Do you hate Rogers? If you're from Ontario, I bet you do. They're the WORST company in the business of cable TV. Not that their products are bad, it's their customer service.
Shaw Cable kicks ass. I bought an HDPVR from them & had some trouble setting it up. I had a weak signal and they came over and fixed the issue within a few days. Shaw's customer service is great, they're friendly & happy, unlike the angry dicks at Rogers.
I have Shaw Internet & Cable & so far it's been great. No interruptions in the service, the internet is fast (they have 25 MB Nitro internet here) and the TV is great. My only complaint is that they don't have OMNI TV Toronto and I'm hoping that changes as Rogers has bought CITY TV. Shaw seems to give a shit about their customers unlike Rogers. I'm sure people have complaints about Shaw, but so far I'm happy.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Food
I've now been eating here for 5 months so I've got a better understanding on how much food costs. Food is expensive in Calgary & it's crap
I've taken to shopping at Superstore. They are owned by Loblaws & in Calgary terms actually pretty affordable. Most hard goods aren't that crazily priced, but you'll still pay more than in the east. They do have a good selection of Organics if that is your thing. Where they suck is that the places are massive. Grocery shopping used to take me 30 minutes at Central Fresh Market in Kitchener. Today, it's a 2 hour adventure, plus a 20 minute drive. If you go to the Superstore, go on a Monday or Tuesday, otherwise, it's a zoo. The parking lots are jammed and the buildings are full of people. It becomes frustrating to shop, people in the way, jammed isles, etc.
Superstore also has crap produce. I buy fruit and veggies from this place and it's moldy within a week. You can't stock up because everything will go bad. What's weird about this is that..it's summer, so things are in season. How can shit go bad in a week when it's in season? I shudder to imagine what it's going to be like in the middle of winter.
Your other choice is Safeway or Co-Op, but....you'll pay out your ass for food there. I can see it costing 600 bucks a month to eat for 2 people if you just shopped at Safeway. Where it does make sense is for fruits....the quality is much better. The other positive about Safeway is that it's likely near your house. Calgary is a VERY spread out city, so you can spend 30 minutes getting to a Superstore if there is traffic. You can likely walk to your Safeway
I've taken to shopping at Superstore. They are owned by Loblaws & in Calgary terms actually pretty affordable. Most hard goods aren't that crazily priced, but you'll still pay more than in the east. They do have a good selection of Organics if that is your thing. Where they suck is that the places are massive. Grocery shopping used to take me 30 minutes at Central Fresh Market in Kitchener. Today, it's a 2 hour adventure, plus a 20 minute drive. If you go to the Superstore, go on a Monday or Tuesday, otherwise, it's a zoo. The parking lots are jammed and the buildings are full of people. It becomes frustrating to shop, people in the way, jammed isles, etc.
Superstore also has crap produce. I buy fruit and veggies from this place and it's moldy within a week. You can't stock up because everything will go bad. What's weird about this is that..it's summer, so things are in season. How can shit go bad in a week when it's in season? I shudder to imagine what it's going to be like in the middle of winter.
Your other choice is Safeway or Co-Op, but....you'll pay out your ass for food there. I can see it costing 600 bucks a month to eat for 2 people if you just shopped at Safeway. Where it does make sense is for fruits....the quality is much better. The other positive about Safeway is that it's likely near your house. Calgary is a VERY spread out city, so you can spend 30 minutes getting to a Superstore if there is traffic. You can likely walk to your Safeway
"I need a second job"
I hear that phrase alot lately. I work for a handful of companies doing IT and I hear the people complaining about the high costs & the need for a second job. As prices continue to go rise, this seems to be the cry I hear from almost everyone.
The high costs of Calgary are starting to chase people out of town. I know a few people that are selling their places and moving away. Take the money and run as the song says. With houses at 500K, even a well paid dual income couple would have a tough time buying something here without 100K down. The costs of housing aren't just the problem....it's the high cost of food. They claim that inflation is 6% in this city, but I get the feeling it's more like 10 to 15% a year. Unless your salary is going up at that level, you can see where you'll end up. You'll need a second job too.
It really makes me shake my head that you'd need a second job in a city like this. I thought this was the Alberta Advantage? You'll get a few old timers that will tell you that "you don't pay the tax". This is a pile of bullshit. Food isn't taxable elsewhere & the 8% PST you pay in Ontario is far less than the 50% higher you pay for alot of things here.
The high costs of Calgary are starting to chase people out of town. I know a few people that are selling their places and moving away. Take the money and run as the song says. With houses at 500K, even a well paid dual income couple would have a tough time buying something here without 100K down. The costs of housing aren't just the problem....it's the high cost of food. They claim that inflation is 6% in this city, but I get the feeling it's more like 10 to 15% a year. Unless your salary is going up at that level, you can see where you'll end up. You'll need a second job too.
It really makes me shake my head that you'd need a second job in a city like this. I thought this was the Alberta Advantage? You'll get a few old timers that will tell you that "you don't pay the tax". This is a pile of bullshit. Food isn't taxable elsewhere & the 8% PST you pay in Ontario is far less than the 50% higher you pay for alot of things here.
Wireless Internet
One thing that really pisses me off about Calgary is the lack of Wi Fi. In places like Toronto and Waterloo they had municipal Wi-Fi systems. If you were in the city centre, you could fire up the laptop and you could connect to a system. They required an account, but they at least had one.
Calgary has none. It's entire city core, which has 250,000 workers in it has no Wi-Fi at all. Really annoying when you are sitting having lunch and want to surf
Another VERY annoying thing about this town is that cafe's and pubs CHARGE for the use of their wireless. A Starbucks will have Wi Fi, but it's via Telus & costs 6 bucks for an hour. That's outrageously expensive and a huge piss off. Free Wi-Fi in Ontario cafe's is commonplace & it's a great reason to go to a cafe. I can't speak for the rest of the province, but the places in Waterloo often had plugs for laptop users.
You'd think that as Canada's richest city they'd offer some form of muni Wi-Fi. Calgary's always talking about how it wants to be a player in the technical realm, but I'm not so sure. I think Waterloo & Ottawa have that hands down.
Calgary has none. It's entire city core, which has 250,000 workers in it has no Wi-Fi at all. Really annoying when you are sitting having lunch and want to surf
Another VERY annoying thing about this town is that cafe's and pubs CHARGE for the use of their wireless. A Starbucks will have Wi Fi, but it's via Telus & costs 6 bucks for an hour. That's outrageously expensive and a huge piss off. Free Wi-Fi in Ontario cafe's is commonplace & it's a great reason to go to a cafe. I can't speak for the rest of the province, but the places in Waterloo often had plugs for laptop users.
You'd think that as Canada's richest city they'd offer some form of muni Wi-Fi. Calgary's always talking about how it wants to be a player in the technical realm, but I'm not so sure. I think Waterloo & Ottawa have that hands down.
Calgary Airport
Calgary has a great airport. What's really great is you can take the bus to the airport. Take the C Train to the end of the NE line and grab Route 57 North. From there it'll take about 20 minutes to get to the terminal. It drops you off RIGHT at the departures/arrivals area.
The airport is clean, spacious & a pretty pleasant place. It wasn't to busy the day I went & it's sure as hell better than going to Toronto to catch a plane. I caught a Westjet flight and their waiting area is great. It's got TV's, pubs, places to eat, and lots of seating. The only thing it doesn't have is free wireless internet (which I'll whine about in a minute).
It makes flying pretty pleasant & the bus idea is great. They put in a low floor bus and surprisingly, it's PACKED when it leaves the airport. I would have thought only I'd be on the bus, but every seat was full.
The airport is clean, spacious & a pretty pleasant place. It wasn't to busy the day I went & it's sure as hell better than going to Toronto to catch a plane. I caught a Westjet flight and their waiting area is great. It's got TV's, pubs, places to eat, and lots of seating. The only thing it doesn't have is free wireless internet (which I'll whine about in a minute).
It makes flying pretty pleasant & the bus idea is great. They put in a low floor bus and surprisingly, it's PACKED when it leaves the airport. I would have thought only I'd be on the bus, but every seat was full.
