Dell Inspiron

Dell� Inspiron� 1501 English TL50, 15.4-in. WXGA, 1GB, 80GB

(Costco.ca)

~1200$

This is probably the best Dell laptop I've seen to date. It was easy to add the extra monitor and extend the desktop (mind you, this is alot due to Windows XP). The extra video card worked to my liking as far as processing the extended desktop onto the monitor I keep at my desk.

The DVD writer worked like a charm. The built-in SD digital memory card reader further saves on extra USB cords cluttering things up. There were 4 USB ports, which finally meant I didn't have to do any unplugging or switching around. I always have my external hard drive, mouse, printer connected, and now I could keep my MP3 player charger plugged in.

Unfortunately there is no external volume control, which means the computer must be turned on in order to adjust the volume. Annoying if you're ever trying to start up in a quiet setting.

Uncle Fatih's Pizza

Uncle Fatih's Pizza

(Broadway & Commercial)

1.5$/slice, 12.5$/8 slices

Uncle Fatih's is not to be laughed at. Great deal for a slice of pizza-there's always at least 4 different types of pizza to chose from under the heat lamp at any time. He makes about 20 different types of pizzas, and varies them frequently. The place is just across from the skytrain station-it gives off an aura of sketchiness, but after you've been there a few times at night, you realize nothing's going to happen. There's a decent police presence at Broadway & Commercial. Uncle Fatih's is open super late (I've never droven by it when it was closed).

One pet peeve though-the guy is a bit of a cheap fuck. If you do the math for the cost of the 8 slice deal, you realize he's charging you extra for the box. Minimum purchase on debit is 5$, and visa is 9$.

Garmin 60CX Handheld GPS System with TFT Colour Display

Garmin� GPSMAP� 60CX Handheld GPS System with TFT Colour Display
(Costco.ca)

400$

Very easy user interface. It was straightforward plotting data points into the memory. Calculating displacement, vectors and distance wasn't as easy as it could have been.

HP LaserJet 2600N Printer

Hewlett Packard LaserJet 2600N Printer
(Costco.ca)

450$

A decent overall computer. Easy to set up, unfortunately it does not automatically do double-sided printing-the print out must be fed back into the machine halfway through.

UPass

UPass

(22$/month, + 10000$ for tuition at University)

The UPass is Translinks essentially an insurance premium for students, nothing else. There is no altuism attached to Translink's ads & slogan "For students going places". Translink does not offer this deal to high school students, or college students. In fact, if you go to either UBC or SFU, it is mandatory. This is because Translink has calculated in the subsidy created by students who are unable to or chose not to use the bus. For example, students living in White Rock have no feasible transit solution to make it to either campus on time.

For students who do use the bus, it is an awesome deal. It pays for itself in several trips, as currently the prices to take transit are through the roof.

Colleges were not offered the UPass initially because translink knows that most of college students cannot afford cars (hence why they can only afford college), or go to college because it's close by (would be taking transit already). So there is no 'White Rock' commuters going to Douglas or Langara. There are no students who drive 2 hours to go to college-that would be ridiculous, as colleges are plentiful and spreadout in the Greater Vancouver Region.

Recently Translink offered UPasses to colleges for 35$/month, while charging the universities 22$/month. This is akin to an insurance premium-an insurance company charges more to people who use a health service more than those who do not.

Perhaps the most frustrating part is having to see big happy ads in the buses and skytrains, "For Students Going Places". Something more appropriate would be "For Students deemed on average to not use transit's services". Somehow, not as catchy.

Canada Games Pool

Canada Games Pool

(6th ave, New Westminster)

~5$/admission

The Canada Games pool is a good community pool. There are several large swimming pools, with either 25 or 50 meter lanes, depending on the time of day. Unfortunately the fitness centre is in the rafters, so much is desired in terms of ventilation and heat-control. Washrooms are what you'd expect in a public building. Lockers are .25$/pop, with none available to use with your own lock. I don't believe you can rent a locker for a semester, either.

The only beef I have with the Games pool is their policy of hiring staff. They are not unionized, and shift schedules are given out on a basis of favoritism, which works out great for the favorites.

I have also known several youth who took ~800$ in aquatic courses through the Games Pool, go through the hiring process, and be turned down at the last part when they honestly said that they were applying at other pools too. The CGP expects full loyalty for part time employment...

Fitness World

Fitness World

(various locations throughout Lower Mainland)

~30-50$/month, depending on your gender

Fitness World is a members-only gym network situated throughout the Lower Mainland. The facilities are very clean and up-to-date. The equipment is well-maintained, with broken machines clearly labelled with break-down dates (I'm fond of this, as it increases accountability, as opposed to a vague message that leaves you wondering just really how long it's been broken). It is a very professional atmosphere, with instructors typically certified through the BCRPA. I don't buy that a Kinesiology degree would be better for the purposes of training the average exercisor/participant at FTW.

Lockers are available for people to bring their own locks, or you can rent one there. (Deposits are made at the front desk).

However, Fitness World is also very professional at weasle-marketing. The Kingsway location has been having their Grand . Opening for the last 5 years. The (.) is about the size of the (RE) that is enclosed between the two words. Fitness World is very keen on tricking people into signing long term contracts. Last winter they had an offer advertised for a rate of 20$ per month, for life. The fine print: you enroll for 2 years at ~45$/month. It is sometimes mentioned that if you want to opt out of a contract, you only need apply with a note. An aquaintance did this, to be told that it needed to be a doctor's note stating why she was unable to exercise.

FTW has a policy of gender discrimination. Each centre is divided into a Ladies-Only and Mixed-Only. There is no place for men to work out without having to wait for women to finish with equipment. I think that women shouldn't flatter themselves that they're being watched by men-if someone's truely being distrubing, talk to an employee. Regardless, if there are to be separate facilities, then I would have to say men are entitled to an equal area of equipment.

And to add onto the above paragraph, men always pay more than women. There is no plan I have seen advertised where women pay more than men, which I would expect for receiving deluxe memberships.

All in all, Fitness World is a high-end, yuppy affair.