Reasonable shipping rates?

I was browsing around ThinkGeek.com and found something that I wanted. It was $6.99 USD. I filled out the "Country" for the estimated shipping to Canada... $20.48?!?!

And that was the cheapest option, using DHL Express Intl. The other option was UPS Express at $23.73.

Their "Shipping Info" page states:

"We have chosen DHL and UPS as the carriers for our International orders. They both offer reasonable shipping rates (compared to other express carriers) and fast delivery times. We do not use the Post Office for International orders because they do not offer a suitable package tracking system."

$20 shipping on a $7 item is reasonable?

I recently ordered a canvas messenger bag from Amazon.com that cost me $16 for the bag, and the S&H was $15. Not a great deal less, but $31 overall for a bag that I couldn't find locally didn't bother me. Plus, the weight of this package was far greater than this $7 item.

I realize that they don't set their own shipping rates, but surely they could find a cheaper shipping alternative for smaller "International orders" so we don't get screwed?

Speaking of getting screwed... UPS has a history of screwing us with their "brokerage fees" as well. For that very reason, I won't buy anything from any company in he U.S. that uses UPS as the only shipping option.

You have to wonder how many sales, like mine, are lost due to the outrageous shipping charges. And ThinkGeek.com isn't the only business that has lost my sale because of it.

Sentors 3 - Penguins 4 (OT)

If the officiating in the playoffs is anything like it was for last night's Sens vs. Penguins game, the Senators are doomed.

Talk about inconsistency. Yes, there were a few things that should have been called against the Senatorss, but there were more than should have been called against the Penguins. (i.e. Crosby's dive, Roberts' cross-checking Corvo from behind into the glass during the overtime period) Then there were things that shouldn't have been called (i.e. Volchenkov's push into Flury, resulting in an interference penalty, and a goal for the Pens)

It's frustrating as hell to watch.

I understand that the game looks different down on the ice, but you would think that it would balance itself out. It didn't.

I hate the Leafs and I love nothing more than to watch them lose, but I've seen similar officiating go against them in games as well.

I know the Senators can beat the Penguins, but the playing ground has to be balanced for that to happen. None of these BS calls and non-calls.

Pet Food Recall

This is pretty scary stuff, if you're a pet owner. The recall is a "precautionary measure".

TORONTO (CP) - One of North America's largest pet-food suppliers said Friday it would recall some of the premium dog and cat food it sells through stores such as Wal-Mart and Safeway at a cost of up to $40 million after several animal deaths in the United States.

One dog and a "small number" of cats in the U.S. are reported to have died from kidney failure after eating the food, Henderson said. There had been no complaints from Canadian pet owners.

The lists for Cat and Dog food are now posted on Menu Foods Income Fund's web site. They're are a lot longer than I expected. It looks like they sell under quite a few different names.

Make sure you download the list for the brand that you buy. It'll be an Excel spreadsheet containing the product code, description and other information. Most, if not all of them, seem to be "cuts'n'gravy" style. If you don't have Excel or a spreadsheet program capable of opening the file, you can download a free one here from Microsoft.

Cache me if you can

Here's an interesting article about Geocaching in Stanford Magazine. I really like this quote from the article,

“[Caching] makes you more observant of your surroundings,” she says. “It brings me the joy of appreciating what’s around me.”

That's a big part of why I enjoy Geocaching.

Day off for me

Being the last day of "March break" for the kids, I decided to book today off. We haven't decided what we're going to do... yet.

My headache from yesterday hung around the entire night. A lingering, nagging kind of pain. I felt much better this morning, but I can still feel the effects from yesterday.

The Sens beat the Islanders last night. It was a fun game to watch, but not as much fun as other wins because I couldn't cheer from the couch. Yelling and screaming would make my head hurt. (Yes, my wife and I yell and scream at the TV when we're watching hockey) :)

Changing weather... allergies... pain... migraines

I've never, to the best of my knowledge, been tested for any allergies. One of these days, I should.

I woke up this morning feeling fairly good. On the drive to work, I sensed an aural migraine beginning. Fortunately for me, I rarely get a full-blown migraine headache. 95% of the time it's just the visual disturbances.

I seem to recall feeling this same way last spring, but perhaps a little worse. With cold like symptoms.

After I got to work, I had a bit of a headache. More of a burning pain at the back of my head. I think it's due to the change in weather. It's been warmer lately. The spring aromas are beginning. Maybe I'm allergic to something?

I don't know... but the daily visual disturbances are annoying as hell.

Luckily I work with a few women on my team. Women are like mobile pharmacies. All three of them had different pain medications, and all offered me something. I accepted some kind of green liquid capsule thing (Advil, perhaps?) and was told to drink lots of water with it, or it would give me heartburn.

I still feel a bit of a headache, but that definitely took the edge off the pain. I can deal with this. She offered me another one if I needed it. I thanked her, but passed on it.

I'd better not get any more symptoms of allergies.

Common Sense Obituary

A friend sent this to me, so I don't really know its origin. I like most of it.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a Band Aid to a student - but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.