from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Nov 3, 2013 at 10:44 PM
subject Le congrès conservateur se clôt sans pouvoir étouffer la crise du Sénat; Conservatives’ closed doors can’t contain growing number of disenchanted party members
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived the weekend, but did it ever take a toll! Friday was Jon Knowles’ opening at VOX, we went as a family and ate in Chinatown with Eric and his daughter, all was good until Rose spilled half an extra-large PHO soup right in my lap. I was wearing my only suit as I had a meeting with CAM in the afternoon re: SKOL, so I was not impressed. I was, however, impressed with how quick the fabric dried out and how little I actually smelled of chicken soup for the rest of the night. After supper I hung out at the Midway waiting for friends to go out, ended up at Luc’s Halloween party and then NDQ, then Victoria’s new apartment, home at 5:30 or something ridiculous. Saturday night it was Clo’s turn to go to a big Halloween party, she went as a Roy Lichtenstein painting (the “Oh Jeff, I love you too..but…”). It was a big hit. Today we ate out for brunch as a family, went to the market, tonight we cooked a lot, following recipes and everything. And laundry. Lots of laundry. The washing machine was delivered on Friday, so I have been plowing through the backlog. I have a backlog of Facebook to get through as well, have been mostly offline this weekend. I still need to shave before bed.
How was the Convention?
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 11:10 PM
subject Brazeau à ses collègues: «si cela peut m’arriver, cela peut vous arriver»; Why do politicians embroiled in scandals use the “it’s before the courts” excuse?
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday, work, a meeting with an architect, supper, then a rehearsal for a performance on Saturday. Now I am trying to get some SKOL emails done (as President), and posting some comments to the EDA Papineau ACE Facebook page (as president) and this letter (as artist). AAAAARG the Internet and procrastination I feel as though I am not getting anything DONE!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Nov 5, 2013 at 9:50 PM
subject Scandale au Sénat: Brazeau, Wallin et Duffy suspendus sans salaire; Some left disappointed even with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s crack-cocaine confession
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Survived garbage and recycling pick-up. Survived another day of work. Survived meetings. Survived a meeting at home with a rep from an organization called Alimentation Maison, who deliver meats right to ones home. We signed up, and ordered $150 worth of products. It will be delivered tomorrow.
Have you been watching the Rob Ford train? Must be a nice distraction to the whole Senate-thing.
I had best go to bed asap. I feel a cold coming on.
Oh, happy book-launch day! I’ll add it to my Xmas list.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 12:46 AM
subject Le député fédéral conservateur Ted Menzies quitte la politique; Toronto lighten up. You have to have a reputation before you can be slandered
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived a planning meeting for James’ stag party at le Pourvoyeur tonight after supper. Then on Facebook for too long and now waiting for Sol to wake up to feed him a bottle before going to bed. Survived dishes, the delivery of $160 of frozen meats, hanging with Sol while Clo took Rose to swim lessons, and of course another day at work. Didn’t really make any art today. Wondered a lot about what it is all for, life, etc.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sat, Nov 9, 2013 at 10:03 PM
subject Justin Trudeau doit expliquer ses propos sur la Chine à Drummondville; New York’s scandalous Armory Show of 1913: Can art still shock us?
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived my “day off” on Friday, mostly cleaning, cooking, running errands. Didn’t make much art, but I did drive to pick up my re-done photos, which I absolutely need to get in the mail asap. We had plans in the evening to meet up with the AC crew at a new restaurant on Beaubien to celebrate Kent’s birthday, the arrival a few weeks back of Eric and Marie-Christine’s daughter, and Anne’s pregnancy. Lots of red wine was consumed, which made waking up this morning even more difficult. As you know, with kids there is no longer such a thing as “sleeping in”. After dance class we had a quick lunch and then trundled off to get the kids to their acupuncture appointments. After that I had a rehearsal for the Sophie Castonguay performance at Galerie Trois Points, then watched two performances then it was our turn, it went well, I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Was going to go to the opening at Oboro but the kids had late naps and I was too hungry upon arriving home and needed to eat first and then completely lost all motivation to go out again. My current depression seems linked to motivation in general, an inability to move forward. Possibly linked to my knee, and possibly other things as well. I need to find me a shrink.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Nov 10, 2013 at 10:37 PM
subject Tragédie aux Philippines: l’aide s’organise au Canada; Canada’s last Remembrance Day in Afghanistan evokes poignant memories
