From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 31, 2004 9:20:54 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Canada still vulnerable to terrorist attack, warns auditor general
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Mo introduced to me a fabulous drug cocktail the other day that is giving us great bursts of energy at work: Coffee and Red Bull. Together. Aside from slight skittishness, paranoia, sweaty palms, gas, mild hallucinations and the tendency to sing gibberish, there are no apparent side effects.

Claudine stopped by work today after getting her bike fixed up; it was so sunny and warm and a great day to be out and about. She came back twenty minutes later looking for her extra key that she lent me; she had locked herself out of her apartment. Unfortunately I didn’t have it with me, so we made plans to meet after work. We walked to Berri Uqam and took the metro at 17H00, when bicycles on the metro are allowed. I had a shower and then she doubled me around the neighbourhood as we searched for a restaurant to eat at. It became a bit of an adventure, and we settled for an el Salvador restaurant. The coleslaw was the most unique and best I have ever had.

Worked on the Brown Suitcase Project and prepared a bit for the upcoming mission. Was going to scan some slides, but ended up witness to that peculiar ritual of female roommates fighting and making up. Sarah Fork is sick and stressed about school and was yelling and yelling. I find it fascinating how problems about dishes, telephone usage and food get mixed up in emotional needs, such as needing TLC, or what constitutes rudeness, and when it starts to come out it just keeps escalating.

Am heading downtown to run some errands before meeting Mo at the apartment. Colin might come downtown this evening and we might go to the MACM and I might head out to Ste-Anne’s; or he might not, and we won’t.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 30, 2004 9:09:32 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Auditor contradicts Gagliano, but says no evidence of ad fraud in 2000
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Sorry I didn’t write yesterday. It was a long day at work, and there were tensions in the air at SSM in the evening. Girls that live together have a very different dynamic than boys who live together; they have more discussions regarding issues like cleaning. There was a household meeting scheduled, but Sarah Fork just wrote a nine-page letter and then retreated to her room. Melissa was mad that we had all hung out in her room all weekend and messed it up. Speaking of roommates, I received an email from Yang; it looks like the fate of 1333 is soon to be sealed:

From :  YANG HONG
Sent :  March 29, 2004 11:43:53 AM
To :  chris lloyd
Subject :  the plot thickens...to an eventual end.
| | | Inbox

Hey Chris,
   Viva la France!
             I had a few words with Derek. remember? your old roomate. anyways, he has informed me that by the end of the month, we are to be evicted. HOW COOL IS THAT! So derek canceled the internet right away. Oh yeah, this happens when derek re- hooks up power and the phone.

you might asked "why?"  well now. our roomate who lived in his burrow of a room, where he makes his so called millions by making pipes and god knows what else, has not been able to pay his rent. a couple of weeks ago he got someone to give a half a months rent to take over when he leaves. Lo and behold that mulah never made it to Lyndon.

I have not seen this women and hope never to. Like i said, myself, derek, and anthony and supposedly Xavier will be out of here by the end of the month.

This was the update. and you wonder what might have motivated myself to contact you. out of friendship? well, why not? but myself and derek have kind of a concern. this place is full of stuff. As far as I know lyndon will be responsible for all of it when we leave.
                                   
His problem.

anyhoo, take care and please call if you have any concerns.

sooner than later, as we are out of here by wednesday the 31st of March.

yang

Anyway, I fixed the slumping shower curtain with some string and walked to IGA with Sarah R. to get a few groceries, and made a late supper. Not much I can do about leftover stuff at 1333 at this point. I hope the guys find places to live. I think they should try squatting there for a bit.

Claudine and I hung out Sunday evening and went to see Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind—the movie with the difficult, difficult to remember title. I thought it was a great portrayal of the look and feel of memory and dreams, the whole thing had an odd déjà vu feeling. Fun characters, and the whole plot was very understated. We played chess at p Café. We met a man named Michael who was giving us lots of advanced tips on our moves; it was too much information, and we couldn’t finish the second match. He was nice though; he shared his plentiful tobacco with us.

It feels like Spring is suddenly, forcefully here. Mo and I enjoyed a bit of the sun yesterday while carrying up the stairs load after load of drywall. Hopefully we’ll get outside for a bit today. We still have those three toxic buckets to dispose of; maybe we can make an event of that?

-chris

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From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 28, 2004 12:23:07 PM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Chretien and Martin attend Sharp funeral but don't exchange slightest glance

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Went to the Jean Talon market with Sarah Fork Saturday morning for some fresh veggies and fruit. Got a good deal on some asparagus. Headed downtown to register for French classes but when I got to Concordia there was nobody at the Con Ed office. I still have a couple weeks to register, but it is hard to do it during the week, while I am working. I might have to take an afternoon off this week to run some errands. I need to open a bank account, for starters.

Did some window shopping on Ste-Catherine and St. Laurent. Am now becoming quite obsessed with furniture stores. Making sketches of furniture I like and will try to build. Met Mohanad and his friend Nadine at Shed’s. Talked to Claudine on the phone; she boycotts Shed because a bouncer there beat a homeless man to death a few years ago. We made plans to see a movie tonight.

Stopped at the bus station to pick up a package from JD. It was a thick brown suitcase that contains my instructions. The trouble is, he didn’t give me the combination lock number. Maybe that is my first test—just getting the directions. Mohanad stopped by and fussed with the lock for a bit, lost his temper and busted it open with a hammer. There is something to be said for brute force. Inside the suitcase were most of the necessary items; passport, plane tickets and partial directions. I have to meet FD on Tupper Street later this week for more.

Had some beer with Mohanad, then went downtown to meet Sarah Fork and her friend Jolina before heading to the Village. We went to Sky Club but the scene there was a touch old for us so we took a meandering cab ride up to Blizzard on St. Laurent. I danced my arse off all night, then we took another cab back to SSM.

Made breakfast for the crew —omelettes, hash browns and toast—and we’re all about to head out to Old Port to wander around in the sunshine. Sarah R. and her boy broke up last night—what is in the air? March must be national breakup month or something—so we’re all trying to keep her spirits up.

