I need a courier service ... a buddy of mine is going overseas (France and Spain) and wants to mail stuff back to me rather than carry it on the plane.

He's leaving in a week. What's a good courier service? It needs to be secure, with no hassle from customs. Anyone know which one LDF uses? Eabsinthe or Spiritscorner?

Thanks in advance.

DG

Please don't post your response at this forum. PM him.

Sorry .... forgot about discretion. Thanks for the reminder.

DG

S'okay. That's why I'm here...I think...

Or it could be 'cuz I always give the mayor a reach around?

On the topic of international shipping, I have a friend currently residing in Ecuador. I was looking to ship him a care package and he warned me that the system there was a little odd. When I went to the USPS site to check on the rates and restrictions, this is what I came across:

The second one threw me till I realized they were probably concerned about copper salt poisoning of farm animals from copper reactions in the climate there. Bit in mouth, copper in bit, copper reaction producing copper salts = dead/injured animal.

I was a little more puzzled by "All maps showing the territory of Ecuador with incorrect boundaries."

I guess there's also some issue with imports in general.
I do find some of those restrictions odd though.
The bit about the shoes, for example.

I think Ecuador is in dispute with one of it's neighboring countries about the boundry. Columbia maybe?

Leather is a protectionist measure I think.

Yeah, hiking boots are out, I guess.
I'm just glad it says nothing about Nutter Butters and Red Vines.

But it's sad to have to let him go without his feeding bottles and his ink erasing preparations. He'll be so disappointed.

But what about the Non-Perishable versions?

"The second one threw me till I realized they were probably concerned about copper salt poisoning of farm animals from copper reactions in the climate there. Bit in mouth, copper in bit, copper reaction producing copper salts = dead/injured animal."

Copper salts...sounds like an additive to the kind of rot gut 19th century absinthe Verlaine, Rimbaud and Co. would have consumed in mass quantities in the Fin de Siecle...now there's concern for the poisoning of farm animals...perhaps today's world has evolved to a slightly kinder, gentler one after all!

Kinder and gentler my ass. We live in a society that takes nail files from grannys just in case they might want to hijack a plane.

Give me cruel and rough any day.

I'm tired of this seat belt wearing, tree hugging, second hand smoke fearing, kinder and gentler bullshit.

Hmmm... well, I'm all in favor of tree hugging (I'm a lonely guy), and I don't like eating or drinking in small smoky spaces either.

But I get your point all the same. I don't like seat belt laws or helmet laws, any kind of "let's protect you from yourself, because we suspect you're a moron" type laws.

I prefer to honor the basic right of people to court death in their own way, and risk everything in the pursuit of pleasure.

I think the best indicator of or societies "let's protect you from yourself, because we suspect you're a moron" view is definitely the warning label.

On Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping.

bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase nesessary. Details inside.

bar of Dial soap: Directions: Use like regular soap.

a hotel provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head.

Tesco's Tiramisu dessert:(printed on bottom of the box) Do not turn upside down.

Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body.

Nytol sleep aid: Warning: may cause drowsiness.

Kitchen knife: Warning keep out of children.

Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only.

Japanese food processor: Not to be used for the other use.

American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.

Swedish chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.

a childs superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.

Magic 8 Ball: Not advised for use as a home pregnancy test.

On a bottle of shampoo for dogs: Caution: The contents of this bottle should not be fed to fish.

a frisbee: Warning: May contain small parts.

If you idiot-proof the world,
all you'll have left are idiots.

Yup, but we sure are a fun-loving group, aren't we?

Just you.

SB, buddy:

Terrorists tend to be stealthy enough to hide
xit in their shoes or have unlikely mules.

But, I feel grannys with
nail files would be more protectorate of
my ass than some Air Marshals.

Recall the Python Biker Grannys?

You've never been to India -- they insist on prohibiting any map of India that does not show the whole of Kashmir (including even the Northeast Territories lost to China in armed conflict) as being part of India.

For "correct" in the above sentence, read: whatever the current government says the border is, regardless of what the neighbours say.

I had a copy of the Economist with a map of India in it - confiscated.

If you've found the secret of Eternal (Non-Perishable) Life (Greek: bio-), PM me.

I did, but got kicked out of med school for the experiments.

...and it's Fraunkensteen, dammit!

DG