Sawyer Marceau (Wallbridge) November 15, 2009

Sawyer Marceau was delivered today 7lb 15oz to Leigh and Jason Marceau November 15, 2009 at 7:38am. All in one piece beautiful little brother to Ely. Mom, Grandmom , Grandpa (me), and Father all doing well.

Olympic Torch Relay in Victoria marred by Idiots

Last night my wife Joyce, two of my grandsons Malcolm and Evan went to Fort and Pemberton, in Victoria to watch our good friend Daphne run her leg of the torch relay. all went well with pictures being taken and lots of friendly greeters cheering on the runners.

The event was eventually marred and temporarily stopped  by the police who moved the torch bearers, for their safety, to another location to avoid confrontation by the idiotic protesters. Some of the torch bearers  were denied the opportunity of running in front of their family and friends, who had come out to watch them.

 

Some these protesters had apparently been  brought in as instigators. Earlier in the day they threw marbles at police horses, both at their feet and on the ground in hopes, I assume that they would fall. Horses falling from that type of senseless act could have been injured, their riders injured or even worse could result in the death of the horse along with it’s rider. There were also apparently people who claimed they represented PETA that were stopped by police and had their backpacks checked out, only to find out they contained rocks that they were going to be thrown at the horses.

I have no problem with peaceful organized protests as long as no person or animal gets hurt or wilful damage is done.

If we can’t stop these protesters, due to their civil rights why can’t we at least make them accountable for their actions. Particularly those who choose to hide behind masks and face paint, they probably wouldn’t be so brave if their identity was not covered. Maybe this could have been stopped if they had to apply for a permit to protest, there again, these types of jerks would still try dumb things just to agitate the public and the police. One way to maybe stop this happening is to not show any of the actions they caused on TV but rather just report about it. Public viewing would surely stop these a------s from doing these dumb acts if they didn’t get the publicity.

Discount Car and Truck Rental Closed on Vancouver Island

I was surprised to see that the one of my local competitors has closed Discount Car and Truck Rentals in both Sidney, BC and Victoria, BC. I had a long reciprocal arrangement with Discount and I very surprised and saddened by the loss of another competitor after the closing of Thrifty Rent-A-Car and Dollar.

If you find yourself in need of a vehicle at this time please contact Terry at GSA Auto Rentals Ltd. at 1-800-809-0788 and mention this blog and get an additional 10% off your rental till December 31, 2009.

Terry gsaautorentals.com

My Amazing Wife of 41 years and the Royal Victoria Marathon

Today October 11, 2009, my wife of 41 years Joyce, completed the 1/2 Royal Victoria Marathon. It is not only remarkable that she completed this feat, but even more so that she did this after she suffered a stroke December 19, 2008. I am so proud of her and her accomplishment, for all the early morning practice walks of upwards of 25 kilometres with partner Renate at her side.

I can’t say enough about this remarkable lady other than I love her more now than when we met.

Good going Joyce.

Terry@gsaautorentals.com

Nice Little Restaurant on Salt Spring Island Bruce’s Kitchen

Made a visit to Salt Spring Island to meet up with our friends Linda and Bill of Salt Spring Soapworks http://www.saltspringsoapworks.com when went out to lunch we ate at Bruce’s Kitchen (owned by Bruce Wood) a former client of GSA Auto Rentals. I had the chili, very tasty, Linda had Macaroni and cheese and Bill and my wife Joyce had the chicken biscuits. All the meals were excellent and presented very nicely.

Bruce’s Kitchen is quite small with a open concept kitchen. A definite must visit when you go to Salt Spring Island. He is located in Ganges, on Salt Spring Island.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

What A Day!!!???

Last night I was enjoying a very nice green salad, when I felt what seemed like a piece of gravel, only to find out it was part of a very large filling. Dentist visit where I was told I need three crowns, yech. Not a cheap process, why didn’t I become a dentist?.

Then this morning one of our barn cats, Tara, passed away inside our barn door. She was probably about 12 1/2 year old. We knew she had issues, but this was out of the blue. She was a rescue cat from Duncan. A very pretty cat but quite skittish. Very sad.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, going to Nanaimo to deliver a car for a client and then on to Salt spring Island for lunch.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

The Last Night of the Proms Royal Albert Hall

This past Saturday, September 12, 2009, my wife and I attended a live simulcast from the Royal Albert Hall in London England of The Last Night of the Proms shown at an almost sold out Silvercity Theatre at Tillicum Mall.

