Real Life | Someone Stole My Laptop & Two Years of My Life Monday 17 August, 2015
I had to do a blog post on this. I thought I wasn’t but I need to release and hopefully none of you all will have to feel what I feel. My blog as of last week has been on hiatus for a good reason.
My laptop got stolen last week. My car got broken into, laptop swiped, and it had everything I have been working on for the last two years.
So how did this happen? Yeah not like you think…No I wasn’t reckless and parked my car in a suspicious area and with my laptop out in the open…the exact opposite happened. Here is the story of the vandalism.
I was actually supposed to go to a movie screening to see Straight Out of Compton…movie got overbooked. Yes even with my media credentials somehow I wasn’t granted access. I took it as a sign to go to my friend’s surprise birthday party which was literally down the street. The restaurant was in a decent area in Midtown Atlanta and lucky for me they had valet parking. I immediately waited for valet to get my car. Now I should of known something was wrong when it took valet almost 10 minutes to come get my car. I realized it was only one driver at the time retrieving, parking and returning cars at that moment. I thought it was strange…but I was getting antsy as I wanted valet to just hurry so that the birthday girl didn’t see me go into the spot.
It was a great dinner outing…lots of laughs and fun celebrating life. Time to retrieve cars…and there was still just one guy retrieving tickets and picking up cars to return to customers. Coincidentally enough, I was the last one to give my car keys. Here is the fun part ::sarcasm:: when the valet man looked at my keys and came back he looked at me and said, “Are these your keys”? I said, “Yes those are mine.” He proceeded to tell me, “Well we have a problem with your car. It’s been broken into.” What????? How does my car get broken into with valet services? How? Aren’t they supposed to be safe?
Well of course I freaked out! I never got my car broken into before…I don’t even have a luxury car or anything. Just a little 2011 silver Chevy Aveo, nothing anyone would want to consider breaking into. I was wrong. So myself, the birthday girl and her husband walk with me to my car…along with a new valet guy (who I didn’t even know was working) and realized we were walking to a self-parking lot in the street. I was pissed! This is were my car was parked??? In a $5 self-parking lot??? Out in the open…in a shady area?! No wonder my car got broken into!
But wait that’s not all. My car wasn’t the only one broken into. There was another car that also was broken into…clearly around the same time as me. I also learned that in this self parking lot…the restaurant rented out a few extra spaces in this area when they run out of their traditional spots. So one side is the restaurant valet service side and the other side is open self public parking for the Midtown Atlanta area. Funny enough…the other guy car was from valet services too. hmmm….
But of course…immediately when I get to my car my passenger window was busted. No my laptop was not in the passenger seat. My laptop was in the backseat under a blanket…also note my backseat windows are tinted. So it still makes me a little bit livid on how this even happened. How did an outsider know to break into my car…to go to the backseat and find my laptop?? I have my own thoughts and accusations in my head as to who did it. It might of very well been valet services themselves…after all they had full access to my car. Who knows??! A police report was made…my car was finger printed and all…but for now my laptop is gone!
——
There is the story as to what happened. I am pissed and hurt. Not because of the laptop itself…that’s material. My car window being shattered…fixed the next day. What is making me hurt, angry and distraught a bit is that 2 years of my life is gone!! I know some people are going to ask…but you didn’t back it up? Ironically enough…no because I was supposed to get a brand new computer by September. A MacBook Pro I was going to breakdown and get for myself. The laptop stolen was a Toshiba. It was my mothers because my laptop broke around a year ago and she loaned it to me until I could save up for a Mac. Now I have to replace hers and try to see how I can get this MacBook Pro I have been waiting to buy…
I am a freelance writer & blogger. This thief didn’t just steal my laptop…he stole my work. He stole thousands of pictures…some of blog posts I didn’t even get a chance to put up here. I had a 4 part blog post on my Trip to NYC from last month I didn’t get a chance to share with you guys yet. Pictures from 2013 and now…gone. Photography sessions and personal photos…gone. My nieces birth…gone. Just memories…my contracts from clients I worked on…things I am working on…gone. That makes me so upset…my job is being delayed because of a jerk with sticky fingers. It would be really nice to get my laptop back with my documents and items…but right now doesn’t look good.
BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.
Sorry this is a long blog post…I had to write and release. It hurts me because…I felt like this was meant to happen for whatever reason. I can’t could of would of should of nothing. What if I didn’t go to my friend’s party? What if I self-parked myself? What if I didn’t bring my laptop that day? I can’t go there…I just have to move forward. I am here to say I am in better spirits. I am trying anyways. The thief may have taken something very personal and valuable to me…but it’s not over.
