From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Liberals outline ambitious social agenda; critics say there’snothing new» Throne speech omits access to information on Crown corporations: critics» Throne speech a replay for native leaders still waiting for real change
Date : Tue, 01 Oct 2002 00:26:06 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Boy, did I ever underestimate the amount of time it would take to complete the two grants today. It was a good thing that my cold wasn’t any worse. Technological problems were plaguing the grant efforts today; the photocopier was acting up, low on toner, jamming the letterhead and going off for long periods of time to ‘think’ about printing. Just blinking lights. And then of course there was the fact that I just misjudged the amount of time it would take to compile all the info. When all was said and done, the Mass Appeal grant was thicker than I had planned and the Residency program is lighter. We’ll find out in a few months.
Lucas drove me home, he had borrowed his mom’s car as he was picking her up from the airport. He completed his two grants as well. We dropped the envelopes off to the mail chute at the Almon Street post office. I really, really hope they get post-marked for today.
Watched Amelie with Karina tonight. She had told me she was going to rent Mulholland Drive but she changed her mind. It was a sweet movie. It reminded me of the artist Sophie Calle.
Had to re-schedule the interview with Iain; the audio from the other day was too poor. We are going to do it Wednesday morning.
Have another grant to try to work through tomorrow and a board meeting to prepare for in the evening. I feel as though everything is on hyperspeed.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Let United Nations decide on action against Iraq, Liberals say» Chretien rebuffs criticism of throne speech, says he’s not after a legacy» RonMacLean: The pride of Red Deer and a “yakky” kid who hit the big time
Date : Tue, 01 Oct 2002 23:16:04 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
What an awful day. Somebody stole the cashbox from my desk at work. I didn’t
discover it until late in the afternoon. I think it must have happened when
I went down to Tribeca to take some digital photographs of the interior so
Judy can plan some big corporate mixer. I can’t believe somebody just walked
into the office, went behind my desk and took the whole damn cashbox. The
worst part of it is that I expect someone familiar with the office did it.
How awful of me to think that! There was probably close to $400 in cash; I
had been meaning to go to the bank on Monday but the grants got in the
way. I had overlooked it today as well. Now its gone. It feels like a sucker
punch. Then we had another of our marathon board meetings where it feels as
though nothing was really accomplished. The African Dance class up in the
Turret was so loud! The drums were ricocheting off the walls and ceilings
of the Ballroom. Then the Mullet started up and it was like a literal battle
of the bands. A perfect analogy for what is going on inside my head. I feel
swamped. I hate living with a crowd of people. I hate being poor and having
so few options. I hate that I work all the time and I keep screwing things
up. I hate that I can never find the time to really practice my art. I hate
that I hardly maintain contact with my relatives. I hate the amount of hate
I am lugging around with me on a daily basis.
I’m going to bed. Have to continue the interview with Iain tomorrow morning
before work.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Port Coquitlam pig farmer faces four new charges in missing women case» Canada capable of sending big force to Iraq if necessary, McCallum says» Environmental group calls on Ottawa to regulate Canada’s factory farms
Date : Wed, 02 Oct 2002 22:40:04 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Was feeling a little bit better today and made an attempt to be in a lighter
mood. Iain came by promptly at nine and we walked to my studio. The
interview went smoother this time around; I was able to articulate my
feelings on the project a little more clearly, I felt. Unfortunately, I was
less clear once I got to work. The sheer amount of things that need to be
done always ends up stymieing me. I did call the police about the stolen
cashbox, and made a few inquiries into the lease PR campaign that needs to
begin ASAP. Sarah Maloney came by with her class of Intro to Studio
students; there were twenty of them. We had a brief discussion about
artist-run centres and Andrea’s exhibition after they had sat through some
of the videos. I noticed that a couple of the students I had in my mixed
media class last winter are in Sarah’s class. Dealt with a few more Turret
rental arrangements and then was off for the ALFA steering committee meeting
with the provincial NDP caucus. We met for a half hour in the NDP office to
plan our meeting, then met with Darrel, Robert and John and discussed the
NSAC, Nova Scotian culture and questions to bring up in the fall sitting of
the legislature. It was a good meeting; a bit clumsy for the first bit but
it fell into place once everyone had warmed up. A bunch of us went to
Triangles for a quick beer and de-briefing afterwards. Then I was back to
the Khyber for a Trick or Treat Halloween fundraiser committee meeting.
Biked down to NSCAD afterwards and met Karina in the new fashion department..
Helped her for a bit with one of her projects and then we cycled home
together. I made more soup when I got home. I have had no desire to eat
anything other than soup for the past few days. I had though briefly of
going to the studio for a while, but I think I will try to get to bed early
and conserve my energy.
Nice picture of you on the cover of the Globe, receiving an award from war
criminal Henry Kissenger. What is with the statue of the eagle with a globe
in its talons?
