In article >,
says...
> On Sat 26 Apr 2008 04:25:47p, Kenneth told us...
>
> > On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:26:46 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>Even the bestof Amtrak leaves a lot to be desired.
> >
> > Howdy,
> >
> > I often take the "Acela" from Boston to NYC, and remember a
> > fellow across the isle from me asking a conductor "How fast
> > are we going."
> >
> > With a theatrical flourish, the conductor dropped down
> > nearly to his knees to get a better view out the window, and
> > then said something like "On this straight stretch we are
> > moving at about 95 miles per hour, but in a moment, on those
> > curves, we drop to about 80..."
> >
> > After the conductor left, the fellow commented to me that
> > those speeds were significantly higher than he would have
> > guessed. Clearly, he was impressed.
> >
> > I asked him to look out the window again...
> >
> > "Why, would you suppose, are those cars moving faster than
> > we are?" I asked.
> >
> > His jaw dropped. He said "Was all that just BS?"
> >
> > "I think of it as Public Relations." I responded.
> >
> > And The "Acela" is the "fast" train.
> >
> > All the best,
>
> Great story. No surprise there with Amtrak. :-)
>
>

The Acela's move fairly quickly through here because it's all dedicated
track from Boston straight to New York. They only share with commuter
rail.

They did this by building a dedicated freight rail.

One of these days I'll snap a shot of it. You have the two tracks with
full electrical and then the freight track outside the boundaries of the
electrical feed.

In article >,
says...
> On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:32:32 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >Great story. No surprise there with Amtrak. :-)
>
> Hi again,
>
> I've gone from my home in Seacoast NH to NYC many a time,
> and have used every method known. They all have their
> problems, but it does seem that I have settled on Amtrak.
>
> The seats are comfortable, and it does get me to Penn
> Station... every time.
>
> All the best,
>

But you're still doing the electric train changeover in Boston, that
adds a delay. From Providence it's all electric straight down to D.C. No
changeovers, just stops.

In article >,
says...
> On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:52:22 -0400, "Nancy Young"
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >"Kenneth" > wrote
> >
> >> I often take the "Acela" from Boston to NYC,
> >
> >I've thought of taking the Acela to Boston. Is it a comfortable ride?
> >Anything to recommend it or is it just a way to get from here to
> >there, if you don't mind me asking.
> >
> >nancy
> >
>
> Hi Nancy,
>
> Yes, I would describe it as comfortable...
>
> The seats are large, recline, and the overall experience is
> fine. There is a dining car. Nothing fancy, but they do have
> reasonable food available.
>
> The reason that I find myself using it is primarily its
> predictability.
>
> More times than I care to recall, I flew down from
> Manchester NH to La Guardia in about 45 minutes, jumped in a
> cab, and was in Manhattan fifteen minutes later.
>
> Ah, but then there was the return trip...
>
> Typically, I had a 7 PM ticket, and would arrive at the
> airport by about 5:45 only to find that my flight had been
> posted as an 8:00 PM departure, then 9, then 10.
>
> Often those flights did not leave La Guardia until after
> midnight.

Interesting that you mention that. Over the holidays we flew from
Providence, RI to Norfolk, VA. The flight down was late by 45 minutes.

But coming home, that was the killer. The first sign was that our
layover time at Dulles was only 45 minutes which meant any delay would
mean missing our connecting flight.

The flight was due into Providence at 6:15PM. Yeah, right.

Driving back to Norfolk I commented to Keyron that I didn't think we'd
be in Providence before midnight. Little did I know.

Our flight from Norfolk to Dulles was delayed due to non-descript
mechanical issues on the 737-300. We left nearly an hour late.

When we got to Dulles we obviously missed our flight to Providence so I
figured if we could get on a Boston based flight that got in before 11PM
we could just take the MBTA commuter back to Providence.

A flight that was supposed to leave at 6:30PM didn't leave until 11:00PM
due to mechanical issues. This time they told us they had to fly in an
auxilliary power unit (APU) from Chicago and install it in the Boston
bound 737-300.

We got into Boston after midnight. Of course in the switchover they
managed to re-route our luggage to Manchester, NH which caused Keyron no
end of grief, my being the more seasoned traveler I just took it in
stride.

Luckily we were able to get one of our friends who lived in Mansfield to
pick us up. I paid to fill up the tank on her car. We didn't get home
until after 2AM.

I told Keyron that next time we visit his mom we're driving there. I'll
pay the gas, the tolls, etc. It's only 605 miles anyhow. I can do that
without blinking an eye.

