The Great Race

Have you ever stopped to think about how frenetic our lives have become? In today’s world, everyone wants everything RIGHT NOW.

We want our cell phones to access the world at our fingertips – at the highest ‘G’ speed (we don’t know what the heck a ‘G’, is, but we want more of it, darn it). We tap our fingers in utter frustration at a computer that loads a page in anything less than a nanosecond. We flip through hundreds of cable channels because there’s “nothing on”. And of course, our bosses want that report ‘yesterday’.

We are constantly racing – everywhere. To school, to work, to getting the kids delivered here and there, getting shopping done, dinner ready, and of course – back home. Most of us are on a 'schedule’ from the minute we wake up until we hit the pillow. We don’t ‘go to bed’ as much as collapse from sheer exhaustion. And I don’t know about you, but even on my days ‘off’, my body clock still wakes me up at a time when farmers are ‘milking cows and slopping hogs’ (I have to admit - as a kid from The Bronx, I always got a kick out of those expressions).

And, as if life itself doesn't provide enough excitement, some of you even work in an environment where the pace is fast. For all the dedicated folks at Select Express, right now – in the form of providing expedited delivery – is their daily job.

At this point you may be saying “C’mon, Nick, land the freaking plane already. What’s your point?” (do you see how impatient we’ve become?). I guess the point is this … sometimes, we need to recognize that the most important race of all is the Human Race. You know … us.

And while it’s probably not on your organizer’s calendar, take time today to SLOW it down. Kiss your kids, or your significant other, and tell them what they mean to you. Call and talk (gasp) to someone rather than text them. Do something nice for someone else.

And then, make a ‘date’ to do something nice – just for you.

Romeo, oh Romeo!

Select Express does countless thousands of deliveries every year throughout the United States. But, every once in a while in this business, we’re involved in one that makes you feel … well, just … good.

This particular story involves one Percy Romeo Miller Jr. – also known to millions of rap fans as Lil’ Romeo, or just Romeo – as the now 22 year old is called. Most recently, he has captured an entirely new audience of fans on this seasons “Dancing with the Stars” TV show. Let me tell you, the kid turns a mean Paso Doble. Yes, I watch it. Hey, there are hot women wearing stilettos, and dresses the size of cocktail napkins, so I’m watching, okay?

Anyway, back to our story …..

We received a last minute call – not at all unusual in the same day delivery business - requesting a pick up at 7:00 AM from a Sam’s Club store located in San Fernando, CA. We were to deliver a 3D Flat Screen TV, 3D Glasses, and ten laptops to the Audubon Middle School in Los Angeles by 9:00 AM – sharp! Two hours to load the truck, and make the 20 mile trip. No sweat, right? Select Express does this kind of rush delivery every day.

I’m sure that those of you who live in parts of the country where 'traffic' consists of waiting for a cow to cross the road – you know, where people actually do live to be 100 years old - may be thinking “twenty miles in two hours? What’s the big deal?”

Well, if you who have never driven in Los Angeles’ morning rush hour, let me describe it this way - you’d rather jab a fork in your own eye than be stuck on the 405 freeway with an important deadline to make.

Ok, so what was so special about this delivery? You see, it turns out that both Lil’ Romeo and the good people at Sam’s Club were donating this merchandise to the school on behalf of Romeo’s foundation - Urban Born - a non-profit organization that focuses on youth in urban communities.

Audubon Middle School was one of the lowest-performing schools in LA’s Unified School District in 2010, and the school's community is well known for high crime rates and poverty. Urban Born and Sam’s Club presented the computers to the students who had raised their grades with flying colors.

The event was filmed for a National TV segment for March Madness, and our drivers were right in the mix. You may have caught a glimpse of them on television. They were easy to spot - they were the ones with the biggest smiles.