Adieu la vie nocturne

This weekend marks my last weekend working for Inner Circle Entertainment--aka Ruby Skye & Slide. I started working there in February of 2004. It's been a great time, but one that has to end. What began as a way to support myself through college became a necessity in order to cover my expenses living here in San Francisco. Many of you know, it's not easy. Everything is expensive and even little things like parking add up (I spend over $100 a month on it). The money had its ups and downs. I liken it to gambling. You win some, you lose some. My income would fluctuate as much as 70%...not something you can really set a budget upon. More than anything, I miss spending time with Ford and my family and friends. I miss waking up in the MORNING and having a zillion things done before noon. Taking the time off recently and going to Tahoe really exposed me to what life can be without working on the weekends. I liked it. I really, really liked it.

I will miss my routine of heading backstage at Ruby to the dressing room, putting on my outfit for the evening, chatting with the go-go girls and whatever talent may be in there that night. I will miss the sound of the music as heard backstage. I will miss the view of the Ruby floor from the AV room. I will miss grabbing my camera and walking on stage to shoot. I will miss standing out front, chatting with Reggie and T and the front-of-the-house security and being amused by our lines and the tourists walking by. I will miss Oliver's smile when I pick up my radio. I will miss J-5's smile when I leave. I will miss the heart-to-hearts that I've had with the girls backstage. I will miss pulling girls down from their underwear when they hang off of things they shouldn't be. I will miss the camaraderie of all the employees working together. I will miss the random interactions with the world's best DJs and late night quesadillas (yes, you, Benny Benassi). I will miss the awesome music on a killer sound system. I will miss the random medical calls that kept the night interesting. I will miss the themed parties. I will miss the folks rolling down the Slide laughing like children. I will miss the chats with everyone.

I'm sure I'll be stopping by from time to time for DJs I really like, bringing my camera and having a blast on the other side of the scene.

What I do know is that I busted my ass at school for a very good reason. I am ramping up my freelance work and know that not being dedicated on the weekends will garner me even more work in doing what I love. Maybe I'll even pick up a full-time gig. It will be tough at first, but it will pay off.

Here's my tip of my hat to you, Inner Circle. I will miss you and I thank you for the wild ride. Without you I would not understand how to deal with people and crowds in a way like no other. Without you I would not be the music snob I am today. Without you I would have never made it through college. For all of that, I thank you.

My locker in Ruby Skye's dressing room