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : No subject, couldn’t log on to the canada.com website
Date : Thu, 03 Oct 2002 23:26:13 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Slept in for almost forty-five minutes after the alarm first went off this
morning. I think it was the grayness of the day. Very overcast and raining.
Had breakfast and took a bus to work. Spent most of the morning organizing
the files on my desk, finalizing some media releases, drafting and sending
the invitations to the HRM councilors for the meet and greet next week, and
started work on the invitations for the painting show. Switched the VCR in
the gallery with the new one Jacob bought for the media centre. It has an
auto playback feature. What a difference that makes, not having to start the
tape every half hour. Tonia came by with her Time-based media class and I
gave them an introduction of the Khyber and artist-run centres. Had a few
people come by to inquire and talk about membership, and Janna came by to
talk about fundraising. Sarah came by late in the afternoon and we worked on
Craig’s contract, talked to Liz and drafted a letter. We went for sushi at I
Love Sushi and both had a great sashimi plate. lots and lots of raw fish.
The rice was served on the side; there was no way I could arrange scoops of
rice on the fish without it falling off. But the fish was very tasty. We
talked about my anger. Went back to the office, finished up a description of
the upcoming Outspoken Lecture and I worked through some figures regarding
the Club rent. I couldn’t call up all the numbers from the accounting
program because Nobby was in the media centre working on her novel and she
only ever uses the PC. Sarah and I went down to the Club for a drink and
joined some of the eyelevel crew. We talked about the lack of good
nationally-recognized writers in the area, the provincial funding problems,
the new arts magazine and the AGNS search for a new director. Once everyone
left Sarah and I caught a bus home. It was a weird day for weather; raining
in the morning, warmer and sunny in the afternoon, then the temperature
dropped and it was quite chilly by the time I got home. Had thought about
going to the studio but elected to do some research for my painting show
essay instead. I really need to get on the ball with that. I am still
feeling a little under the weather so I’m going to try to get to bed early.
Maybe I can get Karina to turn in early as well; she is sloughing through
some difficult readings in the kitchen.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Canada’s present currency model best serves Canadians: Dodge» Dozen Welsh corgis help welcome Queen to British Columbia capital» Manley’s anti-monarchy comments rude and unacceptable: Joe Clark
Date : Sun, 06 Oct 2002 00:13:13 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Sorry I didn’t write yesterday. Couldn’t get online in the evening. Karina
and I went to the CBC 50th anniversary party. Watched a live taping of
Canada Now with Ian Hanomansing and Linda Kelly. Ian is much shorter than I
had imagined. Karina and I mostly kept to ourselves, as big schmoozy
gatherings are not our specialty. We saw, and mostly avoided, Paul and Ken
from NSCAD. They also seemed to keep to themselves. Karina did have a nice
moment when she and Jackie Torrens captured and carried a little mouse out
to some bushes. We met Greg Guy and Rick Mercer. He was asking about the
buffet. Rick is also shorter than expected. Greg is taller. After the
obligatory speeches the buffet was unveiled. It was a stand up affair with
mostly cheese and vegetables and a chunk of a cow, so we left early to find
a place to sit down and eat. Ended up just catching a bus and going home.
Was up early today to dismantle the exhibition and prep for the ‘Zine Fair.
It didn’t take long. Karina came down later in the morning and we went to
C’est ci Bon for breakfast. Ran into Kim and Sam from Saint John and ate
with them. They are down for the Pop Explosion. Went back to the Khyber for
most of the afternoon. Sat in on a printed matter presentation by Garry
Kennedy in the Club. The building was so busy today! Hundreds of kids in and
out. The Ballroom was packed with ‘zinsters. The Turret Room was rocking out
with band after band.
Karina and I took a trip to the BLIP for the latter part of the afternoon
and evening. It takes an hour to get there by bus. It is dismally hilarious
how pedestrian un-friendly the place is. We spent most of our time in
Zellers and Value Village. Ate supper at Zellers. Had fish ‘n Chips; they
were tasty, but greasy. Bought a fresh fall jacket and some underwear, a
pair of pants and a shirt. Took the bus home and stayed on until downtown to
lock up the Ballroom and bike home. Caught the last few local rock videos
Becka was screening. Talked to Sam and Kim again and Dan. He is still coming
up with good plans for the lease negotiations.
Came home and watched one of Courtney’s latest art videos; it is very, very
well-done. Then we watch Parsley Days. I liked it better the second time
around, though it is a very slow-paced movie.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Queen pays tribute to Canada, thanks citizens for their support» Manley won’t be reprimanded for ‘personal view’ on ending monarchy: Chretien» Cleanup of stinky St. John’s harbour gets approval: Nfld. premier
Date : Tue, 08 Oct 2002 00:30:03 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Woke up early, had a shower, shaved and made breakfast. Karina and I biked
downtown and had coffee and tea at the Steve-O-Renos near NSCAD. Karina went
off to class and I walked up the hill to Staples to buy some envelopes and
paper. Walked back to work, leaving my bike locked up at the NSCAD racks.
