From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Canadian premiers again call on Ottawa to provide more health-care dollars» Some boos, heckles, suspect pie mark Chretien visit to Vancouver’s Chinatown» Burnt Churchnatives reach agreement with Ottawa on lobster fishery
Date : Thu, 01 Aug 2002 22:21:10 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The family reunion in Lunenburg really threw me out of wack this week. I’ve been super busy and tired at work all week, like I haven’t been able to catch up on rest and have not been productive as a result. Am stressed and in a bad mood.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Canada’s premiers win promise from PM to consult on Kyoto beforeratification» Leadership pressure won’t make Chretien bend to provinces, says Dion» QuebecLiberal, lost in Gatineau Park, said he feared for his life before rescue
Date : Fri, 02 Aug 2002 23:43:30 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The end of the week couldn’t come soon enough. It has been a full one, filled up with the decisions about the Ferry situation, lawyers, finalizing internal contracts and just the daily stuff that piles up, every day. Am now dealing with a couple artists from Montreal who are showing photos with Kim in January. The combined work is too much for just the Ballroom so we are looking at alternative spaces. The Khyber Kids finished their webpages and they are online. I can’t believe how many stick-men fighting and blood and gore flash animations were created. It was nice to come home and watch some art videos by Alex Bag to help put things into perspective. Heather and Aaron and Andrew came over to watch too, and we ate watermelons. The videos were a healthy reminder about what art school was like. Her video vignettes were hilarious, yet slightly disturbing and poignant at the same time.
I couldn’t believe the news tonight, about the lawyer arrested for possibly carrying pie to pie you. What extreme paranoia! The news item was more funny because it didn’t seem to be trying to be funny. The news overall is just more bad news.
Karina and I went to Austen Powers III last night. She brought me a curry to eat during the film. I spilled a bunch on my shirt, as it is hard to watch a movie and eat curry at the same time. It was a humorous movie. I was in a bad mood before and after, though.
So tomorrow I have a brunch meeting with Mathew and the KDMC board to discuss a proposal from Ted. He wants to pursue some potential funding opportunities, but he wants to be paid if the grants come through. Board members are not allowed to receive money for their work on a non-profit board. He may have to step down. I hope it works out, as he seems really keen and is already doing some legwork.
Anyway, I’m tired again and don’t want to stay up too late.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Vast majority of Canadians would boost or maintain foreign aid: poll» Vancouver pride parade marks ‘galvanizing’ murder of local man» Harper’s disappearing act dangerous for struggling party, observers warn
Date : Sun, 04 Aug 2002 23:18:40 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
We blew a fuse last night in between movies. Karina plugged the kettle in at the same time as starting the dishwasher. I took off on my bike to buy replacement fuses from Sobeys. We changed the fuses in the fusebox but there was no change. Luckily there was still power to the fridge and most of the outlets. We had watched A Beautiful Mind earlier in the evening and wrapped things up with the Twin Peaks pilot episode. Karina is still looking for the full 29 episodes.
Slept in today, hung about the house most of the day. Had initially thought we would be going downtown to drop off the building supplies I had bought from Pierceys on Saturday at the Khyber, but it didn’t happen. Had wanted to pick up the video camera. Cleaned out the fridge and had a nap on the front deck. Met our new downstairs neighbours while trying to change fuses in the basement. Couldn’t tell if any of the fuses were blown or not, changed a few but no change. Norm will have to look at it when he comes back from wherever he is this weekend.
Cooked salmon and rice for supper, fixed a salad as well. Karina and I watched the Simpsons, 2 episodes, then walked to Video Difference to return a movie. It was a nice clear night and the air was refreshing.
Have not been feeling well lately. Don’t want to talk to anyone. Seems a mixture of depression, stress, anxiety and boredom all rolled into one dull ache. Yuck.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:42:30 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Couldn’t get online tonight to get the newspaper headlines for my subject heading. Maybe it is because of the storm. There has been thunder and lightening most of the night. Sarah came over to watch the Twin Peaks pilot.. We ate salad and steamed broccoli and watermelon and Canadian Mint ice cream bars and popcorn. Watched Fear Factor afterwards while waiting for the Sopranos. Surprisingly enough, I feel calmer and in a better mood than I have been in days.
