Another nice day!?

Looks like the semi-summerness we've been having will continue for another day. I'm sure liking the whole opening-up-all-the-windows business, as well as the relaxing-in-the-yard business and the riding-bike-and-scooter business, too.

Another needy-cat morning today, but that's cool.

Besides one class today, I still need to run to a store somewhere and find some black knee-socks to match the dress kilt. We went to REI yesterday, looking for hiking-type stuff, but no luck (although I did get some biking pants). I think I'll try the soccer store on Lake City Way and maybe Macy's for some old-school old-man socks.

I also need to run out and get tickets for Thoroughly Modern Millie. Since it's just down the street, we can buy them in person. Anyone else up for this? It's just two weeks away!

Speaking of deadlines, have y'all heard about the postal rate increase on Monday? It's not just a rate increase: the new rules have re-defined what can go as a first class letter. Here's an excerpt from the new rules:

1.0 Physical Standards for Letters

1.1 Dimensional Standards for Letters

Letter-size mail is:

a. Not less than 5 inches long, 3-1/2 inches high, and 0.007-inch thick.

b. Not more than 11-1/2 inches long, or more than 6-1/8 inches high, or more than 1/4-inch thick.

c. Not more than 3.5 ounces.

d. Rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides. Letter-size, card-type mailpieces made of cardstock may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See Exhibit 1.1d.

In addition, even if you meet the size criteria, there are other criteria

1.2 Nonmachinable Criteria

A letter-size piece is nonmachinable (see 6.4) if it has one or more of the following characteristics (see 601.1.4 to determine the length, height, top, and bottom of a mailpiece):

a. Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5.

b. Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.

c. Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.

d. Contains items such as pens, pencils, or loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven (see 601.11.18, Odd-Shaped Items in Paper Envelopes).

e. Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn).

f. For pieces more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long, the thickness is less than 0.009 inch.

g. Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece.

h. Is a self-mailer with a folded edge perpendicular to the address if the piece is not folded and secured according to 201.3.13.1.

i. Booklet-type pieces with the bound edge (spine) along the shorter dimension of the piece or at the top, unless prepared according to 201.3.13.

Near as I can tell, the only thing that is going to go First Class anymore are #10 envelopes with four or five sheets of paper, and birthday cards. Anything else gets bumped to "flat" or "parcel" and will cost about forty cents more for the same weight. So, the little thing I sent Jon of Monmouth yesterday would be rated up just because the envelope had a clasp on it, even if didn't have that little bump in it, and the DVD I mailed to Calico Mom couldn't be first class because it was too rigid.

I understand that this all has to do with the increasing mechanization and automation of the system, but I can see it requiring a trip to the post office every time I have to mail something, just to make sure I have the right postage on the piece.

Oh, and postcards went up two cents, too.

Hey, isn't Johnbai back yet?