Buffalo Gal

This is not a parable or even hyperbole.
This is California.
Coming from one of the other 48 unenlightened states (as I understand it, Hawaii is apparently cool)I have a new vision of "Peaceable Kingdom" after a week in California.
In the time I've been here:
Item 1 : A deer wandered on to the Golden Gate Bridge. The landmark span was closed to traffic for approximately 20 minutes as the deer was allowed to cross... apparently without even getting socked for the toll.
Item 2 : A mountain lion who wandered into a SF suburb did not enjoy the same good kharma. After being treed by local law enforcement, wildlife authorities were consulted who warned tranquilizers could take 20-30 minutes to take effect and cause erratic behavior. The decision was made to kill the lion. Some neighbors (especially those with small children) were pleased, but others were aghast. An impromptu shrine of candles, flowers and cards was created. A pair of self-identified "priests" came from Berkeley to bless and pray over the site. Local news gave the lion two days of coverage.
Item 3 : So as not to get anyone in trouble, let's just hypothethically say a music video was being shot with, oh just for example, a fairy tale theme. And let's take it one step more fantastic by saying perhaps the director's mother stopped by the set and was dispatched to find a frog for a scene. As a proper Hollywood parent, she headed for the local chain pet store and purchased for $16 each a frog and his stand in. She listened intently to the care and feeding instructions and was given a paper to sign expressly stating this animal would be used only as a pet and not for any film performance. Frogs everywhere else may be snake food and road kill, but in LA they apparently have agents, or at least a union.
She signed without conpunction knowing the pair already had designated pet homes with crew members. They were moist and happy throughout the shoot.
So she had to tell a little lie.
But it wasn't like she was going to leave either frog in a tree in the suburbs. In the worst case, she would have freed them on the Golden Gate.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2004-05-22 1:52 AM Free the frog This is not a parable or even hyperbole. This is California. Coming from one of the other 48 unenlightened states (as I understand it, Hawaii is apparently cool)I have a new vision of "Peaceable Kingdom" after a week in California. In the time I've been here: Item 1 : A deer wandered on to the Golden Gate Bridge. The landmark span was closed to traffic for approximately 20 minutes as the deer was allowed to cross... apparently without even getting socked for the toll. Item 2 : A mountain lion who wandered into a SF suburb did not enjoy the same good kharma. After being treed by local law enforcement, wildlife authorities were consulted who warned tranquilizers could take 20-30 minutes to take effect and cause erratic behavior. The decision was made to kill the lion. Some neighbors (especially those with small children) were pleased, but others were aghast. An impromptu shrine of candles, flowers and cards was created. A pair of self-identified "priests" came from Berkeley to bless and pray over the site. Local news gave the lion two days of coverage. Item 3 : So as not to get anyone in trouble, let's just hypothethically say a music video was being shot with, oh just for example, a fairy tale theme. And let's take it one step more fantastic by saying perhaps the director's mother stopped by the set and was dispatched to find a frog for a scene. As a proper Hollywood parent, she headed for the local chain pet store and purchased for $16 each a frog and his stand in. She listened intently to the care and feeding instructions and was given a paper to sign expressly stating this animal would be used only as a pet and not for any film performance. Frogs everywhere else may be snake food and road kill, but in LA they apparently have agents, or at least a union. She signed without conpunction knowing the pair already had designated pet homes with crew members. They were moist and happy throughout the shoot. So she had to tell a little lie. But it wasn't like she was going to leave either frog in a tree in the suburbs. In the worst case, she would have freed them on the Golden Gate. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top