midsummer

[wozzdogger]

so... whos goin?

[simonlau]

me and a couple of friends, and longboy on ss as well.

[wozzdogger]

reckon it'll be washed out? i hope to go before work at 4pm.

[simonlau]

Weather forecast says sunny on sunday, but hey, we live in melbourne. Lol

[wozzdogger]

yer, im sure it will be summer sometime during the day, shortly followed by the other 3 seasons.

[Chad676]

so? :) how was it?

what did you crazy kids get up to?

[KTG-Melb]

I went to Carnival yesterday with friends, We had a ball! Weather was great, Had a few Drinks, Look around, Saw some familiar faces in the crowd. The new venue of Birrarung Marr was nice and close to the Station. All up a great day:)

PS: What was the story with all the Security people & Police running up the Hill near the Bridge at about 5:00pm? Everyone was cheering something on. Was it some type of Brawl? Drug Raid? Drag Queen throwing a tantrum? lol :)

[djak]

KTG - It was probably just the annual midsumma dyke fight... all those lesbians running into all their exes - there's sure to be trouble!

[simonlau]

Lol yea there was a fight, we were there but I missed it.
Highlight of the day

[wozzdogger]

aww man, i missed the dyke fight, i had to work at 4.

[cal_t]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJrwiK54i-Q

Muzz in action.

[wozzdogger]

course, it could only involve a muzza.

[museboy]

What's a muzza?

[mark_]

google, urban dictionary

[SamInt303]

I was a close witness. I'm pretty sure they were fighting over thongs. They then rolled down the hill and one fat woman fell/rolled onto a gay guy = UGLY. It then got really big it was like a snowball. Everyone downhill had to get involved. fags/dykes

I left feeling embarrassed for associating myself with these people.. . . It was disgraceful. Don't people grow out of that shit as soon as high school is over?

Was it just me or did anyone else feel the same way? It made me (almost) regret being gay.

[rudeboy86]

I just thought that Carnival would have been better if it was in Alexander Gardens like it has been for years before...more trees, more intimate....LESS SUNBURN!

[wozzdogger]

yer, and there isnt a bloody big hill also, so annoying.

[simonlau]

oh sam you were 20 meters away but I didn't see you, dang.

[KTG-Melb]

I must admit one downside to hosting the Carnival at Birrarung Marr was the lack of Trees and Shade. I also got a little burned.

It also sucked having to line up for ages for the Loo, I'm sure in previous years the queues have been short / non-existant. Apart from these 2 problems I still had a great day :)

I didn't attend T-Dance so cannot comment there - $35 just seemed a little steep. :(

[wozzdogger]

yer, and it finished pretty early dinnit?

[KTG-Melb]

It was supposed to finish at 10pm right? Did everyone leave early or something? :eek:

[simonlau]

T Dance costs 35 bucks, so we went to circuits

[ernesto_1]

simon is into bears? LOL

[Ben Royal]

Finished at 10? Thats very early! Isn't it normally 6 - 12?

Were there any DJs other than Bimbo Jones playing?

[simonlau]

I love all types of cuisine ernie lol

[museboy]

google, urban dictionary

Charming.

[Elfink]

For those interested, another story on Midsummer anger/overkill/security Tdance: This sent to Midsum comitE/security firm and MCV, As we are all fully aware it is not an easy task to organise and secure events and extra security is mandatory under laws of this state, how-ever in my almost 25 years of attending Gay friendly and gay community events here and over sea's I have never seen such overkill. The reason this letter is being written is because the two incidents we witnessed could have been dealt with in a more safe and professional manner, I will make it short as there is a lot to take into consideration for the future and possible litigation that I feel should resalt for the two young men involved.



The first was a male patron was dragged past us at around 9pm showing no resistance in any manner he was pulled and thrust about like a rage doll 2 security pulling at his arms and 2 at his legs in opposite directions, as most people around us were shocked or stunned at this display I approached the security detail and asked them politely to calm down and relax on several occasions, this did have some effect as 2 of the security guys did let go and step back but the others continued to drag this guy along the ground to the rear gate at the rear of the VIP tent as the gate was closed they where raising their voices so I pulled on the black fabric around the security fence and observed verbal abuse and rough treatment of the patron so I again asked them to calm down and relax, I was told to move on or I would be next. The patron rose to his feet shaken and walk of with a limp. Second time around we were all enjoying our selves after security returned with smiles about them and now in groups of 3 or more and then out of know where 4 security were walking another male patron to the rear of the dance and all was fine he was speaking with them calmly and as were they to him BUT out of the crowd the same tall Indian security guard the very security guy who was man handling and roughing up the 1st guy. I again followed the security detail to the gate and asked one of them what the hell is going on to night, He knew right away what I was talking about and just said look, most of us tonight are new to security and we have only one head guy who is helping and showing us the ropes, but he is not around all of us at the same time and yes the security guy you (I/Me) mentioned to him is a little over the top with every small action seen or spoken about. I said you mean heavy handed, and he came from know where on the last action and had nothing to do with it, 4 other security guys had it under control. He was led to the rear pushed to the ground and then hand cuffed by a security guard after a very heavy hit, push and shove by the very tall security guard who seemed to be in the think of every incident. I could not see what happened next as I was ask to leave the area.

This is not on, at any event unless the patron who is in the head lock or arm hold is out of control and in both cases there was no display physically or verbally to show this. Every thing was calm till the same security guard flipped out.

I would also add I did as did several other friends and patrons around us feel there was a mild homophobic-ness to the eye contact, body language and action of about half of the security detail, this also is not normal for a Gay event, as I stated earlier in almost 25 yrs of events and gay festivals I have never seen anything close to this type of action and response let alone this much security.

This would also be reflected I assume in the costing of the drinks at the event Festival and Tdance, never at any event straight or gay have I paid $11 for a standard UDL this is clearly a money matter or a costing matter related to security over load???

In know way am I criticising the committee or chair as this is a tough job and a job well done as always But I and a few others do feel there was a little over kill at the festival and Tdance as far a security and the type of actions taken by the security details. My opinion is this, Of every security guy i viewed, he was young, out of his comfort zone and very happy to jump to a conclusion with-out assessing the matter. I do hope that each incident that happened on that night has an action report and is looked at by the committee and or the security firm. I also believe after speaking with 7 other patrons on the night and 5 after, that this matter needs attention and discussion at the committee level, police level and security firm level, why the police because they should know who the firm is and asses their legal right to check licenses and training actions provided or not provided to these staff.

I hope you have the time and resources to look fully in to these issues raised and I do hope those whom informed myself and friends they too would write in have or will do.;