from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Fri, Dec 1, 2006 at 3:12 AM
subject Thatcher granted full parole; Paul Martin défend ses réalisations et attaque les conservateurs
Dear Stephen,
I don’t know where to begin. The Liberal Leadership convention has begun and Paul Martin has come out swinging against your Conservatives “cold ideology”. You’ve manipulated the House into the soft-sell of the Québecois as a “nation” (whatever that really means), and Colin Thatcher is out on parole. We were living in Saskatoon when that shit hit the fan. It is one of the first cases I remember of a heinous crime committed against a spouse. He’s always denied it but there hasn’t been any proof he didn’t shoot his ex-wife Joanne in the head. How pleasant is that? How do you feel about early parole and faint hope clauses? How does this affect your whole “tough on crime” rhetoric? How does it feel to be in Mexico at this moment?
Tonight we had a french make-up class in the gallery where we discussed the art on the walls and played cranium. Afterwards I was at work for the night where the two main groups in where david reid and his BMO co-workers and the band In flight safety, who I went to see play after my shift at Elwoods. My ears are still ringing and I even stuffed them with tissue paper for their entire set. I must be getting old.
I received a letter from the Premier of New Brunswick today. It seems I’ve been accepted as a board member for Arts NB. It is a three-year term, so I’m thinking it isn’t worth it to accept; we’ll be back in Québec before the end of 2007. What would you do?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Sat, Dec 2, 2006 at 3:27 PM
subject Private clinic opens despite warnings; La course devient une lutte à 3; Ignatieff stagne, Dion consolide sa 3e place
Dear Stephen,
Are you watching the Liberal Leadership vote today? Kennedy has just given his support to Dion. He was one of only a few MPs to vote against the ‘nation’ bill. Oddly enough, 2/3 of Canadians outside Quebec don’t like it either. What gives? I wouldn’t be surprised that if polled accordingly, a huge majority would find that you have been playing dirty politics on this one. If you hadn’t jumped the gun on Duceppe, his motion would likely have been defeated on its own. Your plan to leave the Liberals divided will work, but it almost certainly will work for the sovereignists in the longer run. But maybe that’s what you want: a Canada so de-centralized that it will break apart at the seams. When it does, you can crown yourself King of Alberta.
I had a late night last night, the bar wasn’t terribly busy, but I stayed afterwards and had a long talk with Meghan, who had a young 16-year old friend die yesterday of cancer, and the conversation just went over everything, why we make art, how to do it, what to do next, where to do it, how, etc. I was up early because Jess crashed at the apartment and needed to get up at 8:30 for a yoga class. I couldn’t get back to sleep, so went for breakfast at Reggie,s and went shopping for a birthday gift for Rae. Today is his birthday. I’m going to his house with Kate and Rich and afterwards there is Peter and Judith’s big Christmas party. The fun never ends.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Mon, Dec 4, 2006 at 12:41 AM
subject B.C. ready to end mandatory retirement; Stéphane Dion croit que son statut de “sous-estimé” le servira au Québec
Dear Stephen,
well, that was a bit of a surprise: Stephan Dion winning the PLC leadership. Did you see that coming? Sort of a blend of a blast from the old guard and the new green revolution. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
So I hear you’re cutting all sorts of funding from Canadian Status of Women offices in an attempt to trim administrative costs. Guess what, most of us can see through that excuse, and you’re probably going to get more than an earful on the issue. Why bother? Your critics EXPECT you to go after women, the poor, immigrants, anyone who isn’t white and rich and worried about investments. Why make such an easy target? Are you itching for more fights?
So last night a bunch of us headed to Rae-Seung’s house to celebrate his birthday. Kate and Rich drove me. His mom made an excellent Korean meal and I tasted kimchi for the first time, and liked it. His mom could open a restaurant here if there was only a larger, or more interested population. The majority of people living here are morons that only like Tim Hortons, fast food, and cheap shopping deals.
I relieved Jess and then worked until about 1:30 before I was able to head over to Judy and Peter’s party. It was slowing down at that point but I was still witness and partial participant in one of the most exciting parts of the night: Jay’s sister trying to get out of the hot tub, drunk and out of her mind, trying to seduce Greg and me, and during the first time in my life that I’ve ever tried to forcibly dress a naked girl. She was completely out of it (much like I must be when completely hammered). Anyway we got her dressed and then everyone who was left at the party was leaving.
Today was a clean-up and laundry day, then in the evening I went to Janine’s Christmas party. She had baked all sorts of great sweets and treats. Meghan drove me home and I worked on some paintings for a while.
Claudine is on the red-eye flight tonight and arrives tomorrow morning. I’m certainly looking forward to that!
