Dear Telus, Bell, and Rogers.....

Enough with the whiny, self serving ads!

A rumoured (and at this point it's merely just that) entry into Canada by one of the US's biggest Cell phone providers has Robellus (Rogers, Bell and Telus) crying foul.   You see, they are prohibited from entering Canada outright, but they are apparently sneaking in through the backdoor by attempting to acquire one of the upstart networks that are, at this point, unable to provide coverage outside of major metropolitan areas.  Which begs a few questions from this simpleminded blogger:

1)  Why are three largest cell phone providers in the country (and infact the only 3 to provide nationwide coverage) so chummy?  It's supposed to be a cut throat, no holds barred fight to the death in outdoing each other to give their subscribers the best bang for your buck right?   Yeah, not so much....not anymore anyway.  

2)  Why are they so scared of competition outside of their own comfortable little circle?   If they were so confident in their product and offerings, you'd think they would have the mentality of "fine, come on in, we will crush you because we are the best".  

So how are they combatting this potential "invasion"?  Are they eliminating the "handcuffing" of 3 year terms?  Well, sort of, they knocked most new ones to 2 years, and Telus, Bell and Rogers are offering some attractive offers in their respective "discount" brands of Koodo, Virgin and Fido....but they give those kind of offers every year....it probably has little or nothing to do with Verizon.....so what are they doing to pre-emptively rally Canadians to their side?  

They are doing radio, newspaper, and TV ads....lots of them, and why not?  Rogers and Bell also control most of the other media as well, right?  And what's worse is how patronizing and insulting the whole thing is to us as Canadians.

They are painting themselves as hardworking pioneers who built nationwide cell coverage into what it is today, because really, who's heard of Clearnet, Cantel, and other companies that did a lot of the heavy lifting, but were gobbled up by, yep, Rogers, Bell and Telus.  They prey on our patriotism and make us feel guilty for even considering leaving them.  "We can't give you a no-term no contract monthly phone plan without a catch....but you would be pleased to know we are Canadian too!"  

Personally, I think Verizon should be allowed in, even if I don't give them my business.   There is nothing wrong with competition (and I mean real competition, not 3 poker buddies playing with our money).   I used to be a Wind customer and I would still be, if it didn't become more expensive due to me spending lengthy periods outside of their coverage areas.  I know I would like more selection, and I don't think I'm alone.  So my advice to Robellus is to simply stop treating us like idiots.  Stop arrogantly assuming we will never leave.   If Verizon came in and offered a more attractive plan than either of you, then I wouldn't think twice.  I have a feeling that a lot of people wouldn't either.  

Billy Joel, of all people, could do the Soundtrack of my life

As a child of the 80s, he's already peaked by the time I was old enough to recognize his music.  Nonetheless, my parents were both fans of his, and therefore his music played often while I grew up.  As I get older, my music tastes change a lot, but some people I always revert back to, and Billy Joel is one of them.   He definitely isn't the coolest guy in the world, but maybe that was it....I could relate to so many of his songs......

1)  You May Be Right-  This song is basically acknowledging what an exhausting pain in the ass he is. That's definitely me, I would be the guy who has to apologize profusely the next day for acting out of hand, but, pointing out how much fun I would be if you got the stick out of your ass.  

2)  Honesty-  A sappy ballad, yet....it's also very personal, because I've had several relationships where I was let down easy, when all I want is the truth.  

3) Big Shot-  This song reminds me of my Dad....because it's pretty much how he sarcastically regarded me when I moved to Calgary with all these big plans and no freaking clue. Though its about berating someone who had too much to drink and acted like a complete idiot....which could also pertain to me at times...

4)  I go to Extremes-  Pretty self explanatory....I don't burn bridges I napalm the shit out of them.  

5) My Life- I react.....prickly....when people try to tell me what to do.  This song pretty much says it all.   

6) Leave a Tender Moment Alone- Basically how I react when I meet someone I like.....Generally I get nervous and talk too much and make her think I'm a complete boob.  