The weather was hot and uncomfortably muggy today. Was at work most of the afternoon, preparing for the Khyber Kids art exhibition. Everyone seemed to be moving slowly. Jeremy was having problems with the animations and movies..
Over the weekend some homeless guy snipped some security wires in the basement of the Khyber in the hopes to break in and squat. Am waiting until tomorrow to call the security folks to have the system repaired. They would have charged too much to have them come in on a long weekend. Today was Natal Day, or Excuse to Have a Long Weekend Day.
Am supposed to meet with a Department of Canadian Heritage representative tomorrow with Ted to go over a KDMC proposal for the Digital Content Partnership Fund. Am not prepared for it at all. Am surprised at how little I seem to care.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:07 -0300
Dear Mr, Chrétien,
Still can’t get on-line at home. I think it is because we haven’t paid our cable bill recently.
Had a hell of a day. All sorts of prep for the Khyber Kids exhibition. Ted came by around noon and we talked a little about the presentation at Dept. of can. heritage. It didn’t go so bad, actually. Now I just know there are a few more grants we qualify for to work on. Continued prep for the board meeting.
Ran into Madison Shadwell on the street, he saw me and shouted my name. He seems the same as always. He had a girlfriend with him, it seems his girlfriends are getting younger as he is getting older. He was just heading back to Fredericton.
The opening was busy and overall was a great success, I think. The digital media component was a disaster in my opinion. Some of the kids’ movies weren’t copied properly, the set-up wasn’t ideal. I’m pissed at Jeremy and Lucas for leaving us with this. Poor Dean had quite a first day as fill-in tech.
The board meeting was a marathon, almost 3 hours. The Turret room was luckily the coolest room in the building though by the end of it it felt like a sauna as well. I was ragged on for not being an adequate communicator. It’s true, I’m not. There always seems to be so much going on that it’s impossible to keep everyone up to date on everything. The whole job is getting me down.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:07 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Still no Internet at home. We’ll have to pay our cable bill soon. I get paid on Friday so hopefully we can get it hooked up for the start of next week.
Sarah is having big computer problems. Her Mac has gone weird on her and won’t start up, nor will it start from a disc. I biked there after soccer and groceries to try our startup disc because hers has gone missing. She thinks Mohanad might have taken it by mistake when he moved out. The disc didn’t work. It’s too bad that our resident tech is away this week. She might have to get Peter at Atlantis Kobetek to take a look at it.
Soccer was fun tonight, never more than 8 players to a side. My endurance is better, and seems to improve each week that I play. Hurt my left calf in a tackle though. I’ll be limping tomorrow.
Bought some groceries at Sobeys after soccer.
Had a 2 hour ALFA meeting discussing policy, vision, mission and objectives.. Talked to Pat afterwards about the CAE ferry situation and aftermath. She thinks it would be a good idea to have a meeting with the police, sort of like a series of workshops, informing the police of public art actions. That way they might react differently when faced with unusual art-like situations in the future. It could make for an interesting panel discussion as well.
Spent most of the day unearthing my desk from the mounds of paper that have been covering it for the past few weeks.
There was no food in the house when we woke up this morning. I convinced Karina to get up early with me so we could have breakfast at the North End Diner. It always surprises me to see her vertical before 8am. She went to the beach in the afternoon with her studio class.
We have the electricity hooked up again. I think Karina had Norman come over this evening to take a look at it. He must have found the blown fuse.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:15 -0300
Dear Mr. Chretien,
I’m beat. I can’t even think straight at this point. Was up early, made breakfast and a lunch, and from the moment I got to work it’s been go-go-go. Took a coffee break after Dean arrived and ran into Svava in front of Argyle Fine Art and we talked about the arts council and the ALFA group and personalities and conflicts and goals and politics. Caitrian walked by with a tall boyfriend, I think it has been over a year since we have seen one another. We said hi to one another but nothing more. The rest of the day zoomed by, had lunch with Sarah and Eleanor after sending David out to put up posters at NSCAD. Had another break at the Bluenose II Restaurant in the early evening with Karina. She is burning the midnight oil trying to complete some of her alternative processes photo projects and studio projects. Went back to the Khyber, finished up some payroll figures, then had a beer in the Club with Sarah and Colleen. Colleen and her boyfriend Dave just bought a house outside Parrsboro for under $30 grand. Wow.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:15 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Just came back from Trevor and Tamara’s. Karina and I took a bus there for supper. My grandparents were there with Margo. Margo and my grandmother had just flown in from Newfoundland. It was a nice supper, barbequed salmon and veggies. They seemed to like the housewarming present we brought them.
