from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 8:39 PM
subject Four killed in Hamilton fire
Dear Stephen,
Went out to meet Clo, Caro, François, Pierrette and Erick at Laica yesterday evening. We had a few drinks and told embarrassing stories from one another; I chose the one of my meeting with Isabelle Blais, how I introduced myself to her first as a fan of her films, then as an artist who writes to the PM of Canada, then I spilled a beer on her.
We decided to go see No country for old men. The boys choice won, versus Les temoins by les filles. We ate at that Purtugese restaurant on St. Laurent, Portus I think it is called, I forget now. It was a good meal, filing, but the lamb was not that great.
I quite enjoyed the movie, so did Clo, but the other girls didn’t. I guess the whole cowboy, drugs, stolen money, gunshots and bloody wounds angle that les frères Cohen articulate so well really does appeal more to boys than girls. I felt it was deserving an Oscar, not that I use the Oscars as any real gauge of the quality of a movie. That is more the politics of Hollywood.
Speaking of politics, I’ve heard lately that you might be on the hook for trying to bribe a former MP to vote against the then-governing Liberals in 2005. Doesn’t sound good, I hear that what was caught on tape could lead to criminal charges and force your government to come tumbling down.
And speaking of Hollywood when we came home last night on the bus and metro in a mild snowstorm I popped in the third of the low-calibre sci-fi movies I rented lately. The first was the (hopefully) final X-Men movie, predictable and bland, the second was The Time Machine, which also devolved into B-quality fare that conveniently ignored fundamental issues of paradox, and last night was The war of the worlds. We spent a fair bit of time advancing chapters and fast forwarding. Hard to believe Tom Hanks and Spielberg would both; it must have been about the money, a kind of paycheck movie.
Tonight is Nuit Blanche. There are activities all over, all night. Clo is working at Oboro until almost midnight, then we hope to catch a show with Geneviève et Matthieu. I’m heading down to the Belgo shortly, after shaving and drinking a few more beer.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Mon, Mar 3, 2008 at 10:26 PM
subject Grits refuse to apologize to PM
Dear Stephen,
Did you do anything special over the weekend? Does Ottawa have a Nuit Blanche? Saturday I started the evening by watching the end of the Canadiens-Devils hockey game on TV. It was a close game and the end was terribly exciting, it felt like the playoffs. And the Habs took over sole spot as leaders of the Eastern Conference, though it is a position they now share with the Penguins.
Nuit Blanche was a weird night. We met up at Oboro but didn’t stay long, just in time to hear one of Erick’s sound/video performances. Then we were off to Bistrot Sanguinet for a surprise birthday show by Geneviève et Matthieu. They rocked! After that we were off to the Belgo Building, which was overrun, hoards of people about, many galleries had sold out of beer. We wandered around to various galleries with performances, live painting and dancing, and left midway through a sound performance that was sounding derivative and a bit dull. Had hotdogs and poutine around the corner and then witnessed a brawl spin slowly out of control between police and a young, drunk mob. Caught the night bus home sometime after 4am.
Last night Sarah and her boyfriend Dave came over for a pre-birthday supper. Sarah had baked a cake, and Claudine made a thai galangal chicken soup and prawn spring rolls. We had some gin tonics and polished off a couple bottles of wine and talked a lot about student loans, credit ratings and marathons. Have you ever run in a marathon?
Oh I forgot to tell you but I registered for the 1/2 marathon in Montréal in April. I’m going to run with Sarah, who is already training for her full marathon in Iceland later in the summer. If I want to keep up with her I might have to consider breaking my own rules and do advance training of my own.
Today was another work day at DHC. I was there mostly to sort through the leftover junk and tools and gear in the basement, but ended up spending almost the whole day troubleshooting the Stan Douglas piece. It had gone out of sync over the weekend. Changed the encoder and the synchroniser and found a loose screw on the looper arm on the slave projector, and it was up and running again just before the visiting video class from Concordia came to have a look. It is still on of my favourite pieces in the show.
Good art news was waiting for me when I got home: a message from Jean-Marc at le Lobe, in Chicoutimi. I called and it turns out I was selected for a residence and exhibition, starting in January 2009. Fun stuff!
