Wouldn’t it be nice to have a relaxing getaway on the outer coast of Vancouver Island?
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy views like this?
Wouldn’t it be nice if your storage locker somehow helped you getaway??? No I’m not talking about spending the weekend in your locker. We do not condone overnight stays in our clean, modern buildings with state of the art security (did you like how I slid that information in there?)
When you rent from our Victoria location your chances are better than the rest of us. All new rentals from April 1 to July 31 2013 will be entered in a draw to win a gift certificate to the Best Western Premier Prestige Ocean Front Resort in Sooke ($200 towards your hotel accommodation and a $50 restaurant credit)
Contact us directly at 250-478-8767 or by email westshoreulock@selfstorage.ca or click here to reserve your unit today.
A New Year arrives with new resolutions, new hopes, new dreams, new plans and optimism.
Each January we start off fresh, with a chance to accomplish more than we did last year, try something new or make a change. Unfortunately most of us who had good intentions on January 1st do not always follow through. A study by the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology found that only 8% of new years resolutions are successful.
Some helpful hints in succeeding are:
pick only 1 item to focus on, you can’t change the whole world at once
start small by breaking your resolutions down into smaller more manageable tasks
Organization is one resolution where you can try some creative solutions. Just because you have stored items away it doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty and functional at the same time.
Using nice colourful accents help you to become more organized.
Look at this innovative table and chair design – the table and chairs fit right into the wall shelves saving space when not being used.
And since we are getting creative how about adding a slide-out bar under your stairs?
And of course you can always visit one of our 3 locations – White Rock/South Surrey, Victoria, or Nanaimo – and get yourself your very own storage locker where you can either stash away all the items you don’t have room for at hone or neatly organize all your things. It’s your choice we won’t judge.
It’s that time of year where every Christmas special is on television, from the Grinch to Frosty to Miracle on 34th Street to Elf. Here are a few more Christmas moments for you to watch.
There are different options when looking to be more environmentally friendly both in business and in our daily lives. The Carbon Farmer has come up with a way to help companies and people reduce their carbon footprint.
The Carbon Farmer “began with a dream to sustain our family’s farm create habitat and address climate change”. They created a new use for the land in Peace River, AB, came up with a new vision and took it to the Dragon’s Den. You can view their Dragon’s Den pitch here. We’re not going to tell you if they got a deal or not … you’ll have to watch the episode.
We found out about the Carbon Farmer when we received an email from one of our suppliers – ASA Meter Ink a.k.a the Postage Meter Guy- sent us an email thanking us for our order and that they had planted a tree in our name; they plant a tree after every customer order that gets shipped to offset their carbon footprint You can see the tree planted for White Rock/Surrey U-Lock Mini Storage by clicking here, our tree is in the first row, near the middle. If you hover over the trees you will see who the tree was planted by, what type of tree it is (ours is a lodgepole pine).
Want a new idea this holiday season? Give someone a tree.
The next in our “Get To Know Us” series; we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Bill
Storage Specialist
White Rock / Surrey
U-Lock Mini Storage
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
Hanging out with the boyz. I have 2 grandsons and when it is ball season (fast pitch) we are spending 6-7 days a week at the ballpark with them.
2. What’s your favourite thing about fall?
I love the changing colours of fall, it’s such a visual transition, bright colours everywhere, the colours seem to come alive.
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
My favourite month would have to be December, I love Chirstmas. When it comes to favourite time of day I’m a bit of a contradiction – I’m a real night owl but I love getting up in the morning.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
Queen Elizabeth II. History fascinates me and the historical significance of the monarchy throughout time; it would be great to met the Queen.
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
I would like to see any of the space shuttle launches in person. I have been lucky enough to visit the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral but not when a launch was occurring and now the opportunity is gone so I would like to be able to go back in time and see one of the lauches.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Past and present family all together in one room
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Remote beach house
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
Bahamas
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
Mighty Mouse (though my wife would tell you Daffy Duck)
The next in our “Get To Know Us” series; we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Rod
Storage Specialist
White Rock / Surrey
U-Lock Mini Storage
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
In the mornings before work I’ll be at the gym, I go not only to work out but they play great music there too. And in the afternoon I’ll be busking at the Whaling Wall in White Rock with my electric ukulele entertaining tourists and locals with my special songs. I have a passion for music, I play the guitar, ukulele, banjo and I practice every day. And then any spare time in the summertime you will find me on one of our local golf courses.