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Mon, Dec 4, 2006 at 11:52 PM
subject Mild weather helps Que. turn on power; Charest, surpris de l’élection de Dion, refuse toutefois de le critiquer
Dear Stephen,
I borrowed Judy’s truck this morning to pick Claudine up from the airport and almost hydroplaned off the highway. We’re getting our first real snow of the season and the roads were a real mess. I ended up spinning out into the ditch after sliding side to side for what seemed an eternity. Lucky I had slowed down enough that I didn’t go far off the road.
Claudine enjoyed her trip, and seemed to prefer her stay in Regina over Vancouver. We both worked on various projects this afternoon, snacked, and talked of various subjects, past and present, personal and the world at large.
We went to yoga tonight, which made me hungry. We went to Opera afterwards with Lisa and I enjoyed the risotto, despite the small serving size. We had to rush over to the gallery to open up for the film screening, which tonight was Where the Buffalo Roam. It had its moments but I felt the style was a bit flat.
Now we’re back home working on projects, wishing we had a fire log to cozy up next to.
Some other news:
I received a letter from Shawn Graham: my nomination to the provincial arts board has been accepted. It is a three year term but I think I will accept anyhow and see what happens, as we certainly don’t plan to be here three years, despite Judith’s best efforts to convince us to stay. I don’t earn nearly enough money; I was making more painting houses for no less than forty hours per week, and for the past year my time has been split between two jobs and I’ve racked my credit card up $4000. What a disaster! I’m hoping to have it paid off in time for Christmas and then begin saving for a trip to Africa in the spring.
And my parents are looking for a new car and will sell us theirs as soon as they find one, which might be in time for our trip to Montréal for Christmas. Despite being very pro-pedestrian, especially in larger cities, having access to a car makes getting out of the city more often easier, so this is very exciting!
OK, back to painting, or maybe just reading and off to bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 12:28 AM
subject Closing arguments made in White trial; Harper se dit “surpris” et “inquiet” de la volte-face de Zaccardelli
Dear Stephen,
I worked on paintings most of the day. Have completed three plus a cute little one for Peter, based on his Smart car, and the painting “City Limits” by Philip Guston. Did you know that he was born in Montréal?
We took a bus out east to the cineplex to see the Filmpix monthly pic, the Journals of Knud Rasmussen by Norman Cohen and Zacharius Kunuk, which was quite striking, powerful, complex, and a bit heartbreaking. I found it to be a little more than just ironic that the film playing in the theatre next door was The Nativity, yet another Jesus ego-stroking vehicle designed only to separate a few more bucks from the faithful. But in terms of the Journals, I don’t think any other film has told the story of how the introduction of Christianity transformed a way of life in such a mythic manner. When the shaman finally says goodbye to his spirits it is a truly heartbreaking moment.
Janine, Pierre-Michel and André were at the movie tonight and André offered us all a drive home, which beats waiting outside in the frigid cold for the bus. The temperature has really dropped here in the past day.
I finished making a chicken stock, vegetable soup when we got home and then we finished watching Grizzly Man, a new copy of which had arrived in the mail earlier in the week. That Timothy Treadwell certainly loved his grizzly bears but I think he was a little nuts.
My back is stiff from yoga last night; I’m out of shape. I need more practice. Do you do yoga?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 11:08 PM
subject Report will urge reversal of Tory tax cuts; La mère d’Anastasia De Sousa commémore la tuerie de la Polytechnique
Dear Stephen,
It’s a slow night at the bar, with nasty weather outside contributing to the dearth of clientele. That, and the fact that Saint Johnners as a rule don’t seem to go out much, and when they do, they go to the same damn places they always go.
We borrowed Judy’s truck today to run errands. Mostly we visited some auto-body places to get estimates on the scratch on the door. Turns out the pricey estimates are due to the fact that there is an older scratch on one door panel, so the price to repair is doubled. This could become a sticking point between Clo and Jude.
We also dropped our vacuum cleaner off for repairs. It’s not sucking. And we picked up some supplies for Xmas cards and I found some decent frames on sale at Michale’s. I’m going to continue making as many of the littler rooftops as I can, for gifts or for sale. I need to make some money to finish paying my VISA and now help Claudine pay for the car.
The bar has been soooo slow. Jamie came by and we talked for a bit which helped pass the time but otherwise it has been almost mind-numbing.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 11:38 PM
subject White found guilty in wife’s death; Stephen Harper promet qu’il ne rouvrira plus le débat sur le mariage gai
Dear Stephen,
Well, finally is it over with? Can you parliamentarians get on with other business? perhaps passing the recent budget update with all the suggestions, the restoration of the cuts to the museums program, Status of Women, court challenges program, etc.?
