Hackers, Violence and Heat

[tcpip]

Spent New Year's Eve with the fine crew of 2600 at their private function at RMIT. Fine people, fine conversation and a fine time had by all.

Unfortunately on the way home I was set upon by a group of thugs who decided that I was a "faggot" (is the hair? my short shorts? how do they know?) and such state deserved bodily violence. caseopaya stepped in to my defense, bless her brave heart, and was unfortunately on the end of a few receiving blows as well.

Some by-standers called for the police and half a dozen turned up within a few minutes to drag the offendors away. We're OK, having a few cuts and bruises. We both have splendid shiners on our right eye and caseopaya has a nasty cut on her nose. My glasses are lost (I have a spare set) and my Serdar Argic t-shirt is destroyed. :/

Many years ago I remember Melbourne as being a safe and enlightened city, where people prided themselves on their style and looking or being a little unusual was a source for compliments, not attacks.

It's been a tad warm here as well. "The bureau at 10am changed its estimated top temperature forecast to 33 — only to see the mercury bounce back in the afternoon and hit a record for New Year's Eve of 42.9 at 5.14pm. It was still a roasting 42.1 at 7pm."

I had other things to write about as well, but they'll have to wait for another day. Last night's events have a certain proirity.

Comments

[mikey-ob.livejournal.com]

I am glad you are both ok and thank the universe that you came through it without serious injury. Let's hope that blemish to the start of your new year is the worst thing that can happen.

It has been very cold here this new year - doona weather.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Thanks MOB... Yeah, we're both OK. A bit sore, but otherwise fine.

We've heard with some jealously that Perth has been substantially cooler.

[uke.livejournal.com]

Bah; sometimes people suck. I'm glad you guys are ok.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It must be a very world view that wants to spend the New Year's Day in a prison cell.

I'm glad I'm not living their life.

[bar-bar-ella.livejournal.com]

Good that you're okay. Bad that it happened at all. At least the police seem to have been stepping lively on what must have been a busy night for them. (looking for positives here, see)

2006 can only get better for you after a beginning like that, I guess. :) *hugs*

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I was quite surprised by the number of them. Obviously they weren't going to put up with any nonsense on NYE.

Certainly hope 2006 improves!

(We must have a drink soon too!)

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck.

Hope you guys heal up okay.

um,*hugs*.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Feeling a bit sore around the chest and head, but otherwise fine.. Thanks....

[maxxxie2.livejournal.com]

What a bunch of fucking fuckers. It's a reminder that homophobia is everywhere :( I hope your injuries heal quickly. Please tell me that you are pressing charges against these turds.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The by-standers explained what happened to the coppers and the thugs in question were dragged away. I presume that charges will be laid, but will follow up with a call tomorrow to see what is going on.

[fryboy.livejournal.com]

Buncha savages in this town

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

There are complete low-life arseholes in all towns but it's far from evenly distributed (I'd feel a lot safer in Helsinki than Mt Isa, for example). One distressingly thing I've noticed however is that Melbourne seems to be getting more; I only have anaecdotal evidence to go on of course, but there certainly seems to have been a shift over the past decade.

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

Bleah. At least the cops got them. Hope you guys heal quickly.

[crankycoyote.livejournal.com]

Good grief, that's horrid. I'm glad that you're both physically OK, and I hope that there's some kind of justice that can be brought against the thugs.

[blot.livejournal.com]

wow thats crazy. maybe there are some nice parts to where I live. I dont think that would happen where I live. I think per capita Minneapolis has one of the largest gay populations outside of San Fransisco. I hop you and Caseopaya feel better soon.

[http://users.livejournal.com/raven_/]

Holy crap, Batman.

Rest up. Be well. Happy New Year.

[dcrisp.livejournal.com]

On my Drive from Hoppers Crossing to Croydon I only saw three police cars which was quiet... BUT: that was two police cars at the service station on flemington road and royal parade on the road up past the zoo... they were cordaning it off.. Obviously some smart arse had tried to knock it over....

I had the 2600 function on my list however when the mercury hit 42 I figured I would have a better time NOT amongst people in a bar! :P

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Sounds like there was a little bit of craziness going on during the night; sort of to be expected and I imagine the heat had a role to play as well.

The 2600 function was really good. A good-sized location with a modest number of people, so it was a jam-packed bar by any stretch of the imagination.