-chris

From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 26, 2004 11:55:31 PM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Prime Minister Martin promises to increase federal share of health funding

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

“I think we should talk”. Isn’t that how most breakup conversations begin? You know it as soon as the words are uttered. The odd thing is that it wasn’t entirely unexpected; on the contrary, I’ve been expecting it for weeks. Nothing that good can sustain itself indefinitely. The whole thing felt really amicable and friendly—she is very straightforward, practical yet empathetic—so in some ways it feels more like a downgrading from Orange to Yellow, or maybe to an Off-white, rather than a split, or total break. I don’t feel broken. It’s that entity known as “the relationship”; it can really get in the way of things. Anyway, we finished supper and rented Ghost World and had a nice night together in spite of it all. We’ll still spend time together; which feels nice, and maybe helps keep me positive?

Today was a short day at work; it being Friday, and payday and all. Plus Mohanad had to run some errands; I tagged along, as he was driving me and some of my things to SSM. We each grabbed a shower there and then headed to Shed’s Café with Sarah Fork for supper. Nice atmosphere; dark, and the music thumping, making us want to dance in our seats.

Yesterday was a weird day at work; what would be the most disgusting thing you can think of doing while on a construction jobsite? Mohanad and I both slipped a few rungs on the ‘ole dignity ladder that day. I can’t even bring myself to describe in detail what actually happened. You’ll have to use your imagination. And no, it wasn’t me singing along to Afroman or cursing at the radio advertisements; that’s just regular work behavior.

My man on the inside, JD, in Ottawa emailed me today and says he has a job for me; he’s going to keep me posted. It will involve some concentrated travel at the beginning of April. I think I can time it right so that the project will happen during Easter weekend, when we will be taking more time off work because the floors are being re-finished at Cartier. That way I won’t leave Mohanad short-handed. Should be a fun adventure; my first real mission! Up until now it has all been training from a textbook; lots of theory, but little practice. Time to get cracking! But first, we’re all going to watch La Piscine, with Sarah R.—who just got into grad school, and is very happy.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 25, 2004 12:58:48 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Bedard startles MPs with reports of Villeneuve cash, Groupaction drug dealing
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

The oddest thing happened this evening after work. I had just arrived at SSMs, and was about to have a shower when a couple Telus sales reps showed up at the door. They were practically giving cell phones away. So I have now joined the rest of the human race—at least the westernized upwardly mobile trendsetting hipsters and teenagers segment of the human race: I have a cell phone. I figured that it makes more sense to have a cell than a land line, once I move into my apartment. Part of my plan to make as much of my life as portable as possible. Of course, I've now signed away part of my soul for the next three years in exchange for a free phone and free airtime evenings and weekends. I'll spend the days just trying to figure out how to use the thing.

These long days are wearing me out, and it's only Wednesday. Mohanad and I had a plan in place to quit smoking by rationing our supply: today there were four cigarettes available. But Mohanad got really stressed out about the plumbing in the bathroom and bought a pack when he went to the hardware store; and I bought a pack while he was gone. Plastering inside the small inset boxes was driving me up the wall.

My parents are back from their vacation and are getting used to the renovations and the additional animals. Apparently a letter arrived for me from the government of NB; I have been selected for jury duty. I'd love to do it, but it is smack in the middle of April, and we'll be rushing to finish the Cartier job by then. Besides, I haven't been a resident of NB for seven years, so I don't think I'm technically eligible. Am I? Have you ever served on a jury?

Anyway, I think Sarah and I are going to watch a movie…if she ever gets off the phone. She's having a spastic anti-drug argument with one of her friends from Halifax. At this rate I'll be asleep before the movie even starts.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 24, 2004 12:39:09 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Error: Exception of type System.OutOfMemoryException was thrown. •  more...
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Another long day. Fun though. Lots of plastering, and less sanding. The drywall dust is wreaking havoc on my skin; I'm all dried out like an alligator. Mohanad was spazzing out all day in the bathroom; he demolished it, then re-built it, and sawed through the steel drainage pipes, and re-connected them, and spent long periods of time with a flashlight peering underneath the floorboards. The plumbing is going to be tricky. He is worried that we are going to fall behind schedule, but I think we'll finish on time. We need to start writing down out storylines for the new sitcome Mohanad and Nick are going to star in called Mohanad and Mahoney. I'm planning to muscle my way in as a recurring villian who keeps popping up in their social lives. Something like that.

Mohanad and I quit smoking today, until about 5:30, and he was too stressed out to deal with the withdrawl. We're going to try to limit him to 4 cigarettes per day. I'm now the keeper of the cigarettes.

Had a microwaveable Pate Chinois for supper, and made an omelette for the 2 Sarahs. Worked on computer stuff for a bit; Shawn did some updating on my home page from Halifax, and I networked my computer to the moden here and added the Flat Chris project to my ZED address. Am going to have a small puff and read for a bit before going to bed.

-chris

From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 23, 2004 12:27:55 AM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Harper takes seat as Opposition leader, says he's a reluctant Tory

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

It was nice to be back at work on Cartier. Mohanad met me at the bus station after I dropped off the drawing for Judy. The apartment looks great; Mohanad and crew had put up most of the wiring, lighting and drywall over the past two weeks. Today I sanded the walls and ceiling in the small room. Lots of dust. We worked late; the job is a bit behind schedule, and we have the go-ahead for the next job, so we have to finish Cartier by the end of April. It's good timing; I should have a few days off between jobs to jet back to NB and get my stuff.

I'm staying at the SSM apartment for a bit. Sarah Fork was here when I arrived, working on her ever-expanding collection of fashion magazine cutouts. Ate a fresh bagel and some corn that Melissa brought home with her, and we took turns reading passages from Getting it On that Sarah R. brought home from her work. S and S have to work early in the morning so they have gone to bed early; I've got Melissa's room for the night because she went out to visit her boy. Better than sleeping on the couch, but not the best.

My cough hasn't dissipated and I actually felt more sick today. I hope it clears up soon. Mohanad and I are going to quit smoking on the job as of tomorrow; that should help a bit. Bof!

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 22, 2004 7:33:54 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Health Canada plans pilot project to put certified marijuana into pharmacies
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

With about an hours sleep under my belt I woke Aaron up and we drove to Moncton in a snowstorm. The roads were a blanket of white; it was like driving on a cloud. Lucky we left early enough and still made it to the airport on time. The flight was fine, the aircraft was practically empty. The airport in Moncton is very stylish; lots of glass and woodwork. I read from the book Judy gave me, The Ingenuity Gap, and became slightly depressed about the state of the world.

Was at Claudine'e apartment by 9am, and she made crépes, then we napped, then we got up and both had work to do: she on her thesis, me on the pastel drawing for Judy. I needed another nap in the afternoon and crashed long and hard. We had supper at L'Avenue and shared a burger and club sandwich and a ton of fries. I couldn't eat it all, it was so much food. Finished the drawing in the evening, and we went to bed early.

