USPS

While I was in DC last spring we stopped at the Old Post Office. It was a beautiful building with some of the greatest views I have ever seen of the city. It is no long an actual post office. The basement is some sort of touristy mall and while we were there, there was a stage set up with a jazz band. There was a mini-museum inside the tower where I learned something that I think I may have already known.

The United States Postal Service is slowly becoming obselete. It is being replaced slowly by the eco-friendly world of electronic mail. I approve. And yet, it saddens me. This year, I ordered some gifts (that are no larger than a greeting card) for a few friends online. Ignoring the recommendation to us UPS rather than USPS, I chose USPS because I thought it was well ahead (5 days) of the their recommended deadline in order for things to arrive before Christmas. I've actually really enjoyed the online tracking that they have given me. And I'm beginning to understand a little more about why USPS is becoming obselete.
Detailed Results:
*Processed through Sort Facility, December 20, 2009, 7:00 am, PHOENIX, AZ 85043
*Processed through Sort Facility, December 21, 2009, 11:07 pm, DENVER, CO 80217
*Processed through Sort Facility, December 23, 2009, 5:23 pm, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84199
Denver? Really? Last time I checked, the quickest route between two locations is a straight line. Last time I checked, Denver was not part of a straight line between Salt Lake and Phoenix. Last time I checked, both Phoeniex and Salt Lake were major cities with postal processing units. At any rate, I'm not mad, angry, or even frustrated. I'm just fascinated. And glad that I'm not going to see these particular friends until next week.

***8 hours later: my expected package arrived.