Category: travel Page 14 of 19

I have come to the lobby of the Hilton Hawaiian Village to reflect on the first day of the Spellbinders Conference in Hawaii.

Gary Braver.

For me, it began with Gary Braver’s presentation on writing genre fiction, a truly excellent one. I had wanted to attend his presentation at the final Hawaii Writers’ Conference, but it filled quickly and this Boston-based college professor and author shared much useful information.
That was followed by a panel with Jon Land (author of the Caitlin Strong series), the author of the Batman graphic novels (I’m down here without my program, so forgive me for being vague), F. Paul Wilson and Gary Braver, again. This was truly a good panel.

Jon Land,author of the Caitlin Strong novel series.

Kaui Hart Hemmings, author of “The Descendants.”

The young woman you see being interviewed during the lunch break (lunch was great!) hit the jackpot with her very first novel, which was made into the film “The Descendants,” starring George Clooney. Kaui Hart Hemmings is currently working on a novel set in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The lunch program said that Tia Carrere was to be interviewed during that period of time. Instead, here is James Strauss interviewing a movie director. Nobody at my table caught the movie director’s name, but that’s immaterial and secondary to the fact that he definitely is not Tia Carrere.

Author Jane Smiley, winner of the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for her Novel “1,000 Acres” and me at lunch in Honolulu at Spellbinders Conference.

My lunch table included Jane Smiley and Jack Canning, who met when he was contacted to do some work at her house in Carmel. At the time, Ms. Smiley was going through a divorce. Enter Jack. Later, I attended her panel discussion and she shared some passages from her book “13 Ways of Looking at the Novel” in which she read bezillion great works of literature and analyzed them for such things as, “How much of the novel is taken up by exposition?” (A: 10%). “At what point should the denouement begin?” (A: 90% of the way in.) It was a very interesting and informative panel, and I was glad I was an English major in college, with PhDconcentration, or you could definitely be left in the dust very quickly.

After lunch, the panel on which I presented–all of us basically the “lesser lights.” (It was not well attended)

“Women Who Can Do It All” panel in Hawaii at the Spellbinders Writers’ Conference.

After Ms. Smileys panel, F. Paul Wilson spoke about characterization and point-of-view in genre writing. Author of the Repairman Jack novels, after 15 years of writing the series, he is ending it. I gave him a copy of “Hellfire & Damnation II,” but I fear he will find it lacking. From what comments he made, he is an exacting taskmaster and will be pickiest on those things I do most poorly. Nevertheless, he is in possession of a copy of my newest short story collection, and perhaps he will take pity on a rookie like me. Although I wrote 3 volumes of “Ghostly Tales of Route 66,” they were works for hire and I had little leeway in including language not

F. Paul Wilson.

suitable for a 10-year-old. Plus, I had to lay out the book, which is asking for trouble. Nevertheless, I drove the route in 10 days, wrote each 18,000 page book in a week, and did the best I could under the most adverse circumstances. “Hellfire & Damnation,” the original short story collection, was damaged by an unscrupulous sort who stole 3 of my short stories at the moment of truth, putting them in his own collection without any permission to do so. I had to quickly run in some of the “G-rated” ghost stories, and the collection suffered. “Hellfire & Damnation II” is a better collection, plus it has pictures, although I do admit to liking a few of the original collection’s stories, such as “Confessions of an Apotemnophile.” (Apparently, the Berkeley Fiction Review liked that one, too.)
Next came the luau, which was quite festive. The fire baton twirler deserves kudos. The drinks for the event, however, were outrageous, at $6.50 for 2 Diet Cokes and $22 for one white wine (in a plastic cup) and one beer. It did not appear that the bartender was doing much business, as a result. A light sprinkling of moisture ended the night for most of us, with another full day tomorrow.
It is also the celebration of the Queen’s birthday and Iolani Palace will be open.

The luau crowd watches in amazement.

You can never have enough pictures of a fire dancer.

Fire dancer at Spellbinders’ luau.

What else—? Hula dancers at the luau.

Spellbinders Conference in Hawaii on Aug. 31, 2012

By Connie Wilson

On September 1, 2012

In Books, Pop Culture, travel

Pulitzer-prize winning author Jane Smiley and Jack (her significant other) who live in Carmel, California, now, but Jane is an Iowa graduate and taught at Ames for many years.

