Just before I started school mom took me to Montreal for surgery. I rembember it fondly, I actually had a good time in the Royal Victoria Hospital. I shared a room with a very old and blind retired sea captain who enjoyed my company and told wonderfull stories. One of the orderlies took me to the research lab where there were lots of cages full of rats and my favourite, the rabbits. After that when the captain was napping and I got bored I would go to the lab by myself. Eventually the lab too would become a bore and I would slip out to the back lawn for some air. Often the nurses would come down looking for me to give me medication or whatever and they would gently scold me on the way back to the room. The next day I would do the same thing. It was fun and who doesn't hate that hospital smell and want fresh air. Come to think of it that lab did not smell very nice either.

My eye surgery was successful and the day I got out of the hospital mom wanted to celebrate by taking me to a movie. She had been scrimping and saving to afford this treat and was crushed when we were not allowed into the cinema; in those days children were not allowed in cinemas in Quebec because some had been trampled to death in a fire. We went to a restaurant instead.

I think that's why I eventually became a video artist, because of that experience as a five year old. Certainly I especially enjoy showing my work in Montreal. It's like taking the work home.