Just when we think things are really coming together.... we find they can
unravel faster than a speeding dragster. Today's that kind of day. I should
have suspected something when that Kookaburra greeted me with its maniacal
laugh as I pulled into Ken's driveway. First problem was the "it's fixed,
mate" scanner... which worked perfectly in the computer shop, but failed to
turn a wheel when we got it back to Ken's shop. Second item on the agenda was
the tubing bender that I drove into Southport to pick up from the Snap-On
dealer... which turned out to be the wrong size (to do the valve cover oiling
system). Then came the capper.
Early in the afternoon I called OBM Customs Brokers to follow-up on the
progress of the container through the official channels. No problem with the
import approval on the dragster, a small query on the pickup truck... but
there is a rather large problem with the container number. Oh, oh. I'd been
wondering about that little detail ever since I'd booked the shipment back
in April.
For some reason unfathomable to everyone on earth except the
"brain-trust" at Hanjin Shipping Company, my container could not have an
identification number ending in 0. So, in their infinite wisdom, they
proceeded to change it to a 4. Seems like a a very small detail doesn't
it? Especially when the first six digits are correct.
Unfortunately, small details are the forte of small minds, as in the minds
of Customs and Government and Port officials. I've got proof of ownership of
the container, proof of receipt at Casco Terminals (Vancouver, BC) and the
Bill of Lading from the Steamship Line. (Not to mention all the receipts and
invoices for all the goods inside). Sorry mate, that's still not enough. Got
any flaming hoops? I'll somersault through them naked and upside down and
backwards. How high do you want me to jump? I'll do it twice. JUST GIVE ME
THE DAMNED CONTAINER !.
6:00 pm: The sun's down, the sky is dark and so is the
general mood here at Ken's shop. We're upset, worried... but not ready to
admit defeat. We've still got to plan on being at the Winternats. Anything
less would make the last month spent down here a complete waste of time. Last
word for the day is Ken's: "Adapt, improvise and overcome". (US Marine Corp
motto... but it fits, doesn't it?) PS: The next Kookaburra I see is going to
be one dead bird.