I’m here in balmy Hawaii on the 18th floor of the Hilton Hawaiian Village and tonight was the Welcome Cocktail party, which had rumaki, crab cakes, and many other delicacies I was not able to identify. (Drink tickets, too). I enjoy it immensely. Not only did I get to meet the great Jane Smiley, who wrote “1,000 Acres” and won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for same, but I found out about the December 15th New Orleans Writers’ Tour of that great city (a fundraiser, primarily) and met Gary Braver of Boston, whose class I so wanted to take back when the last Hawaii Writers’ Conference under John Tulius was held.
This is a “new, improved” Hawaii Writers’ Conference, with no Mr. Powers (thank the Lord) but Gary Braver is still here and many new and equally gifted writers, including F. Paul Wilson (whom I shall referemce as Cousin Paul henceforth, to his eternal consternation), Jane Smiley, Gary Braver and others. I cannot think of all the names of all the luminaries, but Heather Graham and I talked at length about her wonderful fund-raising efforts to aid New Orleans and how that will go down, again, on Dec. 15th, this year, with Jonathan Maberry and David Morrell in attendance. I hope to be there.

Author Jane Smiley, Writer James Strauss (“House,” “Deadwood,” “John from Cincinnati,” the novel “The Boy”) and his wonderful wife of 44 years, Mary) in Hawaii at the Spellbinders’ Welcoming night cocktail party, which James helped helm.

The weather has been balmy, slighty windy, about 80 degrees and typically Hawaiian. I always wanted to retire to Hawaii, but was soon dispossessed of that delusion after the reading of the will. (“Well, you can RENT a place for a couple of weeks but you can’t LIVE there.”)

Here I am, however, on my 6th or 7th trip to the Islands and scheduled to present (with others) tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. till 2:50 p\.m

A wonderfu; time.

Presenting at the Hawaii Writers’ Conference (aka Spellbinders Conference)

By Connie Wilson

On August 31, 2012

In Books, travel

John Teehan (“The Merry Blacksmith”) and I in Chicago.

We are now in Hawaii, but, before leaving Chicago, I had the distinct pleasure to meet John Teehan (Publisher, “The Merry Blacksmith”), a wonderful layout artist and publisher extraordinaire, who was in Chicago. (He took the train!) John will be attending WorldCon in the Windy City, while I will be taking on the 50th (and newest) state for SpellbindersConference.com . [What a team! “I cover the Heartland” (and all parts hither) and John is East coast-based (Providence, R.I.)] John was also able to save the day in sending a PDF file of “H&D II” to a Virtual Tour participant who had not received the book yet.

Here, you see us on the balcony of my Writer’s Lair in Chicago, with the Chicago skyline in the background. Shortly afterwards, we dined at Scout in my neighborhood, a sports bar in the Central Station District.

Next morning, bright and early (and you all know how much I love early morning risings), we departed for Hawaii, leaving for the airport 2 and 1/2 hours prior to our boarding time of 9:13 a.m. The flight was uneventful, except that the stewardess was very nice and asked why we were going to Hawaii and I got to say I was “presenting at the Hawaii Writers’ Conference,” which is actually true. She asked for my card and said, “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Nice gal.

Craig enjoys the creatures at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

We arrived at 2 p.m. Hawaii time and wandered around gathering supplies for our lovely ocean-view room. The only problem with the 18th floor ocean view is that there is also a view of the construction on a new swimming pool down below. We ate dinner (pizza) and finally decided we were too tired to do much else. (Despite a 2-hour nap upon arrival).

I tried to sign on to the Internet in our room ($16.95 per day) and it would not work. Therefore, I am now down in the “internet free” courtyard in 80 degree balmy Hawaiian weather, with lovely songs accompanying the sound of buzz saws and building (the construction outside our window). Ah, yes, the sound of a chain saw!

I went down to claim my books, mailed from the East Moline Post Office on August 14 and scheduled to arrive on August 27th. They were not in the business office, but the tracking slip revealed that they had, in fact, arrived as scheduled on August 27th and were now sitting in the post office. Leaving that problem for today, we turned in early and Craig got up early.

A gaggle of Republican turtles discussing the rambling and disrespectful remarks of Dirty Harry at last night’s RNC in Tampa.

I registered and went into the ballroom to sit and chat with Gary Braver of Boston, the presenter at the last conference whose class I badly wanted to take. I told him my sad tale of woe involving the Hawaii Writers’ Conference he last presented at and he told me some more tales of woe regarding it. He said he was going to buy a copy of “It Came from the ’70s: From The Godfather to Apocalypse Now.” I gave a copy of “Hellfire & Damnation II” to blurber Jon Land, who was his usual charming self.

