Cyclists

Hello mesdames et messieurs! Before you delve into the world that is my cycling experiences, I`d like to highlight the fact that this entry is just that: My personal experiences and opinions about cycling. I also stress the congregations of cyclists and will indulge you in information because I want YOU, reader, to become a cyclist of Windsor too. Think of all the benefits on your health, the environment and your general well-being!

This is more or less what my steed looks like.
(This isn't she - I found this photo online)

You have likely noticed by now that cycling has become a near-daily affair for me. Whether for the sake of commuting or relaxing, I am often rolling around town on my Nishiki. It is a racing bike which I enjoy very much, not only for its aesthetics but for the sake of its speed. If you aren't sold already, worry not! There exists a bike for everyone. Apart from 10-speeds and mountain bikes, there are cruisers. I owned an old CCM cruiser which I noted did not make my back sore and allowed for effortless cycling, though I could not always keep up with my friends. If you are not interested in the cycling scene for comfort or speed but for blatant buffoonery, a BMX bike would likely be more suited to you. These bikes

Myself posing oddly with my former CCM cruiser, alongside
my friend's Supercycle cruiser.

are identifiable by their tiny frames and wheels, almost resembling a children's bicycle. Now that you are aware of the three primary types of bicycles you'll notice in this city, let us discuss their owners.

BMX bike. The tilted seat allows for landing from tricks
without injuring yourself.

There is definitely a communal feeling that comes with owning a bicycle. When you pass by someone on the street who is also cycling, it is almost customary to check out their ride and nod in approval. I have been on many group cycling excursions down the Ginocchio Trail or around Malden Park. Last year, my friends embarked on a 3-hour bicycle ride to Colchester and slept on the beach. Since, there have been plans discussed to venture to the Pelee Island ferry dock and spend the day doing water-side activities. These communal events are not only organized by the youth, however: The Tweed Ride occurs in the Fall and in the Spring, during which you dress in Tweed and bike in a rather fashionable group around town. During the Summer, there are the Erie Street bike races, ranging from amateur to professional cyclists. Sometimes, when I'm cycling and someone passes me, I will pass them, look their way, and an unspoken race commences between strangers. In a similar way that dog owners connect immediately because of their pets, avid cyclists will definitely confront you enthusiastically if you make your pride known. My bike ego is slightly inflated because of the compliments I receive on my multicolored dream-bike. There are an ample amount of wholesome activities that present themselves to you due to the mere fact that you own a bicycle. Additionally, the Kijiji bicycle trade is a wonderful way to support your local citizens and recycle otherwise neglected bikes.

It is for the growing popularity of this method of transportation that stores such as Courtesy Bicycles found themselves faced with the rival that is City Cyclery. This bike shop has known nothing but success since it opened last year, and have already had to relocate to a larger shop on Lincoln and Wyandotte. They not only restore vintage bicycles, but also offer the service of bicycle maintenance or the option to buy a completely new bike as well as accessories. I believe that their self promotion is spreading cycling awareness throughout the city. The growing bicycle trade has not gone unnoticed by the Windsor City Council. On May 14th of 2001, the Bicycle Use Master Plan (BUMP) was approved in order to promote the use of two-wheel-transport in several different ways: To create a cycling network of bike-lanes, multi-use trails and signed bicycle routes (as well as relocating catch basins to avoid damaging bicycles); to promote cycling awareness through education, enforcement and encouragement; to improve the cycling-transit link, therefore increasing commuter and long-distance cycling trips, and to provide end-of-trip facilities, meeting the needs of countless cyclists. (1)

I remember being pulled over by a Windsor police officer for cycling (though no faster than the surrounding pedestrians) up the broad sidewalk of Ouelette avenue and being warned of the potential fine of $150. The fact that road laws apply to both parties does not seem to be known throughout the city, neither by novice cyclists nor by drivers. I often get honked at or yelled at for following the law and riding on the road, even though I generally signal my moves and remain within the suggested 1m proximity from the curb. Although BUMP seems to be taking a very long time, you can tell that cycling has augmented in the city, especially as of late. Hopefully I have enticed you, dear reader, to join the revolution.



(1) http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/recreation/cyclewindsor/pages/cycle-windsor.aspx

Musicians

Greetings!

I believe that one of Windsor's most cherished traits is its music scene. Despite our size, the frequency of our sound (such pun intended) is definitely comparable to that of larger cities. Scarcely does a week go by where you do not have the option to take your pals or to journey by your lonesome and enjoy live music. You do not even have the excuse that the genres Windsor provides are not to your taste, because I can guarantee there is some band from here that will have your fancy right tickled.

I am only so confident in saying this because of the extent of variety I have bore witness to in Windsor: Hard core, rock, math rock, folk, alternative, punk, jazz, a cappella, celtic, indie, classical, new age, r&b, techno, and just about any other that I have failed to mention.

