Concerts, cell phones and questions of etiquette

Two years ago I had one of those "When did I get old?" moments when a friend took me to see a Dave Matthews concert. It wasn't the masses of college kids wandering around in flip-flops that made me feel old, it was the realization that nobody raised lighters anymore when their favorite slow song was played. Instead, they all raised open cell phones and we gloried in their glow. I guess that makes sense in an era when fewer people smoke and everybody is wireless.

But what didn’t make sense to me was that so many people were taking photos with their phones. What happened to the times when photography was verboten and cameras were strictly prohibited?

I confess, I've been slow keeping up with the wireless generation. I've had a cell phone for more than a decade, but the phones I had were just “telephones,” not the “communications hubs” they are today. My latest, which lasted six years, was an archaic device that my nephew called “cute” because it was so “simple” and easy to use.

For Christmas, Dave bought me a new phone with a camera and web access. I had arrived.

So, last month, when I went with Dave and some friends to see John Mayer, I didn’t need to feel disconnected. Sure, I lifted an eyebrow at the girls wearing flip-flops in freezing and snowy weather, but I could raise my cell phone with the best of them during the slow songs.

And better yet, I could entertain myself with my camera phone and solve that long-standing question about photography during the concert. Apparently, no one cares about all these people snapping photos with their camera phones because the quality is crap.

See for yourself. Of the 10 photos I took, these are the best. I wonder what will happen in another few years when the technology improves?

Anne Lamott

Eagle-eye Marriott scored a hot ticket in town yesterday.

The two of us got to go to a recording of WFMT: Writers on the Record with Victoria Lautman featuring writer Anne Lamott.

The first time I heard of Anne Lamott, it was 1997 and I was at the national Romance Writers of America conference. I was walking with Jules into the conference bookstore, when suddenly she turned star-struck. Now, you have to understand that Jules doesn't get star-struck easily. No-sir-ee. So this caught my attention.

The star in question wore dreadlocks. "That's Anne Lamott. She wrote Bird by Bird," said Jules, who is by far a much more varocious reader than I am.

"Who? What?" was all I could answer, which happens more often than I'd like to admit when it comes to authors and books.

Dragging me over to prominently displayed table, Jules pointed out the big stack of Bird by Bird books. It was a book about writing. A Bible on the writing experience, so I was to understand.

So, I bought a copy of the book while catching glimpses of the mysterious Anne Lamott. It turns out she was at the conference to speak at the Published Author Network retreat that year. I wasn't (nor am I now) a member of PAN, so I couldn't attend.

Time passed. I read parts of Bird by Bird, and a year or so later, I went with JC and LadyKnyght to see Anne Lamott speak at a nearby community college. She'd just released her book Traveling Mercies, which I hadn't read.

But Anne was an incredible speaker. She had all sorts of funny and witty things to say that I wrote down somewhere (Note to self: Find those notes.) I came out of her talk incredibly inspired to write.

So much so, that a few weeks ago, when Marriott told me Anne Lamott was in town to speak again, I jumped at the chance to hear her. This time she was promoting her latest book Grace (Eventually), which I haven't read (are you noticing a trend?) .

I didn't take notes this time, but, again, I was totally impressed with her. Her talk this time was not about the writing process, but it was entertaining. Let's just say that even if all her latest books have become very Christian and spiritual, she's approaches it from an interesting perspective -- the leftist, f-bomb dropping side.

And the place was packed. They were turning people away at the door, which from what I understand, has never happened with this author series before. Fortunately, the talk is available for listening to over the Internet. (Link to a recording of the show.)

Update 2/19/2008:

Anne Lamott is coming to town again. She'll be speaking at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at Koten Chapel, 329 E. School Ave., North Central College, Naperville. She's touring with her paperback edition of Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. Tickets are $18, include admission to the event, one copy of Grace (Eventually) and booksigning. For information, contact Anderson's Book Store.

Kline Creek Farm

Took myself on a field trip Saturday to the Kline Creek Farm museum. It's run by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as an 1890s living history farm.

The blacksmithing demonstration brought me out there -- research for the next book -- but I had a great time wandering around. Even snagged a private tour of the farm house.

Of course, I didn't take photos inside the house or of the blacksmithing. It was too nice a day. Almost spring! My photos are from outside. Even the new lambs.



I ended my fieldtrip with a quick stop at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, where I snapped my favorite photo of the day.

Signs of spring

And now for some polite banter about the weather...

Yeah! It feels like spring!

We switched to Daylight Savings Time over the weekend, so now the evenings are longer, and we've had a spring "heat wave" of 50s the past few days and into the 60s today.

Most of the snow has melted, although it has been a really ugly and soggy process, revealing a lot of dirty snow mounds, snow salt residue, and dormant grass and trees.

I guess you had to be here in February, with all the snow and really cold weather, to really appreciate the beauty of this "heat wave". How nice it is to go outside in a light jacket. And how nice it is to sit at my desk and swelter in the heat because the air conditioning isn't turned on yet. (OK, that part isn't so nice, but it is tolerable.)

Now for the reality check. The first day of spring isn't until next Wednesday, and anytime between now and May 1 we could be dumped on with a whole lot of snow. A whole lot. But at least it usually melts quickly this time of year.

One down, lots more to go

Rejected so quickly. Fourteen hours after sending off a query letter, I get a response from the agency. Fabulous response time, and a very nicely worded rejection, to boot. This project is not a good fit for them at this time, but they encourage me to keep looking for the right agency.

So, I'll be mailing off another query tonight.

Is it March already?

So, I've been not-so-diligent about updating my site so far this year. I'm sorry to those of you faithful enough to keep checking back.

As I like to remind myself: Every moment is an opportunity to change.

The days are growing longer. Daylight Savings Time starts this weekend. Spring is only a few weeks away. My spirits are lifting more and more every day.

Work is keeping me busy. One of our vice presidents just posted a count-down to inform us that we have only 10 more weeks to deliver the major software package we've been developing. Thanks Mario... Oh, and we had a surprise a few weeks ago. Imagine coming in and being told that this is your last day working for this company. Here's all the pay and vacation time we owe you. And tomorrow, you'll be employed by this new company -- doing the exact same thing. It's not the first time I've been through a buy-out, but it is always a little draining, I think.

February was alternately really cold and really snowy. Not a month to get out a lot. Loki and Thor loved it, though, and we did manage to make it out a few times. We hosted another karaoke party a few weeks ago - another great time that I'll need to post about soon.

Writing-wise... I just sent out a query to an agent for Prairie Fire. I've been working on Witch's Fire. Finished reading "A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599" by James Shapiro and am reading "London in the time of Queen Elizabeth." Both wonderful resources for the time period for Witch's Fire. I'm also coordinating the paranormal category for the Windy City Four Seasons Awards, and need to get the entries organized for the first round of judging.

As for Dave and the dogs, they're all doing well. Everyone's happy and healthy -- and Loki and Thor are extra fluffy and soft after getting groomed on Saturday.

So, there, I've spit out some of the highlights for you. More to come. I promise.