There are several things that make air travel suck these days. The
ancient aircraft don't help matters.

On Sat 26 Apr 2008 08:51:33p, T told us...

> In article >,
> says...
>> On Sat 26 Apr 2008 04:25:47p, Kenneth told us...
>>
>> > On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:26:46 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >>Even the bestof Amtrak leaves a lot to be desired.
>> >
>> > Howdy,
>> >
>> > I often take the "Acela" from Boston to NYC, and remember a
>> > fellow across the isle from me asking a conductor "How fast
>> > are we going."
>> >
>> > With a theatrical flourish, the conductor dropped down
>> > nearly to his knees to get a better view out the window, and
>> > then said something like "On this straight stretch we are
>> > moving at about 95 miles per hour, but in a moment, on those
>> > curves, we drop to about 80..."
>> >
>> > After the conductor left, the fellow commented to me that
>> > those speeds were significantly higher than he would have
>> > guessed. Clearly, he was impressed.
>> >
>> > I asked him to look out the window again...
>> >
>> > "Why, would you suppose, are those cars moving faster than
>> > we are?" I asked.
>> >
>> > His jaw dropped. He said "Was all that just BS?"
>> >
>> > "I think of it as Public Relations." I responded.
>> >
>> > And The "Acela" is the "fast" train.
>> >
>> > All the best,
>>
>> Great story. No surprise there with Amtrak. :-)
>>
>>
>
> The Acela's move fairly quickly through here because it's all dedicated
> track from Boston straight to New York. They only share with commuter
> rail.
>
> They did this by building a dedicated freight rail.
>
> One of these days I'll snap a shot of it. You have the two tracks with
> full electrical and then the freight track outside the boundaries of the
> electrical feed.
>

That would be interesting. Out here in AZ, all we see are freight trains!

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Saturday, 04(IV)/26(XXVI)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
Countdown till Memorial Day
4wks 1dys 2hrs 55mins
-------------------------------------------
Better dead than Smeg.
-------------------------------------------

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:48:06 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>
>"sf" <.> wrote in message
>>
>> Agreed. Although as far as "packing money"... packing a zero balance
>> credit card even lighter.
>>
>
>If you want to save money, an ATM card is better. With a credit card you
>usually pay list price, but with cash, you can negotiate easily. Tax evasion
>is a major sport in some countries so cash talks loudly.
>
If Hard Cash US would have gotten us a discount, we would have packed
it. I'm not naive and I probably drive a better bargain than you do,
white man.

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smile first

T wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
>> On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:32:32 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Great story. No surprise there with Amtrak. :-)
>> Hi again,
>>
>> I've gone from my home in Seacoast NH to NYC many a time,
>> and have used every method known. They all have their
>> problems, but it does seem that I have settled on Amtrak.
>>
>> The seats are comfortable, and it does get me to Penn
>> Station... every time.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>
> But you're still doing the electric train changeover in Boston, that
> adds a delay. From Providence it's all electric straight down to D.C. No
> changeovers, just stops.
>
You should try taking Amtrak from where we live to Washington, D.C. It's
six hours from here to New Orleans then you have to overnight there and
then on to DC. IIRC it's about three days to get there and another three
days to get back. DW only wants to go see her 100 yo mama for a week and
she would have to be traveling six days of it. Senior fare for deluxe
coach seat is right at $300.00 and for $462.00 she can fly from here to
Houston, Houston to Baltimore Washington International and back. About
half a day each way with waiting time. Guess which one she's taking?

We are both old enough to remember riding real passenger trains around
the USA and miss that mode of transport.

"George Shirley" > wrote

> You should try taking Amtrak from where we live to Washington, D.C. It's
> six hours from here to New Orleans then you have to overnight there and
> then on to DC. IIRC it's about three days to get there and another three
> days to get back.

Sounds like one of those 'you can't get there from here' things.
Just no easy way. I prefer not to fly, but I understand it's a necessary
evil if you want to get from here to there.

nancy

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:52:05 -0400, Kenneth
> wrote:

>On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:32:32 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>Great story. No surprise there with Amtrak. :-)
>
>Hi again,
>
>I've gone from my home in Seacoast NH to NYC many a time,
>and have used every method known. They all have their
>problems, but it does seem that I have settled on Amtrak.
>
>The seats are comfortable, and it does get me to Penn
>Station... every time.
>
>All the best,

to me, that's a distinct advantage. leave from mid-town, arrive in
mid-town. no fooling with a cab or shuttle.

your pal,
blake

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:49:52 -0400, T >
wrote:

