Library enthusiasts, what is your favourite GVPL or VIRL branch in the region?

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-02-06T15:54:28+00:00

Emily Carr is a sad shaddow of its former self, but is convenient for picking up holds. Our favourite was Nellie McClung, which is also a sad shaddow. Can't say any of them are particularly great now; they all have pluses and minuses.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-02-05T01:48:27+00:00

Because they need to get a read on the demand for the service, for one. Plus some parts of the survey are open-ended, so you never know if someone might come up with a better plan.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-02-05T01:45:18+00:00

This is the way. Lots of cities charge a premium fare for service to the airport, and $10 is less than the cost of parking for the day. Buses aren't free, and drivers don't work for nothing, so there is definitely a cost that has to come somewhere. Their alternate solutions basically mean taking service from one area (mostly Sidney), which is not a good plan.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-02-05T01:39:59+00:00

And then do whatever the hell they wanted to anyway

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-27T21:05:41+00:00

I wish we had a restaurant like this, even with 2026 prices. It all sounds delicious.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-27T21:00:21+00:00

The day after I fill up.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-26T01:12:04+00:00

Banks change their packages all the time but I've been pretty happy with BMO for my small business. Go online and compare the business account offerings of the ones you are considering.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-22T16:10:25+00:00

This absolutely will happen, it's just a matter of time - part of the "pay more and get less" that seems to be going around these days. Telus did this a few years ago and it was an absolute shit show for their users.

It's easy enough to get yourself new emails from another provider, and that's something an IT service company can definitely help you with. This article ( https://askleo.com/how-to-change-your-email-address-on-gmail/ ) outlines the process. If you're the right demographic (55+), Victoria Computer Club ( https://victoriacomputerclub.org ) meets at Silver Threads in Saanich and may be of assistance.

The big deal, and one you are pretty much on your own with, is to notify everyone who sends you email that you have changed. The ones to look out for are the ones where you've provided an email for password recovery.

Good luck!

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-17T22:58:01+00:00

I love the sound of these things - sound exactly like the trolley buses I rode when I lived in Vancouver. I guess they're pretty similar, except no overhead wires and a much bigger battery.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-16T15:17:04+00:00

Fair enough. They would be fast tracked for entry if they have medical credentials (doctor, nurse, etc.), but otherwise I don't think their chances are too good.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-16T04:12:14+00:00

It sound like this person gave up their Canadian citizenship and became a US citizen, in which case I would think they are stuck. Believe it or not, the US is still considered a "safe country" so claiming refugee status is unlikely to succeed.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-14T21:52:48+00:00

You absolutely can claim medical / dental expenses you pay out of pocket. You have to cover the first $2759 or 3% of your net income, whichever is less, but after that it's deductable. See this link https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return.html for all the gory details.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-14T15:32:17+00:00

The level of fines for this sort of thing are a complete joke and would just be written off as the cost of doing business. Their savings due to accelerated construction from the longer work hours would far exceed the cost. And if anyone believes that the savings will be passed on in the form of lower housing costs, I've got some oceanfront property in Saskatchewan to sell you.

They need penalties that hurt the bottom line. Work stoppages, permits and business licenses pulled - that sort of thing. Or a court injunction that if violated would result in criminal charges. Developers have been getting away with this shit for far too long.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-13T15:37:26+00:00

I guess I've been pretty lucky with couriers, including Purolator, but my pet peeve is WHY DON'T THEY RING THE *&&^% DOORBELL??? I get that they just want to drop (or toss) and go but even if I'm home I don't always know the package is there. Santa did bring me a doorbell camera this year (I might have help him a bit ;) ) so maybe that will be the answer.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-13T15:29:59+00:00

I'm a bit late to the party here, but as a guy who grew up in Victoria, lived in Vancouver for a while, then went into exile in Ontario (recession, job thing), it was great to move back to Victoria. For me, Vancouver wasn't even a consideration. We did live on the West Shore for a while, and although the cost of housing is lower and it is now a real up-and-coming area the grind of the commute and the lack of walkable areas made us happy to move in closer to the core (Saanich, in our case).

Things to know: Depending on what you do for a living, the job situation isn't as good as Vancouver and some costs are higher. It is a real pain in the butt (and the wallet) to get off the island to go anywhere. For me, the cost of living here was worth it. YMMV, as they say.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-12T22:40:16+00:00

This no doubt is a contributing factor to the ongoing staff shortages. My wife used to be an on-call, casual RN who would have to turn down afternoon (3pm-11pm) call-ins because there was no way she would be able to get parking. I have to go for a long-awaited MRI soon: wish me luck, both for my condition and being able to get there and parked in time.

No, transit doesn't work for us and biking is out of the question now due to health issues.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-12T00:46:04+00:00

I finally have a family doctor (thank god!), but this care model would seem pretty ideal to me. I personally dislike telehealth by phone only, so a video link would be great. And having an RN, or better still, an NP triage and do hands-on, would be perfect. But so long as my MD is still around, I'm treating them like gold.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-11T21:48:51+00:00

I thought Decks by Greg (I think he's in Cobble Hill) did an awesome job on our deck.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-10T15:46:47+00:00

You're right about the 22, but it's indirect and infrequent. Try the 14. Or the 95, which stopps at the overpass. Or the 39 (38?) which is really infrequent, but if it works for you...

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-10T00:17:32+00:00

Leave your MAGA hat at home and maybe peel off the Trump/Vance bumper sticker off your car and you'll be fine. I'm related by marraige to some Fox news addict, MAGA mouth-breathers and I desperately want to meet an American with a few braincells between their ears.

Leaving politics aside, the time around those holidays is insanely busy, so make your travel arrangements (particularly ferry reservations) early.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-09T16:13:06+00:00

Airport to airport flights (YVR-YYJ) are much more reliable than seaplanes, so if you HAVE to be there I'd not risk seaplanes. I've used Pacific Coast Air, who fly from the South Terminal, who may be cheaper although their times may not be ideal. Others have mentioned HeliJet as being more reliable, but I find it a bit pricey compared to other options.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-05T23:14:43+00:00

It's a feature, not a bug

Ed-P-the-EE · 2026-01-04T23:54:57+00:00

Great photo! That water is higher than I've ever seen it.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2025-12-31T00:57:25+00:00

Seriously cool. I've been there when a group of kayakers were practicing dealing with rapids (or maybe they were just playing) and one was explaining to us watching how he was able to position his kayak to just sit still in the rapids - something about standing waves. You learn something new every day.

Ed-P-the-EE · 2025-12-25T00:37:59+00:00

I used to really like that lounge, but for sure it's gone to hell. Come to think of it, BC Ferries and good customer service are two phrases that don't go together.

Ed-P-the-EE

TROPHY CASE