There were several solo performances by Alison Balsom on trumpet. Also operatic performance by Sarah Connolly along with a finale by her of Rule Britannia, with her in full Nelson regalia. This was an extremely rousing performance that required a compulsory encore, where the whole audience participated. They showed other simulcast performances in Hyde Park, London, County Down Ireland, Glasgow Green, Scotland and others. The whole show was extremely well done and appeared to be a lot of fun to the audition in attendance. The show ended with a rousing rendition of Land of Hope and Glory and the audition completed the whole performance  by singing Auld Lang Syne.

The BBC orchestra, with chorus and choir were conducted with great enthusiasm by the American maestro David Robertson.

This is a not to be missed show, so when it comes to Silver City next year be sure to sure to go, I will.

Terry www.gsaautrentals.com

Taking Woodstock the movie

By all means pass on this movie, it was the worst attempt at comedy, drama and pathos I have ever seen. I wanted to leave after the first 10 minutes and get a refund, but I was with friends. All through the movie you kept waiting for it  to get better and to have a reasonable story line. It had a few funny parts, but in general just a waste of time. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately for Eugene Levy  he was only in the movie for a short period. The funniest part of the whole show was Liev Schreiber as cross-dressing ex-marine sergeant. I never made it to Woodstock and after seeing this dreadful movie I am glad I never did. The movie is over 2 hours long. If you really think you want to see it, wait till it is on TV and then you can TiVo it and fast forward through the awful bits.

Terry gsaautorentals.com

Charlie Farguharson and Don Harron Terry’s Car Stories #4

While working for West End Chrysler Plymouth, in Toronto I was given the opportunity of acting as transportation coordinator for a Variety Club’s 48 Hour Telethon. I enjoyed the job immensely, although it was a bit taxing on the body. I was coordinating vehicle transport for the stars that were performing for the Telethon. I remember  William Shatner and Don Harron (Charlie Farquharson) were co-hosting and performing.

I had been up for nearly 42 hours when the call came in to supply a driver for Don Harron, who had to go to the airport to take a private jet to Montreal for another show. I volunteered, primarily because I was getting tired and  I lived very near the airport.

I picked up Mr. Harron at the side door of the Royal York Hotel and started to drive him to the Airport. It was about 4 am and winter. I got onto the Gardiner Expressway and started towards the airport. The traffic started to slow down as it was snowing slightly and the roads were getting a bit slippery. I applied my brakes only to find out that the roads were not only slippery but were icy too. I started to skid and did a 360. I was able to get control of the car and keep going in a forward motion. I looked in my rear view mirror to see if Mr. Harron was ok. To my shock I didn’t see him at all. At first I thought maybe I was hallucinating and he didn’t get in the car after all. Then I thought he must have fallen out when I skidded. I spun my head around only to find him lying down fast asleep on the seat.

I proceeded on to the airport without further incident. I arrived at the far end of the airport on Derry Road where the private hangars were and looked for one of the hangars that was lit up. I kept driving for quite a distance, driving over a large hump in the road and eventually came upon a lit hangar. Mr. Harron was still not awake so I went and inquired if this was where Mr. Harron was flying from. The chap there said yes, but where did you come from. I said down the road. He said did you not see any signs. I said no. He said you just crossed the main North South runway and it was live. Headlines in the Toronto Star the next day could have read Don Harron aka Charlie Farquharson dies when run over by plane on runway at Toronto (now known as Pearson) International Airport. Fortunately Mr Harron was oblivious to the whole situation. That is until  May 4, 2004, when I got a telephone call from Mr. Harron. I had written to Carp Magazine to relate my story and had suggested that before they published the story that they get the ok from Mr. Harron. We had a lengthy conversation and he reiterated that he was not aware of the incident, but was grateful that everything worked out ok.

Inglourious Basterds

Saw this movie last, another really good movie by Quentin Tarentino. Very violent in places, very funny in others. Well acted by Brad Pitt playing the leader of 8 Jewish Nazi Killers. Christopher Waltz plays Nazi Colonel Hans Landa with what appears to be great glee. He is menacing, compassionate and terrifying sneaky. He should probably get an Academy Award for the part. Mike Myers plays a small role as a British Army General.Well worth seeing but beware of the language and violence.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Email issues corrected by Sean @ itgroove

This past week I had a major issue with outlook email, I apparently lost everything, my contacts, my messages etc. I called Sean at itgroove 250-220-4575, explained my issues. He connected remotely checked out what was going on, within 1/2 hour the problems were resolved and everything was back to normal.