I still have memories to make and work to do. I am going to replace my mom’s laptop real soon. That’s not an issue. Getting my own laptop now…is a different story. The MacBook Pro I was supposed to get by September…praying I am still able to. But if you are a creative, a freelancer, a blogger like me, a photographer – you know your laptop is you life! This stings so bad…it’s almost like someone went inside you computer and wiped out everything you ever worked on. Horrible feeling.
It’s no ones responsibility to get my laptop – and trust me I am talking to the Atlanta Midtown restaurant about their services. I haven’t released the name yet…but if the conversation I have with them doesn’t get resolved…I will be doing another blog post and Yelp review on the establishment. You all know I am not a bashing blogger -but people need to be warned! You eat and these places and expect great service and hope valet safely and keeps you car secure…
I have a great friend that did something amazing for me. She set me up with a GoFundMe Account. I promise I wouldn’t of done this on my own. She knew how important my laptop was and knew this is how I did my work…so she did this in hopes of cheering me up. She did cheer me up because no lie…I was very sad. A sweet gesture. I swear I don’t like asking people for help or money. I guess I am too prideful…but I am blessed I do have some beautiful people who have contribute to getting me a new laptop! In less than 24 hours I raised $100 bucks! WOW
By no means are you obligated to donate. I am just putting it out there. I am not a charity case or expecting anyone to contribute but if you decide to…that would be amazing. This post wasn’t made so I can get donations but so grateful for the ones who have. Maybe it’s just time for me to get a new laptop sooner than later.
If you made it this far in my blog post, thanks for reading all of this! I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy to get pieces of their life and hardwork stole from them for no reason. I am very optimistic on something good is going to come out of this. I will definitely keep you all updates. For now I am borrowing a friend’s laptop for a month until I can get my own laptop again. I will be ok…come back better and stronger! Hopefully the police will find this person. I hope I get a new laptop. Karma will come back in a good form for me…Not fighting fire with fire. If you donate…thank you in advance!
Thanks for reading and empathizing.
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
I am so sorry this happened to you. I really hope they find who took it and can get it back. It sucks that you had to be greeted by this after leaving a celebration.
That totally sucks! I hope things get resolved, but I wish you would give the restaurant’s name anyway because my Auntie lives in Atlanta and I would hate for her to go to an establishment that doesn’t step up. And I’m sorry but am I the only one thinking it was probably the first Valet who took it?
I’m sorry you had to go through that. It’s always crazy when things out of our control happens that way but stay positive. You will get a new laptop and be back up and running in no time!
I totally understand your pain. Someone broke into our house and all they stole was my laptop. While it was old, it had a lot of pictures. Things could have been worst.
I am sorry your vehicle was broken in to and your laptop was stolen. I think the place that parked your car was in the wrong with sharing the parking and where your car was parked. is there anything you can do about that?
I feel for you! My laptop wasn’t stolen, but 2 weeks ago it crashed and I’ve only had it for a few months. The Apple store had to totally wipe it and reinstall the software. I lost several blog posts and all my photos. I learned a hard lesson about backing everything up.
That is the suckiest thing in all of suckville! I can’t believe people. Like they have some sort of right to take things and things that are so important, to boot! I hope karma kicks the tar out of them.
I’m really sorry about your experience. I visited a lodge 3 years back and while packing our car to go back home, someone took my laptop bag! It was an horrible experience for me because I never backed up anything. I learnt my lesson, please make sure you back up everyday when you get a new laptop!
Oh no! What a horrible situation! I would have thought that Valet would be responsible and your car would be safe! That scares me! I am so sorry you lost all your work. That is heartbreaking!
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I can definitely relate. About a year ago my hard drive crashed and I lost TONS of pictures for blog posts that I never got to share. Thailand, Hawaii, Iceland, gone. I’m thankful for what I was able to recover from old back up hard drives, Facebook, IG, Tumblr, etc. THEN I was working in Montreal and my AirBnB was broken into and my entire computer was stolen. I was devastated but thankful because out of that came a brand new computer that I bought with money collected by my co-workers. I say all this to say, don’t let anything stop you. I know it’s hard to lose pictures and things that you’ve been working on. That really sucks. But you will recover and be better and stronger than ever. Much love to you.
I am so sorry to hear that his happened to you despite having valet services! I know laptops can be easily replaced, but the digital content stored in there are priceless. Just be thankful that you are safe.
I would be lost without my laptop! Last year, I accidently spilled coffee on my computer and instantly lost everything. I was devastated! Luckily I do most of my work online, so it wasn’t a complete liss. Still pretty hard to swallow though.
