Daily Rant for 2008-08-11

Just realized that the CD I recently reviewed for my sister blog is old enough that it lacks a UPC scanning code.

Although I own the means to convert VHS Tapes to DVD many old movies have been remastered since those days and sell at prices that rival do it yourself efforts. In putting away some old tapes I've now replaced with DVD's I noted that I purchased the replacement DVD's for less than I paid for the original VHS Tapes over 10 years ago. Do you remember the ridiculous prices charged for DVD's and the premium price charged for DVD's over VHS. Current pricing seems to indicate what I suspected all along; the public was being gouged, it's always been cheaper to produce a DVD than a VHS Tape.

Which brings me to another gripe. Why is Bell Canada still charging a premium for Touch Tone Phone technology. Touch Tone Dialing saves them money as it takes less online time and virtually everyone has it these days. The only reason we're still paying a premium for it is because it's good for Bell Canada's coffers and they can get away with it. Why should they be surprised when actions such as that drive their customers to seek alternatives?

I’m just back from a shopping trip, a task I do not particularly enjoy. The need to purchase new shaver blades took me to Personal Edge in Erindale Town Centre. It’s been several years since I’ve been there and finding it was part of the challenge. The subdivision that surrounds it grew since the plaza and its clock tower were built—alas the clock hasn’t worked for years. Apartment towers hide any view of the clock from Hwy 403—I drove past Winston Churchill and got at it from Erin Mills Pkwy. Couldn’t even recognize the entrance I normally use and customer service lacked mall guides. Stores seem to come and go but what struck me was the plethora of mobile phone kiosks and storefronts. This is still a regional centre and the music stores did not stock my esoteric tastes. Benix was sold out of stove top kettles—I’m going to need one for my RV. I found my primary objective and they had a stainless steel kettle, though $70.00 is a bit steep for my blood—believe I’ll wait. After a search the clerk found my new blades--$50.00, the shaver was only $75.00 new, but it still works. Found my way back to my car after dodging kids obviously back-to-school shopping and oblivious to the presence of anyone else in their world.

Decided to stop off at Longos on my way back and lacked my shopping list. I wasn’t able to find a flyer this week. Picked up a few things and discovered that corn is already available and people were busy shucking it in the store. They obviously don’t understand how fast corn starts aging once it’s cleaned or for that matter once it’s picked. Got myself 6 ears. When I got home realized I’ve used up all my butter so it would seem another shopping trip is in order.

I’m back from that second shopping trip. I should be embarrassed to admit I got lost going to Sobey’s on Third Line and Upper Middle. What I was thinking about when I took Neyagawa Blvd to Dundas I couldn’t say but eventually I got there. I don’t shop here often enough to find my way around I gave up and just walked the aisles. The one thing I didn’t find and got blank stares when I mentioned it was Shirataki Noodles. Guess I should have asked the group of local firemen who were in shopping in their T’s and workpants. As well I didn’t find macaroni and Soy Sauce—at least in decent sized bottles. It would seem Worcestershire Sauce is no longer in wide use, at least in this neighbourhood as they stock only one brand in a smallish bottle. One surprise in the fish section was finding along with the Herring Tidbits I expected to find Nova Scotia Solomon Gundy. At home it was made from scratch. This ditty was repeated since my early childhood:

Solomon Grundy,

Born on a Monday,

Christened on Tuesday,

Married on Wednesday,

Took ill on Thursday,

Grew worse on Friday,

Died on Saturday,

Buried on Sunday.

That was the end of

Solomon Grundy.