Anne came in to help set up Andrea’s show. This is the second time since the
opening that the show has been put back together. The tables from the zine
fair haven’t been picked up yet, and the floor needs to be swept and mopped..
Janna came in and helped stamped all the envelopes. I was working on the PR
and the invites for the members show. Took the painting show invitation to
Allegra to be printed and Lisa had the job done in a couple hours. Their new
colour copier is a snazzy new machine and boy, does it ever do a wicked job..
Talked with Craig about his contract and the Barnes collection and the
quality of museum collections in places like Philadelphia. He complained
about the heat in our studio; apparently it melted one of his wax
sculptures.
Ate a late lunch from the Med. Falafel sandwhich and fries to go. Ate in the
Club and talked to Craig Power and a musician from the K-Tels about dating
etiquette. Like I know anything.
By late afternoon it was raining, and heavy at times. Decided to skip the
openings at the Anna in favour of staying dry, even though it meant I missed
the Eliza Griffiths opening. Damn. Had a curatorial mentorship committee
meeting in the evening. Ingrid came; she will be a good addition, as she has
a wealth of experience. We are going to be working on a Culturally Diverse
curatorial residency, as well as an Aboriginal residency.
Photocopied and enlarged the Coast Shoptalk section about the Khyber lease
and drew up some petitions to be signed. Aaron was asked to work the door
and in the first hour or so he had almost a full sheet of signatures. It
will be nice to take a few hundred names to council in a few weeks.
It was past eleven when I finally left. Walked to school and took Karina’s
bike home, leaving mine at school. I hope it will be OK. I had forgotten how
comfortable the old bike is; softer, more cushioned seat, and wider
handlebars. Not as fast, but way more comfy. Stopped at Rassey’s on the way
home and ordered a pizza to go. The owner over-charged me but i didn’t speak
up.
Ate when I got home and read a Patti Kim zine.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Romanow likely to reject user fees, approve electronic healthrecords» Dumont ally provides ammunition to critics who say ADQ favours the rich» Premier says Queen’s puck drop should prompt Stanley Cup victory for B.C.
Date : Sun, 06 Oct 2002 22:28:58 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Slept in until past ten this morning. Took awhile getting up, read some art mags. Karina and I went for brunch at the North End Diner. Stopped at Juliens on the way home for fresh bread and a mille fuix (sp?). Next stop: the laundromat. We had a full five loads to go through. At three o’clock I biked to the Commons to meet Eleanor and play softball. She was wearing a headset and already broadcasting her commentary over the air. There weren’t enough players for two full teams so we played ‘switch up’, where each player rotates positions after an out. It was a fun afternoon. The sun was unseasonably warm and there was no wind. I was a little rusty at first, not having played ball in over a decade. But it was fun. Had a couple beer from the cooler afterwards and then biked down to the Khyber to set up the projector for the surf event tonight. Cleaned up the front foyer and updated the poster board. Biked home. Karina had made supper. We ate. Watched a bit of a movie, Before Night Falls. Have some work to do on the computer. Aside from the softball game I am feeling tense and irritable today. In one of those moods where my anger is simmering nearer to the surface than usual. I wish I would just get over myself, but I can’t help feeling bitter. I resent the fact I make so little time for myself to get into the studio, or read a good book, or organize my things, or think properly about the future. I’m feeling stuck.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Auditor raps government monitoring of health system, socialinsurance numbers» Ottawa to crack down on SIN fraud as auditor cites security gaps» Royaltour arrives in Winnipeg; Queen to re-dedicate Golden Boy statue
Date : Tue, 08 Oct 2002 23:22:55 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
It was a long, tiring, problematic day. Technology was not co-operating.
Eleanor couldn’t get her invitations to print from the Illustator file. It
would only print gibberish. That really put a dent in the mailout progress.
Janna came early, then Courtney and Hilly and Karina. The most
time-consuming activity was cutting and folding the tiny invitations for the
Radio Ballroom show, then stuffing them in smaller envelopes before being
stuffed in larger envelopes. Then there were the media releases, which
wouldn’t print on our letterhead without jamming in the printer. I ran them
down to Allegra. They jammed more than usual in their machine as well. The
stress of it all wore me out by late afternoon.
My mom called this afternoon. I wasn’t able to talk to her long. She was
trying to figure out our travel plans for the weekend. I don’t have a clue
how we are getting to Saint John, where exactly we are staying and if I am
actually supposed to be painting a mural at Java Moose or not. If I am then
I have no idea of what.
