Rogers Super SportsPack Canada, aka SportsPak - difficulties, problems, failures

i just thought i would publicly add my name to the list of frustrated customers who continue to experience problem after problem, week in and week out, while simply trying to relax and enjoy a few football games on tv!

one week it is picture pixilation. the next week, it's frozen screens, then it's no sound. then some days, the schedule is wrong, and games appear on different channels than advertised.. then sometimes, there are games on espn that aren't even covered on the program!

i agree that yes, the concept of this product is a great idea, but there appear to be many flaws that continue to be a problem year after year, and it seems complaining isn't leading to any change.. you'd think in 2009 that these folks would have a better grasp on the digital tv technology..

not sure if this is Rogers fault, or if this needs to be blamed on the American tv networks providing the feed, but for $40/month to Rogers, i'd like to think that after 5 years of problems, that they would have these sorted out by now..

i am going to think seriously about not renewing for next season unless i hear of significant improvements.

Jennifer

December 30, 2009 - 4000!!!!

well, i decided to get it over with today, and i ran the remaining 17.3k that i needed to make it 4000 on the year. that's makes 60k over the past 50 hours, which is nice to see that i can still do!

the initial goal for the year was 5000, but injuries forced me to tone it down at times at various points in the year. but to reach 4000 is a clear sign of persistence and commitment.

i will look forward to reviewing and breaking down my year end stats over the next few days, and to try to figure out how to goal set for the year ahead.

i got a really nice running jacket today from the running room as part of the registration fee for tomorrow's 5k resolution run. it was one year ago that i registered for a run as a female for the very first time, at this event. i was also 13 days removed from major surgery and found myself limping around the course that day, but it was a monumental event for me, and the year ahead that was to be turned out to be very challenging, but one that lead to many very exciting running achievements and milestones.

looking forward to watching more bowl games tonight!
Jenn

December 29, 2009 - a real long run!

great running weather today. 6 degrees, cloud, and low wind. i ventured down to quidi vidi lake and did 3 laps, then ran back home. that's 23.3k in about 2.30.00 of running time. you can add in an additional 30 minutes of breaks as i stopped to feed the duckies at long and burton pond, and feed barry the goose at the lake, along the way. i'd have to classify it as an excellent run, considering i ran 17.2k yesterday. the few extra pounds gained over christmas haven't slowed me down that much!

that's 3982.7k on the year. looks like i will hit 4000 tomorrow, and might get in a swim or two as well over the next few days!

now it's time to relax and watch some bowl games on tv! i'm now 7-4 in my pool, but likely out of it due to the magnitude of the points missed on 3 of those loses.

Jenn

December 28, 2009 - couple of long runs!

17.3k today, including a lovely afternoon run around the ponds, and an evening run to do some boxing week shopping! it was the best my knees have felt in quite a while, so that is very promising news!

3 more days to get in the 40.6k that i need to hit 4000 on the year. i might have to skip a few swims, but i think getting in the 4000 will be a tremendous boost to my confidence and self-esteem, and will give me something positive to finish the year on, a year that has generally been very tough and miserable on many accounts.

Jenn

December 27, 2009 - long sleep and long run

wow, what a sunday morning. i slept in til 11 am! then i went for a long run outside, hitting the ponds and a few stores along the way to take advantage of some boxing day sales.

then it was an evening of watching NFL football, where there were many surprises...

looking forward to a nice run tomorrow

Jenn

December 26, 2009 - boxing bowl day!

wow, here's a really great story about a woman who has excelled in her job in what has, up til now, been a male-dominated profession, a football referee! a major congrats to Sarah for being, not only the first woman referee, but for apparently being one of the best ones too!

http://www.freep.com/article/20091226/COL08/912260346/Lone-female-ref-in-major-college-football-will-make-history-today

and wow, check out this video for a very inspirational story of a 12 yr old football fan who lost his site due to eye cancer.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0ovhkgR7s&

the attitude of this kid is amazing! seeing something like this can make even me appreciate what i have in life...

anyway, it was a rather restful day for me as i continue to recover from a chaotic but amazingly awesome christmas. i had a light short run to the pond and over to friends for lunch, then a relaxing afternoon and evening of football on tv.

Jenn

December 25, 2009 - Christmas morning run

wow, i was up at 4.30 am today to prepare for a 6 am run over to my best friend's house to help with christmas morning festivities, where her two young girls were extremely excited and fired up to see so many presents under the tree! i also played the role of video camera woman, and i managed to capture some great memories throughout the day. the food was excellent too, with turkey dinner for lunch and supper! i had some nice phone calls to my own family members who are celebrating in their hometowns on the mainland. i look forward to returning to the mainland in 2010 to visit soon!

well, it's currently warmer right now in St. John's Newfoundland Canada than it is in Nashville Tennessee, where the titans and chargers are battling it out on the gridiron in freezing temperatures, in the NFL christmas day classic, a great game so far featuring two teams jostling for playoff positioning.

well, my bowl pool has already become a disaster, with just a 3-3 start, which includes losses in the two games for which i was most confident in, and hence, ones which i assigned the most point totals too. oh well, it will still be fun to watch the remaining games.

i hope everyone reading this has an enjoyable holiday season...

Jenn