Convenience - at what cost??

Have you ever asked yourself do I really need a data plan with my Smartphone? Can I eliminate the data plan and rely on free Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi at a “Hotspot”?

How much is too much for convenience?

How badly do you really need data? Can you access the internet at your workplace, can you slip out to a Starbucks, nearby mall, fast food restaurant or grocery store to update email or surf the net for what you need?

Seriously, do you really need that data plan on your handset?

When you ask yourself these questions consider the answers with the service provider (in my case Rogers) fees for plans with data as against an outright purchase of a Smartphone from another vendor and purchasing a talk and text service alone from the provider.

For example the price of an unlocked iPhone 5 32GB at the Apple store is $799.00.

The same phone at my provider, according to its website, is available to customers for “as lows as $279.00 on select 3 year plans”. Looks like you are saving $520.00. I say, good from far but far from good! Why?

Let’s compare the 2 year talk and text plan versus the 3 year talk, text and data plan

A.    2 year talk and text plan @ $37.00 per month

i)                unlimited texts

ii)              1000 minutes of local talk time during the day, and

iii)            unlimited local talk time from 6 pm to 7 am 

B.    3 year talk, text and data plan @ $65.00 per month

As a starting point the website information suggests plans below $65.00 per month provide 300 minutes of day time talk time and unlimited talk after 6 pm to 7 am.

The $65.00 per month plan provides

i)                unlimited texts

ii)              unlimited local talk time

iii)            1GB data per month

If unlimited texting and 1000 minutes of monthly day time talk time meets your need and the convenience of data not a necessity by signing up for the $65.00 per month plan you are agreeing to pay $28.00 per month over and above a $37.00 per month talk and text plan for the next 3 years for convenience of 1 GB data/month – $1008.00 over the term of the plan.

Don’t forget you paid $279.00 down to get that iPhone when committing to the plan.

The way I see, unless there is a business need for data, paying $28.00/month for 1 GB of data is just too much for convenience when free Wi-Fi or a Hotspot is around the corner!!

 At these rates you should be looking for free Wi-Fi and/or Hotspots and not paying $1287.00 for a $799.00 handset.

 Now where is the closest Starbuck’s?

This is no Sushi Roll

After a frustrating lack of inspiration it is time to write again. Maintaining a blog is a commitment. Like many things, time passes the guilt grows, but more often than not a special event, encounter or unique experience kick starts the energy.

On LinkedIn I have been posting articles critical of Rogers Canada policy on unlocking cellphones. In short my advice is, buy an unlocked GSM phone and be free of the monopoly.

Last night (Friday) after work I was "kidnapped" by Abe Tasse, owner of the Mid Town Carwash, and scooted off to Billabong Gastropub in the heart of Osborne Village. Abe insisted I needed a "lobster roll". I, on the other hand, thought otherwise, yet another sushi roll.  Protesting all the way and worrying I would be late arriving at home to make a favorite - Chef Scott Conant's SpicyGarlic Shrimp and Tomato Spaghetti - we arrived at Billabong.

I knew, from a recent read, that Darryl Crumb, of Top Chef Canada fame, would be running the Billabong kitchen. I was introduced to Chef Darryl - in real life he is the good guy he appeared to be on the Top Chef challenge. Abe ordered and I chatted.

After a short and expected wait attributed only to preparation Chef Darryl returned from the kitchen with the Lobster Rolls. Warm melted Brie, pickled ginger, butter poached lobster and panko crusted tomato slices sandwiched between fresh grill toasted baguette with a corn relish.

 

 

 

So good. Abe was right - I needed a Lobster Roll.

Chef Darryl's Lobster Roll is a five star roll. I am certain it will stand up to any roll or sandwich of the Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro, of Food Network fame.

Great taste and presentation, well done Chef Darryl.

Finally, congratulations to my friends Ida Albo and Rick Bel of the Hotel Fort Garry on the 100th Anniversay of the Hotel. My start in the restaurant world was the result of their kindness and generosity letting me into the kitchens of the Sandpiper and Prairie Oyster and learning from Ida, Rick, Gilbert, Toby and Glen.

 

Thank you Rick and Ida and wishing you a 100 more years of success.

Never Say "NO" to a Breathalyzer!

Today I decided to write about weekend events.

I am often asked questions at social gatherings about legal matters, you know "the "my friend" who has a problem" question .

"Should I blow into the breathalyzer" is a common question.

In Canada, if while driving, you are stopped by the police who make a lawful demand of you to blow into a breathalyzer and you don’t comply, you will be charged with the criminal offence of refusing a breathalyzer.

