UPS, my enemy

Now, I don't like to publicly call organizations or people out. But this time, I need to say something.

My Rogers Blackberry Flip phone recently has started to fail me. The external screen does not work. Rogers, with no hassle, offered to send me a new one since mine is still under warranty. On the phone, the Rogers rep asked me "Will you be available between 9 and 5 to sign for this package?" I told him that no, I wouldn't be and he sent the package.

I got a delivery notice a few days later from UPS. I have never had anything shipped with UPS before, as I usually get things from Canada Post or FedEx. They left a sticky-note type thing on my mail box. It says that they attempted to deliver a package from Rogers, it was the first attempt, that a signature is required yadda yadda.

Usually, after a failed attempt with Canada Post, you just go to the closet retailer to pick it up. They store it there until the next business day when they do their rounds. On this paper from UPS, there was no option to do that. I also did not see a phone number I could call to figure out where I could pick it up. The next day before going to work, I left a Post-It note with the notice that had been left saying "Try again after 5."

When I got home from work, I found another failed delivery notice that said the exact same thing. I noticed on the sticky note they left that it said "First attempt, second attempt, final attempt." I figured the next day would be the final attempt and they would leave it at the closest UPS store to me, which is on Dakota.

So on Thursday, I get home from work and I have the same sticky note. My mom noticed writing at the back of the sticky note, which, by the way, is about an 8 point type. There was a number on the back of the note, so I called it. I entered my account number and it said that my package would be available at my closest UPS outlet.

So, after dinner at 6:30 P.M, I went to the UPS store on Dakota to find out that their business hours were from 9-6. Come on, banks are open later than that!

So then today, I went to the UPS store to get my package. They had told me they don't keep them there but at a Warehouse on Dublin avenue (which is a good 30/40 minute drive my house). I asked if there would be a way to transfer my package from that warehouse to this outlet, and they said it would cost $5 since they are not 'actually' a UPS store.

Excuse me? Not actually a UPS store? Well, your sign says UPS. Your shirts say UPS. Hell, when I look it up on www.ups.ca, it says you're a UPS store. The owner gave me another lovely 1-800 number to call, which didn't help.

These are the solutions they gave me:

1. Switch the shipping address to the place I'd be between 9-5. Well, I just started a new job and I don't think I should be getting personal shipments there.

2. Stay at home while the package is expected to be delivered. Are you serious? I should totally inconvenience myself and lose money by not working to get a package? No, buddy. It doesn't work that way.

3. Return it to Rogers. But I really need the phone.

4. Get the package sent to this 'not really a UPS store' store for $5.

So when I get home, I waited a bit for my steam to cool off and I called Rogers. The guy I talked to was a doll and automatically offered to put $5.60 credit on my bill to cover the cost of transferring the package to the other location. So, then I was happy.

So I called the 1-800 number again and I said I wanted to get my package transferred. Well this guy said I wasn't allowed to do that. I have to be the one to physically sign for the package wherever it travels to from the warehouse. So I can't send it to another UPS store, nor can I have it sent to the Rogers store because I have to be the one to sign for it.

Oh yah, I forgot to let you know that this warehouse at the other end of the city, is only open 9-5:30. Do they not understand that people work during these times?

So I asked the guy what I could I do. He said sorry, that there was nothing he can do. So, I don't even know how I'm going to get my phone now because they work the same hours I do, apparently.

It shouldn't be this much of a hassle to get a package. I am the intended recipient - I should be able to sign a waiver and give permission to someone else to sign up for it. I should be able to pick up at the most convenient spot for me. I shouldn't be AT ALL inconvenienced by this process, but I am!

Ugh.

Jamaican me crazy

School is finally done.

I thought this moment would be more dramatic. That the skies would break, the sun would shine through, and angels would sing aahhhhhh. But no, nothing like that. Me, like many other CreComms, are finally being able to sleep a little better. I often wake up at 6am thinking I have somewhere to be, but it's getting better.

Tomorrow, I leave for Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Beacause of CreComm's schedule, I haven't been able to go on vacation during the 'peak' times like Spring Break and Christmas.

When I get back from Jamaica, I will be starting work at Manitoba Lotteries doing Communications work.

Lots of fun things to come, but I don't think I'll have enough time to blog regularly! So I'm sorry ya'll, have a great summer!

It's written on the wall

I am not a photographer by any means. I take pictures of pretty things I see. I don't have an SLR, I use my little green Canon point and shoot. One of my favourite things to take pictures of is when people write things on stuff. A lot of people think this is s a nuisance, but I think it's cool. It makes you think, who was right here where I was before me? What were they thinking, what were they feeling? There's just something about putting your words and pictures out there for people to see. It's a very unconventional art. Here are some pictures I have taken:

This is from the RRC lecture hall on a Thursday. It was on one of those power outlet/network connection things. I thought it was really cute. Someone was probably in that lecture theatre before me and all smitten. They probably

couldn't pay attention to class and doodled about their hunny all class. Very cute.

This one was also from the RRC lecture hall. Was a good 'pick-me-up' when I was having a bad day.

This was on a water tower in Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario. A lot of teenagers walked up to the water holding tank thing and wrote on it. You can see that a lot of stuff has been painted over. This was actually etched in to the metal though!

I hope you are able to read this. It reads 'This is Indian Land" on a railroad bridge. I saw this on the way to Blind River from Sault Ste. Marie. Thought it was very neat. Apparently they paint over this all the time but someone keeps writing it.

