Telus Internet

Being offline since late Wednesday morning. Lost internet connection just before noon. Normally a reboot of the modem and router was all it required to reconnect. This time it was different. Not one to throw in the towel easily I tried a few other procedures. Still no joy. Finally had to take the dreaded step, called Telus' tech support. And the ride began.

Trying to contact Telus by phone and navigate its automated answering is always a challenge. The people responsible for its creation and installment must have reserved a special place in hell.

Anyway, finally was able to speak to a live person on the other side of world who promptly guided me through the same battery of tests that I had done. She even got me to dig out a spare cable and switched it. Still no joy. Now I was on the phone for close to an hour when suddenly I was told that Telus was doing an upgrade and services will resume the next day.

Fast forward 24 hours and I was talking to Telus tech support again because still no service. Thirty minutes into the conversation the tech support person asked whether I've received my new modem or not. Huh? What modem?

To make a long story short, after over two hours with Telus tech support staff and supervisors from billing and customer services the following are to take place:

1. tech support sent a wireless modem by courier
   
2. customer service, on the safe side, will do the same. I'll have to send the extra one back.
   
3. a free month of service which is supposed to offset the cost of new modem that I have to buy while waiting for the new modem to arrive. Buying a modem at a retail store is Telus' idea despite the fact that nobody but Telus has ADSL modems. And Telus has no retail outlet in BC. Go figure.
   
4. one month of faster connection - FREE. No, I haven't noticed any different in speed.
   

No, the new modem hasn't arrived yet. I'm online because my hardware supplier happened to have a spare ADSL modem kicking around. With the start of the long weekend I don't expect to see the new modem until Tuesday at the earliest.


This is the modem at the heart of matter. It is old. The one and only ADSL modem we ever had and we were one of the first to have ADSL.


This is the spare modem that I'm using while waiting for the latest and greatest modem from Telus to show up.

Yes, the thought of switching ISP did crossed my mind. Even went and contacted Shaw for info. Will spend the next couple of weeks canvassing friends and associates on their experience with cable.

Cellphones

Received this in a recent email. Enjoy!

Travelling across highway 3 and needing to use the restroom,I stopped at a rest area and headed to therestroom.

I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying:

"Hi, how are you?"

I'm not the type to start a conversation in the restroom and I don't know what got into me, but I answered, somewhat embarrassed,

"Doin' just fine!"

And the other person says:

"So what are you up to?"

What kind of question is that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say:

"Uhhh, I'm like you, just traveling!"??

At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question.

"Can I come over?"

Ok, this question is just too weird for me but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I told him

"No.I'm a little busy right now!!!"

Then I hear the person say nervously...

"Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the other stall who keeps answering all my questions."

Hot day!

Today is scorching hot! The lineup for pop, ice cream, or iced coffee at this McDonald's location, Victoria and East 41st, extended outside the entrance.

False Creek

False Creek is the last major piece of undeveloped land with the City of Vancouver. There will be changes in the next few years.

Trident

The sight of this vacated store was really a shock to the system. it has been there for over 3 decades. In other words, forever. Over the years we have gone there for key cutting, engraving, tool sharpening and a host of other services it offered.

Handsets

The once lowly cellphone has evolved into an almost all purpose mobile unit. I think people are accessing the non-cellphone functions such as email, games, surfing, GPS, and music than making calls. I could be way off base but watch it to replace the laptops and netbooks in the near future.

The great outdoor

This person looks too clean cut to be one of the Lower Mainland's numerous street people. Yet he is sleeping by the grassy area of a new development and shoeless. He can't be sunning since it is cloudy.

Porsche Carrera

I know this is a fine piece of machinery but visually it does nothing for me. There is just no appeal at all. For some reason I find the Porsche 914 more appealing.

Hat

Came out of the library the other day and saw this hat hanging by one of the posts. Not sure how much shade it provides on that hot sunny day.

clouds

Saw these rather interesting clouds one morning.

Spam

That's SPAM! Suddenly this blog got spammed. Some used software to post comments in multiple days which makes it very time consuming to delete. Please just ignore comments from:

• nyght
  
• Free Satellite TV
  
• naveen
  
• 鋼鐵人帥哥
  
• sonika
  
• health is wealth
  
• rozydesouza
  
• Laurance
  

I'll repeat this is future postings.

Shortcut

Why walk all the way to the corner when making a shortcut is so easy? What's a little slope?

Unexpected discoveries

Came across these the other day at the least unexpected location. It was a pleasant surprise.

Tree arch

Saw this brook on a walk and decided to take a closer look...



a tree bended into an arch over the path

One tree

This is an unique looking tree with three full developed trunks. According to Chinese Feng Shui houses with such trees generally means harms will come to the resident's eldest son. So be aware!!

Beard Papa's

After opening its first store in the Lower Mainland a couple of years ago at the Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, Beard Papa's is branching out. A new outlet will open at Burnaby's Metrotown, right by the Superstore entrance.

A couple of summers ago all the favourable reviews got the better of me. Actually waited close to 30 minutes at its Richmond outlet for half-a-dozen cream puffs.

Was it worth it? it is good but not good enough to waste 30 minute. Apparently many share this opinion because there was no lineup when I went by a few months ago.

Antique?

This pen may not qualify as an antique but it is about 34 years old. Island Ready Mix was folded into Van Isle in the late 70's.

Hot day

As the mercury climbs so does slush sales. Vancouver may not be Winnipeg but who wouldn't enjoy one on a hot hot day?



Lemonade stands spring up on street corners also. This one was by the park and the kids got bored soon enough.

Lily

This is just about the last of the lily. It is wait till next year time again.

Flowers

These will be gone before we know it. These may be this year's the last flower photos.