Don't Take Good Customer Service For Granted

I tried a little experiment recently. It failed miserably.

For the past year I've been using a big local company, Shaw, as my Internet Service Provider. They've provided high-speed Internet (quite fast) for Cdn$55.81 per month. A colleague of mine kept bugging me to try another company - a so-called "3rd party provider" - for about $25 per month. Quite the savings! So I made the switch.

But it was a disaster from the start. I lost Internet for about 4 days and then everytime I tried to reach their customer service, it took at least 40 minutes. Today, when my Internet stopped working again, I couldn't even get through!

So I switched back, albeit not with the same premium package I had before. And customer service only takes about 2 - 3 minutes to get through.

I guess sometimes you get what you pay for!

New Vancouver Street Banners

More Accurate Olympics' Closing Ceremonies

Did you get to watch the closing ceremonies at the Olympics? There's a lot of discussion here in Vancouver today about how poorly the Canadian portion reflected anything really to do with Vancouver.

In the spirit of accuracy, I would have nominated the following performances:

• Coffee drinking
• Sushi eating
• Staring at the sidewalk (rather than looking people in the eye)

:-)

VidCamp 1.0 - Follow-up

If you're at all interested in learning about where the Internet is heading and how it's going to converge with television then this is the place to find out: http://vidcamp.org/vidcamp-overview-report

Vancouver's Mayor, Sam Sullivan

I just read this wonderful article about my city's mayor, Sam Sullivan. He's a very interesting fellow. This week he's in Turin, Italy in order to receive the Olympic flag in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics here in Vancouver.

Marital Joke

A husband was in big trouble when he forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife told him "Tomorrow there better be something in the driveway for me that goes zero to 200 in 2 seconds flat."

The next morning the wife found a small package in the driveway. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Back on the 'Net!!!

Since Friday I've only had periodic access to the Internet. I know it's pathetic to say so, but it has REALLY bugged me to lose my Internet access. Yes, I've had food, water, and shelter, but no damn Internet!!!

Things are back to normal now though - Yeah!!!

Ever Wish You Could Take Something Back?

Have you ever said something incredibly stupid & hurtful, completely by accident and without even thinking? I did, this past evening. I don't know why I said it, but alas I did. Idiot, idiot, idiot.

I made my comment about a longtime friend to some common acquaintances. I don't know if they'll ever repeat it to him but the way the gossip tree works, it probably wouldn't take that long. So I bit the proverbial bullet and apologized to him directly. Who knows what'll transpire from this but I felt it was the right thing to do after clearly doing something so terribly wrong.

It's time to do more thinking and less talking for a while.

Interested to know who your long distance provider is?

In Canada and the U.S. changing the long distance provider on your [landline] telephone is almost as easy as changing your underwear. And some people seem to do it as frequently!

If you're ever in the midst of changing providers and wondering when the new company has taken control of your line then you can make a toll-free call to: 1.700.555.4141 You'll hear a recorded message stating who your provider is.

VidCamp Photos

Last Friday I attended a one day conference called VidCamp. It focused the convergence of the Internet and Television into what is loosely known as "Media 2.0". The participants had a wide variety of backgrounds and were all extremely interesting folks.
Here are some photos I took.

NetSquared

Here's a website I don't know what to make of yet: http://www.netsquared.org It's supposedly focused on technology professionals using their talents to help out the community. Time will tell if it's more about a lot of talking and not much "doing", but we'll see.

Vancouver Restaurants

A food expert friend of mine named Su sent me the list shown on the 3 postings below this one. If you're visiting Vancouver or live here then it should provide you a pretty comprehensive list to keep you eating well for some time!

