Category Archives: Commentary

Commentary

Bait and Switch Best Buy

3 Comments

In my job, I’m required to purchase/source a lot of computer gear for a number of clients, not to mention friends and relatives.

I needed a bluetooth adapter, so I can quickly get the pics off of my cell phone. I usually go to Generic Computers to buy all my stuff, but since we’ve moved to Surrey, they are a 90 minute round trip. A Bluetooth adapter should run anywhere from 15 bucks to 30 bucks, hardly worth a 90 minute trip.

Bad BusinessSo I head to the local Best Buy – they have two bluetooth adapters – one is $39.95 and the other is $14.95. The $14.95 one looks a bit cheap, and has no cap, but what the heck, I’m only grabbing pics off a phone – it’s perfect. Grab one and off to the checkout.

She rings it in and takes my card and swipes it, I do the punching in crap and then I notice she’s charged me over 40 bucks… Whoa I say – it’s $14.95. I must have grabbed the wrong one – so I run back and grab the other style. Nope – it too is $39.95. So I say, I’m not paying that much for that product. Give me my money back.

I can’t do that she says, you’ll have to go stand in line for a refund. So I do. When I explain to the guy what is going on, he says, well if it’s labelled $14.95 you should get it at that price. I said, that’s what I thought. He says, show me where you got it. I do. The sign is missing. Some young guy comes over and says, yes it was a mistake, I said mistake? There are two styles here, one at one price, one at the other, there are 6 adapters in one style on this rack, and 4 DIFFERENT adapters on the other rack. What gives?

Long story short – too late I know – they will not give me the adapter at the price displayed in their store. Last year I spent over $5000 dollars in Best Buy. Guess how much I will be spending in Best Buy in the future?! Can you say ZERO DOLLARS??

Also, I’m urging YOU not to purchase anything from Best Buy.

Canucks Hockey, Commentary

Trevor Linden: All Heart

2 Comments

Trevor Linden, Dec. 04, 08When Trevor Linden retired, it was a no brainer that there would be some kind of tribute to him. He really was the kind of man we all wanted to be… Not just the way he played the game, with pride and integrity – you never got cheap shots from Linden – but the way he was in the community.  And in “real” life, he gives his time to Canuck Place, a hospice for dying children.

Trevor LindenThere was something special about watching him play. You knew he gave you everything he had. He didn’t have to face the media and say, “gee I guess I didn’t come to play tonight” as we heard so many times from Markus Naslund last year.

That ’94 run was magical, and yes, I’m aware it says something about the state of the Canuck’s franchise when a run to the finals twenty years ago is as good as it gets. Linden was tireless and resolute. In today’s NHL, Messier might have been suspended for the crosscheck to Linden’s face at the end of game 6.

Geoff CourtnallDuring the retirement ceremony lots of the ’94 team members were in attendance, including Pam’s favorite Martin Gelinas, Geoff Courtnall, Kirk McLean, Gino Odjick, Harold Snepsts and others. After the ceremonies were over, the uniforms the players wore went to an online auction site to be sold to benefit the Kid’s Hospital. Well, I won the Courtnall uniform! That’s right – that uniform you see Courtnall wearing in that picture is now hanging in our TV room!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Just been having a gas with Sports Action. I’ve been putting down a bunch of 2 buck bets over the last little while, and while I haven’t hit, I’ve got 4 of 5 right 3 times. So now I’ve learned about this Combo playing, we’re going to give it a whirl on tomorrow’s slate of games.

Saturday and Sunday are fun to play because you can have morning, afternoon and evening tickets – 6 bucks total bet. If you take a few ties, you can hit for 7, 800 bucks. Too funny.

I have no idea how the combos work, but every combo costs you a bet, so hopefully I’ll do a 4 of 5 and get some combo pays.

This is a government lotto; we get the tickets at our local 649/Super 7 dealer. For two bucks, it’s fun to see who can win some bragging rights!

Here is a link to the BCLC site for sports action. Take 3 ties and watch the payoff on a 2 buck bet! Hilarious.

https://playnow.bclc.com/BCCF/forwardODST.do

Commentary

One year to go….

Leave a comment

Vancouver 2010Well as of today, it is one year to the Olympic Winter Games in February 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler.

Most of the infrastructure is in place. The speed skating oval and most of the skiing venues are being used already.

Today they revealed the torch for the games – a most unusual looking device. Not exactly traditional…

Olympic TorchThere is a lot of controversy here in town about whether the Games are good for us or not, and you can put me down on record as being in favor of them. I think they will be an economic stimulus for the province, reaching areas the government never can with their stimulus packages.

Sure we’re likely to be carrying some debt, but I really think the Athlete’s Village will be a boon for the city in the long run. And I do think a bunch of the venues will be very well used after the Games are gone.

Richmond Speed Skating OvalThe speed skating oval, in Richmond, not Vancouver, is really something. It is clearly state of the art, with typically west coast architecture. I’m going to take a drive up there and check it out.

It was originally scheduled to be on UBC land, but I think there was a ruckus from the Native Indians because they claim the land, so they moved it over to Richmond. (I think that’s the story about the oval… certainly could be wrong about that.)

Commentary

And a new era begins…

Leave a comment


Barack ObamaCONGRATULATIONS to Barack Obama and the USA for the inauguration today of a man who represents the opportunity to bring real change, economically, socially, politically, and geo-politically. Hopefully the changes will be positive! He faces quite a challenge.

As a Canadian, I’m worried about Obama’s dislike for the NAFTA accord. It has been good for our country, and their’s too I believe. His stand will certainly stir up the debate again.

I know a lot of people are excited, but I’m worried about his inexperience. I wish him the best! I really think he can make a difference no matter how poorly he fares. He has finally brought the dream of Martin Luther King to fruition. I think it is so fitting that MLK day was so close to Obama’s inauguration.

If you have not seen this video, take a look – the “compiler” is will.i.am, of Black Eyed Peas fame. He’s known for his multi-media involvement, in entertainment and the web. Here is the video – impressive and moving.

It will be interesting to see what Obama can do, especially in the short term. That’s what people want to see – what can he do NOW.

Jobs are falling away and he needs to stop that bleeding first. Certainly he’ll try to pour money into the infrastructure, and that will create a lot of jobs. He will be remembered as the Roosevelt of our times if he is successful. Good luck sir. I hope you do a great job!

All About Max, Commentary

Max is HOME!

1 Comment

Day One for MaxMax is home. It took a little longer than anticipated, because traffic was a nightmare! We were late getting there, and late getting home. But he’s finally here. He was a great dog in the car – just laid down in the backseat and took ‘er easy… when we slowed to a stop, he got up to look, but never made a fuss.

We dropped Pam off at the train, then came on home. I’ve put some food and water out, and he took a drink and ate a little. He’s been sniffing quite a bit at Buck’s favorite spots, but he doesn’t seem to mind a bit that another dog was here.

I gave him a tennis ball, and he actually THROWS it back to you! Now how about that!? He even throws it in the air, and catches it! Man, Buck got the ball and never wanted to give it back! I think Max and I will be playing a lot of ball! (Did I use enough exclamation points in that paragraph??)

Anyway – here’s a picture of him in the house for the first time.

He’s very well behaved. A real charmer… Everywhere I’ve gone, he’s come with me. I think he likes me! :)Maurice