from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 11:39 PM
subject Possible intervention contre l’Iran: Baird invoque l’Holocauste; Tentative deal reached between city of Toronto and union
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Mont Tremblant. Visit with S&M&H is going well, has been full-on fun and activities and planning. The condo we stayed at in Tremblant was incredibly luxurious, but perfect for the 12 adults + 5 kids there. Loved the hot tub but it was my only masseuse. And tonight we host Nick and Martha and their two kids, so to say that our apartment is full is an understatement. Clo is on the couch and I’m on the floor. I’ll tell you more about the sledding, tubing, skating, drinking, cooking that transpired these past few days later on.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Feb 6, 2012 at 10:09 PM
subject Avortement: un député du PCC tente de rouvrir le débat; French fries Health minister nixed plan to limit trans fats in food, records show
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday at work. Things are picking up steam with the PHI Centre and I have a deadline tomorrow to deliver revised art placement plans for a meeting with the C2-MTL people about the upcoming Creative People conference. Also, I’m trying to learn new lighting techniques in Sketchup and I don’t have time.
We’ve been up since 6am. Nick and Martha and kids were up early and left early and I managed to drive S&M&H to the airport and still get to work on time. Monica forgot her iPad, which I Fedexed to them.
Tonight Clo and I visited Anne Laure and Christophe downstairs as they are planning to buy and offered us to move into their apartment for July 1. Lots to think about. There is more space and caché: backyard, ground floor, basement extra room, 2 bathrooms, but it is in rougher shape than our apartment, so would mean more minor work and repairs. Still, ground floor and backyard (and basement – could be a spare room / studio), could be great. Will keep you posted.
Off to bed. I’ll tell you about the Mont Tremblant adventures tomorrow. Or Wednesday (tomorrow is Clo’s birthday! I’m taking her to dinner and a movie)
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:23 PM
subject Les bébés bienvenus aux Communes, mais les photos interdites; Video of Pickton interview underscores lost chance to halt killing spree
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Clo’s birthday, which involved supper at le Jolie Fou ($150 with tip, we drank a bottle of wine and split a dinner for two Surf N Turf, which was delicious), and the film Monsieur Lazhar at Cinema Beaubien (which is so well done and so damn sad), then the last twenty five minutes of Psycho, which Emily was watching on Netflix when we arrived home. Now I’m way overdrawn on my budget this pay but such is life. We await further news from Anne-Laure and Christophe after their final inspection tomorrow but all signs point to us possibly moving in July. Today I worked on plans for various upcoming PHI Centre projects. Tonight was supposed to be a studio night for me but Clo was late coming home, I had made supper (cod encrusted with various crushed nuts and seeds and peppers, mashed potatoes, broccoli) and we ended up talking about projects and I decided to stay in and draft some letters / proposals for the DEAR PM book / archive project, as well as a submission to the Khyber for a full wall of a massive frottage painting.
Now off for a shower and bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 9:26 PM
subject Réforme des pensions : les bureaux de 21 députés conservateurs occupés; Alta. MP wants law to block foreign funding of environmentalists
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived work, and the evening with Rose. She was adorable and in good spirits tonight. She also ate really well, which warms my heart to see. You must know that feeling, that your child is getting nourishment. Tonight she had leftover mashed potatoes but also the cod, and then rice, and broccoli. She didn’t touch the chili though. She didn’t like it the first time around. I think she has an aversion to food that is red. Except she likes raspberries and strawberries. It must be the tomato she dislikes.
I’m working on a Khyber arts proposal but in Sketchup. I want to make a full wall-size frottage of the street and sidewalk out front. This will be tricky as it would entail a series of separate frottages sewn together and then stretched in the gallery. It would also be tricky because Barrington street is always busy. One could say that it is always occupied.
Tomorrow is a studio day. I am going to try to accomplish a few things: a watercolour of Tim Horton; a new wood burning for the CPC; and some work on conceptualizing the DEAR PM book. Maybe also starting work on Rose’s new bed frame. There is wood just waiting for me at the DHC workshop.
