Bells online customer support

     So I had a question in regards to my contract end date with Bell Mobility. So I tried to call them, of course they were closed early on a Saturday night, so luckily I was near a computer and went to their online support instead.

     So after a 1 hour session with the rep, he was able to avoid all technical questions in regards to the IMEI and ICCID associated to the account, he was also not able to verify what in store rep made changes to the account and or what store location was the one that changed/renewed the contract that they have on file.

     He also did not show any indication that a warranty claim had been filed for the phone associated to the account. All he was able to do is provide the same date for the entire conversation.

     Now I can not say whether this is due to lack of system access or lack of training or not fully understanding what I was asking (And if so then he should of asked for clarification) or just unwillingness to provide full support. So for the time being I am going with the assumption that it is due to lack of system's unless I can prove otherwise.

     Now I did keep track of the entire conversation as it went along (it is posted below, names and dates and such have been edited for security reason's) for quality purposes.

     I also love the fact when asked for a call back by either customer care or a supervisor I was told that they can not do that........ Even AT&T Mobility does that....

     I definitely left feedback in the popup window you get when you go to close the chat window, that is also posted below.

     Lets just say at this point my faith in Bell Mobility is dwindling and I hope they can fix that. I have had this service/number since I moved to Nova Scotia and that has been over 15 years now.

Thank you for your patience an online representative will be with you shortly. Your wait time is approximately 1 minute(s).

You are chatting with John A.
Your name: Wilcre
Your number: ***-***-****
Your question: I have a question about my current Commitment period end date. 21:26

• Sir John A: Hi there William!
• Sir John A: No worries, I'm here for you I can definitely assist you with the contract.
• Sir John A: May I know what is it?
• Wilcre: Commitment period end date January 03, 20**
• Sir John A: Yes, would you like to double check it?
• Wilcre: I would like to know what renewed the contract, the last time it should of been renewed is when I got the Sony Xperia™ T
• Sir John A: I see, let me check it. I see that your account is protected by a pin. Can I have that, too? For me to be able to validate and secure your account.
• Wilcre: Sure not a problem it is ****
• Sir John A: Perfect! Thank you very much for the information, William.
• Wilcre: not a problem
• Sir John A: I'll review the log on your account. By the way how's our day today?
• Wilcre: thank you, and it was pretty good. thank you for asking.
• Sir John A: Great that is good to know. Let me see if I can make it perfect.
• Sir John A: I see here that you make a upgrade last January 4, 20** right?
• Wilcre: there was a upgrade but that should of been done sooner than that. does the account reflect when i claimed a warranty replacement for my sony, they had given me a Motorola as a temp phone to use.
• Sir John A: Yes, what I see here is that the contract starts on that date and on a three years contract.
• Wilcre: So with a warranty claim the contract is renewed again?.
• Sir John A: Let review it further.
• Sir John A: I see here that the upgrade started on January 4, 2013 and the contract didn't extend at all.
• Wilcre: can you confirm when it was I filed the warranty claim for the Sony Xperia™ T
• Wilcre: *Please
• Sir John A: Sure, let me check on it.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid but the warranty replacement was not recorded here on the account.
• Wilcre: can you confirm in the system when I was using a different IMEI than I am now, the first date that shows up would indicate the day I sent the phone in for repair and then when it changes again is the date when I got the Sony Xperia™ T back again.
• Sir John A: I see here that it is register last January 4, 2013 and the phone was not change. Did they repair the phone?
• Wilcre: Yes it was a internal battery issue with the phone. I know they didnt change the IMEI on the account; however the IMEI would of changed for the authentication in the system for when I got the temp phone and then again when I got the Sony back again.
• Sir John A: Yes, the thing is that I didn't see any record here that the commitment was change.
• Wilcre: ok just a second please.
• Sir John A: Sure, no worries.
• Wilcre: ok I am back, 21:58
• Sir John A: Great!
• Sir John A: What do you mean by the 21:58?
• Sir John A: Is that for the time?
• Wilcre: do you or your tech department have access to a system that records/lists the IMEI's and ICCID's that are associated and ro used on my account?. if so thenwe can confirm when the Sony Xperia™ T was originally purchased and placed on my account, from the papaer work I ahve been able to find I got the phone in the middle to start
• Wilcre: *start of 20** not 20**.
• Wilcre: sorry the 21:58 was copied over from a personal chat I have going with another person.
• Sir John A: Oh I see, no worries, let me verify the 20** logs again..
• Sir John A: I carefully check the logs for 2012 and I'm afraid but there's no records on it that it started on that date. I see here that it stared on the first month of 2013. That is what I see here base on the information on the account.
• Wilcre: Does your system show when I got the calling plan I have now?.
• Sir John A: Yes, I see here that the plan started on January 04, 20** that is the time when the upgrade is made.
• Wilcre: Does the system show you or can you find out on that date what store location renewed the contract?.
• Sir John A: I see here that when the contract started it was never renewed or extended.
• Sir John A: If the phone is repaired it would not extend the contract.
• Wilcre: Does the system show you or can you find out what store location started the contract?.
• Sir John A: Are you referring on the store where you activated the upgrade?
• Wilcre: I am trying to clarify what store started the contract currently on the account, I need to know if it was the store that did the warranty claim or the store I got the phone from, they are different stores in different cities.
• Sir John A: Let me see if I can find it.
• Wilcre: They are commissioned based their sales ID should be on the account.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid that is not recorded on this system .
• Wilcre: So the notes do not reflect what a in store agent does to the account by their ID or name or such!.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid yes, the system are not showing on what store does the upgrade happen.
• Wilcre: does ti show for the calling plan!.
• Sir John A: Your rate plan change to Fab 10 Promo 65 - 36M last January 4, 20**.
• Wilcre: ok by what store location, only 2 agents had access to my account, i need to know what one.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid that the store location is not shown here.
• Wilcre: does it state a store number possibly?.
• Sir John A: No store Id is reflected. It gives Application number which is ********.
• Wilcre: Unfortunately that doesn't help me without full access to your internal systems.
• Sir John A: I understand you. If you want you may call our client care department for they are using different system from us and they have more access than us here on chat. Would you like to get the number?
• Wilcre: unfortunately unless I speak to tech support customer care is closed as per the IVR which is why I have come to the online department.
• Sir John A: I see, I'm afraid that please contact the said department again tomorrow. For this is the only information I have in our system.
• Sir John A: I'll do everything that I can the thing is that is the only information here on the account. I hope you understand.
• Sir John A: For now would that be all to serve you?
• Wilcre: Are you able to have either have a supervisor or customer care call me tomorrow after 15
• Wilcre: Are you able to have either have a supervisor or customer care call me tomorrow after 15:00 AST.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid but we can't set up a call back.
• Wilcre: Sorry first line got cut short.
• Sir John A: For now would that be all to serve you?
• Wilcre: Are you able to leave detailed notes on the account for me so that all they have to do is read the notes instead of me having to re-explain everything to them when I call back in again.
• Sir John A: Absolutely! I'll explain the situation on the account and leave a notes here. To serve as their reference once you call.
• Wilcre: ok thank you then. that is all. have a good night sir. 22:36.
• Sir John A: You too have a good night! It's been a pleasure assisting you regarding the contract! Thank you for choosing Bell mobility. Have a great day, William! Smile always!
• Sir John A: Bye for now! Cheers!

