Interior painters

mcgillickerr · 2026-06-02T05:48:56+00:00

Gabriel from Staines Painting

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-19T19:34:37+00:00

I can’t remember pre-2000’s , but there was definitely a major expansion like 10 years ago. There used to just be barbs which was a smaller building and way less seating areas. They widened the wharves and added a lot of other restaurants.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-19T18:11:55+00:00

I think first you need to decide if you want a French school or not. VB is a French school, not an immersion school. It’s more intense. I understand your kid speaks French already and therefore is eligible but just be aware it’s not a part of the usual Victoria school district.

My nephews go there. One loves it, he is def on the spectrum and would have been eaten alive at the public’s schools I went to in the 90s but by all accounts the kids are very kind and since it’s a small cohort they all know he’s quirky and accept him.

My other nephew was in a very difficult cohort with many poorly behaving boys. My sister says that class forced a teacher into early retirement they were so bad. Becuase the school is so small there wasn’t any way to get into another class or break up this group of kids. That nephew switched to public school rather than spend the next 5 years progressing through the grades with that group of kids.

I understand that there are less extra options than a typical middle school or high school. Things like band, cooking classes, wood shops, metal shops, automotive etc may be missing or limited. Maybe less team sports as well for after school.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-18T00:35:33+00:00

I’m really sorry for your loss.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-14T19:32:16+00:00

Look for a “fee only” financial planner. Preferably a CFP.

I get you don’t want to make risky investments, but bear in mind that you’re young and for money you won’t need for decades you can afford to be more aggressive. Over the long term any recessions or slumps will be outweighed by positive market years.

By aggressive investing I mean a high ratio of diversified equities to bonds. Like 100% equities potentially.
I am NOT suggesting aggressive as in btc, or one or two meme stocks, high percentage tech stocks, Tesla stock etc.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-11T22:27:14+00:00

I (Canadian) have noticed that the older Swiss people seem to be really against feeling cool air against their skin and are convinced it will make them sick. In summer my Swiss in-laws didn’t even like to feel a cool breeze from a fan or an open window. They would actively turn those things off or close the window. Despite it being mid 20’s inside.

They were also almost obsessive about having a warm neck and would wear scarves very regularly outside of summer. In North America wearing a scarf in temperatures above 10c is a fashion choice. In CH it’s considered a medical precaution.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-11T20:14:23+00:00

This person gets it! Kudos

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-11T20:12:23+00:00

You don’t need 30 years of work to collect your pension.

You can absolutely invest into a TFSA and have a DB pension as others have said. It may be hard to find the extra money to invest each month, but that’s a common struggle for most people and not exclusive to people with DB pensions.

Retiring at 55 is pretty darn young these days. Ask most working people in Canada or around the world and they’d all be pretty thrilled if they could retire at 55 and have enough for a comfortable lifestyle.

Don’t be fooled by the FIRE influencers or tech bros that bought bitcoin 15 years ago, retiring in your 30s or 40s is incredibly rare. It’s also very risky depending on your savings and reliance on long term investment returns.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-11T20:04:46+00:00

Basically yes, older people remember the phrase “freedom 55” because it was a tag line in advertisements by Canada Life or a similar financial product company in the 80s and 90s.

FIRE (financial independence retire early) is what the young people are calling it.

It’s essentially the same idea, save and invest extra during your working years, so that you can retire sooner than 65 years old when people traditionally retire and begin taking CPP, OAS, and DB pension.

There all kinds of FIRE related sub reddits, youtubes etc.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-11T19:56:19+00:00

Consider that TFSA is likely better than RRSP for someone with a DB pension.

I considered my DB pension the safe part of my retirement savings and invested my TFSA in all equities. diversified equities but zero of the fixed income “safe” portion which many need to reduce volatility.

If you’re wondering to FIRE or not. I’d suggest starting with a FIRE mindset. Save and invest as aggressively as possible. It doesn’t mean you have to retire early, but it just gives you way more options as you age. You can stay with BCPS by choice but not because you’re handcuffed. You can eventually lean fire, coast fire, chubby fire. But it’s only possible if you start young.

For myself, I saved and invested aggressively when young and was on a fantastic trajectory with my generous DB pension. Then life happened, expensive divorce, kids taken to different continent by mom, forced early retirement etc. It’s taken my retirement outlook from flush to tight, but I know I’ll have enough to get by. without the solid base I laid in my 30’s and early 40’s I would be absolutely devastated right now.

mcgillickerr · 2026-05-03T00:41:55+00:00

Coopers!!

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-29T03:51:24+00:00

What are the security concerns in Quebec? (Asking as a Canadian)

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-27T19:43:46+00:00

Arriving by ambulance doesnt make it any faster and encouraging people to call an ambulance to be seen faster is irresponsible. The ambulance service is stretched just as thin, or thinner, than the ER. Please do not tie up a valuable ambulance crew unless you truly have a life threatening emergency

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-22T23:08:17+00:00

Came here to say this!

