- I
I really hate playing the sympathy card because I’ve been running from this card my entire life.
Through sheer will, determination, and a military enlistment I’ve been able to change my fortune and give myself the opportunities often only afforded to those born into better circumstances.
On Christmas Eve I woke up to my life's work destroyed. I say this, as my home was vandalized, with all of my cherished belongings either destroyed, stolen, or missing. They even destroyed my fish tank, in the process killing my 14 fish, frog, and giant snails.
Normally renters insurance would cover an incident like this, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was only enrolled in liability coverage protecting my apartment complex, not my personal property. I'm reaching out today to try and raise funds to recoup some of my lost property, as these are all belongings that I've acquired over the years. Not only that.. but some are super expensive.
-----
When I joined the United States Navy at twenty years old it was to give myself the opportunity for a better life. I also wanted the chance to chase my dreams, knowing full well I was more than capable of making it happen.
In 2019 I packed what little belongings I had into a U-Haul using the last of my savings, and moved from San Diego to Los Angeles in order to finally start "chasing the dream". I moved with the intention of attending the Icon Collective Music Production school.
I quickly learned I needed a job to survive, and that the starving artist life was not for me. I secured employment at Kaiser Permanente as Surgical Tech, which is what I was trained to do in the military. I attended classes, in person until the first wave of the pandemic hit, from which point I was forced to go to school remotely.
With how bad things were, I decided to pick up more hours, going from working less than part-time, to full time often picking up extra shifts and working overtime. All the while I continued my studies as a full-time student. On school days I would literally clock out of work, head to the breakroom, and jump into my online classes until 2am, only to return to work the next day, and do it all again.
As we all know the pandemic lasted way longer than anyone thought it would.
The fact that I knew that I was making a difference kept me going, however, the items that I knew I would be buying myself for my artist project are what kept me motivated.
When I woke up on Christmas Eve to my place ransacked and all of my valuables destroyed I wasn't worried, or even angry, but sad, and disappointed. I worked my tail off for these items, and the person who did this knew that. This is why they targeted them. They also destroyed my favorite clothes, and even early Christmas gifts I had just opened a day prior. They even destroyed my roommate's brand new 75" television he picked up during black Friday.
Now i don't claim to be the smartest or even the most likable person, but I am caring, compassionate, generous, and honestly, the hardest-working person I know.
At this point, I just feel so defeated. I can work full-time, + overtime, and kill myself again trying to recoup these lost items, but I feel like my time would be better spent working on my internship, and my current studies (Entertainment Business) at the LA Film School which i've been attending since April '21.
If not that, then working on music, building my brand, helping/ teaching/ guiding my mentees and peers, and doing my best to heal, and most importantly to be happy.
I've reported this to the police, but I am unsure anything will come from that, as the vandal(s) turned off my Furbo dog camera, and removed a second camera, in the process hiding the actual act of them destroying my property. It's an ongoing investigation, so I can't speak too much more about that...
The below list is an item-by-item list, of all that I've lost. I don't expect to be able to replace them but anything helps.
Some of the items destroyed are facing a severe shortage, and can't even be found in stores anymore. A lot of my clothes had sentimental value, and are no longer in production.
If I've ever taken the time to help you, motivate you, show you around, teach you, lend you something or even give you something i'd really appreciate your help. I'm not the type of person who likes to display weakness, or even ask for help, but I'm truthfully at my wit's end. This isn't how I was anticipating starting my 2023, or how I wanted to spend my Christmas.
My pets are dead, my belongings are gone, and my dreams are in tatters. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays, God bless.
Matthew Sierra
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
40G Fishtank destroyed,
animals killed 14 fish, 1 frog, 2 snails
Pioneer headphones HDJ-X10 406$
Beats mixr Headphones - 120$ x 2
Cdj-3000 x2 $2,549.00 ($3500 actual price)
DJM-900NXS2 $2399
1 Gucci belt $250
1 AE Jeans $75
MacBook Pro 1299
Custom Painting $3500
iPhone replacement (250)
iPhone $1000
Victrola record player $129.99
Apple Watch $379
Apple TV 129
KRK Rokit Studio Monitor 189
LV 3 piece messenger bag :(
Playstation 4 - $400
PS4 remote - $40
75” Samsung U4K Smart Tv 799
65” Samsung U4K Smart Tv 499
------
59 articles of clothing to include:
3 suits,
4 bomber jackets,
5 Jerseys,
1 track jacket,
5 Hoodie/sweaters
Numerous T-shirts, button-ups, long sleeves, dress shirts, tank tops