Off to fold some laundry. Claudine is on her way home from a day and evening full of RCAAQ board and committee meetings. The fun never ends!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 11:35 AM
subject Harper aborde la question des droits de la personne en Chine; RCMP shooting suspect Sawyer Clarke Robison arrested near Edmonton
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived a Friday morning at home sucked into the social media maelström. I did some scans and updated the DEAR PM blog, wrote some emails, etc. Now I’m on my way to the studio, for real!
Thought I’d leave you with this question found while surfing / reading Facebook. Seems pertinent given you are in China with business leaders and it is obvious you want the Gateway Pipeline project to go through:
“State-owned Chinese corporations are among the world’s largest oil firms and famously corrupt. They have invested more than $16 billion in the oilsands. Even Richard Fadden, the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has warned that China is one of several foreign powers trying to influence Canadian politics. In contrast, U.S. charities have invested but $30 million in Canadian environmental groups to contest Big Oil’s interests in a democratic society.
Why is the Canadian government more concerned about the impact of $30 million worth of charitable donations than $16 billion worth of hardcore Chinese state investment on Canada’s economy, politics and sovereignty?”
True North Strong and Free, right?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 8:31 PM
subject Harper et la diplomatie des pandas; First modular home arrives in Attawapiskat
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived the weekend. What did it entail? Friday night we watched a couple episodes of that new British series Sherlock Holmes. The first episode showed promise, the second was a complete and total farce of itself. I have no interest in pursuing the series any further. Fail!
Saturday we went to the Leonard and Bina Ellen Gallery a Concordia to check out the show on the history of conceptual art practices in Canada. It is a multi-volet series of regional exhibitions with different curators, this exhibit following Ontario and Québec and curated by Vincent Bonin and Barbara Fischer. It was so good! They made a great selection of works and managed to get so much into the space without it ever feeling crowded or jumbled. A lot to digest but we had a good forty minutes or so while Rose napped in her stroller before she work up and reading and watching the art became a little more challenging. I’d like to see the Maritimes segment that Jayne Wark is curating at Dal but I don’t know if I can get there for it.
Our tentative plan to have our downstairs neighbours watch Rose fell through so I stayed home and missed Anne’s 30th birthday party. The AC crew did come to our place for drinks and pizza and to practice their skit, so I was kind of half there. Claudine was out until past 5 as they stopped for poutine at Rapido.
Today we had Sarah and Etienne and Femke over for the afternoon. I made French Toast, again in the oven, they brought pastries and the girls played and watched videos and drew and coloured and danced together. Clo and Sarah went to Renaissance while the girls napped. I’m exhausted from all the social interaction, from getting up early with Rose, and from all the dishes. I’m going to bed early tonight, after a few more emails inquiring about ways of getting the DEAR PM book off the ground.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 9:42 PM
subject Étude sur l’«agitation politique» : pas une dépense partisane, disent les conservateurs; Tories stand firm on ‘online spying’ legislation
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday. Also I survived an evening technical/gallery tour. It is my one education tour at DHC, for Christopher Moore’s communication class at Concordia. I only realized while doing the tour that it is maybe less interesting technically-speaking than some of the others, like Jenny Holzer or Ceal Floyer. It was hard to decide when to speak during 5,000 feet is the best, and the students didn’t have time to watch the whole piece so that felt awkward.
Tired. starting to feel down. I wonder if it is because I am somehow broke again? I have lots of belt-tightening to do if I want to meet my Freedom 2012 objectives by the end of 2012.
