smash and grab

Mac Book Pro = $2000
Timbuk2 Laptop Bag = $60
Logitech Mouse = $30
Book = $15
Various notebooks = $10
The pleasure of working with the Chicago Police Department = priceless

Last Thursday, I met up with my friend after a busy end of day at work, I will admit that I was late, slightly frazzled and annoyed with the rain. I found parking around the corner from the where we were meeting and dashed in immediately. Now, I had my laptop with me, and on the rare occasion I go somewhere other then home after work, I put it in the trunk, seriously every time. Well, except this time, I left it in the car and is always the case, hindsight is a bitch. I knew it was dumb and it had crossed my mind several times to return to the car, but laziness prevailed.

Upon returning to the car, I unlocked my door and heard my friend utter "um, Amber...," which in my experience with things, never ends well. And without fail, I went around to her side to see the window completely smashed out and the laptop gone. I think I might have gone into shock. I guess it still surprises me that a person would break a window before dark, in a busy neighborhood to steal something and gets away with it. I just really hope that kharma comes around in a way that can only be seen in a Saw movie.

Anway, I called the police not once but twice. The first time, I am pretty sure the guy hung up on me, from what seemed like a mix of boredom and indifference but left me with the impression that he was in fact going to dispatch someone my way. No one ever showed, so I called back, and said that I reported it and I was afraid that I had given the wrong cross streets. To which this woman told me that I had to report to a police station and the next ten minutes were hands down, the most frustrating and aggravating that I have ever experienced. After a whole lot of wimpering and explaining, she grudgingly wrote up a report. And upon asking what was stolen, I said a computer and she asked what kind of computer and I said a Mac, and then she asked how to spell it...enough said.

The aftermath that ensued was unexpected. The next day, as I was moping in a puddle of self pity my boss called to tell me that she was picking me up. I was car-less, due to the window being fixed. She arrived and we went straight to the Apple store, where I picked out a lovely new iMac for work and 20 minutes later the computer was in the trunk. She then informs me that we will drop the computer off at work, and then she was taking me to a spa and I could get whatever I wanted, her treat. One facial later, she took me out for drinks and dinner. Seriously, how amazing is my boss?

As for the laptop, B is optimistic that it will be covered by insurance. Luckily, my work files were backed up that very day, I had only lost a few hours worth. I am most sad that I lost a good chunk of photos and it really is a kick in the pants that I lost my entire design portfolio, including my web site design. I realize that something worse could have happen, but I have kicked myself repeatedly for knowing better and doing something so careless.

In a closing note, Ethan commented that the car seemed very clean. To which I explained what had happend and that when we got the window fixed, they vacuumed the car out. Ethan took it all in and responded that we should go to their house and tell him "No thank you." I couldn't have said it better myself.