Saying goodbye to a friend is often a very difficult thing to do. And when you were not even consulted with, in the making of that decision to leave, it is even harder. But, when the Goddess herself calls you home, there's not a damn thing we can do about it or words to say to undo it. Its just done without anyone's permission.
Before we headed off to the Lake this past Sat. to paint, our heroin got the call she's been dreading to get. Her dear friend Clair was called home! She will be missed by her best friend and everyone that knew this remarkable woman. I never got the opportunity to meet this person of interest. She lived, to me, through the stories that Vanessa recounted.
Clair, if you're watching, Vanessa misses you! My love goes out to you, your family, and Vanessa. You will be missed, steady friend. Safe journey home girl. Save me a spot.
Love and Peaceful Journeys,
Sir Bear
Monday, June 22, 2009
Chicago's Break Out
After god-awful months of nothing but frozen temps, windchill, sleet, snow, blizzard, frost-bite, below 0, watching the heat escape from your back door, when you open it just to take peek. The fog billowing out of that door actually takes shape. It's amazing to watch, but absolutely horrible to experience.
If you've been following our story, wonderful Jasmine's phrase. coined here, about the "break out" in Chicago, where those of us that live here, come out of our caves and experience the world in which we live in. Spring/Summer is here. The experience is always marked by a party. Well, this weekend, it happen. Took fricking forever to get here, but this past weekend, Chicago Broke Out!!!
The "queen" of our circle, Vanessa, has been talking about this day since it was over last year. And, I'm so sure that when I see her later today, we'll be making plans for next year. But, the days couldn't get here soon enough. And finally, this past Saturday, "Artist of the Wall" came.
I have never witnessed Lady V, EVER, getting up before noon on a weekend. We were up and going at 8 in the morning and 3rd in line down at the beach to get registered, our name badges, ("We don't need no stinking badges"), and our paint.
The "gang" started arriving over time. I had my own square, #68, to paint as I saw fit, and V and her "helpers" painted her square, joining our 2 together. She was bound and determined to paint the "rainbow flag" to coincide with what I was painting. Mine was a tribute to California's PROP 8.
You know, I've never been ashamed of who and or what I am. All my friends know that I'm a gay, leatherman with HIV. No big deal. I don't throw who I am in your face. I am no longer a member of ACT UP. LOL This was the 1st time I told everyone, that passed in behind me, as I painted, 'Hey, look at me, I'm a big homo!' And, in big blue and white letters, I told all of Rogers Park, 'I'm GAY!!!' And, was never ashamed of it. I only had 1 bad reaction to it. Her nose crinkled up so bad, it was like she had smelled something foul. Probably her upper lip, but that was the only bad press. Others laughed at the saying I wrote. Other gays that walked past our squares, I saw their backs straighten with pride.
Enough politics. It was a weekend that I soon won't forget. The beating of the drums on Saturday afternoon. Beating so loud, it altered how your own heart beat. The music that arouse a couple of squares down was definitely gay dance music put on by another artist that was drawing "Stewie" from Family Guy. It was a plethora all different kinds of people down at the Lake. We're not just talking gay and str8. This went deeper than just sexual orientation. It was culture upon culture meeting together for a big party. Again, there are over 95 different languages spoken in Rogers Park daily. Over 95 different cultures are thrown into Chicago's best kept secret which is Rogers Park.
Thanks to our wonderful leader Vanessa, we had a wonderful, pretty much drama free, fantastic, fabulous, outstanding, eye opening, eye popping, sun baked, awe inspiring, groove thang shaking, muther humping, hell of a good time this past weekend. May I propose a toast to the hostess with the mostest, our LADY V. Lift your glasses and your doobies high. CHEERS GIRL! We had a blast, and it was had because of your love for fun and family that made it all possible. Again, thank you Nessa, you are the one!!!
Just because this past weekend is over, doesn't mean the party is, too. This coming weekend is, PRIDE WEEKEND!!! Rinse out your rainbow hankies and let's boogy to the beat of a different drummer on N. Halsted. Stay tuned...
Peace!
Sir Bear Abbott
If you've been following our story, wonderful Jasmine's phrase. coined here, about the "break out" in Chicago, where those of us that live here, come out of our caves and experience the world in which we live in. Spring/Summer is here. The experience is always marked by a party. Well, this weekend, it happen. Took fricking forever to get here, but this past weekend, Chicago Broke Out!!!
The "queen" of our circle, Vanessa, has been talking about this day since it was over last year. And, I'm so sure that when I see her later today, we'll be making plans for next year. But, the days couldn't get here soon enough. And finally, this past Saturday, "Artist of the Wall" came.
I have never witnessed Lady V, EVER, getting up before noon on a weekend. We were up and going at 8 in the morning and 3rd in line down at the beach to get registered, our name badges, ("We don't need no stinking badges"), and our paint.
The "gang" started arriving over time. I had my own square, #68, to paint as I saw fit, and V and her "helpers" painted her square, joining our 2 together. She was bound and determined to paint the "rainbow flag" to coincide with what I was painting. Mine was a tribute to California's PROP 8.
You know, I've never been ashamed of who and or what I am. All my friends know that I'm a gay, leatherman with HIV. No big deal. I don't throw who I am in your face. I am no longer a member of ACT UP. LOL This was the 1st time I told everyone, that passed in behind me, as I painted, 'Hey, look at me, I'm a big homo!' And, in big blue and white letters, I told all of Rogers Park, 'I'm GAY!!!' And, was never ashamed of it. I only had 1 bad reaction to it. Her nose crinkled up so bad, it was like she had smelled something foul. Probably her upper lip, but that was the only bad press. Others laughed at the saying I wrote. Other gays that walked past our squares, I saw their backs straighten with pride.
Enough politics. It was a weekend that I soon won't forget. The beating of the drums on Saturday afternoon. Beating so loud, it altered how your own heart beat. The music that arouse a couple of squares down was definitely gay dance music put on by another artist that was drawing "Stewie" from Family Guy. It was a plethora all different kinds of people down at the Lake. We're not just talking gay and str8. This went deeper than just sexual orientation. It was culture upon culture meeting together for a big party. Again, there are over 95 different languages spoken in Rogers Park daily. Over 95 different cultures are thrown into Chicago's best kept secret which is Rogers Park.
Thanks to our wonderful leader Vanessa, we had a wonderful, pretty much drama free, fantastic, fabulous, outstanding, eye opening, eye popping, sun baked, awe inspiring, groove thang shaking, muther humping, hell of a good time this past weekend. May I propose a toast to the hostess with the mostest, our LADY V. Lift your glasses and your doobies high. CHEERS GIRL! We had a blast, and it was had because of your love for fun and family that made it all possible. Again, thank you Nessa, you are the one!!!
Just because this past weekend is over, doesn't mean the party is, too. This coming weekend is, PRIDE WEEKEND!!! Rinse out your rainbow hankies and let's boogy to the beat of a different drummer on N. Halsted. Stay tuned...
Peace!
Sir Bear Abbott
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