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Losing it on Lonsdale

Chart Collective are mapping Melbourne stories via landscape and memories for their I Was Here project. They plan to make posters to put up in the CBD where the stories took place. They will be anonymous snapshots of our city. Asking us to stop and reflect on place, as they give voice to hidden histories.

I wrote 300 words-it was meant to be 300 characters! Well, this is the long version. Maybe my short version will end up in Caledonian Lane, where I stopped for a pee and then made a very bad decision.


 Losing it on Lonsdale

It was one of those hot, hot nights in the city. Melbourne was burning up. Clubs and bars pumping, music thumping out into the grid. I had been drinking cans of beer at The Lounge on Swanston Street for hours. Full strength beers. This was before the days of light beers and Uber.

The boy was in a band, a sweet boy with jet-black hair. He wasn’t the lead singer, the one with loud charisma; he was the bass player, he kept his head down.

I remember switching to water at some time close to 3am, before leaving the club after 5am and walking with the shy boy through the still-warm dark streets towards...my car.

One foot in front of the other. Navigate that grid.

Straight down Swanston, turn left, then up Lonsdale Street. Stop: Caledonian Lane. This looks like a good place for a wee. Squat and pee hard onto the road. Back to Lonsdale and my trusty Citroen.

Keys: check. Passenger: check. Ignition: check. Engine: check. Flashing blue and red lights...check.

The breath test doesn’t go so well. I’ve blown it. I’m taken from the CBD in the back of a police car. My car is left on Lonsdale, though the boy bass player comes with me to the cop shop.

Every time I drive that CBD block I am reminded of that night, and the twelve months with no licence that followed it. Let’s just say I’m a bloody idiot. And I reckon the bass player thought so too. We never went out again. But I did discover light beer.

Cheers, Melbourne!

------------

275 words

Oh, damn! I thought it was 300 words. It’s 300 characters!! I wrote a short version. It wasn't as good. Did it in a micro-rush. If it finds a place on a poster, I will release it.

The map of micro-stories shows where the posters are. Don't think mine made the cut, but will have to walk by and see...

 For more about Chart Collective, have a read about their aim to explore the way our human stories are woven into nature and our environment/landscape.
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Comments

  1. Sarah Cox11 October 2015 at 19:54

    I love this - for its honesty, and vulnerability. It is really good! And I love the idea of the I was here project and reflecting on place. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the one you did submit xx

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    Replies
    1. Anna Sublet 12 October 2015 at 18:02

      Thanks Sarah for your positive words. I love the I was Here project too, and also The Punt Road Project, which started last year. Chronicling our existence in the city is addictive! It's always such a lovely surprise to get a comment, it really makes sharing a piece even more fun. If they print the short version on a poster I will let people know! Thanks x

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  2. Unknown11 October 2015 at 22:39

    You can capture so much in so little words and I love the atmosphere and intrigue you've managed here - great work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna Sublet 12 October 2015 at 18:06

      Rebecca, it's funny when you try to grasp a fragment of existence and breathe life into it again. Memories can dissipate without the telling, can't they? Especially if, er-hum, one is under the influence... Thanks for your comments-I hadn't really thought about the intrigue, so it is good that you pointed that out. Your words will inspire me to write some more. Thanks again x

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