I've seen fire and rain and Night Ranger and Ratt and...

Clapton? Jimmy? Stevie? Hooker? I'd trade 'em all for Buddy Guy.I went to see James Taylor this weekend––who was excellent by the way. Far better than I’d anticipated. On the drive over I couldn’t help walking down memory lane, sort of mentally cataloging all the concerts I’ve been to over the years. They all seem to fall into categories. Here they are for my embarrassment and your enjoyment:

The “Good Lord, I really am a product of the 80s Category”
Night Ranger, Scorpions, Ratt, Heart, Boston, Huey Lewis & The News, Bryan Adams, The Hooters, Journey, The Outfield, REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Chicago, Go Gos, Randy Newman, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Bon Jovi, Cinderella, Def Leppard, Tesla, Toto, Phil Collins, Aerosmith, Dokken, David Bowie, Duran Duran, U2, Billy Joel, Los Lobos, ZZ Top.

The “I’m too old to be in the mosh pit but dove in anyway Category”
311, Beastie Boys, Everclear.

The “I live in Montana now, better get used to country music Category”
Billy Dean, Suzy Boggus, Kenny Chesney, Sawyer Brown.

The “I got free tickets because it’s a corporate fundraiser Category”
Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Matea, The Temptations, Chubbie Checker, America, Air Supply, Phil Vassar.

The “My Favorites of All Time Category”
Van Halen (with David Lee Roth), Buddy Guy, Pink Floyd, Taj Mahal.

The “Wait, I can explain Category”
Billy Ray Cyrus (worked concessions for a friend), Barry Manilow (come to think of it, I can't explain that one).

The “I had tickets but couldn’t go Category”
Green Day (funeral), Soundgarden (had to work).

The “Miscellaneous Category”
The Eagles, James Ingram, Don Ho, Celine Dion, Peter Frampton, Kentucky Headhunters.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a bunch, including a ton of small-town blues shows. What’s the best concert you’ve been to? The worst? The one you’re too embarrassed to share?

Color blind

Moment of truth: HOTEL is a split narrative. Most of the story takes place in 1942, the rest in 1986. Hmmm. Let’s see. And how long have I been working on this book? And I just now realized it would help to navigate the manuscript by printing out the two narratives on different colored paper. Oh yeah, I’m a bright one. Now if I can just figure out how to change a light bulb all by my lonesome…

On a completely different note, I’m going to see James Taylor tonight. (Weird reverse coincidence is that my son is named Taylor James. Don’t laugh––it beats Floyd Pink, Boys Beastie, Guy Buddy, or other favorite concerts I’ve been to).

“Oh, the humanity!”

Not since Herbert Morrison broadcast the fiery crash of the Hindenburg has there been such a terror-filled moment as yours truly appearing on the local NPR station yesterday. But instead of one giant hydrogen-fueled inferno, there will be thousands of drive-time fender benders--as my Ambien-like radio persona settles upon central Montana like the plague from a Cecil B. DeMille movie.

All drama aside, I did my first radio interview yesterday regarding HOTEL. And you know what? It was actually a ton of fun. Despite the fact that I have to remind folks in my neck of the woods that NPR isn’t the broadcast arm of the NRA.

A lit professor put me in touch with the local station regarding a Readings from the River segment, but instead of reading a few chapters they had me come in for a show called Voices & Views.

I was actually a little nervous until A) I found out it wasn’t live, and 2) I found out the host was a friend and former client of mine. It made for a pleasant 15 minutes. And it’s great practice looking ahead to next year when the real PR work begins.

The show won’t air until November 10th, so the denizens of Montana’s Golden Triangle will be spared the sound of my gums sawing back and forth for a while.

And if I can figure out how to stream it on the website, I’ll put it up in a few weeks. (Yes, that’s passive voice, for all you writers out there. Oops, I did it again. Somewhere Judas Priest is playing Breakin' the Law, Breakin' the Law).

I have to admit that I’ve been spoiled by the 1,092,471 stations you can get on XM Satellite Radio. But NPR is finding its way back to my preset buttons. How ‘bout you? Do you listen to NPR? If not, are you in the NRA?

An orgy of books

Yes, I do realize that simply by putting the word “orgy” in my headline I’ll now get a phallic-like spike in my web traffic. Those of you that look at your blog queries once in a while know exactly what I’m talking about. Two weeks ago I referenced slutty Halloween costumes and now I keep getting pinged by people googling: “homemade adult princess leia costumes.” Let me make it easy for those searching––go to leiasmetalbikini.com. There. Where was I?

This weekend the local American Association of University Women (AAUW) had their annual book sale. They collect donations of books all year and then rent three storefronts at a local mall and sell them to hordes of ravenous philobiblists. (Yes, I had to look that up).

I walked away with three ginormous boxes––ranging from a gorgeous hardback of Heinlein’s, Stranger in a Strange Land, to a 4-inch-thick Fountain of Catholic Knowledge: Illustrated, printed in 1891. (My own religious beliefs lie somewhere between those two books, in case you’re wondering).

Also, someone must have been a Pearl S. Buck fan, because they donated a lovely hardback collection, which found its way home with me. (All but East Wind: West Wind). They’re dated, but I can’t help it, I adore old books.

There were graphic novels too. They didn’t know how to price ‘em so they, and I’m not kidding you, stacked the books and measured them with a wooden ruler. I was charged $1 per/inch for a stack of graphic novels still bearing their $17.95 price stickers. I picked up Hong Kong’s popular Storm Riders series, I Am Legion, Maus II, and The Escapist by Michael Chabon—just to name a few.

I rounded it out with 30+ trade paperbacks by Wally Lamb, Gail Tsukiyama, Cormac McCarthy, Jane Hamilton and Jane Smiley as well as four anthologies of Hugo Winners and topped it all off with a 1976 Star Fleet Technical Manual.

But what am I reading first?

Well, since it’s Halloween and all, I’m reading Peter Straub’s, Ghost Story. Okay, I gotta run. I’m here all alone and just heard the strangest noise from downstairs. It sounded like the cellar door sla…jkac awe/ea……………   ..     .

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