Off to put the drawing on the bus and then meet Mohanad; we are getting into the plaster work at the Cartier job. Shoud be fun--except for the ceilings, which are a pain in the neck.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 20, 2004 4:51:09 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Conservatives optimistic about future as vote determines new party's leader
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Afternoon naps are a blessing. I just had a two-hour one. Great way to procrastinate when one needs to pack and clean house. Naps also help battle the cold.

Stayed out last night at Church’s after the opening at Peter’s gallery. Judy bought us supper, but we arrived at the opening too late for her to buy any of Jonathan’s paintings; he had practically sold out. He has a great touch with the paintbrush, and a nice, subtle palette. His landscapes are very yummy, and easily marketable. Judy now wants me to make a pastel drawing of the old Incredible Edibles building, as a birthday gift for her Peter. I’m going to work on it tomorrow in Montréal, and get it on the bus on  Monday so it arrives in time for his birthday on Tuesday.

Judy left early, and Karina left later to visit Gordon, and I stayed late talking with Dan and Lise about Mel Gibson’s Passion. They were quite a few beers ahead of me, so it was a bit of a skewed conversation; they were both really into it. Dan wants an email review from me after I see it; I have no idea when that will be. I prefer to discuss politics over religion, especially in a bar. I stopped at Studio 112 afterwards to check out a local band (and finish sobering up) but just couldn’t get into it. Everyone there was at least a decade younger than I. The bar is located in the old Wild Willie’s café space, so I was really feeling my age.

Aaron is off at the funeral today. I’m heading into town shortly to have supper with Karina and Robert. Aaron doesn’t expect to sleep tonight, as he will be out drinking and we have to head out to Moncton by 4am for me to catch my flight.

Anyway, I’d better get some housework done, and get packing. I have stuff strewn everywhere, it’s hard to know where to begin; maybe with the wet laundry.

-chris

From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 19, 2004 5:16:46 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca, chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Khadr pleads for family's return to Canada despite terrorist ties
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Just had quite the battle with the hose before filling the waterbed. I now think that the waterbed has made a large contribution to my headache. I had put t the hose back out in the shed last week and of course the water inside it froze. No big deal. But it got tangled up and knotted when I was unraveling it, and ended up fighting it for a good hour in the kitchen amongst bits of ice and water that leaked from the hose. I finally managed to get it hooked up to the sink, and then hooked up to the bladder. It’s filling quite nicely, except for the humongous air bubble that I have to get rid of somehow.

You know there is something wrong with a culture that allows something like the invention of a waterbed to happen. Sure, they might be fun when you are a kid, but I think they are inherently evil. Forget WMD and Osama, we need to be hunting for waterbeds. In another century or so, if we haven’t blown ourselves off the planet, or starved ourselves, or been incinerated by a giant space softball, then historians and anthropologists might very well locate the era of the waterbed as the period in time that best sums of the decline of our civilization. Waterbeds and Hippies, bell-bottoms, Vietnam and oil embargos. Either that or WWII and the Holocaust. Or Rwanda, to update a little bit. Or the election of a father (Tweedledum) and then son (Tweedledummer) to lead their nation and presumably the rest of the world into chaos and destruction. So maybe it’s not the fault of the waterbed, but for me it’s a nice symbol.

Anyway, had a quiet night yesterday. Aaron picked up some spicy Chinese takeout for supper and then we put some of the furniture back together in my parent’s room. Spoke with Claudine on the phone. She is having a hard time believing that Karina and I only “slept” together. To tell you the truth, I find it a bit hard to believe myself, especially given the amount of times we have had breakup sex. But she seems to be still stuck on Gordon. This morning I worked on some of my art files and then did some electrical work—on a stool, above the slowly filling waterbed bladder. I like to mix my electrical with my plumbing whenever possible. The waterbed filled up a little wonky, and I don’t quite know how to level it out.

I’m heading into town to meet Karina and Judy and the crew at Melvin’s for jazz and Church’s for drinks and Peter’s for art—J. Johnson has a show opening tonight. Should be fun.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 18, 2004 11:11:39 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Gagliano says he's not responsible for sponsorship 'fiasco'
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

What is it that motivates people to drink green beer on St. Paddy’s Day? Is it leprechauns? The similarity to green eggs and ham? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it? Well, no thanks. I do not like green eggs and ham, and I’m sure I wouldn’t like green beer either. A few pints of Guinness were adequate for me to celebrate the day everyone becomes a little Irish. Not that we really celebrated it. Dan was wearing a cheap green party hat, but then again he was celebrating since 5pm, so it was to be expected. Whenever I drink for more than five hours straight I often end up with the strangest items on my head.

So I apologize for not writing last night, but I ended up being out later than I intended. The day started off the same as usual; was up early with the animals. Worked on the plaster finish samples for Millory and Chris. Cleaned the house a little, but made more of a mess in the rec room, which has become my de facto workshop. The basement is a tad cold. Fed the animals, walked Jessie, scooped up animal waste. It’s a very cyclical existence.

Drove to Fredericton to collect Aaron. The drive was uneventful in either direction. Then I drove downtown to meet Karina and drop off a few more of her things. We went to her favourite watering hole, Church’s Steak House, for a drink and bite to eat. The bar/restaurant took the il Fornello model of renovation and gutted the three story building down to the brick and wood. I had a beef dip, medium rare. Karina drank red wine and I had some Guinness, and we talked, for the first time since September.

As was expected, the conversation veered into some rocky emotional territory, but it was mostly very cathartic, for both of us. It mostly felt like a good bonding conversation between friends. She talked a lot about her recent relationship with Gordon. After eating we went downstairs and were joined by Dan, Lise’s husband, and then Gordon. For the last two hours we were there I was sucking back glass after glass of water while everyone else got fairly drunk and argued about Globalism, Primitivism (it isn’t called that anymore), tar sands, oil, capitalism, and New Guinea. Oddly enough, the place emptied out of St. Paddy’s Day revelers and by midnight they weren’t even playing Irish music anymore—INXS isn’t remotely Irish. The party was probably hopping at O’Leary’s, but we didn’t want to wait in line, or be stuck in a loud, smoky crowd.

Speaking of smoke, the amount of cigarettes I had last night seemed to help with my current congestion; the sinus headache has receded, my ear is completely unblocked, and I’m coughing up lots of phlegm. Don’t really know if that is a good or bad thing, but overall it feels like the cold is on its last legs.

