for the first time in seven months i made a purchase in the united states. a friend is getting married and i visited their online wedding registry to pick out an item. by the end of the transaction after tax, shipping and handling were added the cost of the item was 30% more than when i started. how totally annoying.

in new zealand everything costs what the price tag says it costs, even at a restaurant because there is no tipping.


recalling how obnoxious this all felt before, returning to it after this pleasant break is going to feel like a real step backwards…