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived a family drive to Stoke, just outside of Sherbrooke. We looked at a cottage, a 3-season up for sale by Nathalie deBois, the curator who approached me back in ’05 to take part in TRAFIC in Abitibi. We like it, and are thinking of making an offer. Currently looking into alternatives to putting in a septic tank. Considering a waterless composting toilet system. After the visit we drove back and had supper at Pip’s place. Etienne and Femke came over so the girls kept themselves amused and we were able to have adult discussions. Charles Stankievech was there as well, who is lovely company and a pleasure to talk with. He remembered me from 2005 and that brief show of “frottage” paintings at that rental gallery on St. Laurent! He must have an incredible memory. Anyway, I need to continue some toilet research and then shave and get ready for bed, last night I was in bed early and felt better today, I think more sleep might help my stagnant depression. That, and avoiding Facebook!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Nov 11, 2013 at 10:13 PM
subject Congé de remboursement pour le sénateur Brazeau; Justin Trudeau’s gaffes getting harder to ignore
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday. I also survived another Remembrance Day. I forgot to buy a poppy. There seemed to be remarkably fewer poppy-pushers around the city. We were all a bit late this morning, took our collective time getting out of the house. Work was work. I picked Rose up and we ran home in the rain sans umbrellas. Gave both Sol and then Rose a bath before supper, Claudine was making a carrot-mushroom soufflé to accompany rice and salmon. Washed a few loads of laundry and have even folded a bunch. Shaved (I didn’t get around to it last night). Read some Facebook posts about a weird 3-day art show all with portraits of…you? And a one-man play as well? All this and I still haven’t bought your book. Figure someone will get it for me for Christmas. We sent a few questions to the realtor regarding the cabin in Stoke, wondering first off why the price seems almost $30-grand over what other comparable cottages or houses in the area are going for. We’re still into it, but our enthusiasm has cooled a bit. Off now for a shower and then folding more laundry and then reading the New Yorker and then bed. Exciting stuff.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Nov 12, 2013 at 10:45 PM
subject Le procureur général du Canada défend le projet de réforme du Sénat; Federal government pulls pathway to immigration out from under foreign workers: labour
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Scouring MLS looking for cottages after a decent day of work and a pleasant evening home with family. Made roast chicken and veggies for supper. Have looked at dozens of properties thus far tonight until the point where now I just want to go to bed. This is too much work. I have other work to do, always put aside. Photos to wrap. Roulages to prepare and make (like for James’ wedding present and some to send to Judith – she will be mad that they are not made and sent yet), applications to prepare, and on and on and yet I find myself in role of quasi-organiser of James’ stag, plus I actually do do some work at work so no time there to do much of anything. Today for example I finally managed to make an appointment for a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon: January 23, 2014! And I waited on hold on the telephone for 35 minutes to get there! I am hoping to get an earlier appointment somewhere else of course but have yet to hear back from some other clinics. Meanwhile my knee, though in constant pain, is much more manageable. I feel like the whole leg is atrophying a bit, which is not pleasant. Kinda sucks. Goodnight.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:06 PM
subject Des francophones contre l’abolition du Sénat; Skeletons keep tumbling out of Rob Ford’s mayoral closet
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived a short day at work; Clo had an event at Oboro so I picked up both kids. All went smooth. Even found time to give them each a bath and we spoke with my folks who are visiting NS for the week. Dad is overseeing a new roof for the cabin in Ponhook. Now I’m back to looking at MLS. Today at work I looked again at a church for sale in Hillsborough, NB. Only $139,000. Includes the church, a gymnasium, and a dozen classrooms. Tempting.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 9:33 PM
subject Des manifestants exhortent le maire Rob Ford à démissionner immédiatement; Canadian military team’s swift arrival spells relief for province overwhelmed by typhoon
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived Friday night and all day today with the kids. It is a yoga teacher-training weekend for Clo. It was easy-going today. We went to Rose’s dance class in the morning, and stayed a little longer as there were a few mammoth inflatable play structures set up to keep kids amused if their parents wished to take part in a seminar on REERs. Hung out a bit with Amos, who told me a bit about their difficulties with Immigration Canada, where arbitrary decisions and lack of communication seem to be the MO. Tonight we’re making Christmas lists and hoping to get as much as possible at Lee Valley. Nice: Talking Heads on Songza. Tomorrow morning I’m taking the kids to IKEA with Victoria. Victoria and I went out Thursday night to celebrate her birthday, eating at Nouveau Palais followed by a nightcap at NDQ. The nightcap was Jon’s idea, he really likes their spicy caesars. I had the night off following another acupuncture treatment. Still no news on the knee. Oh, and Friday I tok the afternoon off and went to les bains scandinave to relax and even had a massage (my prize winnings from the Team Relay 2 months ago, which is probably where I damaged my knee). Overall am feeling better, but am still looking for a talk-doctor as I can sense the Darkness just under the surface. Am somewhat sceptical that it will help but I have to try. I am too young to become a grumpy old man.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Nov 17, 2013 at 9:37 PM
