Thursday, September 10, 2009

Yes, I'm Listening to You and You May End up in My Book

Tip of the Day: YA author Sara Ockler wrote a fabulous blog this week on choosing your agent. She includes a great list of questions to ask too!

I spent this past weekend celebrating my 10th anniversary with my husband in downtown Chicago.















We stayed in a fancy hotel and ate lots of fancy food in fancy restaurants and even took one of those (no I won't say fancy again) horse and carriage rides around the city.














It was awesome. One of the fun things we did was dinner up in the Signature room (it's on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building).














This was truly awesome and everyone should try it out once (though, second tip of the day, if you don't want to spend the bucks on dinner go up to the lounge on the 96th floor and get a drink or snack). Dinner was yum and really long. I'm not complaining about the time mind you, I could have sat up there all day looking at the great view and talking with my sweet hubby.




















But I was doing something else too. I was totally eavesdropping on the table next to us. They were SO entertaining! My husband thought I should stop but I couldn't. All writers eavesdrop (right? It's my job! Back me up here.). The people next to me were having a going away dinner for their Italian au pair. They loved her so much. It was lifetime movie sweet. There were nonstop hugs and kisses and gifts and speeches. It was really touching how much they were going to miss her. I've never met an au pair so I was thinking I need to remember some of the things they were talking about in case I ever need it for a book. I may have even jotted down some notes on my iphone. Did I go to far? :-)

Kristina, Miss Delighted to Debut

8 comments:

woman who roars said...

He he he - not too far at all. I actually work for an au pair agency and I LOVE hearing these stories.
We did something similar when our last au pair left - its like bidding a favorite sister/daughter/life&sanity saver goodbye.

Tabitha said...

LOL!!

It's totally our job to eavesdrop on other people. :) I can't help myself - conversations worm right into my brain even if I try to block them out. I guess it's just an occupational hazzard. :)

The Signature Room is fantastic, isn't it? We used to live within walking distance of it, and would go to the lounge quite often. It's best on saturday nights during the summer, when Navy Pier has fireworks. It's the best view in the whole city. :)

Kristina Springer said...

Sierra- exactly!! It was so great seeing how much they loved this girl! She was so touched too-- lots of tears.

Tabitha-- fantastic tip!! I will have to remember that-- fireworks have to be AMAZING from the lounge! And lucky you getting to live so close.

Kate Fall said...

Happy Anniversary!

Wait, there are people who DON'T eavesdrop on other people in fancy restaurants? I'm not sure I believe that.

Lisa Schroeder said...

Happy Anniversary! Looks like a lovely weekend. And yes, you know we'll back you up. :)

Emily Marshall said...

Happy Anniversary, Tina. Sounds like you guys had a fancy time :) And it's hard not to eavesdrop in situations like these.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it seems like people WANT the entire restaurant, or train car, or whatever, to hear them.
I recently overheard a conversation about a truly troubling mother/daughter (or maybe they were steps, hard to tell) relationship.

Christina Farley said...

You crack me up! Love it! But I'm glad you had fun with your hubby.