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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| R2-D2 to collect mail |
| 2007-03-16 |
| But he'll be stationary. And silent. Too bad. Thirty years ago, in theaters near and far, far away, a movie opened the imaginations of millions, combining the magics of mythology and special effects to launch the "Star Wars" phenomenon. A star of those films — the brave little robot R2-D2 — is about to take a turn collecting mail as the Postal Service and Lucasfilm Ltd. commemorate that movie launch. The post office is wrapping mail collection boxes in some 200 cities nationwide in a special covering to look like R2-D2. It's part of a promotion for a new stamp to be announced March 28, Anita T. Bizzotto, the post office's chief marketing officer, said. "It's a little teaser for the upcoming announcement and we decided to have a little fun with it," she said. About 400 mailboxes will be covered to look like the stout droid. "When you look at a mailbox, the resemblance to R2-D2 is too good to pass up," Bizzotto said. While postal officials would like people to look for these mailboxes and maybe even drop in a letter, Bizzotto urged people not to tamper with them, noting that's a crime. I expect a few will be swiped for private collections. |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #6 Ship: To answer your question; yes I still use the USPS and I agree with TW's comment about service for value, but it just really, really, really, chaps my arse when they continue to roll out new stamp designs for what practical purpose? The old design is still functional, and I hardly think that going from a flower to a commerorative (sic) series of steam locomotives, or Vermont covered bridges, or some other trivial thing is really going to cause a shift in people's mailing habits. If you are already using Fedex or UPS I really do not think the pretty pastel colors on the design d'jour is gonna lure you in. So except for those how collect such things, leave the damn things alone. And let the collectors pay a premium for new designs. Sorry for the extended ramble, I have J. Beam doing my proofreading right now. |
| Posted by: USN, ret. 2007-03-16 23:15 |
| #5 My girlfriend is a US Postal Carrier, and at age 48, they still deliver :-) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-03-16 22:49 |
| #4 And yet, in my limited experience the US Postal Service gives more service for less cost than anywhere else I've been. And they smile and say, "Have a nice day!" |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-03-16 21:22 |
| #3 LOL USN! I gotta feeling you use the USP? I like to think of them as living breathing blasts from the past and an increase of 10 cents a stamp is nothing if it will keep them in business and me entertained. Matter of fact, get it over with and make it increase it by 25 cents. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-03-16 19:33 |
| #2 So we have this big ass useless promotion and then the rates go up. Does anybody really give a rat's ass what the design on the stamp is that gets your letter to Grandma? I don't think we need to employ some artsy-fartsy light in the sneakers granola type to draw some corn or butterflys or commemorate yet another dead politician on the envelope we send our tribute to Exxon in. just give me a phuqueing stamp already. USPS is America's answer to Airbus. /thank you, you may now resume your normal Rantburg reading. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-03-16 14:37 |
| #1 The ghost of Alan Funt is smiling. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-03-16 08:37 |