Wow! I’m so sorry to hear that this happened to you! I would be absolutely livid is well if this happened to me. Everything related to my blog is on my laptop so if something happened to it I don’t know what I would do.
Oh no! That is horrible! Especially in a place with valet parking. You would think security would be better there. I would not know what to do if someone stole my laptop. I would be so upset, as I am sure you were.
My heart goes out to you. That is a shame and it would be nothing short of a miracle for the person that took it to give it back. I would recommend (and I’m lax on it too) using dropbox to back up your work/writings…just to prevent not having your work accessible. Best wishes to you!
Oh my goodness!! This is just terrible!! I would be pissed if I found out the valet serve took my car to a self park lot. I hope you get your laptop back!!
Oh honey. That is awful. Just awful. Some people just don’t understand that while on the surface its a fun piece of electronic equipment, but to others, its their whole life and/or career. I know there isn’t anything I can say that will make it better; but I do hope you’ll be able to get your mom sorted and get yourself something shiny and new.
It’s the worst when something so personal gets taken. I recently lost all of my pictures… and videos. ALL of them, from before computer days. Very hard pill to swallow, so I know how you feel.
I can not imaging having my laptop stolen. I have so many photos and work on it i would be lost without. I need to back all of my data up just in case.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I understand though that your laptop is your livelihood. Have you asked the car insurance company if they can help since you had to pay for the window too.
As a fellow blogger I know you are devastated. Like you I have years and years worth of pictures. More than the average person and I would be SICK. This is a reminder for me to back up my laptop to my external hard drive right now. I hope they are able to get it back to you. Sending you great vibes.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Your insurance sometimes covers things that were stolen from your car. I would check into that if I were you. they may be able to pay for a new laptop for you.
Oh my goodness, that an experience! As you mentioned,not only was the laptop stolen, but it was an invasion of your privacy! How good was it to have a friend who could help you out in that way!
Wow i am so sorry! I know if I lost everything you did I would be going crazy. About 2 years ago I had my car get broken into and at that point I was kinda living out of my car. I was staying from friends to friends so all of my belongings were in the car and I lost everything. Luckily I had my laptop, 1 suitcase and purse inside the house when it happened but still I had just gotten back from a disney cruise and everything I got from there was in that car. So I understand the feelings of hurt that you have. I really hope everything comes together in the long run sweetie <3
I can’t even imagine how heartbreaking that would be not just the work but the photos! I am always so scared when traveling that something will happen to mine. I hope you are able to replace it soon and start to rebuild what you can.
Wow! I am very sorry to hear this and I hate that all you work is now missing. I am wondering what the restaurant is going to do to help you resolve this issue. You trusted them with your car and it got broken into meaning it is their job to help fix the problem. I know if it was me and they didn’t help.. I would blast their name everywhere. Is it petty? Yes, but I would still do it.
oh my gosh, my heart is breaking for you. I don’t back up my computer either so I can only imagine. Sounds so crazy but as a blogger, yes, our life is on the computer and so many pictures and stories to tell. I’m so sorry this happened to you.
I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you. I can’t believe it happened during a valet service. The laptop can be replaced, sure, but all your lost work and two years of your life can’t be replaced.
Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have my laptop stolen. I have all of my family photos on mine and my grands photos. I took it on vacation recently and I never let it out of my sight, I even took it to the restaurants with me. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope that whoever took it returns it but doubtful that would happen.
I am so sorry. I am not sure what I would do if something like this happened. Nearly half way through the post I had a few theories of my own as to what happened. I agree the valets are my prime suspects because if it was in the backseat under a blanket behind tinted windows only someone who had been in the car previously with the opportunity to search would know that and the broken window could jsut be a way to through authorities off that path. I hope whoever it is is caught and brought to justice. It just isn’t right.
OMG, I’m so sorry to hear that! It sucks to have your car broken into in general, and it especially sucks to have your laptop stolen on top of that! I pray everything works out and that you either get your laptop back, or you get a brand new one that was worth your troubles.
Lady, I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you recover soon. And when you get your new laptop, guard it like you never have before. I know this won’t take you out. You got this!
Sorry to hear about your laptop. Losing computer work period is such a nerve-wracking experience. I can feel your pain. My brother’s Mac was stolen…he even had some location thing set up that gives you a GPS location AND a photo of who and where the thieves open it up. The cops still did not act on this information quick enough and the laptop ‘disappeared’ again. I seriously recommend people get some sort of GPS on a valuable or important portable device.
You poor thing. I can only imagine how you felt, but I would have been devastated, too. My life is on my laptop.
I would be totally lost with out my computer I have SOO much on here I would just cry! You friend is SO sweet to set up an gofundme account!
