08 October 2008

Dear Jamie-Lynn

I just thought you might like to know - if you have sex, you could get pregnant. Nothing else factors into the equation. Birth control, breast feeding, nothing. If you let him put his penis in your vagina, there's a chance you could get knocked up.

And that's one to grow on.

01 October 2008

And We're Just As Bad

So it looks like Steven Harper is going to win the Canadian election. I'm glad to see that the people who vote for him are OK with a plagerist running the country. He couldn't even change the words when he ripped off Howard's speach to the Australian Parliament that he used 2 days later.

I say this to everyone who votes Conservative in this upcoming election. Please move to the United States. I mean, if Harper has his way we'll be just like them. So do everyone who's not interested in becoming part of the melting pot, and just go.

30 September 2008

Money

I love how our economy, in the country I live in, is getting royally fucked up because the American's can't keep up with their regulatory standards. So while they tank, they're grabbing everyone else and dragging us down with them.

It's a shame that the rest of the world is so dependent on the States. I hope this is a hard lesson and once we get through this, each country that has nothing to do with this, can be self sustaning because quite frankly, I don't want to be an American and I'm very glad I'm not.

It's called living within your means, Mr. Bush. Try it.

22 August 2008

Laugh of the Day

War is just God's way of teaching Americans geography

- Jon Stewart

05 August 2008

Customer Service

The other day on The Colbert Report, the guest was a man who wrote a book called OCB – Obsessive Compulsive Branding. He said that branding was becoming more important to companies then customer service and I have to agree with him.

Years ago, when you went shopping, stores used to make sure they took care of you. They asked you what you needed and tried to match you up with what you were looking for. It’s amazing how drastically things have changed. Companies used to want your business and now they just want your money.

Take electronic products. Not that I thought places like Future Shop or Best Buy were customer service oriented, but they used to stand behind their merchandise. If you were to go into their store today and buy a television, PVR or MP3 player, don’t expect them to be around if you need help with any of it.

2 years ago, I bought a DVR from one of these places and took it home to install (along with a warranty). What the store failed to tell me was, that particular DVR had been purchased before and returned. As I tried to set it up, I realized that set up had already taken place and I needed more assistance to override what the previous owner had done.

When I called to speak to someone, they told me that I would have to contact the Geek Squad and pay them to install it. I’m not buying a home theatre system or some sort of NASA type control panel, I bought a DVR.

If a company is going to sell something, they should be available for any assistance their customers need with said product. If it is a problem that goes beyond their area of expertise, again, they need to make arrangements for this as well.

I know many people who shop at places because of the way they are treated. I haven’t stepped foot into another Future Shop since that incident. Not because of the DVR itself, but for the horrible attitude by their sales people. I had done a lot of research and knew exactly what I wanted. The sales person looked at me as if I couldn’t possibly know what I was talking about and dismissed all of my questions. Even to the point of laughing at me when I asked to speak to a manager.

The manager wasn’t much help either. Then again, I didn’t expect them to be. It’s not like you need to know your job when you get promoted.

Companies, please stand behind each and every product you sell. Take pride in them and show us, the consumer, that you really do care if we buy from you or your competition. Show us that you’re willing to take that extra step because if you do, I know that people will become loyal. Don’t you want people shopping at your stores because they want to and not because they have to?

20 July 2008

Drivers vs. Pedestrians

It's been one of the greatest battles since the invention of the automobile. Who's right and who's wrong? Probably depends on who you ask. I fall on the pro pedestrian side. I walk almost everywhere, during all kinds of weather and because of that, I make sure I know what the rules of the road are since most of the drivers in my area don't.

On any given day, cars go through red lights, stop signs or make right hand turns at breakneck speeds in order to beat traffic even though they don't have the right of way. The media doesn't help. Each time there is an accident involving a pedestrian, the spin always seems to be that the driver wasn't at fault.

Here's what I have a problem with. In order to walk, you need use of your legs, good coordination and some way to find where you are going. There's no test involved, no booklet to study and no sweaty palms on the steering wheel.

Getting a license is a bit more complicated. You need to read that booklet, take a written test and then a practical test. If you pass, you have the ability to drive around a 3000 pound machine. Who do you think has the advantage here?

I should be able to walk to the store without having to constantly keep an eye out for vehicles. As long as I keep to my rules - don't jaywalk, wait for the walk signal, etc... - I should be safe but it's not always the case.

I propose this to all pedestrians who are getting frustrated that drivers don't care. I'd like to get some sort of sticker made that can be slapped on any car (without ruining the paint job) that says I Drive Like Shit (or something to that effect).

The way I see it, I'd rather have a sticker on my car than a dead body. But that's just me.

07 July 2008

Just Another Rip-Off

As I was reading through some news stories, I came across something going on in Canada with Rogers, the company that will be distributing the iphone. A lot of people are up in arms, so if you're thinking about getting an iphone when it's released in Canada, read this first.

( Does Rogers really deserve more of your money? )

30 June 2008

Rescue Ink

These are my new favorite people. It's a group of big hearted, big a$$ Mo#$&$%#ers (an I say that in the highest compliment) who go and rescue animals. They've gotten together and don't get paid any money, to go and rescue any kind of animals. Check out the link and maybe pass it on to someone who might want to help out.

( Rescue Ink )

29 June 2008

Save The Internet

So, how much weight does this video really hold? Are we really, more or less, handing the internet over to the phone companies? Can anything be done?


( Save The Internet )

Customer Service??

Do we really have a problem with employment? We must. I remember going to various places, corner stores, fast food places, coffee shops and the people who worked there actually helped you. Now, you're lucky to get a 'what do you want?' out of anyone.

This morning, I was at McDonald's getting some nice greasy breakfast. Since I'm allergic to egg, I usually get the sausage McMuffin (plus, I always state my allergy - you never know at some places). The girl behind the counter kept telling me I wanted the egg and then rolled her eyes at me when I told her eating eggs puts me in the hospital. When she practically threw my bag at me I'd had enough.

Where do these kids get these attitudes from?

I made a comment as I left that she really needed to learn some people skills and planned on contacting McDonald's by email. Well, that won't happen. Turns out McDonald's doesn't want anyone contacting them via email. They offer a Mon-Fri 9-5 number and a mailing address.

Does this mean they don't care, or that there are so many complaints that they would rather keep their heads in the sand. Either way, they should keep up with the times.

22 June 2008

First Post

It was suggested to me that I try blogging. I was told it was a great way to express myself because apparently, I have a lot of opinions. Whatever it is that I have a lot of, who knows, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

So here's my first observation. I love Australia. Yup, I said it, I love it. Recently I arrived back home after travelling down under for a month. It was the best trip I've ever taken. The picture to the side there is at Uluru. I will be posting some more pictures as time goes on. Before I left, I came up with a rough list of things I wanted to do and was able to get through it all (climbing SHB, visiting Uluru, snorkeling at the GBR etc) except for the surf lesson. The crazy part about it all, was each time I did something, I learned of 3 more things that I didn't know about. At least it gives me a great excuse to go back.

As my first post, this is kind of lacking in much interest.

It's all got to start somewhere though.