>In article >, beccaNospam@hal-
>pc.organ says...
>> sf wrote:
>>
>> > Ah, I see. Have you considered UPS or FedEx? That way you'd be
>> > guaranteed a delivery date. It's a business expense, so there are
>> > ways to deal with the cost at tax time.
>>
>> The US Mail and UPS has always been trustworthy. The logo has a pirate
>> ship, so I am anxious to see what the t-shirts will look like. I love
>> Halloween way too much. lol http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy5.htm
>>
>> Becca
>>
>
>Someone once came up with the perfect nickname for UPS, Shit Wrapped in
>Chiffon. Don't ever count on them for residential deliveries, they tag
>and run even if someone is there to receive the package.

I have no problems with UPS or Fedex, in general, at wither my office
or here at home. Fedex can get snarky over my standing "no signature
required" if a shipper requires it, but most times, I have had the
same delivery folks for over 10 years and they are terrific about my
packages. Years ago I got a monitor delivered and the Fedex person
went around to the back o my house, up onto the deck and left it at
the back door, with a note up front, telling me where it was.
>
>I got smart, I started a small business and all shipments to me are care
>of that business name. Now UPS delivers them before 10AM.

My only complain with either service is that they are not particularly
creative in tracking lost packages. I mean really lost ones. FedEx is
better than UPS, though
>
>I absolutely love the United States Postal Service though. A lot of it
>depends upon where you live but I know that if I drop a first class
>letter in a mailbox before pickup time, it'll reach a roughly 300 mile
>zone around me within a day, cross country in 3 days.

USPS is the bane of my existence with packages. Here they are
undisputed leaders in tag and run. IN fact, I would put money on the
idea that only the tag has even made it onto the truck.
>
>At one point I participated in a delivery accuracy study and it turns
>out the northeast region has the highest scores but then we're one of
>the most highly automated regions too.

That's where I live.

Boron

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "George Shirley" > wrote
>
>> You should try taking Amtrak from where we live to Washington, D.C. It's
>> six hours from here to New Orleans then you have to overnight there and
>> then on to DC. IIRC it's about three days to get there and another three
>> days to get back.
>
> Sounds like one of those 'you can't get there from here' things.
> Just no easy way. I prefer not to fly, but I understand it's a necessary
> evil if you want to get from here to there.
>
> nancy

In most cases, it is faster to drive or train up to about 300 miles. Many
years ago you could arrive at the airport minutes before your flight and
just walk aboard. Now, in the time you have to check in and do the security
thing, you can have at least 100 miles under your belt.

Not to mention flights are crowded most all the time now, often delayed,
etc. I avoid flying when I can, but sometimes it is the sensible way to go.
The QM2 is taking bookings for trans-Atlantic if you have 6 days to spare.

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote

> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> "George Shirley" > wrote
>>
>>> You should try taking Amtrak from where we live to Washington, D.C. It's
>>> six hours from here to New Orleans then you have to overnight there and
>>> then on to DC. IIRC it's about three days to get there and another three
>>> days to get back.
>>
>> Sounds like one of those 'you can't get there from here' things.
>> Just no easy way. I prefer not to fly, but I understand it's a necessary
>> evil if you want to get from here to there.

> In most cases, it is faster to drive or train up to about 300 miles. Many
> years ago you could arrive at the airport minutes before your flight and
> just walk aboard. Now, in the time you have to check in and do the
> security thing, you can have at least 100 miles under your belt.

I agree, I wouldn't fly for that distance. Never say never, I suppose, but
that's a lot of hassle for a distance I could drive no problem. All the
baggage (no pun intended, I swear) that goes along with flying isn't worth
it for that distance, for me.

> Not to mention flights are crowded most all the time now, often delayed,
> etc. I avoid flying when I can, but sometimes it is the sensible way to
> go. The QM2 is taking bookings for trans-Atlantic if you have 6 days to
> spare.

Now you're talking, depending on what kind of cruise it is. I have only
been
on one cruise and, while I enjoyed it, it ws like those commercials with
passengers
walking lockstep to their next appointed activity.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
> Now you're talking, depending on what kind of cruise it is. I have only
> been
> on one cruise and, while I enjoyed it, it ws like those commercials with
> passengers
> walking lockstep to their next appointed activity.
>
> nancy

Never been on a cruise and have no desire to go on one.