Sean also does SharePoint which he is presently in the process of setting me up with. By the way Sean is my son.

To learn more go to www.itgroove.net.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

65 and getting better

Last night my family, six grandkids (one on the way), and the whole family celebrated my 65 birthday with the whole night being topped off by a strolling bagpiper. He played several Scottish tunes including of course Amazing Grace and Happy Birthday. The whole evening was fantastic and one I won’t soon forget. A special thank you goes to my wife Joyce of 41 years (this Sunday August 23) for putting the whole event on along with the piper. It’s hard to believe anyone could put up with me for that length of time, patience?

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Terry’s Car Stories #2

One day we had our regular radio installer put a factory radio into a brand new Jaguar XKE (due to increasing theft of radios they were sent separately to the dealer). The Jag was sitting in front of the showroom window. After installing the radio the technician, as he always did, locked the car up. I was looking out onto the lot and called to one of the other salesmen “who’s driving the Jag?” When no one answered I rushed out the door to find that the radio installer had locked the door and left the car in neutral with the handbrake off. This was his normal way of installing the radio due to tight space. As the lot was on a bit of an angle the car eventually started to roll down the lot. I tried to slow it down to no avail. The other salesmen and manager by this time were out trying to stop the car. But by then it was too late. The Jaguar had rolled neatly between to brand new MGBs. The impact bent the front bumper of the Jag back into the body and smashed the taillights and rear bumpers of the MGBs. Damage was in excess of $3000.00.

Needless to say the radio installer never installed another radio at our lot.

Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow August 15-16

My wife and I visited Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow this morning. What a show, they flew everything from World War I bi-planes, World War ll fighters, to a flying iron, the Mars Water Bomber, a fighter jet, and many other acrobatic planes from1/5 scale and up. Fantastic show, well presented and very well attended. Admission was by donation and parking was free.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Julia and Julie (the movie)

Saw Julia and Julie the other night, starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci. Excellent movie, very funny. Meryl Streep was fantastic as Julia Child. Strongly recommend seeing the movie at the theatre rather than waiting for the DVD.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Terry’s Car Stories #1

When I worked for McMillan & Saunders Ltd, in Malton, Ontario, I once sold a used TR6 to a young guy. He didn’t drive manual shift at the time but still wanted to buy the car. He asked if I would take him for a test drive to show him how it performed, which I gladly did.

We drove away from the lot, along a two lane road, at a fair speed, of course not exceeding the speed limit, with me changing gears rapidly to show the performance and agility of the car. As we came to an intersection where I had decided to make a left turn we came across a large tractor trailer also making a left in the opposite direction. As there was only soft shoulders on both sides of the road I proceeded to make my turn. Only to find a Volvo 164 speeding along the soft shoulder and passing the truck. I applied my brakes quickly to try to avoid what was obviously going to be a collision. To no avail, the Volvo didn’t see us until it was too late and slammed into the front of the TR6.

The TR6 was fairly badly damaged to the front right, but the front of the Volvo was pushed in and the bumper lay on the ground. As it happened the Volvo in question was the demonstrator of the President of the company and was being driven by the assistant parts manager.

There were no repercussions against me but the assistant parts manager was severely reprimanded for bad driving.

After getting towed back to the dealership, the young guy who was thinking of buying the car said “when can it be fixed and when could I get delivery of the car?” I told him about a week to ten days. He agreed and bought the car. He then asked if I would deliver the car to him, I said yes, only to find out that he lived in Barrie about 100 kilometres away.

Approximately two weeks later I drove the car to Barrie,  north of Toronto and handed the ecstatic owner the keys. He asked me to give a short lesson in driving a manual shift car and to show him we him the controls. Which I did and then left on the bus.  We must have done the repairs well as we never heard from him again.

Butchart Gardens and the Victoria Symphony what a combination.

Went to Butchart Gardens with my Bassett Sergeant Major to see and listen to the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. They were fine form and played for over one and half hours. If the play there again, you shouldn’t miss them.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

GSA Auto Rentals another happy client

Hello Terry:

We had a great time in Victoria and were very much pleased not only with the rented van but the excellent service you provided in picking us up on our arrival at the international airport and delivering us to the airport on our departure.       