Karina didn’t feel I should drive the car home so I crashed at her place. It felt odd at first, but eventually just felt like a comfortable sleepover. We talked drowsily until falling asleep. Went to Reggie’s this morning for breakfast. She had to work and Aaron wanted the car to go snowboarding at Poley, so I zipped back to the ‘burbs. I need to make some art. I think I’ll re-hang the pictures in the rec room first. I need to start the day with a little procrastination. Maybe I’ll call Nova Scotia Power and bitch at them for awhile. Derek emailed yesterday to say the power had been disconnected at 1333; the woman I spoke to at NSP said that they wouldn’t do that. Liars!

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 16, 2004 10:28:58 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Minister says patronage appointments to refugee board are out

Dear Paul,

OK, the headaches have receded in to a low, dull ache. Hardly noticeable. I’m now chalking it up to simply being sick. I’m still quite congested. Even went back to bed for an hour or so after the animals got me up.

Finished laying the floor. The Japanese saw works much better on the plywood than the regular one. It didn’t turn out as bad as I worried it would. Picked up some polyurethane and rolled on a couple coats. The floor looks even better with the finish.

I’m wondering just how and when I’ll beat this lethargic funk I am in. Maybe it’s just a small bout of depression. I feel caught in between, sort of stuck and yet unhinged at the same time. It’s the suburbs, no doubt. I find it hard to get motivated here.

Have been looking for airline flights; it’s cheaper to fly out of Moncton, but I don’t know if Aaron is going to want to drive me to Moncton at 6am on a Sunday morning.

Art! Must work on some art! Must motivate self! Write a grant or exhibition proposal! Or wash dishes! Vacuum the house! Hang pictures! Read a book! Drink another beer! Fold laundery! Something! Anything!

I’d drive to a bar, any bar, if I hadn’t already had three beer. Dad makes good beer.

Oh, and I just received an email back from Lyndon. He said he was “amused” by my letter, but still wants the $470. I guess he doesn’t want to deal with the painting I left behind for him. It’s hard to barter with art, especially after the fact. He’ll just have to take the damage deposit, the cash is long gone.

And Karina called me tonight, wondering about the remainder of her things. I’ll drop off the last of her small things, the things that will actually fit in the car, tomorrow evening after I come back from Fredericton to get Aaron.

-chris

From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 15, 2004 11:19:23 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Paul Martin, eyeing western voters, says government will help cattle industry
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

So now I’m thinking that it might be the early mornings that are contributing to the headaches. This morning it was Jessie waking me up. It’s as if Little Buddy and she take turns each day, like a tag team.

Finished painting the last wall in the rec room, had breakfast, then drove downtown. Stopped at Kent’s to get more plywood. I think it is the biggest store I have ever been in. It is big enough to have its own weather system. Met Judy and Peter for lunch at her office. I spent some time there after lunch compiling some press clippings into a dossier for Peter’s gallery. We had lunch at the Market, and talked about the Spanish election. Could it be seen as part of a global, mainstream turning away from a US-dominated foreign policy? Judith M. stopped me and hit me up for a donation of a painting for an NDP fundraiser of some sort. They manage to get me every year, it seems. I don’t mind, as I intend to make some new work this week anyhow. Stopped at Fabricville on my way back to the valley to get some cotton for the new frottage paintings.

Walked Jessie when I got home, then worked on the floor for a little bit. Should be able to finish it by tomorrow. Had a nap on the couch. Worked on the computer a bit more, then made some supper, then watched some TV. My parents have cable, yet I ended up watching a program on CBC, a courtroom drama called Wonderland. I had started watching it because I thought it was Wonderfalls, that show about the snarky philosophy student who works in a gift shop at Niagra Falls where the trinkets talk to her. Continued to watch out of laziness.

And now, to complete my lazy evening, before going to bed I will surf the internet from my laptop while sitting in an easy chair while watching TV. I need to book a plane or train ticket for sometime on the weekend.

Still no word back from Lyndon.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 14, 2004 11:38:19 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Martin pledges Canada will be vigilant in wake of terror attacks in Spain
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

These early mornings are certainly helping with the speed of the renovations. I'd laid all the plywood I could in the bedroom by noon. I'd underestimated, and need to get one more panel from Kent's on Monday. The floor is a little wonkier, and more rustic-looking, than I had hoped. Once finished it should be fine. The 24" tiles are a nice size for the room; makes it look biger, I think. Cruised through the painting in the rec room, and by suppertime had finished two coats on all but one wall. The green is nice and vibrant; a nice complement to the orange in the kitchen.

I've lost hearing in my left ear today; don't know how or why it happened. Maybe I have a head cold?

Walked Jessie and then drove to Judy's for supper. Helped Peter make Paella; I wanted to learn how to make it properly. It turned out well, though at some point I'd like to try it with some seafood (Judy is allergic). Had some wine and Judy and Danika—Peter's daughter—sang Happy Birthday, and presented a cake. Pictures were taken. I had Peter take some pictures of me for the "Flat Chris" project I was telling you about. Hopefully I will finish it this weekend.

Had an email from my Mom. They arrived in Florida the other day, and have been golfing. Dad hit an alligator with a golf ball. It sounds like they are having fun.

Aaron had a friend recently pass away, so I will be picking him up in Fredericton on Wednesday to attend the funeral.

Am hoping to finish the painting and the floor by Tuesday so I can spend the rest of the week making some art and doing my taxes.

Haven't heard back from Lyndon yet.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 13, 2004 9:09:38 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  A year after SARS ravaged hospitals, heightened vigilance still apparent

Dear Paul,

I have no need for an alarm clock while I am here. Little Buddy wakes me up every morning like clockwork: at 6am. Since I am something of a morning person I can’t get back to sleep once I let him and Jessie out, so my days have been starting early. Today I finished the second coat in the bedroom, then headed into town to visit Peter and Judy. We talked and ate crepes and then I helped with some Photoshoping of an image of the former Incredible Edibles building, which they have just bought. They wanted to see what it would look like with different coloured awnings.

