1 hour ago
Monday, July 19, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Freddy Story...
Freddy brought spaghetti for lunch last week. Unlike most people, Freddy doesn’t use containers with lids, or even zip lock bag to transport lunches. He’s been known to carry fried chicken and ham sandwiches in his pockets. This time he used a large mixing bowl, with no lid, saran wrap, or covering of any kind. He brought about 5 lbs of spaghetti in the bowl. If the lidless bowl’s purpose was to allow easy snacking access it was a success; at lunch break he had around 3 lbs left and was getting pretty full of spaghetti and very willing to share. 
A young guy, hung over, was slouching in his chair looking not too great and, in Freddy’s opinion, in need of some nourishment. Freddy says, “Hey, want some spaghetti? I got lots!”, and he shows him the half full mixing bowl. Fortunately there are no flies on the production floor in the winter here, but lots of dust, weld slag, and jokesters willing to toss bits of cardboard, peanuts and ¼ inch lock washers into uncovered mixing bowls of spaghetti. After having observed Freddy snack at the bowl the entire morning, and when he was actually working, which wasn’t often, leave it sitting on the shop lunch break table, Hangover Guy thinks this might not be the best idea. “No thanks Freddy, I’m good”. Freddy who generally doesn’t take whatever the answer is for an answer, says he’s not taking no for an answer. “Common, you’re going to pass out if you don’t eat something.” Hangover Guy is searching his scrambled brain for an excuse, “Freddy, we got nothing to put it in, and I’m not eating out that bowl.” If Freddy is anything, he is an ‘ideas guy’. He reaches behind the break table and slides a cardboard box over, tears about half of one of the flaps off, and using the same large slotted spoon he’s been eating with, scoops a couple large piles of spaghetti on it and pushes it to Hangover Guy. Not a word is said by the 10 or so co-workers who’ve been waiting for Freddy to find one of the 3 pop rivets they tossed in there an hour ago. Freddy just looks at them, pulls the half full bottle of Pepsi he’s been keeping tucked in his belt loop behind his back, a la Magnum PI, takes a swig and deadpans, “What? You guys all want some now?!”
A young guy, hung over, was slouching in his chair looking not too great and, in Freddy’s opinion, in need of some nourishment. Freddy says, “Hey, want some spaghetti? I got lots!”, and he shows him the half full mixing bowl. Fortunately there are no flies on the production floor in the winter here, but lots of dust, weld slag, and jokesters willing to toss bits of cardboard, peanuts and ¼ inch lock washers into uncovered mixing bowls of spaghetti. After having observed Freddy snack at the bowl the entire morning, and when he was actually working, which wasn’t often, leave it sitting on the shop lunch break table, Hangover Guy thinks this might not be the best idea. “No thanks Freddy, I’m good”. Freddy who generally doesn’t take whatever the answer is for an answer, says he’s not taking no for an answer. “Common, you’re going to pass out if you don’t eat something.” Hangover Guy is searching his scrambled brain for an excuse, “Freddy, we got nothing to put it in, and I’m not eating out that bowl.” If Freddy is anything, he is an ‘ideas guy’. He reaches behind the break table and slides a cardboard box over, tears about half of one of the flaps off, and using the same large slotted spoon he’s been eating with, scoops a couple large piles of spaghetti on it and pushes it to Hangover Guy. Not a word is said by the 10 or so co-workers who’ve been waiting for Freddy to find one of the 3 pop rivets they tossed in there an hour ago. Freddy just looks at them, pulls the half full bottle of Pepsi he’s been keeping tucked in his belt loop behind his back, a la Magnum PI, takes a swig and deadpans, “What? You guys all want some now?!” Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
real chef...
Check out Tyler Florence's new Blog...something to remember; to be thankful and respect the sacrifices others make.
Check out his website and this one on Sonoma Beef
Check out his website and this one on Sonoma Beef
Monday, May 17, 2010
Poor WestJet
Here is my WestJet Story…
About a week ago a friend and I went to Las Vegas. It was a great trip. Really the only problem I had was West Jet lost my bag on the return flight – oh, yeah, and I lost the Nathan’s Hot Dog bet. The lost baggage situation is always one that I have not understood, and my recent experience has not made it any clearer. It boggles my mind how you can manage to miscount, misdirect, mis-whatever screw something up with putting bags on a plane. They count, the stamp, they tag, they put you in the computer, you are processed up the wazoo and still…woops…for a brief moment the laws of mathematics cease to exist.
The below is the email communication I had with WestJet, please note all spelling mistakes in their responses are copied as sent, the ones in mine…that’s the computer’s fault. Also, some how the time a dating of the first message is wrong, again, the computer’s fault.
