Dressing up was an option, but I had based my final costume on the weather. It was still quite below freezing on Sunday morning, and although it was going to get much warmer, and sunnier, I chose to remain 'subtle'. My options were Maleficent, which would have suited me, being dressed in 'long and black', or the usual, which is more of my own creation, as 'Elsa's grandma'. The former would have required a little more work, but would have been grand, if the weather had not subdued my creativeness, to wit, I lost momentum. Instead, I went for the 'safety net' option. My nails had been painted in a dazzling, sparkling royal blue, and I found a dress that my mother had given me, which she wore for my nieces wedding. It was the right colour blue, and had sleeves! Of course, I had the advantage of the 'silver' plait, which I wore over my left shoulder. Maleficent would have worn the black boots with the shocking pink heels, but we had to walk from the car park, up a lot of steps and hills. Those boots are not made for walking! Mary Poppins boots were more practical, and although Mary Poppins was not a Disney Princess, (she was more of a Queen in my eyes,) practicality would have to suffice! After all, our Mary is practically perfect! My daughter wore a pair of olive green flared trousers, with a pink top, and with her red hair was recognised as Ariel, with nails depicting all the characters!
Sofia, the eight year old, wore a white flowing tulle dress, with black boots. She was a Texas Princess, and no one was going to argue!
It seemed fitting that we should be going to a Royal event, with our VIP Royal Experience passes, on the day that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 70 years on the throne. I remember chatting to my father about Queen Victoria, and how she was the longest reigning monarch, and if he thought Elizabeth would break the record. He told me that if she did, he would be a very old man. Unfortunately, he did not live to see it, but my mother did, and she is now a very old woman! I send my congratulations to Her Majesty, and appreciate being able to witness the history! However, I digress!
Arriving at the specified time, there was already a short queue. Most of the 'little ones' were dressed beautifully, and each looked shyly at their fellow Princesses with curiosity. Some 'older' Princesses were dressed up, one in particularly making me shiver as her costume was not only sleeveless, but (in my grandmother's words) would have been an invitation for a 'chest cold'.
The tickets purchased (or won) for a family of four, in the VIP category would not have given much change from a thousand dollars, and it was not a surprise to see only one parent with a child, or a grandparent being the day's guardian. However, there were a couple of families that came with mother, father and two children, all of whom were dressed up, not only for the show, but presumably for the contest. There was going to be a contest!
Perusing the prize, we read about the events of the day. There would be a 'party', which included a photo booth, karaoke, colouring, contests and lots more! Then a 'meet and greet' with opportunity for photos, with a question and answer session. Also included was special seating for the 'sound check', and of course, the 'goodie bag', which included a sleep mask, bag, wand and an array of fun things. Finally, seats were in the first five rows! When they said the 'first five rows' this did not include the first three which were 'orchestra' seats, and presumably purchased separately. However, our seats were six rows back from the stage, and right in the middle! I would not try to win the dress contest, after all, I am an adult, but the colouring contest would be no contest at all! I told the office staff that I was going to sneak in my own crayons and felt tipped pens. The question would not be 'who won?' but ''who is the runner up?' I was ready to nudge anyone who did not colour outside the lines! I wonder how many took me seriously!
An email was received on Friday, letting us know that the 'meet and greet' with photos would be at the end of the show, and 'distanced'. There would be no hugs or physical contact with the cast.
My compassion went out to the parents, more than the children, in the beginning as the 'party' was not a party. After 'hanging around' for what seemed a very long time, and the adults were starting to get a little anxious, as the children were now rather bored, we were led out into a courtyard, and into another section of the building, up several flights of stairs, and into a room which had tables and chairs. Some sat in the chairs set out in front and we headed for a table. It looked like we were going to have some sort of presentation. We did not. We sat and waited. "Your bags have some colouring books in, if you want to colour" said a well-meaning volunteer. We sat and waited. "What's that?" asked one of the parents. It was the photo booth. Samantha and I went and had our picture taken and returned to the table. After about 45 minutes, we were taken back downstairs to the sound check. What happened to the contests? Perhaps they would be later? My colouring was, of course, perfect, but if there was no contest, there was no need to nudge. Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella looked rather disappointed, and so would I should I have gone to the trouble that they had, with wigs, costumes and make up. It was not until later that I realised the karaoke machine was in fact the television that had been playing in the corner! No one had said a word. I am sure the kids would have had a blast signing along to their favourite songs, and they would have been far more energised.
Into the auditorium we went. Our party of four took our allotted seats, although we could have sat anywhere for the sound check. After an introduction to the actresses, we were invited to ask questions. A couple were asked, and then I put up my hand. "Oh wow, it's Elsa", said a princess. "Elsa's grandma!" I corrected, after which came a few chuckles. I asked if there was ever an occasion when any one of them was playing a part, and mixed it with another. Apparently there was. One of the cast said she was playing one princess, whilst practising for another, and the two collided on stage. The one she was performing was sweetness and light, but the other was mean and ugly. The director called her in at half time and informed her that the sweet girl was expressing nasty tendencies. I appreciated that I had asked a reasonable question, and was rather tickled that one of the girls had asked if she could 'borrow' my hair for her next performance!