Spent the early evening setting up the club for the panel discussion. There
was a great turnout, over forty people at one count. The discussion went
well, not too many technological problems. It was lively and fluid and
relevant to the topic at hand. Eliza is a bit of a spitfire, a tiny woman
(who, despite her insistence to the contrary, looks a lot like the figures
in her paintings) can really talk and talk and connect her points and go off
in different directions but always draws her points together. Mathew made an
interesting presentation; Craig wasn’t as quite on the ball and Kim warmed
up near the end but started very shy and soft-spoken.
Biked home with Karina. Spent too much money on beer tonight, and wanted to
leave early, the talk went on too long, then I stayed for a bit and wanted
to stay longer, didn’t get a chance to talk to people or even say goodnight..
The household just ordered pizza. I had my leftover pizza from Razzy’s for
supper tonight, so I’m not sure if I want pizza again tonight. More than
anything, I just want some peace and quiet. The African Drumming class was
so loud again tonight I swear it is still ringing in my ears.
I am wearing earplugs to try to give me some peace and quiet.
Tomorrow morning am hosting a discussion on the Starring: Part 2 show to
Rose Adams NSCAD class. Should be fun. In the afternoon the ALFA group is
meeting with the provincial Liberal caucus to discuss arts policy. A
different sort of fun.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Queen arrives in Toronto on next leg of royal tour of Canada» Mulroney says Lord would make great Tory leader but avoids endorsing him» Pickton lawyer in court to try and force government to fund defence
Date : Wed, 09 Oct 2002 23:06:59 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Had a nice discussion with Rose Adams’ Art and Sociology class in the
gallery today. And there was only one technical problem with the sound.
There were about twenty students that came, and we talked until almost noon..
Was in good spirits for most of the afternoon. Still am, actually. Had a
couple weird moments due to poor scheduling. I left at three o’clock for the
ALFA meeting with Danny Graham but it turns out the meeting happened
yesterday. I had written the date incorrectly. That was a bit of a
disappointment; I was looking forward to it. Then later in the day I went
down to NSCAD for Karina’s scholarship presentation which isn’t actually
happening until next Wednesday. Weird.
Talked to Emily in her studio at NSCAD about the upcoming show and while
having a delicious lunch of grilled cheese sandwich and fries at the Med I
reviewed my painting show notes and artist statements and feel a little less
anxious about the whole thing. I’m still not where I’d like to be in terms
of the essay‹I’d like to have a bit of an outline by now‹but I think it will
come together. I’m thinking about it a lot more now than I was a few weeks
ago. Which isn’t really saying much.
Biked home and made supper; what an odd thing. I made spaghetti and one of
my ‘unique’ pasta sauces, and Karina even ate some. And then (drum roll
please) I went to the studio and actually worked on a painting. I’ll
probably be able to finish it in one more sitting. I’m almost flabbergasted..
Am going to try to complete the Coast annual readers survey on-line and then
maybe read for a bit before going to bed.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Prime Minister Jean Chretien says Canada would be part of UNmission in Iraq» Queen presents new colours to Hamilton regiment while Duke plays cupid» Touroperators bemoan lack of imagination for Queen’s Toronto visit
Date : Thu, 10 Oct 2002 23:29:40 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
I almost made it into the studio again tonight but it just didn’t
materialize. Sat around in the Club with Sarah and Spencer and Heather and
Dan and bitched and complained about the apparent uselessness of the HRM
council. No one showed up for the invitational this afternoon.
Had a foggy day. Everyone I ran into in the morning was in a foggy state as
well. Went to the barber shop around the corner from work. The barbers name
is Peter. He has only a door on Blowers Street; no window. When one sits in
the barbers chair one is actually facing a series of propane tanks on the
other side of the wall. He is a friendly Greek barber. He’s a little bit
rough, but he gave me a great haircut. He’s been cutting hair since he was
twelve years old.
Fixed a toilet in the ladies room at work today. It didn’t take long to fix,
but I had been putting it off for weeks. Andréa came in for a bit today but
didn’t stay long. We’re running into a wall when it comes to just getting
things done. Sent out a ton of faxes last night and a couple more tonight.
The more that I think about it the more Halifax is really getting on my
nerves.
Sarah was bugging me about the fact that my curatorial essay is not
finished. I’ve not even started it. Spent the afternoon updating the
accounting books. It was very fulfilling, which was weird. What is happening
to me?
Am going to go read a Greenbergian essay on formalism and purity in
painting. What is happening to me?
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Kyoto plans in turmoil as Ottawa delays meeting, Alberta releases its own plan» Alberta’s alternative Kyoto plan should be template for Canada, says Taylor» MacAulay’spolitical future on line Friday in meeting with ethics czar
Date : Thu, 17 Oct 2002 23:30:01 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien.
