Random Bits

We have discovered the best cat toy *ever*. It is an extra long twist-tie.

To avoid confusion about official tax issues with the public, Dutch tax officials are not allowed to use English on the phone in their professional capacity.

I love musical whiplash. This morning it was Dave Brubeck - Take Five followed by King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man.

I haven't been buying any block cheese because we needed to get a cheese grater and there weren't any at LIDL. Cleaning up the kitchen just now I realized we have a cheese grater hanging on the wall over the sink from a suction cup hook.

That's pretty Dutch, isn't it? The cheese grater must be easily accessible at *all times*!

Finding the Local Thrift Store

I rode to the thrift store (kringloopwinkel is the Dutch term) south of me in Amstelveen. There's a bike path (fietspad) that goes just about all the way. It's hardly necessary though; nearly every street has dedicated space on either side of it for bike traffic. I'd like to learn more about the history of the built environment of this area and understand the evolution of streets here.

The store had a couple of desks and office chairs that will do the job for me so I'm not sitting in uncomfortably in front of the TV table to do computer stuff. I didn't have enough cash on me to pay for furniture plus delivery though, so I'll probably go back tomorrow.

The store (De Boemerang) was mostly like the ones I'm used to, and a bit unlike them. The unlike part was that there were several small 'rooms' in the store made up with furniture and items for sale, rather like I'd expect to see in an antique store. I was worried at first that the materials inside would be higher-end than I wanted, but it wasn't so.

I almost bought some Dutch children's books, but I think I'm going to wait a bit longer on that as I keep working with Duolingo.

I must do more riding. It's good for my brain.