From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Tue Mar 1, 2005 9:29:15 PM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Former ad executive fuzzy on details at the federal sponsorship inquiry, Le CHUM à Outremont coûterait 2,4 milliards $, selon Daniel Johnson
Dear Paul,
Another day at work listening to the owner talk and complain to walls and anyone or anything that would listen about how her house is never finished, while at the same time making demands on everyone and everything in her sight. I think some people actually believe the world revolves around them. Listening to rich people complain can be so annoying! What, am I supposed to feel sorry for them? I’m sorry, I just can’t relate to those problems, nor would I want to. In some respects there are legitimate reasons for anger; the general contractor (and my former boss from the fall) apparently billed the client to the tune of $47,000 in January. He had no work there in January! He’s also screwing Mike and Devan; he billed the owner for the materials for the cabinets but never reimbursed the cabinet makers. Mo would say it is karma. Who would have thought that renovating a house would involve such pilfering and purloining, such backstabbing and gossiping?
Had another french exam tonight. Arrived just on time; Eric dropped me off at a bus stop on Van Horn but I didn’t have time to stop at home before class. Kuan is missing me. I stayed at Claudine’s last night and she helped me with the text Lori wanted me to prepare for the exhibition. I was a bit late with it. For some reason I had problems finishing it and letting it go. When it comes to this project I find I hardly have anything definitive to say about it; the meaning keeps mutating.
Speaking of the project, I’d best take advantage of my early night off class and get cracking on a painting. I need to have a shower first; I’m a bit smelly. Finally took care of the dishes that had been festering on the counter. Now that my kitchen is clean I don’t want to mess it up by cooking. PB & J pour midi demain?
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Fri Mar 4, 2005 12:53:56 AM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Four RCMP officers killed after raid on Alta marijuana grow operation, Quatre agents de la GRC sont tués en Alberta lors d’une descente
Dear Paul,
End of the week for work, for me. Tomorrow is my day off. I’m heading down to your constituency office to make a video of it for the exhibition. Borrowed Melissa’s tripod tonight while washing my laundry.
Eric, Greg and I have been talking at work about forming a real estate investors group. Isn’t that just about the strangest thing you’ve heard coming from me? But you know I’m sick of living on the poverty line, and I like renovating apartment, so it sort of makes sense to try to take steps towards actually owning the properties that I work on. Take part in the system a little more. It might be difficult to do with this student loan hanging over my head and my shredded credit rating, but there are always ways around such things. Speaking of which, do you know any good accountants for personal income taxes? I’d better get cracking on mine.
Jacob gave me some news about the Khyber tonight. Apparently it went “bankrupt”, due to debts to the city, but the city is also going to “save” the Khyber by buying out the lease and offering it limited space within the building. I got a cute little mention in the article in The Coast: “The Khyber’s last director, Chris Lloyd, was apparently “crazy” when he left Halifax for art-friendly Montreal, burnt out from juggling both roles for almost four years.” I have to say, I certainly have been feeling more sane and stable this past year. A good thing to celebrate, along with my birthday. Clo and I are organizing a little dinner to celebrate it; about a dozen people are getting together at a little Peruvian restaurant on the Plateau tomorrow night. Some I haven’t seen in awhile and others I have just recently met. Should be an interesting get-together. As you know, I don’t typically like to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, big holidays, etc., but this year I feel a bit different about it all. I’m planning to get quite drunk and enjoy myself thoroughly, as I haven’t been really drunk in quite a while. Maybe I’ll find some pot and get stoned too, while I’m inebriating myself. I hope the video shoot goes well.
Following is a statement released Thursday night by Prime Minister Paul Martin following the deaths of four RCMP officers in a raid on a marijuana grow operation in Rochfort Bridge, Alta.:
It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the tragic deaths of four Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers today in Rochfort Bridge, Alberta.
The Deputy Prime Minister has spoken with the Commissioner of the RCMP and is following the situation closely. (what exactly does this mean? He’s watching the news? Reading the paper? Talking to cops and witnesses? And what are you doing? Why not just tell us what you are doing as well as the Deputy PM?)
Canadians are shocked by this brutality and join me in condemning the violent acts that brought about these deaths. (are you including the grow operation as a violent act? Sure, murder is a terrible thing but isn’t it a bit presumptuous of you to assume that “Canadians…join” you? Weren’t they killed by a wacked-out, desperate lone gunman? What other violent acts occurred?)
This terrible event is a reminder of the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who serve in our national police force, and of the dangerous circumstances which they often confront, in order to make Canada a safer place. (maybe if your government would get off its arse and make a stand on the broader issue of marijuana, then less cops would be put in these “dangerous circumstances”. Just decriminalize it and/or legalize it already! Treat it like alcohol, take control of grow ops, make some tax money and regulate the industry. Are you saying that it is marijuana itself that makes Canada less of a safe place? Or is it organized crime? Wouldn’t the gov’t pull the rug out by legalizing and regulating the growing/purchase/selling?)
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the officers who were killed as they carried out their duty in enforcing the law and protecting the public. (What public exactly were they protecting?)
At this moment of difficulty and loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers. (Did you get this from a Halmark card? Who wrote this letter for you?)
The thing that really bothers me about your letter is that it feels so empty and vacuous. Why not write about how horrified and pissed off you are? Why not write to say concrete steps will be taken? Why write anything at all?
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Fri Mar 4, 2005 3:19:42 PM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Alberta town of Mayerthorpe mourns death of four Mounties shot in drug raid, Jean Charest réclame un plus grand rôle international pour le Québec
Dear Paul,
I felt the video shoot was a success. I slept in this morning but not too late. Had a shower, shaved, grabbed some breakfast and headed to your office. A bit of a commute; all the way to Angrignon, end of the green line, then a bit of a wait for the #106. A woman standing behind me was quite irate about the wait, especially since there was a #106 idling behind the line for a good 20 minutes. I guess that is the system; drivers leave and get on idling busses all the time. Is this idling bus business in accord with Kyoto?
