We Wuz Robbed

Yep, for real. Carole came home yesterday in the early afternoon, to find that someone had jimmied our front window open — in middle of the day, in bright sunlight, and on a busy street — climbed in, and snagged our laptops and digital cameras. They also took a two-thirds-empty bottle of expensive bourbon, a shitty pair of headphones, Carole's on-its-last-legs Treo, and a fake dollar bill with Sideshow Bob of the Simpsons on it, which was taped to Carole's main computer monitor. (Have fun trying to spend that one, guys!)

It was freaky and invasive and a big pain in the ass, but it could have been much worse. For one thing, all the cats were okay; for another, they didn't take any of my guitars or musical equipment, any of Carole's jewelry, or my external hard drive, which has all my digital music and (most importantly) all the notes and manuscript for my baseball book. They didn't trash the place, take a dump in a kitchen drawer, or any of those other horror stories you hear about regarding home break-ins. Buying two new laptops was definitely low on our list of priorities, but I'm really thankful that that (and all the calls to put fraud alerts on our credit cards and soc sec numbers) was the worst of it. Carole and I are a bit rattled, as are the cats; last night, in full view of us, Shadow peed on the front door (where the scumbags left through), then later peed on the windowsill where they came in. Nice to know that the little guy's got our back.

Our landlady was less than helpful when it came to shelling out for further security measures; her locksmith offered to secure both of our front windows, but she told us she could only afford to do one — even though it turned out that the guy was only putting in a pair of ten-buck screw-on slider stops. (He was so appalled by her stinginess, he actually gave us two more pairs for free.) So, looks like we'll be looking for a new apartment when the lease is up. Not that there's necessarily a "safer" place to move to; as my friend Greg found out when his car was stolen in mid-day from a church parking lot, the economic realities of life in Bush's America are pushing folks to do all kindsa desperate and stupid things, and I don't see the situation improving any time soon. But hey, least we're okay...

Comments

[Vinnie Park]

Dude, that sucks. I'm glad the kitties are OK and that you didn't lose any of your book stuff. ...My apartment got robbed about ten years ago while I was out of the country and I just felt so violated. It's an eerie feeling to know that some piece of shit has been in your house looking through your stuff...

[Sarah Parker]

I'm sorry you guys. That truly does just blow.
It is the creepiest, most violating feeling.
I had to take down my photos cuz the idea that they actually saw the people they were ripping off just freaked me out.
Glad that it wasn't as bad as it could have been, and glad you two can look at the "silver-lining" of the whole shitty thing.

[Michael]

Wow sorry to hear that, man. My first thought was "Hope he didn't get the manuscript." It must be going around, though. I lost my wallet on BART a couple weeks ago and some shitbag found it and used my two debit cards in 5 different Bay Area cities in a matter of hours. I got all the money back, but it was a lot of work to make it happen. Stealing is so heinous.

[rich]

Man, what a pisser! Sorry to hear about that Dan! I can't believe they came in through a window during the day! You would think that someone would have noticed that!

Anyway, glad it wasn't as bad as it could have been - it sounds like the worst of it is the feeling of invasivness. I would hate to think of strangers going through our stuff.

If your landlords are being that stingy, maybe you should pay for upgrades yourself. I think the money would be offset by the peace of mind. I know that i've done this myself in Hollywood.

Best
Rich

[Suggadelic]

Man, that's fucked up... I am very happy to hear that it didn't end up being worse. Still, as the others here have said, just knowing some lowlife fuck has invaded you is enough to rattle anyone...

[Stu]

I'm glad you two and the cats are okay.

[Michael A.]

Oh Dan, I am so sorry to hear this. That just sucks. I'll just second the comments above and say that I'm glad that, in priority order, you and Carole are OK, the cats are OK, your manuscript is OK, and your other valuables are OK, and there is no turd in the silverware drawer.
I can only imagine the sense of violation, and I'm glad you have each other to lean on.
If you can, shell out for some more security stuff pronto, for peace of mind. Maybe it's even a tax deduction.
Amazing about Shadow's urinary comments; poor little guy, this is the last thing he needs too. I hope all you guys get back to normal real soon.

[Greg Barbera]

damn Dan.

that sucks.

as i found out, most crooks are too dumb to try and sell/steal your identity (stolen SSC) and getting a new one is a fucking eye opener to government redtape.

i'm just glad they were also too stupid to steal the good stuff and didn't run off with your manuscript.

the whole Homer bill one like one giant metaphor!

hang in there man...

[Lisa J.]

Actually, you wuz *burgled.* That's what Jerry and I learned from the police when our apartment was broken into...two days before yours! What is going on? I can honestly say I know exactly how you are feeling. I am very glad that Carole didn't walk in on the burglars, and the kitties are okay, and your manuscript wasn't taken. Be safe!