Met at least 2 of the women who will be on the panel with me tomorrow. One of them has it all figured out how many minutes each of us is to get. (?) Not the way the panels at “Love Is Murder” (on which I have served) worked, but maybe she’s right.

I forgot my curling iron, so there will be a definite lack of stylishness to Yours’ Truly’s hair. In fact, I soon have to go try to make the “travel pack” of electric rollers serve, as that is all I have. Cocktail party tonight.

Here are some pictures of the parrot s and the penguin on the grounds and a very young tourist enjoying the penguin at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Spellbinders Conference, 2012.

ThrillerFest in New York City & Other Things That Have Kept Me Away from the Blog

By Connie Wilson

On August 6, 2012

In Books, Music, Politics, travel

I’ve been away from the keyboard for a variety of reasons:

1) I attended ThrillerFest in New York City July 11-14 and had the opportunity to hear wisdom from many great writers. Pictures are a few. The HWA’s own W.D. Gagliani was on one panel, as was Nate Kenyon (“Diablo: The Order”). I had the opportunity to see the Terra Cotta soldiers at the Discovery Center on W. 44th Street and, as a special treat, I got to wait in LaGuardia airport from 6 p.m. until almost midnight (the plane was supposed to leave at 8 p.m.)

ThrillerFest in NYC in July.

Joseph Finder, author of “Paranoia,” “Company Man,” et. al.

Lady Liberty has a small wardrobe malfunction n Times Square.

: Jon Land, author of the Caitlin Strong series.
Grand Central Terminal, right next to the Hyatt where Thrillerfest was held.

2) Upon our return, we spent some time at the beach with Scott, Jessica, Ava & Elise.

Ava & Elise with Grandpa at the 31st St. Beach in Chicago.

3) Then, of course, there was my birthday. We dined at Nellicoat, which used to be a different restaurant on Randolph, but is now very fancy.

Nellicoat, the fancy restaurant on Randolph Street where we dined on my birthday with son Scott and daughter-in-law Jessica.

4) July 28, Saturday: Chicago and the Doobie Brothers at Northerly Isle Pavilion (birthday celebration).

Northerly Isle Pavilion, July 28th, 2012: Chicago and the Doobie Brothers.

The Doobie Brothers appeared with Chicago this year (7/29/2012).

Chicago skyline at dusk.

5) Last, but certainly not least, I’ve been putting the finishing touches on “Hellfire & Damnation II,” which went “live” as an E-book on July 28th. It’s a truly entertaining book, with illustrations for each story and a great cover from Vincent Chong of the UK, plus a Fro the Author section explaining the inspiration for the stories. There will be a 5-day period when the book on Amazon Kindle will be free, but that has yet to be determined. Stay tuned for the exact dates, which will probably be near Halloween.

“Hellfire & Damnation II” available now in paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and in Kindle E-book from Amazon. Stay tuned for free download dates, which will be somewhere near Halloween.

6) Lollapalooza has been ongoing in Chicago all weekend. I’ve been listening to the groups from my balcony, except when a very bad storm caused authorities to evacuate the park. The last band that got to play its set as originally scheduled was “Moon Taxi” from Nashville, friends of my daughter’s. At about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, the high winds and rain swept in. However, the concert continued after a brief period of time, allowing the Red Hot Chili Peppers to perform, at least. On Sunday, Florence & the Machine and Jack White played and they sounded great.

: Lollapalooza, August 3-5.

CTA In Chicago Crimes Are Widespread: Red Line @ Roosevelt is the Worst

By Connie Wilson

On June 28, 2012

In News, travel

Buses Are Best!

As a woman alone in Chicago much of the time, often traveling alone to my destination, is it safer to ride the bus or the ell?

That question prompted me to argue that public transportation was not necessarily the “best” way for my friend and I to travel to attend the Chicago Film Festival in October at the AMC Theaters, on Illinois Street.

She argued for public transport; I argued against it, pointing out that we would be coming home after dark. Parking your car in the AMC Theater lot, where the film festival has been held the past 2 years, costs $33 if you are there more than 4 hours, which we are if we attend multiple films. (If you are there only 4 hours, you can have your ticket validated and pay something like $17, still a horrible cost, thanks to ex-Mayor Daley selling all parking to Morgan Stanley).