Anyway, I arrived at the strip mall your office is located in and set up my camera at noon. I decided that I would tape for an hour and edit the video down to 22 minutes. Not much happened. I talked to a guy who was curious as to what I was doing. People came and went but I didn’t see anyone enter or leave your office. I guess you don’t get much traffic. The Dominos Pizza seemed to have the most.
I lucked out and ran across Newman Boulevard and caught a bus back to the Metro just after I finished the shoot. It’s a bit cold outside. Came home and paid bills online; my cable, my power, my phone, and to top it off, my drivers license renewal. A good chunk of change. I’ve set up an appointment to get my haircut this afternoon. Then I’m off to Bily Kuhn to meet some of the gang and start drinking before supper.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Sat Mar 5, 2005 7:10:07 PM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Anger surfaces in Alta town where four RCMP officers shot and killed, Bush et Martin discutent du bouclier et de questions internationales
Dear Paul,
J’avais un tres bon nuit hier soir. Il y a trieze personnes a la resto La Selva; moi, Clo, Sarah R., Melissa et Geoff, Eric et Rudy, Greg et Mieshe, Robbie et Fern. Bien aliments, pas cher table d’hôte, conversations genial et beaucoup des vins. La table c’etait plein du vin! J’ai rencontré les deux Jacobs et Claudine chez Bily Kün premierment, mais il etait plein des gars, donc nouse sommes allé chez Missy Bar pour un boire. Il l’etait un vraiment mauvaise chanteuse; un croix entre karaoke et lip-synching. Bizarre.
I treated myself to a haircut at swanky Tonic on St. Laurent. It is an Aveda spa. The place was huge. So was my bill; I ordered the hair pomade that was listed on my prescription (I declined the prescription for shampoo and conditioner), and had to contain my shock at the price; the pomade was as much as the cut, $30. Just smile, nod, hand over the card. It is a nice cut, and the pomade—”finishing paste”—smells great. Like I said, I treated myself. Probably won’t do it again for at least another year.
After supper a bunch of us walked to Le Swimming for the funk band Eric and Rudy had seen last week, Free Oxygen. They were really fun and we danced until late. Claudine and I caught a cab home, ate some of the lemon pudding she had made me for my birthday, we smoked a joint and then got down and dirty. Had sex on the couch, in the kitchen, in her bed, in almost every way imaginable, even bum love on the both of us. Being drunk and mildly high made it all an even more surreal sexual experience; very deep and immediate and intense.
Today we slept in a bit and had breakfast at a cute neighbourhood Toast place on Roy, then continued downtown to catch the metro to Longueille, then a bus to the CEGEP Edourd Montpetit, where Galerie Plein Sud is located. Ana Rewakowicz was having a vernissage of one of her inflatable objects, and showing a video documenting her performance of an inflatable, portable dress/sleeping bag. Clo had translated the exhibition essay.
Clo had to work at the bookstore and I came home to eat leftovers and work on paintings/collages/videos/letters etc. in short to work frantically on finishing things up for this show. Warren just called me and is dropping off his four paintings to me tomorrow morning. I hope they will fit in my suitcases; he has just had them framed. Swanky!
Judy called me today and is trying again to convince me to move back to SJ. I still find the thought tempting. Especially with Claudine considering a job in Toronto; if she gets it, she’ll be moving in April. I don’t think either of us really knows how to feel about it.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Mon Mar 7, 2005 12:07:01 AM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Catholic priest urges parishioners to pray for Mountie killer Roszko, Les militants libéraux accordent massivement leur appui à Paul Martin
Cher Paul,
Claudine a me visité hier soir, aprés travail. Nous avons vu le film Ray. Pas mal; c’etait un peu typiques des films sur les personnages bien connu. Difficultés quand jeune, un trauma, longue heurres du travail, probléms avec des femmes et du drouge, un rédemption, etc. Le formation de musique c’etait bon. Puis c’etait un peu trop longue. Nous n’avons eu pas le temps aprés pour faire de sexe; nous sommes trop fatigue.
Le matin nous avons fait pain doré et lirant les journal. Clo a m’aidé avec des lettres quand j’ai peinturé. J’ai fait ça tout la journée. Warren est fait un livraison de mes peintures, avec les nouveaux cadrés. C’etait vraiment belle. J’ai un bonne souper c’est soir; le pain avec beurre d’arachides et bananes, et pour boire un demi flask du Jack Daniels. Yum! J’ai fait un petit somme. J’ai regardé le télé un petit peu en parlant avec Karina quand elle a me téléphoné. Nous parlerons presque un heure. Elle va commencer un petit galerie dans leur Day Planner.
J’ai doit faire un depôt a mon banque se soir, parce que je manque six cents dans le compte que j’ai utilizé pour payé mon louer cette mois. J’espoir que il va marcher, puis le banque ne tient pas l’argent pour cinq/six jours en plus.
Je dois dormir plutôt, je travailler demain.
-chris
De: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Tue 8 Mar 2005 7:16:57 AM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Objet: East Coast Mounties, police, military remember slain RCMP officers, Les libéraux font l’objet de critiques malgré leur volonté de transparence
Dear Paul,
Monday back at work was fun. We start a littler later on Mondays, at 9, it feels very civilized. The owner was in a cranky mood and didn’t want us to sand anything. She really wants the job finished and us out of her house, which might happen by the end of the week. We are making good progress.
Spoke to Judy on the phone again; she’s offering me a job in the new wine bar she and Peter will be opening in late summer. It’s really tempting and I think I might do it. She sounds really excited about the project and that enthusiasm is contagious; it leads me to believe I could really do some exciting things in SJ.
Claudine came over in the evening and we cooked supper together (she had brought some food; my supplies are low), watched a bit of TV and then we both had work to do; she on a contract and me on paintings. You were all over the french dailies yesterday (didn’t get a chance to see the Globe), so I’ve started a couple paintings from Le Devoir and La Presse. They are both sort of Nixon-esque. It was nice to have the evening off from class; I think I will be productive this week.
Gotta go finish scrounging up a lunch.
