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Robert Chaplin On Girlie Post-Modern Martinis

Each week, Scout poses 60 questions to a local who has made life in BC that much more interesting. They pick and choose. The minimum response is 20 answers. A Rorschach test, for sure…

Robert Chaplin is a Vancouver artist celebrated for his drawings, sculptures, jewellery, and illustrations. His books include Ten Counting Cat and The Elephant Book, and most recently a delightful collaboration with Parkside owner/chef, Andrey Durbach entitled Delicious Chicken Soup.

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Under what circumstances would you join the army: as Governor General.

Default drink: I cant decide, A Babine Cocktail or a dirty martini…better make it filthy.

Drink you’ll never have again: Any of those sweet, girlie, post modern martinis…you know the ones I mean.

Sexiest fashion item for the opposite sex: Anything made out of that stretchy mesh fabric, that stuff is a miracle of chemistry, and the person who invented it ought to win the Nobel Peace prize.

Favourite Vancouver bridge: Granville – the view facing west while walking during the magic light before sunset.

Best Vancouver patio: There are no good outdoor patios in this town it rains too much for that.

One thing you’d like to change about Vancouver: Build some covered outdoor patios.

One Vancouver gallery that you frequent: Lattimer Gallery – that place is excellent.

Cheap place for dinner: The Templeton diner on Granville is an awesome place to get a burger and chill with friends.

Best sneaker in the world: Converse All Stars are the best sneaker in the world, but the coolest shoes on the planet are designed right here in Vancouver by John Fluevog.

What are you proud of: I’m proud of the things I make and the people who enable me to do that.

Food your mom makes better than anyone: Salmon loaf.

Sport you gave up: Hockey, (after fifteen minutes of beginners hockey).

Local person you admire most: Writer, Joanne Will.

The dish you’re proud of: Delicious Chicken Soup.

Luckiest moment of your life: December 22, 1968. the day when Malcolm Douglas Chaplin was born

Favourite book as a child: (and very likely as an adult) ‘Rootabaga Stories‘ by Carl Sandburg.

Saddest thing about Vancouver: It’s inability to celebrate that which is excellent in Vancouver.

Ice cream flavour: Durian…no, wait, chocolate chilli…mmm…better make that white chocolate cranberry or, better yet, a trip to La Casa on Venables. They got what you need in the ice cream department and it’s all good.

Best fine dining restaurant in the city: Parkside. The executive chef Andrey Durbach is a genius!

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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