Still, does having your purse or cell phone stolen, or being assaulted sound better? And that is happening at an alarming rate on the Chicago CTA, which has only kept records of such things since 2008. Furthermore, if you ARE assaulted or the victim of a robbery, chances are very slim that anyone will be caught. Arrests have been on a downward spiral for decades and are made in less than 4% of thefts (probably why so few are even reported) and only 15% of the time in robberies. If you see someone jumping a turnstile to avoid paying a fare, chances are good that someone will be involved in a crime later on, perpetrated against someone innocent other on the CTA buses or trains.

The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) has not been very eager to reveal figures on crime(s) committed on their buses and subways. Because I live near the Roosevelt Red Line, I remember the touching story of the elderly woman who was knocked down a flight of stairs there by thugs who were attempting to steal her cell phone. She died as a result. The nurse who tried to help her commented in that story that she was still haunted by the event to this day. I am haunted by the event, because that is the train I would have to take, were I to ride the subway. But, really, with $33 parking rates, who can afford to drive and park in the city of Chicago ? The alternative is to take the Red Line, so let’s examine the “Tribune’s” findings about its safety.

The “Chicago Tribune” team of Jon Hilkevitch, Alex Bordens and Joe Germuska (Sunday, June 24) set out to find out what the true crime figures are for riders of the CTA. If you guessed that buses are safer than subways (I did), you are right. If you guessed that the Roosevelt Red Line is the most dangerous subway station of all, you are right. If you guessed that the Number One crime reported on both buses and trains is theft, you are right. [From 2009 to 2011, thefts rose +42%. Many are not even reported, since they have become commonplace.]

From 2009 through 2011, robberies of CTA passengers went up +69% (500 to 800). Many do not report being ripped off, figuring (correctly) that they’ll never see that IPhone or IPad again. However, if they are accosted at gun or knifepoint, they tend to report it, (for all the good it does.)

A second sobering statistic involved batteries on the CTA. Battery of passengers increased 15% on buses and 1% on rail in the same time period (2009-2011). But let’s be clear: the number of reported incidents on buses were about half of those reported on trains, 5,457 versus 10,759.

Q: What is the most dangerous period of the day to travel on the CTA?

A: Two o’clock in the morning. It’s actually pretty dangerous to get on a bus or train after dark, period. From 11 p.m. until 4 a.m., riding buses or trains hasn’t much to recommend it, in terms of safety. Said Mike Bjordal, a 52-year-old Iowa native who manages Leona’s restaurant in Hyde Park and rides the train home to Edgewater at 3 a.m., “The Red Line late at night is dangerous as hell.”

Bjordal’s rules: (1) Always ride the first car (2) Never make eye contact (3) Take the individual seat on the car so no one sits next to you (4) Mind your own business. Of course, “minding your own business” didn’t prevent Nicholas Antunes, age 21, from being robbed and beaten on the Red Line. Nor did it prevent Jeremy Kniola, age 35, from being robbed at gunpoint on the Blue Line. Nor did it prevent Melissa Singleton, age 43, from being the victim of a pickpocket on the bus. [Pickpocketing becomes more likely at Rush Hour and the subway platforms are among the dangerous areas.]

One victim, Kody Zaagman, 22, a pre-med student at Loyola who was robbed on the Green Line while returning to his Oak Park home says he no longer takes public transportation. “I drive everywhere now. I just don’t want to be on the train any more. It’s not worth it.”

One bright spot is this: Although 5,800 crimes were reported on the CTA in 2011, the CTA provided rides to 532 million passengers. Also, robberies on the CTA for the first 5 and 1/2 months of 2012 are down 31%, batteries are down 22% for the same period, and thefts declined 14% when compared to 2011. Now, if the Chicago police can just do something about the broad-daylight muggings being reported at bus stops in the Chicago Station District (near the Museums), I’ll hang up my car keys.

And the $240 million overhaul of the 95th Street station at 43rd and Cottage, plus a 5-year renovation of the Red Line, which promises 55 mph trains and will be completed by 2014 was reported by Mary Ann Ahern of Channel 5 only a few days ago. The station services 20,000 people daily, and is 43 years old. Despite the sobering statistics in this article, hope springs eternal and regular people who have to get to work will, no doubt, still take the bus or the ell.

