I Can't Quit You, Quatchi!

It's been six weeks since I put the kibosh on Quatchi Watch, but seeing as how today is the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Vancouver Olympics, it's as good a time as any to share a few Quatchi updates.

The best thing? The amazing batch of stuff sent to us all the way from Korea by Sophia at Quatchifan2010, seen in the photo at the top... Custom backpacks, messenger bags, notebooks, drawings, laminated photos, paper craft figures, and some other non-Quatchi-related treats too -- there's more here. Thanks again, Sophia!

Speaking of Quatchifan2010, good to see that Sophia's blog is still going strong. I particularly dig this picture of her Quatchis in Canucks gear...

Also going strong is the mighty Quatch Watch, where Sammers shares Q's adventures in the kitchen and on the road. Like, here's Q representing in his hometown sweater while visiting London's British Museum...

While theirs is not dedicated solely to Quatchi, Shanny & D's blog does feature frequent Quatchi appearances, like his visit to Oregon. Here he is at Portland's Voodoo Doughnuts...

On the more artistic, socially conscious tip, Vancouver's Albert Art has begun The Homeless Quatchi Project, which also has its own Facebook page and flickr set. Albert writes...

Since the Olympics games, Quatchi has ended up on the street, unemployed, and depressed, he became an alcoholic and started experimenting with hard drugs such as crystal meth, and crack cocaine. He had to resort to theft, and panhandling to feed his addiction... Quatchi, a sasquatch from the forests up north came to Vancouver seeking opportunity to provide for his family back home, unfortunately with no more opportunities post-Winter games, he has no where to go and can't seem to get the help he needs to better his situation.

Likewise, on The Blackbird's flickr set, Quatchi was homeless before the Olympics, and Blobfarm depicted a homeless Quatchi during the Olympics. Poor Quatchi.

Over at the Urban Shaman gallery in Winnipeg, photographer Keesic Douglas has a show called Trade Me, which runs through March 19. One of the pictures is this Aboriginal woman with an iconic HBC blanket, appearing to nurse Quatchi...

While the official Vancouver2010 site was shut down shortly after New Year's, all its mascotty stuff is now over here. Which is cool, but I don't know why it's there or how long it'll last. Myself, I imagine I'll do periodic updates here (they'll have a Quatchi tag). Back at Quatchi Watch, I still occasionally update old posts with new bits (they'll have an Update tag like on the Quatchi/cat post that I just added a couple photos to). Lastly, I've been working on a short Quatchi video, so stay tuned for that.

UPDATE

Here's a radio skit by a Vancouver DJ, which aired around the one-year anniversary of the Olympics. It's Quatchi and Mukmuk meeting face-to-face for the first time since the games, discussing a possible mascot reunion. For the audio-impaired, I've transcribed it below...

Woman (Mukmuk's owner?): Alright Mukmuk, someone’s here to see you!

Mukmuk (with typical squeaky voice): Yaaay! … [gasps]

Quatchi (with atypical Brooklyn accent): Heh-heh-heeey, Mukmuk! Give it up!

Mukmuk: Quatchi? What happened to you? You look terrible!

Quatchi: Ah-hah, you always were the funny one, Mukmuk, huh. But uh, but yeah, seriously, I did gain about 160 pounds. Uh, haven’t exactly taken care of myself, but, uh, that’s what happens when you’re a big star one moment, everyone loves ya, and next thing you know, you are 80% off in the discount bin. [inhaling noise]

Mukmuk: Quatchi, you can’t smoke in here!

Quatchi: Aw, c’mon Mukmuk, we’re Olympic mascots – we’re untouchable!

Woman: Quatchi, this is your last warning!

Quatchi: Okay, okay, okay.

Mukmuk: So, how are you doing these days?

Quatchi: Well, you know, I moved to Hollywood, and uh, I found a pretty cool gig on the Boulevard, I take pictures with people for tips. Sure, most people think I’m Chewbacca, but uh, hey, you know, whatever puts the food on the table, right? Hey, by the way, have you heard from Miga recently? He ain’t returning any of my texts.

Mukmuk: Yeah, Miga’s turned into a bit of a [bleep].

Quatchi: Yeah, I just don’t know if this reunion’s a good idea. I mean, it’s just not going to be the same without Sumi, may he rest in peace.

Mukmuk: Damn poachers.

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