The penalties for refusing to provide a breath sample are harsh, just as are driving over .08 and impaired driving. The consequences upon conviction include fines, imprisonment, loss of your driver's licence and a Canada-wide driving prohibition. To regain your licence you may have to participate in mandatory alcohol counselling and pay sharply higher insurance rates. In addition, you will have a criminal record.

Therefore when people call and ask “Should I blow?” the answer is always “yes”.  Not blowing will hamper the defences available to you if in fact you are drinking and driving and will not get you out of your predicament. Refusing to blow is not a wise choice.

It is very important to obtain strong and effective legal representation at the earliest opportunity.

In simple terms if you or the "friend" is asked by an officer for a breath sample - give it. Saying “no” is a criminal offence. By not blowing you will not know if you were under the limit, perhaps resulting in no charge being laid.  If you are over the limit, you compromise your defences.

The police do have to tell you that refusal is a criminal offence and they may even describe the penalties for refusal. In providing this information the police are not trying to trick you into taking the breathalyzer. Let your lawyer review whether the demand was lawful, do not make that assessment yourself.

If you have questions, even when being asked to provide a breath sample, exercise your right to legal counsel and make a call to counsel.

12 - 12 - 12

As this year begins I am reminded that I will not see a 12 - 12 - 12 again in my life but the numbers tell this is a special year - "a once in a lifetime" - a year in which we must do good things.

Back in 1975 Teddy Pendergrass, then with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, in their album tiltled the same as the title track, gave us the famous hit "Wake Up Everybody". The R&B song was written by John Whitehead, Gene McFadden, and Victor Carstarphen. The lyrics popped into my mind this New Year's weekend.

As we all make our resolutions and plans for 12 - 12 - 12  "Wake Up Everybody" is good inspiration -

"Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed
No more backward thinkin time for thinkin ahead
The world has changed so very much
From what it used to be so
there is so much hatred war an' poverty

...

The world won't get no better if we just let it be
The world won't get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me"



The lyrics in full can be found following the link -  http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harold-melvin-the-blue-notes/wake-up-everybody.html .

For now Happy New Year and good wishes for an auspicious 2012.



Time to Catch Up Before Year End

A busy and challenging fall trial schedule combined with a nasty virus that hung on like gum on the bottom of a shoe plagued me with writer's cramp.

With 2011 coming to a close I have tidied my office and now it is time to catch up on my writing before the year ends.

Looking back it has been quite a year.

Professionally the year was packed with both trials and appeals. In many cases the consequences upon conviction/defeat were disproportionate to the facts. Fortunately, with hard work and determination the results favoured the clients. Although trial success is personally satisfying the closure and relief brought to the client(s) is for me the true motivation.

On the home front a travels to Paris and London, timed to attend The Open at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, England, a family trip to Montreal, to New York City for the marathon provided some new and exciting dining experiences.

In Montreal where the 2011 virus of "biblical proportion" slowed me considerably I managed to fight my way to the Snowdon Deli on Blvd. Decarie for a bowl of comforting chicken soup and a bagel with cream cheese and lox. The deli's glass fronted refrigerated display coolers are packed full of whitefish, lox, carp, pickles, salads, knishes, pastries and more to tease the eye. The Snowdon reminds of a time in Winnipeg's past.

A family dinner was enjoyed at Montreal's Ristorante Il Cenone - http://www.ilcenone.com/ - where you always get a fabulous home cooked meal in a warm, friendly and family like restaurant atmosphere.

In New York City the options and choices are endless. You ought not to visit thinking you will have time to do everything you plan to do, it is better to conquer the giant with a plan to return often and when there, do what your time permits to the fullest. Accept reality - you will never be able to eat in all the great restaurants and shop in all of the food stores in one lifetime. Decide where you want to go before you leave home, make reservations and go back to New York often!

This visit started with a stroll through Eataly - http://eatalyny.co/ . We lunched at Eataly's La Pizza La Pasta and then again wandered through the 50,000 square foot marketplace of cheeses, fish/seafood, meats, pasta, chocolate, coffee, gelato and more. It is a hard place to leave empty handed - I bought a bread basket.

The weekend was centred around the marathon and our activities planned accordingly. The Saturday matinee of Wicked and dinner at Sant Ambroeus in the West Village - http://www.santambroeus.com/new/frameset.php . I chose the INSALATA DI CARCIOFI (thinly sliced artichokes with arugula and sliced parmesan) and the BRANZINO MEDITERRANEO GRIGLIATO (grilled mediterranean sea bass served with minced potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts). Both were delicious. It is unfortunate more restaurants do not offer Branzino.

