Friday 11 June 2021

Fahrenheit 451 or a cautionary tale

 Yesterday I took a partial delivery from a company named after a large South American River. The chap said there had been a change of plan and this was all I was getting today. I took the large plastic storage box from out of the packaging and set it aside. I then proceeded to burn the cardboard box as I had no room to store it. That proceeded well until I noticed a dense lump burning in the ashes- a book I had ordered. Nothing could be done , it was beyond saving. It was entirely my fault, my negligence and my foolhardiness rushing to dispose of the box. The company were not to blame, I was. I post this to remind myself and others to check beneath the swathes of brown paper really carefully before disposing of packaging. I have never done it before and will not do it again. Watching thirty pounds go up in flame concentrates the mind somewhat!

27 comments:

  1. A hard lesson to learn. You have my sympathy.😢

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    1. Thanks Jim, I will check vigorously in future.

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  2. Ahhhh, I feel for you. It is both easier and harder when it is one's own mistake that causes a stuff up. I have been there, numerous times...
    Regards, James

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  3. How terrible in this time of terrible malaise. Not wanting to rub salt into the wounds but what was the book?
    Stephen

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    1. It was the Oxford handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean. I ordered a replacement which arrived safely in a separate package which made it easier for me not to have a repetition of events😊

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  4. Thanks James, I know what you mean.

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  5. I feel your pain. I was once standing by an open fire and decided to empty the litter and receipts from my pocket into it... Imagine my horror as I noticed a £20 note curling into ashes within seconds...

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    1. I have had a similar experience but with a note in a pocket in the washing machine. I dare say the new ones would survive water but I am not going to test it out.

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  6. Once threw a couple of plastic zip bags full of 15mm figures onto the fire with some rubbish by the time I got to rescue them they had started to melt !

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  7. Tradgardmastare,

    Ouch! I feel you pain ... but it is good that you have managed to source a replacement.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  8. An expensive lesson on the benefits of recycling?
    Ronnie

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    1. Ironically I am an enthusiastic and scrupulous recycler but cannot process too huge boxes too often.

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  9. YIKES! But these things will happen. I'm glad you managed to replace it.

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  10. Oh the Humanity!

    I am so sorry for you.

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  11. I’ve almost done the same, now I tend to shake the box around after taking everything out. My daughter looks at me like I’m a madman when I’m looking in my packages!

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  12. This is a sad tale to read. I have been close more than once. I second check is always in order.

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  13. I will be more careful from now on...

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