Design Crafters

Now that is some poor service.  Our postal service here in the United States says that first class letters should arrive at their destinations within about 5 to 7 days. Of course, we’ve all heard stories where that time estimate was woefully off, where the letter took several weeks to arrive, or even months. But wouldn’t you hate to learn that people to whom you sent Christmas cards last Christmas were only just now receiving them? Yes, nearly nine months later.  I’ve heard of people having babies in less time!

Sadly, there are numerous accounts of customers of New Zealand Post who mailed Christmas cards last Christmas that still haven’t even arrived yet. Think of all the friendships and family relationships that may have been damaged by these incredibly delayed cards. While some recipients might find it a bit of a funny joke, still others could be hurt and offended by not receiving cards from friends, business acquaintances, or family members. After all, we’ve all heard of that expression “they’re off my Christmas card list!” as a euphemism for the end of a relationship, be it friendship, family, or business.  Hopefully, New Zealand Post can soon track down and deliver the wayward, missing Christmas cards. Any news inside those cards are surely outdated by now, but the sentiments in the cards will never expire. Let’s just hope that next Christmas, the cards don’t take quite so many detours for so long while en route to their destinations.  Or at least that they’ll arrive during the holiday season, even if it’s the following year.

Can you imagine being swarmed by the FBI just because of your photo Christmas cards? Sound bizarre? Well, one man learned the hard way when he sent letters to members of congress with a picture of himself posed in front of the Time Square recruiting office. The same pictures he included with his Christmas cards to family members.

Shortly after he sent them, he found himself surrounded by FBI agents who apparently misinterpreted the letters and photos and linked them to a recent bombing of the recruiting office.

The letters and picture were completely innocent but were thought to drop hints as to a connection. “At first, officials thought the claim “We did it” might be a declaration taking credit for the bombing about 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, which shattered glass at the recruiting station, briefly led to a shutdown of the subway system and is being investigated for links to two similar bombings”.

Although he has been cleared of any involvement, and it was a simple matter of bad timing to send the letters out, it tends to make a person paranoid to send letters and pictures.

Be careful what picture you include in your photo Christmas cards. You never know if it will spark a national alert. :0)

The full story can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/08/nyregion/08bomb.html?_r=1&oref=slogin