-chris
De: chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Date: Tue 8 Mar 2005 8:18:05 PM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca
Cc: chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Objet: Slain Mountie had told dad he’d be with Jesus in Heaven if killed on duty, Cinq revendications pour les femmes du Québec sont adressées au gouvernement
Dear Paul,
Happy International Women’s Day. I just received this email, and thought I would share it with you.
AMERICAN INITIATIVE AT UN GREETED WITH SHOCK AND ANGER
On Friday, the United States proposed an amendment to the draft declaration that would reaffirm the Beijing platform and declaration but only “while reaffirming that they do not create any new international human rights, and that they do not include the right to abortion,” according to the text obtained by The Associated Press.
“It is absolutely outrageous to have the Government of the United States, self-named as the world’s foremost democratic state, the champion of Human Rights and Freedoms, usurp the right to make personal moral decisions for all women who are half of the world’s population,” said Catharine Laidlaw-Sly, president of the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC). This action is an attempt, backed by the undue use of the wealth and power of a particular country, to impose a religious concept on the lives of all women, regardless of their own beliefs and practises. This contravenes the concept, enshrined in the American Constitution of the separation of Church and State. Because denying women the right to an abortion applies only to women, this is also a blatant example of sexual discrimination explicitly endorsed by a national government.
NCWC first asked the Government of Canada to remove abortion from the Criminal Code in 1971, on the grounds that the decision was a personal one and that abortion was a medical procedure. It is unbelievable that this concept would be advanced just a week before International Women’s Day during the tenth anniversary observances of the Beijing 4th World Conference for Women, with its Declaration and the comprehensive Platform for Action.
In the last decade, ample evidence has been documented that proves that women and girl-children are vulnerable and subjected to sexual assaults in all parts of the world. We also have d
ocumented proof that women and girl-children who are poor (and the majority are) are those most vulnerable to sexual exploitation by men and boys. These facts alone should serve to focus the efforts of the government of the United States on sharing its wealth. Denying women the right to an abortion will only drive desperately poor women into seeking underground or self-induced abortions, a step back in time for many, and no chance for better conditions of life for most. For shame, Mr. Bush!
NCWC urges the Government of Canada to stand firm in refusing and repulsing this ill-conceived attack on the health and welfare of the world’s women.
For more information:
Catharine Laidlaw-Sly, president
Phone: (613) 232 – 5025 Fax: (613) 232 8419 Email: ncwc@magma.ca
Anyway, I also thought I would write to you before my “painting high” wears off and I become a grouch or comatose. We painted up a storm at work today, hitting the cabinets, shelves, doors, baseboards and window
s with the finishing oil. We worked until 7pm. I have to admit I really enjoyed the buzz. I felt energized and dulled at the same time, my body painting mechanically while my mind raced on about art and politics and relationships. It was so nice to finish the day and then stop at Claudine’s to share supper with her. She is making patè chinois as I write this. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home to buy supplies, and rented a couple films: Get Shorty (because she hasn’t seen it and we want to see the follow-up, even though the reviews have been less then stellar. Maybe just for the dance scene?), and The Stepford Wives, the original. It’s supposed to be –30 tonight so I might not want to go home, but I’ve got to feed Kuan. And work on paintings. I’m eager to get the Nixon-esque ones finished this week. Still have the video and books to attend to. Good gracious, I leave for Calgary in just over a week. Yikes.
-chris
De: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Thu 10 Mar 2005 12:02:33 AM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Objet: Liberals stack committee to help push along gay marriage bill, Le ministre de l’Education tourne le dos à un groupe d’étudiants grévistes
Dear Paul,
Greg bought me a respirator today, so I wouldn’t get so baked from the paint fumes. I don’t know if he did it out of health concerns or because he didn’t want to hear me singing and giggling. We had a productive day, and the mask really did help; I hardly felt at all stoned. Came home after work, scrounged for some food, had a nap, had a shower (the paint fumes are in the fibres of my clothes, yuck) and worked on paintings. Am going to try to get to bed early tonight.
Following is a response I got from your minister of Immigration, Joe Volpe, when I signed an online petition demanding freedom for Wendy Maxwell, a Costa Rican activist and community radio producer who was arrested on Saturday during the International Women’s Day fair at Ryerson U. She was selling cookies to raise money for CKLN community radio. She was then transferred into Immigration custody on a day specifically calling for an end to violence and discrimination against women internationally. She is now being held at the Vanier Centre/jail in Milton. Her crime? Living in Canada without Immigration status.
From : Minister <Minister@cic.gc.ca>
Sent : March 9, 2005 8:13:02 AM
To : <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
Subject : RE: Asylum for Wendy Maxwell
This will acknowledge receipt of your e-mail to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC).
If your e-mail is a request for case information, the responsibility placed on us by the Privacy Act to protect all personal information precludes us from responding using e-mail, given that it is not a secure medium for transmission of information. In addition, if your request for case information is on behalf of a CIC applicant, we cannot release any information without the written consent of the applicant.
Please note that we are not able to respond to e-mails concerning the following:
· Assessment of points/qualifications/calculation of time (for citizenship & immigration applications).
· Refusal of an application by a visa or immigration official.
· Processing delays.
· Complaints about the Call Centre (will be sent to the Departmental Delivery Network of CIC for necessary action/information).
· Urgent Processing of Permanent Resident Cards (will be sent to the Permanent Resident Card Processing Centre for necessary action/information).
· Travel documents/requirements for travel to other countries.
· Complaints about U.S. Immigration
-chris
De: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Fri 11 Mar 2005 6:58:31 AM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Objet: Jetsgo ceases operations, tells travellers to make other plans, La compagnie aérienne Jetsgo annonce la cessation immédiate des opérations
Fuck!
Guess with which company I bought my plane ticket to Calgary? Jets-fucking-go. I’ve got to re-book with Air Canada, maybe I’ll try to get the same flight as Claudine. I hope I can get reimbursed; of course, the ticket is on Mom’s credit card.
Worked another ten hour day yesterday; the house is ALMOST finished. It’s looking good. The mask works really well. Damn I paint some fine trim lines.