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When asking the rep for detailed info in reguards to my contract, he was only able to provide the month, day and year. When asked what agent put the current rate plan in to place he could not provide that information, nor could he provide the store location that put the plan in to place. The agent also stated that he could not confirm when the ICCID on the account changed and then changed back again, He was also unable to find any mention on the account about a warranty claim that was filed on my Sony Xperia™ T.  Either the online customer care reps need more access to the systems to locate this information or the information should be listed in the system, that is going with the assumption that the representitive was not misleading me and just kept me online for a hour. Full transcript of the conversation is available if you dont already have a copy of it for quality assurance purposes.

Total character limitation: 900. I had to reduce the word "Information" to "Info" to make everything fit. Heck, a MMS can handle a higher character count then their "additional info" section can.

And just in case I have the gallows ready and waiting for Bell Mobility.

Benefit and silent auction

On Saturday July 12th from 18:00 to 00:00 there will be a benefit/silent auction with a dance held at the North Woodside Community center (230 Pleasent St in Dartmouth). This event is being held to financially help Roger Cruickshank and his family due to his diagnosis of bladder cancer. Roger was diagnosed with bladder cancer back in September 2013, and sionce then the cancer has spread and gone to his bones as well. During this time he has been working but unfortunately he does not have any benefits from his employer. Now as of May 22nd of 2014 Roger was told he could no longer work by his oncologist. So if you can not attend the function you can still donate something/anything for the silent auction it is greatly appreciated by Roger and his family. More information can be obtained by contacting Angie Smith (Rogers sister) at 1-902-435-4449 or 1-902-499-0885.

Canadian diabetes association

So I was given a info packet today for a clothing bin, so I sat down to actually read it and it was from the Canadian diabetes association, The gentleman that gave me the packet was very friendly and dressed in business casual clothing which was a very welcome change from seeing people in a full blown business suit.
The information was very easy to read and understand and well presented. This is definitely something that everyone should look into and not just from the Canadian diabetes association but other companies that do the same thing as well. The only thing this does is help the people that need it and shows that we as a whole are good people and help when we can where we can.
So please give the info below a look over (It has all been summarized from the info that I was given) and see if there is anything that you can do be it donation, support or volunteer work.
ClothesLine
Canadian Diabetes Association
1-800-505-5525
Diabetes is an epidemic not only in Canada but in the world and currently in Canada alone there are 9 Million people affected by diabetes or prediabetes. Type 2, the form of diabetes that normally happens/develops later in life is on the growth and being seen in people as young as 11 year olds. The Canadian Diabetes Association works with companies and people and communities on whole to help and try and eliminate diabetes.

