Tribute - Ode to Club Abstract

(~*~)
Hello,
I will try to keep this short for those with a short attention span...

    I grew up in Calgary, Alberta and remember what the nightlife was like back then, and I got to re-visit some clubs when I lived out there again back in 2006/ 2007. I recall many across Ontario in various bigger and smaller cities/ towns, and have fond memories of a few in Toronto. 
 Club Abstract (Kitchener) is a favourite nightclub of many, and my personal favourite - compared to many across Canada!Yes I have purposely compared for many aspects of within the bar, and it's possible extension(s) outside. 
These included the following criteria:
~ friendliness of the clientele, staff, and owner(s).
~ the general atmosphere.
~ what music style(s) are played, and if the songs get cut off.
~ how much dance floor space.
~ how many rooms/ spaces within that people can gather.
~ recreation other than just dancing.
~ how many bars to get a drink at.
~ if there is a smoking area.
~ parking space, and the distance to/ from the club.
~ and of course how easy is it to access the location - Example: Kensington Market (T.O.) - not so easy to get to for parking, or if you have never been there before.
The results:
MANY do not even come close to what Club Abstract here in Kitchener has to offer! A disappointment for sure, especially counting London, and Toronto, Ontario. 

   I have been attending Club Abstract for 22 years now, and I am heartbroken (like many) that it has to come to an end. It has been such an amazing place to call my "home bar", for so long. It has always been a "comfort zone" for me, where I can truly be myself, express my creative O.A.D. (overall appearance designing) ideas freely, where I can "dance like no one is watching" (although I have always been aware that others watch me), and gain friends that truly understand me - at least to some degree.
   The people and staff have been amazing throughout it all for so many - "like a family" that's always been there when you need them (whether they have known it or not). Always willing to look out for us, and even stand up for our rights - sometimes when we didn't even know it. A perfect example of this was shown in an article from our local newspaper - The Record.
Quoting it:
" Ibrahim recalled an incident a few years where a regular customer, a man wearing a dress, was dancing in the club. A group of men started to harass him.

So Ibrahim went up to them to see what was going on.

"What seems to be the problem?" Ibrahim asked them.

"They said 'I can't believe this guy is wearing a dress,'" Ibrahim said. He was stunned at their attitudes and asked them to leave.

"If you are so narrow minded that you can't accept people for who they are then this is not the club for you," he said."
For these and so many more reasons... I have always had a respect for the bar, the staff, and of course the owner (Ibrahim mentioned here).

   Many have expressed their feelings on Facebook, now it's my turn to do it here! For all that has been given to us "regulars", the non-regulars, and our community through this club I am eternally grateful and I will always cherish the memories! With the club only being leased and not sold, there is still hope for the future.  

   Tears are flooding many, the love felt is overflowing, and can be overwhelming. Carrying me into other worlds of thoughts and wishes for our beloved club (with the music we want), to come back some day! We can dream about it all we want, but we must accept the facts at the same time. Sadness looms, but so do new beginnings. I thank you all for so much for so many kindnesses and matters of acceptance. That it's impossible to express how much love I have for this place and the people here, and how truly grateful I am. 

   To Michael and Michelle, 

I hope you never change from the beautiful positive and awesome people you have always been to us! I know you will spread love wherever you go and through whatever you do. May your paths always be visible, positive, possible, enable creating dreams, and give you wonderful choices! I wish you all the best that life has to offer in your retirement! 

You have gained my friendship forever - life & death! (^&~)

(~*~)

Until next round...

Take care & Safe travels!
Chris E. S. (*@^@*)
.

