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

[jennifergearing.livejournal.com]

It seems last night was the evening for such things. There was a similar happening up here, though much less serious (same prompting, rather just a drunk guy who wasn't very thugg-ish, just drunk). Glad you're ok, and *healing vibes* to both of you.

It seems us Brisbanites had the cooler of the East Coast cities for New Year's. There's a certain irony and amusement in that, really. :)

[darkstardeity.livejournal.com]

Gods, that's awful. I hope you both heal quickly.

[zey.livejournal.com]

[...] who decided that I was a "faggot" (is the hair? my short shorts? how do they know?)

I blame the beret ;-).

Seriously though, that's a pretty sucky way to end your NYE. Your caseopaya is indeed a brave lass. Glad there were some people about who had the presence of mind to fetch the cops.

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.

Alas, it's Howard's Australia now. All that wedge politics results in a wedged, divided and less tolerant community.

[antayla.livejournal.com]

Freaking drunken morons (at least, for their sake I hope they were at drunk. Otherwise they are VERY moronic.) If I had still been there, I woulda helped you guys kick their collective asses :P. Then I could mock em "hey biatches, how does it feel to get your asses kicked by two girls and a faggot? huh??"

Er, or maybe not.

That really sucks. Whatever you do, don't cut your hair or quit wearing those fetching berets. It would be a shame...

[andricongirl.livejournal.com]

err crap
some people suck
glad your ok

Attacks

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

I am really glad to hear that you have only minor injuries.

I don't think that the attacks reflect location, but time. Drunks think that it's an excuse for getting into fights and picking on peaople. Just as well that we're not as gun crazy as in America - otherwise someone might have ended up dead.

[tomusan.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your attack - It even happened to one of my friends on NYE, unfortunately. Some people are just retarded. Everyone's been harping on about how hot it was on NYE - it was actually cold where I was! In Queenscliff, everyone in sight was wearing a jumper and/or shivering. We were incredulous when we read about the record breaking temperature the next day.

[usuakari.livejournal.com]

Fuck! I'm glad you're both only mildly banged up, and the fuck-sticks in question are 'assisting police with their enquiries'.

Clown turned out to be surprisingly quiet last night (although tonight seems to be making up for it). I'm sorry you were on the receiving end rather than us experts here, but I guess that's the nature of shitheads like those... :(

[lilysea.livejournal.com]

Gah! I'm sorry to hear about this.

I'm glad to hear that you don't have serious injuries.

I'm outraged and appalled that they attacked someone based on fashion sensibility/presumed sexuality!

*hugs* and best wishes for a rapid recovery. May 2006 be, other than this incident, utterly fabulous for you.

[evil-genius.livejournal.com]

uh wha bup bup!
New Zealand....

[rhrevah.livejournal.com]

My god, that's terrible. :(

Er. And for some reason I'm logged in as my cousin - but this is Rachel, Luciusmalfoy.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

Holy crap!

I'm glad you are both ok.

[missmalice.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Just..Ugh :/

Hope you both heal up quickly.

[jadine.livejournal.com]

Gods, that's awful. I'm glad you're both okay. *hugs*

[greenglowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Adding similar sentiments and support to all of the above. It never ceases to amaze me that rednecks care as passionately about other people's grooming and clothes sense as the "Queer Eye" cast, and never realise they have something so strongly in common with people they choose to revile.

[shocko.livejournal.com]

Mate, that's bloody awful. As I've had too many similar experiences of late, I understand how frightening and sickening it can be. I sincerely hope you're both OK.

And people wonder why I've pulled up the drawbridge so completely....I stayed home and read a book.

This kind of story is yet more impetus for me to buy that place in a distant wooded valley, where by the time anyone gets close enough to upset me, they'll already be in range.

Take care of yourselves.

[cptjohnc.livejournal.com]

glad you're okay -- sorry that you had to endure the attack under any circumstances. Even 'enlighted places' have unenlighted folk -- too bad you had to be the one they decided to set upon this time. hopefully not a sign of how your year will progress.

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

Fuckin' hell - the world is becoming a scarier place...

Thankfully not all people are born missing their common sense chromosome. Hope you're both OK.

[taavi.livejournal.com]

That's truly terrible. I'm glad you are ok. On the plus side, think of the lefty street cred!

[ananas2003.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear what happened, but relieved it wasn't even worse. I hope you both recover quickly.

When the EGB (a German) was out here from Germany a couple of years ago we did NYE on Princes Bridge and saw at least 3 or 4 bleeding people. He commented it was the most violent crowd he'd ever experienced.

[strang-er.livejournal.com]

Crap. At least you weren't badly hurt.

(Though the fact it could have been much worse doesn't really make it better, does it?)

[claudine-c.livejournal.com]

That's terrible, but I'm glad to know you're relatively OK. I hope this incident isn't representative of where Melbourne is heading.

[bobstar.livejournal.com]

The little shits! The attack had nothing to do with what you looked like or what you were wearing - you were just in the right place at the wrong time.

We got to 45.0 degrees at 3:17pm on New Years Eve - much too hot to be awake - I was in bed alseep by 8pm :lol:

[hasimir.livejournal.com]

Many years ago Melbourne was safe, eh? What, like ten? The tenth anniversary of my little broken-wing following a night at Dream is in a couple of months.

Anyway, good to hear you're basically okay. :)

[ktwhoopi.livejournal.com]

*doesn't say anything, but hugs you tight*