Holden House

I was more or less introduced to the music scene when I started frequenting house shows. I discovered that people were renting this house, more or less isolated in the midst of an industrial area to avoid noise disturbance, for the sole purpose of having a place to let loose and enjoy hard core music. It is called Holden House and you don't need to pay one penny to get in. There are only pay-what-you-can donations collected for the travelling bands. When I first went, I found myself immersed in people unlike any others. Everyone there is exceptionally friendly. Even inside of the mosh pits, which I'll define as very aggressive dance circles, there is an amiable tone and if someone falls or gets injured, they don't go long without assistance. If not for the adrenaline of mind-numbing sound, it was the intoxicating feeling of being one with a group of people because we are all there for the very same reason that kept me coming back. Read more about Holden House here. New Song Church was also among one of my first venues, where I saw the same thing on a much larger scale as the shows take place inside of a huge Church because Pastor Kevin Rogers is as supportive as they come. Among these are bars such as Phog or The Dominion House or cafés such as Taloola's or Milk which host many musical evenings, most of which are free and range from Milk's Absynthe Jazz Improv Band to youngin's with hurting hearts and acoustic guitars.

The majority of these shows average to about three bands a night. This is not always the case, however. Just this November, there was something called the Syndicate Festival, which was a fifteen band soirée all organized by the locals themselves. You can hear all about it in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSHsmH_kBw (thumbnail not available)

Perhaps you'd rather hear about what you can do to make your transformation from spectator to performer. You can warm yourself up by volunteering at open mic nights at Phog on Mondays; Villains Beastro and Milk on Tuesdays; Green Bean Café and Maroon Brothers on Thursdays, and the Beer Exchange on Sundays. Many of the musicians I know believe in a do-it-yourself approach to booking and organizing shows. So if you believe that you have a sound that will appeal to many, you can simply go to a show and get in contact with the owner of the venue. If still you are too shy for confrontation, I have come across many busking bands that range from a solo flutist to a gang of six blue grass-esque individuals. As I have been stressing, you are bound to find a tune that makes you want to dance, cry and sing along!

I will finish the entry by mentioning that bands who come here from out of town often comment on how Windsor creates a wonderful experience for them. I vouch for them when I say that we tend to get moving at shows, encouragement which is sometimes lacking elsewhere. More likely than not, it is for this reason, for this passion that our melodies have yet to be stifled.

If you are interested, comment with a genre which you are curious about and, if applicable, I will respond with a respective band. Until then, cheerio!

Hippies

Hello and welcome back! Let us not lollygag and skip straight to the point.

It is not seldom that my classmates regard me as a hippie. Whether or not the intention, I do not find this in the least bit insulting: Those who are usually dubbed hippies are naturally among the kindest people I have ever encountered. When I use the term, I refer not to the traditional 1960's peace 'n' love hippy, although their essence remains. Rather, I am borrowing the word because I couldn't quite find a better title for this upcoming group of people.

In Windsor, as in many other places around the map, there is a "self-betterment" trend arousing. People are starting to become aware that the way they treat their bodies can either revitalize their minds or act as a nuisance. By observation alone, I've noticed that I know an astonishing number of people that are becoming vegetarians, not only for humanitarian reasons but to avoid the hormones and other harmful chemicals that can be found in meat as well. The cycling scene has augmented in popularity exponentially for the sake of the environment and for the sake of a leisurely way to exercise whilst commuting. Not only this, but people seem to be becoming much more aware of their exercise routines: I see constant joggers, roller-bladers, power-walkers, so on so forth. Even yoga class is becoming habitual for many. Despite all of these wonderful changes, the one which motivated my dubbing these people as hippies is the rising popularity of a Buddhist-Existential mesh sort of outlook on life.

I was introduced to the scene through attending Reiki sessions at my friend's fathers house. This is an ancient Chinese variation on meditation. The basis of Reiki is to heal through touch, therefore avoiding conventional medicine. There is said to be a flow of energy which enters and escapes through your palms. By touching your palms to different chakras on your subject's body, you help restore their energetic equilibrium, in plain terms. Crystals were also brought to my attention: Stones which have healing properties assigned to certain chakras. Don't worry, it confused me as a novice too. Some argue it is merely a placebo effect, but it was a wonderful experience while it lasted regardless.

There is another hippy-like quality that is very apparent in the city: Wanderlust. I have many a friend who yearns for adventure, ranging from country-wide hitch hiking excursions to immersing themselves in other continents and cultures entirely. Knowingly or unknowingly, the philosophy they are subscribing themselves to is called transcendentalism: The belief that one can better their relationship with themselves and the world through nature. Such living requires an aptitude for survival and minimalism, both which strengthen the mental state tremendously. Although these people tend to flee from city life, more often than not they express that Windsor has a place inside of their hearts because of the kindred spirits they have met here.

