Travel Manitoba/Destination Winnipeg: A Critique

I've been away from my home province for three months now battling the occasional bout of homesickness. My family and friends trigger memories of course, but there are also other things I miss such as leisurely hikes around Bird's Hill Park and a nice slice of Santa Lucia Pizza (mmmmmmmmmmm...I'm going to be craving that all weekend now). However, had I not been born in the land of lakes and Burton Cummings, it would certainly be a case of "out of sight, out of mind" as the two main travel authorities - Travel Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg - don't seem to promote the province well outside of their keystone boundary. 

A few weeks ago, I won an iPod from Saskatoon Shines, the local civic tourism branch. When I went into their offices to collect my bounty, I noticed that they had, amongst the racks of promotional items for Saskatchewan sights and events, brochures and information packages on Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and even Nunavut. Not a Manitoba pamphlet in the bunch. I chalked it up to our infamous rivalry and petty jealousy over our football team being superior the fact that Winnipeg is getting an IKEA first. 

A short while later, I took a trip further west to Banff, Alberta. Stopping at several visitor information centres (on both sides of the border), I again noticed how, in addition to touting local tourism hotspots, other provinces and even U.S. states were offering marketing materials in an attempt to lure travellers (and their money) to visit. So where was Manitoba? Alberta couldn't possibly hate Manitoba for having a superior football team. Nor could they be jealous over the shiny new IKEA, when they have two. I started to contemplate whether it was because we brought the world Burton Cummings, but then I started to laugh while thinking of his moustache thus losing my train of thought for a few weeks and now I'm here revisiting the question again: how in the world is Travel Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg promoting the province? Even the success of "Homecoming 2010" is questionable; the entire creative department crew at my new job is originally from Manitoba...and none of them have heard about it! 

A Winnipeg associate that is well-versed/well-known in tourism marketing had told me that both of these entities focus a lot of their efforts on attracting visitors from bigger, more cosmopolitan centres because it gives the illusion that the city is on a level playing field. For instance, money is spent promoting the province to New Yorkers. I can't help but wonder how many New Yorkers can even find Winnipeg on a map, much less actually WANT to travel there. Which begs me to ask, why aren't they more actively pursuing tourists from neighboring provinces? As Saskatoon is on the Yellowhead, why can't I pick up a brochure for, say, Riding Mountain National Park while on my way? Perhaps it's part of a new MPI initiative...the less vehicles that stop in the province, the more the car theft rate will decrease. Or maybe Manitoba's battered highways just can't take the additional traffic. 

I don't have a formal education in marketing. I'm just the go-to person to make things look pretty. However, it would seem logical to me to at least be where your competition is. Promote the culture. Promote the cuisine. Retire the assumption that everything is "world class" and instead focus on being in a class of your own. 

Anyways, Burton Cummings. Mustache. LOL. Good times. 

Copycat is the New Dog

Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. Let's see what my lawyer thinks. A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a mysterious individual about the launch of a new Winnipeg-based dog website, which sounded very similar to my own creation Winnipegdogs.com (est. January 2008). Apparently, the author (who claims to enjoy my dog blog regularly) felt that there was room in the local market for two competing canine-centered sites. Not having been provided any links to check out this venture for myself, I brushed it off as nothing. After all, the person who sent the e-mail didn't even bother identifying themselves; how serious should I take them?

After doing updates on the Winnipegdogs Facebook page, I noticed a number of wall posts from a new member (again, no name provided) referring people to this new copycat site. Clickity-click, I was directed to a URL remarkably similar to my own (how creative) and a home page that appeared to be influenced from my work as well. It was the Hyundai to my Honda. The Justin Beiber to my Justin Timberlake. Becoming increasingly annoyed, my emotions turned to rage after clicking on the "Donations" page - this new copycat site wasn't soliciting donations for the benefit of local animal shelters...they were soliciting donations for their own operating costs (none of which were specified)!!! For shame. For shame. 

I would like to leave a note that in NO WAY whatsoever is Winnipegdogs.com affiliated with this imitation. We created the website (and it's new sister site, SKDogs.com) because we have a genuine reverence for our furry, four-legged companions and do it on our own time and budget. I challenge this copycat to do likewise.  

There's Magic All Up In This Post

I haven't written about Juggalos since October 20, 2009 and I am ripe due for another post. Thankfully their fearless leaders, The Beatles of Generation Y (Why?), have blessed us with what may very well be the greatest thing to ever happen to the internet - Insane Clown Posse have dropped their latest video for "Miracles", a thought-provoking single that begs the question "f*%#in' magnets, how do they work?".

Behold their genius...I promise you, your life will forever be changed by clicking play:

 

"An Animal Is Just An Animal" PART II

And now the continuation of Monty's saga (from here).

After leaving Monty in the care of the "world class" University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Clinic, I made my way home. It was tough. Having grown used to his presence, coming home to an empty apartment was a sober reminder that I was all by my lonesome after moving to Saskatoon. Pets can provide the unconditional love and companionship that our human souls require, not to mention offer a great stress relief after a tough day at the office. During this transitional period of my life, Monty offered me that in spades. Over the next week, however, premature signs of aging were brought on by other thing$. 

