Someone stole my phone. To be honest, it’s all just stupid. It happened at school, last night, while I was practicing. Guess part of it was my fault, as my bag was left in a room without surveillance for about an hour. (I can’t be bother explaining the long story behind that.) But then again – do we really have to lock everything up to make sure it’s safe?

I know stuff gets stolen at my school. Phones is the favourite bait. Then other kinds of electronic gadgets, then cash. They seldom steal credit cards, those are too easily traced. All the students at my school have laptops, and they should always be locked up (or better: kept close at all times).

On my very first day at this school, I was going to buy some used books from another student. She couldn’t find me, and since she didn’t have a locker, she left the books in a plastic bag underneath some lockers. Not a good choice. The next morning, the books were gone. (Except for the music books, because someone would recognise them.) Last year a student in my class had his mp3-player stolen. It was in the bottom of his bag, which he left in the hall for 5 minutes while going to the toilet. A few months ago, another boy in my class had his laptop stolen. He left his bag in the hall as well, and when he looked for it a few hours later, it was all gone. I think he recovered his bag and possibly some books, but the computer was lost. If we bring any valuables to PE, we have to bring them into the gym with us. Anything could get stolen in the wardrobes. A girl I know had her shoes stolen. That was the same day she’d forgotten to bring trainers for PE, so she was left behind barefoot. Today I talked to another guy in my class about stolen stuff. He’s had his phone stolen at school three times while attending this school. And his wallet once. So at least I’m not alone…

They had searched my wallet as well, but I didn’t have any cash left. And I’m relieved they didn’t take my VISA card. Or my keys. But my phone was gone. We tried to call it, but it was turned off. I knew then that it was lost. I’d never turn my phone off (unless I’m on a plane or there’s a concert going on), and the battery was fully charged. Have to admit I sweared. A lot. Loudly.

I would like to use the opportunity to speak directly to whatever idiot decided to rob me:

I’m not hurt. I’m just very, very angry. (One of the states of mind which can be described much better in the language I can swear extensively in..) But how can you do it? How can you just take people’s belongings like that? You’ll have to go through my phone and delete everything on it. You’ll have to delete my photos one by one, I know there’s no other way to do that. You’ll see the picture of a proud dalmatian, my dog in New Zealand. You’ll see heaps of pictures and at several videos of a 2 months old golden retriever puppy. In person you’ll have to go through the pictures of my smiling friends, without knowing who they are. How can you do that?

At least there are a few points in my favour:

• My phone was old. Almost 3 years. They don’t sell phones like mine anymore.
• My phone doesn’t both vibrate and ring anymore. It sort of alternates. Every now and then, it does neither.
• Since I got that phone, I’ve used it as an alarm clock as well. And I got this really nice alarm clock radio for Christmas.
• The screen of my phone is so scraped it’s difficult to see what you write.
• The volume button is stuck. You can’t turn it down. Ever…
• It’s getting old. Very old. This last week, the screen has started freezing. A tip: You have to remove the battery and leave it out for a few minutes before turning it on again. No longer my problem…
• A few hours earlier, I’d spent my last bit of cash, 9 kroner (approximately 2 NZD), on one packet of chewing gum.
• You didn’t take my VISA card. That was stupid. Very stupid. Possible to trace it, yes – but I had enough money to pay the value of that old phone perhaps… 10 times? Stupid choise, mate...