Oh and the potential move to the RC is on hold. The final inspection showed major damage to the foundations. Anne-Laure and Christophe are still looking but back to square one. Still, lots of time before July 1.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 11:26 PM
subject Les F-35 coûteront plus cher; After historic vote, battle over long-gun registry will continue
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another day at work and making paté chinois with cauliflower instead of potatoes and having S. Roberts over for supper. Worked on a little wood-burning for a bit but am tired so going to bed. Already past bedtime.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 10:12 PM
subject Les conservateurs célèbrent la fin du registre des armes d’épaule; Bill to kill gun registry sails through House of Commons
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived work, insane ridiculous retarded delays on the metro on the way home, supper, meeting Nathalie Q. to get my frottages back, and some time in the studio. Now off to finish a wood burning for the CPC. Should I reference the end of the long gun registry? The imminent introduction of C30, AKA the spying legislation? Interesting that your peeps are already backpedaling on it. Was it all some sort of bizarre diversion? If so, from what?
So, let’s celebrate! Life will be SOOOO much better with that pesky gun registry out of the way. I swear I felt a national collective sigh of relief. What a glorious achievement!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 9:40 PM
subject Propos sur le suicide: aucune accusation contre le sénateur Boisvenu; ‘Tweeps’ rage at Toews over e-snooping bill
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived my last day of work for the week, and another terribly slow and over-crowded metro, and picking up Rose after daycare, and buying some fish and potatoes in the market and then deciding spontaneously to buy some Portuguese chicken and fries. Rose and I ate that (and cucumber) and I made the fish for later with Clo and I. Now we’re cleaning the apartment and preparing for our short Ottawa/Gatineau visit. Also our friends Andrea and Stephane and Agnes are staying at our place this weekend. We’ll all have supper together here Sunday night.
Have you had a chance to see Christian Marclay’s The Clock yet? We’re planning to see it Saturday, amongst other visits.
Also, had I mentioned to you before how ironic I find it that Senator Boisvenu is Michel’s choice for a speaker for a Papineau EDA cocktail fundraiser? I wonder if his recent notoriety would help boost attendance.
Would you agree that those convicted of violent crimes be given special access to tools to end their own lives?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 10:41 PM
subject Baird supprime un passage propalestinien d’un discours; RCMP investigating threats to Vic Toews
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived the aller-retour and weekend in Ottawa. I’ll be brief, because it’s late and we’re exhausted from driving and visiting the National Gallery of Canada and having supper here with friends. The Clock by Christian Marclay is indeed incredible, also 40 Part Motet by Janet Cardiff is sublime in the Chapel and another pleasant surprise was seeing 5,000 Feet is the Best by Omer Fast. The NGC owns all these works which is in itself amazing as they are all seminal works. Our tax dollars hard at work!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 9:26 PM
subject Le ministre Toews aurait reçu des menaces; Canadian man kills self, two-year-old son in Australia: reports
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday at work.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 8:23 PM
subject Des explications claires pour les anciens soldats; NDP membership skyrockets heading into leadership vote
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived getting pulled over (as a pedestrian) by a cop while on my way to work this morning. He stopped me and three other people who had apparently committed the grievous act of crossing the street on a red light. How dare we wait patiently and dull as sheep for the light to change, even though no cars were coming. Time will tell as to whether a ticket arrives in the mail, but if it does I’ll take it all the way to the top. Or maybe just to municipal court, we shall see.
It was the police today, and yesterday there were STM officers stopping everyone getting out of the metro to check that their OPUS cards were valid. Honestly, I felt a bit violated. It’s starting to feel like we are living in a police state and C-30 has only just been introduced. Here is a copy of a letter I sent in to a website called Toewsday:
Honourable Vic Toews
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-992-3128
Fax: 613-995-1049
cc: Opposition Party Leaders
Dear Mr. Toews,
I am writing to you to express my concern that Bill C-30 does not strike an appropriate balance between respecting my privacy rights as a Canadian and providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to fulfill their mandates.
I am not necessarily opposed to legislation that modernizes police powers online – but it must also protect the public, respect fundamental privacy principles established in Canadian law and be subject to proper oversight. In my judgement Bill C-30 would result in unacceptable invasions of privacy and an irrevocable erosion of the freedoms we enjoy as Canadian citizens.