Judy and I went to the Home Show. What a zoo. The parking lot was a packed free for all. Sobeys had monopolized the entire upper floor of the arena—there was only one staircase for entering and another for exiting—and we were bombarded with insulting samples of free “food” and disgusting smells of frying fish. Once on the main floor we both became dizzy and confused by the sameness exhibited by all the booths. Surrounded by way too many doors, windows, showers and woodstoves. We counted six visible minorities in the whole crowd. We made an effort to walk each aisle, as there were six, and the admission price was $6, so that seemed to be a way of getting out money’s worth. I talked to a Benjamin Moore rep about a certain type of faux finish. I can get more info on the Internet.

Dropped Judy off at the hospital to visit her dad and then dropped some of Karina’s things at her place; Robert helped me up the two long flights of stairs, and I stayed and talked with him form a bit. Stopped at Kents on my way back to the Valley to get some plywood for the bedroom floor.

Finished drafting my response to Lyndon, my old landlord. I am including his letter and mine for some comic relief for you; you could probably use it, seeing as it seems as though your government is going down like the Titanic. I just saw the Jack Layton pre-election ad; man, you are in some hot water!

-chris

From : Lyndon Watkins
Sent : March 9, 2004 8:32:09 PM
To : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : 1333 Cash
| | | Inbox

Chris. I was surprised, not to say shocked, today to find that you had moved out of my house, without giving notice and without paying your March rent, last month's oil bill ($509.89) and a previous oil bill of $470.09. (Copies of which were hand delivered by me to the house at the end of each preceeding month.)
Other tenants tell me they gave you their share of the oil bill. They also say that you told them you would settle up with me on the amount owed before you left with a friend today (March 9) for New Brunswick
Despite leaving prior written messages at the house and to other tenants, I have heard nothing from you or received the bulk of the money owed.
Derek C— and Yang H— have given me $337.50 each in cash or cheque to cover their share of the March rent. I only have promises from the others for their share, but I have accepted their word that the cash will be forthcoming. My main concern now is to recover the more than $900 I have spent keeping you and the others warm and with hot water throughout the coldest period in recorded Nova Scotia history.
You undertook to collect and pay this money and I expect you to do so, particularly as I have assurances that you collected from the other tenants.
As this is a very serious matter, I would appreciate hearing from you by phone (902-—), e-mail or in person as soon as possible. Thank you. Lyndon Watkins.


Hi Lyndon,

Sorry about the short notice. I had moved to Montréal suddenly at the beginning of February in search of work. I did collect the tenants share of heat ($470) before I left. I have since spent this money on food and transportation and alcohol.

I would argue that this amount of money, or any amount for that matter, does not actually help heat 1333 Dresden Row. It is by far one of the most poorly insulated, drafty and uncomfortable places I have had the pleasure of living in. Neither myself, nor anyone else living in that house, has ever felt “warm”—at least not without sweaters, blankets and space heaters on top of the inefficient forced-air furnace. Have you any idea what our electricity bill was? I just cut them a cheque for $317, for a little over two months of power.

Let’s face it Lyndon; the house is a money pit. Not only that, but it must have been built on an ancient burial ground or something, because it has bad vibes. In less than a year two long-term relationships ended while we were all living in that house, and everyone went through severe bouts of depression—including the cats. They are recovering quite nicely, now that they are free from that hell-hole. Maybe it has something to do with the awful colours you refused to let us change? Despite your claims that it would “grow on us”, we painted over the Ox Blood Red; if we hadn’t, I shudder to think what might have happened.

Having settled my accounts with the phone and power companies to the tune of $650, I simply cannot afford to pay you the $470. However, I did leave a really big painting behind that you are welcome to do with what you please. It is easily worth twice that amount. Use the stretcher bars for firewood if that will make you happy. If dealing with the painting is too much trouble then use our damage deposit; I believe the amount was $500. You can send a cheque for the remaining $30 to a charity of your choice.

Remember Jackson and Beverly? I recall that when we moved in at the start of December 2002 we saved you from having to look for a tenant, and that they owed you more than $700 in outstanding “heat”. Seems to be an inherent problem with the house, wouldn’t you say?

As for March rent, there are tenants living at 1333 who are taking over my “room”; the fourth bedroom, or what most people refer to as the “walk-in closet”. Only the clinically insane or severely depressed or young infants are suited to live in that space. I can’t believe you have the balls to advertise the house as a four bedroom. Could that be considered libel?

Anyway, good luck in the future, and with the perpetual renovations at Bleak House. I’m sure it will be a great house if it is ever finished. I have certainly enjoyed having an impromptu dump located adjacent to our backyard for the past year. I’m sure I will look back to my year at 1333 Dresden Row with some fondness, at some point in the distant future.

Sincerely,

Chris Lloyd

From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 12, 2004 11:26:06 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Multi-million-dollar fraud ring may have penetrated government, industry
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Was up early, tending to the animals. Dragged the waterbed bladder into the bathroom and finished draining it in the tub. It felt like disposing of a body; it was heavier than me. Remember that scene in the Hollywood version of La Femme Nikita, when Harvey Keitel as "the cleaner" pours acid all over that body in the tub? Yeah, well this is what extended periods of time in the suburbs does to my imagination. I think it's called going stir-crazy.

Took the wallpaper off the walls in the bedroom; it went fairly smooth. Just needed to soak the bottom half. Went out to get the paint and supplies. Ripped up the carpet, and took it out of the room in one piece. It is rolled up and wedgeed into the downstairs bathroom at the moment. Patched some holes in the walls and put the first coat of paint on. The colour is nice and bright. The room looks larger without the carpet. I have a plan for the floors.

It was snowing most of the day today. Shoveled the driveway. Walked Jessie; just a short one today. Outside was not quite as quiet, as there was more snowplow action. Dreamed up new ideas for paintings. Plan to work on some this weekend. Listened to the radio in three rooms in the house simultaneously, in stereo, while working.

Went to Trinity Galleries for an opening tonight; I had thought Sarah C. might have been there, as she is in the exhibition of four emerging artists, but she is away at school in Ontario. Talked to Clea and Ed, former patrons of mine, about traveling through Russia. Talked to Cara C., whom I was hoping to run into. She is friends with Sarah C. Small world. Stopped at O'Leary's for a beer. My former watering hole. It seems that every time I go there now, there is something different about the place; this time it was the wood floors and the new addition upstairs. Surprise surprise, Brent Mason was playing, with a few other folk musicians. The show was being recorded by the campus radio station. When I first started hanging out there it was literally a hole in the wall. With Krishna and crew we would play pool and the place expanded slowly but always had the dingy carpets. You can still smoke there though. Didn't run into anyone else I knew so went home early. Rockin' Friday night!