Theory - My Inaugural Address

(~*~)
Hello,
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
  Each time we gather, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our roots as individuals, families, friends, neighbours, and a strong community. We recall what binds us together. It's our participation efforts, giving natures, acceptance of others, and abilities to grow many kinds of friendships that not only aid us but provides us what's needed - love & acceptance.
PLEDGING
  To pledge to an idea, is to agree to that idea. To follow through, is to be held accountable for not only our own words, but our own actions also. To pledge allegiance with those that are different than ourselves (articulated in oration, written word, or otherwise), is to be open to many other aspects in Life. It does not matter what size, shape, skin colour, religious belief, or nationality we have. These should not be thought of negatively, as it is this diversity that can aid both "inside the box" & "out of the box" thinking for Life improvements. 
   This way we continue to learn, grow, and move forward together. With diversity, "outside the box" (as well as "inside") thinking, clear perspectives, openness, and positive decisions/ actions; with our youth we can change the planet for the better. It is, and always has been, one of our greatest strengths - NOT a weakness. And to me, it shall remain. 
DETERMINING THE FUTURE
  To determine our future as a species, we must know and keep notes of the ever-changing lists of  "what we CAN do", and from that "what we should NOT do". This is only the beginning. Individually and together we determine our outcomes, and we can plan our futures with our youth! Celebrating love, acceptance, positive initiatives, entrepreneurship, participation with others, community building, and continual hard work enables and grows confidence, capability, and responsibility as constants in our characters. 
HISTORY SHOWS
  History shows that these truths are vital to our society/ species, and must be secured as they are not self-executing without our efforts.  When times change, we must also. This is understood, as part of Life. Just as new challenges greet us, we must rise to the occasion with new ideas from any/ all of us. 
   Keeping loyal to positive and fair principles & practices without any kind of pre-judgements has proven best; to meet today's demands, preserve freedoms, and grow stronger as a collective - the citizens of Earth. For no single individual can learn/ do everything, and certainly not completely alone. It requires the knowledge/ experiences of others. 
TOGETHER
   Together we possess everything we need to progress in positive ways as a species - a world without boundaries/ limitless like our imaginations intended it. It's up to us to decide where we go. How we get there is crucial. When war comes into "the game" of life, we ALL suffer as we are fighting and weakening our own species. Many have been started for secret reasons of greed over resources, power, money, or all three. Many have not needed to happen at all.
  We understand that we cannot succeed as a species when few do very well, and many barely make it. Prosperity in money must come to rest upon the middle class, and the striving poor; not only for the rich. Prosperity comes in many forms, as it should - not just money. When everyone can find independence and pride in their work; we learn, grow stronger, and progress as individuals, as community members, and as a species. To do so we must build roads/ networks, participate with each other, and offer workshops through our businesses. 
   Now more than ever, we need to come together to accomplish much! To reform our educational systems/ programs, our ways of dealing with each other, and to empower ourselves and those in need when needed. These are a few examples of basic dignity, security, and behavioral needs. Too much has gone to waste, too much poverty, illiteracy, and misconduct. We should be able to care for the generations that built our community, ourselves, and our youth as this will aid us to build the future. 
   Freedom & happiness are NOT just for the lucky or wealthy, they are for ALL to enjoy! The commitments we make to ourselves & others help us, enable us, strengthen us, & matter! For they free us to enable many positive growth aspects. 
BRINGING MEANING
   Today we continue to bridge meaning to these words, with the realities of our times spent/ together. We are entrusting each of us to pass this knowledge on to the younger generations, if we are to survive in the future they must come to understand us also. So far, so good...  Our children will be running the world soon enough. Their knowledge, perception of such knowledge, and action plans are vital to the future of us as a species as well as our planet. Let's teach them well!
GLOBAL COMMUNITY THINKING
  We must become the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe, expand our thinking of what is considered as a "crisis" globally, and work towards eliminating such opportunities for "crisis" to become active anywhere. To be courageous and try to resolve differences, think clearly when confusion is upon us, face our fears, and engage with positive activities in matters of importance. Tolerance, opportunity, dignity, justice, these are just a few topics to discuss/ think about. Our journey is not complete until everyone is treated equally, no matter what size, shape, sex, age, nationality, or religious belief. Every land is a "land of opportunity". We don't need to "go on vacation" or "start anew" somewhere else, we just need to do it/ change what we do where we are.
STAYING TRUE
  To be true to these words/ truths and progress, we must not delay with clear informative decisions and actions. For these efforts are what form our tomorrow, and the tomorrow of generations to come! The time to prepare ourselves and our children MUST be seized NOW! For if we "slack off" we will not only lack things in the future that are necessities, but we will possibly lose life progressions as well.
  We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Let's not forget these rights within Liberty - to have the freedoms to think independently, to create, to have time for each other, and to improve our surroundings - and ultimately our world.
  We have that power, so let's embrace it with common effort, purpose, passion, dedication, and courage to answer this call of need. For the future, and our children's children's children's future. May we walk forward in positive thoughts, intentions, and activities.
(0122131025AMishC.E.S.)
(~*~)
Until next time...
MUCH LOVE!
Chris S./ C.E.S. (*@^@*) 
.

Poetry - Walking the Block

[0411121221AMishC.E.S.]

I get use to the distance,
in spike of muscular resistance.
I get use to the hill,
and the adrenaline thrill.
I maintain a steady pace,
while in my own little race.

Within my rhythm & rhyme,
there's never enough time.

Walking the block, walking the block
What's in my "hoody"?,
Much I view as a "goody".
Walking the block, walking the block

I see the flowers start to bloom,
knowing summer is coming soon.
I see all the pretty colours,
and arrangements by my neighbours.
Curving pathways & stairs to climb,
Landscaping sure is looking fine!

Walking the block, walking the block
What's in my "hoody"?,
Much I view as a "goody".
Walking the block, walking the block

Neighbourly "Hello"s now passing by,
conversations sure cause time to fly.
Sharing, laughing, learning, knowing,
keeps us guessing, keeps us growing.
Common interests & activities bind us,
as friendships grow - without a fuss.

Growing friendships, growing community,
growing closer, growing safety, growing love.

Walking the block, walking the block
What's in my "hoody"?,
Much I view as a "goody".
Walking the block, walking the block

Finding many artists living here,
feeling at home among them - that is clear.
Inspirations that surround me,
stir ideas all the time.
Taking pictures to remind me,
project ideas waiting in line.

Walking the block, walking the block
What's in my "hoody"?,
Much I view as a "goody".
Walking the block, walking the block

Opportunities with potential & meaning,
Now dreams-to-reality scale is leaning.
Making hearts happy & people grinning,
We are the ones that are winning.
Friends & families in this place,
sharing themselves with a loving face.

No better place to arrive,
Not just to survive.

Creating a better place to be alive.

 Walking the block, walking the block
What's in my "hoody"?,
Much I view as a "goody".
Walking the block, walking the block

         ~Fini~