Going Postal

At lunchtime, I headed over to the P.O. two blocks away, carrying

1) a bunch of cards that just needed to be dropped in the mail,

2) a handful of cards that needed postage,

3) two cards that needed international postage, and

4) two packages that needed to be packaged in mailers, addressed, and mailed -- one of them overseas.

When I got there, the line was more than a dozen people long -- it spilled out of the main room (with the counter and the clerks, one of whom was wearing a red and green jester hat) and into the lobby area. I went into the counter room and, after more deliberation than the decision really warranted, selected two mailers and two mailing labels (which were intended to coordinate, but didn't). Then I went back and stood at the end of the line. While in line, I

1) assembled the mailing cartons and put my packages in them,

2) got out the card being mailed to the overseas folks so I could address their package,

3) realized I didn't have the ZIP code for the domestic package, and

4) realized I had no method of payment on my person.

I checked all my pockets twice, patted myself down, sighed, and started to leave. Then I realized I hadn't yet paid for the mailing cartons and labels, so I couldn't just waltz out of the P.O. with them. So I carefully laid my packages down to the side of the line. The talkative man in front of me made some comment about putting them down to rest my arms, and I explained that I had left my wallet at my desk and needed to go get it. "We'll watch'em for you!" he said cheerfully.

I ran back to my office, hoping that anyone lousy enough to want to steal my xmas packages would also have x-ray vision and realize that a Chuck Klosterman book and a baby sleeper don't have much resale value.

I grabbed my wallet and ran back to the P.O., where I was greeted with a merry "there she is!" The customers who had been in front of me and behind me in line had by now moved almost to the front of the line, and they had brought my packages with them! I went to get my packages and dithered a bit about whether I should get at the end of the line, but the cheerful man in front of me told me to gather my packages and stop worrying.

So I did. :)

(no subject)

It's not quite $240 worth of pudding, but the lovely and talented galexiegirl pointed me to this: Lazy Sunday, a/k/a "The Chronic(what!)les of Narnia."