Am going to drop off some of Karina's things tomorrow and take in bit of the Home Show.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 11, 2004 11:10:10 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Ad scandal has deep roots, predates Quebec referendum: whistleblower
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Felt like a long day. Mom had set her alarm an hour early by mistake; none of us noticed until midway through breakfast and coffee, wondering why the microwave clock was were up at 4:30am. Donnie and Joyce were picking up my folks at 5:45 for the drive to Florida. Should be fun.

Got my computer hooked up to the internet at the house and was able to finish the power point presentation I have been working on, then went downtown for the morning. I’m missing the urban core. Sent my printer to Montréal on the bus; it isn’t compatible with Mac OS 10, but Claudine can use it. Mailed some bills; paid back the bulk of my loan into my grandfather’s bank account; talked to Peter at his gallery; and met Judy for lunch. She was too busy for lunch, so I drove back home. Walked Jessie. The neighbourhood was just as quiet as yesterday. Started draining the waterbed when we got back. The attachment didn’t quite connect the bladder to the hose properly, so I grabbed some hose and clamps from Canadian Tire. I hooked up a garden house to the bed and ran it out a a bedroom window down to the back yard. The bed only drained halfway, then stopped; the water wouldn’t flow through the lengthy hose anymore. Switched to a shorter house and started filling a bucket. After about thirty bucketfuls I took a break for supper and TV. Watched This House Has 22 Minutes, Made in Canada, more curling, some WWE wrestling, Twitch City and Trailer Park Boys. Slowly turning my brain to mush.

-chris

From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 10, 2004 10:35:26 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Human remains may have been in meat from Pickton pig farm
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Boy, are the suburbs ever quiet. I was going a little stir-crazy this morning. Dropped mom off at work and bought some cat food and kitty litter. Moved my boxes into the crawl space and re-packed and re-organized a few things. Settled my phone, cable and power accounts. Then the quietness started to seep in. I walked Jessie around the neighbourhood and was freaked out even more by the quiet. I saw 2 people, an older couple, the whole time I was walking. I guess everyone is at work. It is a little uncanny, the stillness. The sort of thing that would feed David Lynch's imagination.

Am developing a newfound appreciation for curling. Watched NS beat Alberta tonight. The other night my dad asked me if I still felt Nova Scotian, but I’m not sure how or what I feel. Provincial designations seem a bit artificial; regional differences seem to make more sense. I feel a bit of a Maritimer at heart, but enjoy big cities, bigger than Halifax, so what does that make me? What is it that makes a person cheer for a team based on where they are from? Are Vancouver Canucks fans now all fans of pre-meditated violence, post-Todd?

Sorry, I’ll refrain from ranting about that issue. Some weird news coming out of Vancouver lately. Human remains in pig meat? Yuck. Now there's a health care problem for you.

More curling on TV. My folks leave early tomorrow morning. Then it will be just me and the three cats and the dog. And wallpaper removal. And waterbed emptying and dismantling. And carpet removal. And lots of painting. It will be fun to get cracking. There is a Home Show at Harbour Station this weekend that I think I will go to for some inspiration. I’d like to do some fun things with the house; surprise my parents, sort of like those renovation TV shows. It will be fun to be busy again.

Oh, I didn't get the Elizabeth Greenshields grant. I can apply again in 2 years. My disillusionment with the art world continues. Or my disillusionment with myself; sometimes I can't tell which I am more frustrated with.

-chris

From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 9, 2004 10:05:00 PM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : UN secretary general gets immediate, $5-million response to Haiti aid plea

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Sorry I didn't write yesterday. I was on the road to NS, and then spent the bulk of the evening packing. Dad drove me downtown on his way to work and I surprised Judy at her office. We talked a bit but she had a lot of work to do, and then a meeting. Peter stopped by her office and we talked awhile too. I picked up a passenger for the journey: Robyn, Judy's 13 year-old son. He has a few extra days off school. We had fun talking and making jokes and listening to music the whole drive down. It takes a fair bit of energy to keep up with the fluxuating nature of teenagers. They are all over the place.

Robyn helped me load up the van. The apartment wasn't too much of a mess. The cats looked a bit shell-shocked but the kitty litter wasn't too bad. They were down to their last day of food. Xavier really moved his pipe-making workshop into the basement. My old studio looks like a D&D hovel. He is already planning to rent my old room to someone else. No one else seems to know what is going on. The next few months should be fun, as the full force of this slow-release landlord revenge takes effect.

My GST cheque was in the mail at the house; oddly enough, one of the things I had done in my dozen or so phone calls to the CRA over the past six weeks was change my address, so that the cheque would be mailed to my parents house. Good thing to know that all the i's are being dotted and all the t's being crossed. At least it was good timing. I'll be able to pay off most of the money I owe my grandfather.

Robyn went to see Hidalgo while I met up with Becky, Sarah R.'s friend, to return the shirt she had left in Montreal. We had a couple drinks with friends of hers at Rogues Roost and then I went to Charlie's to have a quick drink with Andrea and Tashia and Craig. Charlie's has moved and now resembles a real legit bar. One the way home I rented Starship Troopers at Robyns's request, and we ordered pizza. We ate the pizza while it was too hot and each burned the roofs of our mouths. The movie stank, and I fell asleep just before the end, while thinking about getting my alarm clock out of the van. Luckily I didn't sleep long, curled up under a pile of blankets in my clothes on the couch, and finished packing the van early int he morning. Yang woke up early and we talked a bit; the house is going to go through some interesting changes. He moves out in less than a month now.

Robyn slept the first hour of the drive back while Yaga meowed incessently. Then Robyn and I talked during the remainder of the drive and the cats were quiet. They are mostly hanging out in my parents' basement now, growling occassionally if my mom's cat, Little Buddy, wanders too close to them. It doesn't seem that there will be any wild catfights, which is good. I didn't have time to drop Karina's things off at her apartment before returning the van; she'll have to arrange for someone to pick them up from my parent's.

This afternoon I moved to the basement all the boxes and furniture that Robyn and I had dumped in the living room, then had a shower, then made some supper when my folks came home. Tried to do some work on the computer but my mind is vegged out. I'm going to bed, I need some sleep.

