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.