Checking In with @waterkeepermark and Swim Drink Fish Ambassador Tim Thompson

Mark is Checking In with Swim Drink Fish Ambassadors about living with social distancing. Here, Tim Thompson answers Mark’s questions.

Tim Thompson is a filmmaker. He is best known for his thought-provoking music montages that opened Hockey Night In Canada and the Olympic Games on the CBC. The former professional hockey player and self-taught artist has also made an array of documentaries, music videos, and short films. Tim Thompson has made three pieces for Swim Drink Fish, bringing the sentiment of his work to help in the fight for clean water.

Watch: The Reason We Are Here, a film by Tim Thompson created for the 2019 Swim Drink Fish Gala.

MM: How are you doing?

TT: I’m doing well, thanks. Just trying to take each day as it comes, keep busy, stay in touch, educate myself about all this, and be safe. It just all feels so surreal!  

MM: Where are you living and what are your daily routines?

TT: I’ve been at my place in downtown Toronto, in the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood. I live alone, which has been tough at times. But I’ve always done a lot of my work from here, so that part is easy. A lot of what I do requires quiet spaces, so that’s working. Usually I get up early, drink lots of coffee, and catch up on emails and news. Then I work for a few hours, make some food, listen to music, read, do some more work, get some fresh air, and in the evening watch some movies or shows that I’m interested in. Rinse and repeat! 

I’ve kept busy, editing for CBC, and working on some side projects. I’m grateful for the work, as it has helped fill the days. I try to get out for a walk most days. I’ve found the vast network of laneways in my area - the sidelines of the city - to be great for getting out, without coming into contact with others. 

MM: What are you looking forward to most?

TT: I miss seeing my family and friends the most. A few birthdays and such have required virtual get-togethers, so it will be amazing to celebrate those in person again. I haven’t seen many people who I know in person since this started, so I look forward to that a lot.  And of course going back up to the cottage, to get back in the water of Lake Rosseau.

MM: Do you believe the Covid-19 crisis will leave lasting scars on our world? If so, how?

TT: I think the scars are deep, and will be felt for quite some time. For those who lost loved ones, and couldn’t be by their side. For those who lost jobs, and feel the economic weight. For those who may feel more distant in general from the virus.  

There are lots of questions and uncertainties too. Will large public gatherings for concerts and sporting events be the same? Will international travel return to what it was? My family had a beautiful trip to Costa Rica in late February, to celebrate my parents’ anniversary. It was incredible, and also feels like a lifetime ago. We got back just before this all hit. I wonder how long it will be before something like that can safely happen again?  

It does seem like the environment has benefited though, and we can only hope that government and big business will come together finally, to ensure its health. Everyone has been directly impacted by this pandemic. I hope that we can rally around the planet and humanity. This is our chance. And scars can be powerful reminders. They can help bring renewal, opportunity, and growth. We’re resilient, and have an innate ability to get back up on our feet and move forward. This whole thing has also made it crystal clear what’s really important in life, if it wasn’t before: to be with those close to your heart and savour every moment.

MM: If you were a marine animal, what would it be?

TT: A shortfin mako shark. They are speed demons and can do these incredible leaps out of the water. They seem like they’d have fun. And it would calm my fear of sharks in general.

Or, a mahi-mahi, also called the ‘dolphin fish’. It swims in the waters around Costa Rica. My mind has been down there a lot, since we left, so that might be cool, to swim those warm waters.

MM: Are you currently involved in any citizen science engagement in your community? Swim Guide? Gassy? Monitoring Hub? iNaturalist? Other?

TT: I'm not currently involved in any citizen science engagement in my community. I’d like to change that. I’ve certainly been reading and watching a lot to educate myself and keep on top of what is going on out there. And that always seeps into my work.

Read more from the Checking In with @waterkeepermark series:

Tanis Rideout
Jennifer Baichwal
Joseph Boyden
Dave Bidini
Denise Donlon
Wade Davis
Loren King
Madhu Nagaraja

Connect with us on Twitter, @LOWaterkeeper and @waterkeepermark.