Out For Delivery
I have to admit to being really into delivery tracking data. I love watching a package make its way across the country to its destination. Origin scan, departure scan, arrival scan, departure scan, arrival scan, etc. until I see that it is out for delivery. . . and there is nothing left to do but wait for for the email notification of delivery. The idea of this is absurd when compared to the Pony Express and other early transcontinental mail services – i imagine you just hoped they would get it there.
The Pony Express rider changed his horse about every 10 miles – apparently this is how far one could gallop before the horse is stressed. So they rode across the country on horseback to get mail from the midwest to the west coast – until the railroad put them out of business. Today, we romanticize that journey but really – it had to suck. I can say that I would not want to be a Pony Express rider. I shall content myself with the tracking numbers and the scans that I follow from here to there. . . .
Oh – in case you are wondering, the package I was watching as it traveled to its destination was delivered exactly on time. Shortly after receiving an email alerting me to the delivery, I heard from the recipient who seemed quite pleased at its arrival.
