You’d think a company that tries to associate itself with technology would be better at using it. I don’t think so because I live in the real world and not a logical one.

People that don’t know about Future Shop might think that they might be about innovation and not just a dumb box full of people in matching shirts.

The shop started its Boxing Day sale online tonight. I tried purchasing a product:

• It took more than half an hour to take me to step two of the check out and when it finished that it kicked me off and told me to log in again.
• It only tells you how many are left when you get to step two, so I could have waited that long to find out I couldn’t get it.
• Also, once you get further it wants to charge shipping (trying to take advantage of escalating commitment).
• I decided not to buy from them, but Hiro told me another thing. There shipping: “‘ground’ is 14.98 and ‘air” is 13.25.” Are they going to fly it across southern Ontario. Why don’t they identify shipping by what it means to me, like how long it will take.

Anyway, Future Shop is silly for poor online operations. When Amazon comes to Canada to sell electronics these guys will be in trouble.

While I recognized it on my own, Hiro further explained to me why Future Shop is silly. He said he would blog about it (Pleasant Interruption) So when he does I will link to his post about why Future Shop is in trouble.

James Cowan, of whom I hadn’t hitherto heard, has a polemic in the Post about thoughts that the grits should look to Pearson’s legacy for their future glory. He begins, though, by ridiculing Trudeau the younger.

What the Liberals can’t find in Justin | Pearson’s Legacy NPost 22 Dec 2007

[...]the event felt like a bar mitzvah, with the famous friends of Mr. Trudeau’s father preparing the son for his political future.

[...] they were all there, a bit incongruously considering Justin’s recent claims to be running on his own accord, rather than nostalgia for his father.

[...]Mr. Trudeau must be the most photographed 36-year-old out-of-work teacher in Canada.

I haven’t really seen anything from him recently, but last March Justin still had a long way to go.

(more…)

I nearly got hit by a car that got hit by a car at an Erb Street crosswalk Thursday morning.

I crossed Erb at Father Daivd Bauer Drive with the walk signal. A green sedan was stopped at the stopline in the near lane. As I crossed in front of the car another car careened towards us. The car scraped close to the snow pilled along the curb.

I scrambled away from the lane further into the clear.

The car slammed into the front car and crumpled and smashed.

A municipal bylaw officer was right behind the two cars and stopped, got out and radioed for help.

It was weird being in such a dangerous situation given the events of earlier in the week.

I ran into Wally on King Street when I was on my way to work last week.

He brightened up, smiled, and said “Hey! How ya doing?”

I know Wally from when he worked at the university and I was a student. He told me how he had cancer five years ago and he took early retirement. His wife is ten years younger and still works, so he drives a cab part time.

It was cool to see him again. He’s a friendly and talkative guy.

Well, John and Mark are gone. They were caught in an avalanche in Kananaskis and though they were dug out, they perished from the trauma of being slammed into trees if I am to believe details from the news reports.

I wanted to write something earlier, but waited until their names were released to the public.

(more…)

A Record story last week featured recently opened businesses in downtown Kitchener, including Maestro Cafe.

A few steps away from the Exhibit Cafe, across Queen Street, a European coffee house called Maestro Cafe has also opened recently. Just below street level and reached by way of a winding staircase, it specializes in premium blended coffees, lattes and cappuccinos. Its stylish retro 1950s decor reflects a European flair.

Discovering core values 28 Nov 2007

• Maestro cafe at 24 King Street East Kitchener 14 Nov 2007
• Canadian coffee is . . . 23 Aug 2007

While viewing my bank account through online banking. I noticed that it was telling me transactions for this coming Monday.

That should not happen. Why does it list transactions that should not yet have happened.

I tried calling, but there was no answer.

It told me the estimated wait time is four minutes.” Then it kicks me to “Thank you for calling.”  Click

I called again and Heather told me that it is just the posting date and not the transaction date.