28th (Friday) [Meltdown]
'The Sun Also Rises' at Empire Theatre. Spent an hour with
Heather, at Starbucks Seymour trying to figure out what it all
meant. Clear, with a chilly wind
29th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
...Myle was charming, which I needed badly. Put some of her
oatmeal on the edge of a plastic knife for me to try
'Fengming : A Chinese Memoir' at Granville 7. Tea at Starbucks
with Heather, trying to understand why it was filmed the way
it was. Cold, heavy rain
30th (Sunday)
Heavy rain, here & in Abbotsford
October
1st (Monday) [Meltdown]
...Described the drawing to Darcy at London Drugs. Told me she
liked the title, Meltdown
2nd (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
'Imagine Nation' this morning in a very cold Cinematheque, the
cheeseburgers, fries at Mcd's Burrard. Wet, cold weather
continues
3rd (Wednesday) [Meltdown]
More cold & damp
4th (Thursday) [Meltdown]
'Island Etude', Granville at noon. Warm tea with Heather,
outside at Blenz as a heavy bone chilling rain fell. Myle
was charming this afternoon, telling me all the details of her
diet. She's off for five days. Telling Ady about last
Saturday, that it felt like getting a samurai sword through
the heart
5th (Friday) [Meltdown]
Sunny, with a cool wind. Ride through Stanley Park...
6th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
7th (Sunday) [Meltdown]
This evening, the beginnings of an erotic opera, playing out
inside the mind
8th (Monday) [Meltdown]
'Bing Ai' this morning at Empire Theatre. Sitting on a park
bench, at Main St. Talking various things with Heather,
including the mystery of Shari. Mt Baker shimmering white
in the gentle afternoon sun. Thanksgiving dinner in
Abbotsford
9th (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
'The Counterfeiters' this afternoon at Empire. A woman
named Leonora telling us she'd seen 60 something movies,
sometimes five in a day. Warmer, but the rain continues
10th (Wednesday)
...sent Shari an email
11th (Thursday)
'The Band's Visit' this afternoon, at Empire. Starbucks,
Richards & Robson. Talking to Heather, but couldn't keep
my eyes off a slightly plump woman, with an unusual
combination of a rather gentle face, tatooed arms, & long
fingernails. Myle very charming, again. Very much liked
the latest 'Message from Buddha'. Told her I knew 'See
you later' in Mandarin. 'EVERYONE knows that!' she laughed
'Not really!' Glimpse of Minori, as I left the Temple
12th (Friday) [Meltdown]
A package of Chinese cakes from Myle this morning. Lovely
warm, sunny autumn afternoon. Hong Kong girl writing out
'octupus' in Chinese
13th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
Another perfect autumn afternoon. Leaves on the big trees on
Haro, & Bidwell, glowing in reds, yellows, & greens in the
sunshine
14th (Sunday) [Meltdown]
Taeko as frigid as the polar ice cap, barely looking up from
a little rose arrangement she was putting together. Otherwise
a nice fall day, especially in the morning
15th (Monday) [Meltdown]
Myle charming this morning. Asked if I could bring her 10
McNuggets, which was about 2 months ahead of schedule. Told
me she'd been out with her mother & aunt, eating clams &
ducks tongue. And how when she was a child she fed her aunts
large goldfish a round ball of glue. The goldfish died she
said, & the aunt was devastated. Talking to Heather on the
phone, football & baseball talk, & some movie review
16th (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
Return of the rains, but the colors are lovely
17th (Wednesday) [Meltdown]
Some heavy rains, email from Susan asking about 'Minori et
al', & short talk with Ady at 7 Eleven, who's visiting
Victoria tomorrow. Talking to Vesna, in the elevator
18th (Thursday) [Meltdown]
'In the Shadow of the Moon' at Tinseltown this afternoon
Heather describing her son & girlfriend's middle of the
night preparations for departure to Chicago/Notre Dame, at
Starbucks, cold & pouring rain
19th (Friday) [Meltdown]
Cold & rain
20th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
In the West End streets, the curbs thick with soggy autumn
leaves. Talking to Ady on the phone, back from Victoria
21st (Sunday) [Meltdown]
American League C. this evening, won by Boston at Fenway
Long email from Susan, telling me about what type of
woman would be right for me, which is always wrong. Heavy
rains all day, & night
22nd (Monday) [Meltdown]
Nice news from Heather tonight, who was calling from a
pay phone at The Bay. Some slipper puppet interaction
between Myle & I
23rd (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
...Lovely, warm sunny day & very mild this evening
24th (Wednesday)
Met Laura coming into the library this morning, the first
day they were open since July
25th (Thursday) [Meltdown]
Myle looking forward to her trip to Saigon. Told me she
buys nothing but CD's & pyjamas. Lovely, cool autumn
afternoon. Leaves in the West End streets, bright yellows
& oranges in the sunshine. Nice win for Red Sox this
evening, talked to Heather after the game
26th (Friday) [Meltdown]
Last ride this autumn through Stanley Park, on a lovely
afternoon, the air chilly & invigorating
27th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
Melinda telling me this morning that she & her husband
had separated. Left a customer waiting, to tell me this,
which she'd never done before. One more win for Red Sox
28th (Sunday)
Final out, strike three! on the car radio in Aldergrove
Nice win
29th (Monday) [Meltdown]
Talking with Vesna in the lobby, who is visiting Palm
Springs in December. Heather & I both agree the World
Series was nice entertainment
30th (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
Little contest at Sears between the counters, who could
do the best job dressing up a little pumpkin. Myle was
determined to win. Was obliged to vote #4, which was
dressed in a purple sweater
31st (Wednesday) [Meltdown]
'Bound for Glory' this evening
November
1st (Thursday) [Meltdown]
'Spiders Web' at Metro Theatre tonight, with Heather. A
December sort of chill in the air this evening. Banter
with Ady this afternoon, promised her good news for Monday
2nd (Friday) [Meltdown]
Brought Myle some McNuggets, & 3 barbecue sauces. Korean girl
at Kin's, pleased that I remembered she was from Pusan. Asked
me where I got my 'flower'; so I gave her my poppy, which she
pinned onto her apron. Nice little remembrance of Canadians who
died in the Korean War
3rd (Saturday) [Meltdown]
4th (Sunday) [Meltdown]
Talking to Heather about the Notre Dame disaster, then watched
season premiere of 'The Amazing Race'
5th (Monday) [Meltdown]
Lovely fall day, the leaves fiery orange, & reds, in the late
afternoon sun. At the Market, reading the Patti Boyd bio,
looking up through the glass roof at dragon clouds tinted pink,
thinking about Minori, who was prominent in my thoughts again
this evening, another chapter in the opera
6th (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
Girl from Pusan was still wearing the poppy. 'You give me.' Her
name is Baeta. Mentioned that I was an artist, & she said
something about wanting to take a course in art. I think her
English is limited. Told her next time I saw her, I'd show her
some of the portraits
7th (Wednesday) [Meltdown]
This morning helping Ady write out a police report, on a long
piece of paper she pulled from the cash register. Her co-worker
was hit on the leg with a sandwich board, by a frustrated thief
Downtown at dusk, a trace of rain falling, the city glowing
through a light mist. November at its best
8th (Thursday) [Meltdown]
Heard scratching noise outside the window this evening. Assumed
it was a pigeon. Pulled aside the blinds to see an OWL resting on
its stomach on the ledge. Stayed there a minute or so, & then
finally noticed me, let out a loud screech, & flew into the tree
I remembered that Minori loved owls, & I thought of her the rest
of the night, & wondered what sort of omen was this
9th (Friday) [Meltdown]
Myle charming this morning. No more McNuggets, she told me. And
that she was tired of her job, & thought she might like to work
at the Post Office. Liked the owl story. Heather liked the owl
story too, thought it was a fascinating, positive event. Quickly
showed Baeta a few portraits & things. Gave me two thumbs up, &
still has the poppy. Wants to take a course in metalwork, 'Silver
& Gold'
10th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
Told Ady about the owl, & the Minori connection. Doesn't know
what an owl is, but thinks it must be a good omen. Asked Myle if
she had her mojo back. Not yet. Enjoyable banter with Hong Kong
woman. Learned to say 'You look beautiful,' in Mandarin
11th (Remembrance Day) [Meltdown]
Overcast, dark, occasional light rain. Myle, still no mojo. At
Georgia & Hamilton, heard my name called out. It was Linda G
coming back from Victory Square. To think I knew her nearly 35
years ago!
12th (Monday) [Meltdown]
Classic Nov day. Rain, gusty wind, clouds racing, streets &
sidewalks thick with layers of soggy rotting leaves. Double
cheeseburgers with Heather at DQ, & some enjoyable shopping
at Value Village, Cdn Tire, & Clark Dr. Discussing the Patti Boyd
bio at Starbucks, Powell, outside in the cool Nov air. Melinda
describing the guy she's moving in with, someone named Frank,
who is, of course, everything her husband wasn't. Is looking
forward to seeing the new drawing. Likes the title, 'Meltdown'
Myle was charming, a combination of sweetness, & a little
apprehension about tomorrow's sale
13th (Tuesday) [Meltdown]
Lovely twilight downtown, tones of dark blues & silver
14th (Wednesday) [Meltdown]
...text message to Myle, Amber pushing the buttons
15th (Thursday) [Meltdown]
Dark, rainy, it seemed bleak & irritating all day. Going up the
escalator, Myle happy & excited, was trying to phone me, she
said. Won the draw for a gift basket, and she remembered the
shoes!
16th (Friday) [Meltdown]
Waved 'Hi' to Saisai... said 'Hello' to Baeta
17th (Saturday) [Meltdown]
Reached the bottom of the drawing this afternoon, the end of a
three month emotional odyssey
18th (Sunday) [Meltdown]
Wrapped up the loose ends this afternoon & evening, the drawing
is basically finished
19th (Monday)
Brought Myle some Campbell's Soup from London Drugs. Saying
'Hi!' to a rather cute Japanese girl who works at Sinclair. She has
the most delicate way of folding her apron
20th (Tuesday)
Lunch with Heather at the UBC Cafeteria. Clear, with an almost
winter chill
