the handle as I slowly realized that I had forgotten to breath.

Note to myself: I want my gender stereotype back. Now.