My SIL wanted us to go on a cruise to Italy and Spain. I checked out the
itinerary and in 10 days you spent a total of about 40 hours on land. The
ship moved every night and you got to a port in the morning, had to be back
for evening sailing. I cannot imagine having to leave Italy and hundreds of
great restaurants behind to get to a ship for dinner that is equivalent to
going to Applebee's or a casino buffet.

The QM2 sailings I mentioned are in August and the cost starts at $990 for
an inside cabin, per person, one way. I imagine it would be fun the first
day. To each their own, though.

On Sun 27 Apr 2008 09:03:30a, Nancy Young told us...

>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote
>
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote
>
>>> "George Shirley" > wrote
>>>
>>>> You should try taking Amtrak from where we live to Washington, D.C.
>>>> It's six hours from here to New Orleans then you have to overnight
>>>> there and then on to DC. IIRC it's about three days to get there and
>>>> another three days to get back.
>>>
>>> Sounds like one of those 'you can't get there from here' things.
>>> Just no easy way. I prefer not to fly, but I understand it's a
>>> necessary evil if you want to get from here to there.
>
>> In most cases, it is faster to drive or train up to about 300 miles.
>> Many years ago you could arrive at the airport minutes before your
>> flight and just walk aboard. Now, in the time you have to check in and
>> do the security thing, you can have at least 100 miles under your belt.
>
> I agree, I wouldn't fly for that distance. Never say never, I suppose,
> but that's a lot of hassle for a distance I could drive no problem. All
> the baggage (no pun intended, I swear) that goes along with flying isn't
> worth it for that distance, for me.
>
>> Not to mention flights are crowded most all the time now, often
>> delayed, etc. I avoid flying when I can, but sometimes it is the
>> sensible way to go. The QM2 is taking bookings for trans-Atlantic if
>> you have 6 days to spare.
>
> Now you're talking, depending on what kind of cruise it is. I have only
> been
> on one cruise and, while I enjoyed it, it ws like those commercials with
> passengers
> walking lockstep to their next appointed activity.
>
> nancy

I'm quite sure that would not happen on the QM2. It is *not* a "cruise
ship" in the sense of the typical island-hopping cruise ships. Ocean
liners like the QM2 have only one or two destinations, and while there are
certainly social activities available, they are not dictated like summer
camp acitivites. :-)


--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Sunday, 04(IV)/27(XXVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
Today is: Rogation Sunday
Countdown till Memorial Day
4wks 13hrs 35mins
-------------------------------------------
You laugh just like the angles dancing
on the head of the pin jabbed into my
mind's eye.

"Wayne Boatwright" > wrote

> On Sun 27 Apr 2008 09:03:30a, Nancy Young told us...

>> Now you're talking, depending on what kind of cruise it is. I have only
>> been
>> on one cruise and, while I enjoyed it, it ws like those commercials with
>> passengers
>> walking lockstep to their next appointed activity.

> I'm quite sure that would not happen on the QM2. It is *not* a "cruise
> ship" in the sense of the typical island-hopping cruise ships. Ocean
> liners like the QM2 have only one or two destinations, and while there are
> certainly social activities available, they are not dictated like summer
> camp acitivites. :-)

Heh ... they didn't actually make you attend activities, but you had to
be at dinner at a certain time, sit with these people you didn't know,
I wasn't crazy about that. I would much prefer eating when I feel like
it, in a different place, maybe skip dinner without feeling like you left
6 other people in the lurch. Like that.

nancy

In article >,
says...
> On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:49:52 -0400, T >
> wrote:
>
> >In article >, beccaNospam@hal-
> >pc.organ says...
> >> sf wrote:
> >>
> >> > Ah, I see. Have you considered UPS or FedEx? That way you'd be
> >> > guaranteed a delivery date. It's a business expense, so there are
> >> > ways to deal with the cost at tax time.
> >>
> >> The US Mail and UPS has always been trustworthy. The logo has a pirate
> >> ship, so I am anxious to see what the t-shirts will look like. I love
> >> Halloween way too much. lol http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy5.htm
> >>
> >> Becca
> >>
> >
> >Someone once came up with the perfect nickname for UPS, Shit Wrapped in
> >Chiffon. Don't ever count on them for residential deliveries, they tag
> >and run even if someone is there to receive the package.
>
> I have no problems with UPS or Fedex, in general, at wither my office
> or here at home. Fedex can get snarky over my standing "no signature
> required" if a shipper requires it, but most times, I have had the
> same delivery folks for over 10 years and they are terrific about my
> packages. Years ago I got a monitor delivered and the Fedex person
> went around to the back o my house, up onto the deck and left it at
> the back door, with a note up front, telling me where it was.
> >
> >I got smart, I started a small business and all shipments to me are care
> >of that business name. Now UPS delivers them before 10AM.
>
> My only complain with either service is that they are not particularly
> creative in tracking lost packages. I mean really lost ones. FedEx is
> better than UPS, though

I've never actually had a package lost by any of the service. Damaged
yes, but not lost.

