As a collector, I have always preferred the classic stamps of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to more modern issues. There's something about the lines of the intaglio engraving that gets my heart pumping. The majority of these stamps were printed in just one color but there also were many bi-colors, usually with … Continue reading Philatelic Favorites #1: Barbados’ Olive Blossom
Month: October 2013
Identity Crisis and Family History
Lately, I've been experiencing somewhat of an identity crisis. You see, I was adopted within a month of my birth in December 1965. I no longer have copies of the adoption papers or my birth certificate (and the latter is turning out to be as difficult to obtain as the former). I have never made … Continue reading Identity Crisis and Family History
Postcrossing: Received Card #12!
The Postcrossing cards are now coming in fast and furious, which is nice because the site is approaching its 20,000,000th registered postcard. I’ve entered my prediction for when that card will be registered in an effort to win some nice prizes: 12:05 UTC on 4 November 2013. Today’s card, #RU-206961, came from Moscow. I’ve received … Continue reading Postcrossing: Received Card #12!
Postcrossing: Received Cards #9, 10 and 11!
When it rains, it pours! After a bit of a dry-spell, there was a stack of mail on the lobby counter this morning as I was leaving for work. Among the mail were four postcards, three of them official Postcrossing cards and one was from my sister in America. One of these was actually a … Continue reading Postcrossing: Received Cards #9, 10 and 11!
VegFest 2013: The Grand Finale
The 2013 Phuket Vegetarian Festival ended with a bang (many, many, many bangs) this past Sunday night. Well, I should say, it lasted until the wee hours of Monday morning. I’d met up with friends Jade and Lily, plus their Thai boyfriends, around 7pm at Surin Circle. It was their first time to experience the … Continue reading VegFest 2013: The Grand Finale
VegFest 2013: Bang Neow Procession
Day 7 of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival was another early morning for me as I really wanted to experience as much of the procession for Bang Neow Shrine as I could. This is one of the two biggest every year, starting at 6am and heading first to Suphan Hin (a sort of peninsula in the … Continue reading VegFest 2013: Bang Neow Procession
Postcrossing: Received Card #8!
This morning was one of Postcrossing firsts: my first card from Lithuania and my first card received from a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a popular collecting speciality that I want to pursue (both in stamps and postcards). My Postcrossing profile includes a request for World Heritage cards. Card #LT-318519 was sent by Kristina in Vilnius back … Continue reading Postcrossing: Received Card #8!
Muang Phuket Local Post!
In honor of this year’s International Letter Writing Week and World Post Day, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Muang Phuket Local Post and the issuance of it’s very first local post stamps! What is a local post, and is this legal? The definition from Wikipedia explains that, “A local post is … Continue reading Muang Phuket Local Post!
Happy World Post Day
Every October 9th is celebrated internationally as World Post Day which is the anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union in Bern, Switzerland, back in 1874. It’s purpose is “to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic … Continue reading Happy World Post Day
VegFest 2013: Sam Kong Procession
It is now Day 5 of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and again the rain has been pouring down much of the day. I have eaten nothing but “Jae” food since the festival began Friday evening (well, I suppose cookies qualify…) and finally attended my first street procession of the year this morning. It was Sam … Continue reading VegFest 2013: Sam Kong Procession
Mark Joseph Jochim 