Saturday, November 01, 2008

Witchy Woman


"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

While we were on the California portion of our trip to the US and A, we went to see the play, Wicked. Originally, we were going to Melbourne, Australia where it was also playing, but it was going to wind up costing way to much. Turns out it was in LA the same time we were in California, so seats were arranged through Ticket Bastards.

We drove the cheap rental car up and arrived 4 hours before showtime. Our dressy clothes were safe in the locked trunk of the very well locked vehicle. I was able to park on the street right next to the theatre. The meter only wanted to be fed until 6:00, so it only cost 2 bucks instead of $15 in the parking lot.

Take that LA!

We walked around Hollywood and Vine, where the shops seem to cater to the well dressed prostitute; wigs, high heels, whorish clothing. We had a quick nibble in the oldest restaurant in Hollywood and escaped with a $100 dinner bill.

Take that tourist!

Strolling back to the chariot, with 30 minutes until curtain, we noticed the car was no longer at the curb.

What, what, what???
Apparently, after 6 PM, parking wasn't free, it was illegal. A tow able offense. It said so on one of the many diverse signs all over the sidewalk. We came to park, we didn't realize there would be a reading assignment. 25 minutes before curtain.

Take another one, Foreigner!

Arising from the spit stained street was an older black woman who became our angel. She drove us to the tow yard and waited while I paid the $250 ransom and guided us back in time to see the show. We were lucky to get a space in the lot, but now the price was $20. I guess I should have paid the original $15. With gas, we were already down 400 bucks and had not even purchased any platform shoes. Plus, I know the black angel is getting something special from New Zealand.

The play is about the Wicked Witch of the West and puts her into a much more positive light.

Cut to Halloween where Kimberly was asked to help out her CanTeen group with a fundraiser. Everyone was to dress up. To Americans, "dress up" means a competitive costume, not just a sheet over the head or fake blood around the mouth. To Kiwis, Halloween doesn't even mean a sheet over the head. It means nothing at all. They don't do the holiday. They don't understand it. You can easily get by with 3 lollies for the whole night's worth of visiting children.

Kimberly, an American who loves Halloween like I love monkeys, went full out. Not just any witch, but THE witch, the WW of the W. Green face and hands, broom, hat, wig, as good as it was, probably not making the finals in a contest in a Tucson Bar. At least she wasn't Sarah Palin.

When we reached the venue in a park, there were about 100 folks there and not one of them in costume. But they certainly appreciated having the witch around and there were heaps of comments. The little kids either ran in fear or gazed in admiration. Either way, Kimberly chased them all around threatening to eat them up. And their little dog, too.
We went to a few bars in town that were pretty hopping. But no dressing up. Kimberly got more applause, but there were no competitions, so no prizes.
At the end of the night, we grabbed some Indian food and since there's no place like home, that's where we went. The hat will be in storage for at least a year.
Take that, Dorothy!

4 Comments:

At 8:59 AM, Blogger channelsurferdude said...

Thank God you're back online. 5 weeks is a long time to go cold turkey without a blog post. But I guess you rich Kiwi's can afford to travel the planet! Thanks for the contribution to our debt by way of your parking mishap. I'm still Wild...

 
At 5:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

that car took its' toll during your vacation that's for sure. sorry you are back across the water ---can YOU see Russia from your front porch too?? Is Howie ready to move out of Alaska after all of this? With a different turn out in the election you might have been seeing the entire family relocate!! love robin

 
At 10:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

actually Robin, Remember: you voted for George W the last goaround...didn't you?

I understand that you lost your Prime Minister and George's brother-in-law has won the PM job.

Nice seeing the blog on line...have a fun-filled summer. RonnaB will be spending quality time with you. they will be in NZ for 4 months jan thru april...

 
At 4:37 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

anonymous #3 - you must have your wires crossed - I would not have voted for either Bush for the job os picking up dog remains in Washington!

 

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