> >I absolutely love the United States Postal Service though. A lot of it
> >depends upon where you live but I know that if I drop a first class
> >letter in a mailbox before pickup time, it'll reach a roughly 300 mile
> >zone around me within a day, cross country in 3 days.
>
> USPS is the bane of my existence with packages. Here they are
> undisputed leaders in tag and run. IN fact, I would put money on the
> idea that only the tag has even made it onto the truck.
> >
> >At one point I participated in a delivery accuracy study and it turns
> >out the northeast region has the highest scores but then we're one of
> >the most highly automated regions too.
>
> That's where I live.

That's interesting. My mail is delivered out the same post office that
all business mail goes through for the city. That's probably why I don't
have issues with it.

T wrote:

>
> I absolutely love the United States Postal Service though. A lot of it
> depends upon where you live but I know that if I drop a first class
> letter in a mailbox before pickup time, it'll reach a roughly 300 mile
> zone around me within a day, cross country in 3 days.
>


YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for
a friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till
SEVEN days later.

gloria p

On Sun 27 Apr 2008 10:56:27a, Nancy Young told us...

>
> "Wayne Boatwright" > wrote
>
>> On Sun 27 Apr 2008 09:03:30a, Nancy Young told us...
>
>>> Now you're talking, depending on what kind of cruise it is. I have
only
>>> been on one cruise and, while I enjoyed it, it ws like those
commercials
>>> with passengers walking lockstep to their next appointed activity.
>
>> I'm quite sure that would not happen on the QM2. It is *not* a "cruise
>> ship" in the sense of the typical island-hopping cruise ships. Ocean
>> liners like the QM2 have only one or two destinations, and while there
are
>> certainly social activities available, they are not dictated like summer
>> camp acitivites. :-)
>
> Heh ... they didn't actually make you attend activities, but you had to
> be at dinner at a certain time, sit with these people you didn't know,
> I wasn't crazy about that. I would much prefer eating when I feel like
> it, in a different place, maybe skip dinner without feeling like you left
> 6 other people in the lurch. Like that.
>
> nancy
>
>
>

Some are worse.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Sunday, 04(IV)/27(XXVII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
Today is: Rogation Sunday
Countdown till Memorial Day
4wks 12hrs 20mins
-------------------------------------------
Ever notice how fast Windows runs?
Neither did I.
-------------------------------------------

"Gloria P" > wrote in message
>
> YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for a
> friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till SEVEN
> days later.
>
> gloria p

We've all had that experience. OTOH, I put an envelope in my CT mailbox at
3:00 PM on a Saturday and it was delivered in LA on Monday morning.

Nancy Young wrote:

> Heh ... they didn't actually make you attend activities, but you had to
> be at dinner at a certain time, sit with these people you didn't know,
> I wasn't crazy about that. I would much prefer eating when I feel like
> it, in a different place, maybe skip dinner without feeling like you left
> 6 other people in the lurch. Like that.
>
> nancy

Cruise lines are changing. Princess has traditional dining, like you
mentioned above, or you can choose Anytime Dining, which is open
seating. Holland America and Royal Caribbean are trying open seating on
some of their ships, and there is open seating on all of the Norwegian
ships.

On Royal Caribbean, you can no longer smoke in your cabin or on your
balcony. On some cruise lines, they allow jeans in the restaurant at
night. Some people love it and some people hate it. lol

Becca

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:51:12 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>
>"Gloria P" > wrote in message
>>
>> YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for a
>> friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till SEVEN
>> days later.
>>
>> gloria p
>
>We've all had that experience. OTOH, I put an envelope in my CT mailbox at
>3:00 PM on a Saturday and it was delivered in LA on Monday morning.
>
I often wonder why it takes longer to deliver mail across town than it
does to deliver mail across the country.

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smile first

"Becca" > wrote

> Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> Heh ... they didn't actually make you attend activities, but you had to
>> be at dinner at a certain time, sit with these people you didn't know,
>> I wasn't crazy about that. I would much prefer eating when I feel like
>> it, in a different place, maybe skip dinner without feeling like you left
>> 6 other people in the lurch. Like that.