The Canadian diabetes Association’s clothesline program collects used or new clothing and household donations from communities by either pre-arranged pick-ups or by collecting the items  from their clothing drop box’s that are throughout cities and towns.

The box’s are checked every day (excluding Christmas day and New Years day) so the box is never over filled or looking bad while on your property. In the off chance that the box becomes full before the regular pick-up happens’ you can contact them and they will come again and empty it to alleviate the situation.

By having a Canadian diabetes Association’s clothesline box you are helping the environment and the less fortunate by creating less garbage to go to landfills.

Should you have further questions and or you are interested in obtaining a Canadian diabetes Association’s clothesline box you can contact Canadian diabetes Association at 1-800-505-5525 or online at www.diabetes.ca or  www.diabetes.ca/clothesline

Random Faq’s
• Clothesline raises more than 30 Million annually.
• There are over 2100 donation bins.
• 1.7 million households (not unique) are visited annually.
• 42+ million Kg’s are diverted from landfills annually.
o This means 766+million kWh is saved annually.
o This also reduces our carbon footprint by 105+ million Kg’s of CO2 emissions.
• Clothesline has been operating since 1985.
• More than 7+ million given to research last year.
• Has camps for children (1600) with diabetes that live with type 1 diabetes.

Some of the sponsors/supporters/hosts
• Canadian Tire
• Esso
• Foodland
• The Home Depot
• Home Hardware
• Petro-Canada
• Rona
• Safeway
• 7 Eleven
• Shell
• Shoppers drug mart
• Sobeys
• Walmart

PlayOn Halifax

Good evening my fellow readers I am coming to you once more to let you know of a local even that will be happening here in Halifax very soon, once again this year Ultramar is a major sponsor of Hockey Night in Canada's Play On! Halifax Street Hockey Tournament. With over 500 teams and 4,000 participants the event it is continuing to grow every year.

Just lik last year, each Ultramar store in Nova Scotia (34 in total) will be raffling off a jersey (Play on, 4 on 4) to promote this event. The jersey is displayed somewhere visible when walking in to the store. The contest begins on May 9 and ends on June 9 The draws will be done at each store on June 10 2014.

Anyone can fill out a ballot while at the store, 1 ballot per customer per visit. Anyone can make as many visits each day as you like or you can visit more than 1 store and fill out a ballot at each store. The only people that are not allowed to participate is a Ultramar (Cst "parent company name") employee('s) or affiliate('s).

So with the play on! 4 on 4 event happening on June 14 & 15 2014 All ages and all skill levels are welcome to play by registering at www.playon.ca nowthe team registration closes as of June 8 2014.

There is more information available online at that link or by calling the following number 1-902-240-2748. The event is being held again this year atthe Halifax commons so there will be plenty of room for spectators to cheer everyone on in good sportsman like fashion.

Now all the sponsors for this event as like last year are all local people and the sponsors are as follows (in no particular order).

1. Tim Hortons
2. Hockey Nova Scotia
3. PODS4. The Chronicleherald
5. Ultramar
6. Cineplex
7. Scion
8. Halifax Mooseheads
9. GoodLife Fitness
10. Best Westrn Plus (Chocolate Lake)
11. UPS
12. Hockey Life
13. CBCSports.ca
14. Booster Juice
15. Stub Hub!

You can also follow PlayOn! on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/hnicplayon or look on Twitter for the Twitter tag #BestWeekendEver

I hope this entices people to either register and play and or go out and support the local people that have and or will register to play.

Persistent persistence

So I have been searching and searching for some time and I have finally found the regulations that are supposed to be followed when anyone is pumping gas at a gas Station, this information was definitely not easy to find, but in this case persistence paid off. Weeeeehhhoooooo.

The information I am stating is a summary of the copy and paste that I did below from on the online site with the link to the direct information for verification.

So with the information I have found I have been able to confirm (for Nova Scotia and possibly for all of the Maritimes but can not confirm) it is illegal for any employee to allow you to dispense fuel while your vehicle is still in operation (defined as the engine is still in operation and not shut off). You also can not smoke within 7.5M of any pump and the same for boosting a vehicle with a defective battery and or starter system.

Now alot of people get upset over the fact of boosting their vehicle or having to shut their vehicle off while pumping the fuel, but moat people do not realize that if the employee that is working allows you to do any of those items and a inspector comes in to the station and sees this happening there will be a fine issued not only to the employee but also to the person that is performing this violation, now I have not been able to get a concrete answer as to what the fine is for either parties but it has been confirmed when presented to police officers as well as the local fire marshal.

