I've lost my charm

Nevan · 10-17-2007, 07:06 AM

The bad

My flat got burgled last night.

Fucking tard. He stole my computer screen, digital camera, lots of jewellery - most of which are one of a kind custom made pieces - in particular a 18 carat gold charm bracelet that my mother designed for me and gave as a 21st birthday present. Sniff. And some other stuff.

The ugly

I don't have insurance. You'd think after being robbed previously I would have learned my lesson - but fuck. This is supposed to be a security complex and I can't afford insurance right now. I feel really really stupid.

The good

But there's always a bright side to everything - I have an excuse now to get the 24" flatscreen that caught my eye a few days ago and my mother - bless her heart - was so upset about me losing my charm bracelet that she bought me a huge renaissance-style pendant - a dark silver cross set with six large amethyst stones - it's truly the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen (and now own!) Anyway. I think I'll keep it on me all the time so it doesn't get stolen too.

I'd post a pic were I not devoid of my camera.

Oh well. I suppose I could have posted this in the rant thread but it's here now.

drewsilla · 10-17-2007, 09:32 AM

Sorry you got robbed!! Maybe you should get a safe? Something that's hideable so you won't have to keep everything with you?

If not, put stuff in the trunk of your car, that's what I used to do!!

Metabolik · 10-17-2007, 11:24 AM

Or buy a gun...get drunk and wait for him to come again...I think you know whats happens from there...

Cyntrox · 10-17-2007, 01:03 PM

What makes you think he'll come again?

Valrys · 10-17-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyntrox

What makes you think he'll come again?

Maybe they'll come back for more loot? If they manage to swag that amount of nice stuff, maybe they'll risk it again, depending how badly they need nicked stuff.

I hope they get caught, or something equally bad happens to them.

Uncle Smoov · 10-17-2007, 01:48 PM

Boy, I thought when you said 'charm,' you were referring to your personality. But that wouldn't make sense.

Nevan · 10-17-2007, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewsilla

Sorry you got robbed!! Maybe you should get a safe? Something that's hideable so you won't have to keep everything with you?

If not, put stuff in the trunk of your car, that's what I used to do!!

Thanks - a safe is a good idea, I was actually thinking about two weeks back that I should get one just in case. Goes to show - if you have a feeling about something bad about to happen, you should pay attention to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metabolik

Or buy a gun...get drunk and wait for him to come again...I think you know whats happens from there...

Yes I did get completely trashed that night because I didn't know what else to do. Owning a gun wont do much though - in this country, if I kill a burglar, I'll get a jail sentence, if I injure him, I'd have to pay for his medical and damages. Unless I can prove that I was defending myself, which in that case would mean that he must physically injure me first before I'm allowed to touch him. Regardless of whether he's breaking entry or not. The law here protects the criminal, not the victim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valrys

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyntrox

What makes you think he'll come again?

Maybe they'll come back for more loot? If they manage to swag that amount of nice stuff, maybe they'll risk it again, depending how badly they need nicked stuff.

I hope they get caught, or something equally bad happens to them.

Around here they usually come back - what bothers me is that this person was only in my bedroom, and possibly inspected the rest of the place for the purpose of coming back - that's usually how they operate around here - also he knows now that I'm a girl, I live alone, I don't have a proper security system - and that's a scary thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Smoov

Boy, I thought when you said 'charm,' you were referring to your personality. But that wouldn't make sense.

It might as well have been my personality. When you lose something that has so much sentimental value it feels like you've lost a part of yourself.

raggedyanne · 10-17-2007, 11:55 PM

That is seriously freaky. I say invest in a rottweiler

Nevan · 10-18-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyanne

That is seriously freaky. I say invest in a rottweiler

Oooh, I'd LOVE to, or a seriously bad-ass bull terrier - only it's a townhouse complex and I'm not allowed to have a large dog

Perhaps a small dog, like a maltese poodle could be useful - they have very sharp senses and bark like crazy - it may not scare off the criminal but could certainly alert the neighbours - My brain is working overtime on ideas for making the place a bit safer. Right now I'm thinking booby traps - like poisoned chocolate in a visible place - something like that.

raggedyanne · 10-18-2007, 12:09 AM

chihuahuas; loud, small, abnoxious to everyone but the owner

DarkGentleman · 10-18-2007, 12:49 AM

I got robbed back in 2000, I was so pissed off after I came home from work and seeing that my computer, playstation, some gothic rings, cds (alot of imported ones too), tv, and my multi-disc stereo. I was shocked that something like this actually happened to me, then I felt more hurt and could not trust anybody at all.
It took me a while to get over it and be able to buy things to replace the stolen items with the help of my family.