> Cruise lines are changing. Princess has traditional dining, like you
> mentioned above, or you can choose Anytime Dining, which is open seating.
> Holland America and Royal Caribbean are trying open seating on some of
> their ships, and there is open seating on all of the Norwegian ships.

I like the Anytime Dining idea. Although I like to eat early, I don't
especially like having to hurry back to the ship so I can shower and
dress for dinner.

> On Royal Caribbean, you can no longer smoke in your cabin or on your
> balcony.

No smoking doesn't affect me, but if I ever go on a cruise again,
I *will* have a balconey.

> On some cruise lines, they allow jeans in the restaurant at night. Some
> people love it and some people hate it. lol

I bet! More the reason to have different types of dining areas, you can
wear dresses and jackets, and I can wear dockers or whatever. Hey,
restaurants have had to deal with that reality, people don't want to dress
up for dinner, why would that change on vacation.

nancy

In article >,
says...
> T wrote:
>
> >
> > I absolutely love the United States Postal Service though. A lot of it
> > depends upon where you live but I know that if I drop a first class
> > letter in a mailbox before pickup time, it'll reach a roughly 300 mile
> > zone around me within a day, cross country in 3 days.
> >
>
>
> YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for
> a friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till
> SEVEN days later.
>
> gloria p
>

Yes, some post offices aren't as efficient as others. Considering I'm <
5 miles from the main automated post office for the state and < 1.5
miles from my local post office that might have something to do with it.

I actually live in the city too. I'm imagining that some of you might be
suburban dwellers which has a big effect.

In article >, sf <.> says...
> On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:51:12 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Gloria P" > wrote in message
> >>
> >> YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for a
> >> friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till SEVEN
> >> days later.
> >>
> >> gloria p
> >
> >We've all had that experience. OTOH, I put an envelope in my CT mailbox at
> >3:00 PM on a Saturday and it was delivered in LA on Monday morning.
> >
> I often wonder why it takes longer to deliver mail across town than it
> does to deliver mail across the country.
>
>

Local mail goes through manual sorting, out of town mail is sent to the
next highest level in the hierarchy which more than likely automates all
the sorting.

I remember when I did mailing lists, we'd do alot of the pre-sorting for
the post office. We'd do it by city, state, section, etc. including
carrier root and other routing information.

The automated equipment reads from the bottom left up, so it catches the
city, state and zip, and then the number and street. It also helps if
you use the approved abbreviations, no punctuation. Providence, RI 02903
becomes Providence RI 02903. Apartment = Apt, Floor = FL, Suite = Ste
etc.

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:13:59 -0400, T >
wrote:

>> My only complain with either service is that they are not particularly
>> creative in tracking lost packages. I mean really lost ones. FedEx is
>> better than UPS, though
>
>I've never actually had a package lost by any of the service. Damaged
>yes, but not lost.

We sell on Ebay and sometimes ship up to 50 packages a week. We
started just after eBay went into business. We've only lost 2-3
packages in that time. But with USPS, unless you insured it, you're
out of luck. Same with damaged items.

Lou

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:04:30 -0600, Gloria P >
wrote:

>T wrote:
>
>>
>> I absolutely love the United States Postal Service though. A lot of it
>> depends upon where you live but I know that if I drop a first class
>> letter in a mailbox before pickup time, it'll reach a roughly 300 mile
>> zone around me within a day, cross country in 3 days.
>>
>
>
>YM obviously V. Last year I dropped a birthday card at a local P.O. for
>a friend who lives less than three miles away. She didn't get it till
>SEVEN days later.

I got a letter last month that was sent 3-1/2 weeks before.

Lou

On Apr 23, 3:44*pm, George Shirley > wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
> > notbob wrote:
> >> On 2008-04-23, blake murphy > wrote:
> >>>> The actress Christina Ricci grew up without watching television. She
> >>>> read books, and the first time she heard the word "chaos" inschool,
> >>>> she thought they were mispronouncing it.
>
> >>> i had that problem myself. *i thought (reasonably enough, i felt) that
> >>> 'grotesque' was pronounced 'grots-cue.'
>
> >> Hee hee.... BTDT! *As a heavy reader, I too was guilty of such faux pas.
> >> Chaos was chowss, voila was the fiddle mispelled, etc. *
>
> >> nb
>
> > What about deus ex machinas? I still don't know how to say that! Doos X
> > Masheen us?
> > ;-)
>
> > -Tracy
>
> DAY-uhs-eks-MAH-koo-noo- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The last part is wrong.


Day'-us ex' muh-kee'-nuh. or ----nuhs

But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)

N.