In other art news, it seems the Third Space move into the UNBSJ window vitrine might get the go-ahead; there are some details to work out over insurance and a proposed fire marshal visit, but it sounds positive. Which is a good thing as the new call for submissions is going to get sent out and posted on the website this week, and the next six months of programming is getting firmed up on that basis.
I still haven’t heard back from Jane regarding the NBM spot though. I can be patient.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:55 PM
subject Canada’s aging workforce
Dear Stephen,
Today I was “Man with Van”. After starting up the artworks at DHC for the school tours I was off to one of the most out-of-the-way Discount van rental locations I’ve ever been, on a strange road beside University called Nazareth. Spent the day running errands, which included but was not limited to: equipment run with Warren; to Warren’s apartment because he forgot his router; to the dump, or a quasi-in-between dump place, a “dump prep” lets call it, where burly guys in big backhoes tear apart garbage and make it all smaller and more compact for the real dump; and a trip to the EcoCentre to drop off recyclables, then a trip to the EcoCentre Flea Market, which is, as I described it to Simon, one of the most post-apocalyptic places I have ever visited, nestled into the support columns of highway 20 and almost everything in various shopping carts; and then a long, twisted, lost-many-times trip to pick up cables, in between Sources and the ghastly #13; and Home Despot, for shelves, which I’ll have to return tomorrow as I bought the wrong size.
When we got back to DHC we learned that the Stan Douglas piece is yet again out of sync, so Brodie is sending more components by FedEx. Tomorrow I’ll try to fix it.
Tonight we had salmon and vegged out in front of TV. Mindless drivel. Clo took a sick day off work, she is congested and overtired. And she spent most of the day at the hospital, inquiring about the Bruise. The colouring is fading but there remains a hard lump, which causes us a bit of concern. The doctor said it is normal and just may take a long time to heal.
Tomorrow is my birthday; I just received a nice Facebook message (a letter, not just a wall post), from Karina, reminding me of the “Happy Birthday, Christopher Lloyd” song that Courtney made all those years ago and we played constantly in the little bathroom wall closet at 1333 Dresden Row, before our family unit disintegrated.
If the PMO doesn’t keep track of all my letters, you’ll have to ask Paul or Jean exactly what I’m talking about.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 12:22 AM
subject Despres not responsible in deaths: judge
Dear Stephen,
Weird weather today: woke a few times in the early morning hours to the sound of pouring rain, a mix of sleet and hail, then just rain, then frozen rain, then ice pellets, then snow. The rental van only had all-season tires and it took a little effort and finesse to get rolling again. Picked up Simon on the way to DHC, we ran a couple errands, replaced the shelves, returned the van, then we working on the Stan Douglas most of the afternoon. Each time we thought it was back in sync or working properly something would go wrong. We’ve left it for the day, we worked until almost 7 with no success. Very frustrating.
Claudine met me at work, we took the metro back north and ate at Le petit alep on Jean Talon. Not much else to report, other than my horoscope said it would be an easy work day (lies!) and that my love life would be rocking.
On that note, I’m off to bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 11:56 PM
subject Tories get failing grade on environment
Dear Stephen,
Well, I finally broke the slave projector for good. The last thing we were trying today, after re-synching, adding the second syncro motor (which entailed new bolts with nuts, due to the stripped hole), and adding a new roll of film (we thought it might solve the jumpy-image problem), was to change the inner motor belts. We’d already ascertained that the slave motor was running slow, much too slow. But the new belt snapped the fan inside the motor casing. It is now kaput.
At about the same time James and the gang at DHC were organizing a flight for Brodie and 2 new projectors from Vancouver. We rented a van and I’m picking him up at the airport tomorrow morning, 7am.
After work I met Clo and the Oboro gang for a 5 à 7 at Laika, celebrating Roberto’s return. Then we bussed home, lucked out and managed to swap sides of the street and park right after the snow removal. Claudine made an omelet and artichokes, and her mom Rose-Marie arrived for the night.
There has been more coverage of my Aunt Margo’s stem-cell treatments in China. You can visit http://www.cbc.ca/pei/programs/ and click the ‘controversial treatment’ button.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 10:33 PM
subject Canadian detainee in Mexico hospitalized
Dear Stephen,
Suddenly, I’m in Ottawa. You should email me ASAP if you’d like to grab a beer tomorrow night or coffee on Tuesday. I’m at the Radisson. I’m here as part of a jury tomorrow for the Mathieu da Costa Challenge. The roads were OK, despite the massive dumping of snow we received overnight. I spent a couple hours shoveling today.
