From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Harper gets mixed reviews on debut in Commons, Atlantic Canadacomments» Faced with a common rival, Parti Quebecois and Liberals tag-team surging ADQ» Martin’s future unofficial talk of the day at Liberal party convention
Date : Sun, 02 Jun 2002 01:02:55 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Hey, I forgot to tell you about this a few days ago but our fish died. Karina found him floating and flushed him down the toilet. The fishtank appears even more odd now that it is still sitting on the shelf and the filter is not running and there is nothing swimming about. We haven’t discussed if we will be getting another fish. My guess is that we won’t.
Yesterday was another long day, more interviews in the afternoon. Helped Greg install the projector down in the club for his band’s show. His band is called Blackout 77. Had a long nap yesterday evening. My energy was low. Missed Goody-B’s opening at the bathroom Gallery. Must remember to sign-up for an appointment. Karina and I walked to Sobeys and bought groceries in the crisp misty air.
Had hoped to get up early today and finish writing about summer in the city for the Coast, but it didn’t happen. After a couple hours of hitting the snooze button I got up to the doorbell. I thought it might be my folks, or Trevor, or the organic food delivery for Rebecca, but it was none of those. It was the Jehovah’s Witness. A guy named Jessie gave me a few copies of the Watchtower concerning science and religion. They make great material for collages. Jessie didn’t seem to want to talk.
I dropped a salt-shaker on Karina’s foot this morning while making breakfast. It swelled up a bit and turned red and hurt a great deal. She usually wears shoes about the apartment.
Trevor and my Dad picked us up shortly past noon today. My dad was sporting a wicked black eye. He was hit by a fly ball while playing softball earlier in the week. He lost the ball in the lights on the field. We stopped at Piercey’s to get some yard supplies and then drove to Trev and Tamara’s new place.
Spent most of the afternoon picking weeds, raking and stuffing leaves in bags. Felled some dead trees and pulled at alders. Mowed. It must be the new homeowner thing to do. There seemed to be toms of people in the neighbourhood doing the same thing. There are lots of new homes being built in Timberlea. It all seems odd to me, the energy that goes into owning a home.
Had to go back to the Khyber for a few interviews this afternoon. Borrowed my parent’s car to drive there and back. The interviews took longer than expected, but Lynette was one of the last we interviewed and it looks as though we will be hiring her. Had to miss Emily’s opening at Argyle to get back to Timberlea. Mom and Dad were planning to drive back to Saint John tonight. They ate deer meat tonight. They drove Karina and I back home on the way.
Made a bit of supper and read hair styling magazines with Karina. We talked briefly about going to Spencer’s ‘Cruise Ship’ party tonight. Karina didn’t want to go, but the surprising thing was that I didn’t really want to go either. Partly because I had forgotten about it and was not prepared, but partly out of tiredness and a need for some quiet time.
Worked on the Coast article a bit and watched some of Being John Malkovitch. Karina exercised with a big bouncy blue ball to a video. The cats are frightened of the ball; it is much larger than they are and makes an echoey noise when it bounces.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien turfs Martin; outgoing finance minister asks markets to remain calm» Manley an uncontroversial choice to replace controversial finance minister» Financial markets facing some turmoil after Martin leaves cabinet
Date : Mon, 03 Jun 2002 00:43:26 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Woke up early to work on the article for the Coast. Have been finding it hard to focus on it, working on it periodically. Hung out with Karina and made breakfast. We walked down to Jamie’s studio to look over his giveaway paint. He and Allison were cleaning up, as he is moving around the block. His landlord is kicking him out to bring in a tenant who will pay more rent. The landlord is also hoping that a Frenchy’s franchise will move in. Jamie lent me his jeep to bring all the paint Karina chose back to our apartment. She also took a shelf he wasn’t using. And then painted it in the hallway. In the midst of our plans to re-organize the bedroom, Allison is looking into getting us the number of a housing co-op where she has a friend who is just leaving; there may be a space opened up.
Walked to work in partial rain and made the sad phone calls letting those we recently interviewed that they didn’t get the jobs. Hard calls to make. Especially to answering machines. I can’t tell if that is better or worse.
Jacob had a good crowd for his matinee. He paid me the Turret rent in cash. Having a bank card comes in handy at times like this. I hate leaving cash in the office.
Walked home and worked on the article some more. Karina was at the gym. Made some potato-leek soup. Listened to Cross Country Checkup.
Watched some TV tonight; the usual, Simpsons and Malcolm. Was sucked into the Practice and those hot-shot young lawyers again. Maybe it was the joint we smoked. I found a tiny bag of pot in the Closet gallery when opening up the other day. It was a bit dry but OK. So was the show. The commercials were better. Had some great idea for some videos.
