Pet peeves

I know for sure that everyone of us has pet peeves. You know these, little things that annoy you. Something that to others is not important but for you is a big deal.

Well I have a few pet peeves and a few of them are related to stamp collecting. You see I received a letter last week for a cover exchange. This means that I mean to keep the letter/cover because I have asked for a special stamp to be used. Imagine my disappointment when I saw that the sides of the envelope were covered in sticky tape. This person decided to "protect" the envelope by using sticky tape all around the sides. And to cover all sides too! For me, sticky tape on an cover makes the envelope look ugly. Why couldn't this person have used proper stiffener?

A couple of times I have used sticky tape on an envelope but it's usually just on the flap at the back to keep it secure. Or it may have been that I had sealed the envelope already and found out that I have forgotten to put something inside so I had to open it up again. I do try to do it nicely. And it wasn't for a cover exchange. But what this person did was just annoying.

Another thing is that when I get a letter that's been inspected by customs, there's always a "nice"green sticker/tape on the envelope that says so. Very kind of them to let me know. But I don't need it on the front of the envelope! And I don't want it on the stamp either! Really! Why couldn't they open it from the left side? Sometimes they even slit the stamp itself. Then they put sticky tape (again!) to seal it back and the green tape as well. Right on top of the stamps!

Example below is a parcel from Nepal. First the lower left corner was cut open. Then a big yellow tape was used to close one side up. And, not content, maybe because parts of the envelope had tears on it, they tried to save it by 'wrapping' it in sticky tape. The poor stamps are now all useless!

I guess you could say that the Customs people may not be aware that you collect stamps so they could be forgiven for doing that. But then I see some stamps that have been cancelled with a marker or a pen. Huh??? They couldn't afford a date stamp? Or is it too heavy to lift that they prefer to use a pen?

And speaking of cancellation, I once asked a post office clerk if he could please hand cancel the stamps on my letter because it is going to a collector. He looked at me. Frowned. And then said "Why do you need to do that when you can just drop the letter of in the mailbox?" I was shocked! Needless to say, I never went back there again - to buy stamps or anything else - even though it was the closest PO to my place.

So, tell me what ticks you off.

Orchids on stamps

My mailbox has been busy lately. I've been getting lots of mail from swaps with my fellow collectors.

This one is special as it is from one of the topics that I collect - orchids. And a mini-sheet too!

I love this stamp. It's so vibrant and colorful. Just beautiful. Like a real orchid. It reminds me of the orchids that my mum used to grow in our garden.

While the real thing is better than stamps, these have certain advantages. First and foremost is that you only need to find a nice album or stocksheet to put them in and preserve its beauty. No need for continuous watering or caring. Secondly, the flowers will be in bloom all year round so you can enjoy it anytime. Third, they won't take up as much space as the real plants. Though there have been thousands of orchids on stamps issued by different countries around the world, they would probably only take up one or two albums if you only collect used stamps.

In the same way that there are lots of orchid societies and orchid shows, so too there are orchid stamp collectors. I found this great article on orchid stamps by Nina Rach (http://www.autrevie.com/stamp_intro.html) . Lots of information for those wanting to specialize in this topic.

Now I'd like to thank Radim for sending me this lovely cover.

I am not postman Pat

The other day, I saw an article in the local paper (mX) with the headline "Posties flea deliveries". At first I thought it was a postman delivering fleas. I did a double take. That can't be right. What do they not deliver now? It was actually a postman fleeing an attack of fleas. The postman was covered in bites after he was almost eaten alive by fleas while delivering mail.

It made me think of how it's not really that easy to be a postman. You have to be fit and strong to be able to carry or lift a heavy mailbag.You have to deliver the mail no matter what the weather so it's good if you're not the type of person who easily gets sick. You have to get up early to sort your mail and get it all delivered.

This is not a job for me. I'm skinny. I don't like cold weather. I'd rather stay in my warm bed in winter than get up to deliver mail. Spring is not good either as I get hay fever. And summer? Too much sun. Not my kind of thing at all.

And then of course you get chased by dogs. As to how true this is I don't know but it is highly possible as there are some dogs who just love to chase anything that moves.

I'm quite happy someone else is doing this job. I prefer to wait and see what my postie has for me.

Grinning like a cat

Today must be the best day ever in my stamp collecting life.
 

My in-laws had gone on a holiday to Portugal and came back with a nice surprise for me. Before they left, my husband had asked them to bring back some stamps for my collection. I was only expecting to get a couple of loose stamps but imagine my surprise when I saw what they got!

Inside a bag were the complete 2011 Portuguese stamp issues, the Visit Portugal stamp pack and some topicals - soldiers, the Pyrenees etc. - from France. They are all so beautiful that I didn't dare open them! I'm content to see just the front of the packs or the pictures at the back. 
 I especially like the souvenir stamps from Lourdes in France. They will go in my special religious collection. 

I feel like the cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.