Last night I hung out with Brodie, the Stan Douglas tech who arrived on Friday with the new projectors. We get along quite well, and talked too much shop over dinner at St. Paul Steak et Frites. He was incredibly under-dressed for the blizzard; no gloves or mitte, no boots, and just the Red Sox cap. We watched les Canadiens beat LA at his hotel bar over beers, before and after shutting down Inconsolable Memories. I’m watching them play Anaheim as I write this; currently, the score is 1-1 in the third.
Saturday Clo and I met up at the MAC after her choir practice. I enjoy the Geoffrey Farmer show more and more. I love the bell, the theatrical sound piece, the piece of floor taken and turned into paper, his manipulation of the last 2 Million Years book, the weird ghostly figures everywhere…it’s a good show. I played in the false column, calling to Claudine as she passed in front, not knowing where my voice was coming from.
Damn, the Ducks have just scored two goals and now lead 3-1. Six minutes left.
Are you a Senators fan? I’m still talking hockey, not politics.
Damn, the Habs lost. Now I feel silly for even caring.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 11:47 PM
subject Toronto student in Facebook fiasco
Dear Stephen,
Sorry I missed you while in Ottawa. The judging was rather painless yesterday; there were almost unanimous decisions, and no arguments. We finished early enough that I could meet Heather and Aaron at the NGC and we went to a nearby pub for a beer. Then I got lost a couple times trying to drive to Rose-Marie and Gilles’ house. It was more difficult to find at night and with massive mounds of snow everywhere. Rose-Marie had made me a plate of grain-fed chicken and veggies, and afterwards I took a tour of the new storage room Gilles has built in his basement. He’s quite the handyman.
Today I went to see the Joe Fafard exhibition at the NGC. I tried to get in free as a CARFAC member but didn’t have my membership card with me; I’d never been issued a membership card. The girl at the NGC said they are tired of dealing with cardless members. Ironically enough, when I got home and checked my email someone from CARFAC had sent me a receipt for my renewal and attached is a membership card. So I’ll have it for next time. This time I called Heather and she gave me a pass for free entry.
The show is good; like a gallery version of a feel-good movie. Skilled, humanist work that is a pleasure to behold.
The drive home was smooth, despite the fact that one of the tires lost almost all its air overnight. Lucky we keep the hand pump in the trunk. I even found parking on our street, despite the fact that it hasn’t been plowed yet and there are massive piles of snow everywhere.
Someone came to the door tonight to do a survey on media consumption. I felt sorry for the guy, as I remember selling encyclopedias door-to-door in Edmonton and it was one of my worst job experiences ever. Sometimes just getting inside to warm up makes all the difference. But the survey took way too long, Claudine came home from work and made supper for herself while I was still answering questions about how often I had flipped through a certain magazine, and for how long, and how I rated it. We conducted the survey in French even though the guy was Spanish and his French was on par with mine. He left me with an even more detailed consumer survey that I’ll get a cheque for $30 if I fill it out.
Do you ever participate in surveys? Or do you just take advantage of them in order to strengthen your influence?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 1:53 PM
subject Gomery warns Canada’s democracy is under threat
Dear Stephen,
Yesterday was a lost day. I forgot even that it was Wednesday, because I spent Tuesday in Ottawa in the National Gallery and on the 417 and then on the #40 in slow-moving traffic. And yesterday was a day to re-adapt to being at home, trying to self-motivate myself to doing productive work.
Except now I’m on a wacky 8mm film and miniature model-making bent, with grandiose ideas about making small sets, then videos of the sets. The sets would be like characters, or sculptures, or assemblages. If only I could convince myself that I am capable.
Claudine gave me a copy of The architects are here, by Michael Winter, which I have now suggested as my pick for the next book club meeting. I am still in the club and in the cycle of picking books, even though I haven’t attended a meeting in almost a year. I’ll conduct the next meeting from home, via Skype; the other members will gather at happinez.
I’ve read This all happened and liked it a lot. And I followed some of the development of Architects on Facebook. Michael Winter is one of my Facebook friends. I just came across a beautiful, somewhat hear-wrenching line:
“I’d come to that convergence of talent and critical eye that stymies creation, that tells you most work is mediocre and so is your own, and why bother foisting it on a public when wiser, funnier and more dramatic examples of contemporary realism exist.”