Saturday Karina and I spent the afternoon working on cyanotypes for the housewarming present. We made photograms on light-sensitive paper. Some turned out better than others. We used flowers, branches and doodles on acetate as a ‘stencil’. After that I helped Don move his piles of lumber and timber and drywall and other matter from his studio to gallery 2 at Anna Leonowens. He cleverly took the temporary wall out which separates his studio from the hall. made it easier to move stuff out.
Had meetings Saturday night and this afternoon. Am getting sick of meetings.. Am getting more and more worn out at work. I’m feeling tired and worn out right now.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:29 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Oddly enough, I was in a much better mood today. We slept in a bit, which put Karina into a bad mood as she was late for class. It was really hot out today, which made working inside a bit difficult but I had lots to do so the day passed quickly. Prep for the lease meeting tomorrow, which entailed a good clean-up and re-organization of some office files.
Went to the openings at Anna Leonowens tonight. Don’s show was amazing, by far the best I have seen there all summer. Not only has he has filled Gallery 2 with most of his studio junk, but he replaced huge areas of wall in the gallery with chunk from his studio as well. He had prominently
displayed the Frank Magazine article on him as well; very funny. If you can’t laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?
Had a spot of lunch with Karina at the Med and talked about her final project. She is in the process of conceiving the idea and it is due on Wednesday. Not much time, but we talked it over and she was set to get cracking on it tonight.
Went back to the Khyber and worked on lease preparations some more. Had a beer downstairs and talked to Steve from the CAE workshops. He said he asked the Seahorse if they had found the boxes and they gave him one back. It still works. They had thought that they were newly-installed thermostats. We talked about having a call for submissions for High School Yearbook Art,
which we both did.
Walked home, as Karina has my bike. Am torn between having a ‘midnight snack’ or having a shower. It was so hot today I feel sticky and sweaty.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:29 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Sorry, still no Internet connection at home. It is sort of relaxing this way.
Long day. was at the office early to go over final preparations for the lease meeting. Heather G came early, and we had a chance to talk about the lease as well. I’m glad she is on board, she has a better working knowledge of these matters than most of the other board members. Sarah, for instance, was a little too hostile towards Mike than she needed to be. He is, after ,just a middle manager with the company HRM contracts out the building services. We begin and set up the lease negotiations with him, but the real decisions happen with the real estate division at HRM. It became clear after todays meeting that we are going to have to work hard to get city councillors and others to pressure the real estate division to accept a decent lease proposal from us.
The rest of the day was so hot, it was hard to do anything. Went to NSCAD to meet with Claire about the painting show, as she is leaving for Toronto next week. Talked to Rodney as well. Met Karina and we had coffee and muffins at Steve-O-renos. Met Sarah and Seth their. Sarah had twisted her ankle and couldn’t go to Nubodys.
Had a Khyber Kids meeting with Andréa and Eleanor and Briony. We talked about possible 4-C’s projects. Talked to Briony afterwards about the Club, the renovations, the lease and job contracts.
Met Karina again at NSCAD and took some of her cyanotype name cards for distribution. Walked home dropping the cards and documenting with a digital camera. Came home and ate some pita and hummus. Cooked some pasta for work tomorrow.
Am going to have a shower, am sticky all over with humid sweat.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:38 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Boy, today was not the best day to put in twelve hours at work. The temperature topped forty degrees, and I don’t think that was counting the humidex. Work went slowly, or at least that’s how I approached it. Talked slow, moved slow, typed slow. Actually, I think typing was the only thing I did at normal speed today. I’m a 4-finger typist, so I don’t go particularly fast on a good day.
Karina had spent all last night at school finishing up her end of term as an end of term necessity. I woke up around 5am and noticed she wasn’t home yet, and of course I couldn’t get back to sleep. The mind starts to race about all the possibilities. She had borrowed my bike, and isn’t the most confident cyclist, and the North end can be dodgy at times, etc.
Had a KDMC programming meeting tonight that Mat and Ted missed. But with Jacob, Rebecca and Scott, plus the unexpected and timely input from Sophie and Don, who just happened to be in the Club and sitting with us when we started the meeting, we managed to come up with some surprisingly interesting events. One is a monthly showcase of media art, open to anyone who wants to show their work, limited only by time and a monthly theme, and Art-making blitz, spanning the whole building. It will be fun.