Claudine came over after working at the bookstore. She got the job in TO; good salary, part-time schedule, computer, internet connection paid for. A good deal. We talked about what exactly (or not exactly) this means to us. We decided to continue doing what we are doing, or claim to have been doing this past year; playing things by ear. She starts work the end of March and will be moving mid-April.
Anyway, I’ve got to look into this ticket thing and see if I can get something figured out this morning before work.
-chris
De: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:28:05 PM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Objet: Final Mountie funeral an emotional tribute to rookie Brock Myrol, Québec veut négocier une “entente à rabais”, dénonce la CASSEE
Dear Paul,
Had a productive day. Well planned and well executed. Woke fairly early, as Claudine had to work at the bookstore at 10pm. I forgot we were at her place. We had met Melissa late last night to discuss the Galerie Espace exhibition; we met at Bistro Beaubien, a front if I ever saw one. Before that Clo treated me to a fabulous supper at Unique, a restaurant I have passed umpteen times since living in this quarter but never eaten at. Homemade pasta and unique sauces, very tasty. Missed out on seeing the band Caïman Fu at Va-et Vient on Notre Dame. I think I have a crush on the singer and actress Isabelle Blais. Apparently she lives in the Mile End; maybe I’ll bump into her sometime.
So today I bought my bookbinding supplies at le Tranchefille, on St-Laurent. The older guy working there was really helpful; he cut up my Davy board to size, so it was 1. easier to carry home and 2. far more exact than I would have been able to do. On the way home I picked up some bolts to build my press, and talked to my Dad on the phone. He’s already been hearing the “rumours” that I may be moving back to SJ. We talked about buying property downtown. He seemed excited. I could hear Yaga yowling in the background. Anxious to get outside.
Claudine had finished some formatting of the letters so I had years 2001 and 2002 printed off today. Also finished the invite for the La Galerie Espace exhibition. They, and my snazzy new business cards, will be finished tomorrow. I’m excited. I’ll post the invite on my blog.
Now I’ve finished supper, am enjoying a glass or two of wine, and will continue the paintings and book-binding until Eric and crew arrive to pick me up before the Rheostatics show at Le Swimming. I haven’t seen them in years; maybe five? I’m excited about that, too. Excited about life in general, at the moment. Lots of movement underfoot.
Oh, and I re-booked my ticket with Air Canada (Tango). Hopefully there won’t be too much of a hassle getting reimbursed for the defunct LetGo ticket.
-chris
De: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Mon 14 Mar 2005 7:46:25 AM America/Montreal
À: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Objet: Aid groups eligible for $200M in tsunami funds should ‘get moving’: minister, La faillite de Jetsgo fera augmenter les tarifs, croient ses concurrents
Dear Paul,
The Rheostatics were great on Saturday night, as expected. Such talented musicians. We left just as they were starting their second encore, with Saskatchewan, but by then I’d had enough. Stayed at Claudine’s and had a reprisal of morning sex, then a nice breakfast at the cute restaurant next door, then we wandered downtown in the springshine, the sun warm and hot, the snow melting, jackets undone, people everywhere. Took the bus to the Barat St. house to meet up with Eric and Rudy; he had made plans to meet Tara, the daughter, at the house and go to the St.Paddy’s day parade together. I had planned to work all day but guess what happened? We got down to Ste. Catherine’s and Bishop and the excitement of potential public drunkeness was too strong, so we made a few trips to nearby depanneurs and drank cans of beer and got giddy. I “won” a few shots of a smooth new Canadian whiskey, Yukon Jack, by landing a snowball in the diving tank float from about 100 feet. Nice stuff, have you ever had it? The guy thought it was only available in Ontario. So after the parade we took enjoyment out of the fact that we could stand around in the middle of the street, drinking beer, until the cops cleared us away for the street cleaners. Very efficient. The can collectors were out as well; also very efficient. We ended up at Brewtopia, dancing to some Celtic band and drinking Guinness on Tara’s tab. So much for my plan to work! I was also supposed to pick up the invites and calling cards by 5pm, but I called Melissa and she did it. Clo and I took metro and bus back to her place where we made supper, after a little pit stop at Provigo. We used the self-cashier line. I took the opportunity to steal some fish. I figure if they are going to make it that easy to steal one has to at least make an effort. Watched Tout le monde en parle and started falling asleep. Would have liked to stay but Kuan needed attention. Worked on some letters when I got home but didn’t stay up late. It’s weird to drink in the middle of the day.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Tue Mar 15, 2005 7:06:53 AM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Canada needs to improve international clout, says outgoing U.S. ambassador, Après les Lafleur c’est au tour des Gosselin à témoigner devant M. Gomery
Dear Paul,
Running late. Washed laundry last night at S&Ms. Met Jessie’s mom, who is visiting from Vancouver. Got frustrated with my version of Word, which kept crashing as I was re-formatting letters. Clo came over later in the evening and finished 2003 and double-checked it, too. I bound 2001-2002. It’s coming together. I received the e-invite from Lori and realized that there isn’t an opening on Monday the 21; the opening reception is on April 8! Oh well, less pressure I guess. It’s also just she and I installing the letters; could be tricky. Eric said he’d help. He drove me home after work and we drank some beer and talked. Anyway, I’ve got to run, I’m matching a painting on a bed frame today at the Nice House, and can’t be late. I’m really looking forward to meeting the owner; she was away the whole time we were working on her house last time.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:20:40 AM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, Martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Exec says Gagliano’s office involved in his declining federal contracts, Québec souhaite que Bombardier assemble ses avions de série C à Mirabel
Dear Paul,
I’d write more but I’m a little stoned. And from only half a tiny joint! My mind is wandering too much. And I don’t want to write any more until I have a chance to sleep on a few of the ideas. But before I forget, here are some of my fun events of the day:
No, on second thought (and countless revisions) I’ll wait until tomorrow.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd@videotron.ca>
Date: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:04:04 PM America/Montreal
To: pm@pm.gc.ca, martin.P@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Ad executive says Jean Brault told him to write cheques to Gagliano employee, Michel Leblanc regrette la fermeture de Jetsgo qu’il attribue à Westjet
Dear Paul,
I’m almost ready to go. Just finished packing. Today, finally, the nervousness hit me. I’m a bundle of nerves. I’m worried about the show, about “getting it right”. I’ve got lots and lots of doubts, about many elements of the show, but also am trying to trust my instinct. Whatever the hell that means.