Ouch, that feels so true it stings a bit.
I’m considering asking him if he’d consider giving me tips on what I could do with the accumulated PM letters, maybe string them into an abridged, quasi-fictional story. Something perhaps more entertaining and engaging and universal. Something that could sell.
My doorbell just rang and it was a parcel. I’m not expecting a parcel so soon. I’ve made some orders for 8mm parts and some miniature landscaping, and a book, but those were all too recent, some this morning. I open the box and it is a pair of sunglasses. There are some brand stickers with it, “IS eyewear”. No packing order, no receipt, no letter. I’m a little confused. The box is from Vancouver. Maybe it is from my brother? But there is no note. Do things like this ever happen to you? The glasses are like hipster sunglasses. Brownish tint. I don’t know if they suit me or not. I am a terrible judge of my own character.
Now, I have some political complaints.
I don’t want the mission in Afghanistan extended. I want Bill C-10 amended to be rid of censorship clauses, and I want Pat Martin’s private members bill regarding income tax and artists passed, and the National Portrait Gallery to go to its original location on Wellington in Ottawa, and the ETS re-established, and the budget for the CC doubled to a total of $300 million /year, and I want less power concentrated in the PMO. That’s the short list.
I’m going to go for a walk, look for some fabric to finally make that curtain for the kitchen, then make a pizza, then go to an opening at Concordia, a show by Andrew Hunter about Expo ’67. Did you go see Expo ’67 when you were a kid?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 8:19 AM
subject Byelections to test Dion’s leadership
Dear Stephen,
Sorry I haven’t written. Got busy, building shelves for Bernard’s sister Suzanne, and attending Charged Cicuits: Questioning Interrnational Exhibition Practices at Concordia. Saw Karen Tam there and we hung out in a group Friday night, eating at chic steak et frites restaurant L’entre côte Saint-Jean with visiting curator Doryun Chong, who gave the keynote address. Saturday I was back at Suzanne’s, then yesterday we did homey things. Oh I had to run to DHC to replace a bulb in one of the Stan Douglas projectors but at least it was a very minor problem. I’m working there today and tomorrow and in fact I’m late and have to go now.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 2:01 PM
subject N.L. cancer test inquiry begins
Dear Stephen,
This has been a hectic week so far. Monday was my first day as François’ replacement at DHC. After work I met Robin Simpson at Reservoir and we discussed Scott Burnham’s talk at Concordia on Saturday and our tentative plans to hijack the next Montreal biennale, or at least throw better parties. Then we stopped at Patati Patata for burgers, and I had no cash left on me and went to the bank machine with nothing but a prayer: I was certain I had no money, but lo and behold I had just enough to withdraw a $20. Close call! I would have had to wash dishes or something. Then we met Robin’s girlfriend at Laika, had another round and then we were off to the Whiskey Bar AKA François’ studio for his farewell party. I’m getting old; I’m not used to staying up until 3 in the morning drinking cocktails in a smoky studio. Tuesday I made it to work, albeit a bit late, and continued work on plans for a potential Christian Marclay exhibition. That and touring around the current exhibition with various film crews has been my job this week.
Last night there was a talk by German curators Iris Dressler and Hans Christ, who spoke about their centre for contemporary art in Stuttgart, the Wuerttembergischer Kunstverein (WKV) and the big Stan Douglas show they mounted last year. It was interesting to hear Hans speak in such a technical and background fashion about how to curate Stan Douglas. I hope to see them again tomorrow night at the Fonderie Darling. There are openings and launching of catalogues, including the Manif d’Art 3 catalogue.
Today I’m trying to get some writing and email done, clean the apartment, maybe get the slow leak in one of the rear tires looked at, and maybe head to Suzanne’s to start painting the shelves and storage room. Maybe start packing for the NY trip this weekend. Do you often leave packing to the last minute?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 9:09 AM
subject Dion slams Harper on Martin case
Dear Stephen,
We’re off to NYC and Brooklyn for the weekend. Just finishing up some
packing. Had a great time at the launch of the Manif d’art 3 catalogue
last night, spoke to loads of folks I had not seen in some time.