I am so sorry this happened to you. I really hope they find who took it and can get it back. It sucks that you had to be greeted by this after leaving a celebration.
I’m sorry to hear about your car and your laptop. I would be lost without my laptop. I am a blogger, too and all my work is in my laptop.
Oh no! That is so awful. Nothing worse than a thief! I hope you get it back or at least get a new one. Good luck!
That totally sucks! I hope things get resolved, but I wish you would give the restaurant’s name anyway because my Auntie lives in Atlanta and I would hate for her to go to an establishment that doesn’t step up. And I’m sorry but am I the only one thinking it was probably the first Valet who took it?
I’m sorry you had to go through that. It’s always crazy when things out of our control happens that way but stay positive. You will get a new laptop and be back up and running in no time!
I totally understand your pain. Someone broke into our house and all they stole was my laptop. While it was old, it had a lot of pictures. Things could have been worst.
I am sorry your vehicle was broken in to and your laptop was stolen. I think the place that parked your car was in the wrong with sharing the parking and where your car was parked. is there anything you can do about that?
I feel for you! My laptop wasn’t stolen, but 2 weeks ago it crashed and I’ve only had it for a few months. The Apple store had to totally wipe it and reinstall the software. I lost several blog posts and all my photos. I learned a hard lesson about backing everything up.
I do hope they find your laptop. So, so sad!
That is the suckiest thing in all of suckville! I can’t believe people. Like they have some sort of right to take things and things that are so important, to boot! I hope karma kicks the tar out of them.
I’m really sorry about your experience. I visited a lodge 3 years back and while packing our car to go back home, someone took my laptop bag! It was an horrible experience for me because I never backed up anything. I learnt my lesson, please make sure you back up everyday when you get a new laptop!
Oh no! What a horrible situation! I would have thought that Valet would be responsible and your car would be safe! That scares me! I am so sorry you lost all your work. That is heartbreaking!
So sorry this happened to you! People have some kind of nerve to take things from other people.
What a Bummer!! Sorry to hear your sad news. Glad your getting a New lap top soon.
I am so sorry about that! Its a horrible situation. Someone broke in to our house and we lost all cameras, ipads and laptops.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I can definitely relate. About a year ago my hard drive crashed and I lost TONS of pictures for blog posts that I never got to share. Thailand, Hawaii, Iceland, gone. I’m thankful for what I was able to recover from old back up hard drives, Facebook, IG, Tumblr, etc. THEN I was working in Montreal and my AirBnB was broken into and my entire computer was stolen. I was devastated but thankful because out of that came a brand new computer that I bought with money collected by my co-workers. I say all this to say, don’t let anything stop you. I know it’s hard to lose pictures and things that you’ve been working on. That really sucks. But you will recover and be better and stronger than ever. Much love to you.
Hope you can get a good replacement for your stolen laptop. People these days. Hope you can get justice for this.
I am so sorry to hear that his happened to you despite having valet services! I know laptops can be easily replaced, but the digital content stored in there are priceless. Just be thankful that you are safe.
I would be lost without my laptop! Last year, I accidently spilled coffee on my computer and instantly lost everything. I was devastated! Luckily I do most of my work online, so it wasn’t a complete liss. Still pretty hard to swallow though.
That is awful! I am sorry to hear that. I couldn’t imagine how you feel right now. I hope some day it will be found and you get it back. Terrible!
Oh no, how awful! I would be devastated if this happened to me. Hopefully you are able to get a new one soon.
I’m so sorry that happened to you! I would be so upset too if my laptop got stolen or destroyed.
How terrible! I’m so sorry you had to go through this, that’s just awful!
Wow! I’m so sorry to hear that this happened to you! I would be absolutely livid is well if this happened to me. Everything related to my blog is on my laptop so if something happened to it I don’t know what I would do.
So sorry to hear this, that is terrible. I think that your suspecion has valid points. I would think that way too.
I’m sorry about that. I hope you will get you a new laptop soon. But I still hope that you will get your old laptop back.
Oh no! That is horrible! Especially in a place with valet parking. You would think security would be better there. I would not know what to do if someone stole my laptop. I would be so upset, as I am sure you were.
My heart goes out to you. That is a shame and it would be nothing short of a miracle for the person that took it to give it back. I would recommend (and I’m lax on it too) using dropbox to back up your work/writings…just to prevent not having your work accessible. Best wishes to you!
Oh my goodness!! This is just terrible!! I would be pissed if I found out the valet serve took my car to a self park lot. I hope you get your laptop back!!
