Martinique's farewell.

Tonight was the busiest night I have ever seen at Foxes.

We had 131 people in at once. Capacity is 180. The back bar was open and every table and the bar and dancefloor were all packed.

The show began at eight o'clock sharp and lasted for four and a half hours.

I was the last person to see Martinique. I opened the door for her and watched as she got into her car and drove off shortly after her last number: "We're All in This Together", complete with four encores, because the receiving line refused to stop growing. I even stood in line and tipped, something I *never* do, not out of callousness, but out of a disinclination ever to walk away from the door. She made a speech which was both moving and eloquent, and which I wish I had a transcript of to post in here -- pretty much says it all where my working at Foxes is concerned.

This is the sort of night I *live* for.

Unfortunately I wasn't dressed for the occasion. I'd spent all day moving furniture in with my mother. She left just about an hour before the dinner was set to start -- best food ever served in any bar, ever -- and I had to clear hurdles just to get there when I did, two hours early.

Everyone in Albuquerque's gay society was there, or represented. Everyone. Without exception. Every organization (including AA, and not just by me, either). And several organizations that weren't gay besides, but only came because of Larry. Larry is the fellow putting Martinique into the box up on the shelf, and he's a selfless powerhouse.

Paul Vigil gave out Pride t-shirts as souvenirs to people in the bar after the show. Mine's from 2001. I'm wearing it now, over the dress shirt I moved furniture in.

And finally I have a bedroom. What a joy that is! Not just a "bedroom" in the way the realtors use the word, but an actual room with a bed and a dresser and a chest of drawers all arranged sanely on top of a sparkling clean floor.

Sure feel like testing it out before the sun rises.

I think I'll do just that.