Weekend in Ontario
I went back to Ontario for 2 days & I notice the glaring differences between West vs East. Just offhand
1. Food is so much cheaper and better in Ontario. I was shocked to buy a Donair in Waterloo for 5 bucks. Out here the same thing is 8 dollars. Not alot, but when everything costs more well....
2. Parking spots are bigger. I had wondered if it was me...but the parking spots seemed small here. They are indeed narrower, which is retarded because there are alot of SUV's
3. Calgary has WAY more trucks and SUV's than Ontario.
4. It felt great to drive 125 on the 401. On the Deerfoot on Friday and people were driving 100 in the fast lane. Made me realize it's why I live downtown and don't drive.
5. Humidity and elevation. The air in Ontario is thicker, heavier, but humidity is nice on the skin.
6. House prices. In 2001, Calgary and Waterloo Region house prices were the same. Today, a townhouse in Waterloo seemed like a bargain at 165K. In fact it seemed like a dream. Out here the same place would be 400K. Keep in mind the prices were pretty much the same 6 years ago.
1. Food is so much cheaper and better in Ontario. I was shocked to buy a Donair in Waterloo for 5 bucks. Out here the same thing is 8 dollars. Not alot, but when everything costs more well....
2. Parking spots are bigger. I had wondered if it was me...but the parking spots seemed small here. They are indeed narrower, which is retarded because there are alot of SUV's
3. Calgary has WAY more trucks and SUV's than Ontario.
4. It felt great to drive 125 on the 401. On the Deerfoot on Friday and people were driving 100 in the fast lane. Made me realize it's why I live downtown and don't drive.
5. Humidity and elevation. The air in Ontario is thicker, heavier, but humidity is nice on the skin.
6. House prices. In 2001, Calgary and Waterloo Region house prices were the same. Today, a townhouse in Waterloo seemed like a bargain at 165K. In fact it seemed like a dream. Out here the same place would be 400K. Keep in mind the prices were pretty much the same 6 years ago.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
More on the Stampede
Last night was the first night it was quiet in my house. I live close to the Stampede grounds and for the last week and a half it's been non stop noise. I like it, but there are times it gets annoying. To close out the day, they fire off a round of fireworks that lasts about 5 minutes. The end the Stampede with a monster show at 12 midnight......so if you have to work Monday and you live anywhere near the Stampede, expect to be tired.
During Stampede week, expect a real cowboy presence. In fact, you get used to seeing people in cowboy hats, shirts, pants & boots. So many of them, it becomes almost commonplace. Expensive wine clubs turn into cowboy bars with wooden railings & straw bales out front. Even if you're a suit wearing stockbroker, you can get away with wearing a cowboy costume for the week of Stampede. Contrary to what the Globe and Mail claims, you're not required to dress like a cowboy. Cowboy hats are also very hot, so if you get one, buy one that's straw. The felt ones boil your head in the hot sun
During Stampede week, expect a real cowboy presence. In fact, you get used to seeing people in cowboy hats, shirts, pants & boots. So many of them, it becomes almost commonplace. Expensive wine clubs turn into cowboy bars with wooden railings & straw bales out front. Even if you're a suit wearing stockbroker, you can get away with wearing a cowboy costume for the week of Stampede. Contrary to what the Globe and Mail claims, you're not required to dress like a cowboy. Cowboy hats are also very hot, so if you get one, buy one that's straw. The felt ones boil your head in the hot sun
Monday, July 16, 2007
AIr Conditioning
Cities like Toronto & Montreal go nuts in the summer with Air Conditioning. It's bad for the environment, but I like it. I really like it when I'm forced to wear business clothes (which I hate).
This isn't the case in Calgary. There is AC, but not to the extent in Toronto and some places don't turn it on. It's possible to find yourself in an office where it's 27C....you wearing long pants & a shirt. The +15C is also not air conditioned so if you have to walk, you'll find it really hot in some of the glass areas. REAL hot.
Even the shopping malls aren't that cold. If you walk into the Eaton Centre in Toronto, a wall of cold will hit you. Not the case here.