Emerald Bay, Mazatlan, Mexico: January 11, 2012

By Connie Wilson

On January 12, 2012

In Humor and Weird Wilson-isms, Mexico, travel

Sunset, Mazatlan, Emerald Bay.

We’ve been here now since Saturday, and I have learned that it is not a good idea to mix wine, Bloody Marys, octopus, squid, pina coladas and Mexican coffee, which is set on fire tableside and contains tequila, in the same day. I learned this the hard way. (And I don’t even LIKE octopus!)

We finally got on a bus and took it to the OLD Pueblo Bonito location in the town. Where we are, the grounds are beautiful and there are at least 4 places one can dine, so going in to town doesn’t seem essential. Add to that the reports from the locals, who say the cruise ships no longer stop in the port and the Gold Zone, as it is known is “dead.” We were told that on Friday it might have more life, as there might be musicians, so we will go into the marketplace tomorrow, but tonight we will stay here and enjoy Italian night at the restaurant that is the fanciest one.

Of course, Kelly’s Bar is quite interesting, with all of its mounted heads on the wall and its feeling of Early Hemingway.

Sunset in Mazatlan.

There are quite a few ex-government employees here and quite a few retired college professors and quite a few retirees, in general. Yesterday, we met a gentleman (last name: Wee) who taught music at St. Olaf College, but was here with his family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. He said he was 74. There is also a woman named Mary who taught at Auburn and also a young couple, who left on Wednesday.

We’re watching the New Hampshire primary fall-out on CNN and Fox here and I, in particular, am watching the South Carolina primary with interest.

Kelly’s Bar within Emerald Bay in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Sunset, Mazatlan, Emerald Bay.

A lion-skin within Kelly’s Bar, beneath the piano.

One of 5 pools.

Newest of the 5 pools, near “The Bistro” eatery.

Mounted tiger head on the wall of “Kelly’s” Bar.

The Kelly family owns the land on which Emerald Bay sits, courtesy of Irish ancestor John Kelly. All family members have contributed their stuffed heads, some dating back to the fifties, some as recent as 2008.

Sunset in Mazatlan.

Mazatlan, Mexico: January 10, 2012

By Connie Wilson

On January 10, 2012

In Mexico, travel

Emerald Bay, Mazatlan, Mexico. January 10, 2012.

We’ve been here since January 7th, after a 12-hour flight that saw us turning in at 7:30 p.m.

Not doing much, other than reading Stephen King’s new book (and wondering if he ever read mine that dealt with time travel, “Out of Time.”)

I’ve taken a few pictures of the grounds. There are many more to come. It’s chilly, by my standards, but not THAT chilly when it’s only 45 degrees in Chicago.

Hope all is well at home.

Flamingoes and a black swan @ Emerald Bay.

Emerald Bay, Mazatlan, Mexico. January 10, 2012.

“Coldplay”, Sept. 23, IHeartRadio, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

By Connie Wilson

On October 14, 2011

In Music, travel

Here’s a link to the finale of the “Coldplay” set during the September 23 IHeartRadio show in Las Vegas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJKL3ilk810

“IHeartRadio” Show at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, on September 23, 2011

By Connie Wilson

On September 24, 2011

In Music, Reviews, travel

Las Vegas, Nevada, September 23, 2011 “IHeartRadio” hit the MGM Grand tonight, bringing some of the hottest live acts currently touring together in an eclectic 2-day extravaganza billed as “the biggest live concert festival in radio history” in the September 18, 2011 Las Vegas Magazine & Show-Biz Weekly article entitled “Titans of the Airwaves” by Josh Bell. As Bell phrased it, “Clear Channel is pulling out all the stops to promote its new IHeartRadio service.”

First up singing to the audience of 12,000 were the Black Eyed Peas with Will.i.am and Fergie. Noting that they first formed in 1995, were signed in 1997 and put out their first record in 1998 the energetic group said it used to perform for $20 a gig. “Now we get paid a whole lot more zeros than that. We’ve had a great career…We’ll never stop making music,” said Will.i.am. The group invited the audience to join in signing along to the theme from “Dirty Dancing” and it was the most successful sing-along request of a 3-hour concert. Biggest impressions of the group: Fergie’s shorts were cut so high and short that she might as well have worn a thong and there was a lot of energetic jumping up and down.