Sorry I have been such an absentee pen-pal. Once I came back from NB it has been go-go-go. I can’t believe it is already the end of the week. Here’s a day-by-day synopsis:
Weekend: Had a good, restful weekend with Judy, Robin and Peter and my folks as well. 2 Thanksgiving suppers; one at a newly refurbished Weslyan (sp?) Church. Watched a great movie, Advertising Rules. Smoked up and had a great psycho-therapy session with Peter and Judy. Very fun.
Monday: Drove home with Trevor. Karina was not finished her essay and was up all night working on it. Didn’t get into the studio, but I had some time to read.
Tuesday: busy day at work. Didn’t go to the openings at Anna or eyelevel. Got fairly drunk in the Club afterwards. Was out late.
Wednesday: busy day at work. Set up the Turret Room for the Ed Video screenings. Hardly anyone came and to compound the problem I had issued posters with an incorrect start-time, so we screened the tape twice.
Thursday: busy day at work. More lease and property taxes issues. Skipped the screening tonight, worked on my curatorial essay instead. Came home and made soup. Have to continue working on the essay.
My left eye has started to twitch erratically.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ethics report on MacAulay delivered to Prime Minister’s Office, awaits perusal» Graham says North Koreans must get rid of nukes before getting Canadian aid» Liberalleadership race set to heat up as executive sets convention date
Date : Fri, 18 Oct 2002 23:47:30 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
The Khyber rent situation has stepped up a few notches. I have a meeting
pending with the Mayor, and members of the board were helping draft letters
of support. I even managed to get some more work done on the essay. A
meeting with Mike from the building management company was postponed until
Tuesday, giving us more time to plan our strategy. Printed up over a hundred
letters of support and stuffed them in the mailboxes of faculty members at
NSCAD. Met Pheilm there and we caught a bus to his apartment on Quinpool. He
had some concerns with his paintings and wanted my opinion. I can’t believe
the room he is painting in; it is a closet‹literally. No larger than four
feet by four feet. He has a fan and wears a mask, but it is still stinky. He
is using oils and alkyds and siccative‹quite a noxious combination. We
walked back downtown and I went back to NSCAD to peek through the paintings
Rodney is storing in the racks. Needed a refresher. Went back to work and
continued work on the essay. Took a break for pizza. Paid my tab from last
night; I am a problematic D & D for the Club. Absent-minded. Biked home,
brushed Yaga, checked email. Pat has already written a great letter of
support and sent it on to the Mayor. Gives me a bit of optimism.
Karina is stressing out like you wouldn’t believe about her cyanotype
workshop tomorrow. She is running on about 3 hours sleep; as over-worked as
I am, and gets less sleep. She is running a bath now, which should relax her
somewhat. I am going to go and help her plan for the workshop some more.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ethical questions return to haunt Chretien as he aims for legacy» Prime minister expected to make a decision about MacAulay this week» Militarysniper watches U.S. case with mix of horror, fascination
Date : Sun, 20 Oct 2002 23:42:39 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Sorry I didn’t write yesterday. It was a long and full day; early prep with
Karina for the cyanotype workshop, which I helped with. Four hours is a long
time with kids. Luckily they were well-behaved, though they took more of an
interest in their drawings‹which were fascinating and hilarious‹than they
did in the cyanotype process. A little too complicated for them, I think.
Then in the evening there was the Radio Ballroom launch in the Club. Eleanor
had set up some fancy electronic gadgets for decorations: live-feed video
and broadcast of the DJ on radios in the hallways, stairs and washrooms.
Nicholas DJed and had a crowd on the dance floor for a good two hours
straight. I drank a few beer but not enough to launch me onto the dance
floor.
Shared a cab home with Spencer and Sarah. Smoked a joint at Sarah’s and
talked about curatorial practice. Walked home with Spencer and stopped in at
his place and talked some more; it was almost 3am by the time I came home. I
was lucky that Mohanad came home from work at the same time because Karina
had locked the deadbolt and I don’t have a key for it. Stayed up even later
talking to Karina about my essay.
This morning when we finally got up we went to the North End Diner for
breakfast; Karina continued to rip into my essay. Walked to work. Emily was
already at the gallery installing her work. Rodney didn’t come until the
evening. Andrew came by and hung a couple new paintings in the stairwell.
Either North of America or The Plan were laying down some intense drum
tracks upstairs all afternoon. They had the drum kit set up in the area
outside the Closet; the drums were so loud through the building. And it went
on for hours.