Now I have as most of you have also noticed that there are some gas stations around that have Sighe up also indicating that the use of cellular devices while pumping gas can not be used, nowhere in any of the information I have found online or by verbal inquiry have confirmed that it is illegal for people to use their cellphones, so why is it that these gas stations have these signs up and enforce this rule when it is not currently on the books for enforcement?.

made under Section 84 of the Environment Act 
S.N.S. 1994-95, c. 1 O.I.C. 96-57 (January 31, 1996), N.S. Reg. 21/96 as amended up to O.I.C. 2000-200 (April 19, 2000, effective June 15, 2000), N.S. Reg. 62/2000

Restrictions on activities near dispensing units 
13 (1) No person shall smoke within 7.5 m of a motive fuel dispensing unit where motive fuel is being dispensed.

(2) No person shall operate the engine or motor of a vehicle into which motive fuel is being dispensed.

(3) No person shall use jumper cables for the purpose of starting a vehicle, within 7.5 m of a motive fuel dispensing unit.

(4) No person shall dispense motive fuel

(a) into the tank of a vehicle while the engine or motor of the vehicle is in operation;

(b) while a person is smoking within 7.5 m of a motive fuel dispensing unit where motive fuel is being dispensed; or

(c) while a person is using jumper cables for the purpose of starting a vehicle, within 7.5 m of a motive fuel dispensing unit.

(5) The approval holder at an outlet or place at which motive fuel is stored shall post in a conspicuous place on or near the pumps or place from which motive fuel is dispensed a no smoking symbol and post a sign warning that smoking, jump-starting a motor vehicle or operating a motor vehicle while motive fuel is being dispensed, is prohibited.

(6) Nothing in this Section prohibits the operation of a vehicle if the operation of the motor or engine is required for the delivery of motive fuel.

Effective date 
17 These regulations come into effect on, from and after February 1, 1996.

[*Effective January 22, 2013, the Emergency Spill Regulations, N.S. Reg. 59/95, are replaced by theEnvironmental Emergency Regulations, N.S. Reg. 16/2013.]

also the contact email which I have sent off a email to and will update this blog once I get a reply is regofregs@gov.ns.ca

This information came from this link:. http://www.novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/envmfuel.htm

The New force

So Ultramar is running a promo for a new drink that they have had made specifically for them.

The drink is called U-Force, the introductory price is $0.99 pliant tax and deposit for it.

How ever on May 9 and 10th And 16th and 17th you can get a free bottle of this new drink at no cost with the purchase of any other beverage (Excluding any type of hot beverage or if in Quebec or New Brunswick alcoholic beverages as well).

There is a limit though unfortunately of 1 bottle per person per day if you go to the same Ultramar.

There is a toral of 4 flavours available to choose from as well, So far the feedback on the drinks are that they are good, but very similar to Gatorade but at a better price.

Also they currently have their Bens Bread for $1.99 a loaf.

Attempted murder anyone

So as I am sure that everyone is aware there have been several incidents this year and last year of people being hit in crosswalks for 1 reason or another.

Now I am not gonna say that the fault lies with the driver of the vehicle or the pedestrian, but rather it is a 50/50 fault to start with.

Now I have done 2 other short blogs about each side of the situation from both perspectives.

I know from personal experience that alot of drivers are not paying attention when they are driving. I personally always stay on the sidewalk till all the traffic on both sides of the road have come to a stop and make sure that the driver('s) see me.

With that being said there are still times that while I am starting to cross the road another vehicle will try and pass the stopped cars and come very close to hitting me. I have also seen this happen other times to other people as well and of course I never have a recording device out to capture the incident

Now at the same time I have also waited on the side of the road at a marked crosswalk to cross the road and numerous cars do not slow down or even stop for me to cross the road.

Now what prompted me to do this blog/rant was this tweet that was sent out today from Haligonia.

@haligonia: Driver ticketed after pedestrian hit on Oxford & Coburg http://t.co/YgXpk8s7Iq
m.twitter.com/haligonia

A 31-year-old man was issued a summary offence ticket under section 125(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. This ticket carries a fine of $693.95 and four points on a driver’s license upon conviction.

I ask what is the point of issuing a "summary offence ticket under section 125(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk." when this obvious effect on anyone for the fact that this is happening more and more.

The offence should also come with a criminal charge as well for either attempted murder (if the person does not die) or murder (if the person does die) "or the possibly of a lesser charge of attempted manslaughter and or manslaughter itself; now this is if the driver of the vehicle is found guilty of course.

Now if the pedestrian is guilty of causing the incident then they should be criminally charged as well because they are just as liable as the driver is if they caused it, however I have not been able to get any specifics as to what they can be charged with, if you know please comment and let me know.

To wrap this up I do believe that this would be the only wake up call that could be made so people start to take this issue on a more serious note.

Inclusive tax's

So I downloaded and read the Canadian tax journal (regarding the inclusion of taxes on items) a couple of days ago. This is a good read if you have nothing else do to and want to be bored.