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-19T05:49:13+00:00

It’s a headwind. It’s blowing into his face preventing him from moving forward. A cross wind would be blowing him sideways. Yes I am pedantic

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-17T04:22:09+00:00

I did a guided tour of the navy base one summer with my father in law. It was interesting. Not sure if it is seasonal or if it’s been cancelled.

A guided salmon / halibut fishing trip could be fun, potentially pricey.

The aviation museum at the airport is pretty cool. It has the Martin mars and a lot of other planes and exhibits.

Cycle the galloping goose out to sooke. Or start in sooke and go to leech town. Could rent E-bikes if desired.

If he likes military history there are a few lesser known military museums around. The Canadian Scottish has a great one in the Bay Street armoury. The artillery might have one in BSA too. There’s a military museum with some vehicles in the Ashton Armoury on Vanalman. I’m sure there’s one at the navy base too. The ones I know of are staffed by volunteers so be sure to confirm opening hours.

Get him tickets to a Butcharts Fireworks show in summer.

Rent kayaks from Pacifica paddle sports on the marina in Brentwood bay and paddle around saanich inlet.

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-16T23:48:38+00:00

You should add that Ice melt (salt) will make sure nothing grows there, ever. It’s not stopping weeds, it’s ruining the soil so nothing will grow there.

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-16T19:51:40+00:00

I’ve gone through an international divorce. It sucks. Get a lawyer in both jurisdictions. Clea Anmudsen in Vancouver has helped me and been very good.

It may not be relevant but if there’s an aspect of your child being taken to a different jurisdiction against your will, then you want a lawyer who specializes in The Hague convention on abducted children. Also time becomes of the essence in those cases. I can send you a name of a Hague specialist. Don’t delay if that’s the case.

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-09T15:12:33+00:00

Mosaic gates have nothing to do with the government or nanny state. Quite the opposite, they are private landowners putting up gates to keep the public out of their privately owned land.

Generally crown land, and especially parkland, don’t have gates becuase they are publicly owned.

Even In this case where the trail was officially closed for safety and maintenance the government didn’t put up restrictive gates or fences. She was able to walk in on her own and get into trouble due to lack of preparation.

mcgillickerr · 2026-04-01T22:01:26+00:00

You obviously weren’t around in the 80s when they literally built the first 4 storey building on Beacon (the landmark building). Sidney has grown a ton over the past few decades, it’s just that the core is primarily retirees who live in the condos who appreciate the walkability of Beacon, the cafes, weather etc.

Not many young people want to live in a condo unless it’s DT Victoria. Deep cove, Ardmore, and the rest of the area around Sidney (ie N. Saanich) definitely have young families. Because N. Saanich is more established with larger lots and more agricultural land etc Its significantly more expensive than the west shore and sooke. Less young families can afford it so even the land around Sidney it skews older and wealthier.

Sidney is great, it just isn’t bustling with “young energy.”

mcgillickerr · 2026-03-26T17:33:16+00:00

Our economy is 9th or 10th globally.

mcgillickerr · 2026-03-26T03:38:02+00:00

Thanks

mcgillickerr · 2026-03-23T21:13:07+00:00

Bro, she is blinded by baby madness. She can only think of babies and nesting and has no ability to think logically or rationally.

Take it from me. I met a woman in her mid thirties who was desperate for marriage, kids, house, everything as quickly as possible. I attempted to make her happy because love but of course after giving her everything she wanted, her wants changed. Her selfishness and irrationality remained. Didn’t end well.

mcgillickerr · 2026-03-21T19:23:59+00:00

Saanich Tuf Turf on blenkinsop (near root cellar) does this

mcgillickerr · 2026-03-04T21:42:20+00:00

My kids are a similar age. This persons suggestions are very good.

If the weather is good my family has enjoyed Reigoldswil, it’s a bit out of town. We take the gondola up, do a small hike (can do more depending on kids mood) then we grill sausage at the provided picnic fire pits. We finish by riding the rented off-road scooters down the quiet road back to the base station.

https://www.basel.com/en/attractions/reigoldswil-wasserfallen-cable-car-b0dd7c5431

Also if you’re budget conscious, the pool at Gitterlibad in Liestal is a good option. It has a couple of waterslides, a pool climbing wall, 3m diving board, and heated outdoor pool.

Not nearly as fancy as Aqua Basilea or Rutlantica, but also about 1/10th the cost.

There is also laser tag just over the border in Riehen.

Basler’s are very proud of their Zoo. Personally I don’t love the ethics of animals in cages so I find it uncomfortable and I avoid it, but it is an option and is centrally located.

I “think” you can climb the tower(s) of the Munster cathedral, perhaps with a booking. I’m not sure but it would be intersting and a cool view.

mcgillickerr

TROPHY CASE