Back when I was a youngin', growing up in the wilds of the Gon, there used to be this thing called the Valley Syndrome. Basically, the popular kids from high school would move away from the Valley to go to Uni or whatever and in less than a year (usually) they'd move back to the Valley cos they weren't getting the recognition they used to get at school. Fucking losers.
My problem is, I moved away and loved it so much, and still do, that when I run into people from high school, I want to run screaming in the other direction. Don't get me wrong, high school was okay, the Gon was okay, but anonymity rocks.
Recently, however, I have come to realise that my world is getting far too small. The next few paragraphs will be pretty random, but it's just the sequence that will come out of my head.
For starters, two friends of mine (Perth crew) recently moved to Cremorne. They now live directly across the street from the guy who was my best friend in high school. I met these two boys through one of my best friends, Strorbz, who is also from Perth. I met Strorbz through my other best friend Soph. Soph met Strorbz through MySpace. I met Soph at a bar we both used to frequent. I used to go to said bar because my ex-bf's friend used to work there. Are you catching on ...?
This year alone I have run into quite a few peeps I grew up with or crew I haven't seen in years. On New Year's Eve, I ran into a girl who used to go out with the guy I was best friends with in high school. I hadn't seen her in at least five years. She is now seeing one of my ex-housemates. I also ran into a guy who I went to primary and secondary school with. Much to my horror, he recognised me and a brief chat ensued.
A few weeks later, I was at the Builder's Arms on Gertrude St having some Thursday night post-work drinks with workmates. And lo and behold, another blast from the past recognised me. It took me a good 30 seconds to recognise him. Another primary/secondary school friend. He is in my grade prep class photo. I haven't seen him since his 21st birthday or thereabouts.
A couple of days later, I run into the New Year's Eve girl and my ex-housemate while walking down Flinder's St at 1am. I haven't seen him for about two years.
About three weeks ago, I went for beers with Strorbz and his housemate and some visiting Perth crew (they just don't stop coming) and we wound up at Workshop. I met a guy there, we chatted. On Australia Day, I went to First Floor, ran into the same guy and he happens to be friends with a guy who worked at the same bar that my ex-bf's friend used to work at.
Friday week ago, I went to an exhibition opening in Collingwood with my ex-bf's friend. From there we went to the Tote for more ales and I run into a girl from high school who was a school band geek like me (except I wasn't a geek). Once again, I didn't recognise her, she recognised me. I ran into her about three years ago at the same pub.
Speaking of the Tote, a mate of the Perth crew's band is playing there next week. They are supporting a Japanese punk band. The other band supporting is my best friend from primary school's younger brother's band. Are you catching on yet ...?
Sunday week ago, I was at Section 8 and I saw a girl I've known since I was about 9 or 10. She's pretty cool, we had a chat. She's still friends with a bunch of crew from the Valley. Her stepsister goes out with my ex-bf.
Okay, here's a random encounter. I was seeing this boy for a few weeks. I went on a Miglet adventure one night last year (which means I went and got drunk by myself and made friends with whomever I encountered ... it's pretty fun, you should try it sometime) and as usual wound up at Pony. I chatted to this nice punk boy who had just come over from Perth (I should've paid attention to this fact) and after about two hours of talking, I discover he's friends with said boy. Oh yeah, and said boy is one of the crew who lives across the road from my best friend from high school. The punk boy is playing at the Tote.
Do you see how this just keeps going round in circles. The latest example concerns another Miglet adventure on Saturday night. It wasn't a planned one, but I wound up by myself for a while so I started making friends. I met a nice young lad and his mates whom I proceeded to get drunk with. Walking home with the lad, I discovered that he knew one of my best friends through work. He works in a BMX shop, my mate is a pro-tec rep. And one of the BMX bandit's friends was at a BBQ last year that said boy and Perth crew had at Docklands.
More circles.
There are more random encounter stories, but these are the ones that I remember best, mostly cos they're the most recent and being the alcoholic that I am, I have an insanely terrible memory.
Anyway, now you understand why I need to get my jetpack on and fly away for a while. It doesn't mean I don't love the Burn, I just miss being anonymous.