Dining - Vancouver - Restaurants

Category	Restaurant	Location
Best Budget Seafood	Go Fish	1505 West First Ave., 604-730-5040
Best Japanese, Budget	Yuji's Tapas	2059 West Fourth Ave., 604-734-4990
Best Italian, Budget	Epicurean Deli	1898 West First Ave., 604-731-5370
Best Chinese, Budget	Wing Wah Shanghai Szechuan	260 East Broadway,604-879-9168
Best Indian, Budget	Rangoli	1488 West 11th, 604-736-5711
Best Greek	Apollonia	1830 Fir St., 604-736-9559
Best Mexican	Tio Pepe	1134 Commercial Dr., 604-254-8999
Best Thai	Montri's	3629 West Broadway, 604-738-9888
Best Southern Barbecue	Memphis Blues Barbecue	1465 West Broadway, 604-738-6806
--		1342 Commercial Dr., 604-215-2599
Best Pizzas	Incendio	2118 Burrard St., 604-736-2220
--		103 Columbia St., 604-688-8694
Best Fish And Chips	Go Fish	1505 West First Ave., 604-730-5040
Best Burger	Feenie's($47 w/ foie gras+shortribs)	2563 West Broadway, 604-739-7115
Best Spanish	El Patio	891 Cambie St., 604-681-9149
Best Portuguese	Galo Mercado	4266 Hastings St.,Burnaby, 604-299-5347
Best Seafood	C	1600 Howe St., 604-681-1164
Best Lebanese	Mona's Lebanese Cuisine	1328 Hornby St., 604-689-4050
Best Moroccan	Zanzibar Cafe	1851 Commercial Dr., 604-215-2008
Best Turkish	Rime	1130 Commercial Dr., 604-215-1130
Best Ukrainian	Ukrainian Village	815 Denman St., 604-687-7440
Best Russian	Rasputin	457 West Broadway, 604-879-6675
Best Ecuadorian	Baru	2535 Alma St., 604-222-9171
Best Venezuelan	Banano's	1223 Pacific Blvd., 604-408-4228
Best Brazilian	Samba Brazilian Steakhouse	1122 Alberni St., 604-696-9888
Best Salvadoran	Rinconcita	2062 Commercial Dr., 604-879-2600
Best Caribbean	The Reef	4172 Main St., 604-874-5375
Best Hungarian	Budapest Restaurant and Pastry Shop	3250 Main St., 604-877-1949
Best Afghani	Afghan Horsemen	445 West Broadway, 604-873-5923
Best Vietnamese/Cambodian	Phnom Penh	244 East Georgia St., 604-682-5777
Best Korean	Seoul House	1215 West Broadway, 604-738-8285
Best Indonesian	Pondok	2781 Commercial Dr., 604-872-8718
Best Malaysian	Banana Leaf	820 West Broadway, 604-731-6333
--		1096 Denman St., 604-683-3333
Best Dim Sum	Sun Sui Wah	3888 Main St., 604-872-8822
--		4940 No. 3 Rd. Richmond, 604-273-8208
Best Pan-Asian	Monsoon	2526 Main St., 604-879-4001
Best French, Budget	Salade de Fruit	1545 West Seventh Ave., 604-714-5987
Best Mediterranean	Provence Marinaside	1177 Marinaside Cresc.,604-681-4144
Best African	Nyala	2930 West Fourth Ave., 604-731-7899
Best Irish	Irish Heather	217 Carrall St., 604-688-9779
Best Swiss	William Tell(Georgian Court Hotel)	765 Beatty St., 688-3504
Best Vegetarian	Naam	2724 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-7151
Best Buddhist Vegetarian	Rainbow Vegetarian Restaurant	8095 Park Road, Richmond, 604-273-7311
Best Atlantic Canada	Atlantic Trap and Gill	615 Davie St., 604-806-6393
Best French Canadian	Zizanie Cafe Bistro	1607 West Seventh Ave., 604-738-7387
Best Louisiana	Ouisi Bistro	3014 Granville St., 604-732-7550
Best First Nations	Liliget Feast House	1724 Davie St., 604-681-7044
Best Izakaya	Hapa Izakaya	1479 Robson St., 604-689-4272
Best Okonomoyaki	Modern Club Japanese Restaurant	3446 Dunbar St., 604-739-0170
Best Indian-Chinese	Chili Pepper House	3003 Kingsway, 604-431-8633
Best Chinese-Cuban	Chivana	2340 West Fourth Ave., 604-733-0330
Best Japanese-Mediterranean	Umami Tapas Bar	572 Davie St., 604-696-9563
Best Patio	Lift	333 Menchions Mews, 604-689-5438
Best Oyster Joint	Rodney's Oyster Bar	1228 Hamilton St., 604-609-0080
Best Sustainable Seafood	C	1600 Howe St., 604-681-1164

High-end Restaurants (everything from Best Tasting Menu to Best Ocean View)