2. What’s your favourite thing about fall?
The weather, it’s not too hot, it’s not too cold and the leaves start to turn colour. It also always brings back the memories of that back to school feeling of excitement. I always enjoyed coming back to school in September, catching with with friends you haven’t seen all summer, find out what everyone did, see how people changed and the excitement of what the year would bring. I re-live that feeling each fall.
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
I am a big fan of Formula 1 racing and on Sundays I get to watch the races. And football, that’s another good thing about fall, it is the start of the NFL season. I enjoy my Sundays watching the Forumla 1 races and football games.
I enjoy the early hours of the day too, I’m up at 5 am, make myself a good breakfast and then tackle the day.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
I’m a big movie buff and would be really interested in meeting some of the early stars in Hollywood, specifically Bette Davis, Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin. I would like to talk to them and find out who influenced them, how did they get to where they did. Bette Davis was a very strong personality that fought against the system that was in place. Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin, both were geniuses.
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
I’d like to go back and experience an event from my past again, as it had such a profound effect on me, I was there the first time but would like to re-visit it if I could. I would go back in time to the birth of my son. I can still remember, pushing my way through people to get to the front of the glass (things were different back them, the fathers weren’t in the rooms for the birth) looking at him on the other side, the most beautiful baby (in my completely unbiased opinion) with a full head of hair that everyone was taking about. It was the most wonderful day and a real life changing moment for me.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Guitars, not new guitars but old, used guitars that have lived. There is a guitar shop in Vancouver I frequent called Rufus’ Guitar Shop and when you walk in you are surrounded with their used guitar selection lined up on the walls. I get this feeling when I walk in Rufus’ and I would like to recreate it. You just get this feeling, if they could talk, all the things they have seen, all the stories they could tell. Instruments from as far back as the 1920′s, they have traveled the world, performed from large crowds down to a single audience of one, they have shared lives with people and I can almost hear them speak.
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates – the classic Long John Silver style being my pirate of choice.
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Beach house, it doesn’t have to be remote, but I love the beach, the sun, the sand, the wind, the smell of the ocean. I’m thinking of getting myself a metal detector and cruising the beach and see what I can discover.
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
Brazil and Chile
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
Our 5th interview, in our “Get To Know Us” series where we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Aaron
Storage Specialist
U-Lock Mini Storage in Nanaimo
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
I spend a lot of time in the good company of my wife and our pug, Brutus. Aside from this I help with a local film group in Nanaimo. Often times I’m volunteering my time to help other members write, film, and edit different film projects.
2. What’s your favourite thing about fall?
Probably just the escape it brings from the relentless heat of summer. I enjoy that for the most part things slow down as well. I may even have a chance to finish some of the projects I started in the summer.
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
Weekends. I live for the weekends. With most of my family and friends living out of town, the weekends give me a chance to travel to see them.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
Martin Scorsese, not because he is my favorite director, but because I think he knows film. Seems like a smart guy that I would love to have
a conversation with.
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
Right now that would definitely be a manned flight to Mars. Looking like a possibility too.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Does brewery equipment count as one thing? I recently graduated with a degree in microbiology and I’ve been intrigued by the process of brewing beer at home. Definitely a hobby I could get into.
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Hands down Ninjas.
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Mountain hideaway
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
My wife and I headed to Hawaii for our 3rd Wedding Anniversary in 2011; Oahu to be specific. We had a great time. Surfing was particularly amazing.
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
Wile E. Coyote. He may take an anvil to the face once and a while, but that guy is determined. One day he’ll eat that bird…
Check back soon to see who’s next.
Any volunteers? Let me know.
Our 4th interview, in our “Get To Know Us” series where we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Katrina
Manager at White Rock / Surrey
U-Lock Mini Storage
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
Right now, I am in the final planning stages of my upcoming wedding, the big day is coming up fast. When I am not in bridezilla mode, I am usually at home, enjoying time with my family, my fiancé, our cat, and tending my veggie garden. Oh, and baking of course.
2. What’s your favourite thing about summer?
I love going on drives in the evening with Ben in our convertible. We like to explore the back roads of our community, but we have been known to drive to Oregon on a whim, just for a milkshake.
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
My favorite day would definitely have to be Christmas. For me, my family is number one and I really love the cozy feeling that Christmas morning brings, surrounded by family and friends. The food is always epic as well.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
I would love to meet Chef Paula Deen. Between “The queen of cooking with butter” and myself, I am pretty sure we could do some serious damage.
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
I just want to see myself and my loved ones live happily ever after. I would love to have kids one day and I think that watching them grow up would be a dream come true.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Penguins!! I would like my own personal penguin habitat. A room full of an assortment of different types of penguins.