At least now I'm in a secure place, it's all good.

ugh... · 10-18-2007, 01:11 AM

I'm really sorry you got robbed, too. I imagine you feel like all the security in your life has been taken away. I'd help you if I could, but my really nice camera got stolen last month (I feel your pain as much as I can) and I wouldn't have one if I sent you my back up that I'm using now.

Nevan · 10-18-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkGentleman

I got robbed back in 2000, I was so pissed off after I came home from work and seeing that my computer, playstation, some gothic rings, cds (alot of imported ones too), tv, and my multi-disc stereo. I was shocked that something like this actually happened to me, then I felt more hurt and could not trust anybody at all.
It took me a while to get over it and be able to buy things to replace the stolen items with the help of my family.

At least now I'm in a secure place, it's all good.

Yes, you know that feeling - when you walk in and reality strikes you, you're angry, sad, shocked and scared all at the same time. You feel that you've been violated in a way. Do you laugh or cry? I've also lost all my trust in strangers.

For me, it's not the first time this has happened - I've been robbed on two previous occassions and had my car stolen once. This is South Africa, this is normal. You don't feel safe anywhere at all.

As for replacing stuff, even if you get bigger and better than what you've had previously, somehow it's just not the same anymore. I'm getting fed up of having to start over and over again. The things I would do to that burglar if I caught him...

Nevan · 10-18-2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ugh...

I'm really sorry you got robbed, too. I imagine you feel like all the security in your life has been taken away. I'd help you if I could, but my really nice camera got stolen last month (I feel your pain as much as I can) and I wouldn't have one if I sent you my back up that I'm using now.

Thanks, I appreciate the gesture. I will replace the camera in due time, but the one I had was a gift - and I don't know about you, but I place A LOT of sentimental value on things. No other camera will be quite like the one I had.

Underwater Ophelia · 10-18-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevan

Yes I did get completely trashed that night because I didn't know what else to do.

...you're a loser. Hm, I'm a female living alone who just got robbed, and has a high chance of getting robbed again, I think the smartest course of action would be to dull my senses and my judgement as much as possible, yeah, good plan.

Valrys · 10-18-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevan

I don't know about you, but I place A LOT of sentimental value on things. No other camera will be quite like the one I had.

Its a real shame that the theifs will have no idea how much sentimental value your stuff had, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care.

Makes me despair for the vast majority of humans sometimes >.>

Nevan · 10-18-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwater Ophelia

...you're a loser. Hm, I'm a female living alone who just got robbed, and has a high chance of getting robbed again, I think the smartest course of action would be to dull my senses and my judgement as much as possible, yeah, good plan.

Nope - that's not burglar logic. They don't come back again on the same night (I got trashed on the same night I was robbed - the burglary took place around 8pm , I got home at 11pm, and even though I was drunk, I'm DEFINITELY NOT stupid). You display utter bias by making a snap-judgement like you did without knowing the facts pertaining to the burglary or probably little about crime-operation in this country.

*I am a loser for not taking better precautions from the start though, to THAT I'll admit*

In all likelyhood they will come back in two weeks or a month or so.

Why?

Firstly, because they, assuming that I have insurance, will wait for me to replace the stuff so they can then come back and steal it all over again.

Secondly, because they know that I'll be extra careful for a few days or so and that it will be difficult for them to break in so soon again - they don't know if I own a gun, they don't know if I'm gonna booby trap the place or get someone to stay over for a while. And they wont take the risk to find out either. They'll wait till I'm lax again and strike when I am least prepared.

Go figure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valrys

Its a real shame that the theifs will have no idea how much sentimental value your stuff had, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't care.

Makes me despair for the vast majority of humans sometimes >.>

Right, they don't care - that bracelet was probably sold for the price of a couple of deep-fried chicken drumsticks. I hope whoever ate that chicken choked to death on the bones.

Underwater Ophelia · 10-19-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevan

Nope - that's not burglar logic. They don't come back again on the same night (I got trashed on the same night I was robbed - the burglary took place around 8pm , I got home at 11pm, and even though I was drunk, I'm DEFINITELY NOT stupid). You display utter bias by making a snap-judgement like you did without knowing the facts pertaining to the burglary or probably little about crime-operation in this country.

I really don't need to know crime details. Point is, if you got drunk because you didn't know what else to do...that's not cool. Ever.

Christina_Death1334 · 10-19-2007, 07:46 PM

I've been robbed before. It made me so very angry!! The worse thing they stole was a journal I was keeping. Yeah. A journal. It was just based on dreams (most of which, I'm glad made me sound a bit looney...come to think of it, that might have been why they didn't go near my bedroom...). So, I know how it feels. After it happened my mother went all out on securing our place. You'll be feeling better in a month or so.

molochai · 10-19-2007, 07:53 PM

My condolences. Sorry you lost your lucky charms.