Is it boring yet?

[hrj]

Yeah, I know, the post-burglary posts are getting really tedious, but it's how I work out some of my angst. I'm working my way through the list of reasonably local pawnbrokers -- giving them flyers with a description of the jewelry items (and "it looks sort of like this" images of the two most distinctive). I was a little worried about it taking a while to get to all of them in a timely manner since most of this has to be done on lunch hours, but as a guy at one of the places noted, it isn't like a thief is going to come back and redeem the pawn, and there's a minimum 30 days before they can consider the piece forfeit. So in terms of possibly getting the stuff back, there isn't an enormous hurry, although it might make a difference in getting the word out before the stuff shows up.

The insurance adjuster got back to me with the details of the settlement. I joked with him that the surest way to get my original stuff back would be to spend the entire settlement promptly so that I wouldn't have the cash to reimburse them if my property turned up. I maxed out the limit on jewelry coverage, but since I don't have a reason to replace the pieces it doesn't really matter. It's just blood money. I'm not really a casual ring-wearer (I almost said "ring-bearer "... I just happen to have LOTR on the DVD at the moment!). If I ever own another significant gemstone solitaire ring I would hope it would be an engagement ring. The settlement is a two step process: the jewelry is paid outright but the other property is based on replacement, so I have to actually buy the replacements and then submit a claim for reimbursement. Fortunately the jewelry settlement means that I don't have an awkward cashflow crunch in getting the replacement laptop. (Between the bit of carpentry work being done and springing for two holidays' worth of plane tickets it's Not A Good Time for lots of extra expenses.)

And I'm researching burglar alarm companies.

Comments

[baronsnorri.livejournal.com]

It's not "boring yet". Take your time, work it through--thoroughly. I'd suggest keeping a large dog in the house, but understand that such a solution is not for everyone.

Best wishes, S.

[scotica.livejournal.com]

Please, please, please do not get a large dog! Remember your place is my favorite hang out...

[hrj.livejournal.com]

No fear. I can imagine few more psychologically damaging things to do to a dog than to put it in my care.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

No, this isn't boring. I'm very sorry this happened to you (again!), and I realize how hard it must be to deal with it all.

[scotica.livejournal.com]

What she said. (Here, have some more hugs.)

[blaurentnv.livejournal.com]

I know you are not fond of them, but dogs are much more reliable and smarter than a burglar alarms.

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

More cuddly, too :-)

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Not boring -- I'm just way behind.

A mailing list I'm on (and about 3 months behind on reading) was "just" talking about alarms.

2 quotes:

Back in the mid-eighties, before I left Philly, there was an article in the local weekly about real criminals, including from those in jail. One question they asked those convicted of burglary and theft was what would make them decide not to go into a place. Less than 20% (maybe under 10%, I don't remember) said a burglar alarm system.

60% said a dog of any size whatsoever.

-- And --

My personal favorite is that alarm system hooked up to the recording of a large dog barking...

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Tell your depression to shut up- nobody is bored by you having a difficult time. You're not a paid entertainer who has to be interesting and amusing at all times.

<Hugs> whenever you need them.

[wulfsdottir.livejournal.com]

It's your journal - you can put your angst in it if you want to.

Dogs and alarms both sometimes go off at 3am for no reason. Dogs can be put outside without the telephone assistance of a stranger in some other state, but alarms will not dig up the flowerbed.

As far as recovery, you might consider an ad in the paper of the next nearest large city across a state line -- thieves who have been at it a while know that will slow down fingerprint matching and reduces the chance that someone will realize it's stolen property.

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

No, it's not tedious. It's your journal and you're not whining.

The rest of us are learning an object lesson in how to be well prepared in case of something like this happening to us. I don't have those spreadsheets or info. I don't even have my stuff backed up recently. Need to get off the stick. It is good to know that *something* can be done.

Best of luck.

[theiadora.livejournal.com]

Not boring. And it it Your Journal.
Alarm company, we use ADT, and haven't had a problem with them in the 10+ years we've used them. They installed everything. Also use their Fire alarm connection (which is both battery & power). You have the ablilty to change the code at will, and have "guest" access by telling them who, and for how long is it ok for that code to work.