subject Dénonciation à l’assurance-emploi: un geste qui coûte cher; New aviation safety rules focus on dangers of flights to offshore drilling sites
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived IKEA. It was a long long visit. Rose only stayed a half hour in “Smälland” and then Sol fell asleep while we were in line at the cafeteria, so he ate after he woke up and we were all finished. Then we needed a couple more things and then at the check-out I lots Rose for a few agonizing moments. I didn’t outwardly lose it, and start running around in hysterical circles, but I was definitely thinking those terrible terrible thoughts of what if someone just grabbed her? Do the scum of the earth hang out at IKEA exits on weekends and help themselves to the all-you-can-grab children buffet? Luckily she had just wandered out of site and a couple IKEA employees found her and it was mercifully short. I never, ever want to lose my kids again. Kind of drained me for the rest of the day, which was getting some groceries, dropping Victoria off, and making a rôti de palette. Yum yum was it ever tasty. I will be happy to bring the leftovers as my lunch tomorrow. And what did I get at IKEA, you may ask yourself? Some fabric to cover the dark wool curtains in the kitchen, and some fabric for a tablecloth, and a lamp for Sarah Roberts, some paper napkins and a stuffed Wicked Wolf that “eats” a smaller grandma. His tummy velcros open so whatever he swallows can be retrieved, Alien-style.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 10:34 PM
subject Le Bureau du premier ministre réagit à la controverse Ford; Menace, a mayor, a mockery, manipulation and a message
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive I survived another Monday. Work was work. Afterwards I picked up Rose from daycare and we walked to Kim’s house. I had agreed to help her unload their recently-repaired TV from their car and re-install inside. In exchange Rose stayed over for supper and a playdate with Thomas. Gave Clo and I a bit of more focused time to do a few things around the apartment in preparation of my parents’ visit. They arrive in less than a week. OH! Big news! Last night BOTH KIDS stayed asleep and in their beds ALL NIGHT LONG! Has to be one of the first wholly uninterrupted night’s in over a year. Felt so good. Also: Arcade Fire World Tour tickets go on sale tomorrow. We’re planning to buy tickets for the show at Parc Jean Drapeau at the end of August. Should be good!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Nov 19, 2013 at 9:15 PM
subject Rob Ford devrait démissionner, dit le ministre Jason Kenney; Rob Ford’s mass appeal should frighten voters beyond Toronto city limits
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. Survived work, setting up for the Boca Gallery presentation Thursday, meeting with a potential tech / carpenter, then meeting the family at Georges Laoun Opticiens for the unveiling of the super-short-film award. Guess what? I won! $500 cash plus $1500 in studio time at Oboro! I was literally shell-shocked, I had no idea I would win. A good confidence-booster to say the least! Now I should get on with finishing my CC grant and whipping this goalie project into something substantial for shows. And plan the remaining cross-Canada visits. Fingers crossed for Calgary and MS:T next fall!
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 11:01 PM
subject Sénat: une tentative d’influence sur le contenu d’un audit?; Coyne: Stephen Harper and PMO’s reputation hangs by rapidly fraying thread
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived work, which involved getting a van, then a short break for an acupuncture treatment, then picking Rose up at the end of the day in the van, which is not ideal but she loved riding in the front seat, even if it was only a few blocks. Then we switched to our car and drove all the way out to Anjou for her swim lesson. I hung out at the Tim Hortons but forgot to check-in on Foursquare! How silly of me. In other news, there are over 60 “likes” for my Facebook post about the Georges-Laoun super-short-video prize post. Came home made supper sausage and pasta and zucchini, just Rose and I eating as Claudine and Sol went to a parents’ meeting at Rose’s daycare. Now in bed trying to avoid Ford Nation and Facebook but getting sucked in all the same. Louis-Phillippe texted me asking if I wanted to help go door-to-door this weekend in Bourrassa for the by-election. When is election day for that? Now I’m in bed trying not to think about my gum-grafting surgery tomorrow. Ugh.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Thu, Nov 21, 2013 at 10:55 PM
subject Le sénateur Colin Kenny visé par une plainte pour harcèlement sexuel; Auditors to be hauled back to Senate to explain study of Duffy’s expenses
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived gum surgery. I was nervous as heck beforehand but the procedure takes less than an hour and is painless. It is just the thinking about what is happening, and hearing the snips and cuts and scrapes *shudder* it’s the SOUNDS that make it uncomfortable. Anyway, I had time to get groceries on my way up to pick up both kids (another artist-talk at Oboro) and whipped up a pâté chinois with ground turkey and peas which Rose loved and Sol seemed to enjoy as well, though he was a bit cranky and in bed by 6:30. Hung with Rose, read some stories, I didn’t eat much, my mouth feels weird with those stitches and the burn-like patch on my palette. Drank some smoothie mostly. After Rose went to bed and Claudine came home we watched Enquête, as it was about the DPJ and Ste-Justine and Dr. Alain Sirard, the goon of a doctor who made Tracy and Rolando’s lives a living hell last year. Hopefully the show shines a bit more light on his shady relationship with the DPJ and his knee jerk accusations.
