Here I am, back again to report to you about my afternoon. "Why?" You ask. Well, it's because the P.O. was even more of a hellish zoo than usual, and I've got some pretty things to show you. (Note: Hang in there post-rant...I promise there are pictures!)
Item 1: The Post Office
So, just to set the scene for you here, I live about 3 blocks from a Post Office. That post office, however, is actually another circle of hell. It's horribly crowded, badly kept up, just very depressing. The main strike against it, though, for me is that they don't have a robot. I mean an "Automated Postal Center". These things are amazing...I am just so happy that there are enough old people that are afraid to use them that the line is always very short for it. If I ran the world/the post office, I would keep one real employee, and then have 10 Robots. That's right, U.S.P.S worker's union, I'm coming for you. The reason that they'll never have 10 Robots is the union, I'm sure. Their union is so strong that they are the ones who made it so that UPS/Fedex and the like cannot offer the equivilent of Regular Good Ol' First Class Mail. They are only allowed to offer "premium services" (that way they are only really competition as far as priority and parcel post go). Isn't that sad? This is why there are so many terrible and hostile Post Office Ladies (and men). The gov't. has a complete monopoly over our mail service, and they do a really crummy job alot of the time. I have about a 1/20 "failure" rate on my packages I send out for the store. Meaning that for ever 20 I send out, usually 1 will go missing. Ugh.
Anyway, so I've been literally humiliated and yelled at to tears by P.O. ladies before, so now I choose to use only the Robot (unless I can't avoid it). Today I got on the train and rode to 1st ave. to use their nice, civilized post office, and the line was unbelievable (for the regular windows, that is). So I hobble over holding about 10 larger packages in my arms, with about 20 more mailers/smaller things in my tote, and start at it. I'm kind of a pro with the Robot, so I'm pretty darn fast. People kept forming in the line behind me, and eventually were all whispering audibly about me. I mean, I know it's frustrating to just want to use the robot to mail your one little thing, and theres this crazy girl with a bazillion things to ship in front of you, but I really do have as much of a right to be there as you do. I tried really hard to stay calm with all of these folks breathing down my neck and cursing the back of my head, and finally when everything was be-postaged, I turned around and said "I'm very sorry about this wait" to the lady behind me with an unbelievable New Jersien accent. She gave me an "eat sh*t and die look", so I bolted for the door. Hallelujah! I was done (for the day, anyway!)
Item 2: Forever 21 (or 23, in my case)
My afternoon continued with some returns in Union Square, where I wandered into "Forever 21". What a store! It's so SO cheap, and yes, the majority is very trashy and made out of horrible, itchy fabrics, but I found some adorable things there! Here's a little detail of my purchases...
Can you believe how in-style polka dots are? Holey moly, I feel like I'm in heaven. I'm always really excited whenever things that I love come into style, because then I can buy tons and for cheap... (Thank GOD that the boho trend is over and has been replaced by stripes and polka dots and faux vintage!)
And this represents the rest of the afternoon's work: Packaging up 50 Postcard Samplers ...
So I better get to it. Those stacks aren't gonna un-stack themselves! Happy afternoon darlin's!
Comments (13)
You're such a wonderful artist! What a lovely new addition to my daily blogs.
Your Forever 21 finds look darling. We have a huge one here in SF. I adore their incredibly cheap bags and earrings.
Annie · June 27, 2006 at 07:57 PM
Ahhh maybe you should hire a good looking boy to do your posting for you? A young Clive Owen perhaps?
Either that or wear very dark sunglasses indoors and make no eyecontact with people. Own that Post office!!
Shannon · June 27, 2006 at 07:58 PM
yay! a new blog (new for me anyway). i HATED my post office in brooklyn until i moved to ecuador and now i wish i had that awful post office back because here mail is the worst! i love how you used the NJ accent! brilliant! and i too am digging the polka dots...wearing a new polka dot tank as i type. :)
risa · June 27, 2006 at 08:07 PM
I checked out your blog after ordering my prints last night and it's as cute and clever as your artwork. I'll be back--to the blog and the etsy store! Thanks again for such great service with the prints!
sarah · June 27, 2006 at 08:14 PM
welcome to the world of Forever 21, it is a lovely universe made of cheap polyester and filled with everything right now!
I recently bought a dress there and although I was rather exposed, there was something extremely empowering about the whole look. embrace this, because soon enough Topshop is moving into NYC and every girl is going to be fighting over the darlings there.
Jessica · June 27, 2006 at 11:45 PM
Topshop is coming to the NYC?! Oh, man. heart.
Elizabeth · June 28, 2006 at 12:38 AM
Just be glad you aren't shipping FedEx. Boxes would magically disappear from the FedEx store with $160 diaper bags. What they would do was just never check it in on arrival so it never existed in their system except as a label that was printed from our computer which proves nothing to them. The other problem was things were always late. I get insurance on everything I mail USPS but luckliy everything has arrived.
Diana · June 28, 2006 at 02:31 AM
Post office robots? Oy I miss the city! I am sorry you had to deal with the people. The samplers look fabulous!
vegasandvenice · June 28, 2006 at 03:28 AM
oh, how i hate the post office... with it's wee, beady eyes!
i have been brought to tears at the post office. which is why i never go there anymore. (i send my husband, it's right by his work). ha ha!
but i have to admit i've had a couple of surprisingly positive experiences there, too.
but, hurrah for robots! they rule.
kirstencan · June 28, 2006 at 08:50 AM
sorry to hear about your traumatic po experience, though hopefully my sampler was in there?!!! as a canuck, i was just in my first forever 21 shop a few weeks ago. cheap and cheerful is what i called it, and i bought 3 really cute tops that i love- my only gripe is that they are supposed to be handwashed (t-shirts?), and i fear if i throw them in the washing machine they will disintegrate.
amy rose · June 28, 2006 at 10:21 AM
boy, do I hear ya on the po robots - such a convenience! i always hate it when i have to deal with a *person* for some reason...
found you via Lisa - great to see your wonderful work and blog!
kelly · June 28, 2006 at 11:37 AM
A Robot ? In the Post Office? This sounds wonderful ,why don't we have those here???
Love all your samplers!!!
thebutterflycollector · June 29, 2006 at 02:37 AM
I was reading this aloud to my husband (who is as familiar with the robot as I am) and he said, "Did you write that?" -- which is just another way of saying, we feel your pain. . . .
Alicia P. · June 29, 2006 at 10:54 AM