We went to the Auckland Domain, a luscious green, spotless central city park, for the annual Christmas sing-along and celebration with our host & hostess Michael and Effie, Michael's fabulous daughter Kristen, and Brendan & Keeley O'Brien. Big party in the park. The grass was soft and cool. At sunset, an amazing rainbow developed over the harbor. 100,000 people all being friendly. The police reported 'No bad behaviour.'
And then there was the singing. Of course everyone around the world sings that Christmas favorite 'Disco Inferno' (...burn baby burn, burnin', burnin'...) just before Santa arrives in a metal-flake custom sleigh shooting 30 foot sparkler jets out the back, suspended 50 feet in the air by a mechanized cherry-picker. Just like being in a Kurt Vonnegut novel.
The Rainbow at the Auckland Domain
It was pretty exciting, even if it became crowded. Dr. Bob doesn't like large crowds and he and Mr. Crutch had to work pretty hard not to maim a few people, just because they were in the way. We started off around 6 pm and didn't get home until midnight. It is truly bizarre to listen to rock and roll versions of Snow songs and Christmas carols when it is 85 degrees and everyone is wearing shorts, tank tops, and Santa Hats with red flashing lights on them. It is all for a good cause - $700,000 US raised for youth services.
Dark fell and there were great fireworks.
We also sang that wonderful Yuletide melody 'Hey Baby' (.. OOOH! AH! ... I want to know-ow-ow-ow ... if you'll be my girl...). I know you think I'm lying, but I swear on a stack of Microsoft patents that I'm not. Grandmas and babies, workmen and pierced youth all boogying and waving their hands in the air. We will never be able to sing carols 'round the wintertime tree again without the images of Auckland, Rainbows, Fireworks, Rocket Santa and Disco Xmas dancing like sugarplums in our little minds.
Comments (1)
Nothing says Christmas like "Disco Inferno". maggie
Posted by maggie | December 17, 2003 9:31 AM
Posted on December 17, 2003 09:31