Have not checked in here in a while. How are things with you guys?


--- InterEcho 1.19
* Origin: PB WildCat 4.20, Mesquite, Tx (wcalt.rdfit.net:2222) (1:125/5014.1)

Ruben,

Have not checked in here in a while. How are things with you guys?

While not a Dad, per se (my wife and I never had any kids, and
I never remarried after she died nearly 14 years ago), it has been
a tumultuous start to 2021.

I was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck in early January. A
pickup truck hauling a trailer hit me in the right rear, causing
me to spin out of control across the median, where I was hit on
the right front by another car. The vehicles that hit me then hit
head on, and took out a utility pole.

My airbags didn't deploy, but they did in the other vehicles. I
was not at fault in the wreck, but my car was totaled out. A week
later, after getting the settlement from my insurance company, and
having some funds left after my late Mom's death over a year and
a half ago, I bought a pre-owned 2009 Volvo 2 door hard top
convertible from a family owned business (they've been around for
35 years). I got the tags for it, and took it in for service...but,
a parts shortage meant 3 weeks later, I was still taking Uber back
and forth...and I had been undergoing chiropractic care since the
wreck (I was finally released from that this past Monday). I had
been paying $40 a day for Uber.

Well, the dealership did a trade for a 2013 Chevy Cruze, but
there was a lot of stuff wrong with it, and I had to get the
windshield replaced. Then, the batteries on my keyless door lock
failed, and I was locked out of my house...so I had to call an
emergency locksmith. To add to that, a callus on the bottom of
my right foot was making it hard to walk, so I had to get that
removed. And, I've got a colonoscopy scheduled for April...but
a complete physical, and urology procedure have to wait, as both
clinics (and much else) were closed from the snow last month; but
many buildings also suffered water damage. So, they're so backlogged
with appointments now, that those 2 have to wait.

Basically, with all the car, medical, and other expenses,
unless that COVID-19 stimulus arrives soon, I'm going to be
overdrawn. However, my account has the protection, but I'll
be dinged a fee each time it occurs.

I'm to call Geico tomorrow, if I have the statement from
the chiropractor, and try to get a nice settlement. Otherwise,
my birthday on Monday will be lousy.

We had thunderstorms from 3am to midday today, but the
worst of the weather (strong to violent tornadoes) was in
Mississippi and Alabama. Hard to believe a month ago, we
had 2 feet of snow on the ground.

And, to top it off, I had told Kris Jones that I'd take over
Gatornet, but I'd need help to get it going. Unfortunately,
that help never came...and right now, with all the other stuff
I have going on, getting that revived is low priority.

Daryl

... My last original thought died of loneliness.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

Deon,

Wow, not a good year for you. Sorry to hear about it. Hope things work out...

Well, I got a call from Geico Thursday. The guy who was at fault in the
wreck apparently only had "very basic liability insurance". So, all they offered to do was:

A) Pay the chiropractic medical bills (which were quite expensive).

B) Pay the Uber back and forth to the clinic (14 cents a mile, per IRS
rules).

C) Pay me for the pain and suffering (I think it was more economic than physical).

They can NOT pay for loss of property (my car was totaled -- noted
below), or any other expenses...because the guy had very basic coverage.
I have heard of cases where folks get minimal insurance, then cancel
it; but keep the card, showing they have it. Yet, the police can track
that down, and cite them for driving without liability insurance.

To get one's license tags in Arkansas, you must prove that:

1) You have assessed the personal property tax on the vehicle.

2) You have insurance on the vehicle (most just do basic liability,
and don't pay for things like collision, medical, etc.)

3) If acquiring the vehicle new or used, you must provide the title.

4) You must pay the sales tax on the vehicle (I think 7.5% of the
total price).

5) Have a valid Drivers License in the State Of Arkansas.

You have 30 days after the purchase to get the license tags. At
least I can renew them online, without having to go to the Revenue
Office.

My previous car was totaled out, and I got $5287 for it. Combined
with some money I had from the insurance after my late Mom's death
in August, 2019, I bought a pre-owned vehicle from a family owned
dealership that has been in business for 35 years. Yet, in Arkansas,
most, if not all, pre-owned cars, are sold AS IS, with NO WARRANTY.
I paid $9950 for it, but had to pay $729 in state sales tax. But,
the car is paid in full...so no finance charges.

The first one was a 2009 Volvo 2 door hard top convertible, which
would have cost more on insurance and repairs. When I took it in for
service, there was a parts shortage, and I still hadn't gotten it
back 3 weeks later. I had been taking Uber back and forth at $40 a
day. So, the dealership did an exchange for a 2013 Chevy Cruze 4 door sedan...which is much bigger and nicer. Plus, it'll be cheaper on
repairs and insurance.