Sun May 09, 2010 02:15:40 GMT - Your Message (This is actually sent Sat, May 8 at about 6:00 pm)
Message responded by WestJet on Sun May 09, 2010 16:50:52
Well, West Jet, not only have you managed to lose my luggage on a 3 hour direct flight, you have entered my claim with my 4 letter last name misspelled. I have just spent over a half hour searching and re-searching for my claim because of this. It has been over 5 hours and I have not even heard a word from you. You do not know if I require any items from that bag, you do not know the purpose of my arrival here or have any idea of the inconvenience I am experiencing. The level of incompetence it requires for this situation to have occurred is truly remarkable. After this pathetic demonstration of customer service and failure to complete the simplest of tasks you can be assured that you have lost all creditability as a viable travel choice. I will be sure to communicate this to any and all people I can to help them avoid this same situation.
In case you have gotten any other, which I can only assume are minor details to you, incorrect, and I expect that you have, as you have not demonstrated abilities otherwise, I have included them below.
My name is XXXXXXXX, not XXXX.
My report code is LLLLLLLNNNNNNNN.
My claim check is NNNNNNNNNNN.
My phone number is 123-456-7890.
Sat night I received a phone call from a WestJet representative, claiming they were sorry they lost the bag, they would get it here as soon as possible, which would be Sunday afternoon, and the reason they took so long to let me know this was because their baggage office closed AS SOON AS THE FLIGHT GOT IN! An amazing fact, that certainly allows them to keep losing stuff while allowing for zero customer service in the event that they lose stuff. The rep seemed to think that the closed office would placate me and I would bid her a cheery evening.
Sun May 09, 2010 16:50:52 GMT - WestJet
bag just arrv off flt 464, called customer and we are ahving his bag delivered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu May 13, 2010 16:09:05 GMT - Your Message
Message responded by WestJet on Thu May 13, 2010 17:33:40
I am more than a little insulted by a voice mail I received Saturday night claiming that this was my fault - as I had apparently checked in late. Please get your facts correct. I checked in at 9:30 am, not 10:30 am, more than ample time for processing of my checked bag. I checked in at the same time as my travelling companion and their bag managed to make it through on time. In fact there were several travelers on the same flight that checked in after us and they did not have any issues with their luggage. Your organization made an error. The failure to take responsibility, and in addition, attempt to assign your clear fault on myself further reduces my confidence in your services.
I am still awaiting correspondence regarding compensation promised at airport. Obviously this was just lip service paid to a wronged customer so that you could hide behind emails and voice mails rather than deal with issues in person.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu May 13, 2010 17:33:40 GMT - WestJet
I deeply sorry of any troubles this as caused you. This is not the way we do business at WestJet as we strive for a world class guest exprience and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.I have just set up a travel bank of $200.00 in your name for compensation.
Not a bad result, but what horrendous customer service. The lost bag, oh well, mistakes can happen, but the lack of explanation, timeliness of response, lack of professionalism and erroneous information is way below acceptable - certainly way below world class!
About a week ago a friend and I went to Las Vegas. It was a great trip. Really the only problem I had was West Jet lost my bag on the return flight – oh, yeah, and I lost the Nathan’s Hot Dog bet. The lost baggage situation is always one that I have not understood, and my recent experience has not made it any clearer. It boggles my mind how you can manage to miscount, misdirect, mis-whatever screw something up with putting bags on a plane. They count, the stamp, they tag, they put you in the computer, you are processed up the wazoo and still…woops…for a brief moment the laws of mathematics cease to exist.
The below is the email communication I had with WestJet, please note all spelling mistakes in their responses are copied as sent, the ones in mine…that’s the computer’s fault. Also, some how the time a dating of the first message is wrong, again, the computer’s fault.
Sun May 09, 2010 02:15:40 GMT - Your Message (This is actually sent Sat, May 8 at about 6:00 pm)
Message responded by WestJet on Sun May 09, 2010 16:50:52
Well, West Jet, not only have you managed to lose my luggage on a 3 hour direct flight, you have entered my claim with my 4 letter last name misspelled. I have just spent over a half hour searching and re-searching for my claim because of this. It has been over 5 hours and I have not even heard a word from you. You do not know if I require any items from that bag, you do not know the purpose of my arrival here or have any idea of the inconvenience I am experiencing. The level of incompetence it requires for this situation to have occurred is truly remarkable. After this pathetic demonstration of customer service and failure to complete the simplest of tasks you can be assured that you have lost all creditability as a viable travel choice. I will be sure to communicate this to any and all people I can to help them avoid this same situation.