Have been playing with a Rubik’s cube that came in a box of Raisin Bran. It is a double-sided R2-D2 and C-3PO. I have been trying to put it right for days. It is the most fascinating toy I have ever found in a box of cereal.
-Chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien forces try to rally troops, Martin backers not ready to fall into line» Liberal disarray ignites concerns within party and among average Canadians» Manleyexudes confidence, seeks to reassure bankers about Canadian economy
Date : Mon, 03 Jun 2002 23:05:31 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Just came back from a bath with Goody-B. There was a cancellation for an appointment this evening when I called to book one, so I stopped by on my way home. It was great. I talked to her on the phone for forty minutes while taking a bubblebath. She was in the bath in her apartment at the same time. She asked me questions as part of her interview. We talked about God, parents, fears, love and a bunch of other things. I even forgot that I was in Evan and Sarah’s bathroom, it began to feel very natural. At the end she sent a gift to me by way of the clothesline, which conveniently connects the two bathrooms. She is giving gifts to each person who signs up for a bath as a sign of appreciation. She is trying to get rid of things as she is moving to San Francisco at the end of the month. She gave me The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler. Should be nice light bedside reading.
Went to openings at the Anna and the eyelevel tonight. Drank some protein-drink at the Anna as part of a group show. There were funny cloth outfits with removable and adjustable genitalia. You could hang a willy off a boob, and vice-versa. Also long pantyhose stretched from the ceiling to the top of sculpture plinths. Acid-trip paintings in Gallery 2 and Gallery 3 had been converted into a repair shop. For the rest of the week the girl having the show in Gallery 3 will be working on her car, parked out front. She was serving Old Milwaukee beer. I was surprised to see that it comes in bottles. I thought it only came in cans.
Talked with the Francine, the artist exhibiting at the eyelevel, for awhile tonight. She spent a week building drywall sculptures out from the walls. Very dependent on light and shadow.
Had a good day at work. Mailed stuff, got some banking done, finally hung Adel’s large paintings in the Club using the gravity bars. Karina stopped by before going to the Y and helped out. We have no money left after paying rent this month. She is worried that our cable will be cut off. Maybe the Coast will pay me soon for the article. I didn’t hear anything back from Stephanie today so I assume she liked it.
Rebecca is back from New York. There are dirty dishes on the counter and she has been on the phone the whole time I have been home. Everything back to normal.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Liberal dissidents aiding Opposition, says combative Chretien» Paul Martin steers clear of Parliament as leadership dispute simmers» PQstrongly considers referendum to ask Ottawa for more cash: Landry
Date : Wed, 05 Jun 2002 07:46:37 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It was a late night; watched AI. Had come across an old review in the paper while looking for something else yesterday at work and decided to rent it, even though we started watching late. Karina was still at school when I came home. I made supper; salad and those fun sweet potato wedges. I liked the movie, it felt like Kubrick.
Had stayed in the Club for David’s artist talk after work yesterday. He showed a lot of his work, with a good focus on the public intervention stuff.
Met Stefan from Gallery 101 yesterday; he is in town for a Magnetic North screening Thursday night. Gave him a tour of the building.
It was a busy day at work. Both Jeremy and Eleanor showed up for work. I can’t remember if I told you or not, but Lynette turned down the job offer. She is planning to move in August and wanted to go to NY for a week in July, which would clash with the work schedule. The Khyber Kids brochure is almost finished. Dean is going to work on business cards next. Dan didn’t come to start working on the new office space but he will be in today. I am taking part in a Fuse magazine email discussion about the state of funding for the arts. I think I have a disturbing tendency to try to over-simplify the arguments. Reading what other people write is making me feel dumb. Maybe I need to work on expanding my vocabulary. Use some new words.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : NDP Leader Alexa McDonough to step down, cites need to ‘revitalize’ party» McDonough’s resignation as leader puts focus on troubles, future of NDP» Chretien cites Bank of Canada advice for quick decision on Martin
Date : Thu, 06 Jun 2002 08:29:00 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It is raining today. First time in awhile, it seems. I woke up as Andrew was leaving. The poor guy will get soaked as he bikes to work. I bet he didn’t know that one of his rainjackets was in the hall closet. Am thinking of taking the bus to work. There is nothing worse than spending the day in wet clothes.
Had a large drawing club session last night. I came home from work and made supper for Karina and made a few trips to the Laundromat, then made supper for me. Sometimes cooking for two can be a pain, especially when one is a vegetarian. Made a few drawings. Robbie was there to help me with the dirty drawings.
