Appendix A:

A conversation on the genesis of the name Media Mail.

Randall:

I have an odd question that I could use your help with language workshopping on: If you send a bunch of things through the mail, that have nothing that connects or unifies them other than the simple fact that they were mailed to someone, how would you collectively describe or name the compilation of things / objects?

Jezabel:

Mail?

Randall:

Yeah, but something better than that.

Jezabel:

I'll think about it.

Randall:

I’m not asking about a specific word I’ve forgotten. I mean this in the creative sense, like if it was an art project, what would you call it?

Jezabel:

I figured that it was something yet to be named. But I just woke up…I need coffee and a shower.

Randall:

Any ideas on a name?

Jezabel:

I just left work, I got nothing.

Gifts?

Parcels?

Randall:

If it’ll help, I can give you my “working title” that I can’t use: Delivered by Post.

Jezabel:

Package?

Randall:

There’s a London studio called Post who’s domain is deliveredbypost.com, so I’d feel too much like I’m ripping them off to use that name.

But I like the “phrase” of it, not just the single word.

Jezabel:

Ok. Maybe…I'm at the store now to get some dinner. I'll think about it while I eat.

Randall:

Another name I had (but is terrible) is “Free in the Mail”

Jezabel:

Yeah, that’s no fun either.

What are you shipping? Is it free, or are people paying for it?

Randall:

It would always be free.

two months later

Randall:

How about “Media Mail?”

Jezabel:

What are you trying to say?

Randall:

For the name of the publication delivered by mail.

Jezabel:

Oh, yeah. That could work.

Randall:

I think that’s it.

The domain “mediamail.work” is available.

Jezabel:

How did you come up with it?

Randall:

Thinking

Jezabel:

Really? Impressive

Randall:

Oh, thanks

Jezabel:

I thought somebody else had maybe suggested it.

Randall:

Nope, haven’t asked anyone else, no one else even knows about the project.

Jezabel:

Really? When are you going to start it?

Randall:

Have been already, still working on it

Jezabel:

Are you going to be sending it to me too?

Randall:

Of course

Randall:

Via

Media

Mail

Randall:

Hot damn

Appendix B:

In which it is revealed the name Media Mail is inaccurate.

From: DoNotReply@ereceipt.usps.gov
Subject: USPS eReceipt

============================================================================
                                 NORTH END
                             60 E MILWAUKEE ST
                          DETROIT, MI, 48202-9998
                                252517-0202
                               (800)275-8777
                            12/19/2019 04:26 PM
============================================================================
============================================================================
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                      Qty      Unit Price      Price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail®                            1             $1.45      $1.45
Large Envelope
	(Domestic)
	(CHICAGO, IL  60647)
	(Weight:0 Lb 3.70 Oz)
	(Estimated Delivery Date)
	(Saturday 12/21/2019)
First-Class Intl                             1             $4.16      $4.16
Large Envelope
	(International)
	(Germany)
	(Weight:0 Lb 3.00 Oz)
			

etc…

Apparently this Media Mail publication weighs so little, that a First-Class Mail® Large Envelope is significantly cheaper than sending it via Media Mail. Even internationally, it's incredibly inexpensive.