7) Anthony's Song (Moving Out)-An inversion of this song....I live in Calgary(not Hackensack like the song), pay a ludicrous amount to live here and have a crummy job....hopefully it doesn't give me a heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack

8) A Matter of Trust-  I have trust issues, but this is the most important thing to me in any relationship

9) Just the Way You Are- Makes me think of my family, as they are the only people who actually don't judge me and care about me for who I am.....there's also a friend or two...

10) Keeping The Faith- Despite my misanthropic exterior at times, I always do

11) Pressure- More on myself than anyone else.  I always say, nobody's harder on me than me. 

   

Tangled up in Blue

Self reflection time......goody....

I'm sitting on my deck, enjoying the nice sunshine with a cold beer in my hand, going through Facebook.  Of course I'm also on my computer....

I see friends and acquaintances I grew up with, mostly around the same age as I am, and they are mostly married, have kids, have their lives established, and I look around and realize I am very behind the 8 ball.   I have a well paying job, and live in a nice place, have great friends and a wonderful family, but aside from a furball who would love me unconditionally as long as I feed her, my house, my life itself, feels a little empty.   I've had numerous chances to get married over the years, with people who could have easily made me happy and vice versa.  I could sit here and say I only attract crazies, but it really isn't true(though there have been a few....).  I think my problem is I want what I can't have. As much as I hate quoting a Lady Gaga song, there really is something about the chase.

It's not even like I don't want to meet someone.   Thing is, I find myself thinking more and more about a platonic friend.  Someone I've known for a long time, but feel the most relaxed and able to be myself with than just about anyone.  However, we have such an awesome friendship I couldn't even think about risking it for a relationship that may or may not work out, even if she felt the same way.  Or is it more because I know deep down that she doesn't, and again it's the chase that draws me to her.

Or maybe this 34 year old man should stop acting like he's 20 and grow up.    

Random Snippets

A few lessons and observations, either by my experiences or as an observer of someone else's:

• Life isn't fair, and (spoiler alert) it never will be.  Make due with what you have and always strive to make it better.
• Kids these days aren't any better or worse than when you were a kid.  There were irritating little shits even in your Grandparents day, they just seem worse because you got older and crankier.  
• You could lament about how crappy music is today, but didn't our grandparents(or Great-Grandparents) feel the same way about The Beatles and Elvis?  
• If you were dating someone for more than a year and you have no pictures together, haven't met each other's family and friends, then you were never in a relationship.  Stop deluding yourself.  
• Ties in with the previous one.  Never think with your heart.  Your heart is noble but profoundly stupid.  
• Don't complain too much about what you don't have, because there are people in the world who would give anything to have what you do have right now.
• The people that matter always find a way of coming back, even after bridges are burned and things seem irreparable.  If they don't, then you are both better off without each other.
• You are the owner and sole proprietor of your happiness.  If you aren't happy it's your problem and responsibility to do something about it.  Don't expect anyone else to do it for you.  
• Why can you get a burger for a little over a buck at just about any fast food place you pass on the highway but salads are much more?   I love a burger as much as the next guy but they should make healthy food at least as accessible as junk food.  
• We worry too much about the people who shouldn't matter and we tend to neglect that people that do.
• Nostalgia breeds regret, overplanning for the future breeds disappointment.   Just live life moment to moment and keep a plan B handy incase you need it.
• When all is said and done, your best friend is you.   Don't shortchange yourself for anyone's benefit.

Fine. Next Wednesday then

Due to work and a lack of things to talk about I kind of abandoned my blog for a bit.  Not much has changed.   Still kinda sorta but not really seeing someone.  Still wanting to find a new job.   I feel like I'm in a severe rut and I need a change of scenery.   Is it running away from my problems or looking for a fresh start?   It doesn't really matter because I will never actually pull the trigger.  I talk. I don't do. And that's an issue I need to change