The reason for me to do this because I have always wondered why taxs are not included on items when we buy them at a store.

So what I found was that the bill was passed allowing it to be done, however it was left open and uninforced in all provinces.

The reason they have not enforced it is because not all provinces charge the same rate if tax, 2 provinces don't even charge taxes on all items.

However all provinces have the taxes include for oil and gas and the such. They also say that not all provinces charge the same actual type of tax, which is true by name only; then you also run in to the issue if you buy something online what tax should be charged and collected on the item.

The government is looking at this as a whole picture and not on a smaller scale. Why is it that the taxes can not be included in the items for the sticker price inside the store but when you go to pay for them they are broken down on the receipt like gas and oil is.

Now when it comes to buying something online you are charged the tax according to the province it is from and not where you live. By doing that all the province's still get the proper amount of taxes on everything that is sold.

Now no one can say that this can not be done for it has been done in a couple locations in Ontario, now mind you they were for governmental companies to buy their supplies from, but still it can and has been done.

Canada’s system of conspicuously adding gst and pst onto everything you buy is like having Brian Mulroney sticking his thumbs in his ears and wiggling his fingers every time you buy a chocolate bar. Kelly McParland, Financial post,March 2, 1993

Question of age

So ALC and the NSLC both randomly put up pictures questioning you if the people pictured in these photos are of age.

Now sure they always post at the bottom which of them are of age and who of them are not of age.

Now both companies always state that when in doubt always ask for identification of the person wanting to be served. If no ID and or not of age then they are not to be served.

So my question is why is it that they put the ages of these people up for if you are being asked if they are of age then they should be asked for their ID to purchase the item in question.

The fines from both of the respectful agencies is a large one and most companies now are no longer covering any part of the fine because it is on the worker to make sure they are doing what they are legally required to do.

Local charity

There is a local charity event that will be happening on February 1, 2014 at the Dartmouth North community centre at 105 Highfield Park Dr in Dartmouth from 10an to 2pm.

They are selling brand name adult winter clothing, crafts, antiques & jewelry.

All proceeds are being donated to local cat rescue programs. This event is being hosted by the Cat Angel Network.

If you have a chance you should stop by and check it out it is a very worthy cause.

Pedestrians and crosswalks

     So I have been doing some light research lately on Crosswalks. The information I have found is from the "Summary Offence Ticket Booklet" I got online from the DMV which was current as of the date I downloaded it and last updated as of effective September 1, 2012.

     The first thing I have found is that Failing to yield to a pedestrian in crosswalk or even stopped and facing a crosswalk is a violation of section 125 subsection (1) (There is also the stipulation for a median divided road as well "roadway on which vehicle is travelling in roadway divided by median section 125 subsection (2)", this has the same fines and demerit points as subsection "1") of the "Motor Vehicle Act", there is a Out of Court Settlement option ('Guilty plea') The first offence will cost you $687.41, the second offence will then cost you $1262.41 and the final and subsequent offence will then cost you $2412.41.

     Now you also have the option in which to take it to court and fight the charge if you believe you have been charged for the offense unjustly, However if you do take this option and lose the cost of the fine will increase. Now if found guilty in court or if you plea guilty on your own their is the added fine of 4 demerit points that come off of your license as well.

     Now the question I pose is this. How does a pedestrian prove that the driver did not stop while he/she was trying to cross the road at a marked crosswalk?. Is the pedestrian able to video record the incident (where as most people now have wireless devices that can record high quality video and sound on them at almost all times)? If so who would they then take it to to report the incident; and would the would be offender be charged for the offense?.

     Leave a comment below and let me know what you think and or know.

Youth who are a minimum of 16 years old are considered adults when charged with offences under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations.

Vehicles and crosswalks

     So I have been doing some light research lately on Crosswalks so I thought I would also look up the information on what would happen if the pedestrian was in the wrong with crossing the street like I did for for a driver of a vehicle was in the wrong, so here we go.

     The information I have found is from the "Summary Offence Ticket Booklet" I got online from the DMV which was current as of the date I downloaded it and last updated as of effective September 1, 2012.

     All the fines are the same despite the section and or subsection that is violated for this situation.
1st offence - $399.91
2nd offence - $687.41
3rd/Subsequent offence - $1262.41

     If a pedestrian moves into the path of a vehicle while in motion and it is impractical for that vehicle to come to a safe complete stop the pedestrian is then in violation of section 125 subsection (3) of the Motor Vehicle Act.

     If a pedestrian leaves the curb or any other place of safety to cross a roadway when the pedestrian-activated beacon is not activated for the pedestrian to cross the road then the pedestrian is in violation of section 125 subsection (4) of the Motor Vehicle Act.

     If a pedestrian cross's the road outside of marked crosswalk zone and fails to yield right of way to the on coming traffic, then the pedestrian is in violation of section 125 subsection (5) of the Motor Vehicle Act.