Am having lunch with my grandparents tomorrow at the casino, of all places. Am hoping to get to the beach tomorrow if the heat-wave keeps up.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : <no subject>
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 13:47:38 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I am so angry and frustrated and pissed off right now. What a crappy day, coming on the heels of two other consecutive crappy days. Not weather-wise, mind you: the temperature has been not and humid. Lots of sun, too. That’s part of the problem. On Sunday we went to Clam Harbour beach with Peter. We left really early and spent over 8 hours in the sun. Even though I was constantly re-applying sunscreen I was badly burned in areas I missed. As a result I haven’t been able to sleep well the past few nights. Have been passing the time at home by watching the rest of season 1 of the Sopranos. We’re all hooked now.
Work has been hurting my head. Too much stuff to keep track of, hard to choose priorities. Am mad that I never make time to get into the studio. I owe 8 months back-rent and haven’t completed a painting since January. What a frigging waste.
What a grump I am, I’m angry at everyone, myself and my job and my lousy career as well. And I am sick, sick sick of being so bloody broke all the time. Fuck.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien stuns caucus with news he’ll leave; Martin lauds him for dedication» Martin supporters say he’ll continue to campaign for Liberal leadership» Foes,premiers, hope Chretien announcement will mean Ottawa back to business
Date : Wed, 21 Aug 2002 23:15:51 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Wow, your announcement that you are stepping down in eighteen months has really thrown the media into a feeding frenzy. Unfortunately it will probably mean we will be hearing more leadership talk over that time, not less. What a better way to mask issues than talk leadership and power struggles.
Woke up in a better mood this morning but it clouded over by the end of the day. Had some fruitful and pleasant meetings throughout the day, and continued work on the newsletter. My day turned sour just before I was leaving. I was planning to go home early and make supper, relax a little and maybe spend some time in the studio. I heard the Harbour Hopper approaching and Lucas shouting at me from the sidewalk below to soak it. I attempted a shot but my water bucket was quite low and I couldn’t build up enough pressure in the ‘Super Soaker’. The worst part was the tour guide aboard the Harbour Hopper started to taunt me, and had the whole busload of tourists boo me. I went down to the club and had a beer and then missed a second passing of the Hopper. I’ll have my revenge, I swear.
Skipped soccer tonight, came home, made supper and had a nap, then watched the news. No studio today, just couldn’t get into it.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien says ministers free to leave cabinet if they want tocampaign for his job» Eves splits energy, environment ministries as part of response to Walkerton» Tory leadership question given fresh urgency by PM’s resignation date
Date : Thu, 22 Aug 2002 21:54:40 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I had lots of newspapers to buy this morning. It has been some time since you were featured on the front page, and today every paper carried you. More pictures to add to the pile gathering dust in the studio, Some good ‘painterly’ shots as well. I really have to make an effort to get back to
work on those paintings.
Soaked the Harbour Hopper a couple times today, I am back in good form. The key is to keep the bucket full and notice the Hopper early enough to pump it up properly.
Didn’t have the best day at work, one of those scattered days. Didn’t accomplish any one thing, and just touched on little projects. Worked on some budgets and finances, making my head hurt. The sink in the Club was backed up, I tried to help Janice unplug it but I don’t have the proper wrenches to get the trap out.
Krishna called me at work today. Had a good talk. It always turns to visits, though. He always offers to put us up in London and even to help cover some of the flight, which is great, but it just highlights how financially broke
I perpetually am.
Came home early in the evening again. Karina made supper. Afterwards I worked on my email list. Read the papers a bit more.
Karina just rented Oceans 11, the new one. I don’t feel like watching, will do a bit of research for the painting show and then go to bed early. Am still feeling depressed, unsatisfied with my life, my job and my art. Maybe I need a vacation, a real one, away from the city and work.
