Mystery Party

My friend, Peggy, organizes mystery parties both here and in Ohio once a year.
It's a leap of faith to sign up for one of these things, because you never know who will show up, where you're going, what to wear (although she usually gives you a hint), and exactly what you'll be doing for the next several hours.

Last year, we ended up decorating the Burbank Rose Parade float. It was November... in the early stages of the preparation. It was quite interesting to see the wire mesh work and the internal machinations of the float. We cut dry flowers for a few hours. Doesn't sound too exciting, but it was fun to chat and realize that the flowers would end up somewhere on the float January 1 in the parade.

This year we were told to wear something black. About 26 people showed up at the designated location to carpool to our final destination. But first, you have to guess where you'll be going. If you have no idea, you can just put down something you'd like to do in the future. That's how Peggy gets her ideas. No one guessed our mystery venue.

I must have passed Hollywood Forever Cemetery a zillion times on my way to Paramount Studios. Well, actually, I was just passing there too. This vastly immaculately landscaped cemetery, boasting mausoleums, exhibitions, monuments and gardens was the venue for the 9th annual celebration of Dia de Los Muertos MMVIII. Don't ask me to translate. I only know that muertos means death or some derivation of it.

This annual celebration held on the religious "All Saints Day" allows one to partake of various sacred ceremonial tributes and memorable altar creations on the ground.
Actually, the altars were unbelievably elaborate and colorful. The place was packed with people in masks, skeletal costumes, etc. At this year's celebration they danced and sung in memory of Julian Trace Posada, known as "Happy Feet," 2006 - 2008.

To make things even more interesting at this final resting place for many Hollywood stars, Peggy organized us into two teams and sent us on a scavenger hunt. This is one great way to cover the grounds in a short period of time (well, actually, we had an hour to do it, and we needed every bit of it). Some headstones dated as far back as the Civil War. Rudolph Valentino is buried there, as well. It was quite interesting walking among the many imposing tall old headstones and towering monuments. Many had large pictures of the deceased imposed on the stone.

Johnny Ramones' cool grave site (guitar in hand) was on our list, as was Mel Blanc's ("That's All Folks!") We never did find Estelle Getty's resting place nor were we able to enter the mausoleum where Bugsy Siegal is entombed. I guess it was only fitting that the beautiful weather we had been having took a hiatus while it sprinkled and was overall a bit dreary while we were there.

If you're at all interested in finding out who's who in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, located next to Paramount Studios, check out Tony Scott's book, "The Stars of Hollywood Forever."

Does Peggy know how to throw a party or what! I'm in for next year.

"If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner."
Tallulah Bankhead