Dan came to work yesterday and painted the new office. Still has to do the trim and the ceiling but he is planning to come today. If he gets that done then we just need to clean up the floor and add a coat of Varathane on Friday and we can move the office in on the weekend.
We are supposed to go to the Ecolé Beaufort Garden Festival today but I bet it has been cancelled. It is really coming down out there.
I’d better get ready. Need a shower and should make breakfast and a lunch.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Martin returns to Commons, takes another step in leadership bid» Industry minister Rock backs Chretien in leadership review and full mandate» Saskatchewan native veterans vote to re-ignite court battle forcompensation
Date : Fri, 07 Jun 2002 08:05:13 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It’s raining again this morning. The Garden Festival was postponed and re-scheduled for this afternoon, but they may have to cancel it if it keeps raining. I left my boots and rubber jacket at work yesterday.
We are having trouble with the phones and the Internet cable at work. A technician finally showed up just as Karina and I were leaving. We went for coffee and tea at the Med before going to the Magnetic North screening.
One of the sweet white-haired volunteers for the Heritage Trust asked me about an odd smell in their office. I knew what it was right away: dead rodent. It was lying right beside the poor woman’s desk. I’m surprised she hadn’t stepped on it.
After many revisions Dean finished up the Khyber Kids brochure and set to work on a set of business cards. Andréa and Jeremy finished their Canadian Heritage essays for the YCW job grant. Eleanor was in early and spent most of the day fixing up the top floor Turret/Khyber Kids storage room. The walls and floor are ready to be painted. Dan was in all day and finished painting most of the trim in the new office. He plans to come in today as well to complete the crown molding, the ceiling and the windows. If he gets that all done then we can clean up the floor and maybe lay down a coat of Varathane.
The video screening at the AGNS last night was fun. I really liked the one by Robert Frank, Home Improvements, though the bits with lots of shaky-cam and zooms were giving Karina video-motion sickness. The animations that Andrea Cooper will be showing at the Khyber in the fall were shown, and look better and more sophisticated than I had thought they would be. Donna’s video of an overhead time-lapse view of scratching lottery tickets made me think about the video I want to make of myself trying to solve that infernal Star Wars Rubik’s cube. Stefan, the curator of the screening, made some great comments about the recent closure of the arts council, and wrote abut it in his essay as well.
We walked home after the screening. Had some leftovers for supper and read for awhile. Tried to go to bed relatively early but work up just past midnight as Karina was trying to clean up the bedroom. Annoying. Dreamed of playing softball and striking out a lot.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Liberals under fire with new allegations of cronyism, coverups» More than 30,000 jobs created in rebounding Canadian economy in May» Martinextols Canada’s future in first speech since leaving cabinet
Date : Sat, 08 Jun 2002 08:57:37 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It was still raining as Andréa and Eleanor and I were leaving to attend the Garden Festival. It was held in the gymnasium of the school. We took a cab, and met Peter at the door just as we arrived. The structures he made with the Grade 4 classes were really fun, as was the poetry. A dozen kids got up to read their poetry, it was a gas. We milled about watching the unbridled chaos that is children. We offered to take one of the structures back to the Khyber for display at the open house. Barb said the vice principal has a truck and will deliver it. When the festival was finished we headed to the Coburg Coffee Shop for a snack.
Began work on the floor in the new office. Everyone helped so it went much faster. It needed a good scrubbing but also years of accumulated paint drips needed to be scraped and sanded and picked away. We noticed an opening of some kind occurring in the studio directly across the street from us, in the Green Lantern building, so went over to check it out. Monet-esque paintings of landscapes. Same horizon line in all of them, with big skies. Very open feeling. Sort of uninspiring, a bit dull. They belonged to Peter, who offered us wine. He and Marilyn both talked about how they had shared a studio at one point in the Khyber building, back in the days when it was almost torn down and there was no power, lights or heat.
Grabbed a bite to eat with Lucas and Peter at the Med, then was back working on the floor. It needed to be mopped. Karina came by and we hung out in the Club while waiting for the floor to dry. Had a couple drinks. When the floor was dry we brushed on the Diamond Coat. The floor looks great.
Woke up a bit earlier than usual this morning so we could put a second coat down, the go to the Market and maybe the big annual St. George’s Church yard sale. Hopefully the floor will be dry enough that we can start moving furniture in later this afternoon.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : New poll indicates 45 per cent of Canadians are loyal to a political party» Liberals end meetings with leadership review rules but duck tough questions» OPP arrestfugitive wanted by FBI for allegedly posing as military official
Date : Mon, 10 Jun 2002 00:29:05 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Put a second coat of Varathane on the floor in the new office yesterday afternoon, after having breakfast at Mary’s Place with Karina and walking downtown. The second coat dried really quickly. We went for coffee at the new internet café above the Paper Chase while waiting for the floor to dry. And to check out their computer gear and setup. Spent most of the day and evening moving the office supplies and equipment. The new shelves help but aren’t designed for filing, so we have to keep the old cabinet.
