To the girls that stole about $100 from me at the Replay last night:

[Gil Bavel]

To the girls that stole about $100 from me at the Replay lounge last night:

Thank you for leaving my cards, my identity and my food stamps card.
They don't let me have food stamps any more, but the thought was nice.
And thanks for taking my hard-case wallet; it cost me $30, and everyone
always remarked about how cool it was. You must like it, too.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Yes, I was robbed of about $100 at the Replay last night.

Another girl had her handbag rustled through, and also was robbed.

I was sitting with a table full of girls that I didn't know--they somehow
parted me from my bag--I didn't even notice--which really sucks,
because I planned on going to Little Dave's benefit tonight--and now I
can't. So, thanks for that, too.

Now I can't make even a tiny contribution to the family of a friend that
decided to take his own life, when they desperately need money. They're
in the hole $5K for his funeral. You couldn't have picked a nicer guy to
rob, or a worse time to rob him. Now, Halloween's off--we were gong to
do a yard display for trick or treaters (like I've been doing off and on since
1983*), but now, you've made that impossible as well.

So, trick-or-treaters will have a less fun and interesting and scary holiday
than they might have. In the past, we've scared kids so badly that they
ran past their parents, down the block.

But not this year. Because I can't even afford the stage blood it takes to
get the recirculating fountain of blood going. My favorite holiday, down
the tubes.

But, it's my fault. Thieves and pickpockets separated me from my cash,
and left my bag and my cards, but not my wallet and my cash. I looked all
over, and by the time I was getting kicked out by the wonderful staff at
the Replay Lounge, they really didn't care, they just wanted me out of
there.

"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here".

Meanwhile, I was desperately looking for my wallet.

But, I knew, since the cocktail waitress spotted my bag just about the
time I did, which still had all my little coffee cards and such in it, that
they had somehow separated me from it, cleaned out the cash, and put
the rest back, minus my $30 wallet. They were real pros, for as young
as they were.

I was not as vigilant as I should have been, and I'm lucky I still have my
fuckin' social security card. Good thing I voted early.

I was sitting with a group of girls that I didn't know... and the whole
reason that I wear a bag is so that my wallet won't get picked out of my
pocket... it was cold and I was wearing my jacket--and actually
considered putting my wallet in my jacket inside breast pocket
--but I didn't.

Anyone can be a thief. Even cute little college girls. Anyone can be morally
bankrupt. Be careful out there, girls! The wheel of karma may come
around and when it does, it may not be as nice to you as you were to
me. Kapisch?

But, the worst is over. Or is it? Maybe not the self-loathing, the
self-recrimination... what a fool I am. What a first-class heel. I'm
such an idiot.

Bleah. If I weren't always so broke, I'd be okay with the whole, "It's only
money" thing. But that money was my life. I was going to try to buy a
desk and chair as well, to get up off the floor, which just further
fucks up my back when I work from home. Well, I still have what's left
of my health, and, I guess, if I'm counting blessings, it could have
been more. But even I'm not stupid enough to have more than $100 on
me at a time.

Anyway, thanks, ladies! I really hope that money gets you
something nice.

A hard-won lesson. Next time a get a wallet, I will put a chain on it and
look like some kind of an idiot biker.

Man, the worst part is that I feel like such an idiot. I have been without
money for so long, I finally made a sale, finally got paid, and then I get
ripped off. GIL IS A BIG FAT IDIOT.

LOSER! Fucking airhead. How did they separate me from my bag? It was a
bag I got as a premium when I pre-ordered Fallout: Tactics. When we
found it, it was on the ground, it was drizzling slightly, and my cards were
scattered a bit, just coming out of the bag.

Gee, it was sure nice of those girls to leave me my food stamps card...
They couldn't have stolen money from a nicer guy.

Of course, I haven't been eligible for food stamps for months... I'm still
working on regaining my eligibility. But, thanks for leaving my Vision
card. They're free from SRS, in case you're curious. You can have as
many as you like.