These hearts were taken whil

e walking on the River Walk between the Forks and the Legislative building. The first one is more of a bleeding heart.

This one is one of my favourites. I don't know why, I just really like it! Can you spot any thing that's written on the wall? Take a picture of it :)

crazy for coffee

Lately, i've been paying close attention to people coffee habits.

It seems weird to me, as a non-coffee drinker. People complain about not being able to function without their cup of java and will wait in lines longer than Walmart's just to get it.

Caffeine is an actual, legit addiction. Anyone who drinks even one cup a coffee a day regularly is considered addicted, and according to medicinenet.com, approximately 80% of the world's population consumes it on a daily basis.

As a non-coffee drinker, I find the whole obsessive-coffee drinking thing weird. I mean, it alters your mood, and some people can't function without it. It sounds like any other addiction, but it's socially acceptable.

Coffee has it's pros and cons. It does have antioxidants, has been proven to prevent Parkinson's disease, improves mental concentration, to name a few. But, it also has its downside. Some studies show that it may contribute to heart disease, it raises LDL levels (which contributes to higher cholesterol), affects blood vessels flow and function, messes up with your heart beat and of course DEPENDENCE!

Most doctors recommend that pregnant women stay away from coffee. I've heard of people who get headaches when they have tried to get 'off' coffee. Doesn't that send any signals that something isn't right about it?

It's just weird to me. What if someone were to say 'Ugh, sorry, I just haven't had my vodka today yet' - you would think they have a drinking problem. Not being able to function without a specific substance daily is an addiction and is NOT normal, no matter how many people do it!

info taken from:

http://www.medicinenet.com/caffeine/page5.htm

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/12/pros-and-cons-of-coffee-drinking.html

Cyclists

It's spring time in Winnipeg again, which means cyclists are out on the streets again.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think biking is great. It is great for the environment and it's good exercise. I just hate it when cyclists can't choose whether they want pedestrian rights or vehicle rights.

I was at the corner of Portage and Main yesterday. A cyclist saw the whole intersection was clear, and decided to go for it. He went half way through the intersection and then a car (who had a green light) just about hit him. Then he got mad at the driver!

I couldn't believe it. The cyclist was disobeying the rules of the road and had no right to be mad. He was in the wrong! But if the incident had caused an accident, we all know for a fact the person driving the vehicle would be blamed. I don't think that's fair at all. There should be consequences for cyclists that break the rules of the road, like: going through red lights, turning from the wrong turning lane or not signaling.

That's my rant for the day.

Stop by for a visit

As I was out rollerblading with my boyfriend today, I began to think about how people don't just 'stop by' anymore. When I was younger, we used to go around on our bikes or rollerblades and show up at people's houses just to say hi or stay for a short visit. These days, people don't do this much. I'm not sure if it's just something we do when we're young, or if the practice has stopped all together.

My best friend, Rachel, lives a few streets down from me. I used to show up at her house all the time completely unannounced. Today, I decided to do it again.

As I was rollerblading down her street, I felt guilty for just showing up without calling first. I don't understand why. She's my best friend, i've known her and her parents since I was 5 or 6 years old. It wouldn't be awkward at all, even if she wasn't at home. I ended up calling her before I got to her house. She wasn't home, but we decided to stop anyway to see her new dog.

It got me thinking of the idea of community. I live in south St.Vital, a pretty nice area and known to be very family friendly. I've lived in the same house for all my 21 years but have only ever known one of my neighbours. People on my street don't talk to each other. The kids don't play with each other. Street hockey games are never played anymore. I don't even know my neighbour's last name anymore. The only time we ever talk is when the sewer on the street is clogged with leaves and my dad and the next door neighbour go out with sticks and try to dislodge it.

I'd like to think I live in a community where my neighbours would call 9-1-1 if they saw something suspicious going on at my house. If my house caught on fire or someone was robbing it, they would have our backs. But I don't think if anyone would. We all just keep to ourselves.

Is everyone nowadays just too scared of the world? Or maybe just caught up in their own affairs, so they overlook the importance of knowing thy neighbour?

Everyday when I walk to school from my parking lot, I pass by a woman who is a crossing guard. She has a perma-frown. I always say hi to her and she smiles. I can tell she enjoys when I pass by. When you're walking in the city and someone smiles or says 'Hello', you might find it weird and maybe even become a little creeped out. Why is this?

Winnipegers fill up the Whiteshell, Falcon Lake, Lake of the Woods, Grand Beach, Winnipeg Beach, Gimli, Victoria Beach etc. during the weekends during the summer. When you go there, everyone waves to each other. Everyone says hi. Everyone seems so..friendly. It's like, when all these people leave this city atmosphere, they let their guard down. Maybe they just feel safer. It's the same people, just in a different atmosphere.

Maybe every community just needs a ring leader, someone to make the effort to connect everyone. Without it, everyone feels silly to step up and be the 'weird one'.

Maybe I'll step up and be that person. Ya, I think so.

Drive by shooting

Lately, I've been noticing a lot of signage that says positive things. On my way home from school, I see this sign from the Love Nest, Subway and Chiropractor and Harvest Bakery board:

"In life make your mark, but leave on stain"

I think about this quote a lot. I wrote a blog in October or so about making your mark. This quote is true in a lot of ways. It means that in your life you should do great things so that when you're gone, your memory lives on. People like Martin Luther King Jr. have left their mark. Hitler leaves a stain. Makes you wonder when you leave, if people think it's a mark or stain. That's why you should act in kindness with everything you do.

Here are some other billboards with positive messages: