journal entries
[during the Olympics]
13th (Saturday)
Myle telling me, with that lovely little grin on
her face, that she had almost reached 100 lbs &
couldn't understand what happened. Nice little
talk with Natalie at the top of the old Granville
staircase at the Bay, with a cup of coffee in her
hand. Watched '2001 A Space Odyessy' at 619.
Vesna irritated by the echo of the helicopters
in the courtyard
14th (Sunday) Year of the Tiger
Reanne describing how she ran beside Wayne Gretsky
carrying the torch along Georgia on Friday night
Thinking about it walking home. There might be an
idea for a drawing there. A sunny mild afternoon,
walking with Vesna downtown, Yaletown, Chinatown,
Carnegie Library, Gastown, & along Granville. Said
she was 'disturbed' by what she saw along
Hastings,near Colulmbia
15th (Monday)
The Main Floor at the Bay as crowded as I've ever
seen it. Natalie with an amusing imitation of her
husband, who was insisting that the Convention
Centre was on False Creek. Took a look at the
Olympic cauldron late this afternoon with Vesna
16th (Tuesday)
For my 'Chinese Birthday' Myle brought me a Chinese
dessert with a certain character on the container
that she said was supposed to bring good luck
Wished Mae Happy New Year & made eye contact with
her a couple of times later. Nice to see the
Vancouver girl win the gold medal at Cyprus. View
of the Olympic Flame from Georgia & Thurlow
17th (Wednesday)
Saw Minori for the first time in six months, on the
west side of Burrard. Myle's advice was to 'pretend
that it didn't happen.' Wonton soup with Natalie at
Joyeaux. Amusing attempt by Yajing, trying to
pronounce 'encyclopedoa'. She's going to Beijing
for six weeks in April. Sunny, cool...
18th (Thursday)
Sharing a doughnut with Natalie at the underground
Tim Horton's... Myle a little stressed, with a
migraine. Describing to Reanne an idea for a drawing,
depicting her following the Olympic Flame along
Georgia. An idea for three 'Olympic drawings'. Huge
crowds downtown on a sunny, mild afternoon. Nice to
see the girl from Canada win the gold medal in
Richmond
19th (Friday)
Myle's birthday. Looked at the DVD I bought her, &
in her sweetest little girl voice said, 'I wanted
The Biggest Loser... did you keep the receipt?'
Reanne describing how a drunk girl feel off the
escalator last night. African singers on the steps of
the Baptist Church on Burrard. Pounding rhythm of
drums, the movements & voices of the girls was
mesmerizing
20th (Saturday)
A little wave from Myle this morning, who was handing
out scratch cards near the escalators. Later in the
morning a little grin on her face, & her cheek
bulging with chocolate. Laughed out loud when I said
in a low voice, 'Another dumb ass customer?' 'You're
so funny!' Got through the surging crowds on Robson,
& talked to her again this afternoon. Maggie giving
her a hug & a gold envelope, both of them explaining
how the girls forgot her birthday yesterday. Cool,
pure, late winter sunlight shining through trees
filled with pink blossoms, everywhere
21st (Sunday)
Asked Myle if I could do a portrait of her when she
gets down to 92 lbs. 'Of course,' she replied. Viewed
the cauldron & the Olympic Rings from the seawall
near Brockton Point, this evening after 'The Amazing
Race,' with Vesna. Surreal type of scene, the laser
lights behind the skyline were impressive as well
22nd (Monday)
'Rich, can you get me some water?' asked Myle. When
I got back she seemed a little remote. Told me she
was disappointed she didn't hear from Natalie on her
birthday. Idea for the 'British Journalist' pastel
pretty well developed. Idea for a series of three
'Olympic' drawings
23rd (Tuesday)
Viewed the Cauldron again, early this morning with
Vesna. Coffe & tea a little later on Hastings. Eating
tacos with Natalie in the food fair. She texted Myle
after I told her her feeling were hurt that she
forgot Myle's birthday. 'I better do this now or
she'll be pouting.' Myle down to 97 something. I
reminded her at 92 I'm doing a portrait. Nice talk
with Reanne today. She's enthusiastic about my idea
of the drawing wiwth her running along Gretsky &
the flame
24th (Wednesday)
Dramatic hockey game this evening, Canada/Russia
downtown. Visited Brockton Point again this evening
to check out the Golden Rings
25th (Thursday)
Another look at the Oriental girl at Market Place
Is she a student, or employee, upstairs? Myle
called, driving her car in Richmond...
26th (Friday)
Nice talk with Reanne, about art & Olympics
Remarkable speed-skating this evening at the
Pacific Coliseum. Myle bought me a large bag of
'marijuana' tea. We both had a giggle about how
it looked like a neatly packaged bag of dope
27th (Saturday)
Some nice Olympic drama this afternoon & evening
Nice to see Canada place 1st in gold medals. Robson
Square & Yaletown this evening, where the fireworks
were impressive
GALLERY501