Category	Restaurant	Location
Best Over-All	Lumiere	2551 West Broadway,604-739-8185
Best West Coast	West	2881 Granville St., 604-738-8938
Best Italian, High-End	Cioppino's	1133 Hamilton St., 604-688-7466
Best French, High-End	Lumiere	2551 West Broadway, 604-739-8185
Best French Bistro	Bistro Pastis	2153 West Fourth Ave., 604-731-5020
Best Chinese, High-End	Sun Sui Wah	3888 Main St., 604-872-8822
--		4940 No. 3 Rd. Richmond, 604-273-8208
Best Japanese, High-End	Tojo's	777 West Broadway, 604-872-8050
Best Indian, High-End	Vij's	1480 West 11th Ave., 604-736-6664
Best Tasting Menu	Lumiere	2551 West Broadway, 604-739-8185
Best Service	Bishop's	2183 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-2025
Best Mountain-Top View	Altitudes Bistro	Grouse Mountain, 604-984-0661
Best Ocean View	Beach House at Dundarave Pier	150 25th St., West Van, 604-922-1414
Best Steaks	Morton's of Chicago	750 Cordova St., 604-915-5105

Bakery, Deli, Tapas, Noodles, Pizza, Coffee, Desserts, Lounges

Category	Restaurant	Location
Best Tapas	Bin 941/942	941 Davie St., 604-683-1246
--		1521 West Broadway, 604-734-9421
Best Chinese Noodles	Shao Lin Noodle House	548 West Broadway, 604-873-1816
Best Congee	Congee Noodle house	141 East Broadway, 604-879-8221
Best Gyoza	Gyoza King	1508 Robson St., 604-669-8278
Best Ramen	Kintaro Ramen	788 Denman St., 604-682-7568
Best Dosas	House of Dosa	1391 Kingsway, 604-875-1283
Best Falafel Joint	Nuba	322 West Hastings St., 604-688-1655
Best Pho	Pho Hoang	3388 Main St., 604-874-0832
--		238 East Georgia St., 604-682-5666
Best Yoga And Lunch	Radha Yoga and Eatery	728 Main St., 604-605-0011
Best Comfort Food	Feenie's	2563 West Broadway, 604-739-7115
Best Organic	Bishop's	2183 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-2025
Best Breakfast	Tomahawk Barbecue	1550 Phillip, North Vancouver, 604-988-2612
Best Dinner And Jazz	Rossini's	162 Water St., 604-408-1300
Best Kids	Sophie's Cosmic Cafe	2095 West Fourth Ave., 604-732-6810
Best Lounge, Elegant	Bacchus, Wedgewood Hotel	845 Hornby St., 604-608-5319
Best Lounge, Hip	Opus Lounge, Opus Hotel	322 Davie St., 604-642-0557
Best Buzz	Chambar	562 Beatty St., 604-879-7119
Best Creperie	Crepe de France, Sinclair Center	300 Howe St., 604-406-1708
Best Chinese Bakery	New Town Bakery and Restaurants	158 East Pender St., 604-689-7835
--		6360 No. 3 Rd.,Richmond, 604-270-2889
--		3484 Cambie St., 604-876-7288
Best Doughnuts	Honey Doughnuts	4373 Gallant, North Vancouver, 604-929-4988
Best Latin Bakery	Panaderia Latina	4906 Joyce St., 604-439-1414
Best Jewish Deli	Kaplan's Deli Restaurant	5775 Oak St., 604-263-2625
--		1059 Alberni St., 604-806-0333
Best Sandwiches	Terra Breads	2380 West Fourth Ave., 604-736-1838
Best Soups	Stock Market	Granville Island Public Market, 604-687-2433
Best Bagels	Siegels Bagels	1883 Cornwall St., 604-737-8151
--		1689 Johnston St., 604-685-5670
Best Coffee Bar	Caffe Artigiano	1190 West Pender St., 604-685-5333
--		763 Hornby St., 604-696-9222
Best Hot Chocolate	Cocoa West Chocolatier	581 C Artisan Square,Bowen Island, 604-947-2996
Best Cupcakes	Cupcakes	1116 Denman St., 604-974-1300
Best Desserts	Senses	801 West Georgia St., 604-633-0138
Best Afternoon Tea	Bacchus Lounge, Wedgewood Hotel	845 Hornby St., 604-608-5319