h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

[MTG]

Right. I'm off to stare at the contents of the fridge and think deep thoughts about fennel. Have a lovely evening everyone. Or morning, or afternoon, or whatever your local time-frame requires you to have.

[mr]

Anybody seen my page, its been kidnapped

[GDZ]

*tromps through the salon, disgruntled, on her way to her studio and rl work*

[Ben]

Again, thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. First thing this morning, I took my car down to an auto body repair shop and they gave me an estimate (in the state of Montana you're only required to submit one estimate to an insurance company, but you can choose anyone you want to do the repair work). Afterwards, when I called the claims adjuster she said she still had some work to do on the final report but my car would be a total loss. That is, the cost of any repair--and she did her own estimates--is more than the car's value. Insurance companies don't have to fix any automobile if the repair costs are greater than the value of the vehicle. The lowest estimate was $2,700. They haven't signed the check yet, but they will be giving me a check for what the car is worth and I can either a) take the money, allow them to take my car to a salvage yard and get another car or b) take the money and drive the car myself until I find another car or have it fixed myself. It's driveable, I just don't want to tootle around in it indefinitely without major repair work. The insurance company has given me a preliminary offer of $1,500. I didn't like that, and my mother (hurrah for moms!) called the state's Insurance Commissioner this morning. He said they have to give me fair market value, which could be higher. To find out, and to prod them into giving me the higher amount, I would have to get in writing either statements from area car dealers what they would sell the same make and model for on their lots or clip ads from area newspapers showing what other people are asking for this car. NADA and Kelley Blue Book both say $1,900 could be the price, if the car is in good condition, which it was prior to yesterday's accident. So I have to spend my weekend going around and trying to corral car salesmen into noting down *they* would charge $1,900 for my car, then I go back and tell the insurance company I spoke with state officials, what they said, and what the insurance company has to do now or else I will file a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner's office. What a bugger.

I had a good cry in the office bathroom over this today and am feeling a bit stunned and off right now. I did go to my doctor on my lunch break. She examined my reflexes, muscles and did a basic neurological exam (shining a light in my pupils, etc.). She said I'm doing fine for now, but that I need to call her within the next 72 hours if I get a headache accompanied by nausea or vomiting or have serious muscle pain.

Pfft. Life.

I have wasted the last two hours waiting for my board president to show up so we can go close an account at the bank. It requires both of us to do it. I hate waiting on people.

and a from Ben.

That's a real bummer, FG. Hope you get it all straightened out.

And I hope the spirits of one and all improve soon.

Go Cardinals!

s to all who need one and an extra one for Lil.

I've had connection problems this evening but all is well now.

[Teuchter]

*Wondering how B4 is - he's been adrift from the Atelier for a while

Going home now.

[c] - preparing for Knott's Scary Farm this evening, which (for those who aren't from So Cal, which is pretty much everyone) is where they redecorate a local theme park for Halloween and have employees dress up in scary costumes and jump out and scare the patrons... They have halloween mazes too, with more gtnouls. Great fun will be hand, though it will be a very late night.

FG, did the auto body place say they could fix it? Because you could take that money, plus any savings, and have them fix it rather than go get a new one...if it's possible.

So, I have a friend dilemma. My friend DR has not had a car since I've known her. Her father has a car for her, with a brand new engine, etc, that he is willing to give her if she registers it, to the tune of 800 bucks. She's 250 shy, and is asking me for a loan. I normally would not have a problem with this BUT this is the one time I'm strapped for cash. Problem is, this is the one time her father will make the offer, and she has to do it RIGHT NOW in order to get the car. She's borrowed my car in the past, and frankly, I get a little tired of it, since she never puts in gas or offers to pay for gas...

ANywho, I'm torn between giving her the money and suffering through the next week and couple of days so she can have her car, and being up front and stating flatly that no, indeed, I don't have the money. She asked about this months ago, and I said I would be happy to help if I had the money. She's pushing on that. It's not that I don't HAVE the money so much as I was planning on using it for, oh, groceries.

What would you folks do?

I'm going home, too. My president still hasn't shown up. and doesn't answer his phone. Hope he's ok.

You'll all know where to find me this evening....in front of the tv watching the ballgame....eating popcorn and drinking or not drinking depending on the score.

for everyone in a funk.

MR, I think you have to do what's best for you. If she's a real friend, she'll understand and it will be ok. Or could you give her some of it and help her find the rest someplace else?

MR, just remember that in all likelihood, 'never puts in gas or offers to pay for it' is probably equal to 'you'll never see that $250 again.' How close a friend is she? Would she sign a promissory note for you?

FG, use the Appraise a Car function at Edmunds. It'll give you a market value for your car. As I recall, it gives you 3 values: blue book, dealer and private sale prices. http://www.edmunds.com/tmv/used/index.html?tid=edmunds.h..used.utmv.1.*

Hi all!

Apologies for rudely butting in like this, but I just wanted to say goodbye to all at Lil's before I go. I thought it was better to do that than just disappear. I just don't have time for h2g2 any more, but on my way out I wanted to pay my respects to the some of the very finest folks I've met in my 3 years at h2g2. I spent a lot of very good times here.

Here's to Lil and the Salonistas!


Bye. If I ever return I'll pop by again

Oh, and if anyone wants to contact me my email is candinook at hotmail dot com - I'd love to hear from any of you.