I never begrudge anyone from trying to make a profit and veterinary medicine can be just as capitalistic as any other venture. It's finding a veterinarian that shows genuine concern for your pet that may be a challenge. In bringing Monty to the U of S Veterinary Clinic, I was under the assumption that their advanced technology coupled with the drive of some ambitious students would result in my pooch being diagnosed and treated in a reasonable timeframe by people who cared about the end-result. Instead, I was talked into taking numerous tests. Tests that I initially questioned, but proceeded with as they were the professionals (and I am but a lowly blog author). Tests that came with a very, VERY unexpectedly high price tag. The U of S Veterinary Clinic is not like getting your hair trimmed for $5 by a beauty college student - even though interns are treating the animals, the fees are double what you'd pay from someone already established in the field. My initial quote of $700-$900 quickly rose within the span of 24 hours to over $1500 with no official diagnosis in sight.

My concern about the spiraling costs reached one of the students working on Monty and he called me one evening after-hours. I was informed that they had several theories as to what brought about his lethargic behavior, but until they could confirm it 100%, they would have to proceed with more testing (it was school policy). Testing that would make my quote double again by the next day's afternoon. Testing that may come back inconclusive. The student predicted that my bill would probably end up over $5000...and that figure didn't include actual treatment costs: "as a student in debt, I understand your financial concerns. Going forward will be costly" the student related. "You have to ask yourself if it's worth it. Unless you have the funds to see this through for your own peace of mind, I would try and remember that at the end of the day, an animal is just an animal."

But Monty is not just an animal. He is my friend. He is a family member. And it's my responsibility as his owner to look after him. I needed a second opinion. I pulled Monty out of the U of S Veterinary Clinic the next morning. 

Westward Animal Hospital is a short distance away from my apartment. It is housed in an unassuming building and staffed with cheerful employees including my new vet for life, Dr. David Nairn. They took Monty in on short notice and within 10 minutes concluded that he was suffering from a bacterial infection, prescribing an overnight stay on an IV as well as some antibiotics (testing for a bacterial infection was something the U of S did NOT do despite my initial concerns expressed to them that he contracted something from doggie daycare). Within a few days Monty returned home and was back to his old, er, young puppy self. Dr. Nairn repeatedly called to ensure he was doing okay. I never heard from the U of S again.

Total bill? Less than $695.00. My final invoice from the U of S? I paid over $1250.00 for the privilege of having my pet be the subject on someone's thesis statement. 

It is no surprise that I am not the only one who feels swindled.  

Your Sometimes Weekly Monty:

It's Monty's first weekend back home after spending some time in care for treatment of what turned out to be a bacterial infection. That story will be continued in part II of "An Animal is Just an Animal", but at this time I would like to thank Dr. David Nairn of Westward Animal Hospital for all his help.  

"An Animal Is Just An Animal" PART I

'Your Weekly Monty' is momentarily interrupted. The poor wee guy is sick, feverish and currently in care. I may be committed also, as paying the bill is surely going to illicit a heart attack. So grab the defibrillator ...I may not make it out of this post alive. 

A healthy puppy is an active puppy. When Monty returned from doggie daycare last Thursday, he was (as usual) a tired pooch. This was no surprise. But when his lethargy extended into Friday...and then Saturday, I became worried. In addition to inactivity, there was also loss of appetite. My intuition told me to seek immediate care. After-hours on the weekend, there are few options available, which is why I was happy to be in the same city as the world-class veterinary clinic located at the University of Saskatchewan. They offer 24/7 service. They offer a gold standard of care. However, I didn't know that upon departure I would be sick to my stomach. 

After being granted entrance, I made my way through the empty waiting room to speak to the receptionist. Her first words weren't "hello" or "how can I help you?"...no, she immediately turned to the student intern who would be examining Monty and stated "there goes my break". I'm always offended by terrible customer service, but reconsidered my stance for this unique situation: she WAS trying to read a 2-month old copy if InStyle Magazine...Jennifer Aniston's love life (or lack thereof) IS wholly more important than admitting a sick patient promptly. 

After being led to a backroom, the student intern went over Monty's medical history. Up-to-date with all shots and with no prior history of illness, I addressed my concerns that he may have picked something up at doggie daycare or was having a difficult time digesting his first bone (which was given to him earlier in the week). Both of these "amateur" theories were glossed over and a series of scientific tests were suggested. It was also advised that Monty stay in care at the U of S until at least Monday when the first series of tests would reveal their results. An initial estimate of $700-$900 was provided and I signed off on it. Monty WAS in the care of a world class facility after all. If the U of S couldn't make him better, no one could. 

Or not. 

to be continued...

Obladaisms

- Life is random. And so is www.chatroulette.com I read a lot of news articles on this anti-social networking tool this morning and had to check it out for myself. Holy bananas, is this website nuts!!! Part of me is recoiling in horror, the other half is admittedly intrigued - it's basically an online version of russian roulette with fewer bullets and slightly less innocence. It's the reason Al Gore invented the internet in the first place; the ultimate unfiltered social barometer, humanity at it's best/worst. 

Chatroulette.com enables you to videochat with someone selected entirely by luck of the draw. They might want to chat about world events, they might want to chat about their love of cheese. They may like to wear Hawaiian shirts, they may like to wear considerably less. You control who you talk to by clicking "next". As an example, here is a random sampling of people I encountered in my first 30 seconds:

- Teenage boy
- "Boobs for Haiti" sign
- Roomful of 20-somethings having a party
- Bored Eastern European female searching for a husband
- Hairy, naked dude 

It takes a mighty heart (and stomach) to get in the game. How brave are you to play Chat Roulette?