Our costs for your vehicle and your service was extremely reasonable.

We certainly would recommend your company to anyone wishing to rent or lease a vehicle and will also look forward to doing business with you on any subsequent visit to the Island.

Thanks again

Sincerely

Robert & Lillian Parkyn

Jarret Parkyn & Trena Benson

Lethbridge, Alberta

www.gsaautorentals.com

Horse back riding in Elk Beaver Lake

My wife and I were riding our horses in Elk Beaver lake when we confronted with a jogger. She complained about the horse manure that she encountered on the trails and proceeded to say she was visiting here and would never jog in this park again. My wife (who is a park warden) tried to explain that the horse manure was environmentally friendly (hay and enzymes), but this jogger kept ranting on that it was disgusting and that horses shouldn’t be allowed in the park. We didn’t get a chance to tell her that if it wasn’t for horses she wouldn’t have any trails to jog on. I have to think she must have been from some big city where everything is paved and dogs don’t poop and pee. On well that put a damper on very pleasant day in Paradise.

Terry www.gsaautrentals.com

The Victoria Music Festival Society presents the RCMP Musical Ride

August 9, I attended the Victoria Music Festival Society  presentation of the RCMP Musical Ride. Prior to the musical ride we were entertained by a couple of Polo matches,  the Victoria Skydivers, the Air Cadet Kittyhawk Band, followed by the Victoria Region Police Pipe Band, culminating in a spectacular performance by the RCMP.

It started out to be a very dreary and wet morning which ended just prior to the performances in magnificent sunny weather.

The cost for the event was reasonable with the exception of the $5.00 per car parking. The egress was deplorable. I had a client that I had to meet at the airport after the event. It seemed like I would have had enough time to leave the parking lot only to be held for over 40 minutes before leaving the parking area.

The whole day was spoiled by sitting in my vehicle waiting to get out. Badly mismanaged, only two young people directing traffic at the parking area with no-one directing traffic onto Wallace Road.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

    

Dockside Grill at Van Isle Marina Sidney, BC

Went for late lunch with two of my grandsons and wife to the Dockside Grill at Van Isle Marina, Sidney, BC.

Service was a  little slow (even though we were not in a hurry). Didn’t get anything to drink (not even water) for over 2o minutes. When finally some one came to take our order, she was very pleasant. We ordered Halibut and chips for ourselves and pizza for the grandkids.

When the meal arrived it was excellent and hot. Unfortunately the follow-up service was not.

All in all a nice spot,a little pricey for the location, considering it is associated with the Great Fish on Fifth. Will go back.

Terry www.gsaaautorentals.com

Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre Sidney BC

My wife,  two of the grandsons, and I visited the Shaw Ocean Science Centre in Sidney http://www.oceandiscovery.ca today. Total cost for two adults and two children under 10 $37.80 (GST included). Probably should have been half the price. Quite a nice exhibit, even though I felt it was rather small. It was missing signs that would let you know what you were looking at.  Instead they had volunteers that would explain everything to you, this to my way of thinking is a waste of man power. I would rather read about what I am looking at, at my own leisure.  Rather than someone going into great detail as to what I am looking at. Our grandchildren got bored fairly quickly.

Just my opinion, you should see it for yourself.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Ran out of cars again

Another busy day at GSA Auto Rentals. Apparently the major rental companies must be doing some downsizing. I rented out all my vehicles even my drive home. Oh, well another day.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Stonehouse Pub in Sidney has re-opened

I along with my wife, her sister and  husband visited the Stonehouse Pub in Sidney the other night. The first time since it re-opened. Was not over impressed, they call themselves a pub and yet they do not serve traditional pub fare and they don’t carry any English beers. For all those that relished the steak and kidney pie of later days, not available.

I had what was called at roast beef Yorky, a Yorkshire pudding stuffed with roast beef and cheddar cheese with a very small portion of reheated french fries. Not impressed at all. Will probably give them one more try. The total cost for the 4 of us including 2 beers, 2 glasses of wine and coffee $98.00.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Star Trek the movie

Just went and saw Star Trek the movie at Imax. What a theatre to watch this movie, spectacular, the audience even applauded at the end. Well worth going to see at the Imax theatre.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

GSA Auto Rentals another three happy clients

Beautiful hot day in paradise (Vancouver Island) had three happy clients return their cars to GSA Auto Rentals. They came form Jersey in the United Kingdom, Los Angeles California and from Rocky Mountain House in Alberta.

Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

CHEK TV closing in Victoria very sad news

Unfortunately Canwest Global has decided to close CHEK TV in Victoria putting 4o talented people out of a job at the end of August, 2009. Big mistake on the part of Canwest Global, since Victoria and area is a rapidly growing area and is desperately in need of at least two independent TV stations. I never watched A channel and still probably won’t. Really a dumb move on Canwest Global’s part, and one I hope they will regret.

Thanks to all the newscasters at CHEK for their past great and generally unbiased reporting. Sorry to see you go.

Bellowhead live at Butchart Gardens

Went to see this fantastic group of young (compared to me) entertainers last night called Bellowhead http://bellowhead.co.uk/. There are ten guys and one girl in the group and all play various instruments, playing sea shanties and other pleasant and stirring music. Thoroughly enjoyed their whole performance unfortunately they are not performing in Victoria again for the foreseeable future.

If they come to your town or city don’t miss them.

Another busy day at www.gsaautorentals.com

What a day!!!

Had a very busy day, 5  car rentals deliveries event though 4 were previously booked.  Four arrived by plane all around the same the same time, quite a bit of juggling, but it all worked out. The last one came by ferry, full of questions, first time on Vancouver Island, wanted to know speed limits etc.

Yellow Point Lodge

Joyce and I just returned from 4 days at Yellow Point Lodge http://www.yellowpointlodge.com/index.htm, north of Ladysmith. Had a great time, hadn’t been there in over 5 years, met up with some old friends. Same great food. Very relaxing and peaceful. Already booked for next year.

Still managed to look after GSA Auto Rentals www.gsaautorentals.com  thanks to modern technology.

A RANT about bicyclists on Vancouver Island

I am getting really sick and tired of cyclists that think they own the road. I own a bicycle and would never think to ride the way I have seen in the last few days. I followed two (male and female ) riding along along East Saanich Road, never slowed down, paused or stopped at 3 (three stop signs), just darted out into traffic  forcing one driver to slam on their brakes to avoid a collision. It should be mandatory for bicyclists to have a licence to use the roads and the police should enforce the law of the roads. Enough is enough let’s do something before some poor motorist is sued by a uncaring, dangerous, unlawful cyclist.

Other than that another beautiful day on Vancouver Island.

Another happy customer of GSA Auto Rentals

Morris Irvine of Lethbridge, Alberta said “I was recently out to the Island for a visit. I needed more time to see and do all. I phoned and just like that you extended my rental, no problem.I highly recommend your service to all my friends. It's ideal for coming and going at ones own convenience. You can leave early when you feel like it or stay late,come late come early its great and the car ran very well. My only regret is that I had to leave just when all the farmers markets just started up. Oh well there’s always next year. Hope to see you then THANKS Morris”

Thanks for your comments Terry www.gsaautorentals.com

Joyce’s Birthday and Sean and Wendy’s Anniversary

Just had the whole family over to celebrate Joyce’s birthday (no numbers to be shown) and Sean and Wendy’s 14th Anniversary.   Busy day a GSA Auto Rentals, had to wait for a return so that I could go home. www.gsaautorentals.com

Compliments from client of GSA Auto Rentals

“Thanks again for the hassle-free, affordable rental. Always a pleasure doing business with you! “ Nik Hill and James Walton St Albert, Alberta.

Public Enemies

Saw Public Enemies last night starring Johnny Depp and Christian Baile very good rendition of John Dillinger, very violent, well done, done with hand held cameras, bit disconcerting at first until you get used to it.

New movie Easy Virtue

Saw Easy Virtue starring Colin Firth, Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas and Kris Marshall (anyone who saw the English tv show My Family will recognize him as the dumb older son), very cute and, funny based on a Noel Coward play.

Nothing new to add

My son said I should post something every other day at least. However, nothing spectacular or interesting today. Just checked on  my website www.gsaautorentals.com and did some updates.

Canada Day Trail Ride

Joyce and Leo

Lots of horses were out at the park today – glorious weather.

Dinner at the Brentwood Bay Inn

Had a lovely dinner with Joyce, Sean and my daughter in law Wendy.  Great meal, great weather – Happy Canada Day everyone!