The article in the ‘Post has been bumped to next week. The Air India victims are taking priority. How dare they!
Actually, the interview with Julia started my nervous streak. That and the pot and subsequent paranoia. I just hope it goes OK. I hope I don’t forget anything.
I still have to finish editing the damn video (on the plane).
I think flying makes me nervous. I’ll take a handful of sleeping pills from Claudine’s. I’m stopping there on my way to the airport to drop off the Red Suitcase full of the Red Books. All four of them, one for each year, 2001-2004. 1333 pages in all (I counted).
I’ve got three hefty suitcases with me; one is homemade, I boxed up Warren’s paintings. Used a whole roll of duct tape. I hope it doesn’t fall apart.
OK, I’d better call a cab.
Why am I so nervous??
-chris
From chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Sent Friday, March 18, 2005 10:03 am
To paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca> , paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Bcc
Subject Quebec advertising executive testifies about Jean Brault’s business practices, Michel Leblanc regrette la fermeture de Jetsgo qu’il attribueà Westjet
Dear Paul,
Wow, wow, and what the hell, here’s another wow. The
suite I am staying at is oh so sweet! Two levels, big
comfy bed, fireplace, big TV with cable, full kitchen
and laundry facilities, internet hookup, c’est trés
cool! Claudine will love it. It’s the perfect setting
for homemade porn. Big full length mirrors next to the
bed. Good thing I brought my video camera.
Finished editing the video on the plane, it only took
the computer down to 35%. It’s bang-on at 22 minutes.
The titles look sketchy though: they flicker as they
enter and exit the screen. I hope it is just a
playback glitch. If it’s an inherent problem with the
way the titles function, then I’ll have to re-edit
without the daily letter running overtop.
Lori and her husband met me at the Lofts Eau Claire
and let me in, gave me the keys and then took off. I
was hungry (the chicken pasta on the plane was good
but seemed hours away), so I wandered around looking
for somewhere open to get something to eat. I also
needed toothpaste; I knew I had forgot something!
Found a Mac’s and stocked up a little.
Oddly enough, by 2:30am local time (is that 4:40 or
5:30 Montréal time?), I still wasn’t tired but I
forced myself to sleep. I had forgotten the sleeping
pills. (And my battery charger, darn, I just
remembered. It is still plugged into Claudine’s
kitchen wall. We were taking photos of her place the
other day to send to Jen, who is considering taking
Claudine?’ apartment. I know, it’s a bit weird).
OK, off to the gallery. I have a long few days ahead
of me, including an interview with Global this morning
and a wack of things I need to hunt down and buy.
-chris
From chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Sent Sunday, March 20, 2005 12:23 pm
To paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca> , paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject Harper wins strong endorsement as Conservatives finally close ranks,Après le congrès conservateur, l’heure est au bilan pour le Québec
Dear Paul,
Had a bizarre morning. Clo and I were enjoying the
roominess of the bed and were enjoying the shower when
I slipped and fell over the tub backwards, landing on
my ass wrapped up in the shower curtain. The rod
landed on my head. It was a timely interruption, but
good for a laugh or two.
It was a loooong day of installation. And I started
quite late, as there were a few technical delays.
First problem: a dirth of printers that were actually
open in the downtown core. In fact, many of the
streets were deserted; almost like a great big ghost
town. The printer I had called turned out to be closed
as well. So we stopped at the gallery, dropped off the
Big Red Books, then I headed out again to get my video
transferred. Walked to 17th ave and the shop had
moved—a punk record store was there instead. Luckily
they knew where the Director’s Chair had moved to;
17th street, a bit of a trek. I took a bus part way.
Once that was finished I bought a pack of cigarettes
and waited for the bus. The bus got stuck behind a
small group of anti-war protestors. For awhile we
moved at a snail’s pace. Then we passed Western
Canadian Graphics (WCG), so I hopped off and went in,
only to be disappointed; too pricey, and way too damn
slow. They didn’t have their self-serve computers
hooked up to any high-speed copiers; I printed 92
pages before the tiny laser printer ran out of paper
and I ran out of patience. Lucky for me I ended up
calling a tiny printshop which wasn’t even open, but
the owner was there and ran my copies off AND gave me
the best price I’d heard all day. Nice to know that
there are some pockets of small-business hospitality
and generosity within the rectangular core of downtown
Corporate Calgary. I think Ash at X-Press Digital
really saved peace of mind; I was in a great mood
afterwards and stopped yelling and cursing out loud as
I walked.
The rest of the installation was fairly smooth.
Claudine came by and helped with the last big wall of
letters while Lori continued with the paintings. I
tackled the Wall of Frames (curios). Tricky; it is the
oddest of all the work in the show. By the end of the
arranging/editing process I was feeling better about
it. The Fibreglas flag is a great touch. Dom came by
after work and helped as well. He brought chips. We
managed to wrap everything up by about 9:30, and then
guess what happened? I found the letters that I had
printed at WCG in my bag. D’oh! So on Monday we’ll
slip them into the spare walls leading to the
administrative offices. It throws the order off a bit
(a lot!) but that is why I include the books; for ease
of chronological order.
Clo and I grabbed burgers and Guinness from the pub
across the street from the gallery and then Eric
called from the airport, hyped up for a night out at
Cowboys. Clo and I stopped at the Loft to freshen up
and ended up watching the first half of The Shining on
TV. What a great movie! I’d forgotten how well
structured it is; great sound, great long shots, great
psychological tension.
