Breaking news: I'm afraid there may be some inefficiency within the U.S. postal service.

I went to the local post office today to mail a letter, and the line to buy stamps was almost out the door, as it usually is when postal rates go up. Of course, all the stamp-vending machines were out of order. Of course. At least their air-conditioning was working.

It's my own damn fault really. I should have stocked up on three-cent stamps before the rush.

I ended up walking to the newstand up the street, where they sell 3-cent stamps for 5 cents--a real bargain, considering.