Through Reiki and not making myself a stranger at social events around the city, I was introduced to people who commit their lives to helping those around them, abstaining entirely from judgement. People who, through knowing themselves, have a better understanding of those surrounding them. Sure, Reiki may seem more like witch craft to you than a scientific substitute, but I guarantee that you will feel yourself changed for nothing but the best if you indulge in this lifestyle. For one, I have noticed that my creativity has rocketed. My social skills have also improved: I have acquired the maturity of giving everyone a chance. I feel myself more able to concentrate on any given task, from scholarly ones to hobbies. These people exist everywhere. Although they may not be in flamboyant garments and waving a peace sign everywhere they go, they are on the right track. Wouldn't you say so?

Café Dwellers

Salutations!

Upon reviewing my past entries, I see that I have unintentionally foreshadowed this one. Can you guess? Does Milk Coffee Bar sound familiar to you? This blog entry will pertain to observations I have made of very peculiar people who I have noticed are constantly making their presence at cafés around the city, typically remaining loyal to one or the other. Since I am most often at Milk, I will be using this one as my primary example.

Photo taken by my dear friend Summer Cazabon.

Perhaps a description of the place would be most appropriate to begin with. It is located not far from the intersection of Chatham and Ouelette. It has a large window located at the front of the room which makes up the majority of that wall. When the weather is agreeable, this window is wide open, allowing for the sun and fresh air to poke their noses through. As night falls, dim and colourful lights create a most ambient atmosphere when coupled with the candles lit on every table. It is equally pleasing to the eye that visual art adorns nearly every surface of the walls. There is a stage at the far end of the room on which musicians and comedians alike are welcome to perform. If such displays are not for you, board games are available upon request, and the coffee is wunderbar. No matter which barista you end up facing, it is guaranteed you will be treated very kindly as they are all quite amiable.

OK. Let us begin. I do not wish to use real names because I did not ask permission to write character profiles of these people even though it is all for admiration's sake. First and foremost, we have Bill. He is an adventurer, always dressed in funky clothing with his chest-hair exposed. His beard is the most majestic thing that I have ever seen with its immense orange-brown frizz. The rest of his hair is usually tied up. His eyes are a bright blue, his good humor seeping out of them and into yours when you converse with him either in English or in French. His tales are unlike many, and I could listen to his nature-related endeavors endlessly. His crafts range from canoes to jaw harps and he is a superb whistler. If you start to hum a tune around him, he will be quick to encourage your song and even improvise lyrics.

Had enough of Bill? We will then move on to Charles. When I first started seeing him around, I thought he was quite the character: He would have a face painted white with black circles around his eyes, a striped dress shirt and overalls. I later found out that he was simply returning from clown school in this fashion. When I first spoke with him, I was excited that our literary interests aligned, from Nietzsche to Sartre. He is Hungarian, and explained to how the language differs greatly from ours in terms of sentence structure. He found out that I spoke French and had me teach him the lyrics from La Vie en Rose. Sometimes, I would find him busking with his banjo in front of the café. In a different way than Bill, his eyes are also something notable, as they are saturated with a sort of ecstatic bewilderment whilst conversing. I have not ran into him in far too long.

Again, taken by Summer Cazabon.
Myself in front of Milk.

These count my most intimate acquaintances in terms of café dwellers. Perhaps dwellers is the wrong word choice for these esoteric individuals, as they are filled to the brim with wanderlust and tracking them down is a challenging task when they're not at Milk. However, there does exist people that I encounter at Milk constantly. There is an ever-smiling plump man with a top hat who brings his pug everywhere. Aesthetically, he reminds me somewhat of a genie. His is the only pup I've seen who has access to the café, but he is never in there long: His owner enjoys a cigarillo with his coffee out front, saluting to passers-by. Next up, we have a tall, lanky boy who dresses in dark yet agreeable clothing. He is more of an introvert than the others. What is remarkable about him is his large old-fashioned tobacco pipe he is usually smoking, and the fact that even if you encounter him apart from the café, he'll surely have one of their coffees in hand. As far as regulars go, these are the ones that have marked me most.

It is not simply for their physical presence that I have taken such an interest to these people. I have had some of the most mind-opening conversations with them. For instance, I was leaning against the window sill nearby an older man who was sitting on the little chairs outside. Together, we watched people walk by and took note of how much eye contact is avoided in our era. People seem to not care for fruitless interactions anymore. We blamed this on the individualism that is rising in the West; we are all taught to be in perpetual competition with those surrounding us, to be in perpetual fear of foreign faces.

Why these seemingly irrelevant people are important is that they find refuge in their cafés and it shows. Because of this, you cannot help but feel the same. Wherever one finds refuge is where one lets their truest colours radiate. Once these folk begin to recognize you and you have your first taste of the loveliness that dwells inside of their minds, you will be changed. I was.

Now that I've gotten all sentimental, I should like to know if any of my readers have had similar experiences. Do share! We shall meet again as our dwelling on Blogspot is not-so-negotiable...