     Now the question I pose is this. How does a driver prove that the pedestrian did not stop while he/she was driving down the road?. Is the driver able to video record the incident (where as most people now have wireless devices that can record high quality video and sound on them at almost all times; For example having the wireless device mounted on a dash mounted phone holder recording everything that is happening from the front windshield out)? If so who would they then take it to to report the incident; and would the would be offender be charged for the offense?.

     Leave a comment below and let me know what you think and or know.

Youth who are a minimum of 16 years old are considered adults when charged with offences under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations.

Where was that audible sound from

     While I was researching License plates and crosswalk rules, I came across something interesting. it is Section 114 subsection A which is listed as Failing to give audible signal before passing.

     What is defined as an audible signal when driving a vehicle?. Are you supposed to honk your horn at the vehicle in which you wish to pass. If so how many honks are you supposed to do before you do pass them?.

     Also if you are supposed to honk your horn at them could that not cause more harm than good! By doing that you could startle the other driver and thus be the cause of an accident.

     This is definitely 1 Motor Vehicle Act that I would love to have posed to an officer and or traffic division judge for clarification on.

     Leave a comment below and let me know what you think and or know.

     Failing to give audible signal before passing Section 114 subsection A Out of Court Settlement which has the out of court fines of 1st offence - $284.91, 2nd offence - $457.41, 3rd/Subsequent offence - $802.41

License Plates

     So I have been doing some light research lately on license plates. The information I have found is from the "Summary Offence Ticket Booklet" I got online from the DMV which was current as of the date I downloaded it and last updated as of effective September 1, 2012.

     So I have found that not completely clearing your license plate of snow or anything else that is concealing it or partially concealing it is a chargeable offense by the police or thereof of the DMV  if viewed while the vehicle is in operation.

     This is pursuant to Section 20 subsection 2 of the "Motor Vehicle Act" within Nova Scotia. The first offence will cost you $227.41, the second offence will then cost you $342.41 and the final and subsequent offence will then cost you $572.41.

     Now these fines are the out of court cost. If you do take this to court to try and fight the charge, the charge will then increase.

     So why is it that more people do not clear their license plates off and or why is it that the proper authorities are not enforcing this requirement? Is it due to not knowing this requirement for the average driver or is it a low priority for the proper authorities in which to enforce this law!.

Youth who are a minimum of 16 years old are considered adults when charged with offences under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations.

Drive Thru's

     So what is with drive thru's these days?

     Drive Thru's were originally used for expiated service for customers! however this day and age people claim that they are there for the same reason and nothing has changed.

     This could not be further from the truth. the next time you go to a location that has a drive thru available take a look at the last vehicle in line before you go in to the store and check again when you leave for the same vehicle, 9 times out of 10 that same vehicle is still in line and awaiting to pull up to the window to get their product.

     In most situations there are a couple things that make the drive thru slower than being served in store in no particular order.

     (Normally most businesses have more people working the drive thru than any other station in the store to try and make it more efficient but in most cases it makes it very inefficient instead).

1. Customers not knowing what they want to get.
2. Customers not having their payment method ready when they have to pay.
3. Being allowed to place large orders.
4. Employee's taking their time.
1. Employee's spending time talking to the customers after the transaction is finalized.

     So why is it that the drive thru is now slower than being served inside majority of the time?.

     Prime example is now most subways I have been to lately either have a sign up or will tell their customers not to be using their wireless devices while placing their order, if the customer does not abide by that they will skip that customer and go to the next one till that person is done using the wireless device.

     By doing that they are not holding up their other customers and wasting time, it is also placing ownership of the customers back on to them for the time spent their and not on the employee's for being frustrated by the customers by not co-operating with the employee that is simply trying to do their job.

     Now we have Tim Horton's drive thru, they will sell anything that they have in the store through their drive thru and in any amount. There have been numerous times I have been in the store and seen the employee's making numerous sandwiches or a couple trays of coffee's and taking it to the drive through window to give to a customer.

     What is the point of going through the drive through to order something that size. That type of transaction should be done in the store instead.

     The thing most people do not realize is that most if not all companies have a time limit for each transaction being conducted at the drive through and that in turn goes towards their appraisals when they are done.

     In summary, people need to get up off of their arses and stop being so lazy and go inside and leave the drive thru alone for the people that are getting 1 or 2 quick serve items in the drive through.

Never take the blame

So why is it that society this day and age does not take responsibility for their own errors?

     If you are having issues and an employee of the establishment gives you help by verbally informing on what to do and how to do it and you confirm you heard it all and understand what you are told.

Why it's it then when you do not follow the instructions that you were given and confirmed That you understood.

     What makes it worse is that there are also instruction on a card right in front of you with good size font so that it can be read where you were standing.

     After your transaction is done you proceed to then complain that you did not get your store discount and continue to push the issue after that employee that helped you reconfirmed to you again politely after the information that was given to you and then proceeds to point out the information that was readily available to be read where you were and where the information was available to you as well.

