Something so unattainable

There is something in this world so rare and unattainable that without it, the end result 100% of the time has been either a referral of my name to a collection agency or a cancellation of one of my accounts. I rarely need this item, but when I do, no matter how hard I try I never ever succeed in acquiring it. I am sure by now you realize that this item is none other than the hated, despised, illusive, united states postage stamp!

Let's take a look back to 2007 when it all started. I received a document in the mail from the DMV advising me that I must renew my registration for somewhere around 55-80 dollars. I didnt feel like spending money on this nonsense at the time so I set the letter on my kitchen counter and left it there for a time when I would feel better prepared to deal with this situation.

About a month or two later, I felt ready to take a look into this registration issue. I had an option to send in a check, credit card information or pay online. I decided "pay online" would be the easiest choice and I needed my VIN number to do so. I promptly went out to my car to find it. I finally located this number about 30 minutes later and was exicted to go back to the DMV website and make this horrid payment so I would never have to face this again. This did not work out for me, I received many error messages preventing me from completing the payment. My other option was to mail in the payment and I needed two things to do so a stamp and an envelope, I had neither. Annoyed I set the letter back on the counter and left it there for a few weeks, I just kept passing it by every morning feeling frustrated.

One day I finally had some energy and decided to place the letter in my purse, I realized I could take the letter to work and find an envelope at work, if it was already in my purse I wouldnt forget. Well as it turns out that purse didnt go with my outfits for about two weeks later. At this point it was been about 3-4 months since I originally received the letter and I wasnt getting any closer to resolving the issue.

Somehow by miracle, I took the purse to work and happened to notice the letter in there. Exicted, I immediately rushed to grab an envelope. The return address prefilled on the envelope was Blue Cross Blue Shield as these are the only envelopes available. I needed to white out the return address and write my address over it. I found white out in my desk, but it was dried out. Therefore, frustrated again, the envelope went back into my desk for a few more weeks.

While I was looking for something else in my desk, I noticed the envelope with the letter and payment form. I decided to take control over the issue and tape blank paper over the pre-filled address and write my return address on top. Then, I went all the way downstairs to the stamp machine to get a stamp and finally drop it in the mail. Of course when I got downstairs I remembered they removed the stamp machine over a year ago.

I never saw that envelope again, but about 8 months later I got pulled over at the toll booth on my way home from work. I had no registration, and actually no inspection so I received some tickets. I was supposed to MAIL my plea back to the court ugghh!! here we go again.

Four months later I really did try to mail my guilty plea to the court. I filled out that ticket that is impossible to fill out with so little space, I asked a co-worker for a blank envelope and I went downstairs at to the stamp machine. Stamp machine still not there, I forgot again.

In an attempt to be responsible I had a few options-- ask someone for a stamp ( I already asked for an envelope), which really is not an option I would never want to be in the position of owing someone a stamp-- it would cause mass anxiety-- I could stop at the UPS store by my house and see that short miserable lady in her ski cap year round or I could stop by the post office two blocks away from my house that is opened until 6:00.

I chose the post office option and when I got there, I was overwhelmed by a line of 25 people! I looked for the stamp machine and couldnt find one. I had no choice but to go back to my car, I placed the envelope in my glove compartment and it stayed there forever.

Several months later my license was suspended, I pushed it for another few months but after a few close calls had to take a afternoon off from work to go to Rotterdam court on Princetown road and pay a 100.00 fine with an 80.00 surcharge.


I thought that was the end of ever needing stamp until 2008, when I went thru the NJ EZ pass with no EZ pass thing. To be honest I had no intention of paying the 25.00 it was a joke to me, until I saw on the news that EZ pass will send you to a collection agency. It seemed ridiculous to ruin my credit over 25.00, so I set out on a quest for a stamp. I wondered if there was one in my house, I know my boyfriend sometimes uses mail so maybe there were extras around, if I looked carefully. I checked desks, drawers, shelves, I really put in a respectable effort. It paid off I found one! I couldnt believe it !!Now I do not use mail much, but I know that stamps prices change quarterly. I went online and googled the price of a stamp, naturally I was 2 cents short, so I had a stamp right in my hand, but it still wasnt enough I needed a SECOND stamp. I didnt even know where to begin, I felt a wave of anxiety and helplessness. If I go to the UPS store I will see the hateful summertime ski cap lady and the post office will have a line as long as infinity.

As you may guess, about six months later I received a notice that my account was sent to collections. I didnt receive a payment coupon to mail back so at this point I am satisfied and will put it out of my mind.

In addition, since then I have had to mail some information to my car insurance. This time a bit wiser, I went online and signed up for stamps.com. The 15.99 a month fee far outweighs the stress I have endured. I realized at the end of registering for a one year membership in order to use this service, I needed a scale and other printing equipment. I didnt have this equipment! why would I? I just wanted to use mail without a trip the post office like they promised. Needless to say, I have been paying 15.99 a month, still no closer to accessing stamps and my insurance has since been terminated with a lapse in coverage.

There no way to rectify this-- please dont tell me to go buy a book of stamps, by the time I need those stamps I will need the second stamps to accompany them. The only way to stop the insanity is to hire an assistant, I am incapable of obtaining stamps myself.