I am heartened to hear the Government is open to amendments to Bill C-30. However, given there have been many successful investigations of child exploitation and child endangerment under existing legislation, it is not clear why Bill C-30 is required [1]. As such my first preference is for Bill C-30 to be withdrawn. Failing that I would like to propose the following suggestions and improvements to Bill C-30.
Short name
The short name for Bill C-30 should be changed to more accurately reflect its impact.
Warrant
One of the drivers behind the bill seems to be the issue of law enforcement having access to warrants in a timely manner. I suggest this is an issue of procedure, rather than an issue of law. Perhaps a fast-track approach for subscriber information warrants could be created. Warrants of this type could have a lower “for cause” threshold and be issued more quickly while retaining judicial oversight, a degree of probably cause, and mandatory reporting requirements.
Risk of privacy breach
Requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to constantly collect data on subscribers (location, name, address, email, telephone and “IP” address) regardless of whether or not an investigation is taking place puts the privacy of every Canadian Internet user at risk.
Given that mobile phones are in constant movement and IP addresses are changed throughout the day as subscribers connect and disconnect from the Internet, ISPs will be required to store vast amounts of information, all day, every day.
The mere existence of this data spread out amongst all ISPs, each with varying degrees of protections (errors will be made at this scale of collection), places the privacy of every Canadian at risk. I submit that the risk to Canadian privacy is too high. I agree with Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian when she stated: “This is going to be like the Fort Knox of information that the hackers and the real bad guys will want to go after. This is going to be a gold mine.” [2]
Cost of interception infrastructure
This bill will impose high costs on smaller ISPs and threaten Canadian broadband competition, which is already minimal. Larger firms like Rogers, Bell and Telus will be able to implement the regulations and pass costs onto the consumer. The incremental costs to smaller providers will be much higher and lower their competitiveness, possibly to the point of ending their viability.
The requirement that telecommunications companies reconfigure their networks to guarantee real-time monitoring should be removed.
Oversight
In light of the positive track record Privacy Commissioners have with the Canadian people, oversight of implementation of this bill be rested with the Federal Privacy Commissioner, with input from Provincial Privacy Commissioners.
Overly broad powers of inspection
Section 34 of the act empowers anyone deemed an Inspector by the Minister to copy subscriber data from an ISP at any time, outside of any warrant or emergency situation, and not even for the purpose of a criminal investigation. This is an overly broad power.
I am not an expert in every issue that I have raised with you today. In fact, this letter is the product of a collaboration among many Canadians, each of whom are concerned enough about the impacts of Bill C-30 to engage with you and offer constructive input.
It is my hope, our hope, that you will complete a full consultation with your fellow Members of Parliament, civil society stakeholders and regular Canadians so that in the end Bill C-30 will enable judges to continue to protect our privacy rights while providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they must have to fulfil their mandate.
Sincerely,
Chris Lloyd
(DEAR PM)
[1] Cops charge 60 in Ontario child-porn bust
http://www.canada.com/news/Cops+charge+Ontario+child+porn+bust/6089896/story.html
[2] Online surveillance bill ‘a gold mine’ for hackers: Ontario privacy commissioner
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/14/bill-c-30-protecting-children-from-internet-predators-act
Clo has a big Oboro board meeting tonight, so I was home alone with Rose. We ate supper together and watched some videos, listened to music, bushed our teeth and read some stories. We skipped the bath. I received yet another letter from the CPC today, which I have scanned and added to the blog. I’m inspired to make another wood-burning, which I may start before Clo comes home. She may need some comforting. Luckily, last night was personal grooming night for both of us.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 10:01 AM
subject Christian Paradis accusé d’avoir favorisé un associé de son père; Military staff dug for dirt on Liberal MP after Peter MacKay helicopter ride
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived until payday. February is a weird, short month. It seems that my last pay went to rent and bills and now this pay is also going to rent and bills. Not a whole lot of cash flow.
