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August 27, 2002
I'm Choking On My Own Rage Here
I'm in a bad mood. My mood has evolved past mere annoyance, past frustration and for the first time, I was actually so angry I made myself sick.
Thursday I sent two packages home through Microsoft's intern shipping program: my bike and bike rack. On Friday I sent three more packages containing personal items, including software (bought at a significant discount from the company store). Well the first shipment arrived no problem, but the second one is currently being held at Canada Customs. Apparently since it's so valuable (over $200), I have to personally sign for it at the shipping company, take the paperwork to Customs, then give the packages to the shipping company to deliver to me. Did they tell me before I shipped that my packages would have to be signed for? No. Is this a major pain in the ass? Yes. Why? Because they're closed the day I fly home (Sept 1), and won't be open again until Sept 3.
That got me wondering how the bike and rack made it home without someone clearing it through Customs. I was told that the bike "slipped though Customs". A bicycle slipped though. Yeah, I can see how they missed the 1mx2m 50lb box! <insert angry emoticon face here>
I found out all this information this morning after playing phone tag with the Toronto representative since last night. Since I needed to make this call today (lest they ship my stuff back to Washington), I missed the bus going to the company meeting (since the company has over 50,000 employees, the annual meeting is held in Seattle's baseball stadium). So I'm here at work alone, occasionally running to the men's room to be sick.