I wonder if it ran through their heads when they were leaving my cards
that, "Wow, this guy is on food stamps... maybe we shouldn't ought to
rob him. He's really poor." Well, they're college kids... God willing, they
don't even know what a Vision card is.

Have a great life ladies. I hope we meet again sometime, so I can
forgive you. In person.
_____________________________________
*Arcane Haunted House Co.

 

[mike]

do you have Paypal ?
or similar, if so post the details im in for 50 aus bucks.

the reality is for every person who would rob you, there are more who will help.

 

[Gil Bavel]

do you have Paypal ?
or similar, if so post the details im in for 50 aus bucks.

the reality is for every person who would rob you, there are more who will help.

I do, [email protected]

Thanks so much--I wasn't soliciting, but I'll take all the help I can get!

--Gil

 

[mike]

Think nothing of it Mate, cheesy as it sounds im the one should be thanking you, for allowing me to honour an old debt.

you see a long time ago when i was young and silly i got myself into a situation where i needed help and someone gave it to me, the only thing he would take as payment was my promise that if i saw someone else who needed help, and could give it with "no skin off my nose" then i should do so, and we would be square.

its a debt i take pleasure in servicing when i can, glad to have helped

 

[Goody]

If paypal wasn't such a bastard for me to use (it takes abit of time to transfer money) i'd happily donate some money; that story made me feel absolutely terrible. How nasty the people of this reality can be, it's just stingey Gil.

One question I have: You didn't keep 'any' of that money in a bank account? I understand if your card was thieved, but is it possible (if you have money in an account) to goto the bank & access that account with some I.D?

Peace Gil,

Goody.

 

[SoCalGNX]

Chances are that they will do it again to someone else. Are there other night spots near there that they might go to? Might pay to do a little detective work yourself. File a police report in the meantime if you haven't already.
Sometimes we can help karma speed up a little.

 

[Gene Steinberg]

If paypal wasn't such a bastard for me to use (it takes abit of time to transfer money) i'd happily donate some money; that story made me feel absolutely terrible. How nasty the people of this reality can be, it's just stingey Gil.

One question I have: You didn't keep 'any' of that money in a bank account? I understand if your card was thieved, but is it possible (if you have money in an account) to goto the bank & access that account with some I.D?

Peace Gil,

Goody.

Tell ya what — and this applies to anyone who wants to donate to Gil to help him over the hump (and he deserves it as he's a great guy) — we also have a credit card processing account. If you write us directly, using the Contact Us link, with your credit card info and how much you want to donate, I'll process it through our merchant system.

Yes, we can take your donations for the show this way too. Just indicate in your message to use where it's going and we'll do the rest.

If you would rather fax the credit card info (both sides of the card along with billing address), send it to 480-661-8009.

We accept Vista/MasterCard/Discover, and we're working on adding eChecks and American Express.

 

[mike]

i had no problem using paypal although the exchange rate right now is poor.
i once lost my wallet with my entire months pay in it, so i know how that feels. had to walk to work, dodge the rent man, and ration out a single loaf of (stolen, then anonymously rembursed the next month) bread.
a very hard month, so when i heard Gil had lost his i couldnt help but want to help.
so if you can throw a tenner or twenty his way , id encourage you to do it. im sure that response is something he will carry, long after hes worn out another wallet or two

and its an investment in a more decent reality than the one hes just had

 

[Gareth]

You lasted a whole month on one loaf of bread?

 

[mike]

You lasted a whole month on one loaf of bread?

yeah, it was a rasin/fruit loaf, and kept rather well, i did manage to scrounge some packet soups from a cupboard at work, and there was an endless supply of mineral water and fruit juice in the work fridge , i was literally fasting the 2 weeks prior to payday, and of course could not just pig out when i did get paid, i had to ease back into eating slowly with simple foods for a few days.... but as the poets say one must suffer to write, i wouldnt really change the past if i could though. learned some good lessons.