Oh honey. That is awful. Just awful. Some people just don’t understand that while on the surface its a fun piece of electronic equipment, but to others, its their whole life and/or career. I know there isn’t anything I can say that will make it better; but I do hope you’ll be able to get your mom sorted and get yourself something shiny and new.
It’s the worst when something so personal gets taken. I recently lost all of my pictures… and videos. ALL of them, from before computer days. Very hard pill to swallow, so I know how you feel.
I can not imaging having my laptop stolen. I have so many photos and work on it i would be lost without. I need to back all of my data up just in case.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I understand though that your laptop is your livelihood. Have you asked the car insurance company if they can help since you had to pay for the window too.
ugh.. I am so sorry that this happened! I hope that your laptop gets returned or that you’re able to get a new one soon.
As a fellow blogger I know you are devastated. Like you I have years and years worth of pictures. More than the average person and I would be SICK. This is a reminder for me to back up my laptop to my external hard drive right now. I hope they are able to get it back to you. Sending you great vibes.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Your insurance sometimes covers things that were stolen from your car. I would check into that if I were you. they may be able to pay for a new laptop for you.
That is terrible! I am so sorry! I can’t imagine what it would be like to have my laptop stolen. What a nitemare!
That sucks so much! What is the point of valet if they’re just going to leave your car on the street? I’d be suing their asses.
Oh my gosh! How terrible! I would be so lost! =( I need my laptop for my business. Oh my gosh it’d be a mess if I didn’t have it.
Oh my goodness, that an experience! As you mentioned,not only was the laptop stolen, but it was an invasion of your privacy! How good was it to have a friend who could help you out in that way!
That sucks majorly. I’m sorry this happened to you girly. I hope you get to your goal.
Wow i am so sorry! I know if I lost everything you did I would be going crazy. About 2 years ago I had my car get broken into and at that point I was kinda living out of my car. I was staying from friends to friends so all of my belongings were in the car and I lost everything. Luckily I had my laptop, 1 suitcase and purse inside the house when it happened but still I had just gotten back from a disney cruise and everything I got from there was in that car. So I understand the feelings of hurt that you have. I really hope everything comes together in the long run sweetie <3
Omg so sorry that happened!!!! People suck sometimes. Unfortunately I’ve had tons of things stolen from me over the years…. Have people sometimes.
Oh no, you poor thing. I cannot even begin to imagine how that feels 🙁 I live on my laptop and I’d be so hurt too!
I can’t even imagine how heartbreaking that would be not just the work but the photos! I am always so scared when traveling that something will happen to mine. I hope you are able to replace it soon and start to rebuild what you can.
Wow! I am very sorry to hear this and I hate that all you work is now missing. I am wondering what the restaurant is going to do to help you resolve this issue. You trusted them with your car and it got broken into meaning it is their job to help fix the problem. I know if it was me and they didn’t help.. I would blast their name everywhere. Is it petty? Yes, but I would still do it.
oh my gosh, my heart is breaking for you. I don’t back up my computer either so I can only imagine. Sounds so crazy but as a blogger, yes, our life is on the computer and so many pictures and stories to tell. I’m so sorry this happened to you.
I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you. I can’t believe it happened during a valet service. The laptop can be replaced, sure, but all your lost work and two years of your life can’t be replaced.
Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have my laptop stolen. I have all of my family photos on mine and my grands photos. I took it on vacation recently and I never let it out of my sight, I even took it to the restaurants with me. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope that whoever took it returns it but doubtful that would happen.
I am so sorry. I am not sure what I would do if something like this happened. Nearly half way through the post I had a few theories of my own as to what happened. I agree the valets are my prime suspects because if it was in the backseat under a blanket behind tinted windows only someone who had been in the car previously with the opportunity to search would know that and the broken window could jsut be a way to through authorities off that path. I hope whoever it is is caught and brought to justice. It just isn’t right.
OMG, I’m so sorry to hear that! It sucks to have your car broken into in general, and it especially sucks to have your laptop stolen on top of that! I pray everything works out and that you either get your laptop back, or you get a brand new one that was worth your troubles.
I’m so sorry to hear about this! I agree, the valet’s are your prime suspects. I hope you get your laptop back, even if it’s just for the memories!
Lady, I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you recover soon. And when you get your new laptop, guard it like you never have before. I know this won’t take you out. You got this!
Sorry to hear about your laptop. Losing computer work period is such a nerve-wracking experience. I can feel your pain. My brother’s Mac was stolen…he even had some location thing set up that gives you a GPS location AND a photo of who and where the thieves open it up. The cops still did not act on this information quick enough and the laptop ‘disappeared’ again. I seriously recommend people get some sort of GPS on a valuable or important portable device.