Quartier Éphémère and the Fonderie Darling is an absolutely stunning
architectural space. I’ll tell you more about it when I get back.
Do you have special plans for Easter? Do you do an egg hunt with your kids?
Have you read the The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi, by Larry Tremblay?
OK, I must run, we’re a bit behind schedule.
Have a good weekend.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 4:37 AM
subject Cadbury recalls Mini Eggs
Dear Stephen,
We’re enjoying the Big Apple. Did art things most of the afternoon and
evening. Will tell you more about the Whitney Biennale and the New
Museum soon. There was a party at Greg and Rebecca’s tonight. Met lots
of new people. It’s late and I’ve got to get some sleep; surprising,
but I’m not drunk; it was the girls who were drunk tonight.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:09 PM
subject Martin victim of corruption: conman
Hi Stephen,
We’re back from a somewhat whirlwind weekend trip to New York. Today
was mostly spent driving and shopping, coming from Brooklyn, through
Manhattan and stopping at a Target in New Jersey and also, by chance,
finding a big hobby shop. Then getting lost, then finding our way, but
the drive is long. Only thirty seconds at the border though. I’ll
write more tomorrow; my feet stink something awful, I must wash, then
get some sleep, as I work at DHC tomorrow. How did you spend Easter
Weekend?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 10:26 PM
subject Budget targets stagnating economy
Dear Stephen,
Work was fine today but I’ve been descending into a bad mood ever
since coming home. I’m annoyed that the model set I bought in New
Jersey was lacking more than 3/4 of the listed materials. It was
essentially a box of tree colour and bits of cardboard. None of the
figures or most of the material. But on top of all that none of my
expected cheques have arrived, so I am still broke, and on top of that
my back is aching and I have had a headache all day, I think from
being in the car so long and sleeping on the floor for three days
(eating bad hamburgers at Jackson Hole on Saturday night didn’t help
matters; I should send you pictures of our leftovers. I can think of a
gazillion reasons why Americans are becoming so obese, and the 7-ounce
burgers at Jackson Hole and the new McDonalds 1/3-pounder, and
anything sold at White Castle all come in near the top of the list).
But enough whining, I’m going to bed early. At least the Canadiens
have clinched a playoff berth; they might even be able to stay on top
of their division, now that they seem to have figured out how to beat
the Senators.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 11:17 PM
subject Wrong court, federal lawyers argue
Dear Stephen,
I just can’t seem to get ahead; another day at DHC, and then with my
minor obsessions with Cooking, Cleaning, Organizing, Writing and
Planning, well, there isn’t much time left to tell you all about our
trip to NYC or really what has been going on lately.
One thing I’ve noticed: I have tired legs; I have a tired, older body.
My back still aches. At least my headache from yesterday seems to have
dissipated.
I’ve been thinking about the art, but not doing any.
Claudine just ran me a nice bath with Epsom salts. I picked her up
with the car after her 4-hour choir practice. She is busier than I am.
She’s working on all the french editing for decentre.
I have many art texts on the go and more than a few deadlines coming
up this week: C Mag, Collectif Taupe, and Third Space Gallery
submissions for grant applications, and the gallery annual funding,
plus the Saint John funding. Yikes. I’d best get cracking. One more
day at DHC tomorrow, mostly data entry as we try to combine all the
equipment lists and calibrate with what actually exists. The Bunker is
looking pretty good and Simon and I have some wicked shelf plans.
Did you come out with any harsh words for the Chinese regarding Tibet?
Any plans to boycott the Olympics?
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 8:19 AM
subject Fwd: Tibet: 2 Million by Monday?!
Dear Stephen,
Here is a forwarded message from Rick at Avaaz. He wants to double the
petition calling for dialogue between Tibet and China. Would you sign?
Thanks.
-chris
– Show quoted text –
Dear friends,
We reached our target! In just 7 days over 1 million of us have
signed the petition calling for human rights and dialogue in
Tibet–the fastest growing internet petition in history. As the crisis
continues, it’s time to deliver our petition and make sure Chinese
President Hu Jintao hears our voices.
An International Day of Action has been declared for Monday, March
31st. On Monday, thousands of people in cities across the world will
march to Chinese embassies and consulates, and stack hundreds of boxes
containing our petition outside them. 1 million signatures makes a
mountain of boxes–it will send a powerful global message.