In case you have gotten any other, which I can only assume are minor details to you, incorrect, and I expect that you have, as you have not demonstrated abilities otherwise, I have included them below.
My name is XXXXXXXX, not XXXX.
My report code is LLLLLLLNNNNNNNN.
My claim check is NNNNNNNNNNN.
My phone number is 123-456-7890.
Sat night I received a phone call from a WestJet representative, claiming they were sorry they lost the bag, they would get it here as soon as possible, which would be Sunday afternoon, and the reason they took so long to let me know this was because their baggage office closed AS SOON AS THE FLIGHT GOT IN! An amazing fact, that certainly allows them to keep losing stuff while allowing for zero customer service in the event that they lose stuff. The rep seemed to think that the closed office would placate me and I would bid her a cheery evening.
Sun May 09, 2010 16:50:52 GMT - WestJet
bag just arrv off flt 464, called customer and we are ahving his bag delivered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu May 13, 2010 16:09:05 GMT - Your Message
Message responded by WestJet on Thu May 13, 2010 17:33:40
I am more than a little insulted by a voice mail I received Saturday night claiming that this was my fault - as I had apparently checked in late. Please get your facts correct. I checked in at 9:30 am, not 10:30 am, more than ample time for processing of my checked bag. I checked in at the same time as my travelling companion and their bag managed to make it through on time. In fact there were several travelers on the same flight that checked in after us and they did not have any issues with their luggage. Your organization made an error. The failure to take responsibility, and in addition, attempt to assign your clear fault on myself further reduces my confidence in your services.
I am still awaiting correspondence regarding compensation promised at airport. Obviously this was just lip service paid to a wronged customer so that you could hide behind emails and voice mails rather than deal with issues in person.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thu May 13, 2010 17:33:40 GMT - WestJet
I deeply sorry of any troubles this as caused you. This is not the way we do business at WestJet as we strive for a world class guest exprience and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.I have just set up a travel bank of $200.00 in your name for compensation.
Not a bad result, but what horrendous customer service. The lost bag, oh well, mistakes can happen, but the lack of explanation, timeliness of response, lack of professionalism and erroneous information is way below acceptable - certainly way below world class!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
some food links...
No matter your opinion of Jamie's food or personality, you have to appretiate the good work he does Jamie Oliver TED prize
World of excess, feeling better about itself in a 100 mile challenge kind of way Worlds 50 Best Restaurant list
Good thing to read, well written Jay Rayner Food Blog
2 cool Saskatoon places Pine View Farms and Souleio
World of excess, feeling better about itself in a 100 mile challenge kind of way Worlds 50 Best Restaurant list
Good thing to read, well written Jay Rayner Food Blog
2 cool Saskatoon places Pine View Farms and Souleio
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
back update...
Tuesday I had my follow up appointment from my hospital stay. I thought at the time of booking that it was odd that I had to go to back to the hospital for it. Got there at 8:30 am, was admitted given a wrist band and sent down the halls of City Hospital. The last time I was there I couldn’t find anyone who knew what the colored shapes hanging from the hallway ceilings were there for. The blue triangles mean follow these to the place they put casts on, that is assuming you are going from the front lobby. If you are starting anywhere else I’m pretty sure they will take you to the lobby. Not sure where the red squares or yellow circles take you. The place where they put casts on, in addition to putting casts on and removing them, is also the place you go when you’ve been in the hospital for 10 days 1 month ago and they didn’t know what was wrong with you. On my arrival there I was quickly told to follow the red squares to go get X-rays. I know you’re thinking, “Hey now we know where the red squares go too!” Not so fast. I got to the X-ray place by following the red squares alright, but they didn’t stop there, they kept going, and in more than one direction. So, yeah, I guess you could say they go to X-ray. Anyway, after a short wait at the X-ray desk, then one more outside the X-ray room, then some X-ray taking, I was sent back to the place they put casts on. They did give me some comfy pants to wear, the exact kind they told me they didn’t have when I was in there before. After a little wait outside the cast room, and another longer wait inside the cast room I saw Dr. W. He seemed a little confused as to why I was there when I wasn’t his patient. Sweet. These banana-heads not only couldn’t figure out what the heck was wrong, but they couldn’t agree on who the Doctor was. I was having doubts myself. We looked at the X-rays and asked and answered all the same questions. What I know for sure is I didn’t and don’t have discitis. Maybe I’m younger than I thought.
So it is keep up with the exercises and stretches and hopefully I won’t be going back again…
So it is keep up with the exercises and stretches and hopefully I won’t be going back again…
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