Stayed in the Club for a beer and listen to a bit of Kojo last night. Talked to Kim about the difficulties of making a living as an artist. Met up with Sally who was out on a date with herself. She was on her way to the Seahorse to hear Straight Eight Deluxe so I went along. The place was packed. Talked to Sophie and Don for awhile, had another beer then headed home. I like Rockabilly but am not a huge fan, and I was tired and didn’t want to be out all night. Was feeling a little low as well. Am annoyed at how many people are about to move or have recently moved to Toronto. Not that I blame them, it just makes it harder for the ones who decide to stay. When I got home Karina was upset that I hadn’t called and we argued, got upset and then made up. It was a long night.
This morning we went to the Italian Market to buy jam and then met Andrew and Rebecca at Julian’s for coffee. Came back home for lunch then Karina and I cycled downtown to continue organizing the office. Karina cleaned out the microwave, which was a major job. It rained and thundered and lightening streaked across the sky as we took a coffee break in the corner turret of the new office. When the rain let up Karina headed up to the Y to work out. I continued in the office and listened to Cross Country Checkup. Painted the fireplace. Organized the files. Emailed Caroline with updates for the website.
Biked home and made supper, a mix of leftovers and some pasta we bought today. Watched a bit of TV. Karina came home with a movie, Mystery Alaska. It was a dull, typical formulaic film, with far too much emphasis on hockey and too many support characters with not enough screen time to develop. But movies like it take the edge off and eases tension, so hopefully I’ll have a good night’s sleep. A meeting with our accountant tomorrow and have final preparations for the media centre board meeting.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ottawa moves to recoup $333,000 paid for cancelled convention» Atlantic premiers support Kyoto with protections for provinces» Oncedust-dry southern Alberta bailing out after heavy rains, snow Date : Tue, 11 Jun 2002 00:53:06 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
We are in the process of re-arranging the bedroom. Karina has strewn everything that was in our room throughout the apartment in her attempt to make the room work more efficiently. It works best when there is nothing in it. She has been keeping the cats active by running the vacuum cleaner periodically throughout the day.
Had an epic media centre board meeting tonight. It was the first once in a few months. It felt good and solid, and especially hefty, weighing in at just over three hours. Some new people were invited to sit in, and the discussions were lively and we seem to be making headway. Ted and Rebecca Y. both had lots to contribute.
Bought some groceries on my way home. Have spent most of the evening on the computer. Finished up my final comments for the email funding discussion for fuse magazine. I think I might have been to vague and airy.
Worked on some of the finances with our accountant Peter today. He doesn’t feel he will have the books completed in time for the AGM, so I am thinking of changing the date. Caroline still hasn’t posted the amendments, either. Will bring it up at the board meeting tomorrow night.
Re-wired the phone lines in the office today. The office is looking good. Poppy came by on one of his surprise visits and offered to take me to lunch. Called Trevor and we picked him up and ate at that place we ate at last time. grandparents can be very predictable. We had a lively discussion on home-owning and politics, mostly about America. There are pros and cons to standing up to their imperialistic ways, but the cons (unfair trade tariffs, unfair farming subsidies, loss of jobs, loss of culture) may cause more strife in the long run and the pros (sense of pride, self-worth, independence) may not be enough to matter. Distressing, as usual. After lunch looked at the new iMacs at the Mac store located nearby. Also looked at some Powermacs and G-3’s on consignment. I don’t need super computers in the office, just something a little juicier than the old quadra.
Am meeting Dan early tomorrow morning to start throwing junk out from the basement of the Khyber.
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Audit suggests possible web of phoney companies got grants inPM’s riding» Former NDP premier Bob Rae named to Hydro One board in pay-ruckus shakeup» Incomakes century-long commitment to Newfoundland with $2.9-billion deal
Date : Tue, 11 Jun 2002 22:48:42 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Spring cleaning continues. The apartment is still all over the place. Was up early this morning to meet Dan and prepare the basement for the Junk Removers. They were almost an hour late, but everything went smoothly when they arrived. No problems from the parking commission. There is still some old furniture in the basement but all the old wooden pallets are gone.
Had another long board meeting tonight. Still no decision on whether to change the date of the AGM. Am going to ask our accountant if he can possibly finish the year-end books by next week and stick to the original date. It will be tricky to change it as many of the board members are going away starting early July. Emily is going to a cottage in Inverness, Cape Breton for most of the summer. We may schedule a board retreat for later in the summer; the rest of us could drive up in a van, bring some tents and some beer. Maybe have some fireside chats with Rodney and listen to his fiddling.