On Thu, 1 May 2008 14:31:05 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
> wrote:

>On Apr 23, 3:44*pm, George Shirley > wrote:
>> Tracy wrote:
>> > notbob wrote:
>> >> On 2008-04-23, blake murphy > wrote:
>> >>>> The actress Christina Ricci grew up without watching television. She
>> >>>> read books, and the first time she heard the word "chaos" inschool,
>> >>>> she thought they were mispronouncing it.
>>
>> >>> i had that problem myself. *i thought (reasonably enough, i felt) that
>> >>> 'grotesque' was pronounced 'grots-cue.'
>>
>> >> Hee hee.... BTDT! *As a heavy reader, I too was guilty of such faux pas.
>> >> Chaos was chowss, voila was the fiddle mispelled, etc. *
>>
>> >> nb
>>
>> > What about deus ex machinas? I still don't know how to say that! Doos X
>> > Masheen us?
>> > ;-)
>>
>> > -Tracy
>>
>> DAY-uhs-eks-MAH-koo-noo- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>The last part is wrong.
>
>
>Day'-us ex' muh-kee'-nuh. or ----nuhs
>
>But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>
What party?

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smile first

sf wrote:
>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>
> What party?

I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as mizzled and
heroine as heroyne As commented on earlier, all from reading and not
hearing them spoken

On Thu, 1 May 2008 14:31:05 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
> wrote:

>On Apr 23, 3:44*pm, George Shirley > wrote:
>> Tracy wrote:
>> > notbob wrote:
>>
>> > What about deus ex machinas? I still don't know how to say that! Doos X
>> > Masheen us?
>> > ;-)
>>
>> > -Tracy
>>
>> DAY-uhs-eks-MAH-koo-noo- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>The last part is wrong.
>
>
>Day'-us ex' muh-kee'-nuh. or ----nuhs
>
>But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>
>N.

then we'll have to yank you out of the scene with ropes.

your pal,
blake

On May 2, 12:13*am, sf <.> wrote:
> On Thu, 1 May 2008 14:31:05 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
>
>
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >On Apr 23, 3:44*pm, George Shirley > wrote:
> >> Tracy wrote:
> >> > notbob wrote:
> >> >> On 2008-04-23, blake murphy > wrote:
> >> >>>> The actress Christina Ricci grew up without watching television. She
> >> >>>> read books, and the first time she heard the word "chaos" inschool,
> >> >>>> she thought they were mispronouncing it.
>
> >> >>> i had that problem myself. *i thought (reasonably enough, i felt) that
> >> >>> 'grotesque' was pronounced 'grots-cue.'
>
> >> >> Hee hee.... BTDT! *As a heavy reader, I too was guilty of such faux pas.
> >> >> Chaos was chowss, voila was the fiddle mispelled, etc. *
>
> >> >> nb
>
> >> > What about deus ex machinas? I still don't know how to say that! Doos X
> >> > Masheen us?
> >> > ;-)
>
> >> > -Tracy
>
> >> DAY-uhs-eks-MAH-koo-noo- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> >The last part is wrong.
>
> >Day'-us ex' muh-kee'-nuh. *or ----nuhs
>
> >But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>
> What party? *
>
> --
> See return address to reply by email
> remove the smile first- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The correct pronunciation party. LOL.

N.

> >The last part is wrong.
>
> >Day'-us ex' muh-kee'-nuh. *or ----nuhs
>
> >But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>
> >N.
>
> then we'll have to yank you out of the scene with ropes.
>
> your pal,
> blake- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks, but that's kind of kinky. How about a hook around the neck?
LOL.

N.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> sf wrote:
>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>
>> What party?
>
> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as mizzled

Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."

Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for you?

I did.

cybercat wrote:
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>> sf wrote:
>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>>
>>> What party?
>>
>> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as mizzled
>
> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>
> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for you?
>
> I did.

I was an avid reader from a very early age. We never had a tv so we read.
I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me. I could
never wait to get home so I could get to my book

There was a book which my mother hid from me. I took great delight in
reading that LOL

On Fri 02 May 2008 10:49:09a, Ophelia told us...

> cybercat wrote:
>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> sf wrote:
>>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>>>
>>>> What party?
>>>
>>> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as mizzled
>>
>> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>>
>> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for you?
>>
>> I did.
>
> I was an avid reader from a very early age. We never had a tv so we
> read.
> I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me. I
> could never wait to get home so I could get to my book
>
> There was a book which my mother hid from me. I took great delight in
> reading that LOL
>
>
>

And, pay tell, what was that book? Nosey minds want to know!