I just don’t know what I want anymore.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Time to rebuild ‘national coalition,’ Clark says to wrap up Toryconvention» Eastern premiers, governors under pressure on energy and environment» Albertans protest oilpatch sucking up one-quarter of province’sgroundwater
Date : Sun, 25 Aug 2002 23:36:20 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Judy called this morning. She has had a rough month. Just after she got back from Lunenburg her dad had to go to the hospital with lung problems, and he was there for weeks. Just recently her mom was in a bad car crash, but luckily was relatively unharmed. We talked about taking a quick camping holiday to PEI at the end of the week. We both have to re-arrange our schedules and meetings, but we may be able to avoid the Labour day weekend rush by going from Wednesday to Saturday. Karina is thrilled; she just adores camping (note sarcasm).
Had brunch with my folks, we went to the North End Diner. The diner was packed, it is really taking off. Had the fishcakes and multiple cups of coffee. It was a nice visit. My mom gave us some Roman blinds she had picked up yesterday at a yard sale. She had paid a buck for three sets. I just bought a new set from Canadian Tire for over $20.
Spent the rest of the afternoon at work, clearing out the gallery and the Turret room. Eleanor came by to help. Garret, the Fringe Festival tech, was inaugurated into the fun world of Khyber alarm systems today. I guess I didn’t set the bypass functions correctly last night, and when he came by earlier to drop off chairs he tripped the alarm.
Biked home in the rain. Made some supper and cleaned up the kitchen a bit. Enjoyed seeing the big rainbow this evening.
Watched The Cell tonight; typical Hollywood schlock. Anyone can make a slick-looking movie about the subconscious, using special effects for special effects’ sake. Dull and boring storyline.
So, now that you have made the decision to retire, what are you going to do with your free time? More golf? Why wait 18 months? And why direct the government more to the left now, after nine years? If you wanted to leave a legacy of social programs behind after you left, why start in your last year of office?
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Farm income for 2002 falls as farmers face impact of drought in 2001» Open border is key to North America succeeding in global economy says premiers» Softwoodlumber negotiations to resume Sept. 20: Quebec government
Date : Mon, 26 Aug 2002 23:57:05 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Blasé day at work today. Picked up letterhead from Wade Co. on my way into work. Spent most of the morning finessing the newsletter. Still waiting to receive some of the texts.
Continued making plans for the upcoming trip to PEI. We are now going to leave on Thursday, so I can still attend a Barrington Street planning meeting Wednesday morning at the Med. Karina and I will take a bus to Amherst where we will meet Judy and Robin. Hopefully they’ll be able to drive us back to Halifax on Sunday.
Had supper at the Med with Karina before getting groceries at Sobeys. Worked on my Canada Council grant application after we got home.
Mohanad and Courtney and Rebecca rented an old John Cleese film, A ‘Planes Trains and Automobiles’-type of movie called Clockwise. Very specific British humour. Very dated.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ex-premier Parizeau once again hammers PQ approach to sovereignty» Another serious accident at killer southern Alta. intersection; three injured» Global warming spurs governors and premiers to recommend emissions targets
Date : Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:37:59 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
What a day. Woke up with time to have a shower and bike to work for the 8am meeting with the Barrington Street consultants. It was a miracle I could get up, after whooping it up the night before with Sarah during her birthday party. Karina and I picked her up early in the evening and we walked downtown, started drinking at Tribeca, met Robbie there, then moved on up the block to the Khyber. Next thing I knew, it was closing time at the Club and we were dragged off to Reflections. I remember dancing and everyone kissing everyone else and then Karina and I catching a cab home. It was late. I threw up in the bathroom sink. Mohanad woke up and cleaned it up for me. I owe him one..
After the meeting this morning at the Med I tried to finish up on the newsletter and other odd jobs, but I started feeling worse and worse. Eventually tried lying down on the office floor. Decided to go home and sleep for the rest of the afternoon after I threw up. I barely made it to the bathroom. Have you ever had vomit blow out your nostrils? Not very pleasant.
Dozed all afternoon and felt better in the evening. Karina and I walked downtown and I picked up the book, The Rise of the Creative Class, that I had ordered through Chapters a couple days ago. My reading material for the beach. We stopped at MEC and bought blue foam to sleep on.
Came home, worked on newsletter text, and watched Law & Order on TV. Ordered Chinese food from King Wah. My appetite hasn’t returned yet. We’ll have leftovers for the bus tomorrow. Have to get some cat food from Sobeys and pack. We leave tomorrow morning before 7am. I probably won’t be able to write again until Sunday, unless I find an internet cafe somewhere on the island..
-chris
DEAR PM 