Was really hungry when I got home. Those timbits at the board meetings don’t really do much of anything. Made some supper amidst the chaos. Most of my clothes are in boxes in the middle of the kitchen floor. Karina was filling holes in the walls in the bedroom, and has moved some shelves around, but there is still a lot to be done. She wants to re-paint now.
Am going to bed early. Have been feeling overwhelmed lately, and have a lot of work to complete before the curatorial conference, which starts on Thursday. Ran into Robin today, and I imagine Winnie will be in town shortly. It will be hard to get much regular work done during the conference.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Cabinet debated need for new federal ad contract rules 31 yearsago: documents» Martin plays for time as others hasten to comply with new fundraising rules» Bungled drinking-water testing has left Ontario residents at risk of E.coli
Date : Thu, 13 Jun 2002 00:54:11 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Walked home with Sarah in the unseasonably and unpleasant cold night air. Karina had taken the bus. Sarah and Craig had been in the Club all night drinking after the artist presentation. Craig is back on the wagon even more than I. With the weather we have been having lately you’d think it was March or April, and I mean a regular March or April, not like the ones we get here. March and April here is more like January and February. Maybe I’m exaggerating. Either way, it’s been too damn cold. On the way home Sarah and I talked about child abuse and the Cold War and funding for the arts.
Karina helped me update some of the finances tonight after the artist talk. I couldn’t do it during the day because it was crazy-busy all day, and I couldn’t do it in the morning because I didn’t have my key to the media centre. Andréa had my key to make copies for the summer staff. My accounting program runs on the PC in the media lab. And the afternoon was crazy with all sorts of bizarre visitors. James and Christian came by to plan the dates and the details of the graffiti art show and CD release party for later in July. That took over an hour. Then a really odd guy came in trying to find a place to showcase his art. He makes intricate box works using layers of glass, old computer chips and intricate pen drawings of circles, squares and triangles. He says he is glorifying technology. Just what we need: more uncritical ‘art’ that thinks everything is great with the world.
The artist presentation was well-attended, though for awhile I was worried that the artist might not show; she was flying in from Toronto this afternoon. But Michelle came just before 7 and we were set up in a matter of minutes. She had brought her laptop and we hooked it up to the projector and she gave a power point presentation of her Message in a Bottle performance/service. She is going to try to go out near Peggy’s Cove to dispatch the messages in bottles she has been collecting. The bottles are glass; better for the environment.
Re-wrote the amendments to the bylaws and changed the date for the AGM; must now draft an email to send to people notifying them of the change. Maybe I will find time to do it tomorrow. Am meeting Peter early tomorrow morning to go over the books one again. And the Contested Practices Symposium kicks off tomorrow night. I look forward to seeing Winnie. I think it is her birthday on Sunday. It will be a busy weekend.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Martin, Chretien camps continue haggling over leadership funding rules» Canada’s airline industry regains stability, renews competition, says Collenette» Canadianslogging on by the millions and surfing the Internet longer: study
Date : Fri, 14 Jun 2002 01:25:14 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Was up really early to meet Peter. Had some breakfast before biking down to work. Talked to Courtney about his Wallet Gallery. He was awake early because he was dehydrated. I am thinking of putting my daily email letters in his Wallet Gallery, and changing them every day so there is only one letter in the wallet at any one time. I think it could suit the project quite well, as hardly anyone knows how to find and access the Wallet Gallery.
My meeting with Peter went well. Aside from being appalled at some of the figures, Peter was able to work with what I had prepared. He thinks he can have the books completed by next week. That gives us a week to review them with the board before the AGM.
Puttered around the office this afternoon feeling claustrophobic. Too many people around, each with their own bubbling personalities. Had to leave the office periodically to run errands. Picked up some stamps and dropped a disk off at the printers for our business cards. That artist who makes the ode to technology work came in again today. He had filled out a membership form and wants to put his $14,000 triptych in the Frame Gallery. Next opening is in August, after Peter’s photograph. I am looking forward to seeing how his photo will look back-lit in the Frame. I’m less interested to see the triptych.
Was planning on staying in the office through supper but Karina called with a bedroom emergency. She had started painting to cover the holes she had patched and was in over her head. Ran into Winnie in the Club just as I was leaving. She was with her AKA entourage, on their way to the waterfront. I biked home and realized immediately that the paint she had chosen was far too translucent. I mixed up some other paint with it to give it more opacity and then cut and rolled the bedroom. Finished in time to clean up and catch a cab to Dal for the start of the curatorial symposium. For some reason was in a bad mood for most of the evening.
