The Wonderful World of Shipping

With my recent purchases, I re-enter the comical world of shipping and tracking my packages. I have 3 packages going to the house, and had one package shipped from Japan to work. With all of my history of trying to find packages, delivering them to wrong addresses, and the DAMN ELVES at the house that steal my stuff - here are the current status of what I'm waiting for:

* First package - shoes from Eddie Bauer Outlet. They ship via US Postal Service which is about as worthless as they come for tracking. Although my package has a number to "track", all I can get for details from the USPS is that my package has shipped. Not even telling me where it has shipped from.
* Second package - A big win from e-bay. I won the auction on January 17th and paid for it immediately. I got a notice from pay-pal following my payment that said my package would be shipped via "Paypal Shipping via USPS".... dangit, I'm screwed again. So I'm thinking this is my notice that tells me it's "in the mail". I check my status and it always says that it was notified on the 18th..... well yesterday I check and now the status says my item was processed and left their California facility on January 22nd. That was a Sunday so not sure I believe that statement 100%. No idea what that means for a delivery time.
* New Camera from Joe-Shmoe Camera in Brooklyn, NY. They ship via FedEx which gives me a tracking number and details I can follow. It's traveling via FedEx ground which moves at a snail's pace it seems. I should have just had Rob bring it on one of his three U-Hauls from NY. As of this morning, it's in Holmen, Wisconsin. Troy or Melissa, snag it on your way to work for me! haha! I'll probably pass it on my way to rehearsal tonight in La Crosse.
* Package from Japan... this one's the best. Via UPS (not ground obviously) from Kyoto, Japan. When it hits the terminal, there's a confirmation from Louisville, KY that it can get on the plane for the US (I suppose they had to do a background check on our 3 pound package and make sure it had a visa, etc). The following day it flies to Ancourage, Alaska.... and yet another call is placed to Louisville, KY. Then it makes it to Louisville, KY the following day after that. On Saturday, it leaves Louisville at 5:37am, arrives in Cedar Rapids at 6:03am (I could have snagged it from there if I'd have known). Leaves Cedar Rapids at 6:32am, arrives in Des Moines at 7:09am. Leaves Des Moines on Sunday evening, arrives in Minneapolis at 10pm. Leaves Minneapolis at 3:19am on Monday headed for Rochester (After circling it for 2 days) and arrives at 9:15am.

I had a buddy in college once that mailed himself an Overnight Envelope with UPS. He lived at Friley and mailed it from the 20th Century Hy-Vee in Ames. So for the Ames-illiterate, that's about a mile and a half down the road. Someone could have just driven it down the street and dropped it off on their way home, but instead it leaves Hy-Vee, truck to Des Moines, Plane to Louisville - where it's sorted and takes another plane to Des Moines, another truck to Ames, then is delivered the following morning. How funny is that?

Rehearsals begin tonight in La Crosse. I don't have half of my music after I rehearsed last night. More info on the concerts coming soon!

Song of the Day - I've been relistening to Beethoven Radio (beethoven.com) which is based out of Connecticut but broadcasts on the Internet for the world to hear. They play some really good classical music and the quality is pretty good. I also like how they play soundtracks and "other" type of classical music that changes it up. Yesterday they even played some symphonic Zeppelin! HEY! Don't knock it till you try it!

Video of the Day - Hazel and I watched March of the Penguins this weekend which was very good! It's a documentary but it is narrated by Morgan Freeman who shows his ability to be so versatile. It's an amazing story of the Emperor Penguins and the extreme life they live at the south poll. They make an amazing march for 70 miles to reproduce every year and it's amazing that they are still surviving. The best comment was from Hazel when the baby penguins are out running around.... "aww.... I want one". But Daddy... i want a Penguin NOW!!!

Webpage of the Day - Words cannot describe this video.... it's long, but you have to watch it. I won't blame you if you turn it down to avoid the crappy music, but it only gets better with time. What an idiot!