The Gender Schmender gig was tonight. Such a huge turn-out that we had to turn people away from the door. Awesome. Joan was amazing, as always — Melbourne kids are privileged to have her around, and to be able to experience the dense, rich complexity of her experience, and her lovely voice. The other readers were pretty good too. People seemed excited: it’s a good harbinger of future, and bigger, happenings. Next time we’re taking over Cherry Bomb bar in Collingwood and having a “Damnation” party. (Preacherman costumes! Yeah!)

So, at one point tonight I got up with the mike and spieled about chest surgery, being $6500 in debt, the absurd public privatisation of healthcare which renders surgery a ‘choice’, and asked for people to donate cash to help me pay off the loans. People were very generous — the donations added up to nearly $250. Wow. As the jug was being passed around, I entertained the audience by…. taking off my shirt. For the first time ever in a public space. People clapped, cheered, were cool, gave money.

Sometimes there aren’t words to be grateful enough for the good things that happen. Sometimes the world turns on you and surprises the shit out of you. In the best way possible.