We have just 4 days left until the petition delivery. Could we get to
2 million signatures in 4 days? We can do it–if every one of us
recruits at least one more friend to sign the petition by forwarding
the email below.
————————————————–
Dear friends,
After decades of repression, the Tibetan people are crying out to the
world for change. The Olympic spotlight is now on China, and Tibetan
leader the Dalai Lama is calling to end all riots and violence through
restraint and dialogue.
China’s hardliners are lashing out publicly at the Dalai Lama–but
many Chinese leaders believe dialogue is the best hope for stability
in Tibet. The government is right now considering a crucial choice
between repression and dialogue that could determine Tibet’s–and
China’s–future.
We can affect this historic choice–President Hu Jintao values
China’s reputation, and he needs to hear from us that the ‘Made in
China’ brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing will succeed only if
he chooses dialogue over the hardliners’ repression. An avalanche of
global people power is moving to get his attention. In just one week,
over 1 million people have signed our petition, which will be
delivered in rallies at Chinese embassies worldwide on Monday–click
below to join the global outcry, and then forward this email to
friends and family right away:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/66.php/?cl=66767010
China’s economy is dependent on “Made in China” exports that we all
buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this
summer a celebration of a new and respected China. China is also a
sprawling, diverse country with much brutality in its past, so it has
good reasons to be concerned about stability–some of Tibet’s rioters
killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the
greatest danger to Chinese stability and development today comes from
hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from those Tibetans
seeking dialogue and reform.
The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally
their moment to speak–we must help them be heard.
With hope and respect,
Ricken, Pascal, Graziela, Iain, Paul, Galit, Milena, Ben and the
whole Avaaz team
Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and
the Chinese response:
Reuters reports unrest continues:
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSPEK369654
China allows first journalists back into Lhasa, monks speak out:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/local%20news/tibet/2008/03/27/149167/Tibet-monks.htm
Europe and the US step up calls for dialogue:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/27/europe/27europe.php
Prominent Chinese Intellectuals call for fair approach to Tibet:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/24/asia/chinasub.php
———–
ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning
organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the
world’s people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means “voice” in
many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or
corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de
Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.
Don’t forget to check out our Facebook and Myspace pages!
You are getting this message because you signed “Taliban releases
South Korean Hostages” on 2007-07-27 using the email address
dearpm@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add
avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address,
language settings, or other personal information,
https://secure.avaaz.org/act/index.php?r=profile&user=52c04e476a59c35a24fc7996bb39f485&lang=en.
, or simply go here to unsubscribe.
To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to
info@avaaz.org. You can also send postal mail to our New York office:
260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001 U.S.A.
If you have technical problems, please go to http://www.avaaz.org.
—
Chris Lloyd Projects
http://chrislloydprojects.googlepages.com
A Division of ADD Painters:
“we’re here to swerve”
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 11:23 PM
subject Dion to Quebec Grits: Stop bickering
Dear Stephen,
Just came back from a 12 k run with Sarah. I decided to break with my
own tradition and train a little before the half marathon next month.
I want to be able to keep up with Sarah for that run, and as she is
aiming for a personal best time and is training for a full marathon, I
figured a little practice won’t do me any harm.
Except now of course I have slightly sore legs. They will probably
feel worse tomorrow.
I made paella for supper last night, which also served as lunch and
supper today.
I worked a short day at DHC, mostly compiling the equipment list.
Met Claudine at Galerie de l’UQAM for a talk by the directrice Louise
Déry about her experiences as the commissaire for the 2007 Venice
Biennale, featuring David Altmejd. She spoke really well and
passionately, but it was also timely for me, as DHC was a large
private sponsor, and the idea of private foundations facilitating
contemporary art is what I am writing about for C Magazine. Or, it is
what I am thinking about writing.
Tomorrow I have a day to write and plan, but also clean the apartment,
in preparation for an overnight visit from Rose-Marie.
It has been a few days since we’ve come back from NY but a few bizarre
business names have stayed in my head. While getting lost in New
Jersey we laughed hilariously at the variety of shop names. Here is a
small sample:
99¢ Heaven
Chicken Galore
99¢ Touch
Playaz
Do you ever remark on how silly business names can be sometimes?
Any thoughts on the Jonathan and Patrick Roy suspensions?
