Monday, January 23, 2006

Things can only get better

Apologies if I don't do the Blog rounds for a day or two - just trying to get myself straight over here.

Hmmm… where shall I start? Okay, Saturday then…

Well, a few of you guessed right, in that I was intending to visit a friend who had asked if I might fancy, errr… ahem…. Well, we’ve known each other a long time, and we’re both single at the moment. So, to cut a shortish story even shorter, I said yes. In the event, she decided it was easier to come over to me, and so I went shopping in the afternoon for some dinner, and then stepped out of the shower even as she was parking on my drive.

I think it may be best if I spare you the details of the evenings activities, but suffice it to say that I didn’t start cooking until gone 11 o’clock, and by the time we’d finished eating it was getting on for 1am. I suppose we fell asleep at around 3, and as I forgot to turn off the bloody alarm clock I was awake pretty early and dying for a cup of coffee. I slipped out of the bedroom, went downstairs, and nearly tripped over what had been the contents of a kind of side-table shelf in the corner of the lounge. I immediately wondered what was going on, because I knew I hadn’t left them there, and in any event an antique carved wooden box – which I paid an absolute fortune for on a trip to Prague last year – was nowhere in sight.

I could see into the kitchen, and most of the cupboards and drawers were open, with the contents strewn over the work surfaces. As I looked, I realised with a feeling of complete dread that someone had been in the house. And as I turned towards the door to my office - which is an extension at the back of the house - I could barely bring myself to check if my worst fears had been realised. But check I did, and sure enough my laptop and case had gone. And my laptop had every piece of data I could possibly need to get the business up and running… models of contracts, specifications, systems, processes, graphics, databases… you name it, and it was on there, as well as three month’s worth of work setting the company itself up prior to January. All gone, and all irrecoverable. (No, I hadn't backed it up yet - I'm a prat! Ed)

As if that wasn’t bad enough, I had two large box files with pretty much every important piece of paper that I’ve ever kept, along with passports, letters, stuff from Mum and Dad, old pictures and paintings from when the children were babies, birth certificates, bank and credit card statements, title deeds… I don’t even think I want to go on with the list. The laptop and the box-files were quite simply the two most important things in my house, and (barring the children, of course) probably in my life.

Of course, I called the police, but I’m really just going through the motions, and I’m just going to have to get over it. I have literally months of work to get back to as close to the position I was in as I can, and even then it won’t be remotely close. It’s just a complete and utter disaster. Oh, and on top of everything else, my insurers are already causing me as many problems as they can, and I’m going to have to fight just to recover anything from them. Bastards.

It’s almost funny, in a vaguely hysterical way, that moments after I was being told on the telephone this morning that "things can only get better", I received a call to tell me I didn’t get the job I’ve been pitching for. Now, I know I need to put it all in perspective, but I think that – just for a little while – I’m going to just stay as I am. REALLY PISSED OFF.

Which pillock was it who said “what doesn’t kill you...”??

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

*deep sigh* Bloody pillock indeed! Having been where you are at, I swear it gets better, especically on the work front. Have a drink or go for a run, come back and figure out your next move.

Sorry to hear someone intruded on your privacy.
Chin up.

Anonymous said...

it doesn't get better with the retelling

Anonymous said...

L is in the background while I type this and she asked what else had gone wrong for you lately and I said you'd had a shit time with GG, you'd been made redundant and the burglarly. She asked because she's convinced things go in 3's and that by the Summer you've great times ahead.

ok, ok it's just another version of 'things can only get better' but .........

Anonymous said...

Again, I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. Hopefully you have backups of all your work stuff somewhere safe. The rest is a total violation and I feel for you. Good luck with it all.

Anonymous said...

Oh the shit. But hey, if you hit the bottom at least there's something to bounce off of... Not much consolation. If there's anything I can virtually do, let me know.

Anonymous said...

Invictus - William Ernest Henley

must have been at least an entertaining night if you slept through all of that.

and YOU weren't hurt.
don't forget what really matters.

Anonymous said...

