Maybe opportunist. Noticed the entrance gate open and wandered up to see what he might find. Shaking hands with doors on his way down (Planned) or a not very secure push bike?

Who will ever know but Lex & Co are safe and able to put this whole sorry affair behind them.

Kung-fu Hillbilly wrote:There's a huge sense of violation, isn't there? I've had a couple of break ins over the years and it fuckin sucks. You actually got off pretty light considering what you had lying around. The worst aspect of break ins for me was the following couple of nights where I found it difficult getting off to sleep - a newly purchased golf club fixed that.

He may be back depending on how desperate he gets. Don't leave the door unlocked again, will you?

For sure... It's one thing when you get robbed when you're not there, but there's definitely a great sense of violation when it's done while you're sleeping (perhaps one of our most vulnerable positions). I have to admit I slept ok last night, but was a bit freaked out before going to bed. Locked the door and put a jerrycan behind it (to make noise) and some hockey sticks to "block" it. When I dozed out of sleep 2-3 times I would get that little: "Oh!" sense and my eyes would scan the room... It'll likely take a while for that to subside. To be honest, I ALWAYS lock the door. I can't recall intentionally not locking my door unless sometimes if I'm awake and it's daytime.

The same deal happened to a barang girl I know, but she kept on pretending to sleep because she was really freaked out (perhaps the best move for many women).

Sailorman wrote:My motto in SEA for over 30 years: "Never let your guard down, never let you guard down, never let your guard down." Its served me well.

I have to agree. I pride myself in being good at that, but it always only takes one little lapse... It'll only make me more prudent I guess. I'm changing the batteries in the patio alarm and might install one on the front door.

wackyjacky wrote:Sorry about the burglary. It could've been a lot worse though huh ? IMO your back's all f*cked up from sitting in Econ for umpteen hours on the flight/flights back. As a guy w/a lifetime of back problems - you need a Chiropractor, hopefully with a STIM machine. The STIM - electronic muscle stimulation works wonders. I've gone in 20 mins, from unable to move to being able to work a busy 8 hour shift behind the bar. Maybe there's one in PP. If not get some adjustments, they help a lot too. 3 visits should do it. The problem w/Chiropractors is that they all want you to come back 2X a week for the rest of your life. As soon as you're able, start stretching your hamstrings & hips. (90% chance they're the culprits). My back's good now, & I stretch those puppies every day & do a crazy amount of stomach exercises. If I even miss 1 day - I'm hurting.

The plane might have something to do with it, as well as me not working out as much as I used to for the past few months. I did sit around for literally 40 hours. Never that great for the lower back if you're not used to it or have bad posture.

LTO wrote:If you don't usually have back problems, this is just a one-off thing or a very rare occurrence, the thing to do first is simply lie flat of your back, on as good stiff mattress, ideally without a pillow (as much as you can tolerate that), and take ibuprofen (not paracetamol or aspirin or some other pain killer that doesn't also reduce swelling) therapeutically, 4 times per day, max dose, (but not exceeding the daily maximum), for about three days. If you've pulled something or its spasming for some other reason, this will probably do the trick. It can help to get a bit of massage while you're laying there to help you relax. Heat helps too. It's too early for chiropractors and other manipulators. And you've got to be diligent about it. 3 days on your back. Not 3 days of usually on your back but occasionally up and around to do things. On you back, flat, hard or semi-hard surface, 3 days.

That's what I did the first time it happened. Mostly because I couldn't move... But did the same for almost two days now. I use a pillow but I find the most comfortable position is to lie on my back. I tried the "raising legs" test regarding herniated discs and I seem much better than before so it's hopefully not that. Just a sprain or something. I feel much better (I can walk around now), but it still hurts somewhat and I need to sit/lie down often enough. Riding the moto for an hour yesterday tightened the back up again...

StroppyChops wrote:Sorry to hear of your drama BKL. Have you considered keeping a little dog?

I'm barely responsible enough to take care of myself, let alone another living being.