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Fri, Nov 22, 2013 at 10:58 PM
subject Ottawa étudiera en profondeur l’industrie des armes à feu; The Duffy Affair: How senator’s bait-and-switch tactics ensnared PMO officials
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived picking up a cube truck, driving to work, picking up supplies for the de-install, cleaning the apartment, picking up the kids, my parents’ arrival (they got a parking ticket within 5 minutes), and an opening at SKOL. Now a wee little bit of Facebook and then off to bed.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sat, Nov 23, 2013 at 10:53 PM
subject Pont Champlain: Mulcair dénonce la lenteur du gouvernement Harper; It’s hard to imagine Harper government ever recovering from this mess
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived helping Jon move his couch down from Victoria’s apartment and up and over his balcony on the third floor. Peter and AJ helped as well. It was a mild adventure, and in the end we didn’t need half the tools we brought. Better to be safe than sorry. In the afternoon Clo and I went to Vincent’s talk at the Bina and Leonard Ellen Gallery at Concordia. The show is really good. Better than the Bladerunner aquarelle edition ( a 35-minute version of the film made with over 12-thousand 3″ watercolours) and even better than Senategate and even better than Ford Nation. Most definitely better than going door-to-door in Bourassa. I think I will try to relax tomorrow. Maybe work on my Canada Council art grant. Maybe.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 11:20 PM
subject Les partielles fédérales mesureront l’impact du scandale du Sénat; John Baird ‘deeply skeptical’ of Iran’s intentions in nuclear deal
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived the Bunker Party, which involved oysters, pizza, wine, cider, music, chips (I didn’t eat any chips as my gums are still healing and feeling downright weird), samosas, insulation, projections, and many, many Vines. Off to check Facebook a bit while Clo watches her series. Just had a shower. It is cold cold cold out today. My dad and I walked to Rona to pick up plastic for the windows. He did most of the work as we left to visit the Redpath Museum with Rose so she could hang out with Femke and look at stuffed exotic animals and dinosaur bones. Those girls ended up watching about twenty minutes of a documentary narrated by Edward Norton about some fishery depletion. One quite never knows what will pique the interest of a four-year old.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Mon, Nov 25, 2013 at 10:25 PM
subject Flaherty prévoit l’équilibre budgétaire d’ici mars 2015; Believing Stephen Harper’s version of events requires one to suspend disbelief
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another Monday. It was the first day of the Cory Arcangel de-install. It went well, we are already ahead of schedule. Also planning the final details for James’ stag party. There is now a foil, a pretend stag brunch on Friday. It will be a busy week as Thursday after we shoot our annual technician Xmas photo (this year the theme is ’80s beachwear) I have to go to Laval somehow and get the RV we are renting for the stag. It is a busy week. Tomorrow a CA at Skol and Wednesday we may go to a performance of Peter and the wolf. And no, I have not made much headway on my CC grant application. It’ll go down to the wire for sure! Oh, and I just spent my last $25 to help the Beaver Lake Cree Nation stop tar sands exploration.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Tue, Nov 26, 2013 at 10:15 PM
subject Ottawa invité à consacrer ses surplus à la lutte contre la pauvreté; Xbox and PlayStation have a murderous history
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived another day of work. I survived a board meeting at SKOL. My parents survived picking up our kids, feeding them, getting them to bed, and doing their French lessons. Did I tell you they are taking classes at the YMCA until Christmas? Intense. I should really, really, REALLY try to get some work done on my CC grant. I need to close my Facebook page. Now.
-chris
from chris lloyd
to pm@pm.gc.ca
date Wed, Nov 27, 2013 at 10:07 PM
subject Réforme de l’assurance-emploi: Kenney se fait rassurant; When a win looks a lot like a loss
Dear Stephen,
I am still alive. I survived the first real snowfall of the season. By morning it was already raining and the snow was melting and absorbing water. Got the kids off to daycare on time, then had a busy day of work trying to get things done a day early this week. The stag is set, it is all falling into place. I need a shower and my whiskers need trimming. Oh, this morning I survived waking up at 5 with Sol and not being able to get back to sleep so I worked on my CC grant and actually made some headway. And tonight I went to Renaissance and bought $60 worth of random 80s-ish style beachwear for the Tech-Team Xmas photo shoot, happening tomorrow before the stag begins.
Don’t be surprised if I don’t write tomorrow evening.
-chris
DEAR PM 