The keynote address was given by Johannes Lemoureaux. Her talk was very clear and concise but expansive, and dipped into the Seventeenth Century in its survey of curatorial practices. She covered a lot of bases. Stayed for the reception in the Dal Art Gallery afterwards. Pigged out on Sym’s kiwi-cheese bread wedges. Met Barbara from the Blackwood Gallery. A bunch of us walked back to the Khyber afterwards. There was a drag show fund-raiser going on. The decorations were great but the show was awful. Stayed for a beer, talked to Donna about APAGA and media arts group funding, then Karina and I caught a bus home.
I tried to send a notice of our AGM by email early this morning but there was some weird problem with my account and I couldn’t send it. Finally managed to send it; there was an outdated address in the address list that seemed to be blocking the message. Weird.
Am planning to buy a circular saw for the gallery tomorrow morning before the conference kicks off. If I have time will cut some plywood to fit the new Khyber Kids sidewalk sign.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Canada-brokered deal frees up development aid for poorest of the poor: Manley» Canadian economy growing strongly, U.S. likely to follow: Manley» Ontario town shocked by murder-suicide: five dead, including six-year-oldgirl
Date : Sun, 16 Jun 2002 00:15:28 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I feel a bit violated and angry and confused today. Karina and I both woke up late with hangovers. We missed the first symposium sessions, and had breakfast at the North End Diner. Stopped at a yard sale on the way downtown and overheard an older woman and man complain about your treatment of Paul Martin. They think you should step aside. They also didn’t like the helicopters that have been flying around for the past couple days, and the old guy wants a tax break whenever roads get closed due to protests.
Downtown Halifax was eerily quite for most of the day. Troops of riot police were marching around, guarding the WTCC and driving around the city in unmarked vans. Very freaky. The ‘Zine Fair up in the Turret was well-attended; Karina and I bought a few before heading to the AGNS for the afternoon sessions.
While getting the equipment set up for the artist presentations tonight more protesters marched down Barrington Street and set up barricades using garbage cans and a large stack of cinder blocks. The troops of police were very intimidating, with their helmets, visors, gas masks, riot shields, sticks, guns, tear gas, battle gear, bullet-proof vests, boots and canisters. Just their presence is enough to make anyone want to revolt against it; it is a pure expression of fascism.
The whole thing put my mind out of whack. I felt a bit like a fraud for attending the conference today and not at the very least following and keeping track of the protest. Then again the protesters look and act like such stereotypical protesters that they aren’t achieving anything beyond some publicity. It just makes me wonder if art is enough. At the very least it is a refuge, and in some cases actively works against totalitarianism.
There were big technical glitches with the artist presentations, mostly when going from VHS to mini DV video projections. And the whole thing lasted too long, but there were lots and lots of people and the presentations themselves were really good. King Konquerer too over the rest of the evening playing old rock and ska records. I had a couple beer (and knocked one over, smashing it, during Tania’s presentation), and no supper, which didn’t help my hangover or my mood. And it was pouring rain tonight. Karina and I took a cab home.
The apartment is still in a major state of disorganization. One more session tomorrow and then we hope to get things back in order.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Details of Voisey’s Bay deal remain a mystery, critics inNewfoundland say» First provincial budget major test for Ontario’s rookie premier» Anglicanhead supports ‘conscience clause’ tied to B.C. same-sex blessing
Date : Mon, 17 Jun 2002 00:17:00 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It would have been nice to spend most of the day in bed but it didn’t happen. We were up early intending to catch a bus to the Mount but Sarah called to offer a ride. Sarah’s mom picked up Rebecca and Karina and I and we squeezed into the tiny backseat. Today felt like the best day of the conference. There was something nice about being stuck out at the Mount campus for the afternoon that sort of solidified the group somehow. The discussions were lively, specific and informative. I was struck by the quality and brilliance of Paul Chaat Smith’s writing. The wrap up session could have lasted longer but had to stop for the return bus and many people had to catch flights. We caught a ride home with Svava.
Worked on the apartment most of the afternoon. As a result it is a bit cleaner today, but there is still junk and clutter in the halls and kitchen. It is partially from spending longer at the conference today and then washing laundry afterwards. Karina and I made a nice supper, and unconventional mixing of sushi and french fries but it sort of worked. I fixed a salad and Karina the sushi. Mohanad came over, he had been drinking and rented the Steven Hawking Universe. He fell asleep five minutes into it. Karina watched the first tape (there are 3 in the set) while I organized a bookshelf, cleaned the kitchen and spoke to my dad on the phone. We talked about home improvements and oppressive police states. I rarely talk to him on the phone. We made tentative plans to do something for Canada Day weekend.
