Facebook 2014-01-10 FB: House Fire

[Bob's Fries]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

Waterman, I swear...

 

[For The Internet]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I'm a little surprised people are donating. It doesn't look like the damage was all that serious, it doesn't look like the fire touched Chris's room, they didn't lose any groceries because they never had a free kitchen to store them in. There's probably a lot of smoke damage and hopefully that will lead to the horde being removed, but they have insurance. If they'd lost everything I could understand donating but they haven't.
The electrical fault might not be their fault, but it could have occurred because of their negligence (rodent-damaged wires, for example). That house was always a massive fire hazard and that's Barb's fault. I have to wonder if the fireman who was injured was injured because of the horde not allowing him room to maneuver but that is pure speculation.

I don't know why I feel so little sympathy. I'm not saying they deserved it, but it's not at all a surprise that this happened.

I hope they can somehow move to a smaller, more manageable place. I really hope they didn't lose anything of Bob's that had great sentimental value to them (or anything else with great sentimental value). The fact Chris thinks the trolls somehow willed this to happen kind of makes me angry because nobody here would ever wish this upon him and many people are actually wanting to reach out and help him.

 

[littlebiscuits]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

 

[JFKdestroyer]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

(I wouldn't be surprised if Keurig products start including warnings about proper house wiring - if they don't already.)

The manuals available online for current models all have instructions along the lines of "For best operation, plug the appliance into its own electrical outlet on a dedicated circuit to prevent flickering of lights, blowing of fuses or tripping a circuit breaker."

 

[The Level Up King]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

http://i.imgur.com/jBHqqbt.png

Waterhead, I swear...

He'll probably find out he has to pay to mail them and just give up.

 

[A-№1]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

One of the things they always say on those shows about hoarding is that clutter massively increases your risk of a serious house fire.

Hoards themselves don't start fires. The typical hoard won't spontaneously combust or anything like that. They only make any fire once started that much more serious. It's more that hoarding has some high fire risk associated behaviors such as neglecting old outlets, failing to do proper building maintenance, and misusing home wiring because the appropriate circuits are made inaccessible by the hoard.

But yes, this disaster was only a matter of time.

Saying that there were insects and other vermin around the house in addition to the domestic animals they kept, it's highly likely that the cable was gnawed. It sucks that his house burnt down, but it's what we all predicted for months.

I seriously doubt animal damage was a factor, actually, unless it's something like insect detritus buildup in the box in the wall. Gnawed wires etc. are unlikely and also unnecessary. It was a very high load plugged into an old outlet on a circuit that was never intended or designed to accommodate it. That's more than enough to account for the fire without doing any wild speculating.

Also 14BLC didn't "burn down". It was definitely damaged (mostly by water probably), but is very likely repairable. The only question is who will have it repaired and who will pay for those repairs?

I'm unfamiliar with the brand, but I gather that Keurig products are high-end, expensive kitchen appliances that wouldn't look out of place plugged in behind the counter of a coffee shop?

I'm not particularly familiar with the Keurig brand either (my own coffee pot costs $10), but the least expensive Keurig coffee machine I can find at WalMart sells for $100. And it's one of the high amp, fast boil models. Even that cheapest Keurig is a very expensive coffee maker for someone who is supposedly impoverished.

The question is, how long has he had it? was it a recent purchase that Chris just hooked up to the nearest available socket without thinking, or has it been there for a while and worn out the socket with it's continuous heavy current draws?

I have no doubt Chris plugged it into the bathroom because the kitchen counter outlets were all blocked by the hoard. The bathroom probably had the only outlet near a source of water for making coffee that he could still get to. He may have received the coffee maker for Christmas, or he may have had it for a while, but either way I doubt it was a case of the high current load "wearing out" the outlet. Outlets wear out much more from plug insertions than currents, and bathroom outlets get more insertions than any other outlets in a house. A 36 year old bathroom outlet has had ample time to loosen up and wear out. Moreover, the circuit really never was intended for loads like coffee makers in the first place. In other words, Chris wasn't wearing out the wiring every time he turned on the coffee maker in the bathroom; he was playing electrical russian roulette.

I called Chris asking if there was anything in particular that he wanted with the $700 currently collected, but he said he wasn't interested and hung up out of paranoia or distrust.

Normally I would suspect his paranoia as well, but some of his comments make me wonder if his usual ingratitude might be his motivation there as well. For example:

restaurants like Wood Grill Buffet in C-Ville, iHop, McDonalds or Burger King (both of them last choices; we like good food)

He's never been too good for McDonalds before when it was his own money (or rather the taxpayer's) he was spending on food, but when someone else is paying… Has anyone ever sat Chris down and calmly explained to him the difference between Beggars and Choosers?

I know the fire was a kick in the teeth for Chris, but somehow he still manages to draw out the inner a-log in people.