That level of energy made it difficult for Kelly Clarkson to compete on an equal footing. The former “American Idol” winner and singer-songwriter sang many of her hits like “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Walk Away” but her request for an audience participation moment resulted largely in a crowd that didn’t know the words, and she finally relented and announced, “We’re not doing any more sad ballads to bring you down.” Clarkson looked slimmer than in some previous performances and sported a flattering hairstyle.

Every so often, for no more than a total of 5 minutes, it seemed, Ryan Seacrest would put in an announcing appearance, although others, such as Joe Jonas and a local DJ (Elvis Duran) carried most of the MC-ing heavy water. Another change in the night’s programming saw John Mayer drop out due to illness.

After Clarkson’s stint, Bruno Mars, who played Little Elvis in “Honeymoon in Vegas” in 1992 when he was 7 performed, and it was as though he was channeling the high-pompadoured singers of yesteryear like Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Jackie Wilson. Mars’ big hit “Just the Way You Are” was well-received, but it was astonishing how retro his look was: dark suit, white shirt, thin black tie and a pompadour that made JFK Jr’s hairdo look flat. Mars performed a bit of fancy footwork and seemed to give off a vibe that he thought he was very cool, indeed. The middle-aged lady in front of me in the nose-bleed section began waving her cell phone and pumping her arm in the air; I wanted to tell her to cool her jets. We were a long way from catching young Bruno’s eye. A song dedicated to Amy Winehouse (“I miss you. I love you.”) Seemed like blatant capitalizing on the recent death of the British songbird.

The next performer out of the box began by telling the crowd, “I think the IHeartRadio show is the most eclectic I’ve ever been in.” The introduction for Carrie Underwood, American Idol’s darling, was given by Joe Jonas, and Carrie was one of the strongest performers of the night. She danced around the stage, looked lovely, belted out her ballads, and all I could think of was how far she had come since the cow-milking segment featured on her early “American Idol” appearance. She is a polished performer now, much slimmer, and genuinely beautiful. It was now nearly 9:30 p.m. and the show had begun 2 hours earlier.

At this point, amongst the never-still throngs who were in constant motion, a stranger climbed over me and, as he passed in haste, something wet spilled on my leg. I could only hope it was beer. An announcement was made that Justin Timberlake plans to host something billed as an Old School Jam on October 1^st. It will feature Earth, Wind & Fire, Charlie Wilson and Vanilla Ice. All I could think of was that I had been under the impression, apparently mistaken, that Robert Van Winkle, 44, had melted years ago, and, having just seen Earth, Wind & Fire at Northerly Isle Pavilion (also known as Charter One Pavilion) in Chicago this summer, the band was now featuring the children of the original performers, after nearly as many years as a performing group (i.e.. 42). However, early word regarding Timberlake’s attempts to cross over to action hero in his newest sci-fi film makes his return to the music world timely.

Next up was 52-year-old Perry Farrell, generally regarded as one of the godfathers of alternative rock. The Farewell Tour that Farrell organized for his band “Jane’s Addiction” in 1991 became Lollapalooza, now a 2-day destination tour centered in Grant Park in Chicago. Tonight, Farrell announced that his performance represented “the rock and roll version of IHeartRadio.” With Dave Navarro on guitar, the set was excruciatingly loud and employed a Persian/Arabic-themed stage backdrop with much use of confetti canons. When Farrell talks to address the crowd, he sounds like a cartoon character with his high-pitched voice. It is now 10 minutes of 10 p.m.

At this point, saving the day and the concert, Coldplay emerges, singing “Rule the World.” Chris Martin actually lay down onstage at the end of the song and asked, “Is there anybody out there?” He also told a story that went Snippet of Chris Martin of “ColdPlay.” (See longer video clip on Facebook at my Profile.)like this: “We played down the street in a little club at 3 in the morning when we were starting out, just this band from Britain, and there were just 2 ladies in the place and one of them was deaf, and even she walked out. We said that one day we’d come back and play the MGM Grand. I hope you’re having a great time. And that’s all I have to say. Don’t lose all your money.” And then, almost as an after-thought, before throwing himself into energetic flailing about that seemed almost childlike in its random-ness, Martin added, “The back is the best place to see our band.” If you gave yourself over to the pulsing, exuberant experience, Coldplay was a fantastic way to go out. They exited to huge applause. Only problem was, Alicia Keys had to follow Coldplay.

