From Coffee Rings to Fountain Pens – August Links

Keeping my list of links diverse was easy this time. The solar breakthrough is brilliant though, just absolutely brilliant. Everything else pales in comparison.

• Fountain Pen Classifieds
• Scientists Crack The Physics Of Coffee Rings
• How to Remove a Stuck Light Bulb
• 13-Year-Old Makes A Solar Breakthrough With Fibonacci Sequence
• Add your name to my Google+ List – Tools for Artists and Writers
• San Diego Pawn Shop Acquires Rare Montblanc “White House” Pen
• Andhra Pradesh’s tradition of handmade, ebonite fountain pens
• 75% Favor Big Cuts in Mail Delivery
• No excuses now: Studies show 15 minutes of daily exercise can help

Daily Mail Delivery In Peril – Does It Matter?

Cursive isn’t the only “relic” of a more primitive age that’s in peril. The United States Postal Service is a real money pit and overdue for reorganization. The digital age has taken its toll but so have other factors. As a remedy I favor privatization and expanded competition, unlikely solutions for now. Still something must be done.

To reduce losses, the USPS has floated a plan to cease Saturday delivers and eventually lower the number of delivery days to just three per week. People most affected by this scheme would be those dependent on the USPS for critical items like medicine, medical supplies or other survival related items. Setting aside that issue since other delivery services will continue to deliver, how might reduced postal service affect you? Does it even matter?

If you write real letters…

Again, a letter has gone missing but this one really takes the cake. The envelope arrived sealed but empty. What the %*$#!

Now I know it contained a seven page letter filled with pen and ink samples, two Pear Tree Pens blotters, and a hummingbird bookmark when it left my house. It was carefully sealed and had more than enough postage. Of that I am certain. However, when it arrived at its destination, the envelope was bare though sealed. Do you think I can get refund?

If the United States Postal Service expects to survive, it must be reliable and dependable like any business. Recent experience has convinced me that Priority Mail is the only sure thing at the USPS and at $5 a pop, that’s virtual highway robbery for delivery of a single letter.

Whether it’s the machine mangled the letter or the envelope glue failed or the neighbor’s dog ate it for breakfast or a slew of alternate universe excuses, we rely on an unreliable entity. Unfortunately for writers of real letters, there is no other option though I think it is high time someone developed a transporter for inanimate objects. Now wouldn’t that put the Postmaster General’s knickers in a twist!

Note: Got a postal horror story? Please feel free to vent in the comments. I expect you’ll find lots of empathy here.