 

[Gil Bavel]

If paypal wasn't such a bastard for me to use (it takes abit of time to transfer money) i'd happily donate some money; that story made me feel absolutely terrible. How nasty the people of this reality can be, it's just stingey Gil.

One question I have: You didn't keep 'any' of that money in a bank account? I understand if your card was thieved, but is it possible (if you have money in an account) to goto the bank & access that account with some I.D?

Peace Gil,

Goody.

No, rent money is in my checking account. I had that much on me because last night was the benefit concert for the family of a friend of mine that hung himself when he was drunk a couple of weeks ago. I went by the ATM, got out a hundred bucks, and had a few beers and was planning to come back the next day (yesterday, to donate to my friend Dawn who was married to Dave (we called him Little Dave because when he was hanging around us when we were skate punks, he was about 12, always smoking cigarettes, and asking to borrow your skateboard) during the benefit concert.

So, when I was robbed it was THAT money, my spiffy $30 wallet, and everything BUT rent.

I'd already gone shopping and gotten the basics. And I'm truly humbled by the generosity of every single Paracaster here. I can only express my gratitude that all I'm left with is a bruised ego, and that you guys have helped take the sting out of my misfortune and turned into a life lesson. It could have been a lot worse.

As to going to the cops, there was a girl there that had already reported that her handbag had been gone through--and I got the impression as they were rushing me out the door (I always hate it when the yell at you... I guess it's because the clientele is mostly made up of college students) that she may have suffered a greater loss than I had--because she was female and so were the robbers--they might have taken a lot more from her. Lipstick, makeup--the stuff that you're really supposed to carry a purse for.

I just carry a bag because A) it's a really cool cammo bag that says Fallout: Tactics on it, B) I have to carry my meds around with me so I don't get caught out without it--I have to take them every six hours for a degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine (and yet the State says I'm able-bodied), and C) I don't like to keep bulky things in my pockets, it's really uncomfortable to keep more than just keys and coins in there.

I have to carry more stuff around with me than the average bloke--and it's just easier with the bag that I have. I finally got rid of the falling-apart wallet that I had, and got the fancy hard-case one that has a translucent front, for your drivers' license, room for a few cards and some bills. It's a great alternative. If it just hadn't been so damned expensive.

I'm looking for a replacement--they must have things like that by now that aren't so much.

 

[Tommy Allison]

To the girls that stole about $100 from me at the Replay lounge last night:

Thank you for leaving my cards, my identity and my food stamps card.
They don't let me have food stamps any more, but the thought was nice.
And thanks for taking my hard-case wallet; it cost me $30, and everyone
always remarked about how cool it was. You must like it, too.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Yes, I was robbed of about $100 at the Replay last night.

Another girl had her handbag rustled through, and also was robbed.

I was sitting with a table full of girls that I didn't know--they somehow
parted me from my bag--I didn't even notice--which really sucks,
because I planned on going to Little Dave's benefit tonight--and now I
can't. So, thanks for that, too.

Now I can't make even a tiny contribution to the family of a friend that
decided to take his own life, when they desperately need money. They're
in the hole $5K for his funeral. You couldn't have picked a nicer guy to
rob, or a worse time to rob him. Now, Halloween's off--we were gong to
do a yard display for trick or treaters (like I've been doing off and on since
1983*), but now, you've made that impossible as well.

So, trick-or-treaters will have a less fun and interesting and scary holiday
than they might have. In the past, we've scared kids so badly that they
ran past their parents, down the block.

But not this year. Because I can't even afford the stage blood it takes to
get the recirculating fountain of blood going. My favorite holiday, down
the tubes.

But, it's my fault. Thieves and pickpockets separated me from my cash,
and left my bag and my cards, but not my wallet and my cash. I looked all
over, and by the time I was getting kicked out by the wonderful staff at
the Replay Lounge, they really didn't care, they just wanted me out of
there.

"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here".

Meanwhile, I was desperately looking for my wallet.