-chris

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From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 7, 2004 4:53:19 PM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Valeri defeats Copps in divisive nomination race for steeltown home turf

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

we all seemed to have a fun time at the Mile End Bar on Friday night. The sleek design of the place reminded me of Restaurant at the end of the universe, from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. There were lots of Claudine's friends from university and Mohanad came and we sat up at the bar and talked about work and business and plans for the summer. We became drunk. Millary was there, she is the owner of the apartment on Cartier we are working at. She was with her friend, an attractive but overly-made up real-estate agent. When she heard that I did specialty painting finishes she wanted a card but of course I don't have one. I also have to make some samples for millary over the next couple weeks. I'll have to re-learn and teach myself some new techniques.

Also when I am at my folks house I need to go through some old art and create a grand bonfire, a la Rauschenberg. A clearing out of the deadwood. To destroy something so that something new may grow. To be something of an anarchist to my own past.

We went to Mile End for a cinq a sept, but stayed until past eleven. We became drunk, and slightly obnoxious (at least, Mohanad and I did). We were trying to outdo Claudine's friend Monika with bizarre tales of sex, but her masturbating monkey story took the cake. At the end of the night Mohanad, Claudine and I went down the street for cheesecakes and discussion of the Middle East and religion.

Drinking alcohol often makes people depressed; it is a depressent, after all. Claudine was crying when we got back to her place but it was mostly from the alcohol and sheer exhaustion; she has been pushing herself hard. She was fine in the morning. I had my birthday wish fulfilled, sort of. We were up early, for a Saturday, and went out for croissants and pate and then on an afternoon surprise adventure. Claudine had planned to take me to the botanical gardens to see the butterflies, but when we arrived there was a two-hour wait. So we went to the Big O to ride the cable car to the top and look out over the city and marvel at the space-age design of the place; he Mother Ship had landed and set up shop. We watched parents with their kids in the wade pool and a man running up and downt he stairs of the bleachers. We capped the afternoon off with smoked meat sandwiches (too fatty this time!) from Schwartz's. Met Sarah Fork at the Mont Royal metro; she had my laptop and binder of slides.

Claudine packed a lunch and accompanied me to the VIA rail station. There was a problem with my ticket; I needed the actual coupon for them to be able to process my ticket with the discount. The difference was $88. The coupon is in Halifax, on the fridge. I hoped. They let me use the phone to call home; after two tries I reached Derek, who found the coupon and agreed to fax it from Kinkos. Problem solved. Chris' underlying anger at how bureaucracies confound more than they assist is abated, for the moment.

This train is fancier than the past few I have taken; the doors slide open with the push of a button. They sound like Star Trek. I selected a single seat, which is not the most comfortable to try to sleep in. There was no observation car. There are no electrical outlets in the recreation car, though there are some nice curved plush seats.Battery power is waning on my computer.

I finished reading Hopeful Monsters. I very much like how coincidence plays a large role in the book; we are coincidental creatures. I live a coincidental life, in a coincidental universe. The book has made me both sad and hopeful; that things will work out, somehow; that we do what we can do to help things along.

I know where the train is going, though for a time back in Charny we were going backwards, back towards Montreal. Back and forth. I am not so certain where I am going. To visit my folks and rent a van. To Halifax to settle some accounts and get my things; my wordly possessions; my tools, my art supplies, my cats; some clothes; some books. I have little furniture, other than the bed that Karina always wanted to burn. Anarchy to the past, destruction so that something new might grow. Once settled in Montreal I want to build my own furniture, from whatever materials I happen upon. I'll build some tables. Some benches. A bed frame. A bookcase.

Sally is performing in Montreal this week. I think she arrived yesterday, Friday. Karina will be in MOntreal at some point as well, as she is involved in the production. More coincidences; it is like we cannot function simultaenously within the same city or province, and so must leapfrog. She has no interest in talking to me.

I am most fascinated by rail travel, especially at night. Overnight passengers become a strangely connected extended family. We walk the passageways in sock feet. We brush our teeth and are all taking part in a grand sleepover. We share pens and paper; people meet, they talk. From these associations coincidences happen? The coincidences are the associations that happen? Forgive me for phrasing my thoughts this way; it is the influence of Nicholas Mosley, his style of writing still fresh in my mind. I wish I had such a hgrasop on the world, the way it works. I feel any certainties I had, the arroganceof youth perhaps, pushed aside and more uncertainties take their place. It makes me want to withdraw more from the world, from vain and pointless pursuits, and travel lightly, to try to find something more meaningful in experiences, in time, in distance. To stitch together some sembence of what it means to be human, alive, conscious, here, now.

The train for most of the time travels painfully slow, and remains stopped still for what seems like hours on end. At other times it shakes and rattles through the landscape at breakneck speed, more like a rocket than anything else. At times like this it makes me think of love: how it is not constant, how it has its starts and stops, is sometimes like in slow motion and other times a reckless rocket. In moments of speed we can barely hang on, can barely keep up with the momentum. We are exhilerated by the unexpected, the thrill of potential danger, the rush of pleasure inherent in the risk. The slow motion is like isolated moments of passion, frozen like water to tree branches, the winding down of a clock. And by what compass do we navigate? Where are the parallel tracks that guide us to an inevitable destination? The journey is made up of criss-crossing paths, the juncture points are coincidental. "We and the universe are a mutually creating organism". We lay the tracks as we go. An essential element in both love and art is mystery.

The train moves even faster in the morning hours. The moon, still full, hangs fat and low in the sky. It is tinged a slight orange hue. The woods and snow glow with a blue effervescence. The stopover in Moncton went quickly. I watched a man talk with a VIA rail representative regarding a large container of his that had broken apart. The container was full of cuts of meat. Another man mopped up a trail of blood. A large dog had broke through his cage and eaten some of the meat. Then the bus came. I listened to a demo CD of a Christmas song composed and sung by a cross country skier. He wants to get the song on a Rita McNeil Christmas special. He has been trying for four years. By the time he got off in Sussex the temperature was warmer and there was hardly any snow; not enough to ski. I wonder if there is still snow in Halifax? I left my boots in Montreal; they are only fit for worksites now.

My dad picked me up at the station. He got out at the kigh school to referee a basketball game. I took the car home. I am washing laundry. My mom is making a quilt. I am making plans.

-chris



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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 5, 2004 8:41:26 AM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Khadr's son tells CBC documentary he for worked CIA, FBI
| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Today is my birthday. I hardly feel a day over twenty, ha! I've never been one known for his maturity. The fact that I am technically homeless, perpetually broke and without a full-time job certainly adds to that impression. Though oddly enough, I think by the summer I will be feeling much more "stable". I might even have ventured back into the art world by then! While talking with Liz the other night I realized that I have been avoiding it. I guess I really did need a break from it all. My goals for the next few months: find apartment in Montréal and move; become fluently bilingual; make and save some money. I wouldn't mind travelling a bit, maybe meeting up with Krishna in India. We'll see.

