Friday, 01 October 2010
When I came home from work on Wednesday, there was a note on the door from UPS that said something like “Sorry we missed you.” The deliverer had tried to drop off a package between 10:30 and 1:00, but no one was home. The note said they’d try again tomorrow.
So they did try again on Thursday, at the exact same time. And: surprise! no one was home. The new note said they’d try again on Friday…again at the exact same time. If we weren’t there to receive the package on Friday, they’d send it back to the sender.
Um…how could UPS not know that if someone’s not home at a particular time one day, they’re not likely to be home at that time on subsequent days, too. People have predictable schedules, after all.
I called the number on the back of the UPS note. I had the displeasure of speaking with a robot. I tried to schedule a drop-off time that differed from the one they were rigidly insisting upon, but that would’ve cost me six bucks. So I hung up on the robot.
Instead, I taped the two notes onto a sheet of paper, and wrote my own note on the paper that said “leave the package at the door.” I signed my name.
This evening, when I got home, the package was waiting for me right by the front door.
There now, UPS, that wasn’t so hard, was it?
Saturday, 02 October 2010
Let me just pause for a moment to comment on how many beautiful days we’ve had here. Usually, there’s like five or ten great days in an entire year, but I think there have been that many in just the past five weeks alone. Even the nighttime is wonderful: not freezing, but chilly enough to warrant a heavy blanket. No need for air conditioning, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, heaters, or sun block. I love it!
Today was another near-beautiful day, which we tried to celebrate by going for a walk. Alas, it was a little too cold for someone who has a tendency to act very childish about those things (ahem, Isla). So, instead of walking to the grocery store, we took the car.
This evening, we watched the Muppet Show. Man, liked that show as a kid, didn’t think it was so cool as an adult, but now, as an old man, I’m thinking the show is awesome. If you have kids <10 years old, it’s perfect for them. Owen thinks it’s funny and, at 22 minutes each, it’s easy to squeeze an episode in before bedtime. The episodes are available at Netflix.
About UPS, I have had exactly the same expereince. I always leave a note saying “pleane leave package here” and sign it. And they do. Why isn’t that on their directions?
About Muppets, You are an old man?? What does that make me?
Yeah, that’s what I thought too – I thought I would call their hotline number, and there would be an option for leaving the package at the door. But there’s not. So I just wrote an old-fashioned note and taped it on the front door.
I just said old man to spice things up a bit. I figure that, while I’m in my 30s, I can toggle back and forth between calling myself ‘young’ and ‘old.’