Unfortunately, they found a bunch of stuff wrong with it, and it
cost me over $3500 on that. Then, I had to replace the windshield,
which had developed a crack in it. Safelight had set me up for a
Friday, but the location was Memphis, Tennessee, instead of Little
Rock, Arkansas. So, they rescheduled it for this past Saturday, and
I told them "as compensation, install 2 of your best windshield
wipers, and give them to me, to where I just have to pay the $100
deductible on the windshield, and we'll call it even"...they took
my offer.

Then, this past weekend, the battery on my keyless door lock at
the house died, and I was locked out of the house after 10pm. So,
I had to call an emergency locksmith to get me in, and it cost me
$165. I have to get a tamper proof small star screw, with the
screwdriver, so I can change the battery again...but this one
lasted 3 years.

With all that, I was on the potential of being overdrawn for my
birthday on Monday (not the best birthday present, even with having
overdraft protection...they pay the transaction fee, but hit you with
an overdraft fee for each one). But, they'll be able to get me $817,
which will pay the rest of the bills for the month, provide the co-pay
on my colonoscopy next month, and pay the income tax preparation fee.
When the COVID-19 stimulus comes in, I can just hold that for savings.

Had I known then what I know now, I would've just canceled the car
insurance, and just taken Uber everywhere...but that money would've
run out sooner or later. Then, it would've eliminated any social
life...as I'd have to take Uber to medical appointments and to the
Post Office Box, and I'd have to get groceries and prescriptions
delivered. But, it would've eliminated car insurance, repairs, and
gasoline. However, you're at the mercy of someone else for any needed transportation.

So, while it's far less than I wanted, it'll save me a lot of
financial grief later. One of the law enforcement agencies in
central Arkansas has a "hot check division", and folks go to jail
for that.

What's Gatornet?

I'm happy to help if its useful.. I've got the kit here doing a couple
of other nets, so one more should be a quick setup...

I would appreciate that. I'm at 1:19/33 in FIDONet (a regional independent...my hub is 1:396/45)...and my email is wx1der at
gmail dot com -- however, Gmail won't allow programs to be sent
in emails.

However, with being in our spring tornado season now...plus I had
to delay a complete physical, and a low-T procedure, due to two
back to back winter storms in February (clinics were closed at
least a week, with some having significant water damage from burst
pipes), that they are so backed up right now. So, I'm waiting until
after the colonoscopy in early April before I worry about those
others.

I feel like the deal from Hee Haw..."if it weren't for bad luck,
I'd have none". I noticed a dead tree had fallen over in the yard,
and I went to try to move it via one of the branches, it snapped
off, and had I not had glasses on, I might have gouged my right
eye out.

I never remarried after my wife died 14 years ago, and I sure
could use some help now. But, at this stage of life, so many have
so much "baggage", and I don't want or need all that "drama".

Daryl

... "640K of RAM should be enough for anybody." -- Bill Gates
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

Deon,

I dropped you an email with my details - let me know what you need...

Saw the email and replied.

Bummer on the car sitaution. Did you have insurance? Seems easy for
folks of getting out of insurance and responsibilities. Here in Oz
having your own car insurance takes away all that burden if they other person doesnt...

Yeah, I had insurance, and apparently more coverage than the other
driver. I guess I should be thankful they're paying the chiropractic
bill.

Best wishes for your birthday on Monday - hope your financial situation gets fixed in time.

Hopefully, I can get it processed by this afternoon.

Daryl

... Thunderclap: An extremely violent form of VD.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

While not a Dad, per se (my wife and I never had any kids, and

I never remarried after she died nearly 14 years ago), it has been
a tumultuous start to 2021.

I was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck in early January. A
pickup truck hauling a trailer hit me in the right rear, causing
me to spin out of control across the median, where I was hit on
the right front by another car. The vehicles that hit me then hit
head on, and took out a utility pole.

My son had a very similar experience. Years ago, while making a legal left turn with the
left turn green signal, an underinsured lady ran her light and broadsided him. He
suffered a back injury. Her insurance paid some of the many visits to a chiropractor, but
hiring an attorney was not the answer. The attorney received money, but not my son.

That accident was years ago, and he still has back problems.

As a dad, his pain is my pain.

Mike Dippel

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (3:640/1116)

Mike,

My son had a very similar experience. Years ago, while making a legal left turn with the left turn green signal, an underinsured lady ran her light and broadsided him. He suffered a back injury. Her insurance
paid some of the many visits to a chiropractor, but hiring an attorney
was not the answer. The attorney received money, but not my son.

I took the cash settlement instead of taking them to court, as I needed
funds now to keep from being overdrawn.

That accident was years ago, and he still has back problems.

It's dangerous just getting out of bed in the morning.

As a dad, his pain is my pain.

I can understand that.

Daryl

... I just bought a cured ham...wonder what it had...
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.13-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)