Continued work on the essay but I feel it is weak work. If I had the luxury
of more time I would be able to research my thesis much more carefully. I
think it was a mistake for me to try to curate an exhibition at this point,
especially with everything else that I am trying to do. Too much, too much.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien lifts campaign ban on leadership contenders, snipingbegins» Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay resigns over patronage allegations» Chretien set to introduce ethics package, independent watchdog
Date : Wed, 23 Oct 2002 00:26:17 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Tiring day. Cleaned up from the openings this morning, straightened up the
office a bit and then met with a city tax assessment officer. Gave him a
tour of the building and we talked for quite a bit about its history and
usage. Explained the concept of artist fees to him. Had lunch with Karina at
the Med. In the afternoon prepared for a meeting with Mike from the building
management company. He had recently been told that Real Property Services
are offering us a one-year extension of our current lease, to provide more
time to negotiate. It is a reasonable solution that fits the short term. We
talked about other building matters. Dan came by near the end of the day but
because our proposed council presentation most likely will not go ahead we
decided against sitting in on another council meeting and went downstairs to
the Club and had a beer instead. We talked about board issues, and schemed
on how I can get some time off to work on my paintings. Three of the artists
from the show came to give presentations of their work. Claire, Emily and
Pheilm showed slides and talked about their work; they were all a little shy
and nervous but they did well. There was a low turnout, unfortunately. Lack
of PR on my part. During my introduction I babbled, as I usually do when I
speak publicly. Maybe I should take lessons, or a class of some sort, or try
hypnotism. Karina came by and we left early; she had rented the 3rd season
of the Sopranos on DVD. We brought the projector home to hook up to the
computer, as we don’t have a regular DVD drive. I forgot the power cord at
work so we ended up watching Beverly Hills Slums. It was a much better film
to watch the first time. I’m tired and worn out and need to get some decent
rest.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Chretien introduces draft ethics bill; opposition says it’s not good enough» PM should have known of MacAulay ethics troubles three years ago, Harper says» JustinTrudeau in no hurry to create a Canadian political dynasty
Date : Thu, 24 Oct 2002 00:33:40 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Another fun-filled day at the office. Was bounced around on the phone trying
to figure out our position regarding tax rebates. Fun stuff. Andréa came in
for the afternoon. Lilly and Elizabeth came to help fold the Khyber Kids
mailout. I ran to the bank and then off to an ALFA meeting. It seemed
productive; I offered the Khyber as a venue for the website launch in about
four weeks; just adding to the pile. Grabbed a lunch of pizza slice (third
day in a row, I believe) then biked down to NSCAD to attend a SUNSCAD
meeting. I couldn’t find the room; I was sure rob had told me the back of
the Seeds building. It was like my fist week at NSCAD all over again trying
to find my way around back there; I had only a vague memory of the building
when it was JJ Rossy’s, and even then I was only there once or twice, to
play pool in the daytime. Anyway, eventually I found the meeting and they
were nice enough to bump me up on the agenda. I gave a brief rundown of the
Khyber and our lease situation and they passed a motion of support. Then I
biked home, in the rain, to spend the rest of the evening watching the
Sopranos. Karina had rented a DVD player for the month so we have plenty of
time to get through season three. We watched four episodes tonight. It’s
funny, I don’t find them as stimulating as before; the writing doesn’t seem
as strong. It seems more…episodic. The first episode had a great musical
medley, though. And it was great to project them on the wall as a treat.
Sarah had come over as well. Now the whole crew is in there watching Hudson
Hawk, but I’m going to bed. I have an early day tomorrow and lots of
paperwork and phone calls to get through.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ottawa’s draft Kyoto plan thin on details, receives wildlydivergent reviews» Ottawa rushes greenhouse gas plan past Ontario: Alta. environment minister» Kyoto plan lets oil industry off easy while ‘clean’ provinces suffer:Quebec
Date : Thu, 24 Oct 2002 23:31:10 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Had a meeting early this morning with a couple CHRC representatives to talk
about Lucas’ progress. The head of the program seemed more interested and
surprised by the whole Khyber project and kept returning to it. I had to
leave early to attend another meeting at HRM Tourism and Culture department..
Shakespeare by the Sea and Tim Leary were there, as was Keith. They
mentioned that the article on the Khyber rent was in the paper; I hadn’t
checked at this point. Dan Norris kept dropping hints of building/finding a
larger arts centre, that maybe the Khyber needs to move. HRM is apparently
going to apply to be a Canadian “culture capital” in 2004 and am American
“culture capital” in 2005. Seem like lofty ideas to me.
Got back to work, picked up a paper and ran into a Global cameraman taking
pictures of the building. Did a walk-through of the building and an
interview with Cara. Pheilm called to be coached; NSCAD communications
department had called him asking if he wanted to be interviewed. Our
councillor Dawn Sloane called and had some ideas, one of which was that
NSCAD buy the building for us. That is the Khyber’s worst fear! Almost worse
than the proposed increased rent to the city.