-chris
—
Chris Lloyd Projects
http://chrislloydprojects.googlepages.com
A Division of ADD Painters:
“we’re here to swerve”
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 3:33 PM
subject Survivor questions towing operation
Dear Stephen,
I’ve seen two depressing movies this weekend that accelerated my
procrastination and left me in a melancholy mood. Bad enough that I
often get depressed when Clo goes away. I further that by becoming
more reclusive and lost in my own head.
Friday night I went to see The Counterfeiters, after a tepid opening
at La Centrale and a standard assiette at Patati-Patata. The film is a
hard look at the lengths humans go towards self-preservation, and also
the fine line between artistic ability and aiding and abetting fascism
and war. Update this sentiment to today, and I wonder sometimes if any
state-sanctioned art event, prize or grant is really not just some
form of collusion. We’ve failed somewhat in separating Church and
State; it seems we can’t do it with art, either.
As an aside, remembering the counterfeiting techniques circa WW2 just
makes it even more obvious that the most powerful governments of today
can and probably are using so many deceptive tricks to control their
populations that I don’t think I trust anything anymore.
Rendition, the film I watched this morning because I watched hockey
last night while trying to write, and was caught up flicking between
the channels endlessly, didn’t help my mood any. A stark reminder of
the Maher Arar case, and the Khalid El-Masri case. Yep, we sure do
live in interesting times.
I’m at la bibliotèque national, hoping it would help me focus, but it
is not helping all that much. A bit, but not much.
I watched the Canadiens lose badly to the Maple Leafs last night.
Maybe the three late goals they scored the other night against Buffalo
really did fall from the sky. They’ll have to play better if they want
to pass the first round of the playoffs.
Hey, I was called the other day for an interview for the temporary
coordinator position at Dazibao. The interview is on Wednesday. Do you
have any tips for a successful interview? Though I am torn: even if I
am offered the job, I think I might just stick with techwork at DHC.
It probably pays better and gives me more time for other projects.
Such as grants for Third Space (still not done) and writing for art
magazines or exhibition catalogues (still not done).
Sometimes I think I excel only in wasting time.
Speaking of which, I’d best check my Facebook scrabble games before
heading to the Jean Talon market to buy some fresh, local produce with
which to make a tasty meal tonight.
-chris
from chris lloyd <dearpm@gmail.com>
to pm@pm.gc.ca,
date Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 11:20 PM
subject Wings came off in flight: investigator
Dear Stephen,
I met with Penny and Tammy at DHC this morning to get a little more
info on the organization for the C Magazine article. I’m still
procrastinating. I’m also procrastinating on the Collectif Taupe
article. I guess I have writers’ block.
The rest of the day I spent in the bunker, making shelves and
organizing with Simon. The day passed quickly. Ate lunch there;
leftover pizza I had made on Saturday. Tonight I made a chicken-chick
pea curry with rice.
Did you celebrate Earth Day yesterday? I had forgotten about it, but I
didn’t use a lot of electricity anyway.
So today is the final day for the ETS (Exhibition Transport Services).
I heard this on the radio; I guess all the letters and petitions
you’ve been receiving from museums and galleries across the country
have been falling on deaf ears.
About ETS
Created in the late 1970s, ETS is a federal government program —
administered by the Canadian Conservation Institute – which provides
shipping services exclusively to public art galleries and museums
across Canada. The service provides climate-controlled vehicles and
trained drivers who act as the “art handlers” at pick-up and delivery
points. It came into existence because of the specialized requirements
for art and cultural objects when shipped across the nation. The works
must be preserved in an environmentally-sound and secure truck, and
managed by an art handler who is cognizant of the specific physical
and security risks to fragile cultural objects. ETS is cost-effective,
professionally sanctioned and reliable. Over 54% of all art
transportation between museums in Canada is conducted by ETS, compared
to 28% for all other fine-art carriers combined. In some isolated
regions, ETS is the only fine-art carrier available, as others refuse
to service outlining regions where the profit-margin is slim. For
instance, in the Atlantic provinces, over 65% of exhibitions are
delivered by ETS.
When was the last time you went to a museum (to look at something, not
as at a reception fulfilling your ministerial duties).
Does shaving ever bother you? I try to only do it every 3 days or so,
when my cheeks start to itch, as it annoys me so.
-chris
DEAR PM 