Karina brought home a laser pointer yesterday. Hours of entertainment with the cats.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Action democratique wins three byelections, while Parti Quebecoiswins one» Manitoba MP Blaikie first in race for leadership of federal New Democrats» Ont.Premier Eves shifts away from Harris with tax hikes, delay on tax cuts
Date : Tue, 18 Jun 2002 00:20:50 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Back to the grind today. Started things off by picking up the new sign vinyl from Eyecandy Signs. Their office and workshop is located just around the corner from our apartment. Talked to Dave about getting an estimate for an external sign. Walked downtown, as I had left Courtney’s bike there a few days ago. I still haven’t bought it from him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He still wants to show my letters in his wallet gallery, maybe in a few weeks. Once I get the individual arts grant application off.
Mostly ran errands and caught up o stuff today. Put the sign vinyl up in the window, it looks dashing and is quite visible from up and down the street. Did some banking and had lunch at Steve-O-Renos. Hung some of Adel’s paintings in the office. I figure they are better off on the walls in the office than stacked up in the basement. Found another mouse on the sticky paper. Gross. Bought a used iMac from Omnitech this afternoon. Barry is putting a 40 gig hard drive I it for me and said it would be ready tomorrow afternoon, and he’s deliver it. Exciting. Lucas got the eFax working on the computer this evening as well, to send the notices of the upcoming Open House. Also exciting.
Lots of bad press and negative headlines and biased journalism towards the protests from the weekend. They are already referring to them as ‘riots’. Mostly to justify the calling in of 500 ‘riot’ police, I gather. It was definitely overkill, and of course the RCMP are going to try to claim it was justified. Of course tear gas, pepper spray, riot gear, shields, clubs, and pistols are needed in defense of beach balls. Who knows what those beach balls could have done to police if they hadn’t reacted. Yeesh. Apparently this will be bad for tourism this year. Some people really can’t see beyond their own noses, can they?
Went to the openings at Anna tonight and had a grand old time in the group sculpture show. lots of sculptures that moved and made noise and that one could play with. A set of oversized hollow aluminum dominoes were knocked over and re-set repeatedly. I climbed into a human-size bird cage, complete with suspended chair and work desk. And there was beer, good Old Milwaukee.
Had a couple good meetings tonight, one about Apple sponsorship and another about Craig’s contract and rent situation with the Club. Both went well and felt productive.
Thought about hanging out afterwards, as Winnie is still in town, but I have an early day tomorrow. Besides, she is in Halifax until Wednesday and is planning to celebrate her birthday tomorrow. We can hang out more then. Of course, now I need to find a gift for her. I’ll look at Venus Envy tomorrow for something she can share with her new boyfriend Bart.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <frottage66@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : ADQ prepared to take power after success in Quebec byelections: Dumont» L’Action democratique’s Dumont has come a long way since quitting Liberals» Copps denies raising money in defiance of leadership fundraising ban
Date : Wed, 19 Jun 2002 00:44:42 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I’m drunk. Went for drinks at the Club to celebrate Winnie’s birthday. She’s great. Drank the last of the wine and beer in the apartment beforehand. Madesupper of salmon and potatoes and stir-fried veggies. Yummy.
The Club was busy tonight. Looked like a lot of the hippie, the activists and alternative culture-type folks were in attendance. Good for them. Craig and Erick sang. They weren’t half bad.
Finally got the broken sinks fixed in both the men’s and ladies washrooms today. It took the guy almost the whole day. Do you know what plumbers cost per hour? It is lucky that the City is paying for it.
Made progress on a number of items today. Met with Ted about the KDMC vision statement. Prepared sponsorship packages and duties for volunteers to accomplish.
Brooks was in to check his email and predictably left something behind. His notebook and newspaper. He came back for it and read in the Turret Space. I asked him to come for the Mugshots and Open House on Saturday. He wouldn’t confirm.
Still having to deal with lots of biased and bad press towards the protesters this weekend. The newspapers are fucked. Especially the Citizen. Especially Izzy Asper.
Am too drunk to continue writing.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : G-8 leaders wrap up summit with deals on Africa, weapons of mass destruction»
G-8 leaders commit to landmark plan to help break Africa’s cycle of poverty» G8 securityand activists breathe lightly as no tear gas mars protests
Date : Thu, 27 Jun 2002 21:59:46 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Had a meeting first thing with a Canada Council program officer for the Media Arts Division. Heather, Ted, Jacob and Lucas sat in as well. There are a lot of programs the KDMC could be eligible for, if we can figure out a direction for the centre to take. The meeting was interrupted by the Coca-Cola delivery guy. There was no one in the Club so I had to let him in and pay him, which annoyed me. The Club reimbursed us later, but it still annoyed me.
