It's like a time-released 'fuck you'

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

About two years ago I was in the hospital. It was the absolute lowest and most painful period of my life and to this day I don't like to go into any details, although I'm still dealing with repercussions.

While I was in the hospital, a cleaning service was called to help clean up my apartment, with my best friend Alice supervising. She had a ton on her plate being that she's my emergency contact. She thought the service was pretty trust-worthy so didn't necessarily oversee every move they made. How could she? She was so busy helping with paper work and the like.

I was kind of shell shocked and numb after I got home and it wasn't until much later that i discovered things missing from my apt. I had a bunch of rolls of quarters for laundry missing (about $40). It was such a stupid thing and my automatic response to finding them missing was to question myself; "Am I sure I out them here? I mean they've always been kept in this place, but maybe I moved them and I forgot." Then i noticed a digital camera missing. I never used it and it was in the original box; never touched. Looking back I should have said something, but I was ashamed and a little afraid my psychological well being would be brought up if I should say any thing.

Then a month ago I had a cleaning person (different company; highly recommended to me by the hospital) come in for 3 hours to help me out. A while later I noticed a few rolls of quarters missing (What is it with quarters?!?!) so I called the service. The person who cleaned my apt said she didn't remember seeing them although the mug they were in is missing as well (the last time the bastards took my quarters they were kind enough to leave the cheezy mug). I also notified the hospital and they did nothing (same as the county agency who sent out the cleaning lady) .

Then today I was looking through my DVD collection and noticed a bunch of them missing. I have a lot of DVDs and didn't really notice the missing ones until I decided to watch a specific one. I'm estimating about 8 or 10 are missing (Harold and Maude and some primo Twilight Zone episodes). I'm pretty sure these were taken while I was in the hospital two years ago. But, then again, how can I prove this?

It makes me wonder what else is missing that I'm not aware of yet. It makes me so *angry* that people hired to help people down on their luck can pull some pretty douchbag moves. I know it's petty stuff and nothing really importance has been taken.

My hands are pretty much tied. There's nothing I can do. I hate bringing it to my case workers for fear of sounding like a delusional nut case. And what can they do? I have no actual proof someone took any of said items. And well, I'm sure I'll be seen as a delusional nutcase given that so much time has elapsed.

It just makes me so angry that people who were hired to help people down on their luck can be such sleaze balls. I am grateful none of my financial information or any truly valuable items were stolen. At least as I'm aware of.

This only further makes me hate poeple more and more.

FIN.

[Fat_Sunny]

Given The Opportunity, Human-Kind Will Always Disappoint You. Trust Only Yourself!

That Is Not As Cynical As It Sounds; If You Accept That As The Starting Point, You Won't Be Disappointed In People.

[TheGameHHH]

its like rich people who hire a nanny......how can u trust a person to take care of your child without really knowing them?

thats the risk u run with trusting people to take care of your shit. it sucks, but nobody is responsible but you. i know your situation was vastly different than most people Alice, but the risks are still the same. its not like i dont sympithize with you, i do, but thems the breaks.

[Bulldogcakes]

Alice, I dont know if your memory is as bad a mine, but I lose/misplace/give away/use stuff all the time and then think I still have it. Since I don't have a cleaning service, I know its my fault. If I did have one I'd probably think the same thing you did, just to find the item later and feel like a dope. I'm not saying it isn't possible that someone took it, but complaints like this are very common in the cleaning biz and most of the time its not the employees. Are you sure about these things?

[A.J.]

I'll be your emergency contact. I could never steal from you: I have Catholic guilt!

[Midkiff]

I feel your pain! I had movers come to move me out of base housing whe I discharged from the military. Months later, when my stuff arrived at my new home, I discovered the theft. I had bought one of those big folding boards with a map of the USA (for my son), and each state had a slot to put in that state's respective quarter. I had all the states filled that had been released so far. These mother fuckers had take the time to pry each and every quarter out of the board, messing up the board, and getting a total of $3 at most.

Fuck people! Talking monkeys, that's all they are.

[FUNKMAN]

sorry to hear it Petrina. those are material things and can be replaced although i be pissed too. the more important thing is hopefully you are doing better and feeling good!

[AnnoyedGrunt]

That stinks. A friend of mine had some things stolen by either his landlord or neighbours (never figured out which). He moved and a year later when he went to watch Lord of the Ring he opened the case and realized that the same person had cleaned out the DVD's and left the package.

[milliehatchett]

Alice, I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's difficult enough to trust in this world and to get smacked in the face with it only makes it harder. Remember this though, it's just stuff - quarters, dvds, they can all be replaced. The important thing is that you're doing what you need to do to get better. Focus on Alice - you are so much more than what you have - I know it's hard cause it feels like an invasion but YOU are whole and you are getting better. Don't let this get ya down!

Be well Chica!!!
MillieHatchett (who will be happy to send ya some quarters for the laundry and a dvd or two if ya need it)

[Don Stugots]

Given The Opportunity, Human-Kind Will Always Disappoint You. Trust Only Yourself!

That Is Not As Cynical As It Sounds; If You Accept That As The Starting Point, You Won't Be Disappointed In People.

i must say that i have learned this the hard way but it is true.

[BoondockSaint]

I hate thieves.

[reeshy]

When my wife died.....after the funeral....we had a catering service come in.....my mom and aunt were there when they came.....after the funeral...we all came back to eat lunch....later that night , My daughter came to me to tell me that some earrings that my wife gave to her were missing and my son was missing a ring .......No one comes into my house anymore unless I'm standing there!!!

[lleeder]

Its not as major for me but I've lost almost all of my good CD's. Alot of them were all over my truck in different books or just jammed in different pockets and compartments. I sometimes wonder if car wash guys lifted some of them while vacumming.

[WhistlePig]

I'll be your emergency contact. I could never steal from you: I have Catholic guilt!

Me too! I'll be emergency contact #2!

[Reephdweller]

Man that really sucks, I'm sorry to hear that. On one hand you can say that yeah they're material things that can be replaced. Though I think i'd be pretty upset to some extent as well as it happened right in your home. It's one thing if something gets taken off your desk at work. Though in your private home space it can really be frustrating especially since it makes you feel paranoid to leave the house.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

I'll be your emergency contact. I could never steal from you: I have Catholic guilt!

Me too! I'll be emergency contact #2!

Me three!