I have just been suggest to go to kickstarter for donations; I will consider that

Someone needs to tell Chris that charity is expressly forbidden at Kickstarter. PayPal would serve him better here.

Either way this new message is helpful in terms of what they need and what stores are available to them.

Unless someone near Ruckersville is willing to be a volunteer shopper and courier, gift cards are probably the most efficient way to get assistance to Chris; the shipping costs of sending him material goods would eat into the donated funds. That being said, it would probably be best to make certain the gift cards are for stores that don't sell items Chris wants (like PS4s) to help ensure he will spend the funds on things he actually needs.

 

[Rio]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I called Chris asking if there was anything in particular that he wanted with the $700 currently collected, but he said he wasn't interested and hung up out of paranoia or distrust. Either way this new message is helpful in terms of what they need and what stores are available to them.

Are you honestly still going to donate, in light of this?

Honestly, is it really a surprise he'd be distrustful, given his history with strangers on the internet? He probably thinks it's another elaborate trolling attempt.

 

[Anchuent Christory]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

It'd be a bad idea for Chris to have a Kickstarter because the pledges that come in are required to be put into a project. He can't just pocket the money and do whatever he wants with it.

Exactly, the whole point of a Kickstarter is that the contributors get something back when the project is finished, a game or album for example.
It is not a place to raise charity funds.

 

[Thetan]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

This was forwarded to me a little while ago.

So..... it appears that Barb had a valuable "replica Dali painting" which was probably stolen by a "greedy firefighter", along with her purse.

Spoiler

Nice to know that this recent tragedy hasn't changed the Chris we've all come to know over the years. What an asshole!

I've heard rumors that 14 Branchland Court is going to be repaired, but I don't have anything to back it up at this point. I'll post an update if and when I get more information. Based on Chris's tone in this email, it would appear that things aren't going that badly for them. If the insurance company had refused to pay out, there would probably have been something on Facebook.

On a side note, I think this email may have been forwarded by mistake, since it has nothing to do with donation information. I wonder how many people would still be willing to donate anything to Chris and Barb after seeing this?

 

[JeffGoldblumIRL]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

Barb's hoard blows up and she throws the first stone by accusing one of the people who ensured she had a (partial) hoard to return home to of stealing things from it.

I hate to say it, but that sounds like par for the course.

 

[XYZpdq]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

"replica Dali painting"

I remember reading a quote attributed to Dali about how the lithograph-type replicas of his work were worthless. Like "if people want to sell worthless replicas of my work and other people want to buy them who am I to stop them" or something similar. I think I saw it in The Big Book Of Weirdos.

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I retract my neutrality on the charity issue. This is Chris and Barb's attitude, I say they shouldn't get one red cent from anyone. Let them fucking rot in an alley.

I mean Jesus, the first and only reaction they have to anything is "who can we blame?" and then, on top of that, they don't even want to go looking for someone to blame. They just pick whoever is closest to the situation - which more often than not is whoever is trying to help! The firefighters are thieves. Rob Bell was a wuss. Mike Snyder and Megan rule the trolls.

Deluge me with A-log smileys if you like, but seriously... fuck both of them.

 

[LM 697]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

Deluge me with A-log smileys if you like, but seriously... fuck both of them.

 

[Null]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I retract my neutrality on the charity issue. This is Chris and Barb's attitude, I say they shouldn't get one red cent from anyone. Let them fucking rot in an alley.

We'll see how their reaction goes. If they are ungrateful, then they're on their own. They have literally thousands of people following the drama of their lives, many willing to offer a helping hand, and it now seems that they'll be imprudent enough to smack those hands away in contempt. If that's the case, you'll only need to point to this moment to prove to new onlookers they aren't worth feeling sorry for.

 

[TOOTBLAN]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

Hey Null what's the latest on your donation fund? Where's it up to now?

 

[Greg Sestero]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I retract my neutrality on the charity issue. This is Chris and Barb's attitude, I say they shouldn't get one red cent from anyone. Let them fucking rot in an alley.

We'll see how their reaction goes. If they are ungrateful, then they're on their own.

Man, I hate to be a complete douche - I think we got off on the wrong foot, because you were in charge of the Chris fund and I spent my first few posts vocally opposing it - but I have to do this.

"Nobody here is expecting a "thank you". We expect Chris to take it for granted..." - You

 

[Null]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I retract my neutrality on the charity issue. This is Chris and Barb's attitude, I say they shouldn't get one red cent from anyone. Let them fucking rot in an alley.

We'll see how their reaction goes. If they are ungrateful, then they're on their own.

Man, I hate to be a complete douche - I think we got off on the wrong foot, because you were in charge of the Chris fund and I spent my first few posts vocally opposing it - but I have to do this.

"Nobody here is expecting a "thank you". We expect Chris to take it for granted..." - You

That's not a hypocritical statement.