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, but I was out for supper at a sweet little thai restaurant with Claudine celebrating the fact that I did not blow up at work. The day had been progressing well; Devan and I were continuing with framing up the new ceilings, and Mohanad was framing the new walls. Near the end of the day we needed to remove some gas pipes that were in our way. Two guys from Gaz Metropolitain had been by the day before to shut of the gas and remove the hot water tank. So Mohanad took the Saws All to the array of pipes in the bathroom. Suddenly Devan stopped working, looked at me and said "I smell gas". Then Mohanad yelled "Chris!" from the bathroom. We both jumped off our ladders and rushed over, to see Mohanad standing on the edge of thye tub with his thumb inside a pipe, just like the little Dutch boy and the dyke. Except Mohanad is Arab, and this was natural gas, not water! We all sort of panicked and stayed calm at the same time. Devan ran outside to look for a shut off valve, but couldn't turn it. Mohanad and I switched places and he began looking for a cut piece of pipe that could be used as a stopper. I held a wad of tissue in place and tried not to breathe too deeply or make any sparks! We managed to twist off the cut section and re-attach a stopper, so the danger was averted. Gaz Metropolitain was called and sent someone over to disconnect the gas from the main, which was what they were supposed to have done the first time. We were just really lucky that the saw didn't spark!

Anyway, off to work early today to try to finish all the ceiling and wall framing today before heading out to a cinq au sept at Mile End Bar this evening. If you are in the neighbourhood feel free to stop by, I'll even buy you a beer!

-chris

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From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 4, 2004 12:54:11 AM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Martin reminds voters of Tory party's Alliance roots during Ontario swing

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Sorry I didn't write yesterday. Suddenly everything seems to be taking longer than usual: commuting, working, preparing meals, getting from one place to another. It's all become very confusing; lately I've been more confused about time and continuity, and just where exactly all my stuff is. Last night on my way to Claudine's I forgot my hat and mitts at SS&M's. This afternoon I forgot my new jeans and wallet at Claudine's and my good shoes at SS&M's. My toothbrush and toothpaste are at Claudine's and my french learner audio cassette is still at Colin's. Oh, he hasn't come downtown yet. We keep playing phone tag. I've left keys behind, lib balm, tupperware lunch containers and cigarettes. Don't even ask me about lighters or matches. I've lost a touque and somehow traded mitts with Jen. I've seen and felt emotions both good and bad, up and down. It's been a tumultuous month.

Today I drove the cordless drill through my thumb. Luckily I had some bandaids that helped stop the bleeding and the wound knit together for most of the day. I pulled it apart again while zipping up my fly this evening. Luckily, there were more bandaids on hand.

Went grocery shopping with Melissa after work, and we prepared supper together. Sarah Fork came home bursting with energy after an exam and a haircut and we watched Will and Grace on TV and I smoked a bit of pot. Then Liz called and I went over to see her apartment; I think I'm first in line for a May sublet. Looks like I'll be couch-surfing again in April. We talked a long time about art, tenancy issues, politics, language and cultural differences.

Anyway, I'd best vacate Melissa's room (she has the internet connection), before she and her new boy come home; they and Sarah and Laurent are out at a bar, and may come back loudly. I'm hoping to be sound asleep on the couch when that happens.

-chris

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From :  chris lloyd
Sent :  March 1, 2004 9:51:35 PM
To :  pm@pm.gc.ca
CC :  chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject :  Via Rail chairman Jean Pelletier fired after calling whistle-blower 'pitiful'
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Dear Paul,

Long day at work. Didn't sleep particularly well on the couch at Sarah, Sarah and Melissa's (I think I will abreviate their apartment to SS&M. I'm sure they won't mind). It was too hot. Was up early to have coffee with Claudine, as it is on the way to the job site on Cartier. Had fun at work. Am getting better at the construction side of things, and demolished another couple walls. We took out another full load of material in the A-Team van. Worked until six. I might get an additional faux finish painting job, as the owner of the apartment was discussing it with Mohanad.

Zipped back to the apartment (SS&M) for a shower and then met Caroline and Claudine for supper at her apartment. We are all tired so Caroline left and I am signing off now to go to bed early... Claudine and I can use some together time.

-chris

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From : chris lloyd
Sent : March 1, 2004 12:17:13 AM
To : pm@pm.gc.ca
CC : chrislloyd5676@hotmail.com
Subject : Aristide supporters in Montreal decry 'international coup d'etat' in Haiti

| | | Inbox

Dear Paul,

Had a mellow, relaxing Sunday. Claudine and I slept in, even though we weren't out that late. There were too many lineups for many of the White Night events, though we did all have fun playing hacky sac at one of the galleries in the Belgo. Jen joined Mohanad and I and we met Claudine at the MACM, then wandered around a bit. Mohanad and Jen bailed early, while Claudine and I walked to the old port in search of a lightshow that we never found. We missed the midnight screening of Goodbye Lenin at ExCentris, and after that our enthusiasm for the evening waned. We lucked out on catching shuttles and busses, though.

And lazy Sunday brunches are the best!

Mohanad came by for a coffee, then collected me for some cleanup at the Cartier job. He took me to see his sister's apartment near Berri-Uqam, which I am hoping to move into in April. It is a bit small, though it is hard to tell with someone else's furniture filling the place up. Definitely needs a paint job, some work on the bathroom walls and new reinforced doors. They have had some breakins in the past. There are nice wood floors, a good-sized kitchen, two bedrooms, and a community garden in the back yard.

Came back up to Sarah, Sarah and Melissa's place and washed more laundry, then went for a walk to that nice Italian grocery on St. Laurent. Had a nap, then made some supper, then watched a horrible movie that Sarah Fork and Melissa had rented, called Dead Pet. I find that movies that are written and directed and starring the same person are often quite bad. Way too much ego or something in the way.

I booked my VIA rail ticket; I am taking my mom's advice and taking the train to Saint John, and from there I will rent a van to drive to Halifax and then move my stuff back to Saint John. Makes sense. I'm looking forward to the drive, as well as the move.

Am going to go read for a bit before heading to bed. The Academy Awards are on but I am going to avoid them; any time I have watched them in the past I have been mad with myself for the wasting my time on them.

-chris

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