But, I knew, since the cocktail waitress spotted my bag just about the
time I did, which still had all my little coffee cards and such in it, that
they had somehow separated me from it, cleaned out the cash, and put
the rest back, minus my $30 wallet. They were real pros, for as young
as they were.

I was not as vigilant as I should have been, and I'm lucky I still have my
fuckin' social security card. Good thing I voted early.

I was sitting with a group of girls that I didn't know... and the whole
reason that I wear a bag is so that my wallet won't get picked out of my
pocket... it was cold and I was wearing my jacket--and actually
considered putting my wallet in my jacket inside breast pocket
--but I didn't.

Anyone can be a thief. Even cute little college girls. Anyone can be morally
bankrupt. Be careful out there, girls! The wheel of karma may come
around and when it does, it may not be as nice to you as you were to
me. Kapisch?

But, the worst is over. Or is it? Maybe not the self-loathing, the
self-recrimination... what a fool I am. What a first-class heel. I'm
such an idiot.

Bleah. If I weren't always so broke, I'd be okay with the whole, "It's only
money" thing. But that money was my life. I was going to try to buy a
desk and chair as well, to get up off the floor, which just further
fucks up my back when I work from home. Well, I still have what's left
of my health, and, I guess, if I'm counting blessings, it could have
been more. But even I'm not stupid enough to have more than $100 on
me at a time.

Anyway, thanks, ladies! I really hope that money gets you
something nice.

A hard-won lesson. Next time a get a wallet, I will put a chain on it and
look like some kind of an idiot biker.

Man, the worst part is that I feel like such an idiot. I have been without
money for so long, I finally made a sale, finally got paid, and then I get
ripped off. GIL IS A BIG FAT IDIOT.

LOSER! Fucking airhead. How did they separate me from my bag? It was a
bag I got as a premium when I pre-ordered Fallout: Tactics. When we
found it, it was on the ground, it was drizzling slightly, and my cards were
scattered a bit, just coming out of the bag.

Gee, it was sure nice of those girls to leave me my food stamps card...
They couldn't have stolen money from a nicer guy.

Of course, I haven't been eligible for food stamps for months... I'm still
working on regaining my eligibility. But, thanks for leaving my Vision
card. They're free from SRS, in case you're curious. You can have as
many as you like.

I wonder if it ran through their heads when they were leaving my cards
that, "Wow, this guy is on food stamps... maybe we shouldn't ought to
rob him. He's really poor." Well, they're college kids... God willing, they
don't even know what a Vision card is.

Have a great life ladies. I hope we meet again sometime, so I can
forgive you. In person.
_____________________________________
*Arcane Haunted House Co.

Dude... I'd be looking for them, getting pictures of them, and the stalking them.

 

[skunkape]

I know the feeling. I've had my last 40 bucks taken at gunpoint in Houston...by a skinny little chick. Fighting skills mean jack when you're staring down a barrel. There will always be shitty people out there. I admire your ability to offer forgiveness. I'd be looking to sink a boot in someone's ass. You may want, as I have, to take up gardening and learn to can and preserve. No reason to live off a loaf of bread for a month. I haven't had a real job in over a year, never touched a food stamp, and still eat better than probably 90% of Americans.

 

[Tommy Allison]

I know the feeling. I've had my last 40 bucks taken at gunpoint in Houston...by a skinny little chick. Fighting skills mean jack when you're staring down a barrel. There will always be shitty people out there. I admire your ability to offer forgiveness. I'd be looking to sink a boot in someone's ass. You may want, as I have, to take up gardening and learn to can and preserve. No reason to live off a loaf of bread for a month. I haven't had a real job in over a year, never touched a food stamp, and still eat better than probably 90% of Americans.

I've never handed over my wallet to anyone with a gun, never will.

I have used my wallet as a means to get them to get close enough for me to hurt someone once. God, the surprised look on their face, and the horror of that wet snapping sound of a wrist being broken teaches them a valuable lesson.

Sometimes, $8.00 is all a person carries on them, and it's not enough money to cover a hospital trip.