Shhhh! Our little Post Office secret...
A buddy of mine was re-doing his office and got rid of his bookshelves.
Got himself a new desk, new ergonomic chair but no new book racks.
"Whatcha gonna do with all your books?" I asked.
"Do you want them?" he responded.
"Sure," I said, "you have a LOT!"
I have belonged to a
Book Swap Club for several years and this would give me several stacks of new ones to offer for swapping.
As soon as I started posting my newest books, I started receiving requests.
Many others have figured out it's ok to spend about $2.80 at the post office to send away a book you've already read..and choose one that you want....for free.
The sender pays the postage.
When I mail out a book, I receive one credit to use for a replacement book.
I've "swapped" more than 100 books since I joined several years ago.
When you get a response for a book you're seeking, the club suggests you check and see what others that member might have to offer.
Doubling up on books one sends out saves postage.
Ah, but there is a fly in the ointment, so to speak. You can buy stamps to avoid standing in line at the post office but, if it weighs more than 10 ounces, you have to go there and stand in line to mail it.
I usually go to the post office on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston and today, the lot was filled with cars...at 2 in the afternoon. Inside, there were 30 people in line ahead of me. Sigh.
Walked back out to my car and hit "find closest post office" on my Smartphone. It showed there was one less than 2 miles away! Huh?
And there was!
I walked in just as the other customer was leaving.
Paid the postage on three books and walked out in about 30 seconds!
I asked if this was a new thing and the young lady said it had been there for 3 years.
It has a contract with the USPS to weight things and sell postage. No passport or money orders but I was in often just to mail some books.
So, here's the deal.
They've been there for three years. I have stood in long lines during all that time just a few miles away.
Now I could just pop in, mail my stuff, and be on my way.
I'm not about to ruin this by telling everyone where this is located.
Let your smartphone whisper the news to you that there ARE options.
Shhh.
Let's just keep this among ourselves so crowds don't find it.
Be cool or we're back to standing at the end of a long line.
I might just grab a burrito at
Chipotle on my way home.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
Yes, I gave some clues but keep it on the DL.
Thanks.
Labels: book swapping, burrito, Chipotle, Christmas mailings, mailing a book, media rate, post office lines, the other PBS, USPS
Lost and Found...
Baltimore is known for its Harbor and for Ft. McHenry with its
star-spangled banner.
Oh, did I mention jumbo lump crab cakes?
Yes, state slogans abound: "Virginia Is For Lovers" and
"Maryland Is For Crabs".
The first stop - at 10 in the morning - was Faidley Seafood for its fist-sized specialty served with lettuce & tomato, saltines and a cold beer. A second crab cake was ordered so it was a two-fisted meal.
That is a
BIG flag!
Don't know if Francis Scott Key could really see it at
dawn's early light (he was on a ship about 2-3 miles away) but it inspires goose bumps.
Now a fleet of Water Taxis move visitors around to various points on the harbor.
Start at the top (27th floor) of the
World Trade Center for the view then cruise around and alight to explore the American Visionary Art Museum. Catch another boat to continue sightseeing ... or stop for a beer.
At Fells Point there was an Irish pub named
Slainte.
Cozy and friendly, it sat on a cobblestone street overlooking the harbor with stubby tug boats coming and going. Time to take a break.
Eventually wandered out to join a short line for a water taxi and headed toward the Aquarium area at twilight.
The city lights sparkled as we docked and went to a nearby
Chipolte for a massive burrito.
Wanted quick service because the train to Philadelphia would leave in about 90 minutes but we were close to the railroad station.
"Hey want to save the leftover chips?" "Sure, just put them in your back pack."
Huh? What back pack? Looked down at the emptiest floor I've ever seen. Nothing. YIKES!
Did I have it on the Water Taxi? Don't remember that. At the Fort? Yeah, had it then.
Uh oh...the Irish pub. Pretty sure... but where was it? How far away? Go by boat or hop in a cab?
Have never shouted
"Follow that cab," but now have breathlessly said
"Gotta catch a train..can you get us quickly to Fell's Point and Slainte?"Phyllis reminded me of Queen Latifah in the 2004 movie
"TAXI" as she wheeled that car through changing yellow traffic lights, around slow drivers and up a one way street - the wrong way. Well, it was a short block.
We bounced on cobblestones and pulled up in front of the bar.
"Keep the meter running, I'll be right back," I said as I sprinted for the front door.
The place now was packed and hanging on the front of the bar.... by the stools where I had sat.... was....a ladies purse.
The manager took my card and said he would also check upstairs. Oh, that's right, we also had gone up there!
Up the stairs, found a big "bouncer" size guy and started to explain. He said
"Yeah, It's sitting behind the bar."And it was.
I charged out the front door, the bag raised over my head and Phyllis started honking the horn in celebration. She knew all sorts of shortcuts to the train station and we arrived with 14 minutes to spare.
She got a VERY nice tip and the train pulled in on time.
Guess what closes in
Philadelphia on Easter Sunday? Yep....all the restaurants. But, that's another story.
(Click on the photos to see massive enlargements! Amazing detail. I don't miss shooting with film.)
Labels: American Visionary Art, Baltimore Harbor, burrito, Chipolte, Faidley Seafood, Fells point, Francis Scott Key, Ft. McHenry, Maryland is for crabs, Queen Latifah, Slainte, water taxi