BUT THE WORST...is that transit is NOT air conditioned. A few C Trains have AC, but otherwise you're out of luck. Let me tell you how much is sucks to ride on a PACKED bus without AC when it's 33C. The old C Trains are worse. The heat from the brakes does not dispel, so the heat rises into the car. There are alot of people dripping sweat in the cars.
Needless to say, I've met more than a few guys that walk to work, some as far as 1 hour each way. It's just less horrible than enduring the sweat fest on transit. You get a real dark tan too.
This isn't the case in Calgary. There is AC, but not to the extent in Toronto and some places don't turn it on. It's possible to find yourself in an office where it's 27C....you wearing long pants & a shirt. The +15C is also not air conditioned so if you have to walk, you'll find it really hot in some of the glass areas. REAL hot.
Even the shopping malls aren't that cold. If you walk into the Eaton Centre in Toronto, a wall of cold will hit you. Not the case here.
BUT THE WORST...is that transit is NOT air conditioned. A few C Trains have AC, but otherwise you're out of luck. Let me tell you how much is sucks to ride on a PACKED bus without AC when it's 33C. The old C Trains are worse. The heat from the brakes does not dispel, so the heat rises into the car. There are alot of people dripping sweat in the cars.
Needless to say, I've met more than a few guys that walk to work, some as far as 1 hour each way. It's just less horrible than enduring the sweat fest on transit. You get a real dark tan too.
Calgary Summer
The Calgary summer seems to start in late June. It goes like this. Each day it's sunny & clear blue skies & about 30C. The sun comes up at 5 AM and sets at like 10 30 so there is alot of light.
It's like groundhog day the movie....EVERYDAY is the same. The sun comes up, it's hot, the sun sets...repeat. The air is alot drier than it is in the east & that's nice, but that's cool. I admit to getting a touch sick of the always on sunshine
Calgarians also enjoy summer more than anywhere else I've lived. Patios are full, streets are full, parks are full, people do things. It's a very outdoorsy active city. . Good example if the Elbow River which has more people tubing down it than it has water on a hot day.
It's like groundhog day the movie....EVERYDAY is the same. The sun comes up, it's hot, the sun sets...repeat. The air is alot drier than it is in the east & that's nice, but that's cool. I admit to getting a touch sick of the always on sunshine
Calgarians also enjoy summer more than anywhere else I've lived. Patios are full, streets are full, parks are full, people do things. It's a very outdoorsy active city. . Good example if the Elbow River which has more people tubing down it than it has water on a hot day.
Stampede ends...
It's been a while since I posted.
Went to the Stampede yesterday, I have to admit this city knows how to throw a party. If you're from out of town, the image you have of Stampede is probably just a big rodeo. It's actually a city wide celebration, where companies sponser free breakfasts & lunches for anyone that walks up off the street.
The Stampede parade was Friday, July 6th. Calgary's a city of 1.2 million people, over 400,000 people showed up. NO one works that day at all, unless you're in the service business. From this point on, people just go out & have fun. There are party tents all over the city during Stampede and most of them are open to anyone that wants to walk in.
If you work downtown it's casual week for you. You're free to dress as you please, but cowboy fashion is preferred. It takes some time to get used to seeing people dressed in western wear, but give it a few days & you'll become accustomed to it.
More to come on the Stampede as soon as I get finished what I'm doing at work.
Went to the Stampede yesterday, I have to admit this city knows how to throw a party. If you're from out of town, the image you have of Stampede is probably just a big rodeo. It's actually a city wide celebration, where companies sponser free breakfasts & lunches for anyone that walks up off the street.
The Stampede parade was Friday, July 6th. Calgary's a city of 1.2 million people, over 400,000 people showed up. NO one works that day at all, unless you're in the service business. From this point on, people just go out & have fun. There are party tents all over the city during Stampede and most of them are open to anyone that wants to walk in.
If you work downtown it's casual week for you. You're free to dress as you please, but cowboy fashion is preferred. It takes some time to get used to seeing people dressed in western wear, but give it a few days & you'll become accustomed to it.
More to come on the Stampede as soon as I get finished what I'm doing at work.
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