Brunswick

March 11th

Jeremy is waiting for me as I get off the tram with all my stuff. He offers to carry one of them, but I decline, slightly self-conscious of their weight. There is something other-worldly about him: his resonant voice, his gliding movements, his absolute calm demeanor. Really chill, zero pretences, and thoroughly comfortable to be around.
Just as well, seeing as I’ll be sleeping on the floor of the place he shares with 3 other people.

Jeremy, Dil, Justin, and Dave – along with half a dozen others – have a collective called We Make Stuff Good. They live in a warehouse space that houses an office, an upstairs with some bedrooms, and an open central area they’re in the process of turning into a cafe [scheduled to open in two weeks].

That night, we sit in the soon-to-be cafe on the lush red velour couches and emerald armchairs, watching “Rash,” a documentary about street art in Australia, focusing on Melbourne, giving a bit of insight into what I’ve been seeing everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Mention is made of a crew Jeremy (who is out working) does stuff with from time to time. Dil tells him about it when he gets home; he’s completely unfazed, in spite of her excitement.

The next morning, we have avocado and tomato on toast.
I love it here.

***

I have some work in St. Kilda and make plans to meet Jeremy in Fitzroy later. Travelling from Brunswick to St. Kilda and back to Fitzroy only makes it clearer that I want to live in the northern suburbs.

We meet at The Evelyn Hotel. Jeremy is sitting with a big group, deep in conversation with Kim, a guy visiting from Germany. I settle in and start chatting with a few girls.

There’s champagne. Lots of it. We’re out on the patio and manage to break 3 glasses by the time we leave.