kai

hey all- since i've been working, it seems like i just can't keep up anymore (I work outside all day... its hot out... seems like i work, sleep, and occasionally eat and bike)... at any rate, sorry to hear about the thefts. I've had my car broken into before, as well, and it is frustrating.

as far as the insurance claims are concerned, I would probably not claim it. I've heard down here in texas it is difficult to get home insurance policies written in the first place. there is something called a "C.L.U.E." report that the insurance companies use to evaluate whether they should insure you, or your property, and what your premiums (your percieved risk) should be. unfortunately, most of the stuff on that report has very little to do with yourself. and even calling your insurance company to inquire whether to pursue a claim can be added to the report, and hurt your future chances of getting another policy written (i suppose you could get your premiums increased, or your policy even cancelled, but it'd surprise me). Also, there is the question of your deductable. if you make a claim, and your deductable is higher than the value of your claim, then you've just injured your insurable rating for something you're going to have to pay for anyway.

i am NOT an insurance person. this is just what i've learned along the way. i have ordered my clue report from "Choice Trust" (about $20 i think)- i learned that my house had been broken into 9 months before i bought it, which was interesting- but that affected MY insurance premiums. just something to keep in mind... if someone can't get a policy written when they are trying to buy your house, the mortgage company wont allow them to buy it, and you get screwed, etc...

we have a saying in our family. "it's just stuff". i ruined a rim on my car on a pothole earlier this month- $600 worth of damage. but its just stuff. i could have swerved to avoid the pothole, and been in a horrible accident, and hurt myself, or someone else. when the jack fell as i was changing it (the tire was still on, thankfully), it could have squashed me (or my arm, or whatever)... stuff is replacable. its just stuff. its frustrating, but try to remember that its just stuff. you could have caught someone in the act, and they could have been armed and shot you. it's just stuff. (I'm trying to over come this problem by trying not to buy anymore stuff). its corny, but loosing a couple friends on the 9/11 planes taught me to value human life. stuff is replacable. people are not.

as for the theives, as a budding buddhist, i try to remain somewhat compassionate (which is hard at times)- its bad to have stuff stolen, but at least i'm not so bad off that I have to steal stuff. when i want something, i go buy it. i have food every day. i am fortunate. others- not so much. Granted, it might have just been a bunch of kids who made off with some gear- but the road they are headed down will not be relaxing, and peaceful, and full of love. things will never be easy for them with the path they have chosen, and eventually, karma will come back to bite them. While i don't approve or condone of stealing, i am thankful that i don't have to stoop so low. (but if i knew who did it, i would seek restitution, by all means... its an odd balance, and there must be a middle road somewhere).

speaking of which, the law enforcement down here leaves a lot of room for improvement. perhaps its lack of funding, but i am appalled at the amount of violent crime and home invasions and robberies. i'm not holding my breath on it improving, but i'll always vote for more police funding. i'm not sure thats wise, given the rampant political corruption down here, but i don't know what else to do...