Cowboys is not far from the Loft, so we walked there
in the snow. Only had to wait in line for five
minutes, beneath heating rods. They have a metal
detector at the entrance. The place is a massive meat
market, heating turned up way high so the girls can be
as scantily clad as possible. We met Eric and his
friends on the dance floor and they knew all the hot
country songs and danced up a storm. It became very
clear to everyone that I can’t dance. I am in dire
need of intensive lessons or a new pair of legs. It’s
too bad because Claudine is a great dancer and loves
to dance.
Today we’ve rented a car and are going to Banff for
some R&R, some A (never been to the Walter Phillips
before and apparently the Alberta Biennial is really
good) maybe an M (our muscles are really sore),
possibly some S (we’re always up for that!).
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:24:20 PM America/Montreal
To: paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc: chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject: Conservatives bouyed by first convention, vow more aggressive stance in House, Les conservateurs veulent adopter une attitude plus vigoureuse en Chambre
Dear Paul,
We had fun in Banff, though the 14$ charge to get into
the park seemed a bit much for the amount of time we
spent there. The Alberta Bienniel was worth seeing,
and the David Hoffos piece was worth the whole $14, so
I’m not complaining. That guy is an amazing artist. He
had built a small model house that sits in a darkened
room under spotlights. Small ghostly figures move
about the hous, little holograms. Then you realize
that you are one of the holograms! With his typical
smoke and mirrors technique he takes real-time video
of visitors to the room which is then projected into
the tiny house. Wild. Other works I found mentionable:
Marc Clintbergs’s “Love Empire” stage, where I tried a
bit of stand-up but with no audience other than the
gallery attendant—who was very enthusiastic—I couldn’t
really perform. And I usually need alcohol before
going onstage. David Diviney’s stacked garbage cans
with cutout, red lit flames was nice too, as well as
the big oversized inflatable mattresses—rendered in
stainless steel—by Simon Black, and the weird and
wonderful “Carousel Stampede” by Dianne Bos.
Karina called me while we were leaving the gallery and
we talked about computer specs—she’s thinking of
buying a laptop—and Claudine got a little ticked off.
I was a bit insensitive to her and talking a little
too long, but Karina and I don’t actually talk all
that much. We headed up to the Hot Springs for a
massage—which was relaxing (I dozed right off)—but not
as deep or penetrating as our muscles required. We
debated a dip in the pool but by 4:30 the place was a
little too crowded. We wandered “downtown” Banff for a
bit, bought some chocolate and soap and wine, and hit
the road back to Calgary.
We stopped at a grocery store and picked up some
supplies and watched TV while we cooked a chicken and
veggies. Ended the night with the Sunday Night Sex
Show and fell asleep to Nip, Tuck.
-chris
From chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Sent Tuesday, March 22, 2005 1:38 pm
To paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca> , paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject Flush with new cash, Nfld. brings in budget that invests in health care, Martin ne peut assurer Bush que la frontière estsûre, disent les douaniers
Cher Paul,
Je ne pratique pas mon français récemment, je
m’excuse. Hier soir j’ai eu un rêve où je parlais
beaucoup, avec un membre de la police et un membre des
médias. Peut être à cause de la longue entrevue que
j’ai donnée à Global. Ils ont pris beaucoup de «
footage », un peu trop pour un reportage de une minute
et demi. Je n’ai pas vu l’entrevue; moi et Clo sommes
allés au cinéma pour un film muet chez The Uptown. Il
etait très bon, avec un « organist » qui tout le monde
connu, Dennis James. Nous avons vu « It » avec Clara
Bow. Quand nous sommes arrivées chez l’apartement nous
avons vu un video par Doctor Suess, « The Lorax »,
mangeant le poulet encore, et prendrant un douche
ensemble. Pour le douche nous avons utilisé un paquet
de sel que j’ai acheté de « Rocky Mountain Soap », un
magasin qui faire maison des savons et des crémes. Ça,
et le huile de masseuse, aider bien le douche.
This morning I woke up to more news about Terri
Schiavo. It is starting to annoy me almost as much as
pointless news about the Pope and his ailing health.
Perhaps both could benefit from some humane
euthanasia? And just why is it that two vegetables can
command this much media attention?
Going to spend some time wandering downtown and
checking out a few galleries before Claudine catches
her flight back to Montréal and I have another
interview, this time with CBC. Yesterday, during our
excellent steak lunch at Milestone’s, we talked about
strategies for maintaining control and focus during
these interviews, which always seem so brief and stuck
on the surface of the project, the fluff, the « human
interest » element, not so much on the art. I need to
start looking for some writers and critics to dig a
little deeper.
-chris
From: chris Lloyd chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:38:58 –0500 (EST)
To: paul martin martin.p@parl.gc.ca, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc: chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject: North American leaders reach broad agreement on continental co-operation, Paul Martin répète devant George Bush que le dossier du bouclier est clos
Dear Paul,
Had a fun night with Eric and his friends. He and Todd stopped by the Loft to pick me up for a night of dancing at a club called Tantric. Sounds suggestive, and I think that is intentional. We were there for Ladies Night, as one of their friends was celebrating a birthday. Apparently the deal with nightclubs in Calgary is that if itís your birthday, and youíre a girl, the Club will pick up you and your friends in a limo, get you in for free and feed you free drink tickets all night long. This is done so that the girls become so very drunk that they often fall off the dancing podiums or up or down the stairs. I spent a while babysitting one of Ericís friends who seemed to have lost her centre of gravity. Itís hard to keep a tall girl vertical. I didnít stay too late, and continued working on my Power Point Presentation when I got home. Man, I love Power Point. Do you ever use it in Caucus meetings, or for personal enjoyment?
Today was another runaround day. Picked up the finished DVDs from Directorís Chair, then went to ACAD to see a talk by Luis Jacob who is in town setting up a show at the New Gallery. Ran into Renato, Peter and Don at the talk. Hopefully they will all come to my talk tonight (and we can have beers afterward!). Unfortunately, I had to cut out on Luisí talk early for a CBC Newsworld interview. Nancy met me at the ACAD doors to rush me back to the gallery on time. I bombed the interview. It felt too strange and surreal; I was just facing a camera, talking with a voice piped into a headset. And it was Live–díoh! But Lori said the Global interview looked good, so I guess batting .500 at this point isnít so bad. Three more lined up for today.
