At Wazzer’s pub on Cuba Street, Nigel, the owner/operator, is over the moon. Absolutely delirious. “We’re booked! One of the rugby teams booked for the Rugby World Cup! Yessss!†Cutlery clatters down, staff spill out of the kitchen. This is what every pub in New Zealand has hoped for – and it’s happening to them! […]
Entries Tagged as 'downtown'
Engagement Party History
March 16th, 2011 Comments Off on Engagement Party History
At Winona and Will’s engagement party, the previous generation is holding up the bar. “I don’t know about his having a party in a bar. Not the same as when I had mine at the Pines – that was a ballroom, then. Win could have had it at our house, like Helena did,” her stately […]
That Guy She Knows
January 19th, 2011 Comments Off on That Guy She Knows
“Is Wazzer here?” Winona croaks. She’s at the bar where, a month ago, she and Will and Ulrika were all hanging out, and where everything turned to custard. After fleeing her own flat, she realized that, in the middle of the day, she could call either her mother or Wazzer. And she wasn’t at the […]
Tags: downtown · drama! · glbt-queer · winona
O Hypno Tree
December 3rd, 2010 Comments Off on O Hypno Tree
Winona has had an excellent day. For once, she managed to get a Jewish holiday right, winning a real smile from a dry manager and a squealing hug from a labile American co-worker. It’s a dazzling evening, and her friends are all around her. Her partner Will, sweet geeky Willow, Will’s best mate Wayne and […]
Game On
October 18th, 2010 Comments Off on Game On
After enthused reports, Will and Winona have ventured to the roller derby. Alas, this end of season game is tepid. Fan favorites are out with injuries, or working behind the scenes to give fresh skates a chance. One team has won two previous bouts, so this third one isn’t changing anything. Like many in the […]
Tags: downtown · roller derby · ulrika · wayland · will · winona
The Wind Up
August 4th, 2010 1 Comment
There was a moment on the drive back to Wellington. Winona glanced up from the very back seat. In the rear view mirror, she saw her partner, Will, check out her and Ulrika, nearly nestled together as Ulrika murmured her story. Intuition twinged in her gut. Her partner was thinking about something, and she was […]
A Flower for Vicky
July 21st, 2010 2 Comments
Winona trails home from work, lingering all the way. The winter evening feels like spring. She browses through a few stores, the sale racks full of rejected clothes for 22nd-century space nuns, and leaves empty-handed. Her walk home takes her through Courtenay Place – not packed with munted rowdies, as it will be on Saturday […]
IAWL Likes…City Market on Sunday
July 12th, 2010 Comments Off on IAWL Likes…City Market on Sunday
Friends of mine outside of New Zealand are often incredulous about many of the facts of NZ life. Stubbies-and-jandals, $18 organic chickens, small children allowed to go 20 paces away from their parents without supervision. The most denial-inducing of them all is when I tell them that, if NZ was a country, it would be […]
The Good Day
March 31st, 2010 Comments Off on The Good Day
“You can’t beat Wellington on a good day.†And today is one of them. Clear silvery sunshine beats down on the jackets everyone is wearing, just in case. The autumn freshness means they’re still comfortable. The harbor’s waters retain summer’s friendly turquoise, only a hint of darker cold currents in the deeper spots. Even the […]