Lost Mail?

So I got back to Seattle last Tuesday (thanks to Derek from driving me home from the airport). I can’t believe work begins tomorrow.

As always, when I leave for Christmas, I always put a hold on my postal mail to have it deliver on the day I return (in this case, it was 12/30). I get home and got the notice my mail service will resume, but no mail… I’ve been gone for 2.5 weeks and was expecting a lot of mail, a few packages, and even several checks. First thing that popped into my head was, maybe the postman hid it, so I searched the outside of my house and didn’t find anything.

Since there’s been construction going on in our complex and that I just received a noticed on my door that the construction work on my unit was completed on 12/30, I began to feared the worse. SOMEONE HAD STOLEN MY MAIL… I left a post-it on my mailbox for my postman the next day and decided to ask the construction company if anyone saw my mail the following day. Unfortunately, the construction company said, they didn’t see anything, but I should call my post office to see what they had to say. I thought… why didn’t I think of that.

I called my post office and they told me that I actually had a tub of mail en route today (12/31) and that was when I had my first sigh of relief. They told me my route had a substitute and that could be the reason for the delay. I did get my tub of mail that afternoon and it was like Christmas all over again!

I got my Premera check for my new glasses ($180) and a rebate check.

Here’s a few of the things I received:

hair bandsspoongrilling bookcans of tomatoesmagic the gathering cards

From left to right:

  • Goody Ouchless Elastic Hair bands – a free sample. Was actually thinking of picking up some at Rite Aid. Guess I don’t need to anymore.
  • Chef Spoon – free gift from Contadina
  • Omaha Steaks: The Great American Grilling Book – Something I signed up for at FreeBizMag
  • Muir Glen 2008 Reserve Tomatoes – a free gift when you join the Connoisseurs’ Club
  • Magic: The Gathering Decks – another freebie I signed up for

Not shown here include my new Woot shirt: Willing to endure scientific research, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid DVD 1 (to complete the series), and some HDMI cables that were on sale (3 6′ for $10 shipped).

Here are a couple more things that I got for free, but had received right before I left:

Johnnie Walker glassMaker's Mark gift wrap

  • Johnnie Walker glass – a free gift for being part of their Striding Man Society
  • Maker’s Mark gift wrap – As part of their ambassador program, I’ve been receiving freebies since college. There’s even supposedly a barrel with my name on it.

Happy New Year

Just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’m not much of a resolutions type of guy, so I never make resolutions for the next year. It’s probably because if it’s important enough, I’ll do it w/o even making a resolution. If not, I’d end up giving up anyway. So there really isn’t any point.

Since Xyon posted his 2007 ventures, here’s a look back at my 2007:

  • Noticed I was getting fat
  • Got into cardio exercising (exercise bike + elliptical)
  • Got into strength building (Ungsunghero being my advisor)
  • Started on my HD-Trailers.net project
  • Built my home theater setup
  • Built my new File Server (I know I still owe you a blog post on that – since I’ve gotten my 6th and last hard drive, it’s planned to be written after I install it)
  • Hurt my wrist and had to wear a splint for about a month
  • Discovered M&M Dark Chocolate
  • Found Mexi-Coke
  • Found a giant hole in one of my tooth
  • Got my first speeding ticket
  • Got my first speeding ticket nullified
  • Discovered Rainbow Sherbert ice cream had a different name: Pineapple, Raspberry & Orange Sherbet
  • Had my first flat tire
  • Dressed up for Halloween for the 1st time since… elementary school?
  • Read a book voluntarily for the 1st time since… elementary school?

My mail got delivered in a big chunk today and it took an hour going through all the mail. At least 1/5 of it was rebates. I got a total of a 14 rebate checks, totaling a sum of $525. That was nice.

Also got this Maker’s Mark gift (I had signed up for some freebie thing back in college, and they continue to send me neat things every year). This time, it was a wax seal stamp:
maker's mark wax seal stampmaker's mark wax seal stampmaker's mark wax seal stamp

I wonder if this wax will work with my ink stamp.