     With that being said how is it anyone's fault other than your own that you did not do what you were suppose to do with the information verbally given and available in written text in front of where you did the transaction.

     People in my opinion really need to start taking responsibility for their own errors and or mistakes and Stop blaming other people for their mistakes. We are not children but people of and or above the age maturity.

 

*These pictures were only used due to being handy and available at the time and are not specific to the situation posted above.

Cash Tendered

     So what is it with people and them paying for what they get in full, can you really go to a grocery store and get stuff there and not have all the money to pay for it in full or at all and still take it all home with you?

     Or would you have to put back stuff till you reach the monetary balance that you had enough to pay for before you can leave the store with the stuff you picked up.

     So why is it that people think that gas stations are any different? I mean come on you go there knowing you need to get gas (or possibly something else) and yet get upset when asked for the full amount for the gas that you just put in to your vehicle. Have we as human beings taken the definition of entitlement to a whole New level? I mean we are lucky here in Nova Scotia employers are not permitted to actually collect on shortages; however that does not mean that they can not take other action that can and does lead up to termination of your employment.

     People have to remember that these people at gas stations and such are generally at minimum wage or just above if they are lucky.

     So the next time you go to a gas station remember you are dealing with a minimum wage employee and if you short them on what you owe you can be the cause or them losing their job then you have to choice but to quite possibly pay for then to be on assistance if they can't get employment insurance.

The triple belly buster

Ok so I took the chance of stuffing myself today at Cheese Curds in Burnside by ordering the triple belly buster from them. Total cost for the burger by itself was $12.59 taxs in. When it was given to me there was a wooden spike in it (There is no other way to describe it) to hold it together. Of course me not listening took it out and attempted to eat the burger (the only extras I got on the burger were pickles and onions and chipolte mayo) which failed miserably, note to self and everyone else do not remove the spike from the burger. The burger it self is massive and as per the other burgers very delicious and very filling to say the least. Now for the nitty gritty if you can eat this burger (Even with the spike in it)  without making a mess; then you are eating it completely wrong and should be made to do dishes as punishment. So what are you all waiting for? Get you Twitter butt (Facebook Butt) to CheeseCurds located at 600 Windmill Rd in Burnside right away and get anyone of these fine and delicious mouth watering burgers (And if you have room, the fries and or routine as well). You do not know what you are missing out on.

Handicap spots and idiot's

    So this has been on my mind for some time and finally I have time in which to put this down for all to read. I work in a customer service business in which me and all other employee's have access to view the entire parking lot at all times of the day and night. As all business's have we have parking spots for customer's and employee's to use. Of which there is about 8 or 9 spots total; 1 of those spots is designated for handicap people with proper documentation in and or on their vehicle to use.

    Now with this when we all go for our driving exam and or test we are all told and taught not to park in the handicap spot('s) ("unless otherwise permitted to do so") out of courtesy and requirement by the law. However it appears that this day and age no one cares about what is right and or wrong any more in regards to this and other matters.

    So why is it that people still park in the handicap spots and feel they have the right to do so?. I see soo many people do this it is ridiculous and when it is pointed out to them they get upset that you noticed and said something to them.

    Case in point. I was working a shift starting from 3pm and ending at 11pm 1 winter night. During that time there was about 10 vehicles parking in that spot. Surprisingly all but 1 took it nicely when I told them they were parked in a handicap spot and 1 even moved their vehicle and came back in and finished their transaction. However 1 person took severe offense to it and even said that there were no markings showing the spot as such. Now granted it had been snowing all day and all night. However I also had been spending my entire shift clearing the parking spots of snow and ice. I indicated to this person that had he been paying attention he would of seen the Handicap spot painting that is under his truck, I even pointed it out to him and said also he will be able to see it when he backs his vehicle up. I am starting to think that maybe just maybe all handicap spots may have to start looking like this.

Pay attention and you shall see this.

This is the evolution of handicap spots if we don't do something quickly.

    So I did some researching on what it would cost if a police officer was to see this and issue a ticket for parking in a handicap spot, the information is below with links to the source of the information as well.

    Now the same thing goes as well for "Fire Lanes". There are numerous people that will also park in a fire lane and feel justified about doing it as well. Are we as a society becoming so ignorant to the rules set forth that we no longer care either?. Information and source link also for this fine is listed below as well.

    Now case in point on June 02, 2013 in reference to the rules and regulations I was making a left hand turn from one road to another that also has a cross walk on it, now when there is someone in the crosswalk they have the right away until they are clear of the road entirely. So naturally I stopped and was awaiting this person to finish crossing the street before I continue on. However the person behind me did not like this and went around me and came within 1 meter of hitting the person crossing the street legally. Luckily I was able to get a shot of the plate and sent it to the police, now if anything came of that I do not know.

This car just went around me when I was stopped for someone in a crosswalk on Victoria rd.

