“We’ve got a package for you at the Times Union building, Chuck… don’t worry, the package isn’t ticking…”

Last Tuesday, I received an e-mail from Mike Huber, the Times Union wrangler who presides over the timesunion.com online and blog portals.  He said that someone had mailed a package to the Times Union’s corporate headquarters – to be delivered to me.

My initial thought was… “Oh great, someone doesn’t like my column and they’ve probably sent the Luca Brasi special, freshly wrapped, to the TU offices.”

Nah, can’t think negative like that… I gotta think positive.

They probably sent the whole fish – not just the head or the torso.

Anyways, I arranged to meet Mike the next afternoon at the TU headquarters on Albany Shaker Road.  We talked for a while – we discussed some upcoming fundraising projects I’m involved in, and how things are going with the blog portal.

He then handed me a UPS package.  “I guess some company wants to have you review their product, Chuck,” he said to me.

Okay… I don’t know who would want me to review their stuff, but I’m game to see what’s inside.

I quickly checked the return address – nope, it wasn’t from Rocky Mountain Film Lab.  By the way, do you know they’re still holding on to that roll of antique camera film and it’s been putt’near two years since I mailed it in?  Shame…

“Okay,” I said… “let’s see what’s inside.”

I opened the UPS express box.

Inside the box was a red, hinged presentation gift box.

The gift box had – of all things – a poem on the lid.

And the poem read:

“Roses are red
Violets are blue
You wrote a blog entry
That mentioned our glue

So we’re saying ‘thanks’
With this Valentine’s prize
Free glue and a T-shirt
(We hope it’s your size)

Sorry romance didn’t last
Or always turned out wrong
Cupid may not be Krazy fast
But true love is Krazy strong

Lots of love,
The Krazy Glue Team“

Holy Cyanoacrylate, Batman!  The people at Krazy Glue must have somehow read this blog post – and apparently it caught their attention!

I opened the hinged box.  Wrapped inside some red-white tissue paper were some Krazy Glue stickers and magnets, two packages of Krazy Glue (with an advanced no-clog precision tip), and a Krazy Glue T-shirt – yes, XL is my size.

“That’s very impressive,” said Huber.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting this,” I replied.  “It’s a very nice surprise.”

So if nothing, I’ve gotten the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a broken heart.  A fresh supply of Krazy Glue.  Nice.  Much thanks to the people at Krazy Glue; I appreciate the sentiment and the thought behind this gift.

Okay, let’s see if this works a second time.

Magic blog mirror on the wall, please grant me a Nikon D800 with a 58mm Noct F/1.2 lens…

Barring that, at least let me get a chance with The Chance. 🙂