I picked up a cable from WestWorld computers (showroom full of new Macsódrool, drool), because, of course, I had forgotten my monitor cable at home in Montreal. Michael was kind enough to rent me a new one for $5. I might even keep it as the RCA and S-video options might come in handy someday.
Gotta go: more interviews.
-chris
Dear Paul,
Have a bit of a hangover today. Was out a little too
late last night after the talk. The talk was fun. I
love PP. Anthea and Tom (directors of a couple of the
Calgary ARCs—I had met Anthea in Halifax a few years
back), Peter and Donna, Renato and Holly, and Luis and
I all went for sushi, then Renato and Peter and I went
for more beers, then Peter and I went for more beers
after the first bar closed. I don’t even know where we
ended up but when I got home I spent some time making
out with the Porcelain Goddess. Climbed up off the
floor and into bed at about 5AM. I think it was all
the talk of ARCs, Halifax, the Khyber, politics,
funding, art, etc. that “made me do it”.
Anyway, it is check-out time at the Eau Claire Lofts,
so I’de best be hitting the road. I’ve been convinced
to stay another couple days so I can experience the
openings on Friday night, then will head west on the
weekend.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:04:36 PM America/Montreal
To: paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc: art gallery calgary <shepburn@artgallerycalgary.org>, chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject: Ont. bus company passes U.S. probe into N.Y. crash that killed 4 in January , Des marches du pardon ont été organisée dans quelques villes du Québec
Dear Paul,
Helped out at the New Gallery yesterday afternoon,
mostly with some painting (trim work and touch ups)
and hanging some of Luis’ images. He’s painted the
gallery a deep reddish-brown, with a band of white
running horizontal through the space where he has hung
large scale ball point ink drawings based on pahotos
taken of a sandwich party held on the Toronto subway.
Hung in between the framed drawings (nice snazzy
frames they are!) are a series of images culled from
magazines that follow various forms of human growth
and development, with a big emphasis on forms of
institutionalized learning. Luis is a member of the
Anarchist University in Toronto, a community based
organization that offers free classes. Maybe I’ll
finally pursue a Masters in Fine Art in this manner.
I stopped by the AGC after Tom bought us all lunch to
get my artist fee but it seems I mis-interpreted my
contract, which stipulates the payment will be issued
at some point during the exhibition, not right at the
opening, as is tradition with most ARCs. They can’t
speedily issue a cheque as they only cut cheques once
per month. I’ll be a little more broke than usual as a
result. I just hope I get the cheque before the first
of the month; I have my own rent to worry about as
well as the rental of Galerie Espace for the People /
Places show. Maybe I’ll borrow some cash from Judy,
who called me with more tempting details on the move
to Saint John. Looks like they will indeed be making
space for a gallery in their building, and I would not
only be working in the wine bar but would be running
the gallery. This could be very exciting.
I stopped at Peter and Donna’s yesterday and we had a
late supper together, Peter made a wicked pasta sauce
(enough to feed the Calgary Flames), and Neil (tech
artist I had met in Halifax years ago) and his hot
girlfriend Carrie and Pavitra (assistant at Stride)
and her boyfriend N. came over with wine and beer and
we looked at art books and watched a tape of Donna’s
sister on a makeover TV show, and looked at art books
and marvelled at Donna’s recent project showing at a
group show called In Excess at the Helen Pitt. She
made a massive mandela design using the image of a
Calgary-based condo realtor. It is absolutely stunning
and amazing. Anyway, we stayed up late, played the
card game asshole, ordered more beer from Dave’s
delivery service. I went to bed after I started
passing out during a game of crazy eight countdown.
This time I wasn’t sick, and this morning not even
hung over. The key is to pace yourself.
Today is Good Friday; do you have any special plans?
Any church services? Do you spend the weekend with
your family? Are you a member of any secret societies?
How was your visit with Bush? I saw you on the front
page of the National Post and bought a copy from a
newspaper box. I figured since I usually don’t read
the ‘Post I’d just keep the cover page to use in a
painting, so I left the rest of the paper in the box.
It wasn’t until later in the day I remembered that
there was an article in that edition about my show. So
I bought another copy. The article by Julia Dault
isn’t half bad.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat Mar 26, 2005 4:06:59 PM America/Montreal
To: paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc: art gallery calgary <shepburn@artgallerycalgary.org>, chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject: Mountie killer convicted on only a handful of more than 30 charges he faced , Le CN tente de régler la convention collective d’un dernier groupe d’employés
Dear Paul,
The openings were fun last night (whoa, this is
starting out like an old Khyber-era letter). There
were three; Luis at New Gallery, Shelley Miller at
Truck, and a textiles/printmaking type show at Stride,
as well as a neat-o construction material installation
in the basement. Peter and Donna and I had been
invited for supper at Sondra and Justin’s house, which
is scheduled for demolition. Apparently this is
happening a lot in Calgary; “old” houses are torn down
so new condos can be developed. It would be nicer if
more of these houses were renovated to keep the charm
and character, but I guess those things aren’t valued
as much. Drank some beer at the openings and continued
on at my now regular watering hole, The Hop in Brew.
Closed the place again. Had more arts and arts admin
and ARC conversations with Anthea; getting me psyched
up to work in a similar space again. I’d have liked to
go to the conference today, what with its themes of
art and activism and the role of the artist etc. etc.
but I should really be getting on a bus to Vancouver.
And now that Judy managed to wire me some money I can
do just that. She’ll get a painting out of it. I also
have “save the Khyber” letters and emails to prepare
as well as the very late PR for the People / Places
show, that opens in less than a week, d’oh!
