Like a 29 cent stamp...

How many of you out there dread going to the Post Office, raise your hands now...Unless you live in some small town where nobody mails anything, then you know what I'm talking about. You have your package ready (you hope) addressed (did I put the right zip code on it?) and you stand for what seems like HOURS waiting for that wonderful word: "Next."

A few years back I was pretty stoked when USPS announced they would install automated mailing centers to help reduce congestion and lines. You just go, set your package on the scale type thing push a few buttons and BAM, you were on your way! I have found in "The Rouge" that these machines are a crock of crap. They don't tell you upfront that they can not print the small postage labels UNTIL the very last step before you pay for the postage. What the heck is that all about? I believe the employees sabotage the automated centers so that you are forced to come at their specified hours and wait in line, a.k.a. Job Security. BUT you could at least buy stamps at a vending machine type outlet so that was nice right?..............well NOT ANY MORE.

I just found out today, though this appears to have been going on for sometime, that the USPS is removing those automated stamp vending machines. I guess the company that makes these machines no longer makes them and the parts don't exist to repair the broken ones. My question is why are they always broken if they are never working in the first place? It is funny though that the USPS website lists these automated stamp delivery mechanisms (are they really "vending machines") are just ONE of available alternate mailing options available from the Post Office. HA!

Ran a nice little 8 mile loop around the downtown area of "The Rouge" this evening. Stormed right before hand so the air was clean (for "The Rouge") standards but the lovely smell of refinery fumes lingered in the air. There is an interesting bridge, in which no pedestrian traffic is allowed, in Baton Rouge that separates the downtown area from a lower-class neighborhood . The only way to access the downtown area (where most of these people live, is via this bridge. Only problem is, to get their, you have to drive, which a majority of the individuals in this neighborhood can not do. So they risk their safety and harassment from the police for crossing this manmade barrier just to go to work. I wonder what great politician thought this one up?

The real reason to talk about the run was to finally plug http://www.running2win.com/. If you are a runner and want to keep a log of all of your efforts/mileage on a fairly easy to use website this is the one to use. Yea, if you have the Nike "pod" thingy you can put in your shoe you can use their site. But, almost like eating locally grown food, this website is designed by my old club running team faculty sponsor. He responds to almost all emails and the site is really amazing for being COMPLETELY FREE. There are some little quirks, but I love it. I'm trying to figure out how to show my monthly mile total in the blog, hopefully I can get with Mike (the site owner) to look into it very soon. Check it out and if you need any help, just ask!

Cheers!