Much like Kelly Clarkson, doomed to come on after the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys performed admirably (and overly loudly, much like Perry Farrell), with a backdrop of white doves flying across the projection screen behind her piano. She often stood center stage, solo, to sing songs while attired in a sparkly top like every other female performer. (Sparkles are in this season). It was now 10:30 p.m. and Alicia announced her intention to play a new song, “A Place of My Own” on the Yamaha piano, saying, “It’s an incredible night, I have to say.”

Announcements were made that Lady Gaga would perform with the just-turned-60 Sting on Saturday night, along with Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Rascal Flatts, Nicki Minaj, Sublime with Rome, Usher, Kenny Chesney and Jay-Z. The ticket price in the nosebleed section I was in was listed as $165, but there were 9 empty seats in my row (Section C 209) and they were going for 2 to 3 times that on StubHub. Some of the seats down front were priced in the thousands online.

Coldplay and Carrie Underwood made my seat worth what I paid for it, but when the witching hour of 11:00 p.m. came and went, with only the possible appearance of Jay-Z (he was a late addition and may never have appeared, I was happy to bolt, waiting for what seemed like hours in the taxi line outside the MGM Grand.) Stay tuned for tomorrow night’s big show, which drew fans from both coasts and all areas in between. Big draws tomorrow are Lady Gaga appearing with Sting and Steven Tyler.

Chicago: A Typical Day in the City, September 7, 2011

By Connie Wilson

On September 8, 2011

In Humor and Weird Wilson-isms, Local, Pop Culture, travel

I signed myself up for a class at the “Tribune” building on Facebook. The class began at 9:00 A.M. , so I rode the bus to the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue and entered the impressive-looking old stone building.

The building has inscriptions on the walls that reflect the laws as they pertain to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. I was met at the door by a young girl who directed me to go “down the hallway and turn left and you’ll see a Welcome sign.” Unfortunately, she failed to mention the room number and that I had to take an elevator to the basement, as well. Therefore, I found myself standing in front of a nice sign on an easel with absolutely no idea of where to go next.

At that point a very nice gentleman in a suit and tie took it upon himself to attempt to guide me to the correct room, which had never been mentioned in any literature. We went back to the lobby, but the welcome girl was gone. We asked at the desk and that yielded little, so he took me to the 7th floor (wrong) and, again, back to the lobby. There, we learned that I would have to take the elevator to the basement, which had never been mentioned in any directions. (My guide suggested I write this down on the “appraisal” form following the class.)

The class went about as I had anticipated and we were released to “the real world” about noon. I knew the statue of Marilyn Monroe was right next door, so I took the pictures you see below of the Marilyn statue that is all the rage in Chicago this summer season (replacing the giant eyeball that held that distinction last year.)

After enjoying the Marilyn phenomenon—complete with tourists lined up to pose under the giant statue—I caught a bus to travel the rest of the way down the Miracle Mile to the 900 block (or so) where Water Tower Place is located. I had thought I might be able to walk it (from the 400 block) but thought better of it now that I had paraphernalia from my morning class. As I got off the bus, I began walking in the wrong direction, as it turned out. Nothing looked familiar and I was standing on a street corner waiting for the light to change when I noticed there was a policeman next to me, so I asked him, “How much farther is Water Tower Place? He laughed and said, “It’s 2 blocks back THAT way.” I turned around and began walking towards my destination, but, as I neared the Hancock Building, I heard the unmistakable sounds of “live” music being played in the courtyard outside the Cheesecake Factory and decided this would make a far better lunch venue than the interior of Water Tower Place.

My waiter, Peter Weaver, was very nice and obligingly posed with the 3D glasses I had found in my coat pocket while walking to the venue. They were left over from a Peter Gabriel concert (in 3D) that was shown at the Icon Theater on Roosevelt at 7:30 p.m. the previous evening. I only know one Peter Gabriel song (“In Your Eyes” from the movie “Say Anything”) but I always liked that one song, so I went. There were many unusual effects for the audience, as during a song called “Red Rain” when the rain appeared to be coming down on the audience and the idea of Peter holding a small mirror and reflecting back the lights on the audience via this hand mirror, which was weird. There was a full orchestra backing his vocals, called the New Blood orchestra, with a very young director named Ben Foster and arrangements for orchestra by John Metcalfe, who came out only to direct Gabriel’s big hit, “In Your Eyes,” which he sang as an encore. (“In your eyes, the light, the heat. …I reach out from the inside…”) Who can forget the iconic scene with John Cusack holding the huge boom box on his shoulder and playing that song for Ione Skye?