Sunday was the marathon. Brunch after the race was at Balthazar - http://www.balthazarny.com/ .The restaurant was packed and reservations are a must. We were required to call on Friday and confirm our reservation. At the Sunday brunch be sure to order a bread basket (Le Panier $21.00 of fresh baked breads and pastries).

Sunday evening took us to the Jets and Ranger game at Madison Square Gardens - "Go Jets Go"



Monday was Brunch at the Carnegie Deli - http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php and Dinner at  Scott Conant's Scarpetta - http://www.scottconant.com/restaurants/scarpetta/new-york . Conant is a tough judge on the Food Network show Chopped. His restaurant did not disappoint. The Braised Short Rib with Vegetable and Farro Risotto ranks as one the best appetizers I have eaten.

November ended with sad news, a friend and colleague was diagnosed with a rare life threatening illness. This type of news reminds you that life is not fair and time is not a renewable resource.

2011 will come to an end with dinner at one of my favourite restaurants NoRTH in Scottsdale, AZ - http://www.foxrc.com/north.html . The 2012 kickoff is Brunch at the Phoenician Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ - http://www.thephoenician.com/dining/il-terrazzo/il-terrazzo#sunday_brunch .

Wishing you all  a year of good health, peace and prosperity.

Et tu, Brute?

It was not the Ides of March but September 27, 2011 is a day to remember.

The writ for the provincial election in Manitoba was "dropped" on Tuesday September 6, 2011. Candidates hit the pavement, support signage decorated lawns and the customary negative advertising dominated the media.

Here in the riding of River Heights Dr. Jon Gerrard leader of the Manitoba Liberals squared off against lawyer Marty Morantz and the conservative election machine. Both candidates knew the campaign would not be a cake walk and worked hard for each vote.

As the weeks passed the polsters called homes, leaflets were left in mailboxes by hard working loyal supporters and the signage battle continued while Messrs. Gerrard and Morantz fretted.

A local journalist described Dr. Gerrard in her post election column of October 5 as

"a level-headed gentleman who puts thoughtful policy ahead of partisan gamesmanship, he leads a rump of a party that nonetheless presented most of this campaign's few good ideas".

Dr. Gerrard was elected leader of the Provincial Liberal party in 1998 and has been the River Heights MLA since 1999. To a person, all Manitobans agree, Dr. Gerrard is a decent man with unlimited energy to keep his party alive.

The 4th of October was vote day and Dr. Gerrard survived but first comes September 27. The 27th is a day I will not forget. On this day two former Liberal MPs along with 2 others write to the residents of the Seine River riding declaring their support for a candidate not running for Gerrard's LIberal team and exhort Seine River liberals to vote for another party. The authors claimed the Seine River riding was unique and their letter throwing the Manitoba Liberal party and its team members under the bus was necessary.

The now "politically" retired authors owe much to their supporters and their party for the success they enjoyed and pensions they now receive. The flimsy excuse proffered for their action fails to recognize that they turned on their team, that their conduct discourages young aspiring political candidates and they insulted a decent man who has toiled for a political party without which the authors' success doubtful.

How can we think anything other than Et tu Brute!!

No matter what party you support the candidates running for the Provincial Liberals and Dr. Gerrard are owed a huge apology. Sadly it was an excuse.

From this experience we learn - be mindful of the importance of team play, remember how we achieved our success and those who helped us to reach our goals.

Just imagine trailing behind by a goal, the coach pulls the goalie and one of your teammates turns and shoots the puck into his team's empty net.

September 27 was such a day.

Go Jets Go - Get Out and Support Your Party!!

Winnipeg,and Manitoba for that matter,is busy. The Jets have returned to Winnipeg after a long absence and start their fight  for the coveted Stanley Cup and political party candidates running for election duke it out on the streets of Manitoba for seats in the legislative assembly.

  

The Jets home opening exhibition game on Tuesday September 19 was played before what local media report as a crowd of 15,004. Wikipedia reports MTS Centre seating capacity for hockey as 15,015. The polling stations will not see near complete attendance on October 4!

The Jets have managed, except for a few seats being made for purchase,to sell out each home game for the next 3 to 5 years by long term commitments made by season ticket holders for ticket purchases.The provincial election which happens every four years struggles to draw a crowd greater than 60% of eligible voters.

Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms sets out that every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly. Voting affirms our rights as free citizens to elect a representative and take part in democracy. One does not need to look far to find examples of countries where voting freely by secret ballot is not a legaly protected right.

The return of the NHL to Winnipeg and ensuring its stay required people to step up, commit and participate.

We should all get and vote to protect democracy and remind ourselves of the freedoms we enjoy.