Last night at closing time I had a brief post-Xmas party rush that included Oliver, a distant friend of Hughie, with a “friend” of his. Turns out this “friend” was just some homeless guy he’s picked up and wanted to drink/do drugs with. It was a really eye-opening experience, like a sociological experiment in action. The language, mannerisms and behaviors of this guy were truly bizarre, rough, true lowest-common-denominator type guy. From what I understood of his never-ending patter he’s a roofer by trade (when actually employed), had open-heart surgery, has been in jail, uses almost every drug available, drinks heavily, sleeps with prostitutes and he has offspring. Oh, and he drank his Beaujolais nouveau with lots of ice and through a straw. Oliver couldn’t even keep his eyes straight; his “friend” had waaaay more experience, and easily drank him under the table. I wonder if they made it to the strip club after I finally managed to kick them out?
Today Claudine and I did some homey stuff, which means eating and reading and listening to the radio, cleaning a bit here and messing things up there, having showers, having sex, etc. A fun afternoon!
Watched the gallery for the afternoon, did paperwork, then came to work in the bar. It’s been dead almost all night until just a few minutes ago when a bunch of hot MILFs came in. Sometimes the job ain’t so bad.
-chris
—
Chris Lloyd Projects
http://www.dearpm.blogspot.com
A Division of ADD Painters:
“we’re here to swerve”
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Tue, Dec 12, 2006 at 11:42 PM
subject Gainey family thanks searchers; Day annonce une nouvelle enquête; O’Connor propose de mieux encadrer la GRC
Dear Stephen,
Sorry I haven’t written lately. This past weekend was busy at the bar, especially with the first Midnight Mix, our first Saturday with DJ Fred, which was a late night. We ate at Saigon Noodle afterwards, as it is now open 24 hours. And I had thought it had already gone the way of most ethnic restaurants in this town and closed, but it is not so. I was driving Jamie’s SUV and left my computer in his trunk, which has slowed my computer access somewhat. It has helped me stay focused on making new paintings, however. We’re hosting a small get-together this Sunday afternoon, would you like to come? It’s a cross between an afternoon Christmas party and an open studio sale. Should be fun.
Sunday night Claudine and I went to St. Andrews with Peter and Judith as part of a “Dine Around”. Everyone was mad with me as I caused us to be an hour late. I had book club in the afternoon and misjudged the amount of time it would take me to get the car from mom and dad’s house and get back into the city. Anyway, it all worked out, we had appetizers at The Rossmount, then our main course at the Windsor House, then dessert at the gardens, where our waitress delivered the best culinary line of 2006: “We use meringue to create the illusion of whipped cream”, For some reason we found this to be hilarious.
We spent the night in upgraded suites at the Windsor House and drove back to SJ after breakfast. With the exception of screening C.R.A.Z.Y. last night and attending my french class tonight, I’ve been working in the studio. There is still lots more to do, not even counting the tree decorating or apartment cleaning or food and drink preparation for Sunday. And not only have I not sent out my Christmas Cards but they are not even made yet. Aaarg. When do you find time to send Christmas cards? When do you do your shopping?
We bought a small 5-foot tree for 10 bucks Saturday night on my break from work, after helping Sam and Kim painting their living room. We also had great grilled cheese sandwiches there.
That’s it for now; back to the studio. I’m working on a series of Rooftops that feature various tools floating in the sky.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Sat, Dec 16, 2006 at 6:53 PM
subject Beverley Busson to head RCMP; Québec veut s’attaquer plus efficacement à la violence faite aux femmes
Dear Stephen,
Sorry again for the lengthy absence. I’ve been pressed for time this week, rushing around getting the new rooftops finished for the open studio tomorrow, cleaning and organizing the house, and moving the car. We have yet to find a daytime parking spot so we have to move it to a different street every two hours. Fun.
Last night was slow for a Friday at the bar. Peter worked with me until about midnight, which is often a bit awkward as we don’t have the same style or groove. There was a late group though and I didn’t close until almost 2:30, then we all headed to the Saigon Noodle, Hugh, Claudine, Jay, new girl Deanna and Oliver. Oliver came in Wednesday and apologized for his appearance the week before, and he left me a tip, which was nice of him. Claudine had been out to Christmas parties in the Valley with Judith. We love the new 24-hours Saigon Noodle: the service is pleasant, the food served piping hot, fresh and fast, and it is much healthier and more variety than subs, hot-dogs or pizza. It is late-night feasting heaven!
Judith came over this morning and helped price the Rooftops for tomorrow. I think she’s marked them up too high but she says the inverse about me. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the gallery as people were coming by to collect their work. Talked to some new Iranian immigrants to the city. They are physicists.
Helped Fred set up his gear in the bar and now I’m just waiting for Peter to come relieve me for supper, I’m so famished I could devour the whole bag of pretzels.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Wed, Dec 20, 2006 at 8:07 PM
subject Big O is Big Owe no more; Le PLC soutient la Commission canadienne du blé qui veut garder ses pouvoirs
Dear Stephen,
So the Rooftops sale on Sunday was a resounding success. I sold nine, which was good as there were only sixteen available. No takers on the PM portraits though Andrew K. has expressed interest in them as did Monika and Stephen: *drool* Monika and Stephen are new to the city, architects from NY, whom I met while they were in their skivvies in the hot tub at Judith’s party, and whom I now have a major crush on. I think I will try to convince Claudine that we double-team seduce them sometime in the New Year. It will be a resolution.