I ordered the half sandwich and soup, with salad ($10.95). To be honest. the soup wasn’t that great, but everything else was fine and my waiter was wonderful. I have film of the group playing, but it says it is too large to upload to this site, so you’ll have to imagine them singing various Motown songs, like “My Girl” and “Stand By Me.”

Following my lunch, when I spilled an entire glass of water over the table (not on myself, however, fortunately),the music stopped and I paid my bill and proceeded to Water Tower Place with the sole goal of going to Sephora and maybe to the Coach store. Here you see me with the two girls who work at Orogold, the make-up store just before you enter Sephora on the 5th floor of Water Tower Place. Mor Bare and Nina Angel. Nina is the blonde; I didn’t believe her that that was her real name, but it is. They were excellent saleswomen and sold me a bionic mask that is going to turn me back into a teenager with use just once a month. Both are from Israel and very pretty.

Unfortunately, the budget of a retired English teacher did not allow me to purchase as many products as I probably need (and want), but I did secure the most important ingredients to lovelier me…or so say Mor and Nina. I asked Nina if I could use her name in my next book. She agreed.

I told the girls, as I left, that I still had to make the obligatory stop at Sephora, as I needed some other things, besides the gooey warm stuff that would save my skin.

Therefore, I walked the 20 feet or so to the entrance of the Sephora store, where I entered saying, “BOIING. I need BOIING.”(Boing, for the uninitiated, is an under-eye concealer that my daughter turned me on to.) My clerk at the Sephora store turned out to be the store manager, Domingo Gonzalez, who has worked for Sephora for 6 years. He helped me find a brush and some night eye cream to replace my empty container and posed, obligingly, with my 3D glasses and the orange I had taken from the “Tribune.”

Now, it was time to travel down the escalator and find the Coach store, where I would buy a new fall purse. This would set me back a fair amount, if you know anything about Coach products! ($228, before tax, …and tax in Chicago is 10% or something outrageous..highest in the country.) Mor and Nina, if you’re reading this, now you know why I had to pass on certain cosmetic items that I’m positive would have helped me immensely. I needed a new purse, so what’s a girl to do?

I checked out all the Coach items and settled on the one that was the last of its kind in the store, and…said clerk Erin Watt…was the one most of the girls in the store have purchased because it has some gold in the “C” logo. [And it’s big. I mean really big!]

Here are the two girls who helped me at Coach, Erin Watt and Kelly Rady (Kelly is the blonde)

My last stop was within Macy’s, where I bought a pair of earrings on sale for $9 ($10 with tax) and met Katai Fenesk and Daniel Marban. (I had Katie? Katai? write her name down for me, and I confess I cannot tell whether it is Katie or Katai, but both were very nice and they told me the store had recently been remodeled (hence the pictures of the store’s interior). Since it is the old Marshall FIelds, that might not set well with some folks, but the only complaint I have is that the escalator was not working…but at least it was the “down” escalator. (From which I took one of these photos.)

Somehow, I convinced Katie (Katai? Katwi? Katui?) that a photo of the two of them in men’s watches would be so much more interesting if they used the props (i.e. the 3D glasses and the orange.) Surprisingly. they didn’t need much convincing. They seemed to get into the spirit of “a day in Chicago” and here they are with the aforementioned glasses and orange. I apologize to KatieKatai/Katwi/Katui but I can’t tell what comes after “t” and at this point. weren’t we all bored anyway?

I’ve been putting captions under all these photos and under this one it said, “Macy’s employees go for World Orange Eating record, but the captions are not appearing. (Go figure).

Here are some shots of the interior of Macy’s. featuring their new remodeling and their broken escalator (which I am standing on to take this photo).

And, last. and certainly least, since it is blurry, is a picture of the interior of the bus (#146) I rode back to Roosevelt Road. One girl had very red hair that was clown-like in its color and consistency. Two others were reading books. One was reading “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

The red you see is not a hat, but the actual hair color, layered atop a brunette shade. Very…unusual.

I returned from my adventures at 4:30 and, in preparation for tonight’s Republican debate from Simi Valley, I took a nap. After that, I watched the debate and twittered during it and wrote a piece that you should all go read on Associated Content, which actually pays me for my contributions, unlike THIS blog, which is mine and makes not one farthing.

Tomorrow, back to the IA/IL Quad Cities. I hope you have enjoyed ” a random day in Chicago.”