OMG, What was I thinking?  I went to the Post Office Friday morning to mail half a dozen boxes to out of town family.  Of course, it was windy and pouring down rain so my spirits and self were already a bit dampened having to get those boxes out of the car and into line.  There were about 8 people in front of me -- all with boxes to mail.  How many people were behind the counter to help customers out?  One. How many postal workers were there around us trying to look half-busy basically doing nothing?  Three.  I started to simmer.  One guy was actually straightening out the already straightened out folded mailing boxes as the line behind me began to get very long.  The guy behind the counter was moving slowly and deliberately -- with a smile on his face (which actually managed to make me begin a slow  boil.)  You could pretty much hear him thinking  -- "I'm going to be here all day anyway, doe-dee-doe-dee-doe.  No rush... I got nowhere to be but here...doe-dee--doe...in the Post Office...dee-doe.  The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round..."  Apparently, this guy's never heard of the verb "hustle."  20 minutes into my ordeal, Doe-Dee-Doe shouts out, "Remember, today's the day you have to send your packages priority mail to get them to their destination by Christmas!"  No kidding, Sherlock?!  I could walk my presents to Denver faster than the time I'm going to be spending in this line.  And you want more money from me?  It's not gonna happen.  I don't care if my family doesn't get their presents till NEXT Christmas!  Medium boil.  Then, a ray of light!  Another worker slowly crawls out from beind the back area -- eyes blinking like he's just come out of hibernation.  I could see the line of people still in front of me perk up a bit!  Then...another.."doe-dee-doe-dee-doe...look at all those people staring at me with hope in their eyes...doe-dee-doe...I'm...gonna...take...my...time...setting...up...my...drawer.  Hmmmm...why is that lady's face so red?'  5 minutes later Doe-Dee-Doe #2 says, "Next person in line?"  It wasn't me.  

From my Atlanta Post Office experiences, we don't need to worry about our P.O. workers ever "going postal."  Most of them are so relaxed I'm not even sure they're still breathing.  Post Office customers on the other hand... Tim Allen warned us in his stand-up performance the other night -- "If you like the service you get at the Post Office, you'll love the new health care reform!"  Heaven help us.

Love,

Grinchy Kiely