Spoke with Briony and Spencer about the washroom ads and there is enough reluctance and hesitation amongst the board that we decided to hold off on them. When Jenny came back I told her we needed more time – she didn’t seem surprised or disappointed.
It was a hectic afternoon. Constant phone calls, visitations, micro-meetings and more. At the end of the day managed to get some work done on the contracts and leases that need revisions. Karina called as she was leaving the Y so I wrapped things up and biked up to meet her near the Commons.
We had some leftover soup when we got home and then went to play tennis. Karina had bought a cheap racket today and I borrowed Rebecca’s. Lucky that my artist fee from the Mississauga show came in the mail today. She had to pay her nutritionist today as well.
Playing tennis was fun. It wasn’t so much a match as it was chasing the ball back and forth. Karina doesn’t have the greatest eye-hand coordination, but she was improving over the course of the evening. We thought it was going to rain but it didn’t, and the temperature stayed nice and moderate.
Tomorrow most of the Khyber staff are taking First Aid training. I am scheduled to as well, but if eight people show up I will back out, as I have lots to do in the office and gallery. May watch the National and then head to bed early.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
CC : <walletgallery@hotmail.com>
Subject : U.S. pilots who broke rules to blame in Canadian deaths: reports » Canadian troops don’t want revenge, confident in due process: commander says» Former premier’s brash style not impacted by breach-of-trust trial
Date : Sat, 29 Jun 2002 00:38:10 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The string of bad movies viewing at our apartment continues unabated. Tonight after catching a bus home with Karina we stop at the corner store to buy some milk, and walk out with Mission Impossible. Made some supper – a salad and corn chips, Karina made a lentil curry – and sat down to watch a completely implausible plot unfold, sort of hollow yet leaden at the same time. I should have been working on my grant, or giving myself a haircut. I could use both.
Had spent the early part of the evening at work finishing up some revisions to some tenancy contracts, but had to get out of the building as the Lesbian and Gay Bisexual Youth Project had rented the third floor for a fundraising dance, and the building was thumping to bad-ass beats.
The eMac arrived in the late afternoon. It looks like some sort of sleek turbine, like it may take off at any minute. Dusty thinks it looks like a shuttlecock. An expensive shuttlecock.
Took the bus to work today, as it was sort of drizzling. Bought a Globe and Mail that had another photo of you and some of the other G-8 leaders with Kofi Annan. I am way behind schedule in turning these photos into paintings. Maybe once I pay my studio rent I’ll start to actually use it again, instead of daydreaming about it.
Because no one from the Club elected to take the Basic First Aid training I had to take it to fill the roster, as we had booked and paid for eight. Nine o’clock in the morning is unthinkable for bar staff. But now I know how to handle amputations, heart attacks, strokes, extreme bleeding and CPR. All from a handy guidebook, some instructional videos, a fairly blasé instructor, repeated demos that involved blowing repeatedly into a plastic head and a multiple choice test. It is a good thing to have, I suppose, and it has been years since I last took a course. You never know when it may come in handy.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>, <walletgallery@hotmail.com>
Subject : Gay Pride finding balance between corporate party and political expression» July 1 marks 40th anniversary of rocky beginnings of medicare» Edmonton’s Canada Day light show cancelled due to heat and drought
Date : Sat, 29 Jun 2002 23:56:19 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
After sleeping in until almost noon today, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Was in a sour mood most of the day. Karina and I caught a bus downtown to meet her old friend Allison, who was giving a book-signing at MEC, but it turned out that it isn’t happening until next week. While at MEC we ran into Patrice, who told us about a bike giveaway happening at Point Pleasant Park. After having breakfast at the Med we walked down to the park, but when we arrived the bike giveaway had already ended. Then we missed the bus back because we didn’t have any change. That put Karina in a surly mood as well. She headed off to the Y and I went to the office to finish up some tags I want to laminate and put in the Wallet Gallery show. I brought my merchandise voucher with me and stopped at Staple on the way home to get my replacement laminator. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with the special sleeve so I’ll leave the laminating until tomorrow. Walked home and had a brief nap before Rebecca came home. She has borrowed her moms car for the weekend. Read a magazine. When Karina came home we all went out for supper at Steak and Stein. I had fish and chips. Then we went to Sobeys to buy groceries. Watched the second half of the third place match between Korea and Turkey when we came home. My mood has lifted somewhat and am looking forward to seeing the world cup final on the big screen tomorrow morning. Right now I am going to help Karina cut nats out of Kuan’s fur, as she is covered in them. Kuan is now growling like a lion; maybe my bad mood passed to her.
-chris
DEAR PM 