So far this week has been just as busy, finishing Christmas and Thank-you cards, some shopping, we screened A Christmas Story in the gallery on Monday night. It was supposed to be Toys but we couldn’t find a copy anywhere in the city. It was just as well, as the story of little Ralphie and his quest to get a Red Rider carbine-action 200 shot range model BB gun without shoooting his eye out, is a classic. We’ve watched it every Christmas since the early 1990s, a veritable Lloyd Family Xmas Tradition.
Today Claudine and I took Judith’s truck to have the side scretch repaired and did a little Christmas shopping out at Hell’s Creation. Neither of us enjoy shopping, especially at this time of year, especially at Hell’s Creation. My favourite stop was the liquor store and the Eastern Bloc remains of Parkway Mall, which has been reduced to three major tenants aside from the liquor store: The Salvation Army, The Bargain! Store, and the Dollarama. It as at least as pathetic as the nearly abandoned mall we saw in Shawinigan a few years ago.
Despite not posting recent letters to my blog in over a month I still average about twenty visitors per day. Since I started tracking visitors in January 2005 I’ve had almost twenty-four thousand hits. I think I’m going to begin posting daily cartoons of you, something to keep it fresh.
Back to the Rooftops: Judith suggested I bring the remainder down to Handworks to sell. I checked with Peter Buckland, who usually carries my work, to see if it would be OK, and he said fine for this once, though he didn’t sound thrilled. It was moot anyhow as Cliff and Shannon both said they would love to carry the work but I would have to leave Peter in order for them to do so. Something I will have to think about over the holidays. Peter has a small works show in February but I would get almost constant exposure at Handworks. What would you do?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Thu, Dec 28, 2006 at 7:07 PM
subject Troops expect clash with Taliban; Jean-Pierre Kingsley démissionne de son poste à Elections Canada
Dear Stephen,
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. I’m writing a brief note while on holiday in Montréal. Sorry I didn’t write sooner but it has been a whirlwind: supper with my parents, Trevor and Tamara and the two dogs; driving through Maine to Montréal for supper with Joanne and Phillipe and little Nataniel; driving to Gatineau and spending two days opening gifts and eating really well chez Gilles et Rose Marie at their spanking new house (they liked the painting I made for them of their old house as well; likewise, my mom cried when she saw the painting I had made of Jessie for them); back to Montréal yesterday meeting Sarah, Rebecca, Greg and Rudie at a cute little Tapas bar and resto. Stayed with the Roberts clan last night but for the next few nights we are watching over Seth, Jen Dorner’s cat, at her tiny, cute place on St. Joseph. We’ve even found “permanent” parking on Sarah’s street, not far from here. We missed you as we drove past the Houses of Parliament a few days back, though we enjoyed the Christmas lights.
We’re spending the next few days visiting friends, walking, shopping and watching movies before heading for Québec City for New Year’s Eve. Aside from dismantling social services and sending our troops into pointless harms way, do you have any special plans for the new year?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Sun, Dec 31, 2006 at 12:55 PM
subject Bedard extradition moving slowly; Les Irako-Canadiens réagissent à l’exécution de l’ex-dictateur Saddam Hussein
Dear Stephen,
So old Saddam’s been snuck off to the gallows, hung and buried already. Now things can get back to normal in Iraq! Now if only we can find whatshisname, fella with the beard, you know, handsome guy, big nose, long robes, Bin Laden, that’s it. Now if only we find Bin Laden then everything would go back to normal in Afghanistan, right? Right?
How are your holidays going? We’re heading to Québec today, plan to stop at IKEA on the way. Have a little cleaning to do first at Jen’s apartment. Last night we saw Dumas perform at Le National, it was a good, solid rock ‘n roll show. We ended up at Vices et Versa on St. Laurent afterwards with Caroline, her friend Pierrette and her chum François joined us. Yesterday afternoon we watched the documentary on Edward Burtinsky called Manufactured Landscapes, which was a bit slow but the images stark and strong and overall leaves one with a feeling of helplessness, that there are far too many large scale changes going on in the world to ever make it better. But that’s just the pessimistic side of me talking.
Claudine bought a really sexy pair of boots made of pony hair; they are long, black, have nice heels and look great on her. We passed the morning at the Jean Talon market which has grown in vendors since last time and we bought all sorts of sweet little culinary delights. I now have a paella recipe book which as one of my new year resolutions I have vowed to make a paella once per week.
Anyway, off to get this show on the road. Have a happy new year’s eve.
-chris
DEAR PM 