Freelancer Fridee

So it turns out that having a Freelancer Fridee withing walking distance to my house is a sure way of making sure I’m not late to my own event. And the fantastic Pause Bar on Carlisle Street was the perfect venue. I arrived a few minutes after 4pm this month and was determined to enjoy the early minute I had granted myself as a reward for a productive week. I settled in with a copy of The Age and ordered a coffee to combat the icy afternoon Melbourne had dished up. I’d almost finished reading all the good bits and was contemplating a red wine when Trent Baker walked in to his second Freelancer Fridee. It seems this idea really has got legs and people are coming back for more. Excellent.

Bart Bee was the next Freelancer to wander in having given himself an early minute also. After some brief introductions we were quickly joined by the effervescent Nina Nicols, Wayne Aistrope and Theo Nicola (not necessarily in that order - I don’t quite remember). Actor and voice over artist extraordinare Adrian Mulraney finally made good on his promise to attend a Freelancer Fridee as did the lovely Sonia Bednar. And so we demolished some dips and I started ordering red wine by the bottle.

James Cowling from Mirka @ Tolarno soon joined us as did actors Ezra Bix and Amy Felman. It was about then that the lovely staff at Pause suggested we relocate down the back to the couches and get a little more comfortable. So we did and welcomed Atlanta Frith to her second Freelancer Fridee along with Kate Scholem from Theta Magic and actor Chris “Bunzy” Bunsworth also making their second appearance. The lovely Melissa Parente, actor/voice over artist/drama teacher/all-round top chick, dropped in and joined the party while Trent Baker and Amy Felman laughed out loud… a lot.

I must say that ordering red wine by the bottle turned out to be an interesting choice. I don’t remember exactly when it was but at some point I realised that we were in the middle of a regular party here. It had all the essential ingredients - booze, conversation, laughter, food and music. No dancing though - sorry Bunzy. Libby Butler from The Entertainment Store joined her first Freelancer Fridee along with friend Lucinda whose last name escapes me - or maybe I’ve just never known it. Regardless, good to see a wider variety of attendees joining in the shenanigans and sharing the love.

And then I thought it might be fun to order some Russian Qualude’s. Why? Why not? They set them on fire before you drink them. Whoo-hoo!

Troy: Trent, you want a Russian Qualude?

Trent: Sure

Troy: Amy, Russian Qualude?

Amy: A what?

Troy: Three Russian Qualude’s

Not long after the Russian Qualude incident I lost all track of time and spacial awareness. Freelancer what? Bugger off, let’s have some more wine. Who’s up for a dance? Or a hug? Or a roll in the grass? I’m not fussy. It’s Fridee. The weekend. Whoo-hoo! And Trent Baker’s funny. Really bloody funny.

(My head’s gonna hurt tomorrow)

Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves and slowly getting drunk. There was lots of talk about how excellent Pause Bar is as a venue and that Freelancer Fridee should have a regular home and that Pause Bar should be it. I explain that I want to roam the event around town until at least the end of the year and then re-assess for 2009. Partly because I think the element of surprise is fun and partly because I’m a bit of a venue tart.

Nina decided it was time to call it a night so I bid her farewell - despite what the photo suggests.

After this the night becomes a bit of a blur but I do remember a lovely after party courtesy of Atlanta Frith’s generous hospitality involving red wine, beer, music and a spring wishing ceremony.

And, as expected, my head hurt the next morning. But it was worth it.

Roll credits.