Just because we're expecting them to be ungrateful doesn't mean that the reaction won't warrant a further lack of empathy. I don't speak for everyone who donated, but my motivation was to both potentially help people that needed it, and on top of that make a move so generous and without warrant that it would set the stage for future action. I know that Chris will only encounter further tribulations, and I want to get this question answered: "Is there anything I can do to help Chris?"

The next time something burns down, or his car breaks down, or Barb dies, or his house gets robbed, people will say "this would be a good time to help out another human being" and they will look at this moment for precedent. What Chris does after the contributions arrive, be it he throws the box away, or criticizes the gesture, or (inversely) writes a letter of appreciation on Facebook -- that will be the deciding factor on if people will choose to aid Chris. If he tears up a money order, literally rejecting what a group of 40 people put together for him, no rational person will ever want to do anything for him again.

So, no. Do I expect Chris to be appreciative, or to even respond? No. Does this new information of Chris+Barb affect my view? Yes, of course it does. Is the door still open for them to not be pricks? Yep.

Hey Null what's the latest on your donation fund? Where's it up to now?

Final total is $922 of contributions, excluding my own. $150 of that went to important hygiene, pet treats, self-care items, and office supplies (notebook, pens, markers). $250 of it went to giftcards for food, arts and crafts supply to help occupy Chris while Barb sorts out issues, and a bag of socks (which sounds odd, but having been through a housefire, you go through some socks walking through a carpet matted with ash and fire hose water + new socks are awesome). I'm going to be writing Barb a $500 money order for temporary housing and further pet care (kenneling/food). She'll probably also be renting a U-Haul truck, a self-storage unit, and will be spending a lot on gasoline as she deals with assorted agents and contractors. Cleaning up after that sort of shit eats up some money. For the remaining $22, that'll help cover shipping and I'll foot whatever's left for getting this out to VA.

 

[Anchuent Christory]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

I like how Barbs automatic reaction is that these things were stolen, not lost to the fire or even the horde, I wonder when she last saw this painting? days, months, years ago? I also highly doubt this replica was valuable, millions of people have replicas of famous pieces on their walls.

Also, it seems Chris is smart/two-faced enough to have kept this off his Facebook, surely even he can predict a backlash from his precious "friends" if he starts accusing Firefighters of stealing his mother's worthless shite.

 

[A-№1]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

If that's the case, you'll only need to point to this moment to prove to new onlookers they aren't worth feeling sorry for.

There have already been plenty of moments where Chris proved himself an utter ingrate. Look at the June, 2013, facebook posts:

Hi Christian. I am sending you good energy. Sorry there are so many mean people who have hurt you. Enjoy each day and find joy in small simple things that bring you pleasure.

Whoopee. That'll bring pretty, single, well-organized women around to make the first move on me. (:0

Admittedly Chris has never had the opportunity to be an ungrateful wretch for this much financial generosity or when he's been in actual dire straits like this, but a leopard doesn't change his spots. No matter the circumstances, Chris will still be Chris.

The next time something burns down, or his car breaks down, or Barb dies, or his house gets robbed, people will say "this would be a good time to help out another human being" and they will look at this moment for precedent.

…and some people will still choose to donate to him anyways because they'll think: "This time he will be different," or, "This time he really needs it." Some people have to learn their lessons the hard way. The only real question there is whether or not they do learn them, or do they become impervious to reality like what Anna is (though I should point out that, so far as I know, not even Anna is sending Chris money in this, his time of need).

I personally believe the only good purpose to sending Chris a large financial boon right now is as a sign to the world that we are not cyber-bullies or trolls, but rather just concerned, compassionate observers (with a sense of humor, admittedly). I think it's a demonstrable truth that most of us really do want what's best for Chris. We only disagree what that actually is.

If the insurance company denies Barb's claim and 14BLC is left to ruin, I think a better thing for Chris than sending him cash and prizes will be seeing if we can get Habitat for Humanity or suchlike to help rebuild 14BLC. Habitat for Humanity will require Chris to pitch in and work to help rebuild his own home, so in addition to getting his home back he will also be forced to learn some valuable life lessons there (and maybe some useful skills as well) in a way that a mere care package never can teach. Then again, Habitat for Humanity may themselves have the good sense to stay the fuck away from all things Chris related. In any event, we'll have to wait for the outcome of the fire report and the insurance claim to see if it's worth contacting them.

I also highly doubt this replica was valuable, millions of people have replicas of famous pieces on their walls.

The print was worth no more than $30. The frame was probably worth more. Personally I would be very surprised if it was even a Dali print and Chris hasn't simply mis-identified the artist. Barb doesn't strike me as much of a Dali fan; she seems more of a Thomas Kinkade aficionado. Then again, who knows what worthless crap she might have picked up in her Goodwill shopping sprees just because: "That looks valuable - it must be mine."

 

[Alec Benson Leary]

Re: FB 01/10/2014 - House Fire

If Chris whines about not getting enough, I say we start a donation drive for the local fire department that saved his worthless possessions for him.