It was hard to get anything else done for the afternoon, the phone kept
ringing. Set up an interview on Mainstreet for tomorrow afternoon with
Carmen Klassen. Planned for the curatorial mentorship meeting in the
evening, and had Lucas record the news. The story seemed OK, the building
shots looked great. I felt I looked pale, scrawny, tired, and with a bad
five o’clock shadow‹and the interview was at 11:30am! I’m going to have to
start carrying around a pocket electric razor with me everywhere I go.
The curatorial meeting went Ok. Michelle from CFAT came. Had a couple beer
and left early. Biked home, made popcorn out of sheer laziness. Fell asleep
in front of the news. Washed some clothes in the tub. I have to go; I kicked
Rebecca off the computer to check my email and she has work to
do‹applications to grad schools.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Senate committee report calls for billions in new taxes to improve health care» Former nun on P.E.I. found guilty of assault in test case of spanking law» Foolproofplan keeps official clock ticking as Canadians fall back an hour
Date : Sat, 26 Oct 2002 11:24:40 -0300
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Had a dream about our upcoming meeting with the Mayor. In my dream he was ignoring me and I had to yell at him. I hope that doesn’t happen next week.
Sorry I didn’t write last night. It was a long day and I came home late and took a bath. I was exhausted by the end; I almost fell asleep in the tub.
I had to go into work really early to meet the electricians who ended up being called off on another job and didn’t show up until after nine. Andréa and Eleanor and Jacob were having breakfast at the Med as Andréa and Eleanor were giving workshops to art teachers at the AGNS.
Later in the afternoon I was locked out f my office. Lucas went down to NSCAD to visit the touring Bookmobile and locked all the office doors while I was having a coffee in the Club. Craig had keys to the media centre so I documented the exhibition with the digital camera while I waited to get back into my office.
Had an interview with Carmen Klassen on Mainstreet at four o’clock. I was the first guest. It went smoothly, and very quick. They were going to try to get a city official on the program but couldn’t find one. It should be interesting to find out who they get on Monday. I walked to Sobeys to buy some pumpkins and candy afterward.
Spent the early evening setting up the projector in the Club to play The Texas Chainsaw Massacre during the fundraiser. Punk and Hardcore bands playing in support of Khyber Kids scholarships; there has to be some sort of irony there. Janna and Andréa headed up the decorating, and Karina and Sarah and others just hanging out in the Club pitched in. Once everything was under control Sarah, Karina and Andréa and I hailed a cab and headed off to Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery for the opening of Posers.
The show looks good, some big and bold paintings really fill the space well.. A nice work comprised of four hundred individual portraits really draws attention. Mathew wasn’t there; he had bitten down on a Snackwells and cracked a molar in half, and had to rush to a dentist to have it extracted. An odd and untimely thing to happen to the curator of the exhibition, and organizer of the whole About Painting examination. I admire how calm and collected and casual and informative Gordon is when he gives opening remarks. I should practice more. Gordon didn’t introduce the cheese-eaters at this opening; he put it off to another time. I think we need to find out there names before we introduce and thank them for their long-standing support.
Went back to the Khyber afterwards with Andréa and stayed for almost all the bands. They were loud; I had to plub my ears. I had to turn the volume to the speakers down on more than one occasion as the fuses in the speakers began to glow. Got some good pictures of the moshing. Walked home with Andréa.
Karina and I have many, many loads of laundry to do today and then we are off to Value Village to try to fnd costumes to fit the Eurotrash theme of Spencer’s party tonight. I probably won’t write again until tomorrow; those parties are wild.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Helicopter latest police tool in Edmonton, but some question costof operation» B.C. Liberals wrap up party conference, report no run-ins with protesters» Friction likely as Ottawa and provinces debate plan to implement Kyotoaccord
Date : Mon, 28 Oct 2002 00:39:58 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Spencer’s party was fun last night but it took a lot out of us. Karina wasn’t in the mood to go out and put a costume together at the last minute, then drank most of the bottle of white wine I had bought to compliment her sushi.. She makes excellent sushi. I had to bike down to the Club to get the liquor license out of the office for the wedding reception happening in the Turret. We all worked on our ‘Eurotrash’ outfits when I came back. I settled on clothes mostly borrowed from Rebecca; a pair of tight black flared-bottom ski pants, a super tight and stretchy black striped long-sleeve shirt, and a scarf. I penciled in a John Waters mustache and spiked up my hair and wore yellow-tinted black framed glasses. An orange pair of Rebecca’s shoes completed the outfit. Karina wore one of her wigs and a tight skirt, red tights, a black boa, funky sunglasses and one of Rebecca’s T-shirts‹the one with the red eyes over the breasts. Courtney had a great Euro-cowboy look. After an initial failed attempt to really fluff up Rebecca’s hair, she slicked and combed it back. We all had a few drinks before heading over. There were lots of fun outfits there, and everyone was talking in odd German-sounding accents. I spent most of my time on the dance floor, or waiting in line for the bathroom. Karina drank most of the bottle of red wine we had brought and we ended up leaving around 3am.