((((wdky)))))

It's crappy, crappy, crappy,...
... and I'm really sorry. I won't add anything practical, because being an IT person... well, you know.
But I really feel for you & if there's anything I can do let me know
Ginny x

Anonymous said...

Are you dead? Well, are you?

Then I guess what doesn't kill you etc will prove to be true. In the long run.

Having said that, I feel for you. Having been burgled twice I know what it feels like. Have you got to the murderous stage yet? Most fun.

Anonymous said...

Again, a curse upon whomever did this to you.
I strongly believe in 'energies'... good karma and bad... and you certainly have had some bad karma lately.
So I am willing it all upon this idiot (or these idiots) that did this to you.
That makes me feel a little better. Maybe not you, but, know that we all care. I hope that helps.
Hang in there, sweet pie.
xoxx

Anonymous said...

C - does it? It had better :-)

Zooz, I refuse to count the things that have gone wrong lately. It's far too depressing.

KD... I wish! I'm very, very silly.

J's G - as it happens, I'm imagining what you can do for me virtually. It's not quite the same, though.

Heather - it was certainly entertaining, but I must admit I'd rather have forgone the entertainment and the grief that came later. I'm sure there's a lesson to be learnt somewhere there...

Ginny, thanks! Yes, best not to have any conversations about IT just at the moment (like the Maxtor 250GB "one touch" hard drive?)

Em, I'm hanging. Honestly. And thanks for the attempted curse.

SL... no, not quite. But I would like to get my hands on whoever it was, and I suspect they would be!

Anonymous said...

I'm so so so so sorry. The irreplaceable stuff...I can't imagine.

The one positive though - I'm so glad you're okay. To think that he/she/they were in your house while you were asleep. Do the police have any possible leads?

Anonymous said...

Cat, do you think a DNA sample from a nose print on the outside of the window is a lead? Actually, there were a load of knives laying around in the kitchen, so I'm sure it's just as well I didn't hear anything!

Anonymous said...

Yes, it does get better. Resolve that it will. The victory will be sweeter when you land your next/first client. Once you are done being pissed off, focus your energy on the next job you pitch for.

I am relieved the kids weren't around while this happened.

Take care. Will check in next week.

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine what it felt like to wake up to all that.....sorry to hear about.

I'm glad your children weren't home this weekend..and y'all are safe.

I hope they find the person that took your stuff.
And for the record-my first thought of your booty call was with Zoozan. LOL !

Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm glad to hear no one was hurt. What a total pain, wdky. You are due some good luck!! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm really sorry to hear about the whole ordeal.

Anonymous said...

That sucks sewer water. My sympathies.

And as sick as it sounds, and I'm not trying to be flippant or little miss blow sunshine out my ass, but... It didn't kill you. It could have. There are not so bad sides to the bad things.

Anonymous said...

Huuuuuuuuuugs wdky.

I am so sorry. I was feeling the pain and loss even as i read your words. Precious personal belongings, memories, work stuff..

But, i thankgod, you are safe and perfectly alright.

Maybe i will give you another tight bear hug, if that makes things any better.

Anonymous said...

Glad you're safe...

Things will improve...they have to right?

Anonymous said...

I wish I was there...I'd find their sorry arses and kick half way across the ocean..how dare they hurt my...I mean...wdky. I've said it before, I'll say it again, people can be cruel. I know important things were lost, pieces of your life that seem so hard to replace, but remember this my dear friend, your memories are in your mind, safe and sound, your children are still the light of your life, you are still an amazingly talented human being who will rise above this. A smart man once told me, it's up to you what happens next. Chin up sweets.

Anonymous said...

Ah Tony. I have nothing to say that wasn't already said already. Suffice it to say, it seems your evening before was nice.

I wish I had the right words and could help you.

((hugs))

Chin up, Chest out. That is what Grandma always told us when we fell. :-) Didn't help the hurt but made us angry enough to stomp over the pain.

I do hope you're able to recover... Hell I don't know what to say.

xx
Ruthie

Anonymous said...

Shame thats a terible thing,sorry its teh worst when someone invades your privacy and steals ur most valuable possesions.

