Going Postal

I needed to send a parcel this week. I appreciate the very affordable rates available through priority mail, so I moseyed over to the local USPS. There are always huge lines at the PO near my office...ditto for the one near my home. It is quite apparent that they're cutting back on staff, although with two hikes in our rates in what...two years?...you'd think they could afford some staff. But, that's not the gripe today.

They have these nice little kiosks that allow one - if you're not afraid of computers - to weigh your own package, calculate postage, print a shipping label and pay for postage. It's all touch-screen and easy to use. Apparently, lots of people fear the kiosks, because there are seldom more than one or two people in line behind each of them...and dozens of people in line waiting for a human being. But, that's not the gripe today.

I decided I needed a book of stamps, since the ones I own are two price-hikes out of date. So, I went to the little machine that sells stamps. I was able to conduct my business with little effort. However! (Here comes the gripe....) There was a sign on the machine saying as how it's really not "efficient" for the post office to continue to operate this machine and it will be removed on a specific date in the near future. The sign goes on to say that stamps are readily available at Kroger and Schnucks and other nearby supermarkets and that we should consider making our stamp purchases there.

That may qualify as the strangest sign I've ever seen in a post office. "Don't bother us with your petty stamp needs. Buy 'em where you get your eggs and milk."

Weird. Totally weird.

Some Sort of Syndrome

I have some sort of affliction. I've known it for years, but I'm just now acknowledging it. I think it may have contributed to at least one divorce - maybe two. It doesn't have a name that I know of. I'll give it one. Poverty Inducing Spending Sickness...or PISS. Yes, I piss away tons of money. The thing is, I don't have tons to piss away. And therein lies the problem.

Most of my life, I've been interested in photography. I had a color darkroom back when you had to THINK about it. This was before computers and chips and smart hardware. In other words, this is a well-established fixation. But, now I've gone over the edge.

Unhappy with the quality of pictures I've gotten with a series of point-and-shoot digital cameras (expensive ones, mind you), I finally did what I've wanted to do all my life. I bought a Nikon. Yikes! This is the cheapest Nikon SLR available (that means non-point-and-shoot camera, for you non-photo people). The initial set-up...camera, basic lens, high speed memory card, high-power battery and charger and nice, padded case...set me back about $750. Since I'll be doing a lot of low-light concert photography, I decided I'd need a really fast lens in addition to what came with the camera. That's another $300+. I will need a fancy flash eventually. Ring up $300+ for that as well.

So, my first concert opportunity was Friday night. I quickly realized that I MUST have a long zoom lens that auto-focuses...and it'd be nice of it had anti-vibration capabilities as well. That little baby is a mere $1050 or thereabouts! It's the add-ons that will kill ya!

This camera requires a sharp learning curve, and I'm not really happy with my first efforts, but I'll get there. Here are some samples from this week's shots. Click the little one to see a bigger version. The subject is BJ Thomas and The Memphis Boys. I have no idea who The Memphis Boys are, but people came from all over the WORLD to see them, so I am clearly an oblivious idiot. Anyway...here's some pix from the concert.

They're not bad for first shots with new gear. But, just wait 'til I get that thousand dollar lens!

PISS strikes again!

A Couple of Gems

It's been a while since I've had a real Lulu of a patron at the ticket window. I got two in one day this week!

First one was a lady from another town who didn't want to drive "all that way" to our venue if she was going to have a hard time seeing the stage. I explained our seating arrangements, which are quite roomy and well laid out. That wasn't the problem. Y'see...she gets awful cricks in her neck, which lead to migraine headaches, if she has to look around someone taller than she. She wanted to know how she could be certain that wasn't going to happen. I have to admit she threw me for a loop with that one! Finally, I explained that we don't keep records on the physical stature of our patrons, so I could not assure her she would be able to comfortably see around the person in front of her. She thanked me and hung up. A few hours later, she called back and ordered her tickets. I guess she decided the pleasure is worth the potential pain.

Some time later, a lady called and asked, "What have y'all got going on there tonight?" I provided the name of the evening's event and then explained, "...but we're all sold out, unfortunately." She snapped, "I didn't ASK you that!" She went on to ask me exactly what the show entailed and how long it would last. Is that weird or what? I wanted to say, "What's it to ya, honey?"

People...are...so...damn...weird!