Slept in today. Both Karina and I not feeling too good. Scrambled some eggs for breakfast; Karina couldn’t keep them down. Read for a bit, lazed around, cleaned up a bit, had a nap, made supper. Read some more, watched Pecker, watched the Simpsons, watched a movie Mohanad brought home called The Son’s Room. It is an Italian film about the impact a son’s death has on psychologist and his family. Deep stuff for a hangover day.
Have been reading a bit about the Moscow theatre hostage-taking. Bizarre situation; over a hundred hostages killed by nerve gas, more in critical condition, and the hostage takers executed while unconscious. How would we react in Canada if there were those in the Quebec separatist movement that would go to such lengths and be willing to die for their cause? The desire for independence in Chechnya must be very strong. The world is a strange place.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Ontario government to introduce safe drinking water legislation» Alberta fails to build provincial coalition opposed to Kyoto protocol» Medicare experts debate health-care reform at Edmonton heart congress
Date : Tue, 29 Oct 2002 00:43:54 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Showed up a bit late for work this morning, around nine-thirty, and realized
I was supposed to meet the electricians at eight-thirty. Darryl and Merle
came in just after I did, but they didn’t say anything about my being late.
They just set to work. They put new plugs in my office, in the media centre
and in Shana’s studio. Not having power to the computers really slowed me
down today; I didn’t even check my email until three o’clock. Spent the
morning cleaning up the hallways after a rowdy weekend in the building.
Nothing was broken, but there were sticky spills on the floor. And a few
cigarette butts. I hate finding cigarette butts on the floor. It’s no wonder
we can’t get kids into the building for the Saturday afternoon classes.
Andrea came in for a bit, and Catherine with the design for the Halloween
Dance poster. Heather came in and called for volunteers for the dance.
Picked up the slide dupes from Carsand Mosher for the Mass Appeal show, and
finished up the package of support material for the grant. Walked it up to
the Tourism and Culture office with Karina. Picked up my own personal
support material while I was there. I was glad that Peter still had it; it
has been over a month since the decisions were made. They could have thrown
it out.
Had a late lunch and listened to Dan Norris on Mainstreet. He talked again
about the idea of the Khyber moving elsewhere. I guess it is one of the
options that we will have to entertain but I don’t like feeling the squeeze..
I hope the meeting with Dan and Mike and Peter goes well tomorrow.
Karina and I decided not to go to the openings at Anna and biked home,
putting up posters for the dance along the way. Made a quick supper when we
got home and set up the projector with a hybrid of Courtney and Rebecca’s
sound system, for another fun-filled evening of Sopranos antics. Watched
another four episodes. Sarah came over and we talked lease stuff afterwards..
She thinks we need to be more PR savvy in our negotiations.
I have a lot of work to do tomorrow before the meeting; I’m going to bed.
-chris
From : chris lloyd <chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com>
To : jean chretien <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Subject : Canada gives up battle for clean energy credits at Kyoto meeting» Finance Minister Manley projects small surpluses after creating $3-billion fund» MacKay clears agenda to gauge support for Conservative leadership bid
Date : Wed, 30 Oct 2002 23:59:34 -0400
Dear Mr. Chrétien,
Sorry I didn’t write yesterday. It was a long day, capped off by a video screening by David Askevold as part of the Tuesday night artist presentations in the club. Had meetings in the morning with some city staff regarding the lease. The meeting left me feeling weirder about the negotiations than before. It seems to be progressing with such tiny steps. And our meeting with the Mayor has been postponed another week. Had a class visit to the gallery, over twenty students in an intro to studio class. Continued negotiations with a film crew who want to shoot scenes on the main stairs. It is a bigger budget film and it couldn’t come at a better time—our cash flow is getting quite thin.
I stayed too late afterward the screening last night and had too many beer. Walked home with Sarah and stopped at her place to smoke a joint. Came home in a very talkative mood and went on and on to Karina about the lease and art. There doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between the two. Or is there?
Today was another busy day for class visits to the gallery. Mathew came by with some of his studio students and then as I was heading out to the bank near the end of the day Sarah came by with twenty of her students. Went back for a gallery discussion and then met Karina at East Side Marios for supper. It was nothing spectacular, the service was prompt and perfunctory, the food sort of bland.
Went back to work for a bit but found myself really drowsy, almost to the point of falling asleep. Biked home and had a short nap, then actually went to the studio. Prepped three more panels but didn’t get any painting done.
Came home and watched part of a dull movie Courtney had rented about Kellogg’s.
-chris
DEAR PM 