The first half of the show was somewhat disappointing to me. The costumes would have been more fitting for a performance of 'Grease' than for this show, and some of the kids were not overly impressed. Our little princess was rather bored! However, the second half was spectacular with long flowing glittery dresses and much more sparkle, and a finale of 'Let it go', which had everyone singing and swaying! Despite my perception of the first half, the cast were amazing, and sang so beautifully.
Eventually, we were told it was time to go an have our pictures taken with the Princesses! As we walked out, a woman who had been at 'the party' asked a little girl whom she was accompanying, "Did you enjoy that Princess?" There was no answer, so she asked again. "Oh yes, thank you. I had a lovely time", I said, and Samantha perked up, "She was talking to me!" Thankfully, it broke the 'Frozen' spell, and everyone started to laugh. However, merriment did not last for too long.
The 'underdressed' people who had come out from the other side of the room, it appeared, were the cast. They had changed out of their costumes and were now wearing their rehearsal gear. There were to be no individual photos, and everyone was hurried along as quickly as could be. A signed photograph of animated characters was handed out to each guest and that was it. I wondered how I would have felt if (and there would be no way I would) I had paid a considerable amount of money for this event. There appeared to be no difference between the $199 and $225 tickets, other than perhaps the seating in the auditorium, but that was a matter of a row or two. A staff member took our photograph, one on Samantha's phone, that was the allowed quota, and handed back the appliance. It was a dreadful photo. The cast were in a corner, and blurred, and we stood like we were waiting for a bus! It actually looked like we were having a family picture and the photographer had not paid attention and got some other people in the shot. To her credit (or discredit) the other people were so blurred you could not really see their faces! Was that the intention? We entered the lift with the grandma of the whining princess, who was still, quite understandable, asking "When do we meet the princesses?" The grandmother looked between close to tears, and rising rage! "Someone is going to get a phone call", she said, in a deep voice. We agreed that it was not what was promised. She was furious, and quite rightly so. The email had only stated that the photo would be 'distanced' and no physical contact would be possible. The rest of the 'promises' for the VIP Royal guest were not noted as compromised! "How do you explain to a five year old that she has had her picture taken with the princesses?" she said.
Monday saw a change in temperature, and I sent an email to the Director of the Texas Performing Arts. I did not expect an immediate reply, but perhaps an auto response would not have gone amiss. "Post your pictures on social media" we were advised. Samantha did, and was asked by someone if it was worth it. She only had to look at the picture of the 'cleaning crew' for her answer. How difficult would it have been for them to stay in costume? Samantha's comment on the picture indicated that things were not quite as they had been promised, and why would you want to post a picture that had a blurred cast and some not so dressed up people!
Of course, not having paid for my ticket, I could not demand compensation, and compensation was not what I was looking for. An apology would have been a start, but nothing came through. We continued with the week, and the temperatures rose, and it became very warm!
Not to be put off by the weekend's events, I dressed up every day for work. Nothing spectacular, although I did wear the leopard print boots with the 'shocking' pink heels on Friday, with appropriate attire. Hat to match boots and all else coordinating. "Those boots are .... killer!" said the manager at the taco restaurant on Friday evening. I normally just say "Thank you", but this time I had to agree. "I know! They really are!" I replied, and then thanked him, as he told me how awesome they were, over and over! Perhaps I should have worn them on Sunday, after all, and led the revolt!
Our shopping trip on Saturday was long! It was quite warm and windy to start with, but by the time we were half way through, the temperature dropped drastically and we had snow! Dana and I went to the garden center a little later, as my tomato 'grandchildren' are have babies, and there is already a tomato growing! I also have strawberries growing on last year's plant!
Sunday rounded the corner, and again temperatures dropped to a little below freezing. Still no response from the director of the Texas Performing Arts was received. It was a disappointment, but perhaps others received a response.
With Valentine's Day less than twenty four hours away, I feel next week will be one full of facts and historical data, when I give the annual speech on the origin of said date. It happens every year, in response to "Doesn't Dana do anything special for the day?" I wonder if they just say it to hear the speech! Probably not! I am a princess everyday, why just one! I heard someone say that the day has been renamed, "Charge double for flowers day", and did not think him cynical. What does that make me?
Having 'moaned' enough, I think it is probably time for me to take the afternoon off, and repot some of these plants that have taken over my spare bedroom, and perhaps give them a taster of 'outdoor' life after the final frost. Next week will take care of itself, and perhaps I will received some sort of excuse from the arts director. Perhaps not, but I shall be writing ..... another story!
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