    Here is a great Blog for some additional stats and info on crosswalks and other crosswalk data as well done by John McKiggan.

    I have even got to the point now of having a video camera with me every day just in case in see any infractions like this again so that they can be reported and action taken on the person that is putting other people in jeopardy.

    There was also a recent Article from Global News about an App called “SpotSquad” which would unleash a lot of parking bounty hunters. Currently they say it violates our rights because everyone is entitled to their privacy, however if you are breaking the law what right do you have to privacy, If I can see it why cant anyone else? The police can already issue a ticket if they see you breaking the law, so why can they not act on it if you report it to them and then they confirm it. Your privacy is inside your vehicle not the outside of it in public. To date it is still being debated and I say go for it, bring it out for the people to use, in the end we would have less violators doing the things that should not be done.

    A fire lane is a marked lane in a parking lot that is near a structure. Parking is prohibited in fire lanes to ensure the access of safety equipment to the structure in the event of an emergency. Fire lanes are defined as passageways or access roads that allow fire apparatuses to pass through. They are not intended for normal vehicle traffic. There are certain requirements that must be met when designing a fire lane. Because fire trucks and other apparatuses are so large, there must be certain accommodations made for them. Though these can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, they are generally similar. Fire Lanes also provide clear space for egress from a burning building and should therefore be wider for larger occupancy buildings.

Source Info: http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/sots/NSSOTbooklet.pdf

My name is Wilcre and you can follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/

Windmill Rd Cheese Curds in Burnside

     So I went to Cheese Curds in Burnside today located at 600 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, Their hours are quite good, they cover lunch and supper times and somewhat late in to the evening (Hours are posted at the bottom of this).

     So when I first walked in, I was quite surprised. The place is massive (They can accommodate just over 300 in the entire place). On the right hand side you have Cheese Curds and on the left hand side you have Habaneros. Doing it this way has left the entire front of the store for seating and standing area, as well it funnels you down to the bathrooms at the back as well as the lines for each restaurant as well.

     Now at the back they also have a "Conference room" with good size seating as well to accommodate for staff meetings for near by business's. They will also cater to your place of work; But you do have to have your order in to them before 10am for that to be done. They also have a upper level which can accommodate about 100 people.

     Now just about anywhere you are while inside you have view of some nice flat screen televisions which is very nice. They also have modern music playing in the back ground as well.

     The staff that I seen today was very nice and upbeat and more than willing to help a Cheese Curds Virgin pick out the right stuff to get and make sure I have everything that I wanted as well. Surprisingly as well when I was placing my order the employee tried to upsell me a beer... Yep that is right, they have beer on tap as well as in bottles (not a big selection, but hey at least they have it there...).

     All the staff their were all doing their own jobs by making fries and the hamburger patties and such, but yet they all were working as a team and interacting with each other the entire time I was there. Now if only more places of business like that were working like that together it would be better.

     So when I placed my order I got the Legendary CC Porker + Cheese Curds’ Original Poutine with a fountain drinking spending a total of $18.11. I thought I would start off with something simple and with what I was hearing people talk about.

     So once I paid for my order they gave me a custom coaster that lights up and vibrates when your order is ready. In total It only took about 5 minutes before I was able to get my food and before I even got it I was asked if I had been waiting long for my food; Which was/is phenomenal to say the least.

     So I got my food. Now the decision is to figure out where it is I want to sit? Upstairs or Downstairs. I choose to sit upstairs. I figured go with the upstairs to get a good view of the place and the employee's to watch as everything goes on.

     Even though they were busy I found a table very easily and it was clean. I sit down and finally get to take a good look at the food. It looked amazing, then I got the smell from it. My mouth instantly started to water, it smelled soo good I could not believe it. Like I said to @ADHD123Sue on Twitter I was having a MouthGasm and it did not stop till I was done eating and left which was almost a hour from the time I walked in. You definitely can not rush the devouring of this food, it has to be savored no two ways about it.

Before

During

After

     Now the short video clip that is attached here is running from the bathroom upstairs through the upstairs sitting area, down the stairs turning left and then out the front door.

     Now I will say this for certain. I will be going back again hands down, but I will definitely be taking people with me next time to enrich the experience of the atmosphere and the conversation as well.  

Mon-Thurs. 11am-8pm Fri-Sat. 11am-9pm Sun. Closed

Sunday        - Closed
Monday       - 11am – 8pm
Tuesday       - 11am – 8pm
Wednesday  - 11am – 8pm
Thursday      - 11am – 8pm
Friday          - 11am – 9pm
Saturday      - 11am – 9pm

WebSite - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/
Menu - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/CheeseCurdsMenu_March.pdf
Burger Album - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/photo-album

*All names are owned by the owner and are not belonging to me in any way shape or form. But seriously, how can you not name/reference a company with such
Great food and employee's?.

ALL HAIL "Appetite" The burger goddess.

Edit 06/08/13: Store Times updated