Perhaps you should come along to one of their monthly meetings. It seems to be your sort of thing...

i'm in shock.

[geoff.livejournal.com]

what a horrible way to experience The New Year. hope you are both doing better in spirits and body and won't have any lasting physical/mental scars. with best wishes for a prosperous 2006. geoff

[17catherines.livejournal.com]

How horrible for you both! I hope you both recover quickly, from the mental/emotional shock, as well as the physical injuries.

love

Catherine

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

caseopaya is taking it emotionally somewhat worse than me (I am, after all, a "spirit-level").

I have a some bruising on my ribs and head; the former are fairly sore (heh, kick a guy whilst he's on the ground, right?), but I reckon I'll be fine in a couple of days.

Thanks for your concern... We'll soldier on..

[sjkasabi.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're both okay - what an awful thing to happen to you. And, as you say, to this city.

[tabouli.livejournal.com]

God, how horrible. I'm glad to hear you're both OK. Where did this happen, on the train, or in the CBD?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

In the CBD, on the corner of Lonsdale St and Swanston.

All the dross who have no normal friends come in to the city on NYE :(

Again ...words fail me.

[imajica-lj.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry Lev.
Try and stay cool, I hope the rain helps...if there is anything I can do for either of you just ask...I am not far away.
So angry now, and trying to deal with it I realise that I am not shocked, you're right something really ugly has descended.
Keep it together over the next couple of days, again anything you guys need.

Re: Again ...words fail me.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

So angry now, and trying to deal with it I realise that I am not shocked, you're right something really ugly has descended.

severina_242 first pointed me to the possibility several months back.. After the recent events in Cronulla you really have to wonder.

There is no class of individuals worse than the lumpen-proletariat, the counter-revolutionary refuse of all classes.

[kremmen.livejournal.com]

Being on the other side of the world at the moment, I've been lamenting the lack of parties or anything special to do which doesn't involve going out to get cold and wet.

Clearly, there are much worse ways to spend NYE.

I hope the scumbags rot in jail for an appropriately long time (though I bet they won't) and that you two both recover quickly.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I somehow suspect that their life will be its own punishment. They are the sort of people who will be in and out of jail for the entirety of their short and miserable existence.

[delicious-irony.livejournal.com]

Oh no - I hope you guys are okay and that they give the idiots to some jailbird named 'Bubba'.

So sorry to hear that your night out was spoiled. Many (careful) hugs for the both of you, hope you heal up quick!
<:(

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The irony of homophobes spending time in lockup hasn't been lost on me.

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

I hope you&caseopaya aren't hurting too much and heal-up quickly. Not a good start to the year, but I hope it's the worst thing to happen to you in 2006.

[lefae.livejournal.com]

Oh my!

*hugs* for both of you.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

And I thought driving home last night was scary.
(actually, almost cleaning up three 11 year olds running across Great Eastern Highway was scary too).

Glad you're okay.

Appalling

[erudito.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to read about this, glad neither of you were seriously damaged and the offenders were apprehended so promptly.

I have never been actually gay-bashed, but I came very close to it once. In Little Collins St on a Saturday night a few years ago. The wider gay community does not have as high expectations as you seem to have about our fair city. The real change is that expectations about the police have improved notably.

Re: Appalling

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

*nods* There has been excellent liaison work conducted over the past several years.

Part of me wonders whether the insult was generic, rather than directed. They certainly seemed to be looking for a fight and unfortunately we were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[ehintz.livejournal.com]

Geez, that suxors. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before it hits NZ. Prolly already could happen up in AKL. Stuff like that is why I fled CA.

[horngirl.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about what happened, that's truly shiteful. Good to hear though that you're both safe, and I hope you heal up well. If there's anything I can do, please give me a hoy.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Although I'm mostly healed up by know I should taken you up on the offer for your famous healing chicken soup!

[livelurker.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad that you are both ok, and that the cops got them. I hope you're both mentally and physically able to swiftly put it behind you.

I guess that starting from a low point things will be getting better for the rest of the year.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I've been able to put it behind me mentally fairly quickly; after all, it's not as if a close friend did this, it was drongos from the lumpen-proletariat. The wounds are taking their time, however. caseopaya I suspect will have hers repair in reverse order, poor wee thing..