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Friday, 05(V)/02(II)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
Countdown till Memorial Day
3wks 2dys 12hrs
-------------------------------------------
Annoy a psychic broadcaster: Think for
your self.
-------------------------------------------

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Fri 02 May 2008 10:49:09a, Ophelia told us...
>
>> cybercat wrote:
>>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> sf wrote:
>>>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>>>>
>>>>> What party?
>>>>
>>>> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as
>>>> mizzled
>>>
>>> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>>>
>>> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for
>>> you?
>>>
>>> I did.
>>
>> I was an avid reader from a very early age. We never had a tv so we
>> read.
>> I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me.
>> I could never wait to get home so I could get to my book
>>
>> There was a book which my mother hid from me. I took great delight
>> in reading that LOL
>>
>>
>>
>
> And, pay tell, what was that book? Nosey minds want to know!

errrrrrrrr *sucks teefs* best not)

On Fri 02 May 2008 12:08:33p, Ophelia told us...

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> On Fri 02 May 2008 10:49:09a, Ophelia told us...
>>
>>> cybercat wrote:
>>>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> sf wrote:
>>>>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> What party?
>>>>>
>>>>> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as
>>>>> mizzled
>>>>
>>>> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>>>>
>>>> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for
>>>> you?
>>>>
>>>> I did.
>>>
>>> I was an avid reader from a very early age. We never had a tv so we
>>> read.
>>> I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me.
>>> I could never wait to get home so I could get to my book
>>>
>>> There was a book which my mother hid from me. I took great delight
>>> in reading that LOL
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> And, pay tell, what was that book? Nosey minds want to know!
>
> errrrrrrrr *sucks teefs* best not)

LOL! You wicked girl!



--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Friday, 05(V)/02(II)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
Countdown till Memorial Day
3wks 2dys 11hrs 50mins
-------------------------------------------
Admiration (n.): Our polite
recognition of another's resemblance
to ourselves. --Ambrose Bierce
-------------------------------------------

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Fri 02 May 2008 12:08:33p, Ophelia told us...
>
>> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>>> On Fri 02 May 2008 10:49:09a, Ophelia told us...
>>>
>>>> cybercat wrote:
>>>>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> sf wrote:
>>>>>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What party?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am even later to the party I used to pronounce misled as
>>>>>> mizzled
>>>>>
>>>>> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>>>>>
>>>>> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for
>>>>> you?
>>>>>
>>>>> I did.
>>>>
>>>> I was an avid reader from a very early age. We never had a tv so
>>>> we read.
>>>> I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me.
>>>> I could never wait to get home so I could get to my book
>>>>
>>>> There was a book which my mother hid from me. I took great delight
>>>> in reading that LOL
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> And, pay tell, what was that book? Nosey minds want to know!
>>
>> errrrrrrrr *sucks teefs* best not)
>
> LOL! You wicked girl!

see your mail)

On May 2, 2:08*pm, "Ophelia" > wrote:
> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> > On Fri 02 May 2008 10:49:09a, Ophelia told us...
>
> >> cybercat wrote:
> >>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>>> sf wrote:
> >>>>>> But I guess I'm late to the party ;-)
>
> >>>>> What party? *
>
> >>>> I am even later to the party *I used to pronounce misled as
> >>>> mizzled
>
> >>> Aughhhh! Ms. O., I did this too, only said "my-zld."
>
> >>> Did you read early and read too much that was a bit advanced for
> >>> you?
>
> >>> I did.
>
> >> *I was an avid reader from a very early age. *We never had a tv so we
> >> *read.
> >> I used to hear about programmes on tv but they meant nothing to me.
> >> I could never wait to get home so I could get to my book
>
> >> There was a book which my mother hid from me. *I took great delight
> >> in reading that LOL
>
> > And, pay tell, what was that book? *Nosey minds want to know!
>
> errrrrrrrr *sucks teefs* best not)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

My mom and dad had one like that, too. But they didn't hide it. >;-)

I read LOTS - growing up in the late 40s and 50s - no TV, of course.
I read (tried to read) The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire when I
was in 4th grade. (I was desperate for something to read at the
time.) I did make it all the way through the book, but didn't retain
any of it. LOL.

When we had pronunciation questions, we'd ask (my parents were
teachers) and would get the invariable, "Look it up." It is a good
way to learn, but it was really annoying.

N.

"Ophelia" > wrote
>
> errrrrrrrr *sucks teefs* best not)
>

haha!