Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Dear Reader: Farewell

What a wild unexpected ride it's been! After five years as a local blogger including four at the helm of Duke City Fix, I'm retiring from blogging and officially turning over management of this site to Sophie Martin who's been running things on a day-to-day level for months now... and swimmingly so.

Here's to a new era of vision and leadership for this wee 'lil community!

For me, Duke City Fix has been an adventure and an unexpected joy. From the earliest timorous moments in reconnaisance meetings with Jeremy Jojola, Elissa Breitbart, Emily Esterson, and V.B. Price... From that first blogger gathering at the Flying Star with Johnny_Mango, Andrea Lin, Stephanie, Sophie, MJH, and more... We knew there was nothing to lose by trying. Thank you to all those early believers who took the plunge with me. Even to those of you who did not dive in -- could not because you were employed by the evil empire (you know who you are) -- thank you for the underground love nonetheless.

Most of all thanks to you, community compadres, for reading, for commenting, for getting involved in this dusty patch of desert we call home. All your stories, your photos, yes even your rants, have expanded my perspective and introduced me to people, neighborhoods, foods, and events I'd never have unearthed by my lonesome. Personally, I have been truly enriched by walking this stretch of road with you.

The spotlight has never been my comfort zone and so I'm taking this opportunity, provided by our use of Ning's stable and simple system, to unplug from Duke City Fix and refocus on the unsexy work of a technologist. There are plenty of interwebs to untangle in Albuquerque and I'm relishing the chance to solve new problems and create new opportunities for clarity and engagement online.

In the meantime, I'll remain a lurker, the payer of DCF bills, and ever a contender for Albuquerque's number one fan.

You're in good hands.

Chantal Foster
Founder, DukeCityFix.com

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74 Comments

Comment by Carrie on November 18, 2008 at 7:46am: Well, Chantal, I gotta say thanks for creating such a great community and really contributing to a sense of pride and pleasure in all the quirky little corners of our city. You really brought people together and built a lasting legacy here. Best wishes with everything and much love to you for dreaming up DCF.

Comment by killbox on November 18, 2008 at 7:49am: “Don't be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

-Richard Bach

Comment by bg on November 18, 2008 at 7:53am: Chantal, you made The Site for all good things Abuquerque. Thank you so much.

Comment by ABQrising on November 18, 2008 at 7:57am: Thanks.

Comment by chantal on November 18, 2008 at 8:03am: You know, on second thought, between this and this and this, I feel like maybe I haven't quite optimized the experience as much as some of you ;-)

Comment by Tony on November 18, 2008 at 8:17am: You've done a lot for all of us here in the 505. Then again, I know that is something you're going to continue to do, albeit in your own quiet, determined, creative and genius way. Thanks for everything, we're lucky to have you around.

Comment by Adelita on November 18, 2008 at 8:29am: Chantal, thanks for letting me spill my guts on DCF. It's so far been one of the best creative outlets I've ever experienced and helped me find a voice I didn't know I had. You've made it all possible with this wonderful site. A toast to you for your incredible vision, kindness and all around coolness. Cheers!

Comment by Ben Roberts on November 18, 2008 at 8:31am: Thanks so much for creating a great site, which has attracted some great people and made connections in so many ways. It sounds like in addition to lurking you'll still be here in ABQ, which is a good thing for us.

Comment by Eric Renz-Whitmore on November 18, 2008 at 8:45am: Chantal,
Thanks for all you've done. Through the work you and the group have done, DCF has become a huge asset to to the whole city.

Comment by Tricross on November 18, 2008 at 8:47am: Ya done good, Chantal. Good luck on your future endeavors. It's always fun to explore and discover new things.