Today is a studio day. I am finishing a few online things, updating the blog, cleaning the desktop, etc. but I will head to the studio shortly. I might also go the wood shop and work on the bed frame for Rose. I should be able to afford my contribution to her new mattress with the next pay.
What is all this over Robocalls and Racknine? Sounds very exciting and quasi-futuristic. Is it a made-in-Canada Watergate or will it blow over? Also, the more I read on provisions within Bill C-30 the more I think the bill should be recalled. It seems there is absolutely no need for it. Of course, there was really no need for Bill C-11, either. Oh well!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 9:11 PM
subject F-35: Ottawa prépare une rencontre à Washington; More than a dozen ridings blitzed by harassing fake Liberal phone calls in 2011 election
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another phone call from the #CPC (an older guy, Maritimes accent, or perhaps Prairies, who has called me before). He talked me into promising a hundred dollars for the end of March. I’m already imagining what to do for that particular wood-burning.
As you know from my Tweets, I decided to go see the Muppets at noon. It was playing at Dollar Cinema (in actuality, $2.50). The quality of sound was bad, but the theatre larger than I imagined it would be and more crowded as well. Lots of kids. Made me think of taking Rose to her first movie on a Friday someday soon. Anyway, the movie was cute and charming and quick and easy. Exactly what I needed. Afterwards I survived Chez Claudette and an impulsive burger and poutine (also exactly what I needed, or at least wanted). Then I spent some time in the studio working on the Tim Horton paintings (as you would know if you follow my Tweets).
The Robocall scandal is all over the news today. I signed a Leadnow.ca petition:
Dear Prime Minister Harper, Mr Corbett, Mr Paulson, Ms Turmel, Mr Rae, Ms. May and Mr. Plamondon,
I am gravely concerned by the Elections Canada report that has just traced illegal phone calls made during the 2011 federal election to a company that worked for the Conservative Party across the country.
The “robocalls” were apparently designed to stop non-Conservative voters from casting ballots in key ridings by falsely telling voters that the location of their polling stations had changed, causing them to go to the wrong location on election day.
This news casts doubt on the legitimacy of our Government. We need answers now, and real consequences for illegal behaviour that may have determined the outcome of our election.
I demand a full and independent public inquiry, backed by Elections Canada and the RCMP, to expose the facts about the robocall scandal and ensure that the penalty for this election fraud matches the consequences of the crime – including possible by-elections in the affected ridings.
We cannot allow individuals to be scapegoated for actions that benefit institutions. We need to lay the foundation for new laws to restore the integrity of Canadian elections.
Both Claudine and I are home for the evening, though I am going to a screening of one of Emily’s music videos at WW TWO gallery later on, closer to midnight. We’re going to watch Gosford Park. I fear I may fall asleep as I am already sleepy.
Oh, and I’ve been nominated in the category Precious Exports for the 2012 Saint John Originals Awards. I have to apply to make the shortlist for final selections. I don’t think there is any money involved.
-chris
PS this is an alternate Canada.com headline I could have used in the subject heading: Peter MacKay flies from questions over use of Cormorant
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 9:24 PM
subject Appels frauduleux: la Chambre des communes soutiendra l’enquête; ‘Perfectly nice’ Liberal staffer behind Vikileaks, Rae says
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Nuit Blanche as well as the Oscars. Nuit Blanche was crazy. I tried to have a nap for about an hour before heading down to Skol for 10pm but slept fitfully. And from 10-3am it was go-go-go. I ended up only hosting the karaoke and not working the bar at all. I almost lost my voice from singing so much.
Earlier in the evening I met Clo, Rose, Etienne and Femke to go see the penguins at the Biodome. There were too many people and so never actually saw the penguins, but we did see an owl, and Rose was quite impressed with that. Then we ate at Berger de Ville. The girls really enjoyed their fries. I had an amazing steak, which, combined with the burger I ate at Chez Claudette on Friday, exceeds my self-imposed limit of red meat for the week.