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates, and if I have a choice of the Caribbean variety preferably.
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Mountain hideaway
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
The furthest that I have traveled is the Mediterranean. I had a great opportunity to explore Italy, Turkey, and Greece with my longtime best friend. The different cultures were amazing and the cuisine was to die for. My favorite place though was Rhodes in Greece. The small town feel, the beautiful marinas and the incredible legends and history, I loved it.
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
I think I would be Winnie the Pooh, love me some honey.
Check back soon to see who’s next.
Any volunteers? Let me know.
Our third interview, in our “Get To Know Us” series where we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Contestant #3 Larry
Storage Specialist
Longest term employee at 10 + years
White Rock / Surrey
U-Lock Mini Storage
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
I am usually out walking Shako my miniature poodle, he’s apricot coloured with hazel eyes. And on weekends I am usually out at garage sales, I like to see what I can find, and then when I accumulate too many things I will have my own garage sale.
2. What’s your favourite thing about summer?
My favourite part is the heat, my dad used to call me a “hot house plant” because I loved the heat so much. I also like the longer days. We, Shako and I, can take longer walks and just enjoy this wonderful area we live in. (I’ve lived in many different places across the country and I think sometimes people forget or take for granted what a great place we live in).
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
Just recently this changed, my favourite time of the day was always the mid-afternoon, but now it is the morning. It changed because I now live in a place that faces east and I have never experienced that before, now I get to see the sun coming up, it fills my rooms with the great morning light.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
I would like to go back in time and meet my parents when they first met each other and find out who they were, and what they were like, before us 8 kids came along.
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
I’d like to be in Apollo 11 as it landed on the moon in 1969, right in the craft with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. I was working in Newfoundland at the time on the midnight shift and we were all listening to the moon landing on the radio.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Happiness – you just can’t go out and buy a bag of happiness.
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates, I remember my Grandma gave Treasure Island (the story of Long John Silver) to my brother and Robinson Crusoe to me and those books filled our imaginations with stories of pirates. I still have the books in my possession.
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Remote beach house
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
Depending on which way you measure it, I’ve been to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates and I’ve been to Australia.
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
Linus from Charlie Brown
Check back soon to see who’s next. Any volunteers? Let me know.
This is the second interview, in our “Get To Know Us” series where we interview our staff so we can all learn a little bit more about each other. We will ask each person the same 10 questions so as to gain a little insight into the person they are when they take off that infamous lighted U-Lock hat and leave the office. The good? the bad? the ugly? we will be in for some surprises.
Contestant #2 Donna
Assistant Manager at WestShore
U-Lock Mini Storage in Victoria
1. Where can we find you when you are not being a storage specialist?
More often then not you will find me at the gym perfecting the TRX. If I’m not at the gym I’ll be organizing fundraising events for Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, and then any extra time I will be volunteering with the JDF Junior Curling and RCMP Auxiliary and most importantly spending time with the family.
2. What’s your favourite thing about summer?
The ability to run outside under the sun, both that and being able to enjoy the sun relaxing out on the deck in my spare time (which after question 1 you may ask what spare time).
3. What’s your favourite time of day? or day of the week? or favourite month?
My favourite month is October because that is when my favourite holiday occurs – Halloween. I decorate the house all up for Halloween and enjoy being at the door and giving out candy and seeing all the kids in costume.
4. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be?
This is a tough one as I’ve been lucky enough to meet a lot of different people so next on my list would be Johnny Depp
5. If you could witness any event past / present / future what would it be?
On the moon watching the Apollo 11 landing in 1969, being there to observe the landing and see Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin step out.
6. If you could have a room full of any one thing what would it be?
Laughing children, I love how they enjoy themselves and laugh from the bottom of their stomach.
7. Ninjas or pirates?
Pirates
8. Mountain hideaway or remote beach house?
Remote beach house
9. What’s the furthest you have traveled?
Freeport Bahamas – I went there for 2 months in 2008 to work on the rebuild of the Mighty Servant 3 which is a semi-submersible heavy lift ship that installs oil drilling gear. The Mighty Servant 3 sank off the coast of Angola on the southern coast of Africa and was salvaged and brought into Freeport to be rebuilt. I worked as part of the crew that did the repairs, replacing all the flooring on the ship.
10. If you could be any cartoon character who would you be?
Eeyore, everyone tells me I’m nothing like him, but there’s just something about him…
Check back soon to see who’s next. Any volunteers? Let me know.
