A Strange Delivery

Print magazine readership has declined over the years due to digital capability allowing for instant access to articles across multiple platforms.  In fact, so many of the articles that are found in magazines eventually find their way to the internet, whether you've paid for a subscription or not.  And even if particular publishers don't share their content online without a subscription, the sheer volume of content that can be found can make print magazine subscriptions a waste of money.   The thing is, I like magazines.  I like holding them in my hands.  Tearing out an article you want to read later, a recipe you want to remember, or a unique picture just can't be done on electronically.  I resisted letting subscriptions lapse for a while, but have finally given up most of them.  There just isn't time in the day.  There is one that I haven't given up yet...Vanity Fair.

Several years ago I went to a Vanity Fair photography exhibit at the LACMA.  The caliber of work that this magazine produces is incredible.  I've been a subscriber since.  While I am able to access the magazine through their app on my iPad, it's far more impressive in its print form.   So, I continue to receive it each month.  

Last week the newest addition arrived.  Oddly, when I opened the front door to take the dog for a walk, it was sitting on the doorstep.  I had assumed it was delivered to a neighbor's mailbox by mistake, and they dropped on my doormat.  I threw it inside the house and headed out.  Not too much thought went into it again until a day or so later when I was cleaning up.  As I removed it from its plastic wrapping, the following letter was included.

Hand delivery?  Have they really hired people to hand deliver it to my doorstep?  Is that cheaper than mailing it through the postal service?  The funny thing though is that it's not saving me any time.  I still have to go to the mailbox and get my other mail, so really, it's a strange service.  Maybe it's giving someone a job who otherwise didn't have one?