Tuesday, February 28, 2006

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!

Monday, February 27, 2006

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)

:-)

Saturday, February 25, 2006

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

Friday, February 24, 2006

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.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

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.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

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!!!

Monday, February 20, 2006

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.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

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