Re: [ARSCLIST] **SPAM** [78-l] ARSC Conference report: Day 1

["Steven C. Barr(x)" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Lennick" <dlennick@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> D P Ingram wrote:
> > On 5 maj 2007, at 05.33, Steven C. Barr(x) wrote:
> >> is effectively part of Milwaukee...), leaving only the problem of
> >> the new anti-terrorist policies of the US, and a change in the
> > I know the list isn't the place for this, and maybe the A part of the
> > ARSC justifies it being in America, but I am aware of quite a few
> > Europeans who have resolutely refused to go to the U.S. for business or
> > pleasure due to the knee jerk security reactions that have developed in
> > the land in the past few years.   Mind you, I understand that it can
> > often be quite horrible for Americans "returning home" as well when they
> > experience the kind, generous welcome of the Border Guards.  Even before
> > September 11, the idiocy that was greeting visitors was quite unwelcome.
> > I can recommend a visit to Finland :) Come and visit the real home of
> > Father Christmas and hold the next ARSC away day.
> I cross the border every two or three weeks (Canada/US, usually in the Niagara
> area but sometimes at Thousand Islands) with nary a problem. I carry a valid
> passport, I leave my attitude at home, I carry documentation or receipts for
> anything I'm bringing over, I take off my sunglasses when being questioned by
> the Customs officials. Granted, I haven't flown into the States in a few
years.
> The only odd interrogation I'll receive in fact comes from Canadian officials,
> usually at the Thousand Islands entrance, where they'll ask if I'm importing
> liquor, tobacco, firearms, ammo or pepper spray (I kid you not). Records? What
> are those? (One time I had over a thousand 78s in the car and proof that
they'd
> cost me next to nothing, and the guard insisted on knowing "What is the most
> expensive record you bought?" I got sent over for inspection and the
supervisor
> looked and said "Oh, yeah..him. Have a nice day.")
>
Well, many years ago, one had to pick up all out-of-country parcels
at the Toronto Canada-Customs office, located on Front Street (in
Toronto) just east of Union Station. In 15-20 years of picking up
parcels containing 78's, I always brought a copy of my "Dating Guide"
to prove they were over 50 years old. In all that time, only one
Customs officer noticed that the name of the parcel's recipient and
the author of the reference work just happened to be identical...?!

Most of the time, the Customs person was in his/her/its twenties...
and upon seeing the contents were 78rpm records, simply assumed
they were of the same age as Methuselah, give or take...

Steven C. Barr