Car Accident

So I posted yesterday that I hit someone with my van yesterday. It was in a parking lot, they were not even in the car when I hit it. I waited there for a quarter of an hour, because I wanted to speak to them rather than just leave a note. I felt so bad about it. After they came out of the store I explained to them that I had hit their car. I apologized profusely and generally begged their forgiveness. There did not appear to be much/any damage aside from a minor scratch, but I still felt really bad. I told them that if it wasn't going to be much money I would be happy to write a check to avoid reporting it to my insurance. I figured at the most it would be a few hundred dollars for the scratch which was barely visible. There was also another dent in the car farther up on the side, not where I hit them. Most likely from a previous accident it was an older car.

I called my insurance, to see what I needed to do if they needed to make a claim, while I was still in the parking lot. I told them exactly what happened. The person I hit called me about 1 hour and a half later. They told me they had gotten not one but two estimates that were within $20 of each other. They said it would be $1300. to fix their car. I was taken aback. (two estimates within two hours twenty dollars apare for $1300? ) What part of this sounds unbelieveable to you? I told her in that case she should go ahead and file a claim with my insurance.

This morning the spouse of this person calls and says that he doesn't see any damage and they don't want to pursue a claim!

This person totally tried to scam me. Honestly if they had not been so greedy and kept it under $500, I probably would have written them a check. What a horrible world we live in.

What a week....

Sunday, Toilet stopped flushing correctly...What could it be? Apparently you are not supposed to put toys down a toilet, this prevents it from flushing correctly. Plumber tried to snake - next step new toilet. Monday, Kitchen sink faucet breaks. Try handling meat when you can't wash your hands!!!! (Alright there is a half-bath nearby but it is NOT the same). Plumber replaces faucet. Today backed my mini-van into an explorer. Totally my fault. Can't blame it on anything but misjudging the distance behind me and a very tight parking lot. Bad things come in threes hope this is the end of my lucky streak.

*Sigh*

Mandatory Licensing??

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/264523_ebaycase28.html

Wouldn't it suck if patents were weaker and generic drugs were cheap enough that healthcare costs were cut in half?

Alternate spelling names

WHAT are people thinking? Isn't it bad enough my sister picked the name Zane for her son? No she had to spell it Zayne. When did Haden become Hayden? What's next K-H-A-Y-T-E-L-Y-N-N-E instead of Kaitlyn? Alysyn, Lyndsy? These poor children......

The funniest cartoon

Bruce sent this along to me, I thought it was hilarious. http://minimumsecurity.net/toons2006/6034.htm

The main problem I have with outlawing abortion has to do with women and self-determination. How can you force someone to be pregnant for 9 months and then have a baby? I find abortion really hard to stomach and don't think I could ever choose it for myself, but I find the thought of the government interfering with something so personal even more repugnant. Needless to say, I am boycotting South Dakota (I know I am giving up a lot here *snort*).

why would anyone put this in writing?

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/02/16/2_e_mailers_get_testy_and_hundreds_readevery_word/?refresh=true

Large law firms

I really don't understand why large lawfirms cannot proof read things before they leave their office. Cut and paste should not be an excuse for sloppiness.

My laptop, fried again

I bought a new laptop this year - for less than $1000. I figured if it lasted a year that would be worth the price. Twice this year it has broken costing me $500 the first time and another $300 to fix it this time. Of course I will buy another computer rather than pour any more money into a computer that is now, not even a year later somewhat obsolete. I can't help but be annoyed, both times the warranty did not cover the repair! What does parts and service mean anyway!

Argh

Blackberry settlement

Although I was expecting a settlement in this case, I wonder if our own Intellectual Property Law hasn't turned into a mandatory licensing system via the courts. Is that really what IP is about? Protecting the economic interest of corporate entities? Apparently, in this case the Judge questioned whether NTP was acting rationally in refusing to settle. That was enough to spur a settlement. Does it really matter whether they were acting rationally? Isn't it their perogative not to settle? NO. It isn't, they have to answer to sharholders as does everyone else these days.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700AP_BlackBerry_Battle.html