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 17:43:36 -0500 (EST)
To: paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Cc: art gallery calgary <shepburn@artgallerycalgary.org>, chrislloyd@videotron.ca
Subject: Testimony at Gomery continues to hurt Liberals in Quebec: Lapierre, Cinq Deputes federaux se rendront en urope pour etudier la prostitution
Dear Paul,
Hi, I’ve made it to Vancouver on one of the most gruelling bus rides I’ve been on. Left the Calagary station at 6:15pm and arrived here this morning at 9:00 AM. We were an hour and a half late, for some reason. I slept fitfully along the way, waking up occassionally to see snow and when the driver rode over those “wakeup” bumps on the side of the highway. Stopped in weird places like “Golden”. People getting on and off the bus reeked of pot. I’ve got some of my own with me but just never felt like smoking it. The smell was actually making me ill. I bought Tylenol and downed half the bottle. The recycled air made me dry and I’ve caught a cough. Spent most of the night reading ‘Rule by secrecy’, a book I borrowed from Petre and Donna. So now I’m totally curious: are you a member of the CFR? Illuminati? Trilateral Commission? Freemasons? Just what do you and Bush talk about when you get together? Don’t you ever wonder about that family’s sordid past? I was always a bit paranoid before, but didn’t want to get sucked into conspiracy theories, but there are just way too many interconnections out there. I mean, the Rockefeller family? The Federal Reserve? Exxon and Mobil? Oil? Bush?
Apparently, thanks to our federal government’s recent changes to security laws, the lockers were removed from the bus terminal in Vancouver. What this is supposed to accomplish, other than irritating tired and weary travelers, is beyond me. The guy at the desk suggested I tie my suitcase to a tree outside, or call some of the hostels. I called almost all the hostels and none would take my suitcase, even just for a few hours. Finally decided to drag it along with me. Had breakfast at a place called Scoozi’s. I’ll leave it up to your imagination. Then I walked by a Day’s Inn and they took my suitcase no questions asked.
Spent most of the aftenoon at the VAG. The Rodney Graham exhibition kicks ass. I like the cyclical nature of his videos, his oddball singing and songs, the way he plays with perception, illusion, constructed identities blah-blah. If my iBook battery was working I’d have edited more of my own video on the bus, but something is amiss. Do the batteries just die on those things? I hope I don’t have to get it replaced.
I’m catching the bus to Whistler this evening and will meet Aaron at the diner where he works. Then we are off to some punk show. I hope I manage to grab a shower fist, I’m feeling a little rank. Right now I’m going to track down Access ARC and catch the Robyn Moody installation.
So how is your Easter weekend going?
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2005 00:15:11 -0500 (EST)
To: art gallery calgary <shepburn@artgallerycalgary.org>, chrislloyd@videotron.ca, paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject: Many see federal Liberals as spending bunglers, but good on environment: poll, le dialogue reprend entre les etudiants en greve et le ministre Fournier
Dear Paul,
Not much to say today. Slept in. We didn’t go to the punk show last night, we stayed in and drank beer and watched TV. This morning Aaron and I took the bus up to the village to have breakfast at the tennis club restaurant. In keeping with my current fascination of all things conspiratorial, I chose the eggs Rockefellar. They were yummy, and the rye toast was big and chewy, but the potatoes were way too salty. We wandered around afterwards, soaking up the cloudy sights of the mountain village; the tourists, the skiiers, the ‘boarders, the workers. Lots of construction going on. In anticipation for the Olympics in 2010? We checked out a few local galleries but there wasn’t much of interest going on, some cool native masks but that’s about it. Bought a Time magazine with Arcade Fire on the cover. I hope I can get tickets to the as-yet unannounced third show at the Corona Theatre in Place St. Henri in three weeks. Amyway, I made a stir-fry for supper and am drinking more beer, with Aaron’s friend Dan and roommate Emily and making postcards and waiting for Aaron to get off work, maybe we’ll head to a bar tonight. I changed my flight and fly direct out of Vancouver tomorrow afternoon. Start installing the show at galerie espace on Wednesday. I hope I have enough money to cover everything. If you want, you can lend me some.
-chris
From: chris lloyd <chrislloyd6627@yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:03:54 AM America/Montreal
To: art gallery calgary <shepburn@artgallerycalgary.org>, chrislloyd@videotron.ca, paul martin <martin.p@parl.gc.ca>, paul martin <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject: Bad weather hampers opening day of annual seal hunt in Gulf of St. Lawrence, Le mauvais temps perturbe l’ouverture de la chasse au phoque dans le golfe
Dear Paul,
Had an relatively uneventful journey back to Montréal.
Luckily we woke up in time. Aaron’s roommate Emily
lent us her truck so he could drive me to Vancouver
and the airport. He slept through his alarm and I
never bothered setting mine, coming home a tad drunk
and sweaty from dancing. But the flight wasn’t until
afternoon and we woke up in plenty of time. I even had
a shower and shaved.
The road to Vancouver has some spectacular moments,
scenery of cliffs rising straight up, the ocean almost
underneath the road. Lots of construction going on, as
they attempt to widen the snaking turns. We hung out a
bit at the airport and then it was time to go. The
security checks are taking longer and longer. I am to
the point now where I won’t rush. If I have to remove
my belt and shoes, open my computer, jump through
hoops and turn tricks then I damn well am going to
take my sweet time doing it.
The movie was terrible. Bridget Jones and the end of
reason. End of reason is a good title; there was no
reason whatsoever for making a sequel this bad.
Arrived at 10:30. Had to wait until 11 for the
shuttle. Took the metro to Mont Royal. Travel is
bizarre; it took four hours to cover the distance
between Vancouver and Montreal, but then almost half
that time to go thirty kilometers within the city,
within those small travel parameters. Claudine was
asleep when I arrived at her place; she’d taken some
sleeping pills, so there was no waking her. It was
nice to sleep next to her. She was up and off by 5 AM
this morning for her three-day work week in Toronto.
Back for the People – Places vernissage on Friday.
Have to start installing the work today. I’m stressing
already. I feel I should make a few more paintings,
there are some spots near my apartment that have stood
out for me for some time, I know they will make good
paintings; I walk overtop them all the time. -chris
DEAR PM 