You get what you pay for?
I was in the Post Office, here in Orlando, the other day. I needed to send a package to New Jersey. I must admit the staff in the Post Office is *very* friendly. Actually, they are quite ‘chatty’. So, overall it is not an unpleasant experience to visit the Post Office (unlike a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles!).
After announcing the price for shipping the package, the clerk asked, “Would you like delivery notification or insurance?”. I was stunned. If I need to pay ADDITIONAL MONEY for a guarantee it was delivered or that it will not be damaged, then WHAT AM I PAYING FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE?
The US Postal Service is notorious for this, though.
In an attempt to be an educated consumer I once asked about ‘Express Delivery’. The advertisements spout, “Guaranteed 2 Day Delivery” or “Guaranteed Overnight Delivery”. That is wonderful. I asked what happens if it is late. The clerk simply gave me a blank stare. Then proceeded to explain that there is no consequence if the package does not arrive as ‘guaranteed’. Well, to me that is no GUARANTEE!
Other carriers (whom I need not name) provide a definitive restituion if they do not meet the promised delivery schedule. That is a guarantee!
An Engineer
I work in an evironment surrounded by very smart people (I call them “people with letters after their name”). Most of them hold a degree (or two) in one of the many branches of Engineering.
The popular phrase to describe Optimism vs. Pessimism has been adjusted in our case:
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“The Optimist states that the glass is half full
The Pessimist insists the glass is half empty
The Engineer explains that the glass was over designed”
May the FOURS be with you
When I relocated to Central Florida, one of the first things I found myself struggling with was the new highways. In any town, as a newcomer you need to learn the major streets; their local names and the ‘official’ names. But here it was particularly difficult because there are so many similarities.
What is so special about the number 4?
I think those who decide on the highway numbering wanted to perpetrate a vicious prank on the residents of Orange County.
Just in my local area there exists:
- Route 424
- Route 436
- Route 426
- Route 417
- Route 408
And running across all this is the Interstate, I-4 !
It would take a lot of convincing for me to believe this was not a massive government plot to add an excessive amount of complexity to our life here in The Sunshine State.
Superstition
In 2009, we will have at least three occurances of Friday the 13th. What seems like an even more startling coincidence is the fact that February and then March will see the 13th fall on a Friday.
In honor of this momentous occassion, I feel obliged to remind you of my sincere belief:
It is bad luck to be superstitious. › Continue reading
A Cop Out
I admit it. My lofty intention was to create my own [custom] blog using Ruby on Rails.
When it came down to actually getting something done, I fell back on Wordpress. After all, it is probably the most popular blogging software on the planet! But, as a web developer, I am [rightfully] embarrassed.
“Perhaps one day soon” I will create a RoR blog (or snatch a really good one from github) and change this site over. But, currently, it was more important for me to get my ideas on the web (substance over style, I guess).
Thanks for visiting. Let me personally invite you to return often. I promise to do my best to put a smile on your face and, perhaps, offer a kind diversion from the frustrations of your day.