Joker Poker wrote:Sorry to hear about your ordeal BKL, back pain really sucks as do the damn thieves.
If you decide you need to see a chiro I can thoroughly recommend Dr Christophe Savouré. He is a very competent chiro, has a very well set up clinic and is a really good guy to boot.

Website here.
http://www.cambodiachiropractic.com/

Thanks, I've heard about him before. Only heard praise so far.

PSD-Kiwi wrote:My mate was really angry with himself for not closing and bolting the secondary inner rear balcony door and not bolting their bedroom door, as he normally did, this guy is extremely security conscious. He sent his wife and baby packing to the family home for the next week, whilst he set up some basic early warning systems and booby traps. He would then leave the house for a few hours and sit at a bar across the road, where he had full view of all his apartment, drinking non-alcoholic drinks, and then would return to his place pretending to stumble in a drunken swagger. He then left the rear door open and set himself in an observation post with a baseball bat hoping that the thief would return. Luckily, for the thief, he never did return.

Hah! I did that the two other times I got shit stolen. I left my door ajar a few times and sat behind it, waiting for someone to try and come in... No one did (maybe it was too obvious I was baiting them). When I had my size 13 running shoes stolen (wtf?), I did the rounds of all the markets and second-hand shoe shops hoping to spot them. I then realized it was a waste of time and energy and let it go. Still, even though my place is secure and this was 100% preventable, it's a good opportunity to review my security situation.

The Add Jay wrote:How did this guy know to go 4 floors up to your place? nobody saw him in the stairwell? Neighbors didnt know of anything? place have security?

sounds odd.

As Edwin says, it was probably opportunist. A guy doing the rounds looking for easy to break in places (or in my case, an open place...). The same happened to two guys I know (although the reason they didn't lock their doors was because they were totally drunk). Thieves might trail people like that, but they probably also "do the rounds". My place is pretty isolated and a thief who isn't from the area wouldn't know a barang is in there. So I don't think I was being targeted. There's an iron gate at the bottom, which one of my neighbours installed a year ago or so. The idea was to put a lock down there as well, but I never got around to it... The the sliding gate has no lock, allowing free movement for a thief to go check out the actual flat entrances... 4am is the perfect time. Most drunks are back in bed and none of the early birds are up yet. Of course, he might have seen me staggering that morning, but I doubt it. When they target someone they typically know what they'll be getting. I've known a few people to have bikes stolen from behind locked gates. A recent one was a barang friend who's front gate was busted with thermite. The thieves had seen all the bikes parked there and knew what they were after...


Anyways, as I said, I have no one to blame but myself. Lesson learned...

Potty: Not really armed to the teeth 24/7, but armed none the less and its served me well over the years. (also don't look armed) We live in a dangerous world (country) and are looked at as rich targets by some. As I said, alarms and safes don't sleep, I must.

BTW/ I bought a lock here in Snooky with a built in alarm. (I also brought one just like it from the US.) I bought (in the US) self contained portable car alarms that are suppose to attach to a steering wheel. They work real well as alarms for my house, motorcycle and travel. Batt. operated and loud. I also bought a motion alarm in Singapore that's great.

shagger's back often manifests as extreme pain when trying to get out of the bed- you have to stand up and straighten out gradually.
not much pain when lying down or after standing for 20 minutes or so.

Naproxen (Aleve) is the most effective OTC NSAID in the US. My doc advised it. Careful : way lower dosage than ibu or paracetamol.

yogi.kuddha wrote:Naproxen (Aleve) is the most effective OTC NSAID in the US. My doc advised it. Careful : way lower dosage than ibu or paracetamol.

Yep, it worked for me; 1 a day with food - or it can give you guts ache.

Milord wrote:I feel your pain. Also, to be robbed while in bed is the worst violation.

Just wondering if you caught a thief and injured them, what trouble would you be in?

None. I truly believe beating up a Jao is the only time a Barrang can put hands on a local without getting mob-stomped out.

Why do you feel the need to beat a Cambodian....it's like you are waiting for that opportunity ....if it comes then you can wow us with the shots you threw...until then it just sounds like wank....do you feel me SQUF

tazers are good