Damn economy!!!!

[Yooper]

Well folks, it finally got me.... life/economy etc.
I left work Friday to pick up lunch for me and the wife. A truck stopped in front of me to turn left and I stopped a car-length or so behind him. We had been sitting there for several seconds waiting for traffic to clear when I looked into my rearview and saw a car coming up behind me. Well, as I looked away to see if the truck was moving yet, it occurred to me, "WOW, that car is flying up on me." Before I could look up again, BAM! He tried to insert the nose of his Honda Accord up my smart's little poot chute at 45 MPH. That crammed me into the back of the pickup truck that was still stopped in front of me.
My back and neck is killing me, my feelings are hurt, my little smart has looked much better.
After getting home from the ER, I found out that I had been laid off along with 7 other people. So much for the hope that engineers were a little better insulated from the economic down-turn.
A least I have plenty of time to brew now. Of course, it freakin' hurts to lift a bottle of brew, much less a full carboy. Mmmmm.... pain pills and beer. Such is life.

Well, just as a little update, the insurance company has decided to total my little car. There was no frame damage that they could locate. But because the car is so new and unique, there are no aftermarket parts. And getting all the plastic from Germany was going to prove to be quite expensive apparently. Whoever gets this ride from the insurance company will get one hell of a deal.
Now, I have to worry about getting a new one though. At least there won't be a wait this time. I had to wait 13 months to get this one.
Again, thanks to all you guys who helped me out and shared their concern.
And a special thanks to Forrest! You really brightened my day and have given me something to look forward to as soon as I am able physically able to brew again.

I hope sooner rather than later......

Geez, Bull, I just saw this! I'm so sorry about your car and your pain.

I'm glad it wasn't worse as far as the accident was concerned.

I'm also to hear of you being laid off. I guess none of us are ever really "safe", but I thought that you would be one of the ones that would be in demand even when the rest of us are looking for work. I'm so sorry to hear of all this.

Keep us informed on what's going on with you. I'll keep you in my thoughts!

 

[fastricky]

Very sorry to hear this news, but it sounds like you'll be OK in the long run physically, and that's the main thing. I hope you'll land on your feet soon professionally as well.

 

[bull8042]

Geez, Bull, I just saw this! I'm so sorry about your car and your pain.

I'm glad it wasn't worse as far as the accident was concerned.

I'm also to hear of you being laid off. I guess none of us are ever really "safe", but I thought that you would be one of the ones that would be in demand even when the rest of us are looking for work. I'm so sorry to hear of all this.

Keep us informed on what's going on with you. I'll keep you in my thoughts!

Well Yoop, now I have plenty of time to police the forums. I have thought about applying for a moderator position here to supplement.... hehehe
Thank you for your concern and thoughts.

 

[bull8042]

Very sorry to hear this news, but it sounds like you'll be OK in the long run physically, and that's the main thing. I hope you'll land on your feet soon professionally as well.

Thanks fastricky, I appreciate the sentiments. I am sure it is all for the best and something great will come out of it. It is just kind of difficult to see at the moment.

 

[LSDracula]

You know, I am having a tough time making a decision about the lawyer. I have always griped about the people who want an easy "get rich quick at the expense of the insurance company" type thing. At the same time though, I did absolutely nothing wrong and the other insurance company has accepted 100% responsibility saying their client was at fault. I just want the outcome to be fair and just. I don't know yet if I HAVE to have a lawyer for that or if there is still some sense of humanity and compassion in the insurance world.
I guess I will just have to see what they propose up front and let that decide for me. If they treat me fairly, it will be mutual. If they try to low-ball me and treat me like I'm a moron, then 1-800-screw-em will be my next move.

You should always hire a lawyer. Insurance companies use fallible computer software to dole out claim payments. Until last year most insurance companies used a program called "Colossus" to determine payouts for claims. Apparently, the companies that used "Colossus" and the software company that developed it are in a $65,000,000 class action law suit right now for short changing claim settlements.

 

[LSDracula]

Don't feel bad about ripping off an insurance company. If you have a poor memory we tax paying hard working americans just bailed those companies out. For no reason. Maybe the reason was their own insufficiency and greediness. As a working class US citizen you need to leach these idiocracies for everything they have!

 

[homebrewer_99]

Forrest, you da MAN!!! WAAAAAAYYYYYY Cool.

I take back every bad thing Revvy said about you!!

 

[bull8042]

Forrest, you da MAN!!! WAAAAAAYYYYYY Cool.

I take back every bad thing Revvy said about you!!

BWAAAHAAAAHAAAA!

 

[Saccharomyces]

Next time I think I'm having a bad day I'll remember your post and have a beer in your honor.

 

[bull8042]

Next time I think I'm having a bad day I'll remember your post and have a beer in your honor.

It will be most appreciated, I assure you.
As bad as I hurt and as bad as it seems, I still have so much to be thankful for as far as the accident goes. At least I was alone and not with my wife or one of my children.
Now, I think I will have a beer in my honor too.

 

[bull8042]

Well, just wanted to give "anyone who wants to know" an update.
I got a new car, went with a new BRABUS edition smart which I think I love more than the last one. That was on July 28th. Then an ex-employer called on the Thursday after and wanted me to come in to talk about some possibilities. The had taken over everything south of the border from the UK and needed someone who is bilingual.
Long story short, I started last Monday. Spent 2 days getting my laptop loaded with the software then headed out to the airport Wednesday afternoon.
So, here I am... sitting in a hotel room in Buenos Aires and will be for the next 2 weeks. Funny how things happen.....

 

[homebeerbrewer]

Congrats! Sounds like it all worked out better in the end.

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Damn- unemployed to Argentina...... Nice jorb

 

[bull8042]

Damn- unemployed to Argentina...... Nice jorb

Thank you... I am very proud of my jorb. The wife says it is a nice one....hehehe
Sorry, I know what you meant.
But, yes, an amazing transition, and a lot more money too. Just a little difficult being away from the family, but we can deal with it ok.

I will have to say, now I know why our governor came down here for his mistress. There are some dang fine women here!

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Yay! glad to hear that your layoff was only a few weeks, as opposed to mine which was almost six months, with the possibility of more looming on the horizon...........

 

[bull8042]

Yay! glad to hear that your layoff was only a few weeks, as opposed to mine which was almost six months, with the possibility of more looming on the horizon...........

Thank you! I was afraid of the same if you want to know the truth. Now is just not a good time to be looking for a job.
It might be easier if you were in the fast food industry. But there is not much else going on right now. I think things are beginning to turn around though. At least that is what I have been hearing.