Last night Rose and I went to spend the evening with Phillipe and Jo and watch the Oscars. I won the pool, with a score of 13/24 for correct predictions, and drove home at 12:30am with about $12 extra in my pocket. It’ll be a tight week for money as rents are due shortly and next pay is more than a week away. Clo bought tons of groceries yesterday and made a big pot of soup and a quinoa salad and salmon which I had for lunch today, so yummy.
I received a “Dashgram” in the mail today from the #CPC. I guess the “Robocalls” scandal has the party brass pretty spooked. These letters I find hilarious. This one is so “critical” that the entire thing – four pages! – is in ALL CAPS. It’s as though Irving R. Gerstein is screaming in my ear, yelling for money to “hold Canada together”.
Also, where in the world does the #CPC get its’ numbers? How is the Keystone XL or any other pipeline project going to ever create “hundreds of thousands of highly skilled and well paying jobs”? If you look at Transcanada’s own website about the Keystone project you can see that they anticipate only about 20,000 jobs created (and those in the US, not Canada), and 118,000 “person-years” in “spin-off” jobs (i.e. anything and everything that can be associated with the construction of a long ditch, diggers, sign-holders, surveyors, waitresses, etc.) but that could mean 118,000 jobs for ONE YEAR ONLY, or maybe 12,000 jobs over a ten-year period. Anyway, you know my thoughts on the matter.
I’ve posted the letter on the DEAR PM blog, of course. I’ll set to work on a new wood burning in the coming days. I can hardly keep up with the business reply envelopes!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 11:07 PM
subject «Pierre Poutine» à l’origine d’appels frauduleux; Meet the robocalls scandal’s prime suspect — ‘Pierre Poutine’
DEAR STEPHEN,
I AM STILL ALIVE. I SURVIVED SNOW REMOVAL ON MY STREET BY MOVING THE CAR LAST NIGHT AND THEN AGAIN TONIGHT FROM GASPÉ. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE STUDIO WHERE I CONTINUED WORK ON THE TIM HORTON PAINTINGS. I FIND I AM NOT VERY ADEPT AT THE WATERCOLOUR TECHNIQUE, BUT HOPE TO IMPROVE WITH MORE PRACTICE. THE PAPER MADE FROM DISCARDED TIM HORTON CUPS IS NOT A VERY FORGIVING OR CONSISTENT SURFACE TO WORK ON.
LOTS OF INK SPILLING REGARDING THE ROBOCALL AFFAIR. IS IT A LOOSE CANNON OR WAS THIS A DIRECTED CAMPAIGN?
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, NO, I AM NOT YELLING AT YOU. I DECIDED TO WRITE THIS LETTER IN ALL CAPS IN TRIBUTE OF THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY YESTERDAY. I AM ALSO POSTING BITS AND PIECES FROM THE LETTER ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, TRYING TO DIRECT MORE TRAFFIC TO MY BLOG. I’M STILL ONLY SCORING 45 ON KLOUT. YOU’RE UP TO 66.
-CHRIS
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 10:38 PM
subject La Commissaire à l’éthique déclenche une enquête sur le ministre Paradis;Elections Canada won’t probe ‘annoying’ political calls, ex-MP told
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another day of plans and reading about Robocalls. Tonight I was going to work on another wood burning but had a shower instead. I can’t believe it is already 10:30. Time flies! I RSVP’d to the déjeuner causerie with James Moore on Friday, at l’Hôtel de la Montagne. It’s a bit pricey for my budget right now but I figure I shouldn’t pass up the chance to hear him in person. Maybe I’ll have the courage to ask him why he is blocking me on Twitter. That should be worth $35, no?
Also, Michel called me tonight with a fixed date for the AGM for the EDA of Papineau, which is April 7. This is when he hopes I will be elected president, though it sounds as though Maxime may try to hold on. Apparently he is moving back to Montreal but doesn’t plan to live in Papineau. I don’t know if that is against the rules or not. Besides, rules are made to be broken, no?
-chris
DEAR PM 