The Marriott Biscayne Bay has only been in the Marriott family for a few short months. Prior to this it was some other independent hotel. Marriott was in the midst of upgrading the facilities while we were there to bring it up to the level of the Marriott standard. Part of what was in need of attention was the elevators. On certain elevators, once you board someone had to put their hand out and physically keep the door shut. Otherwise, the doors would reopen and you would stay on the same floor. It got confusing which elevators "needed help" and which ones didn't so by this day I was automatically holding the doors closed on every elevator that I took. At least our elevators were running. Over at the Hilton, most of the elevators weren't even working.
I did my usual waking up rather early routine. Today, I ventured down to the pool to enjoy a leisurely morning with a novel and energy bars. I virtually was alone down there for a good amount of time. It was nice to bask in the sun and relax. After being lazy for a while Michael D. stopped on by. We chatted about our plans for leaving. Michael and I were leaving on the same flight. We just had to arrange for a shuttle to take us from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale. There were only four PGMC members on my flight, so we had to make the arrangements ourselves. No biggie.
Gradually more people make their way to the pool area. I look at my phone and notice I have two messages. All were sent while I was dead to the world in my bed.
It's nice to know that people are thinking of me.
While I look over the schedule and think of how I would like to spend my last day, I realize it will probably all change once I run into people. However, what MUST take place is to coordinate with Michael D., Don, and Roger for our transfer to Ft. Lauderdale. I also need to get my boarding pass today.
As I'm lounging I receive a call from Terry. In these last few days my phone connection has been poor at best. I am unsuccessful in trying to return his call. He has sent text messages encouraging me to go to breakfast at the Hilton. I was so content poolside I just didn't want to disturb that.
Marcus joins me for a bit and we chat with Michael. We discuss how I am embarking on a career of crime specializing in petty theft. (Would I really be a thief if I'm always griping about how I have to watch the pennies?) I decide maybe I will check in on Terry.
I venture over to the hotel restaurant. I am wearing my tight little square cut swimsuit with a tank top. The hostess rushes and I mean rushes over to greet me as I enter the restaurant. You know how a hostess when she ordinarily greets you looks you in the eyes? Well, this one just stared at my crotch the whole time. I knew that she was a bit anxious about my attire. I immediately alleviated her need to refuse my entrance by letting her know I was just searching for a friend. As we are having this entire exchange she never really stops staring at my crotch. I found it hysterical. Now I know what women talk about when men talk to their boobs. I leave the restaurant and head back to the pool. I realize at the Marriott pool that Terry is at the Hilton restaurant, not the Marriott. D'oh!
I enter the lobby and use one of the best amenities that the hotel had to offer: a computer station that allows you to print out your boarding pass for free. Love it!
When I return to the pool I slip into the warm water. Soon I am joined by Tim and Bruce from TCGMC. We have a good time getting to know one another. Others soon come to join frolicking in the pool, among them Mitch from LA and Ray from NYC. It was a wonderful lazy morning making new friends.
Poolside Fun with GALA Friends
Eventually, I make my way out of the pool and go to change to see the afternoon concert block at 1:00 pm. This will be my last concert block of the festival. Sad, but true. For my last concert block I see Out Loud: The Colorado Spring Men's Chorus, Cantaria, and the Windy City Gay Chorus. Windy City did an admirable job. I'm glad I caught them since I used to live in Chicago myself. Mid way through Windy City's performance I skip out to run and see Denver Gay Men's Chorus. I left just in time to catch all of Denver's set. Denver is a strong contender to be host to GALA festival IX. They provided the perfect set to sum up my GALA festival experience. Their final number which was an African piece was rousing. The chorus came out into the audience and encircled us. I'm so happy they were the last chorus that I saw perform. It just made the finish complete for me. I think Denver would be a good choice to host the next festival.
My options at this point were limited. I am running out of money. I need to have enough to pay for the shuttle to Fort Lauderdale. I need money for my train ride from Philadelphia International Airport to home. I need some money for food.
Eventually it is time to prepare for the Closing Celebration. Well, there really isn't much preparation that needs to be done. I think I ironed some clothes to wear. I did as much packing as I could
Some folks had leftover alcohol in their rooms. We had a little pre-party at Shua's room. I was the first to arrive. Aaah, a nice bottle of beer. Soon Adrienne entered the room. Gradually the room filled with Stephen and Jeff, Michael D. and Don, and Craig. Michael, Don and I discussed our shuttle arrangements and Michael decided another phone call was needed to make the arrangements and try to get some kind of discount. After becoming suitably buzzed we made our way over to the Miami Metromover.
The Closing Ceremonies were rather disappointing I felt. The speeches just went on and on and on thanking everybody that had anything to do with the festival. They thanked the sponsors. They thanked the board of directors. They thanked the woman who cleaned the toilet in the bathroom next to the Expo. When they did acknowledge Mark McClurg's contribution we did our best to create a loud and appreciative response. Later he told me he definitely could hear us. I don't know if that meant that we were especially rowdy compared to others, or if that just meant that we were heard period.
A Closing Ceremonies chorus performed. It was comprised of various members of attending delegates. They did a decent job considering the limited time they all had to prepare. I thought about singing in one of the Festival choruses. However, since this was my first GALA festival I didn't want to spread myself too thin. I think I made the wisest decision for myself. In 2012 I intend to join a Festival chorus. Mainly, I would like to have more interaction with members of other choruses. I think that would be a way to accomplish that.
My favorite part of the closing ceremonies was a montage of pictures that were taken over the course of the week by the official photographers. Unfortunately, I don't think there was one single picture of anyone that I knew. I think he heard about Philadelphia's reputation and just stayed away. Speaking of which I wonder if we even have a reputation and if so exactly what is it?
Ceremonies
Immediately following the Closing Ceremonies the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus hosted the official Closing Party at the River Front Hall at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Once again we had to deal with loooong lines to get expensive beverages. I just refrained. Members of San Francisco's chorus had recruited people to be go-go dancers. Shua and Adrienne were asked. Shua was very happy with his purchase of shiny tight shorts that he picked up in SoBe earlier in the day to wear just for this occasion. I made sure that I took incriminating photos. As I was taking them I ran into Jay from TCGMC. I asked him to excuse me because I needed to take blackmail pictures. I made some catty remark regarding Shua's outfit. Jay laughed and said that it should be me in that pair of shorts. I laughed and denied that should be the case. I was so focused on taking pictures I totally missed the fact that Jay was flirting with me. Oy Vey! Me and my missed opportunities! I am one of the most stupid gay men when it comes to dealing with men. I just don't expect men to give me compliments that when it actually does occur I am ill prepared. One of these days I'll get the hang of it all. At least I have learned the lesson not to argue with someone when they give you a compliment. Even when I want to argue with them and tell them all the reasons why they are wrong, I instead provide a demure, "thank you". I might be a little slow, but eventually lessons sink in.
I just was not feeling this party and wanted to leave, but didn't want to go on my own. Others were ready to leave as well, but as is so often the case with my friends it takes them a while to get their rears in gear. Eventually, we leave the party and head back to our hotel. The plan for most is to head over to the Hilton pool. I made an appearance, but once again I'm just not in the right frame of mind. I go back to my room and call it an early night.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Hagerty
Thank you to Patrick Hagerty for this photo