Anonymous said...

Hey you. I'm really sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident. fingerprinting help? Also check your local pawn brokers for a quick sale of a laptop. Sounds like a cheap score for them. Ask your neighbours if they saw anything. Call your insurance company. Ask the kids to paint you a new picture. Contact your customers and ask them to re-send any specifications, accounts, etc that you need.

Sucks when this bad stuff happens to good people. Oh, when you buy new stuff? Dont put the box out the front for all to see your new purchases. Lots of people do this when they buy a new home theatre set, or dvd player..... and um, change the locks.

:(

Anonymous said...

i really don't know what to say but i want u to know that i'm here i'm reading u and i'm sorry for what u've been through...

Anonymous said...

oh wdky, that's devistating. I'm so sorry that you lost so much (especially the stuff you can't really replace) but you're right - you ARE going to have to move on, because really..it's the only thing you can do to get back on track. This is certainly not the most difficult journey you'll take but it sucks anyway, huh? Good luck with everything! you're in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry.

No words just {{{wdky}}}

Anonymous said...

Shit, you WERE in the house!!! I wish I could help dude. Let us know if we can in any way.

Anonymous said...

Again sorry bro. The first thing that went through my mind when I read the original post was all your business stuff on the laptop. I honestly went home last night and burned 2 DVD's full of files.

Anonymous said...

What a travesty. Glad that you are okay, a little scary that they were in your house while you were sleeping. I think I'd stay pissed for a while too.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry that happened to you! I can't even imagine what you're going through but I'm sure you'll come through in better shape than before.

Sounds like the kids weren't there at the time so at least one good thing came of it.

Anonymous said...

i hope it does get better, and quickly. please realise how much positive energy you have coming your way from your blog readers and friends. take it an hour at a time; let us know if we can help.

Anonymous said...

Jaysus, when it really does rain, it pours. I agree with Zoozan - I think you've had your 3 bad lucks. I admire your plucky attitude and your ability to look forward and get on with things. Don't let anything or anyone hold you down or back {hug}

Anonymous said...

I had that happen and it's nasty!!! Took quite a while to get over it actually. Ultimately, it spurred me to make a lot of changes that ended up being for the better (one of them was to move) but it still didn't take the sting out of the "second robbery" when I saw the insurance settlement that was offered (those bastards). I just hope there is a special level of Hell for insurance adjusters. And it sucks when things that have more sentimental value than monetary value are stolen. I feel for you. My burglary was about 5 years ago. And they trashed the place to boot. The two items I miss the most were the two that were worth the least in terms of cash value. A ring from my father and a brooch from my grandmother. (They nicked my laptop as well and a rather nice string of pearls along with everything else of value) However, I wasn't in the house at the time! Lucky for you things didn't get evil. People are so whacked these days. You are worth far more than your stuff.

P.S. Nice to know I'm not the only one who has given/received a mercy f**k! (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Anonymous said...

Oh WDKY!!!! I'm so sorry! That's horrible! You know, when I was in England, my sister's house (where I was staying at the time) was also burgled. They took my brother-in-law's laptop too, along with a number of very expensive musical instruments. However-- the guy was caught and the stuff was returned. I'm going to say a little prayer that the same happens for you.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

blue

Anonymous said...

that little prayer she said

lend me too it as well...

Anonymous said...

Bloody hell.

Thank goodness they left the two of you well enough alone.
The loss of the files, laptop and irreplaceables is horrendous but I'm thankful you are okay. Those things can be replaced.

Anonymous said...

Wow!
That is horrifying....So lucky you weren't hurt.
I am so sorry this happened to you.
I hope you get things all straightened out soon.
If I were there, I would give you a big hug.

Anonymous said...

wdky: all i can do is offer you my very best wishes. you must feel awful. i am so sorry this happened to you.

Anonymous said...

Just catching up on old posts, so sorry this happened to you. It's one of the worst things emotionally speaking, like a total violation. It happened to my mother right after her wedding and to a friend very recently. It still shakes them up to think about it. Hope you are doing better!